I. Choose the correct option.
1. Ans: (a)
2. Ans: (b)
3. Ans: (a)
4.Ans: (c)
5. Ans: (c)
6.Ans: (c)
7. Ans: (c)
8.
Ans: (c)
9. Ans: (a)
10. Ans: (c)
II. State whether the following statements are true or false. Rewrite the statements to correct them.
1.
Ans: False
2.
Ans: False
3.
Ans: False
4.
Ans: True
5.
Ans: False
III. Answer the following questions in brief.
1.
Ans: The study of history is important for the following reasons:
- To understand how our early ancestors lived and their way of life.
- To learn about great kings, queens, leaders, and ordinary people who contributed to culture and civilization.
- To trace the evolution of scripts and languages.
- To solve mysteries of the past. Historians and archaeologists are experts who study the past.
2.
Ans: Coins are important to historians because they help determine the dates of various dynasties and provide insights into the religious and cultural practices of the people who issued them.
3.
Ans: The important sources of history are archaeological and literary sources. Archaeological sources include inscriptions, monuments, coins, and other artifacts. Literary sources include religious and secular literature, accounts of foreign travelers, and oral history.
4.
Ans: The main literary sources of ancient history include religious literature like the Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita, and the Puranas. Secular literature includes texts like Kautilya's Arthashastra and accounts of foreign travelers.
5.
Ans: People in ancient times chose to live near rivers because rivers provided essential resources, such as water for their needs, fertile land for irrigation and agriculture, and a means of transportation.
IV. Answer the following questions in detail.
1.
Ans: We study the past to understand our history and heritage, learn from the experiences of our ancestors, and gain insights into how societies evolved over time. Historians and archaeologists study the past. Historians rely on written records and accounts, while archaeologists excavate and examine material remains to reconstruct the past.
2.
Ans: In history, dates are often written as BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, "In the year of our Lord"). BC counts years backward from the birth of Jesus Christ. For example, 650 BC means 2,650 years ago. Historians now use BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC and AD. BCE counts years backward from 0, which means that 80 BCE comes after 90 BCE.
3.
Ans: Scholars study the past using various sources, including written records, inscriptions, monuments, coins, and artifacts. Oral history is a source based on the personal experiences and opinions of speakers, such as folk tales and myths passed down through generations.
4.
Ans: Archaeological sources are material remains of people who lived in the past, such as buildings, artifacts, inscriptions, and more. They help us study the past even in the absence of written records. Inscriptions and edicts provide information about kings, their reigns, empires, and societal practices. Monuments, coins, and artifacts offer insights into social life, culture, and history. Archaeologists use these sources to reconstruct the past.
5.
Ans: The geographical location of a place influences its history because it determines factors like access to resources, natural barriers, and trade routes. For example, living near rivers offered water, fertile land, and transportation, shaping early civilizations. Mountains acted as natural barriers, influencing trade and migration routes. Coastal areas facilitated trade and cultural exchange through sea routes. Geography plays a crucial role in shaping historical events and developments.