Chapter 1 : IDEAS OF HISTORY

Question 1.
What does the Sanskrit term itihasa imply ?
Answer:
Itihasa implies the idea of the state of affairs as it prevailed before or earlier.

Question 2.
Why history is called the study of man as he lives in society?
Answer:
Because history studies man as a social being living in geographical and
natural environment.

Question 3.
Is history a set of laws or generalizations ?
Answer:
No, it is the story of man’s progress.

Question 4.
Would you call the dates and years of political events as history proper ?
Answer:
No, these are the skeleton of history.

Question 5.
When did the modern history emerge ?
Answer:
Modern history appeared in the wake of liberal nationalism of the nineteenth
century.

Question 6.
What is the essence of the new turn in the historical thinking during the early
part of the twentieth century ?
Answer:
Since the 30s of the twentieth century historians like Marc Bloch, Braudel and
others brought geography, sociology, linguistic, folklore, etc. within historical
purview.

Question 7.
How did the subaltern historians look at history ?
Answer:
The subaltern historians favoured looking history from below.
Question 8.
How did New Social History emerge ?
Answer:
The New Social History emerged through the writings of such British
historians as Edward Thomson, Eric Hobsbawm, etc.

Question 9.
How did sports help to boost national pride ?
Answer:
Football is England’s national game, and when the Indian football team had
lifted the cup of victory by playing against the British players in Calcutta, it
served as a great booster to national pride.

Question 10.
Which book did deal with the social history of cricket ?
Answer:
In recent times the sports-historian Boria Majumdar’s book entitled Twenty-
two yards of Freedom is a landmark dealing with social history of cricket.

Question 11.
How is the opening of international and political relations possible through
cricket ?
Answer:
Recently Ramchandra Guha, a social historian, enriched the domain of sports
by suggesting the possibility of opening up international and political relations
with foreign countries through cricket.

Question 12.
How is food habits influenced by climatic and geographical factors ?
Answer:
For example it may be said that owing the presence of water bodies in the
form of rivers fish and rice have become important items of food with the
Bengali people.

Question 13.
What is the oldest preserved example of Indian music ?
Answer:
The oldest preserved example of Indian music is to be found in the Samaveda
of the Vedic corpus.

Question 14.
What influence was active in the early Bengali music ?
Answer:
The earliest music in Bengal was influenced by the Vaishnava poetry
Gitagovinda by Jaidev in the thirteenth century.

Question 15.
Show by an example how in dance is exposed the connection between
identity politics and the classical dance ?
Answer:
In depth study has revealed that classicism in the Kuchipudi dance creates
and supports hegemonic version of the Telegu history.

Question 16.
Which treatise on music has included a chapter on dance as well ?
Answer:
The monumental treatise Sangitaratnakara includes a chapter on the tradition
of dance.

Question 17.
Which dance forms did heavily influence the Bengali dance ?
Answer:
Bengali dance has been influenced heavily from the folk traditions,particularly
the tribal dances.

Question 18.
What is meant by the drama or theatre historiography ?
Answer:
Drama or theatre historiography means study of the methodologies that
determine how theatre history is written.

Question 19.
How would you say that the Indian drama has a long history ?
Answer:
Bhasa belonging to the 5th century BC is one of the earliest Indian playwright
in Sanskrit.

Question 20.
What is the importance of Kutiyattam of Kerala ?
Answer:
The Kutiyattam of Kerala is one of the oldest surviving theatre traditions of the
world.

Question 21.
What the Tolkappiyam ?
Answer:
Tolkappiyam is the earliest available work in Tamil, written by Tolkappiar,
which provides guideline for writing and acting out plays.

Question 22.
Why is the treatise Natyasashtra important ?
Answer:
It is important because Natyasashtra, attributed to Bharatamuni is regarded as
the most elaborate treatise in Sanskrit on ancient plays in the world.

Question 23.
What was the comment of the art critique, Thirumalai, on the treatise
Natyasashtra ?
Answer:
Thirumalai commented that the Natyasashtra ‘is of great significance for
indian poetics, drama and fine arts’.

Question 24.
Why is the year 1872 a milestone in the development of drama in Bengal ?
Answer:
The year 1872 is a milestone in the development of drama in Bengal because
in that year was founded the National Theatre.

Question 25.
How did the drama movement passed on to professionals from the grip of the
aristocracy ?
Answer:
After the foundation of the National Theatre the drama movement passed from
the grip of aristocracy to the professionals under the leadership of
Girishchandra Ghosh.

Question 26.
Why did the historians find it difficult to write stage wise narrative of the
development of cinema in india ?
Answer:
It was because of the phenomenon of mixture of Indian and European
features in Indian cinema that the historians find it difficult to write linear
narrative of the development of cinema in India.

Question 27.
When did cinema arrive in india ?
Answer:
According to the Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema cinema arrived in India
almost at the same time as it did in the major cities of European countries.
Question 28.
What is the unique feature of the Indian cinema during the colonial period ?
Answer:
The unique feature of the development of Indian cinema that this was the only
major indigenous film industry that emerged under the colonial rule.

Question 29.
How old is india’s history of clothing ?
Answer:
India’s history of clothing goes back to the period of Indus Valley Civilization
which as old as 5000 BC.

Question 30.
What idea may be had from Rigveda in the matter of clothing ?
Answer:
In Rigveda there is mention of garments known as paridhan.

Question 31.
What is ‘fashion’ ?
Answer:
Fashion may be defined as a popular style or practice particularly in clothing
that changes from time to time.

Question 32.
What type of transport was in use in Bengal in the early days ?
Answer:
In a riverine country like Bengal the natural means of transportation in use in
the early days was boat.

Question 33.
In rural india what was used as overland transport in early days ?
Answer:
In rural india bullock carts were used as overland transport in early days.

Question 34.
What was mentioned by the Greek historians as regards transportation in
india ?
Answer:
Greek historians mentioned that the might of the Ganga kingdom rested on
the elephant brigade which testified that elephants had many uses including
transportation.
Question 35.
How palanquin bearers found reference in Bengali poem and song ?
Answer:
Satyendranath Datta, a Bengali poet, has a poem Palkir-gaan set to music by
famous composer Salil Chaudhuri.

Question 36.
What were the earliest specimens of painting found in Bengal ?
Answer:
The earliest specimens of painting survived come from the time of the Pala
rule in Bengal when Buddhist manuscripts were illuminitated.

Question 37.
How Kolkata became the centre of modern indian renaissance in painting ?
Answer:
Kolkata became the centre of Indian renaissance because many of the young
artists of Calcutta Art School excelled as portrait painters.

Question 38.
Who was Ernest Benfield Havell ?
Answer:
Ernest Benfield Havell was an influential English arts admintrator, art historian
and author of many books, whose field of activities was Kolkata.

