Maharashtra Board Class 10 History Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West Solutions

Get the most accurate MSBSHSE Solutions for Class 10 History Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West here. Updated for the 2026-27 academic session, these solutions are based on the latest MSBSHSE textbooks for Class 10 History. Our expert-created answers for Class 10 History are available for free download in PDF format.

Detailed Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West MSBSHSE Solutions for Class 10 History

For Class 10 students, solving MSBSHSE textbook questions is the most effective way to build a strong conceptual foundation. Our Class 10 History solutions follow a detailed, step-by-step approach to ensure you understand the logic behind every answer. Practicing these Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West solutions will improve your exam performance.

Class 10 History Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West MSBSHSE Solutions PDF

Std 10 History Chapter 1 Question Answer Historiography Development In The West Maharashtra Board

Class 10 History Chapter 1 Historiography Development In The West Question Answer Maharashtra Board

History Class 10 Chapter 1 Question Answer Maharashtra Board

 

Question 1. (A) Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statement.
(1) It may be said that ....... was the founder of modern historiography.
(a) Voltaire
(b) Rene Descartes
(c) Leopold Ranke
(d) Karl Marx
Answer: (a) Voltaire
In simple words: Voltaire is credited with being the founder of modern historiography because he broadened the scope of historical writing beyond just political events to include social traditions, agriculture, and economic systems.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing key figures and their contributions is crucial for MCQs, especially founders of movements or theories like modern historiography.

 

Question 1. (A) Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statement.
(2) .......... wrote the book entitled 'Archaeology of Knowledge'.
(a) Karl Marx
(b) Michel Foucault
(c) Lucien Febvre
(d) Voltaire
Answer: (b) Michel Foucault
In simple words: Michel Foucault wrote 'Archaeology of Knowledge,' a seminal work where he discussed his method of historical analysis, focusing on transitions rather than strict chronology.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing which authors are associated with specific influential works can help score points in identification questions.

 

Question 1. (B) Identify and write the wrong pair in the following set.
(1) Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - 'Reason in History'
(2) Leopold von Ranké - 'The theory and Practice of History'
(3) Herodotus - 'The Histories'
(4) Karl Marx - 'Discourse on the Method'
Answer:
(1) Right pair: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel - 'Reason in History'
(2) Right pair: Leopold von Ranké - 'The theory and Practice of History'
(3) Right pair: Herodotus - 'The Histories'
(4) Wrong pair: Karl Marx - Discourse on the Method.
In simple words: The incorrect pair is Karl Marx with 'Discourse on the Method'; 'Discourse on the Method' was written by Rene Descartes, while Karl Marx is known for 'Das Kapital'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately matching authors with their works or theories is a common evaluation criterion. Pay close attention to distinguishing similar-sounding titles or contributions.

 

Question 2. Explain the following concepts.
(1) Dialectics
Answer:
• In order to understand the true nature of an event, one needs to know its opposite for e.g. True - False, Good - Bad, etc.
• A German philosopher, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel had put forward this method of analysis of history.
• A theory called 'Thesis' is proposed at the beginning. It is followed by another theory called 'Antithesis' which is, contrary to 'Thesis'.
• After a thorough logical discussion of both new thesis is proposed having gist of both (Thesis and Antithesis).
• This process of arriving at a new thesis is called Synthesis.
• This method of analysis of history which is based on opposites is known as 'Dialectics'.
In simple words: Dialectics is a method of historical analysis proposed by Hegel, where a 'thesis' (an idea) is countered by an 'antithesis' (an opposing idea), and through logical discussion, a 'synthesis' (a new, more comprehensive idea) emerges. This process helps in understanding the true nature of events by examining their inherent contradictions.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining concepts, define the core idea first, then provide examples or steps involved, and mention the key proponents like Hegel for Dialectics.

 

Question 2. Explain the following concepts.
(2) Annales School
Answer:
• At the dawn of the twentieth century, the writing of history got a new direction.
• Along with political events, kings, great leaders, the study of climate, local people, agriculture, trade, technology, means of communication, social divisions and their collective psychology of a group was also considered important in the study of history.
• This new school of thought is known as Annales School. Annales School was started by French historians.
In simple words: The Annales School, founded by French historians in the 20th century, revolutionized historical writing by expanding its focus beyond traditional political and biographical narratives to include broader social, economic, cultural, and geographical aspects of human life. It emphasized long-term historical trends and interdisciplinary approaches.

🎯 Exam Tip: For schools of thought, identify their origin, key characteristics, and how they differed from previous approaches. Mentioning the nationality of the founders can also be helpful.

