Social Sciences (History & Political Science) July 2024 Question Paper Solution | SSC Maharashtra Board
HISTORY
Q. 1. (A) Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the sentences : (3 Marks)
(1) It may be said that ............... was the founder of modern historiography.
Options: (a) Voltaire (b) René Descartes (c) Leopold Ranké (d) Karl Marx
Answer: (a) Voltaire
Answer: (a) Voltaire
(2) The ................. saw the rise of Mathura school.
Options: (a) Kushana period (b) Gupta period (c) Rashtrakuta period (d) Maurya period
Answer: (a) Kushana period
Answer: (a) Kushana period
(3) ................. at Kolkata is the first museum in India.
Options: (a) Government Museum (b) National Museum (c) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastusangrahalay (d) Indian Museum
Answer: (d) Indian Museum
Answer: (d) Indian Museum
Q. 1. (B) Identify the wrong pair in the following and write : (3 Marks)
(1) Authors and Works
(i) Rene Descartes — ‘Discourse on the Method’
(ii) Karl Marx — ‘Das Capital’
(iii) Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel — ‘Reason in History’
(iv) Leopold von Ranke — ‘The Histories’
(ii) Karl Marx — ‘Das Capital’
(iii) Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel — ‘Reason in History’
(iv) Leopold von Ranke — ‘The Histories’
Wrong Pair: Leopold von Ranke — ‘The Histories’
(Note: ‘The Histories’ was written by Herodotus. Ranke wrote ‘The Theory and Practice of History’.)
(Note: ‘The Histories’ was written by Herodotus. Ranke wrote ‘The Theory and Practice of History’.)
(2) Tourist Places and Types
(i) Matheran — Hill Station
(ii) Todoba — Rock-cut Caves
(iii) Kolhapur — Pilgrim Centre
(iv) Ajanta — World Heritage
(ii) Todoba — Rock-cut Caves
(iii) Kolhapur — Pilgrim Centre
(iv) Ajanta — World Heritage
Wrong Pair: Todoba — Rock-cut Caves
(Note: Tadoba is a Tiger Reserve/National Park. Ajanta/Ellora are Rock-cut caves.)
(Note: Tadoba is a Tiger Reserve/National Park. Ajanta/Ellora are Rock-cut caves.)
(3) Sports and Categories
(i) Mallakhamb — Outdoor game based on physical skills
(ii) Water Polo — Water sport
(iii) Skating — Adventurous ice sport
(iv) Chess — Outdoor game
(ii) Water Polo — Water sport
(iii) Skating — Adventurous ice sport
(iv) Chess — Outdoor game
Wrong Pair: Chess — Outdoor game
(Note: Chess is an indoor game.)
(Note: Chess is an indoor game.)
Q. 2. (A) Complete the following activity according to the given instructions (any two) : (4 Marks)
(1) Complete the concept chart (Historical Literature/Authors):
Ziauddin Barani ➔ Purpose of Historiography (Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi)
Kalhana ➔ History of Kashmir (Rajtarangini)
Sabhasad Bakhar ➔ The reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Tuzuk-i-Babari ➔ Descriptions of the battles fought by Babur
(2) Complete the following concept map: Types of Tourism
Center: Types of Tourism
Historical Tourism
Geographic Tourism
Health Tourism
Agro-Tourism
Sports Tourism
(3) Complete the following chart: Bhajan vs Bharud
| Points | Bhajan | Bharud |
|---|---|---|
| Characteristics | Singing songs in praise of God; Use of instruments like Chipli, Tal, Mridangam. | Spiritual and ethical teaching through drama and songs; Often acts like 'Vasudev'. |
| Examples | Saint Namdev, Saint Tukaram, Tulsidas. | Saint Eknath's Bharuds. |
Q. 2. (B) Write short notes on (any two) : (4 Marks)
(1) Art
Art is a natural human instinct to share his experienced wisdom, emotions, and enlightenment with others. This results in the creation of something beautiful, which we call 'Art'.
- Visual Arts (Drik Kala): Examples include painting and sculpture.
- Performing Arts (Lalit Kala): Examples include music, dance, and drama.
- Art is also classified into Folk Art (passed down generations) and Classical Art (based on strict rules).
(2) The role of newspaper in the Indian struggle for independence
During the freedom struggle, newspapers played a pivotal role:
- Awareness: They created social and political awareness among the masses.
- Criticism: Newspapers like Kesari and Maratha criticized the suppressive policies of the British Government.
