LIST THE DEFINING FEATURE OF THE MODERN ERA. WHY DO INDIAN HISTORIANS NOT WANT TO CALL THE BRITISH RULE IN INDIA A MODERN PERIOD                                                          

The ancient - medieval - modern paradigm of Indian history has been borrowed from the West. In the west, the definining feature of the modern era is the development of all forces of modernity, i.e., science, reason, democracy, liberty and equality. Medieval is in fact a term that is used to describe a societal period that lacked all these features. Hence British historians often characterise the period of Britsih rule in India as modern. However, the nationalist school of Indian historiography claims that under British rule, Indians did not have equality, freedom or liberty. Nor was the British period one of economic growth and progress. Therefore, Indian historians do not want to call British rule in India a modern period.