 

Question 3. Explain the following with its reason.
(1) Historical research was driven to focus in depth on various aspects of women's life.
Answer:
• Initially, there was a lot of dominance of male perspective on historical writing. Simone de Beauvoir, a French scholar, insisted on inclusion of women perspective in historiography.
• She emphasised on the inclusion of women in the process of writing history.
• She insisted on rethinking of the male dominated perspective of history.
• Because of her efforts historical research was driven to focus in depth on various aspects of women's lives their employment, their role in trade unions, institution working for their cause, and their family life.
In simple words: Historical research began to focus on women's lives largely due to the efforts of scholars like Simone de Beauvoir, who challenged the male-dominated historical narrative. Her insistence led to a re-evaluation of history to include women's employment, roles in unions, and family life, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining historical shifts, identify the catalyst (e.g., a key figure or movement) and the resulting changes in focus or methodology.

 

Question 3. Explain the following with its reason.
(2) Foucault called his method, 'the archaeology of knowledge'.
Answer:
• According to Michel Foucault, the prevailing method of arranging historical events in a chronological order was not right.
• He threw light on the fact that archaeology does not strive to reach the ultimate historical truth.
• It attempts to explain various transitions in the past.
• Foucault gave more importance for explaining the transitions in history. Hence, his method is called 'the archaeology of knowledge'.
In simple words: Michel Foucault termed his historical method 'the archaeology of knowledge' because he believed history shouldn't just be a chronological record but an exploration of shifts and transformations in thought. He focused on understanding the transitions and discontinuities in historical discourse, rather than seeking a singular, ultimate truth.

🎯 Exam Tip: For specific theories, clearly state the theorist's main argument and why their method was named as it was. Contrast it with previous approaches if applicable.

 

Question 4. Complete the concept chart.

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र यूरोप के प्रमुख विद्वानों को दर्शाता है। यह एक वैचारिक मानचित्र है जो यूरोप में इतिहासलेखन के विकास में योगदान देने वाले महत्वपूर्ण विद्वानों के नामों को प्रदर्शित करता है, जैसे रेने डेसकार्टेस, जॉर्ज विल्हेम फ्रेडरिक हेगेल, वोल्टेयर और लियोपोल्ड वॉन रांके।
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र यूरोप के प्रमुख विद्वानों का एक समाधान मानचित्र प्रस्तुत करता है। इसमें रेने डेसकार्टेस, जॉर्ज विल्हेम फ्रेडरिक हेगेल, वोल्टेयर और लियोपोल्ड वॉन रांके जैसे इतिहासलेखन के क्षेत्र में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान देने वाले विद्वानों के नाम दिखाए गए हैं।
In simple words: The concept chart identifies key European scholars who contributed to the development of historiography, including René Descartes, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Voltaire, and Leopold von Ranké, each representing distinct approaches to historical study.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing concept charts, identify the main theme and fill in the branches with relevant sub-points or names, ensuring accuracy in associations.

 

Question 5. Answer the following in detail.
(1) Explain Karl Marx's 'Class Theory'.
Answer:
In the latter part of nineteenth century, German thinker, Karl Marx put forward 'Class Theory' in his book 'Das Kapital'.
According to him:
1. History is not about abstract ideas but living people. The fulfillment of basic needs of people depends on the nature of prevalent means of production and the ownership.
2. All the different strata of the society do not get equal access to these means of production which causes the division of the society into classes. It results into class struggle.
3. The class which owns means of production economically exploits the rest of the classes. Human history, according to him, is the history of class struggle.
In simple words: Karl Marx's 'Class Theory' argues that history is fundamentally driven by class struggle, stemming from unequal access to and ownership of the means of production. He believed society is divided into classes, with the owning class exploiting the working class, making human history a continuous narrative of this conflict.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining theories, start with the core premise, identify the key proponent and their major work, and then elaborate on the main points using clear, concise language.

 

Question 5. Answer the following in detail.
(2) What are the four characteristics of modern historiography?
Answer:
The following are the four characteristics of modern historiography:
1. Its method is based on scientific principles and begins with formation of relevant questions.
2. These questions are anthropocentric i.e. they are about ancient human societies and their deeds in that period of time. No interrelation between the divine and human needs is suggested.
3. Answers to these questions are supported by reliable evidence and they are presented in a logical order.
4. History presents a graph of man's progress with the help of his deeds in the past.
In simple words: Modern historiography is characterized by its scientific approach, starting with relevant questions about human societies, supporting answers with reliable evidence in a logical manner, and charting human progress based on past actions rather than divine intervention.