- Reform: They acted as a medium for social reformation and propagated ideas of liberty and equality (e.g., Darpan, Prabhakar).
- Unity: They helped unite people against colonial rule.
(3) Dictionaries
Dictionaries (Kosh) are compilations of words, their meanings, and etymologies.
- Purpose: To enhance vocabulary and make knowledge accessible.
- Types:
- Shabdakosh (Dictionary of words/meanings).
- Vishwakosh (Encyclopedias).
- Koshsadrush (Encyclopedic literature).
- Samanarthak Shabdakosh (Thesaurus).
- They are important historical documents as they reflect the language and culture of a specific period.
Q. 3. Explain the following statements with reasons (any two) : (4 Marks)
(1) Bakhar is an important type of historical documents.
Reason:
- Bakhar is a form of historical narrative written in medieval Marathi.
- It contains eulogies of heroes and stories of historic events, battles, and lives of great men.
- It provides valuable information about the political happenings, linguistic transactions, cultural life, and social conditions of that period (e.g., Sabhasad Bakhar).
- Therefore, despite some exaggerations, Bakhars are vital sources for writing medieval History.
(2) It is essential to study the history of technology.
Reason:
- Technology is the key to human progress. Man's journey from stone tools to the industrial revolution involves technological evolution.
- To understand the changes in agricultural production, architecture, and engineering, we must understand the history of technology.
- Technological advancements influence social and cultural changes.
- Hence, to understand the development of civilization, studying the history of technology is essential.
(3) Knowledge of History is essential for newspaper articles.
Reason:
- Newspapers often publish columns like "50 Years Ago" or "100 Years Ago," which require historical records.
- While writing about current events (e.g., relations between countries), editors need to trace the historical background to provide context.
- Reviews of books, movies, or cultural events in newspapers require a historical perspective.
- Thus, history provides the foundation for in-depth journalism.
(4) Only trained persons, who are duly qualified can take up the tasks involved in the work of conservation and preservation.
Reason:
- Institutes like libraries, museums, and archives preserve precious historical heritage, which requires highly specialized handling of artifacts and manuscripts.
- The process involves complex tasks such as collecting sources, creating scientific indexes, and applying chemical treatments to prevent decay.
- An untrained person might not understand the historical value of a fragment (e.g., a torn page) and might accidentally discard or damage it.
- Therefore, to ensure accuracy, reduce errors, and maintain the integrity of historical sources, only qualified professionals with specific skills should perform this work.
Q. 4. Read the following passage and answer the questions based on it : (4 Marks)
(Passage on Hemadpanti Temples)
(1) How are the outer walls of Hemadpanti temples built?
The outer walls of Hemadpanti temples are built in a star shape with a zigzag design.
(2) Give examples of Hemadpanti temples.
Examples include the Ambreshwar temple at Ambarnath (near Mumbai), Gondeshwar temple at Sinnar (near Nashik), and Aundha Nagnath temple in Hingoli district.
(3) What are the main characteristics of Hemadpanti temples?
The main characteristics are:
- Star-shaped Plan: The outer walls have a zigzag pattern that creates an interesting effect of alternating light and shadow.
- Dry Masonry: The walls are built without using lime or mortar. The stones are locked together using the technique of tenon and mortise joints.
Q. 5. Answer the following questions in detail (any two) : (6 Marks)
(1) Explain Karl Marx’s class theory.
According to Karl Marx:
- History is not about abstract ideas but about living people.
- Human relationships are shaped by the fundamental needs of people and the ownership of the means of production to meet these needs.
- The accessibility of these means is not equal for all sections of society. This inequality causes a division of society into two classes: the 'Haves' (those who own means of production) and the 'Have-nots'.
- This leads to Class Struggle. The class that owns the means of production exploits the rest of the classes.
- Marx presented this view in his famous book ‘Das Capital’.
(2) How can we correlate Applied History with our present?
Applied History (Public History) connects the past to the present in several ways:
- Solving Current Issues: Knowledge of history helps in analyzing and finding solutions to contemporary social and political problems.
- Social Planning: By studying past trends, we can plan better for social development.
- Heritage Management: Applied History helps in preserving our cultural and natural heritage, creating opportunities for tourism and employment.
- Identity: It helps society understand its roots, fostering a sense of identity and pride.
(3) Explain the close tie between Sports and History.
There is a close relationship between Sports and History:
- Historical Record: One needs to resort to history to understand the origin and evolution of various sports (e.g., Olympics in Ancient Greece).
