Understanding History

History is not just about memorizing dates or events. It helps us understand the present and shapes our future. When we know about the struggles and achievements of those who came before us, we learn to appreciate the freedom and comfort we enjoy today. It also helps us build a better world by learning from past mistakes and celebrating achievements.

History is like a big storybook that tells us what happened a long time ago! It is the study of the past, where we learn about people, places, events, and ideas that shaped the world into what it is today. By looking at history, we understand how things have changed over time and how they have stayed the same. It helps us to know about our roots and gives us lessons that guide us in the present and future.

History is not just about dates and names; it helps us understand the world better. Here are some reasons why history is important:

1. Learning from the Past: By studying what happened in the past, we can learn from mistakes and successes. For example, if a country faced a problem long ago and found a good solution, we can use that idea to solve similar problems today. 

2. Understanding People and Cultures: History helps us learn about different cultures and traditions from around the world. It teaches us how people in different times lived, what they believed in, and how they celebrated their festivals. This helps us appreciate different cultures and respect others.

3. Knowing Our Heroes and Heroines: History introduces us to brave people like freedom fighters, scientists, leaders, and artists who made a big difference. Knowing about people like Mahatma Gandhi, Rani Lakshmibai, Albert Einstein, or Anne Frank can inspire us to be courageous, wise, and kind.

4. Understanding Changes Over Time: History shows us how things like technology, education, transportation, and society have changed over time. For example, there was a time when people traveled on horseback or in carriages; now we have cars, airplanes, and spaceships!

The Work a Historian Does

A historian is like a detective who tries to solve the mysteries of the past. They gather evidence from different sources like old books, letters, artifacts, paintings, or even cave drawings! Then, they put the pieces together to tell the story of what happened.

Historians also try to understand why events happened the way they did. For example, why did ancient civilizations like the Egyptians build pyramids, or why did kings fight in battles? This helps us understand how people thought and lived in different times.

History : Types

There are different types of history, each focusing on different aspects of the past:

1. Political History: This talks about kings, queens, presidents, governments, and wars. It tells us how countries were formed and how leaders ruled.

2. Social History: This focuses on the everyday lives of people. It talks about how people dressed, what they ate, how they played, and what kind of jobs they did.

3. Cultural History: This type looks at art, music, dance, literature, and other creative works from the past. It helps us understand the culture and traditions of different times.

4. Economic History: This type studies how people earned money, traded goods, and used resources in the past.

5. Scientific History: This talks about inventions and discoveries in science, medicine, and technology that changed the world.

How We Learn About History

We can learn about history in many ways:

1. Books and Textbooks: We read stories and facts about the past in history books.

2. Museums: Museums display objects from the past like old tools, clothes, toys, and art. This helps us see how life was in different times.

3. Monuments and Historical Places: Visiting historical places like forts, temples, palaces, or ancient cities gives us a glimpse into the past.

4. Documentaries and Films: Some movies and TV shows tell stories about history in a fun and interesting way.

5. Talking to Elders: Our grandparents and elders often have stories from their time, which can help us learn about the recent past.

Tawaifs or Nautch Girls

Tawaifs, termed by the British as 'Nautch Girls' were the dancing girls who have been known for their etiquette and dancing-singing skills. They have also played a role in our freedom struggle before, during and after 1857 Uprising, and even came in confrontation with Gandhiji. I am excited to launch the book cover of my upcoming book, which will be in your hands soon.

Subhas - Death That Wasn't

This is my new book dealing with the mystery of the legendary leader Subhas Chandra Bose. The book is unique in the sense that it brings out what happened on the ultimate day. It is so essential to understand India's national history.

You can buy it from the Amazon or the website of the publisher, the reputed Prabhat Publication.

Indefinite Pronoun Exercise 1

Fill in suitable Indefinite Pronouns in the following sentences :

1.      .......................has called my name.

2.      Has .................called my name?

3.      You can buy ..............at this shop.

4.      You cannot buy ...............at this shop.

5.      When you have .................to do, you may feel bored.

6.      Only .................have been invited to the dinner.

7.      Though we invited ...............to the dinner, only ...............turned up.

8.      ................the work has been finished.

9.      I need to do ...............of the work yet.    

10.   Are there left ................of the apples in the basket?

11.   ..................of the old people can get old age pension.

12.   ................of the women wore charming make-up.

13.   ...................has completed the work allotted to him.

14.   Do you have any money? Yes, I have ............. .

15.   ..................of the residents did not attend the meeting.

16.   ....................knocked at the window and looked in.

17.   She seems to be ................in the office.

18.   The car was driven rashly and it ran into a pole or .............. .

19.   There is ...................in what he says.

20.   I need some loaves, are there .............in your shop?

21.   Such a terrible accident could occur to ................. .

22.   This is not meant for ..............and sundry.

23.   You cannot bring ..................at home.

24.   Does ....................else want to see this film?

25.   You should not say ...................about this issue.

26.   You can do .....................but say foolish things.

27.   ......................is dancing merrily.

28.   I have seen every ................of his films.

29.   ......................in the team fared poorly.

30.   ......................of the men cannot enter the women's compartment.

31.   .....................in cash or kind is acceptable here.

32.   ....................but cashless payment is accepted here.

33.   ...................of them asked for the same thing.

34.   .....................of the officers approved the application.

35.   They ..................danced right into the wee hours.

36.   The leader was in the car with ............of his followers.

37.   ...................of the devotees stayed for long.

38.   Of all hats, only ..................seemed attractive.

39.   She is ..............of the few who matter.

40.   ..............of the young men join the army.

41.   Did it rain in the plains this year? No, not ............... .

42.   What..............do you expect from me?

43.   Is there any ...............accommodation available in this hotel?

44.   .................of the apples were rotten.