🎯 Exam Tip: For characteristics, use clear bullet points or a numbered list. Ensure each point is distinct and directly addresses a unique characteristic of the subject.

 

Question 5. Answer the following in detail.
(3) What is feminist historiography?
Answer:
• Feminist historiography means writing history with women perspective. There was a lot of dominance of male perspective on historical writing.
• Simone de Beauvoir, a French scholar, insisted on rethinking on the male dominated perspective and including the women's perspective in historiography.
• The idea of feminist historiography was accepted.
• Because of her efforts various aspects of women's lives like their employment, their role in trade unions and their family life became part of historiography.
In simple words: Feminist historiography is an approach to writing history that incorporates women's perspectives and experiences, challenging the traditional male-dominated narratives. It emerged from the insistence of scholars like Simone de Beauvoir, leading historical research to delve into various aspects of women's lives, including their work, social roles, and family structures.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define the core concept, identify key figures or movements, and elaborate on the specific changes or focuses introduced by this approach.

 

Question 5. Answer the following in detail.
(4) Explain Leopold von Ranké's perspective of history?
Answer:
Leopold's view on ways to write history throws light on his perspective of history:
1. He spoke about the critical method of historical research. He gave importance to information gathered through original documents.
2. He also stated that all types of original documents related to the historical event should be examined in detail and with great care.
3. He believed that with this method it was possible to reach the historical truth.
4. He was critical of imagination in narration of history.
In simple words: Leopold von Ranké emphasized a critical method of historical research, prioritizing information from original documents to achieve historical truth. He rejected imaginative narration, advocating for meticulous examination of all relevant sources to reconstruct the past accurately.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing a historian's perspective, focus on their methodology, what they emphasized (e.g., original documents), and what they criticized (e.g., imagination in history). This highlights their unique contribution.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(a) A scholar who writes critical historical narratives is known as ............
(a) an archaeologist
(b) a historian
(c) a social scientist
(d) a language expert
Answer: (b) a historian
In simple words: A historian is a scholar specifically dedicated to writing critical historical narratives, analyzing and interpreting past events and their significance.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the basic definitions of different academic roles to correctly identify the profession associated with specific tasks, like writing historical narratives.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(b) The earliest inscription in the world is displayed at Louvre museum in ............
(a) England
(b) France
(c) Germany
(d) Portugal
Answer: (b) France
In simple words: The Louvre Museum, located in France, houses one of the world's earliest known inscriptions, showcasing its importance in preserving ancient historical artifacts.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowledge of major historical artifacts and their locations is useful for general knowledge questions related to history.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(c) The tradition of recording historical events can be traced back to ............ civilization in Mesopotamia.
(a) Sumer
(b) Egyptian
(c) Arab
(d) Mohenjodaro
Answer: (a) Sumer
In simple words: The Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia is recognized as one of the earliest cultures to develop systems for recording historical events, laying the groundwork for later historical traditions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understanding the origins of practices like historical recording requires knowledge of ancient civilizations and their innovations.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(d) The tradition of modern historiography has its roots in the writings of ............
(a) Roman
(b) Greek
histori
(c) German
(d) French
Answer: (b) Greek
In simple words: The foundations of modern historiography can be traced back to ancient Greek writings, particularly with historians like Herodotus who systematically recorded and investigated past events.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identifying the foundational cultures or periods for intellectual traditions, such as historiography, helps in understanding its historical development.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(e) ............ , a Greek historian of the fifth century B.C.E., had used the term 'History' for the first time for his book entitled, 'The Histories'.
(a) Leopold Ranke
(b) Georg Hegel
(c) Michel Foucault
(d) Herodotus
Answer: (d) Herodotus
In simple words: Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian, is widely regarded as the "Father of History" for his pioneering work 'The Histories', where he first systematically used the term 'History' to describe his inquiries into past events.

