Chapter 1 - Sources of History
1. Rewrite the statements by choosing the appropriate options.
(1) Among the historical sources ______ sources are based on Modern technology.
(a) Written
(b) Oral
(c) Material
(d) Audio-visual
Ans: Option (d) – Audio-visual
(2) The ______ is a museum in Pune which gives information about the history of Mahatma Gandhi.
(a) Aga Khan Palace
(b) Sabarmati Ashram
(c) Cellular Jail
(d) Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Ans: Option (a) – Aga Khan Palace
(3) A unique discovery of modern technology in the 20th century is ______ .
(a) Powada
(b) Photograph
(c) Interviews
(d) Films
Ans: Option (d) – Films
2. Explain the following statements with reasons.
(1) During the British period newspapers also acted as a source of social reformation.
Ans:
(i) Newspapers like Amrit Bazaar, Patrika, Deenbandhu, Dnyanoday, Kesari, etc. acted as important sources to awaken the minds of the people.
(ii) Newspapers in the British period not only opposed imperialism but educated the masses and created awareness among the people.
(iii) The Nibandhmala by Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and Shatapatre, written by Lokahitawadi alias Gopal Hari Deshmukh and published in the weekly Prabhakar, commented on various social and cultural issues.
(iv) Newspapers threw light on ill customs like sati, child marriage, the ban on widow remarriage, etc. and awakened the minds of the people.
(v) We came to know about various policies of the British towards India and their effects on India.
(vi) Thus, newspapers were not only sources of political events but also acted as a source of social reformation.
(2) Audio Visual Recordings are considered as the most trustworthy source for the study of Modern Indian History.
Ans: Audio-visual recordings are considered trustworthy sources for the study of modern history because
(i) Important events during the freedom struggle could be seen in reality.
(ii) Audio-visual recordings of the Dandi March, the Quit India movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and other historical events are available.
(iii) Films also dealt with subjects like social problems, superstitions, and practices. They reflect contemporary social, religious, and political issues.
(iv) Therefore, audio-visual recordings are considered a unique discovery of the 20th century.
3. Write short notes.
(1) Photographs
Ans:
(i) Before the invention of photography, paintings were an important source of history. But the authenticity of such paintings is doubtful.
(ii) Photographs are considered more reliable as the lens captures personal events and objects exactly as they appear.
(iii) The photograph of a person gives information about the person’s physical features, dressing style, etc.
(iv) Photographs enable us to recreate a visual image of an event. A photograph of an object or structure helps in understanding its nature.
(v) Hence, photographs are an important visual source of modern Indian history.
(2) Museums and History
Ans:
(i) A place where ancient artifacts such as paintings, photographs, tools, coins, documents, clothes, etc. are exhibited is known as a museum.
(ii) Ancient artifacts give us information about the economic, social, political, and religious conditions of the respective periods.
(iii) The metal and the inscriptions on the coin tell us about the economic conditions of that period and the metals used.
(iv) We come to know progress in art of making tools, paintings, sculpture and metallurgy.
(v) History and museums are related. They are important sources for writing history.
(3) Audio sources
Ans:
(i) Recording is a form of audio source in history.
(ii) The discovery of the technique of recording was very important.
(iii) Akashvani, audio tapes are considered important audio sources.
(iv) Jana Gana Mana, sung by Rabindranath Tagore; speeches of Subash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi; and speeches of leaders and personalities are broadcast from Akashvani.
(v) We get to know about the prevalent social, cultural, intellectual, and educational history of a particular period from an audio source. It is helpful for students conducting research in history.
4. Complete the following diagram.