Question

‘The History of India’, written by Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay was published in 1841.
A. True
B. False

Answer 1

Hint: Mountstuart Elphinstone was a prominent statesman and a historian from Scotland associated with the government of British India. Elphinstone is renowned for his initiative in opening new educational institutions where he made accessible for the Indians. Besides being a notable administrator, he was also known for his books based on India and Afghanistan.

Complete step by step answer:
Appointed through family influence to the East India Company, Mountstuart arrived on the Indian subcontinent in 1796 and quickly learned Persian and developed an interest in Indian civilization and history. He was also largely responsible for creating a British administrative system in the Maratha territories which were annexed in 1818, sought to preserve the good in Maratha institutions, granted territorial lands and judicial powers to the Brahmans, and also maintained the authority and usefulness of the village headmen and the tribunals.
Mountstuart Elphinstone was a pioneer of state education and he persisted at a time when others were horrified at the idea of educating the indigenous people in India. Therefore with his contributions and his advanced views, the wealthy native people of Bombay established the Elphinstone College in his memory.
So, the correct answer is Option A.

Note: This volume ‘The history of India” is based on a wide range of Indian sources and published in the year 1841 is infused with his lifelong understanding of Indian culture, science and philosophy. Volume II of the book covers the period of the thirteen century till the demise of the Mughal Empire in the mid-eighteen century.