🎯 Exam Tip: Knowing the "firsts" or "fathers" of disciplines, along with their key works, is a common scoring area in history exams.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(f) In 1737 C.E., the ............ university in Germany had an independent department for history.
(a) Oxford
(b) Cambridge
(c) Gottingen
(d) Stanford
Answer: (c) Gottingen
In simple words: The University of Gottingen in Germany established an independent department for history in 1737 CE, marking a significant institutional development in the formal study of history.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognizing specific institutions and their historical milestones, especially in academic fields, can be important for questions on the institutionalization of subjects.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(g) Historiography of the nineteenth century was greatly influenced by the thoughts of ............
(a) Karl Marx
(b) Voltaire
(c) Georg Hegel
(d) Leopold von Ranke
Answer: (d) Leopold von Ranke
In simple words: Nineteenth-century historiography was profoundly shaped by Leopold von Ranke's emphasis on empirical research and rigorous examination of primary sources, aiming for objectivity and historical truth.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify key intellectual influences on historical periods; for 19th-century historiography, Ranke's methodologies were particularly dominant.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(h) A new school of historiography arose in France known as ............ school.
(a) Translation
(b) Annales
(c) Nationalism
(d) Communist
Answer: (b) Annales
In simple words: The Annales School, originating in France, was a new historiographical movement that broadened historical study beyond political events to include social, economic, and cultural factors over long durations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associating specific "schools" or movements with their country of origin and their primary focus is crucial for understanding different historiographical traditions.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(i) The method of analysis which is based on opposites is known as ............
(a) Numismatics
(b) Arithmetic
(c) Polynomial
(d) Dialectics
Answer: (d) Dialectics
In simple words: Dialectics is a philosophical method, notably used by Hegel, which involves the resolution of a contradiction between two opposing ideas (thesis and antithesis) into a new, higher truth (synthesis).

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand core philosophical terms and their definitions, especially those that have influenced historical thought like dialectics.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(j) ............ considered subjects like psychological disorders, science of medicine, prison administration for historical analysis.
(a) Michel Foucault
(b) Leopold Ranke
(c) Karl Marx
(d) Voltaire
Answer: (a) Michel Foucault
In simple words: Michel Foucault expanded historical analysis to include unconventional subjects like psychological disorders, medicine, and prison systems, examining how power structures influenced these domains.

🎯 Exam Tip: Associate specific historians with their unique areas of study or methodological innovations, especially when they diverge from traditional historical topics.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(k) After 1990, ............ were considered as an independent social class.
(a) labourers
(b) women
(c) men
(d) farmers
Answer: (b) women
In simple words: Post-1990, women increasingly gained recognition as an independent social class in historical and sociological studies, reflecting a growing focus on gender and intersectionality in analysis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be aware of shifts in social and academic perspectives over time, particularly how different groups came to be recognized in historical discourse.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(l) According to ............ , historical realities should be presented in a logical manner.
(a) Georg Hegel
(b) Voltaire
(c) Simone de Beauvoir
(d) Herodotus
Answer: (a) Georg Hegel
In simple words: Georg Hegel believed that historical realities unfold in a logical, progressive manner, which should be reflected in their presentation and analysis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect philosophical ideas about history, such as the presentation of historical realities, to their respective thinkers like Georg Hegel.

 

Question 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences:
(m) According to ............ one should never accept anything as the truth till all the doubts are solved.
(a) Rene Descartes
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Voltaire
(d) Herodotus
Answer: (a) Rene Descartes
In simple words: Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, advocated for radical doubt, stating that nothing should be accepted as true until all doubts about it have been resolved, a principle that influenced critical inquiry.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the foundational philosophical principles of influential thinkers, as these often underpin their approaches to knowledge and inquiry, including historical research.

 

Question 7. Identify the wrong pair in the following and write it:
(1)

ThinkerBook
(1) Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel(a) Reason in History
(2) Leopold von Ranke(b) The Theory and Practice of History
(3) Herodotus(c) The Histories
(4) Karl Marx(d) Discourse on the Method

Answer:
Wrong pair: Karl Marx - Discourse on the Method.
In simple words: The wrong pair is Karl Marx - 'Discourse on the Method' because 'Discourse on the Method' was authored by Rene Descartes, not Karl Marx, whose notable work is 'Das Kapital'.

🎯 Exam Tip: Carefully cross-reference authors with their correct works, as incorrect pairings are a common type of error to identify in history exams.

 

Question 7. Identify the wrong pair in the following and write it:
(2)

HistorianCountry
(1) HerodotusGreece
(2) Simone de BeauvoirGermany
(3) Michel FoucaultFrance
(4) Rene DescartesFrance

Answer:
Wrong pair: Simone de Beauvoir Germany.
In simple words: The incorrect pair is Simone de Beauvoir and Germany; Simone de Beauvoir was a French philosopher and writer, not German.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you know the nationality or geographical origin of prominent historical figures to correctly identify incorrect pairings.

