Colonial Approach/ Historiography

For the major part of the 19th century the Colonial School occupied a high position in India. The term ‘colonial approach’ has been used in two senses. One relates to the history of the colonial countries, while the other refers to the works which were influenced by the colonial ideology of domination. It is in the second sense that most historians today write about the colonial historiography. In fact, the practice of writing about the colonial countries by the colonial officials was related to the desire for domination and justification of the colonial rule. Hence, in most such historical works there was criticism of indigenous society and culture. Simultaneously, there was praise for the Western culture and values and glorification of the individuals who established the colonial empires. The histories of India written by James Mill, Mountstuart Elphinstone, Vincent Smith and many others are pertinent examples of the colonial historiographical trend. Certain characteristics common to most of the works of these historians are the following:

(i) ‘Orientalist’ representation of India;

(ii) the opinion that the British brought unity to India;

(iii) the notions of Social Darwinism—the English considered themselves superior to the ‘natives’ and the fittest to rule;

(iv) India viewed as a stagnant society which required guidance from the British (White Man’s burden); and

(v) establishing Pax Britannica to bring law and order and peace to a bickering society.