EXERCISE

Very short answer questions 

Q1. What was the eastern border of the Indus Valley civilization extended up to Ganga Valley?
Answer: The eastern border of the Indus Valley civilization extended up to Meerut in the Ganga valley.

Q2. When was the town culture developed during the Indus Valley civilization?
Answer: A developed town culture was formed in the Sindhu valley around 4000 BC.

Q3. What was the presumed time of writing of the Rig Veda?
Answer: The period between 1500 BC to 1000 BC is considered to be the time of writing of the Rig Veda.

Q4. The term Satyameva Jayate in the National symbol was taken from which book?
Answer: The term Satyameva Jayate was taken from the Mundak Upanishad.

Q5. Which book did establish the term ‘unity in diversity’?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru’s book “Discovery of India” made the term ‘unity in diversity’ popular.

Q6. Greek-Roman techniques were used in which style of sculptures of India?
Answer: Greek-Roman techniques were used in the Gandhara style of sculptures of India.

Q7. What is the name of the famous book on political science written in ancient India?
Answer: The famous book on political science written in ancient India is Kautilya’s Arthasastra.

Q8. When was the Natyasastra by Bharat Muni written?
Answer: The Natyashastra by Bharat Muni was written between 200 BC and the second century AD.

Q9. How many slokas are there in the Natyashastra?
Answer: There are around 6,000 slokas in the Natyashastra.

Q10. What is Heraka movement?
Answer: The Heraka movement was launched by freedom fighter Rani Gaidalu for the revival and preservation of the traditional religious beliefs and cultural heritage of the tribes of Nagaland.

Q11. Hornbill festival of Nagaland is based on which name of organism?
Answer: The Hornbill festival is named after the Hornbill bird, which is considered sacred by the Nagas.

Q12. The traditional festival Chapchar Kut belong to which state?
Answer: The traditional festival Chapchar Kut belongs to Mizoram.

Q13. What is the meaning of the word Mizo?
Answer: The term Mizo means ‘inhabitants of the Hills’.

Q14. Which state of the North East has a matriarchal society?
Answer: Meghalaya has a matriarchal society.

Q15. What is the main theme of Manipuri dance?
Answer: The Manipuri dance form is mainly based on the childhood of the saint Chaitanya and of Lord Krishna.

Q16. What is the ancient name of Assam?
Answer: The ancient names of Assam were Pragjyotishpur and Kamrup.

Q17. From which Bodo word the name Assam is considered to be derived?
Answer: The name Assam is considered to be derived from the Bodo word ‘ha-chom’.

Q18. What is Charyapada?
Answer: Charyapada was a collection of songs that constituted the only written Assamese literature during the period from the 10th to the 14th century.

Q19. When was the Charyapada written?
Answer: The Charyapada was written during the period from the 10th to the 14th century.

Q20. Under whose patronage did Madhab Kandali translate the Saptakanda Ramayana?
Answer: Madhab Kandali translated the Saptakanda Ramayana under the patronage of Barahi King Mahamanikya.

Q21. Who was the first to introduce prose literature in Assamese?
Answer: Bhattadeva was the first to introduce real Assamese prose writing with his works like Katha Geeta and Bhagawat Katha.

Q22. Who composed Zikir and Zari?
Answer: Ajan Peer (Sah Milan) composed Zikir and Zari.

Q23. Who is Ajan Peer?
Answer: Ajan Peer, or Sah Milan, was a person who came to Assam during the reign of Gadadhar Singha and composed the popular religious songs Zikir and Zari.

Q24. When did Ajan Peer come to Assam?
Answer: Ajan Peer came to Assam during the reign of Gadadhar Singha.

Q25. When was the stone gate of Da-Parbatia made?
Answer: The Da-Parbatia stone gate was made in the 6th century.

Q26. What was the duty of the Changrung Phukan?
Answer: The duty of the Changrung Phukan was to supervise the construction and measurements of roads, palaces, temples, and houses during the Ahom period.

Q27. Which artist got Padmashree award for the contribution in folk song?
Answer: Pratima Pande Baruah, a prominent Goalparia folk song artist, was awarded the Padma Shree by the Government of India.

Q28. What is the name of the first news magazine of Assam?
Answer: The name of the first Assamese magazine was Arunodoi.

Q29. Which tribe of North East is a part of the Austric ethnic group?
Answer: The Khasis of Meghalaya belong to the Austric ethnic group.