 

Question 7. Identify the wrong pair in the following and write it:
(3)

Thoughts/OpinionHistorian
(1) All aspects of human life is important in the historiographyVoltaire
(2) He criticized imaginative narration.Leopold von Ranke
(3) History is not about abstract ideas but about living people.Rene Descartes
(4) Emphasized the rethinking of the male-dominated perspective of history.Simone de Beauvoir

Answer:
Wrong pair: History is not about abstract ideas but about living people - René Descartes.
In simple words: The wrong pair links Rene Descartes to the idea that history is about living people, not abstract ideas; this perspective is actually associated with Karl Marx, while Descartes emphasized systematic doubt and rational inquiry.

🎯 Exam Tip: Accurately attribute philosophical ideas and historical approaches to their correct proponents. Misattributing core ideas is a common mistake to avoid.

 

Question 8. Complete the concept chart
(2)

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र ऐतिहासिक अनुसंधान में सहायक विभिन्न विषयों को दर्शाता है। इसमें पुरातत्व (Archaelogy) और अन्य संबंधित विषय जैसे एपिग्राफी (Epigraphy), अभिलेखागार विज्ञान (Archival Science), भाषाविज्ञान (Linguistics), मुद्राशास्त्र (Numismatics) और वंशावली (Geneology) शामिल हैं, जो इतिहास को समझने में मदद करते हैं।
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र ऐतिहासिक अनुसंधान में सहायक विभिन्न विषयों का एक पूरा किया गया वैचारिक मानचित्र है। इसमें पुरातत्व, पुरालेख, अभिलेखागार विज्ञान, भाषाविज्ञान, मुद्राशास्त्र और वंशावली जैसे विषय शामिल हैं, जो ऐतिहासिक दस्तावेजों और साक्ष्यों की विश्वसनीयता और व्याख्या के लिए महत्वपूर्ण हैं।
In simple words: The concept chart shows various disciplines essential for historical research, branching from Archaeology to include Epigraphy (study of inscriptions), Archival Science, Linguistics, Numismatics (study of coins), and Genealogy (study of family histories), all contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing such concept charts, ensure each branch accurately represents a discipline or aspect related to the central theme, in this case, historical research.

 

Question 8. Complete the concept chart
(3)

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र उन परंपराओं को दर्शाता है जो अब इतिहास के स्रोतों के रूप में कार्य करती हैं। इसमें कहानी-कथन (story-telling), गीत और गाथागीत (singing songs and ballads), पूर्वजों के जीवन और पराक्रम की कहानियाँ (stories of the life and valour of ancestors) और गुफा चित्रकला (cave-paintings) शामिल हैं।
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र उन परंपराओं का एक पूरा किया गया वैचारिक मानचित्र है जो अब इतिहास के महत्वपूर्ण स्रोतों के रूप में कार्य करती हैं। इसमें कहानी-कथन, गीत और गाथागीत, पूर्वजों के जीवन और पराक्रम की कहानियाँ, और गुफा चित्रकला शामिल हैं, जो अतीत की जानकारी प्रदान करती हैं।
In simple words: The completed concept chart illustrates various traditions that serve as sources of history, such as storytelling, singing songs and ballads, stories of ancestors' lives and valor, and cave-paintings, all of which transmit information about the past.

🎯 Exam Tip: When identifying sources of history, think broadly beyond written documents to include oral traditions, art, and archaeological evidence.

 

Question 9. Prepare a flow chart on the given topic: Stages of historiography
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह चित्र इतिहासलेखन के विभिन्न चरणों को दर्शाता है। इसमें ऐतिहासिक जानकारी एकत्र करना और उसके संदर्भों की जाँच करना, जानकारी का तुलनात्मक विश्लेषण करना, इतिहास के विभिन्न स्रोतों की आलोचनात्मक जाँच करना, ऐतिहासिक संदर्भों से संबंधित प्रासंगिक प्रश्न तैयार करना और परिकल्पनाएँ बनाकर सिद्धांतों को प्रस्तुत करना शामिल है।
In simple words: The flowchart outlines the key stages of historiography, beginning with collecting and examining historical information, followed by comparative analysis of data, critically reviewing sources, formulating relevant questions, and finally, developing hypotheses and presenting theories.

🎯 Exam Tip: For flowcharts illustrating a process, ensure logical sequence and clear, concise labels for each step. The steps should build upon each other to show progression.