45.   I have seen ...............of these students in the fair.

46.   Of the parliamentarians, ...............were involved in the debate.

47.   ..................can help you in this matter.

48.   There is .....................called Mohan here.

49.   He was once a popular man, he is ....................now.

50.   ....................is enough.

 

Ans : 1. someone, 2. anybody, 3. anything, 4. everything, 5. nothing, 6. a few, 7. many, few, 8. all, 9. some, 10. any, 11. all, 12. some, 13. everybody, 14. some, 15. some/none, 16. someone, 17. something, 18. something, 19. something, 20. any, 21. somebody, 22. all, 23. anybody, 24. anyone, 25. anything, 26. anything, 27. everyone, 28. one, 29. some, 30. none, 31. anything, 32. nothing, 33. all, 34. none, 35. both, 36. both, 37. some, 38. a few, 39. some, 40. some, 41. much, 42. more, 43. more, 44. some, 45. another, 46. few, 47. nobody, 48. nobody, 49. nothing, 50. enough.

Relative Pronoun Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable Relative Pronouns :

1.      We always like the men ...............speak the truth.

2.      This is the bicycle ................I got repaired yesterday.

3.      This is the pickpocket ................stole my purse.

4.      It is only the crane .................drinks milk.

5.      I have lost the watch ................you gifted me.

6.      They never fail ..............strive for a great cause.

7.      I sent the letter to the officer ................I saw in the cabin.

8.      He reads the book ................he likes best.

9.      The answer ............... she gave was wrong.

10.   He is the man ...................purse was picked.

11.   The monkeys............were on the tree screeched loudly.

12.   Take anything ................you like.

13.   God helps those ................help themselves.

14.   I saw a dog .................chased a cat.

15.   There is lying the table ................one leg is broken.

16.   I have not seen the man ................hit this child.

17.   You get .................you deserve.

18.   The boy ......................you saw here is my brother.

19.   That is the bangle ..............I gifted her on her birthday.

20.   I like to read the books ..............I have read before.

21.   This is the kind lady ................fed me this morning.

22.   I am going to the village of Sagri ..............is my granny's place.

23.   I have not seen the animal ...............you call unicorn.

24.   She has not met the boy ...............she is going to marry.

25.   He easily solved the question .....................everybody found very tough.

26.   She was the student ..............the principal admired.

27.   He ..............is contented is happy.

28.   We met the soldiers .......................fought in the Kargil war.

29.   That is the house ........................Mohan bought.

30.   The pen .................you gave me is very beautiful.

31.   The pretty lady ...............was standing at the door was my aunt.

32.   The contention ..............you claim is right is in fact wrong.

33.   I know the woman ....................child won a medal.

34.   Is there anyone here ................can score a goal now?

35.   This is the information ...............you can trust.

36.   I saw a baby .................was playing with a doll.

37.   This is the parrot ................can copy any man.

38.   ......................works not earns not.

39.   .................has lost all hope has also lost all fear.

40.   .......................I have written is right.

 

Ans : 1. who, 2. which, 3. who, 4. that, 5. which, 6. who, 7. whom, 8. which, 9. which, 10. who, 11. which, 12. that, 13. who, 14. which, 15. whose, 16. who, 17. what, 18. whom, 19. which, 20. which, 21. who, 22. which, 23. that, 24. whom, 25. which, 26. whom, 27. who, 28. who, 29. which, 30. which, 31. who, 32. that, 33. whose, 34. who, 35. which, 36. who, 37. which/that, 38. who, 39. who, 40. what.

Personal Pronoun Exercise 1

Fill in the blanks with suitable Personal Pronouns :

1.      Gopal, this bag is ................and that is ............... .

2.      The little child was playing with his toy. .................threw ............out of the window.

3.      Some players are not in the field, ...............are sitting in the shadow.

4.      What are ...............planning to do, Rahul? .................should meet ............first.

5.      Rohan and Mohan went to market to buy a 4G mobile, but ..............was not available at the shop.

6.      When Naman opened the bag, .............found that .............had no books.

7.      His sister and ................went together to the library.

8.      There were monkeys on the tree, .............were plucking fruits and throwing ............down.

9.      I shall come in the evening, don't wait for ............now.

10.   We have sold as many hats as .............. .

11.   The cobbler repaired the shoe and then kept ............aside.

12.   It is a pity that ..................don't have my camera with me.

13.   Did you receive the gift which ..............sent you? No, .............haven't got it yet.

14.   .............has invited ...............to her house to dinner.

15.   It is ....................who am in the room.

16.   To make tea, ...............first need water, tea leaf and sugar besides milk.

17.   Every woman of this club should sit at the seat meant for .............. .

18.   Can you listen to the song? ...................is Reema's voice.

19.   Bravery is a powerful tool, ....................can win you the most difficult battles.

20.   My dog has run out of the house, have you seen ................?

21.   There was an army on the road. ..............was marching to the cantonment.

22.   ..............is good to tell the truth.

23.   ...............is nice to do physical exercise daily.

24.   ...................was Thursday yesterday.

25.   ..................should not keep one's bag here.

26.   This country is .................. .

27.   Mohit is as strong as ................ .

28.   Mayur gave you as much juice as ............. .

29.   If I were ................., I wouldn't go with her.

30.   There is a lot of difference between .............and me.

 

Ans : 1. mine, yours, 2. he, it, 3. they, 4. you, you, me, 5. it, 6. he, it, 7. I, 8. they, them, 9. me, 10. he, 11. it, 12. I, 13. I, I, 14. she, us, 15. I, 16. you, 17. her, 18. it, 19. he, 20. him, 21. it, 22. it, 23. it, 24. it, 25. one, 26. ours, 27. I, 28. me, 29. you, 30. you.