Q30. Name the writers of the books : Arthashastra, Hashtividyarnava, Kirtan, Naamghosa, Chordhora aru Pimpara Goshowa, Kaliya Daman, Ramvijoy, Katha Geeta, Rajtarangini, Bharat Sambhed.
Answer:
● Arthashastra: Kautilya
● Hastibidyarnava: Sukumar Borkaith (drawn by Dilbar and Dosai)
● Kirtan: Sankaradeva
● Naamghosa: Madhabdeva
● Chordhora aru Pimpara Guchowa: Madhabdeva
● Kaliya Daman: Sankaradeva
● Ramvijoy: Sankaradeva
● Katha Geeta: Bhattadeva
● Rajtarangini: Kalhan
● Bharat Sambhed: Jawaharlal Nehru

Q31. By what names the first seven days of Rongali Bihu are commonly known?
Answer: The first seven days of Rongali Bihu are commonly known as garu bihu (bihu for the cows) and Manuh bihu (bihu for the human). The text only specifies the first and second days, not the first seven.

Q32. What are the main subject matters of Kamrupi and Goalparia folk songs?
Answer: The main subject matters of Kamrupi and Goalparia folk songs are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Q33. Name three books where the ancient names of Assam– Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur are mentioned.
Answer: The ancient names of Assam, Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur, are mentioned in the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Vishnu Puran.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Write the names of two foreign communities which came to India after 6th century.
Answer: Two foreign communities that came to India after the 6th century are the Turki-Afghans and the Portuguese.

Q2. Name two statues used for worshipping and which were discovered during Indus Valley civilisation.
Answer: Two statues discovered during the Indus Valley civilisation that were used for worshipping are the Pashupati statue and the Mother Goddess statue.

Q3. Mention two contributions of the Austrics to Indian culture.
Answer: Two contributions of the Austrics to Indian culture are:

1. Cultivation of rice and preparation of molasses from sugarcane.
2. The use of sindoor in religious rituals and the taming of elephants.

Q4. How does the geography of India play a role in creating cultural diversity of India?
Answer: The geographical diversity of India plays a significant role in creating its cultural diversity. Areas with fertile land and good communication systems are more economically and culturally advanced. In contrast, people in areas without such facilities face a hard life, leading to different cultural practices and lifestyles.

Q5. Write the names of the four Samhitas of the Vedas.
Answer: The four Samhitas of the Vedas are:

1. Rig Veda
2. Yajurveda
3. Samaveda
4. Atharvaveda

Q6. What is written about religious tolerance in the 12th main stone carvings of Ashoka?
Answer: In the 12th main stone carving of Girnar, Emperor Ashoka stated that no one should consider their own religion superior to others. He encouraged people to follow a path of unity by acquiring the essence of other religions.

Q7. What is multiculturalism?
Answer: Multiculturalism is a key characteristic of Indian culture. It refers to the respect that different groups of people in the country have for each other’s cultural heritage and traditions.

Q8. What are the divisions in the ancient Indian culture?
Answer: The provided text does not mention any explicit divisions in ancient Indian culture. It speaks of the integration of various ethnic and cultural groups, such as the Vedic culture and other local traditions.

Q9. Write names of two scientists in ancient India.
Answer: Two scientists from ancient India are Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta.

Q10. Write names of two medical books written in ancient India.
Answer: Two medical books written in ancient India are Sarak Samhita and Susruta Samhita.

Q11. Write names of two Moghul emperors who patronized arts.
Answer: Two Moghul emperors who patronized arts were Akbar and Jahangir.

Q12. Write names of two pictorial books wtirren in “Sanchipat” in Assam.
Answer: Two pictorial books written on Sanchipat in Assam are Hastibidyarnava and Chitra Bhagawat.

Q13. Write the names of the two painters of Hastibidyarnava.
Answer: The two painters of the book Hastibidyarnava were Dilbar and Dosai.

Q14. What is jhum cultivation?
Answer: The provided text does not explain what jhum cultivation is, it only states that many people in Meghalaya are involved in it.

Q15. What is Zeng bihu?
Answer: Jeng bihu is a typical Bihu dance performed by the women of Upper Assam.

Q16. Write two divisions of Ojhapali.
Answer: The two divisions of Ojapali are Byash oja and Sukannani oja.

Q17. Write names of two philosophers of ancient India.
Answer: Two philosophers of ancient India were Kapil and Patanjali.

Q18. Write names of two histories written during the Ahom era.
Answer: Two histories written during the Ahom era are Deodhai history and Tungkhungiya history.