 

Question 10. Write short notes:
(1) Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel:
Answer:
• Georg Hegel was a German philosopher.
• He was of the view that the historical realities should be presented in a logical manner. According to him, Timeline was indicative of progress.
• He believed that presentation of history is bound to change as time passes because new evidence surfaces.
• His philosophy convinced many scholars that historical methods were not of lesser quality, though they differed from the scientific method.
• His lectures and articles are published in a book called 'Encyclopaedia of Philosophical Sciences'.
• His book 'Reason in History' is well known. He devised a method of analysis based on opposites known as 'Dialectics'.
In simple words: Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a German philosopher, advocated presenting historical realities logically, viewing the timeline as indicative of progress and believing that historical interpretations evolve with new evidence. He is renowned for 'Reason in History' and the 'Dialectics' method of analysis based on opposites.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing short notes on a historical figure, include their nationality, key contributions, major works, and significant philosophical ideas or methods.

 

Question 10.
(2) Karl Marx:
Answer:
1. Karl Marx was a German thinker in the nineteenth century. He wrote the world famous treatise 'Das Kapital'. According to him, history was not about abstract ideas but about living people.
2. He believed that human relationships are shaped by the fundamental needs of people and the ownership of prevalent means of production to meet those needs.
3. He stated that unequal accessibility to the means of production creates a division in society leading to class struggle. His theory of class struggle is considered significant all over the world.
4. According to Marx, human history is the history of class struggle because the class which owns the means of production economically exploits the rest of the classes.
In simple words: Karl Marx proposed that history is not about abstract ideas, but about living people and their fundamental needs. He argued that unequal access to means of production leads to class divisions and struggle, which forms the basis of human history.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Marx's core ideas: living people, means of production, and class struggle, as these are central to his historical theory.

 

Question 10.
(3) Michel Foucault:
Answer:
• Michel Foucault was a twentieth century historian from France.
• He wrote the book 'Archaeology of Knowledge'.
• In this book, he insisted that the prevailing practice of arranging historical events in a chronological order is not right.
• He gave importance to explaining the transitions that took place in history.
• He acknowledged the role of subjects such as science of medicine, psychological disorders, prison.
• Administration in historical analysis. This was not acknowledged by earlier historiAnswer:
In simple words: Michel Foucault, a French historian, challenged chronological history, advocating for understanding historical transitions. He emphasized the study of various overlooked subjects like medicine and prison administration in historical analysis.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember Foucault's key contribution: challenging traditional chronological history and introducing the 'archaeology of knowledge' to focus on historical transitions and overlooked subjects.

 

Question 10.
(4) Leopold von Ranke:
Answer:
1. Leopold von Ranke, a German philosopher, laid emphasis on utmost importance of information gathered through original documents.
2. In order to reach historical truth, it was necessary to examine all documents related to historical event. He criticised the imaginative narration of history.
3. Collection of his articles are published in two books, entitled 'The Theory and Practice of History' and 'The Secret of World History'.
4. Ranke had great influence on historiography of nineteenth century.
In simple words: Leopold von Ranke, a German philosopher, stressed using original documents for historical research to uncover historical truth. He rejected imaginative historical narration and significantly influenced 19th-century historiography.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight Ranke's emphasis on critical examination of original documents and his rejection of imaginative history as core principles of his approach.

 

Question 11.
Give reasons:
(a) In historical research, it may not be possible to use the method of experiments and observation.
Answer:
1. In physical and natural sciences, experiment and observation method is used to establish laws that remain true irrespective of the time and space.
2. These laws can be tested and proved again and again.
3. In historical research, the events had already taken place in the past and we were not present in the historical time and space.
4. Moreover, these events cannot be recreated in the present time and space. Hence, experiment and observation method may not be used in historical research.
In simple words: Historical events are unique past occurrences that cannot be replicated in a laboratory setting. Unlike scientific experiments, history deals with unrepeatable phenomena, making direct experimentation and observation impossible.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that the uniqueness and irreversibility of historical events differentiate historical research methods from those of natural sciences, making direct experimentation unsuitable.

 

Question 11.
(b) Historiography in the 18th century gave importance to objectivity in history.
Answer:
• A remarkable progress was achieved in the fields of Philosophy and Science till the eighteenth century in Europe.
• It was believed that by applying scientific methods it was possible to study social and historical truths.
• In the later period, history and historiography witnessed a lot of philosophical discussion.
• This eliminated the imaginative and divine context in history and gave importance to objectivity.
In simple words: The 18th century saw advances in philosophy and science, leading to the belief that scientific methods could uncover social truths. This philosophical shift led to a greater emphasis on objectivity in historiography, moving away from imaginative or divine explanations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect the rise of objectivity in 18th-century historiography to the broader intellectual movements of the Enlightenment, emphasizing the influence of scientific reasoning and philosophical discussions.