Question 39.
Who was Nandalal Bose ?
Answer:
Santiniketan in the Birbhum District of West Bengal, emerged as a centre of
painting when Nandalal Bose, an artist of eminence joined the Kala Bhutan
there.

Question 40.
What was the contribution of the Calcutta School of Industrial Arts in the
progress of photography ?
Answer:
The Calcutta School of Industrial Arts, established in 1854, started imparting
instructions in photography.

Question 41
Why is the Indian Academy of Fine Arts important?
Answer:
The indian Academy of Fine Arts, established in 1919, started publishing a
quarterly that sought to place photography on an equal status with painting
and sculpture.
Question 42.
What appeal was made by Colonel Mahimchandra Thakur regarding
photography?
Answer:
Colonel Mahichandra Thakur, in a paper published in the Bhandar, appealed
to the Bangiya Sahitya Parishad to engage photographers to take the
photographs of varieties of things and thereby to keep those as record.

Question 43.
What was the proposal made by Mrs. Wince regarding photography?
Answer:
Mrs. Wince’s proposal was to give lessons in the art of photography to the
ladies and gentlemen.

Question 44.
How did Annapurna Devi earn her living ?
Answer:
Srimati Annapurna Devi earned her living through photography between 1930
and 1940 .

Question 45.
How Jagadish Chandra Bose contributed to photography ?
Answer:
Jagadish Chandra Bose was pioneer in X-ray photography in India.

Question 46.
Where was the first X-ray unit set up in Calcutta ?
Answer:
The first X-ray unit of diagnosing diseases was initiated in Calccutta by Dr.
Nilratan Sircar.

Question 47.
What was the important feature of the Indian architecture?
Answer:
An important feature of Indian architecture was continuous absorption of new
ideas.

Question 48.
What was the objective of Fergusson regarding Indian art?
Answer:
The objective of Fergusson was to reveal to the English readers how India’s
arts are more original and more varied.
Question 49.
What is the distinctive feature of the temple architecture of Bengal?
Answer:
A distinctive feature of the temple architecture of Bengal has been the
particular roofing style.

Question 50.
What is the importance of ‘local history’?
Answer:
Local history is an important area of socio-historical studies and disclose
historical episodes.

Question 51.
What was the opinion expressed by Rabindranath Tagore regarding local
history?
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore urged upon the students to undertake studies in local
history.

Question 52.
Where is found the earliest reference to armies in Indian history?
Answer:
The earliest known reference to armies is to be found in the Vedas as also in
the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Question 53.
What was the difference in character between the Bengal army and the army
set up in Bombay and Madras by the East india Company ?
Answer:
The essential difference between the Bengal army and the armies of Bombay
and Madras set up by the East India Company was that the former remained
more high caste in character while the two latter had a heterogeneous
character.

Question 54.
What was shift in the army recruitment policy of the British in the period after
the Revolt of 1857 ?
Answer:
After the Revolt of 1857 the British government in India disbanded the
regiments which had mutinied.

Question 55.
How did the landscape find expression in poetry of Rabindranath ?
Answer:
The poetry of Rabindranath reveal the influence of the landscape of the
Gangetic Bengal, particularly that of Silaidaha in present Bangladesh.

Question 56.
When did urbanization of Calcutta start ?
Answer:
After the Battle of Plassey the urbanization of Calcutta went on unabated,
though in an unplanned manner.

Question 57.
How does environment influence people’s mind ?
Answer:
The influence of environment moulds the thought and dealings in life of the
respective people.

Question 58.
How Rachel Carson has expressed his concern for environmental pollution ?
Answer:
Carson in his book emphasized the detrimental effects on the environment as
a result of the indiscriminate use of pesticide.

Question 59.
Mention two of the scholars engaged in environmental studies.
Answer:
Mahesh Rangarajan and Ramchandra Guha are the two scholars engaged in
environmental studies.

Question 60.
Why is Madhusudan Gupta remembered ?
Answer:
Madhusudan Gupta is remembered because he pioneered the dissection of
corpse (dead body of human being) and also translated a text book on
anatomy into Sanskrit.

Question 61.
What is Bangadarshar’s contribution to the study of science ?
Answer:
The Bangadarshan, published by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee started carrying
features on science from its second number in 1872.

Question 62.
Why is Ramendra Sundar Trivedi famous ?
Answer:
Ramendra Sundar Trivedi is famous because as a writer he wanted to share
with everyone the ‘fun, the delight and ecstasy of science.’

Question 63.
Why is Akshay Kumar Datta important ?
Answer:
Akshay Kumar Datta is important because he seriously worked for the
propagation of modern scientific outlook.

Question 64.
Would you say that women played an important role in the evolution of
civilization ?
Answer:
The anthropologists have accredited women with the discovery of agriculture,
the process of generation of plants from seeds.

Question 65.
What government documents regarded as the primary source materials for
reconstruction of history ?
Answer:
Government documents such as reports, narratives, entries of police and such
other things may be regarded as the primary source materials for the
reconstruction of history.

Question 66.
What are the secondary source materials for the reconstruction of history ?
Answer:
Interpretation and analysis of the government documents, private letters, etc.
may be regarded as the secondary source for the reconstruction of history.

Question 67.
What is the difference between autobiography and memoirs ?
Answer:
While autobiography tells the story of life a memoir often tells story from life.

Question 68.
What is the importance of Sattar Batsar of Bipin Chandra Pal ?
Answer:
Sattar Batsar has a documentary value from historical perspective as it
contains a graphic description and account of the first stirrings of nationalist
feeling of the country.

Question 69.
Why is Jibansmriti of Rabindranath important ?
Answer:
Jibansmriti is important as it is the source book for information about the
cultural, religious and literary atmosphere of the late nineteenth century
Kolkata.

Question 70.
How did Sarala Devi recommend for the success of the national movement ?
Answer:
In her autobiography, Jibaner Jharapata, Sarala Devi wrote that the
improvement of health and physique of the youths of the country was
essential to the success of national movement.

Question 71.
What was initiated by Sarala Devi as the first feminist of modern Bengal ?
Answer:
As a feminist Sarala Devi pioneered the women organization named Bharat
Stri Mahamandal.

Question 72.
What was communicated by Nehru through the letters written to his daughter
about the indian society?
Answer:
Through the letters written to his daughter, Nehru explained in a very simple
language the complex things like race and religion that developed in india.

Question 73.
What are the most popular source of information that helps to draw the map of
contemporary events?
Answer:
Periodicals and newspapers are important source of information that helps to
draw the map of contemporary events.

Question 74.
What are ‘periodicals’ ?
Answer:
Magazines, journals, newsletters, etc. may be classified as ‘periodicals’.