Q19. Write names of two homogenous festivals of Bihu celebrated in lower Assam.
Answer: Two festivals celebrated in lower Assam that are homogenous to Bihu are Bhatheli and Suweri.

Q20. Write names of two folk dances of Darrang.
Answer: Two folk dances of Darrang are Dhepadhulia and Deodhani.

Q21. What are the main ethnic groups of India?
Answer: The main ethnic groups of India mentioned in the text are:

1. Proto-Australoids
2. Negros
3. Austrics
4. Mongoloids
5. Western Brachcephalic groups
6. Dravidians (Mediterraneans)
7. Nordics (Aryans)

Q22. Write three factors that create unity among cultural diversity in India.
Answer: Three factors that create unity among cultural diversity in India are:

1. The multi-culturalism of Hinduism.
2. Political unity created by the empires of different ages.
3. The cultural and religious generosity of different rulers.

Q23. What are the main divisions made for the Indian archetectural setup?
Answer: The three main divisions for ancient Indian architectural setup are:

1. Nagar style in North India.
2. Dravid style in South India.
3. Vesara style in the region between the Vindhya mountain and the Krishna river.

Q24. Write names of three architectural setup of India which are declared as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
Answer: Three architectural setups in India declared as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO are:

1. The caves of Ajanta.
2. The Sanchi stupa.
3. The Taj Mahal.

Q25. What statues were mainly created in the field of Indian sculptures?
Answer: Statues of Gautama Buddha, Mahavir, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, fairies, and animals related to Buddhism were mainly created in the field of Indian sculptures.

Q26. What are the three main styles of Indian Sculptures?
Answer: The three main styles of Indian sculptures are:

1. Gandhara style.
2. Mathura style.
3. Amarawati style.

Q27. Name three pictorial books of Moghul age.
Answer: Three pictorial books of the Moghul age are:

1. Padsahnama
2. Tutinama
3. Jahangirnama

Q28. What are the six skills (sorangas) of paintings?
Answer: The six skills (saranga) of painting are:

1. Shape
2. Measurement
3. Feelings expressing techniques
4. Artistic presentation
5. Knowledge of similarity
6. The rule of using a brush

Q29. Write about three places of India having ancient wall paintings.
Answer: Three places in India that have ancient wall paintings are:

1. Ajanta (Maharastra)
2. Bagh (Madhya Pradesh)
3. Chittanavachal (Tamilnadu)

Q30. Write briefly on the culture of Yoga in India.
Answer: Yoga is a traditional Indian culture and a gift to humanity. It is believed that Indians were experts in yoga even during the Indus Valley civilization and that it was widely practiced during the Vedic era. The traditional practice was compiled and standardized by Maharshi Patanjali in his book Yogasutra in the second century. He described yoga as a way of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, shaping it as a complete philosophy of life. The United Nations has recognized the benefits of yoga by declaring June 21st as the International Yoga Day.

Q31. By what names the first seven days of Rongali Bihu are commonly known?
Answer:

1. Goru Bihu – the day of worshipping and bathing the cattle
2. Manuh Bihu – the New Year’s Day for human beings
3. Gosain Bihu – the day dedicated to the family deity
4. Kutum Bihu – the day for inviting relatives and family friends
5. Mela Bihu – the day of community fairs and gatherings
6. Sera/Sera Bihu – the day for showing respect to elders and remembering ancestors
7. Chera Bihu – the concluding day of Rongali Bihu celebrations

Q32. What are the main subject matters of Kamrupi and Goalparia folk songs?
Answer: The main subject matter of Kamrupi folk songs is love, social life, religious devotion, joys and sorrows of rural people, and their festivals and customs.

On the other hand, Goalparia folk songs are known for their melancholy tone. They usually deal with themes of love and separation, deep emotions of the heart, and the pains and sufferings of human life. Thus, Kamrupi songs are more lively and devotional, while Goalparia songs are more sorrowful and plaintive.

Q33. Name three books where the ancient names of Assam– Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur are mentioned.
Answer: Three books where the ancient names of Assam, Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur, are mentioned are:

1. Ramayana
2. Mahabharata
3. Vishnu Puran

Long Answer type questions 

Q1. Write briefly on the source and development of multi-culturalism in India.
Answer: Multiculturalism is a defining feature of Indian culture. Its source lies in the continuous assimilation of various ethnic and cultural groups over centuries. Even before the Aryans, groups like the Proto-Australoids, Austrics, and Mongoloids had settled in India. The Aryans later integrated their Vedic culture with the traditions of these local groups.