 

Question 12.
Answer the following in 25-30 words:
(a) What is Historiography?
Answer:
1. The writing of critical historical narrative is called Historiography. A person who writes it is known as 'Historian'. The following steps are helpful in writing historical narrative:
2. Information related to history is collected and analyzed.
3. The various sources are critically examined to understand the references regarding time and space in the given information as well as the conceptual framework used.
4. After examining the references of historical information, relevant questions related to these historical references are framed and hypothesis are formulated.
5. In short, writing of critical historical narrative by following this method is known as historiography.
In simple words: Historiography is the systematic writing of history based on critical examination of sources, analysis of collected information, and formulation of relevant questions and hypotheses about past events.

🎯 Exam Tip: Define historiography as the critical writing of history, emphasizing the systematic process of collecting, analyzing, and questioning historical information.

 

Question 12.
(b) What did Rene Descartes insist upon?
Answer:
French Philosopher Rene Descartes insisted on the following in writing historiography:
1. 'Never to accept anything as true till all grounds of doubt are excluded'.
2. Hence, the reliability of a source like historical documents should be verified by critically examining them while writing history.
In simple words: Rene Descartes advocated for absolute certainty, insisting that nothing should be accepted as true without rigorous verification. In historiography, this translates to critically examining the reliability of all historical documents before using them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember Descartes' principle of doubt: emphasizing critical verification of historical sources to ensure their reliability and avoid accepting unproven facts.

 

Question 12.
(c) Why is Voltaire said to be the founder of modern historiography?
Answer:
Voltaire, a french scholar, opined that it was important to consider the following aspects while writing history:
1. objective truth and chronology of events;
2. prevalent social traditions, agriculture, trade and economic system. It was because of his view that all aspects of human life was considered for history writing. Therefore, he is said to be the founder of modern historiography.
In simple words: Voltaire is considered the founder of modern historiography because he broadened historical study beyond just chronology and objective truth to include social traditions, agriculture, trade, and economic systems, thus encompassing all aspects of human life.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Voltaire's expansion of history's scope to include societal aspects, not just political events, as the reason for his recognition as the founder of modern historiography.

 

Question 12.
(d) What are the objectives of writing history?
Answer:
History is researched and written down with following objectives:
• To analyse the events in the past.
• To verify information about the historical events and their interconnections.
• To study in detail and remove imaginative element and bring forth the truth.
• To put the past events in chronological order.
In simple words: The main goals of writing history are to analyze past events, verify information and its connections, uncover the truth by removing imaginative elements, and present events in chronological order.

🎯 Exam Tip: List the key objectives: analysis, verification, truth-seeking, and chronological presentation, as these form the foundation of historical inquiry.

 

Question 12.
(e) What progress was achieved in historiography in the eighteenth century?
Answer:
The following progress was achieved in historiography in the eighteenth century:
• Scientific methods were applied to study social and historical truths.
• Philosophical discourses revolving around divine phenomena were given less importance.
• Philosophical discussions focused more on the objectivity in history and historiography.
• Since the universities got an independent department of history, they became centres of historical studies.
In simple words: In the 18th century, historiography progressed by applying scientific methods to social truths, reducing emphasis on divine explanations, promoting objectivity, and establishing history as an independent academic discipline in universities.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the shift towards scientific methods, objectivity, and institutionalization of history in universities as major 18th-century developments.

 

Question 13.
Head the given passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
(a) Who is called a Historian?
Answer:
A scholar who writes critical historical narratives is called a Historian.
In simple words: A historian is a scholar responsible for writing critical and analytical accounts of historical events.

🎯 Exam Tip: A concise definition linking a historian to the task of writing critical historical narratives is sufficient for this question.

 

Question 13.
(b) Complete the concept chart.
Factors which determined historian's
writing skill.
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): यह एक अवधारणा चार्ट है जो उन कारकों को दर्शाता है जो इतिहासकार के लेखन कौशल को निर्धारित करते हैं। इसमें दो मुख्य शाखाएँ हैं: एक है "Selected past event" (चुनी हुई पिछली घटना) और दूसरी है "Conceptual framework adopted by the historian" (इतिहासकार द्वारा अपनाई गई वैचारिक रूपरेखा)। यह चार्ट दिखाता है कि एक इतिहासकार का कार्य इन दो महत्वपूर्ण तत्वों से प्रभावित होता है।
In simple words: A historian's writing skill is determined by two main factors: the specific past event they choose to analyze, and the conceptual framework or theoretical lens they adopt for their analysis.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing concept charts, clearly identify the main elements and their relationships. Here, the two core factors are the chosen event and the historian's conceptual approach.

