Chapter 1 - Sources of History
1. Complete the names of the following sources of history.
l _ _ _ _ d
Ans: legend
t _ _ _ _ h
Ans: tarikh
b _ _ _ _ r
Ans: bakhar
p _ _ _ _ a
Ans: powada
i _ _ _ _ i _ _ _ i _ n
Ans: inscription
m _ _ u _ _ _ t
Ans: monument
2. Let’s write.
(1) What do monuments include?
Ans: Monuments include samadhis, graves, vergala and buildings.
(2) What is a Tarikh?
Ans: A Tarikh or Taxarikh is a sequence of events.
(3) What qualities of the author are important in the writing of history?
Ans: Author’s impartiality and neutrality are important in the writing of history.
3. Find the odd man out.
(1) Material sources, written sources, unwritten sources, oral sources.
Ans: unwritten sources
(2) Monuments, coins, cave sculptures, stories
Ans: stories
(3) Bhurjapatras, temples, treatises, paintings.
Ans: temples
(4) Owis, tarikhs, folk tales, myths
Ans: tarikhs
4. Explain the following concepts.
(1) Material sources
Ans: Material sources are artifacts and structures. Forts have an important place among the material sources. Monuments and buildings provide insight about the period. The coins made by different rulers are also an important material source. Chaityas, Viharas, temples, churches, mosques, agiaries, dargahs, mukbaras, gurudwaras, monuments, sculptures, wells, minarets, village boundaries and gates, weapons, utensils, ornaments, clothes, decorative articles, toys, implements, and musical instruments are also material sources of history.
(2) Written sources
Ans: Written sources include bhurja patra, religion manuscripts, treatises, edicts, decrees, and biographies written in Devnagari, Arabic, Persian, and Modi scripts; documents of the proceedings in the courts of the king; judicial verdicts and orders; Genealogies and Shakavali; correspondence; and chronicles like Tavarikh and Bakhars. These written works give information about social life, festivals, conventions, and rules of conduct; the economy and political policies; administration; and inter-state relations.
(3) Oral sources
Ans: Oral sources refer to folk literature traditionally passed on from generation to generation. Owis, powadas, folk songs, folk tales, legends, myths, gatha, shlokas, abhangas, and proverbs are called oral sources of history. Some of the oral sources have been written down after research. This conversion work is going on continuously, and new information that comes to light is added.
5. Is it necessary to evaluate sources of history? Give your opinion.
Ans: In my opinion, it is necessary to evaluate the sources of history because:
(i) There are genuine sources as well as fake sources. Their authenticity can be determined with the help of internal standards.
(ii) It is necessary to determine the integrity, impartiality, and neutrality of the authors by knowing their personal interests, the period during which they lived, and the political pressures on them.
(iii) Some authors rely upon hearsay, and some give eyewitness accounts. Hearsay may be an exaggerated account. The writer may use metaphors and other literary devices that may be misleading.
(iv) Information may be one-sided, contradictory, or exaggerated.
(v) It needs to be seen from the proper perspective and critically evaluated.
6. Write why in your words.
(1) A stone inscription is considered to be an authentic source of history.
Ans: A stone inscription is considered an authentic source of history because:
(i) An inscription is a carving on a stone or a wall.
(ii) A stone inscription gives details about the language, script, and social life of that period.
(iii) The inscriptions found in the Brihadishwara temple in Tanjavur, those of Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Chola, and Yadav Kings, are authentic sources of history.
(2) Oral sources reveal various aspects of people’s lives.
Ans: Oral sources reveal various aspects of people’s lives because:
(i) Folk literature is mostly passed on from generation to generation.
(ii) It narrates their lives, beliefs, and economic conditions.
(iii) Owis and Abhangas reveal their religious beliefs.
(iv) Folk tales are about mythological heroes whom the common people admire.