In the middle of the nineteenth century British historians divided the history of India into three periods on the basis of the religion of rulers: “Hindu”, “Muslim” and “British”. This division was based on the idea that there were no other important historical changes in the economy, society or culture.

But today most of the historians divide the past into periods based on the economic and social factors which characterize them.

In doing so they are faced with the problems:

1. Economic and social changes keep taking place hence definite boundaries cannot be drawn.

2. These periods are compared with modernity. Modernity gives a sense of progress. This implies that there was no progress before, which is not true.

3. Division on the basis of religion of the ruler ignored the rich diversity of the subcontinent.