Q1: Which social science discipline studies human history and society?
Ans: History
Q2: What forms the foundation of historical study through systematic investigation?
Ans: Evidence-based knowledge
Q3: Why is history taught in schools?
Ans: To help students analyze the past and present critically
Q4: What is essential for understanding historical events accurately?
Ans: Authentic sources
Q5: What are the two main types of historical sources?
Ans: Primary and Secondary
Q6: What type of source includes inscriptions and coins?
Ans: Primary Source
Q7: How do primary sources differ from secondary sources?
Ans: Primary sources provide direct evidence; secondary sources interpret them
Q8: Which scientific technique is used to date ancient organic remains?
Ans: Radiocarbon dating
Q9: Which prehistoric site in Madhya Pradesh is known for rock paintings?
Ans: Bhimbetka Caves
Q10: What was the primary purpose of Ashoka’s inscriptions?
Ans: To communicate his policies and edicts
Q11: What is the study of coins in historical research called?
Ans: Numismatics
Q12: What do gold coins in an era suggest about the economy?
Ans: Economic prosperity
Q13: Why are inscriptions valuable historical sources?
Ans: They provide firsthand records of past events
Q14: Which archaeological site revealed details about the Indus Valley Civilization?
Ans: Mohenjo-Daro
Q15: What is the significance of state chronicles in history?
Ans: They document governance and state affairs
Q16: Who authored Indica, an account of ancient India?
Ans: Megasthenes
Q17: Under which category does Arthashastra fall?
Ans: Secular literature
Q18: What differentiates Brahmanical from non-Brahmanical literature?
Ans: Brahmanical texts include Vedas; non-Brahmanical texts include Buddhist and Jain scriptures
Q19: How do archaeological sources differ from literary sources?
Ans: Archaeological sources are physical evidence; literary sources are written records
Q20: What can the shape and metal composition of historical coins reveal?
Ans: Technological and economic conditions of the time
Q1: The study of ancient structures and artifacts falls under __________ sources.
Ans: Archaeological
Q2: __________ inscriptions provide insights into the Mauryan Empire.
Ans: Ashoka’s
Q3: The method used to determine the age of ancient artifacts is __________.
Ans: Radiocarbon dating
Q4: The Gupta period saw the widespread use of __________ coins.
Ans: Gold
Q5: Foreign travelers like Al-Beruni and Megasthenes documented __________ India.
Ans: Contemporary
Q1: Problem: A historian finds a book written in the eighteenth century describing the Mauryan Empire. Is this a primary or a secondary source? Justify your answer.
Ans: It is a secondary source since it was written much later than the Mauryan period. Primary sources, like Ashokan inscriptions, come directly from the era being studied.
Q2: Problem: If two historical texts provide conflicting information about a king’s rule, how should a historian determine reliability?
Ans: The historian should cross-check primary sources (inscriptions, coins), analyze the author’s context, compare with archaeological evidence, and look for corroboration across independent sources.
Q3: Problem: How can archaeologists determine the age of a newly discovered clay pot with markings?
Ans: They can use radiocarbon dating, compare with similar artifacts, study inscriptions (epigraphy), and analyze stratigraphy to determine its historical context.
Q4: Problem: Megasthenes’ descriptions of India sometimes contradict archaeological findings. How should historians handle this?
Ans: They should consider his outsider’s perspective, compare with local sources (Arthashastra, inscriptions), verify with archaeological evidence, and recognize possible exaggerations.
Q5: Problem: What does the discovery of numerous gold coins from an ancient kingdom indicate about its economy?
Ans: It suggests economic prosperity, strong trade relations, high state revenue, and possibly international trade if foreign coins are found. A later decline in gold coins may indicate economic instability.
Q6: Problem: Can epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata be considered reliable historical sources?
Ans: They contain historical elements but also mythological exaggerations. Verification requires archaeological evidence (e.g., excavations at Dwarka) and comparison with inscriptions and foreign accounts.
Q7: Problem: Ashokan edicts promote non-violence, yet he expanded his empire militarily. How should this contradiction be understood?
Ans: Ashoka followed expansionist policies before the Kalinga War but later adopted Dhamma. His edicts reflect state propaganda, so verification through other sources (Buddhist texts, foreign accounts) is necessary.
Q8: Problem: How should historians verify the authenticity of an ancient coin with an unfamiliar king’s name?
Ans: They should analyze metal composition, study inscriptions (numismatics), verify the excavation context, compare with historical records, and conduct forensic tests to rule out forgery.
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1. When is the CTET exam conducted each year? | ![]() |
2. Where can I find the CTET exam notification? | ![]() |
3. How can I apply for the State TET? | ![]() |
4. When will the results of the CTET exam be declared? | ![]() |
5. How is the syllabus structured for the CTET and State TET exams? | ![]() |