Notes-Class 8-History-Chapter-1-Sources of History-Maharashtra Board

Buildings and Monuments : The period of British rule and period of governance of Princely States is known as the period of Modern Indian history.

• Various buildings, bridges, roads and water supply system, fountains, etc. were built during this period.
• Government offices, residences of officers, leaders and revolutionaries, palaces, forts, prisons, etc. were built.
• Some of these monuments are declared as national monument, while some are converted into museums.
• We get to know about contemporary history, architecture, nature of the monument, and also the economic condition of that particular period by visiting these sites.

Statues and Memorials : Memorials in form of statues were erected of martyrs, leaders and many personalities who took part in the freedom struggle.

• These statues are also important for the study of modem history as we get information about the full name of the concerned person, details about their birth and death, brief information about their contribution and a biographical sketch of the person from the plaque displayed on it.Just as the statues of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, Lokmanya Tilak, Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar.
• The statues also provide information about the contemporary rulers and eminent personalities.
• Memorials erected in memory of various events give information about the concerned event, period, people related to the event, etc. For example, Hutatma Smarak.

Newspapers and their contribution in the pre-independence period :

Newspapers like Amrit Bazaar Patrika, Deenbandhu, Dnyanoday, Dnyanprakash, Kesari, etc. acted as important source to awaken the minds of the people.

• They criticized the anti-India policies of Britishers.
• Newspapers in the British period not only opposed imperialism but also educated the masses and created awareness among the people.
• Western education and knowledge reached people through them.
• Newspapers and Weeklies were the source of various political, social and cultural events.
• They commented on ill customs and practices in our society and thus were the source of social reformation.
• They discussed various policies of British rulers and their effects on India.
• The work and ideas of leaders and reformers reached people through them.

Maps and Drawings : Map is also regarded as an important source of history. The changing nature of a city or a particular location can be traced through maps.

• The British government surveyed various provinces and cities of India through scientific method and created maps.
• 'The Survey of India’ was an independent department formed for the purpose during British period.
• We get an idea about changing phases of development of a city or a place through maps.
• Plans designed by architects and engineers are important as it throws light on progress in architecture.
• The original map of Bombay Port is with the Department of Mumbai Port
• Trust.
• We get information about development of Bombay city through plans.

Inspirational Songs :

• Though many inspirational songs were composed during the freedom movement only some are available at present. A lot of songs were memorised and never got published.
• We get information about the conditions during pre-independence period.
• We come to know about our heritage, work of great men, injustice done by the Britishers.
• They gave inspiration to the society and infused spirit in the freedom movement.
• As they convey information about the place, person and his deed they are useful in writing history.

Powada :

• Powada is a dramatic narration by alternatingly reciting poetry and prose extract.
• It is a source to get information about a historical work of a person or event.
• Powadas were composed on the freedom struggle of 1857 and valour of revolutionaries during the British rule.
• Satyashodhak Samaj composed Powadas to awaken the oppressed classes.
• During the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, Powadas were composed.
• They infuse enthusiasm and vitality.

Visual Source - Photographs :

• After the development in the art of photography, it became important source of modern Indian history.
• Medieval period paintings are available which depicts physical features of a person or visual description of a particular event. But the authenticity of such paintings are to be verified.
• Photographs are considered more reliable, as the lens capture the persons, events or objects exactly as they appear.
• The photograph of a person gives information about the physical features, dressing style, etc.
• Photographs enables us to recreate visual image of an event.
• The photograph of an object or structure helps in understanding its nature.

Audio Source — Recordings :

• In the modern period, speeches of leaders or important personalities, songs, music are available in the form of recordings.
• Recording of Iana-gana-mana sung by Rabindranath Tagore himself, speeches of Subhash Chandra Bose and lectures of leaders and thinkers are available.
• They can be used as source of history as they give information on prevalent social and political conditions and ideologies.

Audio-Visual Source - Films :

• Films, movies and documentaries are audio-visual sources of modem
• Indian history.
• Dada Saheb Phalke laid the foundation of Indian film industry in 1913.
• Audio-visual recordings of Dandi Yatra, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement are available.
• The advantage of this technological development is that the events could be seen in reality.
• Documentaries are shot on superstitions which was important in process oi rebuilding the nation.
• We come to know about prevalent conditions, problems, dressing style through audio-visual source.

Preservation of Sources : There is a great need to preserve this sources, as it is through them, that the rich tradition of history can be passed on to the next generation.

• Museums, Archives preserve the sources of history.
• This sources give evidence of our rich cultural heritage.
• While referring the written sources, the ideology and opinions of the author regarding the particular event should be examined.