Question 75.
Why are periodicals important source of information for the reconstruction of
the history of modern India ?
Answer:
The chief advantage that the periodicals have over books is that in periodicals
information comes out quickly compared to books.
Question 76.
What was the objective of the Bangadarshan ?
Answer:
The objective of the journal Bangadarshan was to reach the unlettered mass
of the country and not the educated few.

Question 77.
What was the most commendable job of the weekly paper Somprakash?
Answer:
The most commendable job of the Somprakash was that it taught the Bengali
people interested in journalism a new style of journalism.

Question 78.
How did the Somprakash give proof of its national consciousness ?
Answer:
The Somprakash gave proof of its national consciousness when in 1882 it
published the wrongs done by the British administrators in India.

Class 10 History Chapter 1 Questions and Answers

WBBSE – Short Answer Questions (2 Marks)
Question 1.
What do you understand by the term ‘New Social History’?
Answer:
A new trend in historical studies appeared during the 60s of the twentieth
century. The trend is called the Social History or New Social History. This is a
broad branch of history that studies the experiences of the common people.

Question 2.
How is Samaveda of the Vedic corpus important ?
Answer:
The oldest preserved example of Indian music is to be found in the
Samaveda. The melodies of the Samaveda, commonly known as Sama- gan
are still sung in certain vedic sacrifices.

Question 3.
Why is the treatise Sangitaratanakara important for the study of the
development of dance in India ?
Answer:
Though Sangitaratanakara is a treatise on music, it includes a chapter on the
traditions of dance. The treatise also deals with the topic how dance
developed in different parts of the country. All this made the treatise important
for the study of the development of dance in india.

Question 4.
Why is Tolkappiyam important ?
Answer:
Tolkappiyam is the earliest available work on drama in Tamil language. A
work of the pre-Christian era, the treatise provides guideline for writing and
acting out plays.

Question 5.
Why is the question of Indian cinema in the background of colonialism is a
comples one ?
Answer:
The issue is a complex one because it was under the colonial rule that cinema
emerged as a major industry in India. This has happened even at the time of
clashes between nationalism and colonialism.

Question 6.
How did the Tagore family of Bengal experiment with designs for a national
dress for women ?
Answer:
It was Jnanadanandini Devi, wife of Satyendranath Tagore, of the Tagore
family who first experimented with designs for a national dress for women of
India. She adopted a Parsee style of wearing the sari.

Question 7.
Why did Calcutta become a centre of the Renaissance of modern indian
painting ?
Answer:
Calcutta was the city where a number of art schools came up. After the
foundation of the art schools like Calcutta Art School, Jubilee Art School, etc.
many of graduates excelled as portrait painters. Of the artists mention may be
made of Sashi Kumar, E.B. Havell and others.

Question 8.
How did Santiniketan become a centre of painting ?
Answer:
Santiniketan became a centre of painting when Nandalal Bose joined the Kala
Bhauan there. Of his disciples Ramkinkar Beij became famous both for
painting and open air monumental sculptures. At Santiniketan Rabindranath
himself was a great painter of an unconventional newness.
Question 9.
What is the importance of photography as a source material for the
reconstruction of modern Indian history ?
Answer:
It was during the colonial period that the British rulers encouraged
photography to record the archeological sites. In fact, photography became an
important source for identifying artifacts and archeological evidences that help
to reconstruct modern Indian history.

Question 10.
Illustrate by an example how environment moulds the thought and dealings in
life of the respective people.
Answer:
Environment moulds the thought and dealings in life of the respective people.
For example, poetry of Rabindranath Tagore reveal the influence of the
landscape of the Gangetic Bengal.

Question 11.
Show how Bankim Chandra developed interest in science.
Answer:
The Banga Darshan published by Bankim Chandra started carrying features
on science from its second number in 1872. In 1875 he published his Bijnan
Rahasya. All this definitely testifies to Bankim Chandra’s interest in science.

Question 12.
How studies in feminism became popular in Bengal ?
Answer:
Women’s history has attracted the academic attention in the post-
independence period. Significant researches on feminism have come out in
the form of books. Professor Sukumari Bhattacharyya, for example, has done
a lot of researches with regard to the position of women thus making feminism
a popular study.

Question 13.
What is reflected in the Jibansmriti of Rabindranath Tagore ?
Answer:
Jibansmriti of Rabindranath is a collection of “memory pictures’. It reflects the
environment in which he was brought up. Also in it there is some reference of
the contemporary political scenario.

Question 14.
How did Somprakash become an important source of writing contemporary
history ?
Answer:
Somprakash encouraged national consciousness when it published articles on
the wrongs done by the colonial rulers of India. It also addressed
contemporary social problems of the country and thereby made people
conscious about them. Such information supplied by the Somprakash became
an important source of writing contemporary history.

WBBSE Class 10 History Chapter 1 Questions and

Answers – Analytical Answer Questions (4 Marks)
Question 1.
Would you say that “history’ is a social science ?
Answer:
History is essentially the study of man as he lives in society. It is a social
science. A. L. Rowse, the historian, has remarked that history studies man as
a social being living in geographical and natural environment.

It keeps the account of man’s measure of achievements, how he masters

nature and looks over it. Another historian, Bury, said, History is science, no
less and no more. Just as science searches for truth, conducts inquiries,
observes and analyzes the findings, so does history work in the laboratory of
society, but arrives at no universal laws.

Question 2.
Do you agree with the view that ‘history’ is essentially the story of the man’s
progress ?
Answer:
History is not a set of laws or generalizations rather, it is the story of man’s
progress. Therefore, it remains for the historians to follow the map of man’s
rise and fall in politics, religious life, artistic and literary activities, scientific
enterprise, etc. It should be unexceptionable to say that modem historical
inquiry is not confined to narrating the chronicle of kings and their dynasties.

On the contrary it is a vast panorama of human society. Dates and years of

political events are not history proper. These are but the skeleton of history.
History notes the dates and years of political events only to trace the road
map of historical directions, while history properly so-called, is the synoptic
view of the people’s comprehensive civilizational progress.

Question 3.
In modern times how is sports linked with history ?
Answer:
Sports has been an integral part of the social life of people of a country.
Sports and games are the objects of national identity. Football and Cricket for
England, or Rugby for the USA, Kabaddi and wrestling for rural Northern
India, archery for Bhutan are some of the examples.

Football is England’s national game, and when the Indian football team had
lifted the cup of victory by playing against the British players in Calcutta, it was
a great booster for the national spirit. Coming to cricket it may be said that a
British sports gradually became indigenized (Indianized) in colonial India and
eventually was decolonized. It must be remembered that through cricket the
British colonial rulers sought to create divide among different communities.

