Chapter 1 NCERT Solutions
Rasheeda’s question
Rasheeda sat reading the newspaper. Suddenly, her eyes fell on a small headline: “One Hundred Years Ago.” How, she wondered, could anyone know what had happened so many years ago?
Answer: People can learn about what happened in the past in different ways. One way is by reading books, newspapers, or other documents that were written during that time. Another way is by talking to people who were alive at that time and hearing stories from their parents or grandparents.
Sometimes, people also find artefacts or objects from the past that can give them clues about how people used to live. With all this information, historians can piece together what life was like in the past and what events took place.
So, it's not magic or a mystery. It just takes a lot of research, studying, and detective work to find out what happened a long time ago.
Keywords
travelling: The act of moving from one place to another, often for the purpose of exploration or tourism.
manuscript: A handwritten or typed document that is not yet published, often referring to historical or literary documents.
inscription: Writing or markings on a hard surface, such as stone, metal or pottery.
archaeology: The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of artefacts, structures, and other physical remains.
historian: A person who studies and writes about history, often using written sources and other historical evidence.
source: A document or physical object that provides information about a particular topic or event.
decipherment: The process of figuring out the meaning of writing or symbols that are difficult to read or understand, often in ancient or unfamiliar languages.
Let’s Recall
1. Match the following
Answer:
Narmada Valley - Early agriculture
Magadha - The first big kingdom
Garo Hills - Hunting and gathering
Indus and its tributaries - The first cities
Ganga Valley - Cities about 2500 years ago
2. List one major difference between manuscripts and inscriptions.
Answer: Manuscripts and inscriptions are both valuable sources of information for historians to learn about the past. However, one major difference between them is their physical form.
Manuscripts are handwritten or typed documents on materials such as paper, palm leaves, or bark. They can contain information about different aspects of life like religion, literature, science, or history. Manuscripts are usually created by individuals and can be easily copied or reproduced.
On the other hand, inscriptions are writings that are carved, engraved, or etched into solid materials like stone, metal, or clay. They can be found on monuments, buildings, pillars, or other structures. Inscriptions are often created to commemorate a person or an event, and they can provide important historical information.
So, the main difference between manuscripts and inscriptions is that manuscripts are written or printed on flexible materials and can be easily copied, while inscriptions are carved or engraved on solid materials and are usually permanent.
Let’s Discuss
3. Return to Rasheeda’s question. Can you think of some answers to it?
Answer: Well, Rasheeda, People can learn about what happened in the past in different ways. One way is by reading books, newspapers, or other documents that were written during that time. Another way is by talking to people who were alive at that time and hearing stories from their parents or grandparents.
Sometimes, people also find artefacts or objects from the past that can give them clues about how people used to live. With all this information, historians can piece together what life was like in the past and what events took place.
So, it's not magic or a mystery. It just takes a lot of research, studying, and detective work to find out what happened a long time ago.
4. Make a list of all the objects that archaeologists may find. Which of these could be made of stone?
Answer: Archaeologists study the past by looking at the things that people made, used, and left behind. They can find many different types of objects, such as:
- Pottery - containers made of clay
- Tools - objects used for work, such as hammers, knives, or axes
- Weapons - tools used for fighting, such as spears, swords, or arrows
- Jewellery - objects worn for decoration, such as necklaces, bracelets, or earrings
- Coins - pieces of metal used as money
- Statues - sculptures made of stone, clay, or metal
- Buildings - structures made of wood, stone, or brick
One type of object that archaeologists often find is made of stone. These can include tools, such as arrowheads or grinding stones, as well as statues or buildings made of stone. Stone was a common material used in the past because it is durable and easy to shape.
By studying these objects, archaeologists can learn a lot about the people who made and used them, including their technology, beliefs, and way of life.
5. Why do you think ordinary men and women did not generally keep records of what they did?
Answer: In the past, ordinary men and women did not generally keep records of what they did for a few reasons.
Firstly, many people in the past did not know how to read or write, which made it difficult for them to keep written records. Education was not widely available, and literacy rates were low, especially among women and people from lower classes.
Secondly, even those who knew how to read and write often did not have access to materials such as paper, ink, or pens, which were expensive and not widely available. This made it difficult to keep written records of everyday activities.
Finally, many people in the past lived in societies that were largely oral or based on word-of-mouth communication. People passed down stories and traditions through spoken language, and they often did not feel the need to write things down.
Overall, the lack of literacy, limited access to writing materials, and reliance on oral traditions were the main reasons why ordinary men and women did not generally keep records of what they did in the past. This is why historians often have to rely on other sources, such as official documents, art, and archaeological finds, to learn about the lives of people from the past.
6. Describe at least two ways in which you think the lives of kings would have been different from those of farmers.
Answer: In the past, the lives of kings and farmers were very different. Here are two ways in which their lives would have differed:
- Social status: Kings held the highest position in society and were often considered to be divine or chosen by the gods. They had immense power and wealth and were surrounded by luxury and extravagance. Farmers, on the other hand, were lower down the social hierarchy and had to work hard to make a living. They lived in modest homes and often had to struggle to feed themselves and their families.
- Daily life: Kings had a lot of free time and were able to spend their days pursuing leisure activities, such as hunting, music, or sports. They had servants to do their bidding and waited on hand and foot. Farmers, on the other hand, had to work from sunrise to sunset to tend to their crops and animals. They had to be self-sufficient and were responsible for their own survival and that of their families.
Overall, the lives of kings and farmers were very different in terms of social status, daily routines, and access to resources. The king's life was one of privilege and power, while the farmer's life was one of hard work and struggle.
Let’s do
7. Find the word craftspersons on page 1. List at least five different crafts that you know about today. Are the craftspersons — (a) men (b) women (c) both men and women?
Answer: Crafts are a way of creating something by hand using special skills and techniques. Here are five different crafts that you might know about today:
- Sewing - creating clothing, bags, and other objects using fabric and thread
- Woodworking - making furniture, toys, and other objects out of wood
- Glassblowing - creating glass objects using a heated furnace and blowing techniques
- Metalworking - creating objects out of metal, such as jewellery, tools, and sculptures
- Painting - using paint to create art on canvas or other surfaces
Crafts can be practised by both men and women. Historically, some crafts were considered to be "women's work" or "men's work," but today people of all genders can practice any craft they choose. In fact, many crafts are taught in schools and universities, and there are numerous craft fairs and markets where craftspersons of all genders can sell their handmade goods.
8. What were the subjects on which books were written in the past? Which of these would you like to read?
Answer: In the past, books were written on a wide variety of subjects. Some common subjects included:
- Religion and spirituality
- History and mythology
- Science and medicine
- Philosophy and ethics
- Literature and poetry
There were also books on practical topics such as farming, cooking, and craftsmanship. Many books were written by hand and were highly valued for their knowledge and information.
I like to read about the adventures of ancient heroes or the beliefs and practices of people in different cultures. I like to learn about how the world was viewed in the past, or how people solved problems without the technology we have today. There are many books from the past that can offer insight into different ways of thinking and living, and reading them can be both informative and enjoyable.