The development of multiculturalism in India was shaped by:

1. Religious Tolerance: Ancient religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism were founded on principles of coexistence and assimilation. Emperor Ashoka’s message of respecting all religions is the earliest evidence of such tolerance.
2. Foreign Invasions: Parsis, Greeks, Turks, and Mughals settled in India and enriched Indian culture with new traditions and practices.
3. Cultural Exchange: India’s geographical and linguistic diversity, along with unifying epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, helped foster unity in diversity.

Q2. The soul of Indian culture and civilization is regarded to be existed in the Sanskrit literature of ancient India– discuss the meaning of the sentence.
Answer: The Sanskrit literature of ancient India is regarded as the soul of Indian culture and civilization because it contains the knowledge, values, and philosophies that shaped Indian society. It includes the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and many other works. These texts influenced Indian life in different ways.

The main contributions are:

1. Social Values: Respect for parents, teachers, and guests; caste system.
2. Philosophy: Ideas of transmigration, moksha, sin and virtue.
3. Universal Messages: Satyameva Jayate and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
4. Knowledge: Works on politics (Arthashastra), medicine (Charaka, Susruta), and science (Aryabhatta, Brahmagupta).

Thus, Sanskrit literature reflects the moral, spiritual, and intellectual achievements of ancient India and is rightly called the soul of its culture and civilization.

Q3. Write about religious traditions in India.
Answer: India has a rich and diverse religious tradition marked by tolerance, co-existence, and assimilation. Over centuries, different faiths have flourished side by side and influenced each other. The main religious traditions are:

1. Vedic and Hindu Traditions: The Vedic religion believed in one supreme power while worshipping many deities. Later, Hinduism developed by assimilating diverse beliefs.
2. Buddhism and Jainism: These arose as reform movements but co-existed peacefully with Hindu traditions.
3. Other Religions: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and others entered India later and enriched its religious landscape.
4. Local and Tribal Faiths: Many communities, especially in the North East, follow animist and ethnic religious traditions.

The spirituality of these religions has deeply influenced Indian society, literature, art, and daily life, making India a land of unity in diversity.

Q4. Write how the common and separate identity of the North-East is developed.
Answer: The North-East has both a separate and a common identity. Its separate identity comes from its unique cultural heritage and political history. Each state—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, and Meghalaya—has its own culture, language, and traditions. For example, while most people belong to the Mongoloid group, the Khasis of Meghalaya belong to the Austric group.

At the same time, the region shares a common identity. Geographically, the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys act as a central link, making Assam the hub of communication. Historically, rulers of neighboring states maintained ties through marriages and military help. People also share common practices like jhum cultivation, non-vegetarian food habits, and stilt houses. Moreover, most communities belong to the Mongoloid group, giving a shared ethnic base.

Thus, the North-East shows both diversity and unity through its culture, history, and lifestyle.

Q5. Write briefly about the religious environment in the North-East.
Answer: The religious environment of the North-East is diverse and tolerant. British missionaries spread Christianity widely, and today most people in Mizoram and over 70% in Meghalaya are Christians.

Many tribes, however, still follow their traditional Animist faiths. For instance, tribes of Arunachal Pradesh worship Donyi-Polo (Sun and Moon) along with Hindu and Christian practices. Hinduism has ancient roots in Manipur and Tripura. The Vaishnava cult of Chaitanya strongly influenced the culture and dances of the Meitei people of Manipur, while Tripura’s culture reflects a blend of Hindu and tribal elements.

Thus, the North-East shows a unique coexistence of Christianity, Hinduism, and traditional tribal beliefs.

Q6. Assam has a mixed culture due to assimilation of Aryan and non Aryan cultures—discuss briefly this aspect.
Answer: Assam has a mixed culture due to the assimilation of Aryan and non-Aryan traditions over centuries. From ancient times, traders, pilgrims, and invaders came to Assam, and many settled permanently. Ethnic groups such as the Aryans, Austro-Asiatic, and Mongoloid communities contributed to this integration, creating a new cultural blend.

The ancient names of Assam, Pragjyotishpur and Kamrup, are of Sanskrit origin, linking the state with Hindu mythology. The Ahom kings, who ruled from the 13th century, initially used the Tai language but later adopted Assamese. Modern Assamese itself developed from Sanskrit but was influenced by other languages and cultures. The Vaishnavite movement of Sankaradeva and Madhabdeva further united different communities through literature, drama, music, and dance, enriching Assam’s composite culture.