Question 4.
Write in short about the historiography of music.
Answer:
Rob Wegman in his article on Historical Musicology argued that historical
enquiry is fundamentally creative and expressive of “who we are’? Thus
writing of history creates community identity and makes it vitally important to
adopt an appropriate method for writing history including music history. Music
has been an integral part of India’s culture.

Natyasashtra of Bharata Muni, written in Sanskrit, classified musical

instruments into five systems. However, presently there are two distinct styles
in music, namely, Carnatic and Hindusthani. As regards music in Bengal it
may be said that in the nineteenth century Bengali ballad songs, collectively
called Panchali gan, created history.

Question 5.
Write about the historiography of dance as a performing arts.
Answer:
The historiography of dance exposes the important connections between
identity politics and the creation of classical dance. This may be illustrated by
the example of the Kuchipudi dance of Andhra region.

An in depth study revealed that classicism (adherence to classical principles)

in Kuchipudi dance creates and supports hegemonic version of the Telegu
history. However, Natyasashtra and Abhinaya Darpana are the two most
important ancient Sanskrit works on indian classical dance. In fact, the modem
interpretation of the classical Indian dance, Bharatnatyam, is based on the
treatise Natyasastra.

Question 6.
Examine why it is difficult to write stage-wise narrative of the development of
cinema.
Answer:
Debate about the relationship between cinema and history is on for many
years now. Yet cinema or film may be regarded as being related to history of
the society in which it is produced. Cinema can function as history; again,
history can be presented on film.

However, the hybrid (mixture of Indian and European) phenomenon of Indian

cinema from the very beginning has made it difficult for the historians who
seek to write linear (stagewise) narrative of its historical development.

Question 7.
What is the latest trend in the historiography of cinema ?
Answer:
Recently it has been pointed out by Ms Oindrila Mukherjee, a renowned
journalist, that films and documentaries about the glory of indian cinema are
there a plenty. But none have tried to capture the lost history of Indian cinema
through ‘objects, images and artifacts’.

Thus the recent trend in the historiography of cinema is to use elements like
poster, costumes, props (objects used in a play) and such other things in
relating the histoiy of Indian cinema. The props encapsulate the history of
Indian cinema.

Question 8.
Mention the modern trend in the historiography of clothing.
Answer:
A modern writer stated that history of clothing and fashion constitutes a large
and sophisticated field of academic research. The history of clothing and
fashion has its own historiography that dates long ago and the modern trend is
discernible from around mid-nineteenth century.

The modem historiography is based across a series of academic spaces like

social and economic history, feminist studies and many other similar branches
of study. As for the historiography of clothing social historians go to ancient or
classical texts that bear graphic description of the dresses of men and women
of a particular time.

Question 9.
How did Kolkata become a centre of renaissance of modem indian painting ?
Answer:
After the foundation of art schools like Calcutta Art School, Jubilee Art School,
etc. many of the graduates excelled as portrait painters. Of the artists mention
may be made of Sashi Kumar who excelled as a portrait painter.

Ernest Benfield Havell was an influential English arts administrator, art

historian and author of many books about Indian art and architecture. As the
Principal of Calcutta School of Art, Havell brought about fundamental changes
of far-reaching consequences. Thus began the Renaissance of modem Indian
art, as the so-called Bengal School came into existence.

Question 10.
How would you explain the importance of photography in modern Indian
history ?
Answer:
Though introduced by the British Photography helped the process of
acculturation (adopting customs from another civilization) in Bengali society.
This is evident in the two novels of Rabindranath Tagore, namely Chokher
Bali and Yogayog.

In the former the hero Mahendra indulged in taking photographs of the

inmates of the house as a matter of hobby. In the early years of photography
foreign photographers have left photographs of military activity of the British
before and after the Revolt of 1857. Photography thus is an important source
that helped to recognize important activity or important event.

Question 11.
Why is there dearth of archeological evidence in Bengal ?
Answer:
There is plenty of reference of human settlement in Bengal from prehistoric
times. Yet there is dearth of archeological evidence. This is largely due to the
soil structure of Bengal. Washed by the mighty rivers like the Ganges and
Brahmaputra the whole of the Bengal region is susceptible to flood resulting in
disturbing geographical pattern. The nature of the soil as also the architectural
pattern are reflected in the buildings and temples constructed. In order to
increase the lifetime the roof structure of the temples is such as to get rid of
the huge amount of water due to heavy rainfall as soon as possible.

Question 12.
How is local history important ?
Answer:
Local history is the study of history of a particular geographical area. The local
history is an important area of socio-historical studies. First of all, the local
history concentrates on the local community. It also incorporates cultural and
social aspects of history. Local history also reflects the political aspirations of
the community of a particular geographical area.

Local history is often documented by local historians and local historical

societies and is likely to document significant occurrences in the locality in the
past. An important aspect of the local history is that oral tales are included in
historical context. Realizing the importance of the local history Rabindranath
Tagore in an address to the students of the University of Calcutta urged upon
them to undertake studies in local history in right earnest.

Question 13.
How urban history is helpful in the reconstruction of history ?
Answer:
Urban history is a field of history that investigates the historical nature of cities
and towns, as also deals with the process of urbanization. A city usually has a
story about its origin, development and importance in the life of the people.

Urban history examines the process how a city developed, the process
through which a rural centre emerged as a city. The phenomenon may be
explained by the example of Delhi. Delhi incarnated many times in different
regimes.

From Hastinapur and Indraprastha to Shahjanabad to Delhi and then to New

Delhi is a fascinating narrative by itself. Thus urban history helps the
historians to reconstruct the history of transformation of rural traditional
societies.

Question 14.
Why studying the military history is important ?
Answer:
All civilizations of the world have war in their cultures. Indeed the states within
which we live came into existence through conquest, civil war and struggles
for independence. Thus military history is an important field of study. It is
important both to the professional soldiers and civilians. For, civilian life has
always been affected by warfare.

Moreover, the national leaders whom the historians called ‘great’ became
great because they fought and won wars. Thus there is no shade of doubt that
military history provides opportunity to understand past and present conflicts
in context. The military history also enables to understand why wars were
fought and at the same time gives direction how war can be prevented.
Considering the role war and conflict continues to play it is hard to
underestimate the value of studying military history.
Question 15.
How does environment influence the life and living of human beings ?
Answer:
The environment affects the life and living in every possible ways. Starting
from the evolution of mankind to the growth of civilization environment has
been playing a vital role. Environment moulds the thought and dealings in the
life of the respective people.

This may be elaborated by the example of India. There is no shred of doubt

that India’s environment created by the mountains, rivers, forests and seas
has gone a long way in shaping the lives, thinking and mode of living of the
people of the country. Thus inquiry into the history of environment has
become imperative.

Question 16.
How was the study of science introduced in Bengal ?
Answer:
The story of science, technology and medicine began in an humble manner in
Bengal. But as the decades followed decades there were flourishing in an all
round way. Several people made their contributions in this strand.

