Major Approaches to the History of Modern India

Colonial Approaches - Colonial Approach is influenced by the colonial ideology of domination. it focuses on criticism of indigenous society and culture, and praises the Western culture and values. James Mill, Vincent Smith, Mountstuart Elphinstone etc, followed the approach.

Nationalist Historiography/ Approach - Nationalist approach to Indian history can be described as one which tends to contribute to the growth of nationalist feelings and to unify people in the face of religious, case or linguistic differences or class differentiation. This approach looks at the National movement as the movement of the  Indian people, which grew out of the growing awareness among all people of the exploitative nature of colonial rule. Nationalist Approach evolved as a response to and in confrontation with the colonial approach. Before independence, this school dealt with the ancient and medieval periods of Indian history, and not the modern period. After independence this school focused on modern India. R.C. Majumdar and Tara Chand belonged to this School.

Marxist Historiography/Approach focuses on the primary contradiction between the interest of the colonial masters and the native subjects. It also takes notice of the inner contradictions between the different sections of Indian society. R.P. Dutt and A.R. Desai were noted Marxist historians of India.

Subaltern Approach takes the position that the entire tradition of Indian historiography has an elitist bias and the role of the common masses has been neglected. Ranajit Guha belonged to this School.

Communalist Approach views Hindus and Muslims as permanently hostile groups whose interests are mutually different and antagonistic to each other.

Cambridge School envisages Indian nationalism as a product of conflicts among the Indians themselves for getting the benefits from the British rulers. For them Indian Nationalist leaders were inspired by the greed of power and material benefits.

Liberal and Neo-liberal Interpretations imply that the economic exploitation of the colonies was not beneficial to the people of Britain as it delayed the development of the 'new' industries in Britain. The proponents of this school of thought are Patrick O' Brian, Hopkins and Cain.

Feminist Historiography focuses on areas of research that analyse colonial structures, such as the legal structure, which affected women's lives. It also focuses on women's vulnerability due the denial of ownership of productive resources. In colonial period, two works based upon the women's question in India - The High Caste Hindu Woman (1887) by Pandita Ramabai, and Mother India (1927) by Katherine Mayo- attracted international attention.