Q7. Write briefly on the heritage of paintings in Assam.
Answer: The heritage of paintings in Assam developed mainly from the 17th century under the patronage of the Ahom and Koch kings. Paintings were made in two main forms—on the walls of temples and in pictorial books written on Sanchipat (bark of trees).

These books were decorated with multi-coloured paintings made from natural dyes. Artists first applied a base color on the bark and then painted figures of kings, deities, palaces, and animalhe background. Some of the famous pictorial manuscripts are Hastibidyarnava, Chitra Bhagawat, Geet Govinda, and Ananda Lahari. Hastibidyarnava, written by Sukumar Borkaith, is especially famous for its elephant paintings drawn by the artists Dilbar and Dosai.

Q8. Write about religious unity and diversity in Assam.
Answer: Assam reflects both unity and diversity in its religious life. People of various faiths live together, including Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. Even among Hindus, different cults like Sakta, Shaiva, Vaishnav, and Sourya are followed.

Religious unity in Assam is seen in the shared holy places like Hajo, where Poa Mecca is revered by Muslims and the Haygrib-Madhab temple is sacred to Hindus. Ajan Peer’s Zikir and Zari songs also became part of Assamese culture, spreading harmony. The Ahom kings further promoted unity by patronizing religious sites of different communities.

Religious diversity is reflected in the presence of multiple faiths and sects, introduced through migration, invasions, and cultural exchanges, which together enrich Assam’s spiritual landscape.

Q9. Why the cultural diversity, assimilation and change are taking place more repidly in Assam than the other states of the region?
Answer: Cultural diversity and change are seen more in Assam than in other North-Eastern states because of its geography and history. The fertile Brahmaputra valley has always been a gateway for different communities to enter and settle. In the past, Assam was also connected to China through the Silk Route, which encouraged trade and cultural exchange.

Many groups, including Aryans and non-Aryans, migrated here and mixed with local people. Assamese culture has always been open to change. For example, the Assamese language grew from Sanskrit but took words and styles from other languages.

Thus, Assam’s central location, migrations, and openness made cultural diversity and assimilation faster than in other states.

Q10. Really the society is like a book for studying the folk culture– provide your views on this issue.
Answer: The statement is true because folk culture is not formally taught but passed down through generations. It reflects the feelings, beliefs, and traditions of a society and is visible in the daily life of its people.

Festivals like Bihu in Assam show traditions, songs, dances, food habits, and social relationships. Changes in how festivals are celebrated also indicate societal changes. Folk culture is also present in dialects, traditional dresses, ornaments, housing, and agricultural or fishing practices, showing the daily lifestyle of the community.

Art forms like Ojapali, Kamrupi, and Goalparia songs express stories, emotions, and beliefs. In essence, the life of society itself acts as a living book of folk culture.

Write short notes on:

1. Sculptures of Ancient India.
Answer: The origin of Indian sculpture can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization. Sculptures were made of stone, bronze, gold, and wood, and depicted gods, goddesses, animals, and mythical figures. One of the most famous examples is the Ashoka Pillar animal capitals, known for their artistic and symbolic value. Indian sculptures developed mainly in three styles. The Gandhara style, influenced by Greek and Roman art, flourished in northwestern Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Mathura style was an indigenous development, reaching its peak during the Gupta period. The Amaravati style, patronized by the Satavahanas, lasted for around 600 years and is known for its intricate carvings and expressive figures.

2. Indian Paintings
Answer: Indian paintings are of two types: wall paintings and book or miniature paintings. Wall paintings are seen in Ajanta, Bagh, and Chittanavachal caves. Miniature paintings were made on palm leaves or silk. Artists followed the six skills (Saranga) for shape, size, expression, presentation, similarity, and brush work. They used natural colors like turmeric and sindoor. In the Mughal period, painting became very popular under Akbar and Jahangir, showing royal portraits, courts, and hunts. These paintings also showed religion, culture, and daily life. Miniature painting influenced later styles in Rajput and Pahari regions. Paintings helped preserve India’s art and history.

