MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 1: Sources of History Textbook Questions and Solutions

We have studied the sources of ancient and medieval Indian history. In this chapter, we are going to study the sources of Modern Indian History. Historical sources include material, written and oral sources. Similarly, sources based on modern technology such as audio, video and audio-visual are included. So, students can take help of these MSBSHSE Class 8 solutions of Social Science Chapter 1 to understand the concepts thoroughly. It will help students with the correct approach to write an answer.

MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 1 Objective Questions: Textbook Important Questions and Solutions

MSBSHSE Class 8 Social Science History Chapter 1 Textbook Exercise Questions

Q1. 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

(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

(3) A unique discovery of modern technology in the 20th century is ………. .

(a) Powada

(b) Photograph

(c) Interviews

(d) Films

Answer 1: Among the historical sources audio-visual sources are based on Modern technology.

Answer 2: The Aga Khan Palace is a museum in Pune which gives information about the history of Mahatma Gandhi.

Answer 3: A unique discovery of modern technology in the 20th century is Photograph.

Q2. Explain the following statements with reasons.

(1) During the British period newspapers 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.

Answer 1: Newspapers provide us information about contemporary events. Along with it, detailed analysis of a particular event, views of eminent people, editorials are also published. We get information about the political, social, economic and cultural happenings of that period. In the pre independence period, newspapers like Dnyanoday, Dnyanprakash, Amrita Bazaar Patrika, Deenbandhu, Kesari acted as important sources of awakening the minds of the people. Through the newspapers we can study the British policies regarding India and their effects on India. During the British period, newspapers were not only the source of political events but also acted as a source of social reformation. The Nibandhmala by Vishnushastri Chiplunkar and Shatapatre written by Lokahitawadi alias Gopal Hari Deshmukh in the weekly Prabhakar comments on various social and cultural issues.

Answer 2: During the modern period, due to the development of Technology there was a development in the art of photography, recording, films etc.

Photographs are visual source of modern Indian history. With the discovery of art of photography, photographs of various persons, events, objects, structure, places were clicked. Through these photographs, we get information of the person or an event in a visual format. In case of the medieval period there are paintings available that depict the physical features of a person or visual description of a particular event, but the authenticity of these paintings is doubtful.

The discovery of the technique of recording was also as important as photography. Recording is a form of audio source of history. During the modern period, the speeches of leaders or important personalities, songs etc are available in the form of recordings. They can be used as a source of history.

Films are considered as a unique discovery of modern technology. In the 20th century, there was a great development in the technique of filmmaking. Dada Saheb Phalke, in the year 1913, laid the foundation of Indian film industry. Audiovisual recording of Dandi Yatra, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement and such other historical incidents are available. Through these films the events could be seen in reality.

Q3. Write short notes.

(1) Photographs

(2) Museums and History

(3) Audio sources

Answer 1: Photographs – Photographs are a visual source of modern Indian history. With the discovery of art of photography, photographs of various persons, events, objects, structure, places were clicked. Through these photographs we get information of the person or an event in a visual format. In case of mediaeval period there are paintings available that depict the physical features of a person or visual description of a particular event, but the authenticity of these paintings is doubtful. Comparatively photographs are considered to be more reliable. The photograph of a person gives information about the physical features, dressing style, etc. Photographs of an event give a visual image of the event whereas photograph of an object or a structure helps in understanding its nature.

Answer 2: Museums and History – The period of Modern Indian History is believed as period of European, especially the British rulers, and governance of Princely States. In this period various buildings, bridges, roads, water supply systems, fountains, etc. were built. These buildings include government offices, residences of officers, leaders and revolutionaries; palaces of rulers of princely states, forts, prisons etc. Among these monuments many buildingsare intact even today. Some are declared as national monuments, whereas some are converted into museums. For eg. Cellular Jail in Andaman.

Answer 3: Audio sources – The discovery of technique of recording was also as important as photography. Recording is a form of audio source of history. During the modern period, the speeches of leaders or important personalities, songs etc are available in the form of recordings. They can be used as a source of history. For example, National anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ sung by Rabindranath Tagore himself or the speeches of Subhash Chandra Bose can be used as an audio source for the study of history of Modern India.

Q4. Explain how Maps & Drawings are regarded as an important part of history?

Answer: Maps are regarded as an important source of history. The changing nature of a city or a particular location can be traced through maps. The Survey of India was an independent department established during the British period. Through scientific methods of survey, they have created maps of India, various provinces of India, cities etc. Similarly, the plans designed by the architects prove important from the view of study of architecture of a building as well as phases of the development process of a particular area. For example, the Department of Mumbai Port Trust has the original plan of the Bombay Port Information about development of Bombay city can be understood through the plans drafted by architects and engineers.

Q5. Discuss the inspirational songs in the freedom movement?

Answer: During the period of freedom movement various inspirational songs were composed. At present, some of these songs are available in written form, but there are many other unpublished inspirational songs memorised by freedom fighters. Through these inspirational songs we can get information about the conditions during pre pre-independence period and also the spirit behind the freedom struggle could be understood.

Q6. Define Powda as an oral resource of Modern Indian History?

Answer: Powada is a source for getting information about a historical event or the work of a person. There are various Powadas composed of the freedom struggle of 1857, valour of revolutionaries during British, rule etc. These Powadas were used to create motivation and spirit among the people. Apart from freedom movement, the Powadas were composed based on the work of Satyashodhak Samaj for awakening among the oppressed classes, the Samyukta Maharashtra movement and such other events.