 

Question 13.
(c) How did the people in ancient societies preserve the events in the past?
Answer:
The ancient people preserved the events in the past so that they can pass them to the next generation. They used various means to do this:
• Narrating the stories of valour of ancestors to the next generation.
• Stories of their life preserved through cave paintings.
• Adopting story telling technique.
• Singing songs and ballads to impress events upon the minds of the new generation.
In simple words: Ancient societies preserved past events through oral traditions like narrating heroic tales and singing ballads, and through visual representations like cave paintings, all aimed at passing knowledge to future generations.

🎯 Exam Tip: List various methods, such as oral storytelling, songs, and cave paintings, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of ancient historical preservation techniques.

 

Question 14.
Answer the following questions in detail:
(a) Which experts do we need in order to prove the reliability of historical documents?
Answer:
The following experts are required to prove the reliability of historical documents:
• Language expert who can decipher the language and meaning of the document or the script on the inscription.
• One who can recognise the type of paper used and the period in which it was used.
• One who can understand the lettering style and the writing style of the author.
• Expert who has knowledge of different seals, i.e. stamps of authority used by the rulers.
• Historian who can interpret and do a comparative study of the references given in the document.
In simple words: To verify historical documents, we need language and script experts, paper and dating specialists, handwriting analysts, experts in seals of authority, and historians for interpretation and comparative study.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list a range of experts, focusing on their specific skills (language, materials, handwriting, seals, interpretation) to demonstrate a thorough understanding of source verification.

 

Question 14.
(b) Write Hegel's view on history.
Answer:
• Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was a German philosopher.
• He was of the view that the historical realities should be presented in a logical manner.
• He believed that presentation of history is bound to change as time passes because new evidence surfaces.
• He proposed a method of analysis based on opposites known as 'Dialectics'.
• Hegel's philosophy convinced many scholars that historical methods were not of lesser quality, though they differed from scientific methods.
• His lectures and articles are published in a book called 'Encyclopaedia of Philosophical Sciences'. His book 'Reason in History' is well known.
In simple words: Georg Hegel believed history should be presented logically, evolving as new evidence emerges. He developed 'Dialectics' to analyze history through opposing ideas, asserting that historical methods, though different from scientific ones, are equally valid.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize Hegel's concept of 'Dialectics' and his belief in history's logical progression and evolving interpretations based on new evidence.

 

Question 15.
Observe the inscription in the picture and write information it:
Answer:

ℹ️ चित्र व्याख्या (Diagram Explanation): इस चित्र में एक प्राचीन शिलालेख का खंड दिखाया गया है, जो लगभग 4500 ईसा पूर्व का है। यह शिलालेख वर्तमान में फ्रांस के लौवर संग्रहालय में प्रदर्शित है। इस पर सुमेरियन राजाओं के नाम और उनके द्वारा लड़ी गई लड़ाइयों की कहानियाँ अंकित हैं। इसमें ढाल और भाले लिए सैनिकों की एक पंक्ति भी दिख रही है, जिसका नेतृत्व एक जनरल कर रहा है।
1. A fragment of the earliest inscription is shown in the above picture. It dates back to 4500 BCE.
2. It is displayed at the Louvre museum in France.
3. The inscriptions have names of Sumerian kings and stories of battles fought by them.
4. It shows a forward marching file of soldiers holding shields and spears. The General is in the front.
In simple words: The image displays a 4500 BCE Sumerian inscription from the Louvre Museum, detailing names of kings and battles, including a depiction of soldiers and a general.

🎯 Exam Tip: When describing an image, provide specific details like its age, location, and key elements depicted, such as the subject matter and notable figures or objects.

 

Brain Teaser
Hints:
Down:
• He used the word 'History' for the first time
• He wrote the book 'Discourse on the Method'
• Presented Theory of 'Dialectics'
• He called his method 'Archaeology of Knowledge'
Across:
• founder of modern historiography
• Criticised imaginative narration of history. Articles published in 'The Secret of World History'
• Her writings helped in establishing the fundamentals of feminism
• He wrote 'Das Kapital'

MSBSHSE Solutions Class 10 History Chapter 1 Historiography Development in the West

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