3. Traditions of Songs and Dances in India
Answer: Indian music started from the Sam Veda and was taught by the teacher-student method. Instruments like tabla, sitar, veena, and shehnai were used. Dance is explained in the Natyashastra by Bharat Muni. There are eight classical dances: Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathak, Manipuri, and Sattriya. Each dance tells stories from epics and religion. Songs and dances show emotions, devotion, and culture. They are part of festivals, rituals, and celebrations. Music and dance helped teach values, preserve traditions, and entertain people. They are an important part of India’s folk and classical heritage.

4. Sculptures of Assam
Answer: Assamese sculptures are seen in temples and monuments as wall carvings or 3D statues. Made of stone, wood, metal, and even elephant trunks, they show gods like Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Surya, as well as lions, elephants, and mythical animals. Famous sites include Da-Parbatia, Madan Kamdev, Ambari, and Surya Pahar. Sculptures show religion, stories, and art skills. Some carvings show mythological scenes, and statues were used for rituals. Over time, Assam’s art combined local and outside influences, making it unique. These sculptures help us understand history, beliefs, and artistic talent of Assamese people.

5. Architectures of Assam
Answer: Assam’s buildings were made by Ahom and Koch kings. Famous monuments are Rong Ghar, Kareng Ghar, Talatal Ghar, and Namdang stone bridge. Temples like Kamakhya, Umananda, Shiva Doul, and Joy Doul are important for worship. Buildings use Nagar and Vesara styles, and materials like eggs, rice, bamboo, and stone. They were built to withstand weather and last long. The architecture shows religion, kingship, and local skill. Palaces and temples are beautiful and strong, reflecting Assamese culture. These buildings are important parts of history and heritage, showing the lifestyle, beliefs, and creativity of people in Assam.

6. Vaishnavite Literature of Assam
Answer: Vaishnavite literature started during the Bhakti movement by Sankaradeva and Madhabdeva in the 15th century. Sankaradeva wrote Kirtan, devotional songs praising Vishnu. Madhabdeva wrote Namghosha, Jhumuras, and short plays. Borgeets are songs for devotion, and Ankiya Naats are dramas like Patniprasad and Kaliya Daman. Bhattadeva wrote Katha Geeta and Bhagawat Katha in Assamese prose for common people. This literature helped spread devotion, moral values, and culture. It united communities and was performed in Namghars. Today, it is an important part of Assam’s religion, music, literature, and culture.

7. Folk Songs of Assam
Answer: Folk songs in Assam are oral traditions passed down from one generation to another. Some songs are for weddings (Biya Naam), lullabies (Nisukani Geet), or daily life. Others include Kamrupi, Goalparia, Aainam, Dhainaam, Dotara songs, and Chiyageet. Folk songs are sung during festivals, work, and rituals. Famous folk singers are Khagen Mahanta, Rameswar Pathak, and Pratima Pande Baruah. Folk songs show emotions, social life, and values. They are a living record of Assamese culture and history, connecting people to their traditions and giving joy through music and storytelling.

8. Religious Unity in Assam
Answer: Assam has different religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and more. Hindus follow Sakta, Shaiva, Vaishnav, and Sourya traditions. Religious unity is seen in Hajo, where Poa Mecca (Muslim) and Haygrib Madhab temple (Hindu) are nearby. Zikir and Zari songs by Ajan Peer are popular among all communities. Ahom kings supported all religions. Assam shows both unity and diversity, with different faiths living together peacefully. People respect each other’s traditions, festivals, and temples. Religious harmony is part of Assam’s identity, showing tolerance, respect, and cooperation between communities.

9. Historical Literature of Assam
Answer: Assamese historical books are called Buranjis, written first in Ahom language and later in Assamese. They recorded kings, wars, administration, and events. Examples are Deodhai, Tungkhungiya, Kachari, Jayantiya, and Tripura Buranjis. Changrung Phukan’s Buranji noted roads, palaces, and temples. Buranjis were kept safe during British rule. They give information about politics, society, and culture. These books show how Assamese people lived, worked, and ruled. Buranjis are important for history study, helping us understand Assam’s past and traditions.

10. Bihu Festival
Answer: Assam has three Bihus. Bohag or Rongali Bihu is the New Year, with Garu Bihu (cows), Manuh Bihu (people), dances, and Huchari songs. Kati or Kongali Bihu is for crops, lighting lamps near tulsi plants and fields. Magh or Bhogali Bihu is a harvest festival, with Uruka feast, burning meji (haystacks), and prayers to fire god. Bihu shows Assamese life, farming, and traditions. People celebrate together, sing, dance, and eat. It is a symbol of Assamese identity, joy, and community unity.