Chapter 1 – What is History?
EXERCISES
1. Fill in the blanks.
(a) The science that tries to understand past events is called _______.
Ans: history
(b) History is not written solely on the basis of _______.
Ans: imagination
2. Answer each question in one sentence.
(a) What is the scientific method?
Ans: The method of using a number of tests to determine whether the evidence is reliable is called the scientific method.
(b) Of which action is India’s Independence the result?
Ans: India’s independence is the result of the struggle of the Indian people, who fought against the British government to get independence.
(c) What does the study of history make possible?
Ans: The study of history makes it possible for us to study what is and is not favourable for the progress of human society.
3. Answer the following questions in brief.
(a) Why is history considered to be a scientific discipline?
Ans:
(i) History uses the scientific method at every stage, namely, while looking for and collecting evidence and while putting it together.
(ii) It uses scientific methods while examining the evidence and putting it together.
(iii) When required, help is also sought from other sciences.
(iv) That is why history is considered a scientific discipline.
(b) What is it that puts obstacles in the way of village development?
Ans: If the people of the village work together and help one another, the village makes good progress. However, if the people cannot come together and help each other, it puts obstacles in the path of village development.
4. Complete the concept chart.
Ans:
5. Classify the sources of history using the chart given here.
Sources of history –
Coins, letters, forts, traditional songs, pots, copper plates, songs, pillars, biographies, rock-cut caves, folk tales.
Ans:
| Material Sources | Written Sources | Oral Sources |
|---|---|---|
coins,
forts,
pots,
old structures,
stone inscription,
pillars,
rock-cut caves | letter,
copper plates,
biographies | traditional songs,
folk songs,
folk tales |