Sources of History — Important Questions

Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha

Step 1: Monuments are old buildings or structures that help us understand history. Step 2: The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha is a famous old building — it is a perfect example of a monument. Step 3: The Baburnama is a written text (autobiography), so it is a literary source, not a monument. Step 4: A seal from Indus Valley and a coin are artefacts, not monuments. Step 5: So the correct answer is 'Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha.'

Writings and images carved on hard surfaces like stones and pillars

Step 1: The chapter explains that inscriptions are 'writings and images that are carved on hard surfaces.' Step 2: These hard surfaces include stones, pillars, temple walls, copper plates, and bricks. Step 3: Old coins are artefacts, not inscriptions. Step 4: Stories written on palm leaves are literary sources (written texts), not inscriptions. Step 5: Toys and pottery are artefacts. So the correct answer is 'Writings and images carved on hard surfaces like stones and pillars.'

Epigraphy

Step 1: The chapter introduces special words for different studies related to history. Step 2: The study of the past through material remains is called archaeology. Step 3: The process of digging is called excavation. Step 4: A biography is the life story of a person written by someone else. Step 5: The chapter clearly states: 'The study of inscriptions is known as epigraphy.' So the correct answer is 'Epigraphy.'

A pot (pottery) made in ancient times

Step 1: Artefacts are man-made objects that were made and used in earlier times. Step 2: Examples of artefacts include pottery, tools, jewellery, seals, coins, and toys. Step 3: A pot (pottery) made in ancient times is a perfect example of an artefact. Step 4: The Sun Temple at Konark is a monument (a building), not an artefact. Step 5: The Ramayana and Fa-Hien's travel diary are literary sources. So the correct answer is 'A pot made in ancient times.'