How is the modern history of India defined?
Modernity is originally derived from the Sanskrit word adhunna, meaning new. The English form of modernity is derived from the Latin word modo, meaning today. It is a time-indicating term, like ancient times, medieval times, and modern times. The special trends in the history of modern India are called modernity. These special tendencies are what distinguish the modern period from the ancient and medieval periods. Different disciplines of social science have defined modernity in various senses.
Modernity expresses all those aspects of change that came into existence inspired and influenced by the circumstances that emerged after the European Renaissance (1453-1769). The Renaissance itself is an indicator of the advent of humanism and modernity. The extensive and influential changes introduced under modernity affected all spheres. For example, in the social sphere, it paved the way for the decline of feudalism and introduced urban civilization in place of rural culture. Sociologists like Emile Durkheim believe that modernity leads society from mechanical to inorganic forms of solidarity. However, the division of labor is responsible for this, Which Durkheim calls the sociological key to the modern history of India. Scholars like Max Beaver in his book ‘The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism’ consider modernity to be created by the victory of rationalism and the mentality of disillusionment.
In the economic sphere, modernity is synonymous with capitalism, industrialization, aspects of management, and the expansion of advanced technology and business facilities. The rise of capitalism as an idea and system has proved decisive for the economy and the social and political spheres. This capitalism has given rise to important phenomena like the Industrial Revolution, imperialism, and colonialism.
In the political sphere, nationalism, modern nation states, political parties, democracy, parliamentary system of government, franchise, etc. are the characteristics of modernity.
However, the process and timing of the above-mentioned changes in different spheres have not been the same. For example, the Industrial Revolution in England took place much earlier in the 18th century, while Germany had to wait for it for a long time. In many places, these changes happened easily, while in other places it was quite a struggle. Modernity in the field of science is manifested in the scientific ideas of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Descartes, and Newton, which were different from the original ideas of the discussion and which weakened the control and influence of Christianity on society.
Modernity in the field of thought found its strongest expression in the European Enlightenment ‘Age of Enlightenment’. This ideological movement of the 18th century became the foundation of the modern age. The Enlightenment strongly attacked Christianity and hierarchy (hierarchy-social differentiation) and tried to oust them from their central place in socio-political life. The thinkers of the Enlightenment opposed the institutions of Christianity and considered them unacceptable. you should also learn about these topics:- modern history in hindi, modern history of india notes, modern history, spectrum modern history, bipin chandra modern history,
They used the scientific method of research to systematically attack the entire Christian tradition. In their view nothing was sacred and everything was subject to critical scrutiny. As Voltaire said, ‘Nothing was sacred in the Holy Roman Empire.’ The thinkers of the Enlightenment were Voltaire, Diderot, Montesquieu, David Hume, Kant, etc. They believed that 18th-century Europe was far better and more progressive than ancient and medieval Europe and that this progress had increased human happiness. Ideas about progress in history were based on the assessment of what was happening around them.
Voices of support as well as criticism of modernity have been raised to a large extent. In the 18th century, thinkers like Rousseau and Nietz modern history mcqsche described the progress of knowledge and science as creating a rift between nature and man. Rousseau clearly said – ‘The development of science has led to the social and moral degradation of man.’ Edmund Burke and Thomas Malthus have also expressed views against modernity. In India, Sri Aurobindo, Gandhi, and Tagore also questioned the concepts arising from modernity. Even today, many thinkers consider development inspired by modernity to be harmful to the entire human civilization, including natural resources and human emotions. In the 1980s, in reaction to modernity, another period/movement called postmodernity came to light which is in a way a critique of modernity.
1900-1945 Modern History of India MCQ
What is the origin of the word “modernity”?
a) Greek and French
b) Sanskrit and Latin
c) Latin and Greek
d) French and Sanskrit
Answer: b) Sanskrit and Latin
Which event marked the beginning of modernity in Europe?
a) The Industrial Revolution
b) The European Renaissance
c) The Age of Exploration
d) The Enlightenment
Answer: b) The European Renaissance
What term did Emile Durkheim use to describe the key to modern life?
a) Urbanization
b) Mechanical solidarity
c) Division of labor
d) Feudal decline
Answer: c) Division of labor
Who wrote The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism?
a) Max Weber
b) Emile Durkheim
c) Voltaire
d) Thomas Malthus
Answer: a) Max Weber
What is modernity synonymous with in the economic sphere?
a) Feudalism
b) Capitalism and industrialization
c) Socialism and rural development
d) Nationalism
Answer: b) Capitalism and industrialization
Which country experienced the Industrial Revolution first?
a) France
b) Germany
c) England
d) Italy
Answer: c) England
What is considered the foundation of modern thought?
a) The Scientific Revolution
b) The Age of Enlightenment
c) The Industrial Revolution
d) The Renaissance
Answer: b) The Age of Enlightenment
Who famously said, “Nothing was sacred in the Holy Roman Empire”?
a) Voltaire
b) Montesquieu
c) Rousseau
d) David Hume
Answer: a) Voltaire
Which thinker criticized modernity for creating a rift between nature and man?
a) Immanuel Kant
b) Jean-Jacques Rousseau
c) Denis Diderot
d) Edmund Burke
Answer: b) Jean-Jacques Rousseau
What movement emerged in the 1980s as a critique of modernity?
a) Renaissance
b) Postmodernity
c) Romanticism
d) Imperialism
Answer: b) Postmodernity
Which Indian thinkers questioned the concepts arising from modernity?
a) Tagore, Gandhi, and Sri Aurobindo
b) Nehru, Ambedkar, and Vivekananda
c) Tagore, Patel, and Gandhi
d) 1900-1945 Modern History
Answer: a) Tagore, Gandhi, and Sri Aurobindo
What did the Enlightenment thinkers use to challenge Christian institutions?
a) Empathy and tradition
b) Scientific methods of research
c) Military power
d) Democratic systems
Answer: b) Scientific methods of research
Which scholar associated modernity with the decline of feudalism?
a) Voltaire
b) Emile Durkheim
c) Max Weber
d) Montesquieu
Answer: b) Emile Durkheim
What is a characteristic of modernity in the political sphere?
a) Monarchy
b) Nationalism and democracy
c) 1900-1945 Modern History
d) Rural governance
Answer: b) Nationalism and democracy
What was a criticism of modernity raised by Thomas Malthus?
a) It promoted capitalism
b) It led to social and moral degradation
c) It caused environmental damage
d) It failed to advance scientific progress
Answer: c) It caused environmental damage