John Mack helped the study of chemistry when his book on chemistry was
published from Serampore Press. In 1817 the School Book Society published
a mathematical treatise called Ganit. The study of science when the Hindu
College started regular teaching of science subjects to the students. It was in
this way that the study of science was introduced in Bengal.

Question 17.
Write in short about the women’s history.
Answer:
Studies in feminism branches out in various directions. The role of women in
society has been studied by scholars of different branches of study. The
protagonists of feminism have undertaken the role women have played in the
evolution of society and culture. Women’s study was started in America, and
many universities there offer courses in the subject.

In India, too, women’s history has attracted academic attention, thanks to the
globalization. Many significant researches on feminism have come out in the
form of books. Aluwalia’s Rethinking Boundaries of Feminism and
Internationalism is a significant study on the subject. Professor Sukumari
Bhattacharya also has done a lot of researches with regard to the position of
women.

Question 18.
What are the source materials for the reconstruction of modern indian history
?
Answer:
There is no dearth of source materials for the reconstruction of the history of
modern India. The source materials may be divided into two parts, namely,
primary and secondary. Government documents may be described as primary
source.

This includes government documents and reports. Besides, speeches of

national leaders also may be considered as primary source. The analysis of
the reports and documents published in journals and newspapers may be
treated as secondary sources. Autobiography and memoirs are also part of
the secondary source.

Question 19.
How would you define autobiography and memoirs ?
Answer:
An autobiography is a history of a person’s life written or told by that person.
Memoir, usually memoirs, on the other hand, is a record of events written by a
person having intimate knowledge of them and based on personal
observation.

In short, while autobiography tells the story of a life, a memoirs often tells a
story from life. Sunil Gangopadhyay’s memoirs Purba O Pashchim expressed
the pain of losing one’s homeland and living a life haunted with bitter
memories. Jibansmriti, an autobiography of Rabindranath Tagore is a
wonderful specimen of Bengali literature.

Question 20.
Would you say that the Sattar Batsar of Bipin Chandra Pal has a documentary
value ?
Answer:
Indeed, the Sattar Batsar, written by Bipin Chandra Pal has a documentary
value from historical perspective. It contains a graphic description and account
of the first stirrings of nationalist feelings. Such feelings were first ringed out in
songs of Bengali dramas staged in Kolkata where Pal was studying in the
Presidency College (present Presidency University). Pal also mentions the
historical point that patriotism properly so-called was enunciated by the Hindu
Mela founded by Jyotirindranath Tagore and Nabakumar Mitra.

Question 21.
Is there anything of historical interest in the Jibansmriti of Rabindranath
Tagore ?
Answer:
Of historical interest, in the Jibansmriti, is the story of the young Tagore’s
participation in the activities of Hindu Mela, under the guidance of his elder
brother. The poet imbibed the spirit of patriotism and the nationalist mindset.

One of his earliest patriotic songs was composed for a session of the Mela :
With the chanting of Vande mataram a million hearts had come to be united.
There are valuable pen-pictures of the luminaries of Bengali cultural sky such
as Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rajendralal Mitra and Iswarchandra
Vidyasagar.

Question 22.
Discuss the importance of Sarala Devi’s memoirs ?
Answer:
Importance of Sarala Devi Chaudhurani’s memoirs lies in the fact that it
reveals the contemporary political and social condition and her participation in
it. She was the first woman who actively participated in politics.

In her memoirs Jibaner Jharapata, Sarala Devi narrated how she was in close
contact with the revolutionaries of Bengal, and infused a new life to the ‘Suhrid
Samiti’, a secret society of contemporary Bengal. Sarala Devi was also the
first feminist of modern Bengal. It was she who initiated the women
organization Bharat Stri Mahamandal in 1910. Through the organization she
sought to improve the situation of women all over the country.

Question 23.
In what way Nehru’s letters to his daughter important ?
Answer:
Letters from a Father to His Daughter is a collection of 30 letters written by
Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter Indira Priyadarshini who herself later on
became the Prime Minister of India. Through the letters Nehru as a father
came close to his daughter. These were not ordinary letters, but a way that
developed a standing bond between a father and daughter.
In the letters Nehru explained very complex things in a simple way, be it the
Big Bang theory or Egyptian mummies. The essential difference between man
and other animals was also explained. The letters opened up a child to the
wonderful world around. The best part of the letters is that it leaves room for
further studies and thought.

Question 24.
How periodicals and newspapers constitute important source of information
for the reconstruction of the history of modem india ?
Answer:
Magazines, journals, newsletters, etc. which are published in regular intervals
may be classified as ‘periodicals’. There are certain advantages in using the
periodicals as the source of information for reconstruction of the history of
modern india.

There is no shred of doubt that in periodicals information comes out quickly

compared to books. Newspapers may be described as the collection of
articles about current events published generally on a daily basis. The
newspapers are great source for the local, national and international news.

Class 10 History Chapter 1 Questions and Answers

West Bengal Board – Explanatory Answer Questions
(8 Marks)
Question 1.
What do you understand by the term ‘history’ ? Would you say that history is a
social science ?
a. What do you understand by the term ‘history’?
Answer:
The English word history has been derived either from the Latin historia which
means learning by investigation, or from the Greek istoria that bears the same
meaning. However, there are a great variety of definitions about history. In a
narrower sense, “history’ is the story of mankind, of what it has done, suffered
and enjoyed. In the broadest sense, it considers every action and every
thought that man has had since his first appearance.
b. Would you say that history is a social science ?
Answer:
History is essentially the study of man as he lives in society. It is a social
science. A. L. Rowse, the historian, has remarked that history studies man as
a social being living in geographical and natural environment.

It keeps the account of man’s measure of achievements, how he masters

nature and looks over it. Another historian, Bury, said, History is science, no
less and no more. Just as science searches for truth, conducts inquiries,
observes and analyzes the findings, so does history work in the laboratory of
society, but arrives at no universal laws.

Question 2.
What is meant by varieties of modem historical studies ? What is ‘New Social
history’ ?
a. What is meant by varieties of modern historical studies?
Answer:
Historical studies are as variable as history itself. In the light of new
awareness and thought history assumes newer forms. Modern history
appeared in the wake of liberal nationalism of the nineteenth century. In this
perspective constitutional, administrative, diplomatic and military strategies,
etc. were considered important ingredients of history. This line of historical
thinking had its thinkers in Ranke, Maitland and others.

A decisive turn took place in the early part of the twentieth century. Since the
30s of the twentieth century historians as Marc Bloch, Braudel and others
brought geography, sociology, linguistic, folklore, etc. within historical purview.

