Notes-Class 9-History-Chapter-1-Sources of History-Maharashtra Board

Archives : Historical records are documented and preserved at a place, called ‘Archives’.

• To provide information to the government and common people as per demand is the work of Archives.
• It provides reliable information and references required to write history. Hence, Archives have great importance.
• The main office of the National Archives of India is at New Delhi.

Print Media :

• In the beginning of the period from 1961 to 2001, there was no alternative to the newspapers.
• With liberalisation and widespread use of internet in India, an alternative for print media became available. In spite of this, the print media still continues to be important.
• The Print Media includes newspapers, periodicals, newsletters of various movements, dailies or weeklies of political parties, monthly and annual magazines, etc.

Newspapers :

• We get information about national and international affairs related to politics, art, sports, literature and social and cultural affairs through the newspapers.
• Most national newspapers have started regional editions, publish supplements which give information on subjects related to various topics.
• Some newspapers produce special supplement towards the end of the year which give overview of the important events during the year.
• Newspapers are a major source of information. They are considered as the ‘fourth pillar’ of democracy in modern times, the other three being the Judiciary, Executive and Legislative.

Press Trust of India (PTI) :

• The Press Trust of India (PTI) is the primary source of information to the newspapers in India since 1953.
• It provides reports, photographs and articles on many issues to the newspapers.
• In 1990's, the PTI started using the technology of ‘satellite broadcasting instead of tele-printers to send news all over the country.
• The PTI has now started its ‘online service’. The material provided by the PTI is an important source for writing the history of modern India.

Newsletters :

• Several institutions, movements, e.g. Labour movement, etc. publish their newsletters.
• Newsletters also provide information about policies, opinions on different issues related to party or institution.
• People come to know about their objectives, plans and work through these Newsletters. Some newspapers serve as mouthpiece that depicts the work done by the political party.
• Political parties publish their dailies or weeklies as well as monthly and annual magazines. These magazines are important sources of history.

Postage Stamps : The postage stamps don’t reveal anything on their own. Yet a historian makes them speak.

• Postal stamps reveal a lot of knowledge regarding the changing times.
• Several changes in the size, subjects and colour schemes have taken place in postage stamps in the post-independence period.
• The Postal Department issues stamps of a wide variety of themes and on various occasions.
• The postage stamps are valuable repository of history.

Coins :

• We can understand history with the help of coins and currency notes.
• Reserve Bank of India, with headquarters in Mumbai, prints currency notes.
• The metal used for making coins, their different shapes and diversity of subjects imprinted on them help us to understand the contemporary issues like importance of population control, agriculture and farmers.

Museums :

• All states in India have museums. Museums depict the characteristics, display the cultural and social heritage of the state in which they are located.
• The museums set up by private collectors are based on distinctive subjects like coins, notes, lamps, nutcrackers and cricket equipment, etc.
• Museum means a place where artefacts, coins, weapons, sculptures are exhibited in a creative manner.
• Due to the objects, placed in the museum, a study can be conducted of a particular period by researchers.
• There are different types of museums viz. historical museums, art museums, animal museums and museums of weaponary. The museum at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is famous.
• For example, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum at Mumbai and Reserve Bank Museum at Pune enable us to understand the history.

Film and Television Institute of lndia (FTII) : FTII, situated at Pune, was started by the Government of India in 1960 with the objective of providing public education.

• FTII is an autonomous institute under ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It was established in 1960 to impart training in the field of film production and television.
• Since its inception, FTII has become India's premier film and television institute. It is situated on the premises of erstwhile Prabhat studio and hence it boasts of its rich legacy in Indian Cinema.
• The Alumni of FTII are technicians, actors and directors in the film and television industry. It offers many post graduate courses in film direction, editing, cinematography and audiography and also in acting and art direction.
• FTII is a member of International Liaison Centre of Schools of Cinema and Television (CILECT), an organisation of the world's leading schools of film and television.

Indian News Review :

• Indian News Review has produced newsreels and documentaries on important events, social issues, art, sports, important locations, etc.
• This department has produced many documentaries on prominent social leaders and the people who have made major contribution to the country.
• These newsreels and documentaries are useful for studying the history of modern India.

New Sources/Preservation of Sources of History :

• In this rapidly changing today's world, new sources are coming day-to-day.
• Transformation from landline telephones to cellphones (mobile phones) was so speedy that a gadget called 'pager' died out quickly in very short time.
• Huge amount of information is available on the internet nowadays.
• However, the truth and authenticity of this information needs to be verified.
• The sources of modern history are of contemporary period so, they are easily available.
• It has become comparatively easy to study history of the modern period.
• It is our duty to preserve these sources of history as they touch all aspects of our lives.