THE ANTECEDENTS

Romila Thapar (1931)

Facts of the writer
 Well known historian
 Controversial
 “Antecedents” discusses India's
social and economic structure
with the political and dynastic
events during the era.
Synonyms:
Antecedents = past history, background
Evoke= call to mind, suggest
Allure = attraction, appeal, magnetism
Romanticism = idealism, optimism, impracticality
Vital = important, fundamental, crucial
Pulsating = lively, vivacious, energetic
Hallucination = vision, illusion, mirage
Fabulous = wonderful, magnificent, marvellous
Mystical = spiritual, magical, supernatural
Charitable = generous, benevolent, altruistic
Perpetuation = maintenance, continuation, keeping
Benevolence = kindness, compassion, generosity
Sanity = good sense, wisdom, reason
Rational = balanced, sane, normal
Individualism = uniqueness, egoism, distinctiveness
Stagnant = sluggish, inactive, inert
Disdain = scorn, contempt, derision
Contempt = disdain, dislike, disrespect
Despotic = tyrannical, dictatorial, authoritarian
Contrary = opposing, different, divergent
Utilitarian = useful, practical, serviceable
Acclaimed = highly praised, much admired, commended
subtlety = delicacy, refinement
Mundane = ordinary, dull, routine
Vehement = fervent, passionate, intense
imbue = instill, fill, permeate
Symbolism = imagery, representation
Genesis = origin, beginning, birth
Protagonist = character, hero
Oppressive = cruel, harsh domineering
Contention = argument, disagreement, controversy
Glorious = magnificent, wonderful, splendid
Inevitable = unavoidable, expected, forseeable
Adjunct = addition, attachment
Aspiration = ambition, goal, aim
Ascribe = assign, credit, attribute
Antonyms:
Romanticism X realism
Vital X trivial
Perpetuation X end
Benevolence X malevolence
Sanity X insanity
Rational X irrational
Individualism X conformity
Disdain X respect
Despotic X democratic
Contrary X similar
Utilitarian X useless
Vehement X apathetic
Oppressive X libertarian
Contention X harmony
Glorious X inglorious, shameful
Occasional X frequent
Ancient X modern
Enthusiastic X apathetic
Deliberate X accidental
Subtle X obvious
Spiritual X carnal, secular
Console X depress
Reveal X conceal
Proportionate X disproportionate
Distinguish:
Contention/ contentment
Evoke / invoke
Allure / allude
Ascribe / describe
Imbue / imbibe
Questions
1. What does the essay “The Antecedents” say about
‘India in Western imagination’?
2. How would you describe India to a Westerner today?
3. India has often been called a land of contrasts and
extremities. What are your views on this?
4. What aspects of India should be viewed critically,
and what aspects could be viewed with ‘amused
benevolence’?
5. The West has formed different changing
perceptions of India over the past. How would
you like the Western world to view India?
6. History can be written from different
perspectives. Do you feel that Indian history
must be rewritten? Explain.