This was followed by the subaltern people pioneered by Ranajit Guha,

Gautam Bhadra, Gyanendra Pandey and others who favoured looking history
from below. Previously, history was conceived as the narrative of the people
belonging to the higher strata of the society, but new history recounts the story
of men, his dealings in everyday life within the bounds of space and time.

b. What is ‘New Social history’ ?

Answer:
A new trend in historical studies appeared during the 60s of the twentieth
century. It is called ‘Social History’ also known as the New Social History. It is
a broad branch of history that studies the experiences of ordinary people.

The social history incorporates the accounts of the daily life of the people,
social and economic relationship between the people of various stratums in
society. The social history also includes state of the class of labourers,
religious affairs, music and literature, education, thought and culture.
Question 3.
What is the relation between history and the sports ? How is food habits and
cuisine become a part of historical studies ?

a. What is the relation between history and the sports?

Answer:
History is basically the reflection of human life. As sports has been an integral
part of the life of the people, it has become a part of history. Sports and
games are the objects of national identity. Football and Cricket for England, or
Rugby for the USA, Kabaddi and wrestling for rural Northern India, archery for
Bhutan are some of the examples.

Football is England’s national game, and when the Indian football team had
lifted the cup of victory by playing against the British players in Calcutta, it was
a great booster for the national spirit. Ever since 1970s history of sports had
caught on, and histories of sports came to be written. In recent times the
sports historian, Dr. Boria Majumder’s book entitled Twenty-two Yards of
Freedom is a landmark.

b. How is food habits and cuisine become a part of historical studies ?

Answer:
In the studies of new social history attention is also paid to people’s food
habits and cuisine. The International Association of Culinary Professionals
takes care of the history of food habits and cuisine. It may be noted that food
habits of a people is largely determined by climatic and geographical factors of
the area where they live. Rice remains the staple food for the people of
Bengal.

Again owing to the presence of water bodies in the form of rivers all over the
land fish has come to remain an important item of food with rice. Rice and fish
go together to make for Bengali food irrespective of whether or not one is rich
or poor. Professor Niharranjan Roy has collected accounts of Bengali food
habits and cuisine from ancient texts such as Charyapada and the writings of
the authors of social codes.

Question 4.
Write about the historiography of performing arts like music and dance.
Answer:
Discussion on the historiography of performing arts like music and dance
relates to the culture of performing these and the thought process these
express.

a. Music : EMk Writing of history creates community identity and makes it

vitally important to adopt an appropriate method for writing history including
music history. Music has been an integral part of India’s culture. Natyasastra
of Bharata Muni, a sage of Tamilnadu (400 BC), written in Sanskrit has
classified musical instruments into five systems.

However, the oldest preserved example of Indian music is to be found in the

Samaveda of the Vedic corpus. The melodies of the Samaveda, commonly
known as Sama- gaan (Sama-songs), are still sung in certain Vedic sacrifices.
They are the earliest account of Indian musical hymns. The Samaveda and
other Hindu texts influenced Indian classical musical tradition.

b. Dance: The historiography of dance exposes the important connections

between identity politics and the creation of classical dance. This may be
illustrated by the example of the Kuchipudi dance of Andhra region. Through
an in depth study it has been found that classicism (adherence to classical
principles) in Kuchipudi dance creates and supports hegemonic version of the
Telegu history. Natyasashtra and Abhinaya Darpana are the two most
important ancient Sanskrit works on Indian classical dance.

In fact, the modern interpretation of the classical Indian dance, Bharatnatyam,

is based on the treatise Natyasastra. The monumental treatise on music
Sangitaratnakara includes a chapter on the traditions of dance. The treatise
also deals with the topic how dance developed in different parts of the country.
The author of the treatise, Sharangadeva, pointed out that the Natyasastra
tradition was usually followed in different regions, but there were also
deviations and changes that were well accepted.

Question 5.
What is the relationship between cinema and history ? Discuss indian cinema
in the background of colonialism and nationalism
Answer:
a. The Relationship between Cinema and History Theoretical debate on the
relationship between cinema and history is on for many years now. Yet
cinema or film may be regarded as being related to history of the society in
which it is produced.
Cinema can function as history; again, history can be presented on film.
However, The hybrid (mixture of indian and European) phenomenon of Indian
cinema from the very beginning has made it difficult for the historians who
seek to write linear (stage-wise) narrative of its historical development.

As chronicled by Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen in Encyclopedia of

Indian Cinema (1999), cinema arrived in India almost at the same time as it
did in the major cities of European countries. Pundalik was the first feature film
of India released in May 1912.

But the nationalist historians are reluctant to bestow Pundalik the honour of
being the first Indian film on the ground that the film was a joint venture of P.R.
Tipnis and a British. Instead the honour of making the first Indian feature film
is bestowed on Dhundiraj Govind Phalke (popularly known as Dadasaheb
Phalke).

b. Discus Indian cinema in the background of colonialism and nationalism.

The question of Indian cinema in the background of colonialism and
nationalism is a very complex one. It has been pointed out by scholars like
Roy Armes that india is a unique case globally as it has the only major
indigenous film industry to emerge under colonialism.

The Bombay and Bengali film industry, also known as Bollywood and
Tollywood respectively, has earned fame for producing art and commercial
films. The long tradition of filmmaking has produced in india famous directors
like Rajkapoor, Guru Dutt, Mehboob Khan and many others. Historians usually
credit Satyajit Roy for starting the art cinema.

Question 6.
Write what you know about the historiography of clothing
Answer:
a. modem writer stated that history of clothing and fashion constitutes a large
and sophisticated field of academic research, with contributions both from
trained scholars and amateur writers. The field has its own historiography that
dates long ago and the modern trend is discernible from around mid-
nineteenth century. The modem historiography is based across a series of
academic spaces like social and economic history, feminist studies and many
other similar branches of study.

b. As for the historiography of clothing in India social historians go to ancient

or classical texts which bear graphic description of the dresses of men and
women of a particular time.
c. Evidence of India’s history of clothing goes back to the period of Indus
Valley Civilization (around 5000 BCJ Statues and seals discovered from the
Indus Valley sites are the source of knowledge for the clothing used. Some
knowledge about clothing in ancient India can also be obtained from the
writings of Herodotus.

Besides, the grand epics Ramayana and Mahabharata also delineate the
clothing of the contemporary period (around 400 BC). In Rig-veda there is
mention of garments known as poridhwi. Present knowledge about the fashion
and Indian clothing in different historical periods largely comes from the
statues, sculpture and paintings.

d. An important feature of clothing is ‘fashion’or style of dress. ‘Fashion’ may

be defined as a popular style or practice particularly in clothing. It changes
from tune to time. For example, in the medieval period some changes in the
pattern of dress took place that was distinct from what was used in the ancient
times.

e. In the colonial period, again, distinctive changes were visible in dress

pattern. Incidentally, it may be mentioned here that the Tagore family of
Bengal experimented in 1870s with designs for a national dress for women.
Jnanadanandini Devi, wife of Satyendranath Tagore, adopted a Parsec style
of wearing the san, pinned to the left shoulder with a brooch and worn with a
blouse and shoes.