- Review and Research: Writing articles, encyclopedias, or making documentaries about sports requires deep historical research.
- Commentary: Sports commentators need knowledge of the history of the game, previous records, and eminent players to make their commentary interesting.
- Biography: Studying the lives of legendary players helps inspire future generations.
(4) Why is Maharashtra known as the land that nurtured the Indian Film Industry?
- Origins: Dadasaheb Phalke, the 'Father of Indian Cinema', released the first full-length Indian movie, Raja Harishchandra, in Mumbai in 1913.
- Development: The subsequent growth of the industry, including silent movies and talkies, was centered in Maharashtra.
- Talent & Infrastructure: Maharashtra provided the necessary artists, technicians, and studios (e.g., Prabhat Film Company in Pune).
- Cultural Hub: Mumbai became the hub of Bollywood, attracting talent from all over India, making Maharashtra the nurturing ground for Indian cinema.
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Q. 6. Choose the correct option from the given options and complete the statements : (2 Marks)
(1) The Election Commissioner is appointed by the ................ .
Options: (a) President (b) Prime Minister (c) Speaker of Lok Sabha (d) Vice-President
Answer: (a) President
Answer: (a) President
(2) To increase agricultural production and become self-sufficient with regard to food grains ......................... was initiated.
Options: (a) Water revolution (b) Green revolution (c) Industrial revolution (d) White revolution
Answer: (b) Green revolution
Answer: (b) Green revolution
Q. 7. State whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answer (any two) : (4 Marks)
(1) The nature of Constitution is seen as a living document.
True.
Reason: The Constitution is dynamic and not static. It can be amended by the Parliament to suit the changing needs and conditions of the society. This flexibility allows it to adapt and survive, making it a "living document."
Reason: The Constitution is dynamic and not static. It can be amended by the Parliament to suit the changing needs and conditions of the society. This flexibility allows it to adapt and survive, making it a "living document."
(2) The Election Commission lays down the code of conduct during elections.
True.
Reason: To ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission enforces a Code of Conduct. It outlines the rules to be followed by the government, political parties, and candidates before and during the elections to prevent malpractice.
Reason: To ensure free and fair elections, the Election Commission enforces a Code of Conduct. It outlines the rules to be followed by the government, political parties, and candidates before and during the elections to prevent malpractice.
(3) Movements do not need a strong leadership.
False.
Reason: Strong leadership is the backbone of any movement. Leaders define the objectives, plan the strategy, and mobilize the masses. Without strong leadership, movements become directionless and often fail to achieve their goals.
Reason: Strong leadership is the backbone of any movement. Leaders define the objectives, plan the strategy, and mobilize the masses. Without strong leadership, movements become directionless and often fail to achieve their goals.
Q. 8. (A) Explain the following concept (any one) : (2 Marks)
(1) Policy of reservation of seats
The policy of reservation is a provision made for sections of society that have been deprived of opportunities for education and employment for a long time (e.g., SC, ST, OBC). It ensures their representation in government jobs, educational institutions, and political bodies (Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha) to bring them into the mainstream and ensure social justice.
(2) Regional parties
Regional parties are political groups that have a strong sense of regional identity. They focus on regional issues and demand autonomy and development for their specific region. They prioritize local interests over national ones but influence national politics through coalitions (e.g., Shiv Sena, TDP, DMK).
Q. 8. (B) Complete the following activity according to given instructions (any one) : (2 Marks)
(1) Complete the concept map: National Parties
Center: National Parties
Indian National Congress (INC)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Communist Party of India (CPI)
Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M)
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
(2) Complete the concept map: Challenges before Indian Democracy
Center: Challenges before Indian Democracy
Left extremists - Naxalism
Communalism
Corruption
Criminalisation of Politics
Q. 9. Answer in brief (any one) : (2 Marks)
(1) What are the effects of reducing the voting age from 21 years to 18 years?
The 61st Amendment reduced the voting age from 21 to 18.
- Enfranchisement: It gave the right to vote to millions of youth, increasing the number of voters significantly.
- Largest Democracy: It made India the largest democracy in the world in terms of the electorate.
- Youth Participation: It encouraged the youth to participate in the political process, making the democracy more representative and dynamic.
(2) What are the effects of criminalisation of politics?
- Ethics: Politics loses its ethical basis and moral standards.
- Violence: The use of money and muscle power increases, leading to violence during elections.
- Governance: When criminals enter the legislature, the quality of governance suffers, and corruption increases.
- Trust: Common people lose faith in the democratic process.
