Maharashtra State Board · Class 10 · History Chapter 2
Historiography: Indian Tradition Worksheet
Practise the development of historical writing in India through objective questions, concept maps, short notes, answers with reasons, a source-based passage and detailed answers. Complete the questions independently, then check the answer key included in the worksheet.
About this worksheet: Chapter 2 explores how Indian history has been recorded and interpreted. It introduces ancient and medieval sources, colonial and Orientalist writing, nationalistic responses, and Marxist, subaltern and feminist approaches. The worksheet helps you connect historians and books with the viewpoints behind their work.
Some questions are marked with a Maharashtra SSC examination month and year from 2020 to 2025. The questions labelled “Board-style” are additional practice. Use both kinds to prepare for familiar question formats while checking whether you can explain the chapter in your own words.
What is included in the Chapter 2 worksheet?
MCQs and objective questions
Eight multiple-choice questions cover figures and works such as Alexander Cunningham, Sir William Jones, Kalhana, James Mill and the Sabhasad Bakhar. Other objective questions ask you to fill a blank, decide whether a statement is true, and complete a historian–book correlation.
Wrong pairs, maps and table
Four sets ask you to identify an incorrect pair and rewrite it. A concept map covers six schools of Indian historiography, while the table connects historians with their books. These activities are useful for spotting confusion between an author, a work and an approach.
Short notes and reasons
Write notes on subaltern, Orientalist, nationalistic and Marxist historiography. Explain why regional history gained momentum, why Bakhars matter as sources, how colonial prejudice affected writing, and why folklore helps the study of people whose voices are missing from official records.
Passage and detailed answers
Read a passage about the Sohagaura copper plate and answer three questions using the information given. Longer answers cover V. K. Rajwade, types of Bakhars, Marxist history, comparisons between schools, and the development of Indian historiography over time.
Board questions and chapter topics
The worksheet marks previous-year items beside the relevant questions. Examples include the March 2022 question on the first Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India, the March 2024 short note on Orientalist historiography, and a March 2023 detailed question on Bakhars. A July 2025 question asks about Marxist history. Read each question's printed label in the worksheet rather than treating every practice item as a previous-year question.
Chapter 2 rewards clear comparison. You should know what a historical source says, who used it, and what viewpoint shaped an interpretation. For example, James Mill belongs with colonial historiography, whereas V. K. Rajwade emphasised collecting and studying original historical documents. Knowing only their names will not fully answer a question asking you to compare their approaches.
How to revise with this worksheet
- Make a historian–work list. Pair Kalhana with Rajtarangini, James Mill with The History of British India, and other authors with the works named in the chapter.
- Attempt the objective sections without help. Finish the MCQs, wrong pairs, concept map and table before checking the answer key.
- Write short answers in distinct points. For a note on a school of historiography, state its viewpoint, the kinds of questions it asks, and a suitable historian or example.
- Use evidence in longer responses. If you explain Rajwade's contribution, include his collection of original documents and the importance he gave to source-based research.
- Review your mistakes. Check the complete answer key, correct mixed-up pairs, and try the difficult questions again after revising the lesson.
Passage-based question tip: The Sohagaura copper-plate passage gives its location, script, symbols and an order about grain distribution. Use those details to explain how an inscription can provide evidence about administration and responses to food shortage. Keep the direct factual answers brief and explain the source's importance in a separate, complete response.
Key ideas to understand before the exam
- Historical sources: Inscriptions, coins, chronicles, Bakhars, literary works, documents and oral traditions can reveal different parts of the past.
- Colonial and Orientalist writing: These approaches developed under different interests and assumptions. Examine their methods and possible limitations.
- Nationalistic historiography: Indian scholars challenged colonial interpretations and encouraged the study of Indian and regional sources.
- Marxist historiography: This approach examines material conditions, production, labour and social relations when explaining historical change.
- Subaltern and feminist historiography: These perspectives bring neglected social groups and women's experiences into historical writing.
Check answers and continue learning
The worksheet includes the complete answer key after the questions. Attempt the paper first. Then compare the accuracy and explanation in your answers with the key. Equivalent historically correct wording can work for descriptive answers when the necessary facts and reasoning are present.
History Chapter 2 solutions
For textbook exercise answers and a fuller explanation of the chapter, read the Historiography: Indian Tradition Class 10 solutions. You can also browse all Maharashtra State Board Class 10 History solutions for further revision.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in the Historiography: Indian Tradition worksheet?
There are 36 questions. They include eight MCQs, wrong-pair exercises, a concept map and table, short notes, reasons, a passage-based question, brief answers and long answers. A complete answer key follows the questions.
Does this Class 10 History worksheet include board questions?
Yes. Selected questions have an examination month and year printed beside them in the worksheet. Other questions are labelled as board-style or textbook-based practice. Check the label on each question to see which type you are attempting.
What are the main schools of Indian historiography in this chapter?
The worksheet's concept map covers colonial, Orientalist, nationalistic, Marxist, subaltern and feminist historiography. Revise what each approach studies and prepare an example or historian for each. This helps with both the concept map and comparison questions.
Why is Kalhana important in Indian historiography?
Kalhana wrote Rajtarangini, a history of Kashmir. He considered sources such as inscriptions, records and earlier accounts while preparing his narrative. His effort to examine evidence makes him an important figure when studying historical writing in India.
What is a Bakhar, and how should I explain its value?
A Bakhar is a type of historical writing, particularly associated with medieval Marathi accounts of people and events. A strong answer explains the information it preserves and adds that historians check such accounts against other sources because praise, legend or bias may appear in them.
What was V. K. Rajwade's contribution to historical research?
Rajwade collected original documents and emphasised evidence-based study of India's past. He compiled Marathyanchya Itihasachi Sadhane and helped encourage regional historical research. In a detailed answer, explain both his work with sources and the broader view of society he wanted history to include.
How are subaltern and feminist historiography different?
Subaltern historiography studies history from the viewpoint of people in neglected or lower social ranks, often using oral traditions and other sources alongside written records. Feminist historiography examines women's experiences and questions their absence or portrayal in earlier accounts. Both broaden the range of people whose lives are studied.
How should I answer the Sohagaura copper-plate passage?
First, locate the requested facts in the passage: it places the discovery at Sohagaura in Gorakhpur district and identifies the script as Brahmi. For the explanation, connect the inscription and granary order with evidence about administration, grain storage and a possible response to famine.
Where can I find the Chapter 2 textbook solutions?
Open the Chapter 2 solutions page for textbook exercise answers. The Class 10 History solutions collection includes the other chapters.
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