Sources of Modern Indian History – Lecture Review

Fifteen question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on sources used to study post-independence Indian history.

Which historical periods have students already studied before focusing on post-independence India?

Ancient, medieval, and modern India.

Name the five broad categories of sources used to study modern history.

Written sources, material sources, audio-visual sources, oral sources, and internet/digital media sources.

Why must historians of the modern period consider regional, state, national, and international levels of evidence?

Because events and developments in the modern era are interconnected across these levels, and comprehensive history requires multi-level evidence.

List any four examples of written sources mentioned in the lecture.

Encyclopedias, Government Gazettes, newspapers, diaries (other acceptable: periodicals, reference books, correspondence, archived documents, postage stamps).

What is an Archive?

A place where historical documents are preserved.

Where is the main office of the National Archives of India located, and what distinction does it hold?

In New Delhi; it is the largest archive in Asia.

Why are newspapers sometimes called the "fourth pillar of democracy"?

Because they serve as a powerful medium of information, monitoring and influencing public life alongside the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

How did liberalisation and internet expansion in India affect print media?

They offered an alternative medium for news, but print media—especially newspapers—remain influential.

What special feature do many newspapers publish at the end of the year, and how is it useful to historians?

Year-end supplements reviewing important events; these help historians understand and summarise the year’s key happenings.

Identify three types of newspaper or magazine publications that provide valuable historical data aside from daily news.

Regional editions, newsletters of movements, and annual or monthly magazines of political parties.

What primary services has the Press Trust of India (PTI) provided since 1953?

Reports, photographs, and articles on important national subjects, including financial and scientific issues.

Which technological shift did PTI adopt in the 1990s to distribute news nationwide?

Satellite broadcast technology in place of tele-printers.

Why are PTI’s archives considered significant for writing the history of modern India?

They contain primary details of events, photographs, and articles that document contemporary developments.

Give two reasons newspapers remain powerful sources despite digital alternatives.

(1) Their established credibility and wide readership; (2) comprehensive coverage including supplements, opinions, and local editions.

What distinguishes written sources of modern history from those of ancient and medieval periods?

Modern written sources are more abundant, diverse (e.g., newspapers, government gazettes, digital texts), and often exist at multiple administrative levels.