Question 7.
Write an essay on the history of transportation in India.
Answer:
a. Riverine Country: Watercrafts in keeping with the geo-physical features,
India has been described as a country nursed by rivers. In such a riverine
country the natural means of transportation has been boats of different sizes
and shapes. The common Bengali word for such means of transportation by
water has been nauko.

Such water crafts have been intimately related with everyday life and
existence of people, particularly those of Bengal. Professor Niharranjan Roy in
his Ban go leer itihas ‘Part I has quoted passages from the ancient Bengali
songs, the Caryapadas, to illustrate the point.
In the medieval Bengali epic like Manasamangal’ there is reference to a wreck
of the mercantile fleet of boats Saptadinga Madhukar, belonging to the
merchant named Chand Sadagar. In later days Rabindranath Tagore’s poems
and songs bear witness to the reverine imagery.

b. Bullock cart: Next to the watercrafts come the bullock carts as a means of
overland transport. Even today bullock carts are in use in rural india for
carrying people and transporting goods. The bullock cart appears not to have
undergone any major change through the ages. Interestingly Gautama
Buddha used the metaphor of bullock in the Dhammapada. Dha inmapada,
however, is a collection of verses dealing mainly with ethical saying.

c. Elephants and Horses Elephants and horses were in use, both militarily and
otherwise. Elephants were used in carrying heavy loads. Horses were put into
various uses, the men of wealth rode horses, and messengers were sent on
horseback. Greek historians mentioned that the might of Ganga kingdom
consisted in the elephant brigades. Sher Shah had introduced postal system
by horse-men.

d. Palanguin : Palanquin or palki was also used as a means of transportation.

This was used as overland transport by those who could afford to engage the
bearers. Palkis were mostly privately owned by the rich. Sarojini Naidu
celebrated the palanquin bearing the bride in a memorable poem The
Palanquin Bearers. Satyendranath Datta, a Bengali poet, has a poem
Palkirgan set to music by famous composer Salil Chaudhuri. Palkis were very
much in use in nineteenth century Kolkata.

e. Horse driven Carriage. There were also horse-driven carriages for carrying
more than one person. These could be hired or had one’s own. Before the
introduction of public transport system in Kolkata horse-drawn carriages were
the general means of transport in the city.

Question 8.
Write in short about the history of painting in India. How did photography
develop in India?
Answer:
a. History of Painting

i. Introduction : The aesthetic sense of a people is manifested even before to

painting, in the art of drawing. There has been the art of drawing on pottery.
Drawing has been practiced by women on floor of houses. Those done on the
floor go by the name alpona.

ii. Illuminated Manuscripts: Paintings, compared with other forms of visual

arts, do not last long enough. However, quite a few specimens of paintings
that have survived come from the time of the Pala kings. The Palas were
Buddhists and illuminated Buddhist manuscripts. Astasahnsrika
Prajnaparamita, or Pancharaksha or Dhnrani texts are some of the Buddhist
manuscripts that were illuminated.

A few of such illuminated manuscripts are in the possession of the Asiatic

Society of Calcutta. Sarasikumar Saraswati’s Palyuger Chitrakala has been a
remarkable piece of research work in this direction. No post-Pala or post-
Buddhist manuscripts with illumination, if at all survived, can be noticed.

iii. Modern Indian Paintings: Kolkata was the centre of Renaissance of modern
Indian painting called the Bengal School Abanindranath Tagore framed a new
syllabus for the budding painters admitted in the school. Another centre of
painting was established at Santiniketan when Nandalal Bose joined the Kaki
Bhavan there. He was the acknowledged Master of the school. At
Santiniketan. Rabindranath Tagore himself was a great presence as a painter
of an unconventional newness.

iv. Jamini Roy : Jamini Roy worked his way out in another direction. His early
works were done in European style which he had mastered. But later on he
evolved his own style reminiscent of Kallghat drawings and Bengal temple
terracotta forms of depicting human Paintings or figures. His style is
unmistakably his own, jam Roy.

b. Photography : Camera arrived in Kolkata in 1840. and Messers Boume &

Shepherd is the earliest photographic institution. It opened its studio in Kolkata
in 1864. The studio had distinguished persons including Ramakrishna
Paramhansadeva and Rabindranath Tagore as customers. Calcutta School of
Industrial Arts, established in 1854, started imparting instructions in
photography. The school later grew into the Government Art College.

i. The Photographic Society of Bengal : The Photographic Society of Bengal

was established in 1856, and it had a mixed membership of Indians and
Englishmen. The most distinguished member of the Society was Rajendralal
Mitra.

The Society had attracted many luminaries among the Bengali elite. The
names of Kanailal Dey and Priyanath Seth stand out along with Rajendralal,
who were excellent photographers. In course of time a Postal Portfolio Club
was founded keeping in view the photography enthusiasts living outside of
Kolkata.

ii. Women Photographers : There were also women photographers, working

professionally in Kolkata. There was one Mrs. Wince, who opened a studio at
Manicktola, in north Kolkata. She proposed to give lessons in the art of
photography to ladies and gentlemen. Jnanadanandini Debi, the wife of the
first Indian ICS, Satyendranath Tagore, was passionately devoted to the art of
the camera. Another lady, Annapurna Datta. used to earn her living through
photography between 1930 and 1940.

iii. It may be mentioned that Jagadish Chandra Bose had an interest in

photography, and was a pioneer in X-ray photography in the country. The first
X-ray unit of diagnosing diseases was initiated by Dr. Nitratan Sircar.

Question 9.
What do you know about the development of Architecture in india?
Answer:
i. Introduction An important feature of Indian architecture has been continuous
absorption of new ideas. The earliest architectural production is to be found in
the Indus Valley Civilization. The civilization was characterized by planned
cities and houses. In the subsequent period, the indigenous traditions of
scholarly writing are embodied in treatises known collectively as shilpasastra.

ii. Modern Period : In the modern period James Fergusson’s path-breaking

History of Indian and Eastern Architecture (1876) made a detailed analysis of
the indian art. The purpose of Fergusson was to reveal to English readers how
India’s arts are more original and more varied.

Also he established that India’s forms of civilization present an ever-changing

variety such as are nowhere else to be found. Art historian Thomas Metcalf in
his book An Imperial Vision (1989) considered the British scholarly writing on
the architecture of India’s past as also on the British colonial architecture.
Tapati Guha-Thakurta in her book The Making of a New Indian Art (1992)
focused on art chiefly in Bengal around the twentieth century.

iii. Bengal Architecture: As regards the features of the architecture of Bengal

the following may be said : The temple architecture of Bengal has a distinctive
roofing style. The temples of Bishnupur in the district of Bankura are examples
of such style.

The Bhanja style is another form of architecture practiced in Bengal.

Dakshineswar Temple of goddess Kali is one example of such style. The
origin of common ‘bungalow’ architectural style has its roots in Bengal. In fact,
bungalow means ‘house in Bengali style’. These are usually small houses and
are very popular in the rural Bengal.

Question 10.
Write in short about the history of environment.
Answer:
Impact of Environment in Literature : The influence of environment moulds the
thought and dealings in life of the respective people. The influence of the Lake
District of England on the poetry of Wordsworth is widely acknowledged. In a
similar vein the studies in the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore reveal the
influence of the landscape of the Gangetic Bengal (Silaidaha in present
Bangladesh).
b. Present Situation: In the wake of global warming people all the world over
are facing environmental hazards. There is no shred of doubt that India’s
mountains, rivers, forests and seas have gone a long way in shaping the lives,
thinking and mode of living of the people of India. Thus inquiry into the history
of environment has become imperative.

c. Environmental Studies Scholars such as Mahesh Rangarajan and

Ramchandra Guha’s environmental studies are of particular importance.
Rangarajan’s books like ‘Hunting and Shooting’. ‘Facing the Forest’ and
Temple of Bishhnupur

others have received the notice of the environmentalists. Ramchandra Guha,

besides authoring his work on the history of sports, has his environment study,
The Unquiet Wood. His other works in the line are This Fissured Land,
Ecology and Equality and others.

Question 11.
Write what you know about women’s history.
Answer:
a. Introduction : Women’s Studies grew out of women’s participation in the
people’s movements that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s across the world.
Women questioned the failure of the existing frames of study to accommodate
women’s experiences and contributions in their analysis.

b. Studies in Feminism : Studies in feminism branches out in various

directions. The role of women in society has been studied by scholars of
different branches of study. The protagonists of feminism have undertaken the
role women have played in the evolution of society and culture. For example,
anthropologists have accredited women with the discovery of agriculture, the
process of generation of plants from the seeds.

c. Beginning of the Women’s Study : Women’s study was started in America,

and many universities there offer courses in the subject. In india, too, women’s
history has attracted academic attention, thanks to the globalization. Many
significant researches on feminism have come out in the form of books.

d. Indian Writers on Women Studies : Indian scholars have produced some of

the most exciting and innovative research in Women Studies. In India
women’s history has attracted academic attention, thanks to the globalization.

Many significant researches on feminism have come out in the form of books.
Aluwalia’s Rethinking Boundaries of Feminism and Internationalism is a
significant study on the subject. Professor Sukumari Bhattacharya has done a
lot of researches with regard to the position of women. University of Jadavpur
has a vibrant wing of women’s studies, and publishes researches in the area.

Question 12.
Why is the Sattar Batsar of Bipin Chandra Pal important as a memoir of Bipin
Chandra Pal?
Answer:
a. Introduction: Bipin Chandra Pal, popularly known as the father of
revolutionary thought in Indian nationalism, wrote his memoirs (or
autobiography) under the title Sattar Batsar (Seventy Years). It describes his
early childhood till his youth when he became a Brahmo activist under the
guidance of Shivnath Shastri.

b. Documentary Value of the Book: The Sattar Batsar has documentary value
from historical perspective as it contains a graphic description of the budding
nationalist feelings. Such feelings were first ringed out in the songs of Bengali
dramas staged in Kolkata where Pal was studying in the Presidency College
(present Presidency University). Pal also mentions the historical point that
patriotism properly so-called was enunciated by the Hindu Mela founded by
Jyotirindranath Tagore and Nabakumar Mitra.

c. Reference to Surendranath Banerjeel Pal tells us how Surendranath

Banerjee had emerged as a national leader endowed with great power of
oratory. His speeches infused the audience with deep sense of patriotism.
Also these mobilized the people against the unjust dealings of the ruling
colonial powers.

d. About the Brahmo Samaj : On the cultural aspect Pal gives us the inner
dialectic of the Brabmo Samaj, the vain elitist pretensions of its members and
rancor (enmity) amongst the factions of the Samaj. Pal gives us the insider’s
view of the schisms that took place within the Samaj.

e. About other Issues : Pal also dwelt on a number of important social and
historical issues like caste hierarchies,communal relations, etc. These were
virtually a description of what he had seen in Syihet (in present Bangladesh)
villages in his days. Pal’s memoirs is immensely valuable for the historians of
modern india.

Question 13.
How does Jibansmriti of Rabindranath Tagore reflect the atmosphere in which
he was brought up as also the cultural and literary atmosphere of the late
nineteenth century Kolkata ?
Answer:
a. Introduction: Rabindranath Tagore’s Jibansmriti is the reminisenses of his
boyhood days till the 23rd year. It is a source book for information about the
cultural and literary atmosphere of the later nineteenth century Kolkata.

b. The Boyhood days at Jorasanko: Rabindranath started writing his first

autobiography Jibansmriti around the age of 50. Of course Rabindranath
himself frankly stated in the preamble of the book that it was not the story of
his life, rather it was a collection of ‘memory pictures’ The Jibansmriti reflects
the environment in which he was brought up.

He recalled the unfenced roof of the outer apartment at his residence in

Jorasanko, Calcutta. He said that many of his moods and thoughts are
associated with the roof when he used to spend time days on end. A small
quotation will be helpful to understand the state of mind of Rabindranath when
he was growing up from his childhood.

c. Cultural Activities at Jorasanko: Apart from the account of Tagore’s own

development and maturity as a young poet, Rabindranath in his Jibansmriti
described the cultural atmosphere at his house in Jorasanko. The house of
Tagore was a centre of various cultural activities and it drew the attention and
interest of the Kolkata elite. Tagore was groomed with a comprehensive mode
of education comprising anatomy to astronomy, literature and performing arts.
It was a sort of home university.

d. Patriotic Mindset Developed : Of historical interest is the story of the young

Tagore’s participation in the activities of the Hindu Mela.Through his
participation, under the guidance of his elder brother the young poet imbibed
the spirit of patriotism and the national mindset. One of his earliest patriotic
songs was composed for a session of the Mela: With the chanting of Vande
Mataram a million hearts had come to be united. These are valuable pen-
picture of the luminaries of Bengal’s cultural sky such as Bankim Chandra
Chatterjee, Rajendralal Mitra and Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar.
e. Conclusion: Jibansmriti Is a landmark in the autobiographical writings in
Bengali as it is written in chaste Bengali prose, spiced often with a subtle
sense of humour.