Looking for complete, textbook-verified solutions for SEBA Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 5 (Cultural Heritage of India and North-East / ভাৰত আৰু উত্তৰ-পূৰ্বাঞ্চলৰ সাংস্কৃতিক ঐতিহ্য) for the 2026–27 academic session? Access step-by-step solutions to all textbook exercises—including Very Short Answer (VSA), Short Answer (SA), and Long Answer (LA) questions. Master high-scoring answers covering the rich synthesis of Indian culture, unity in diversity, ancient Indian philosophy, Vedic literature, classical fine arts, sculpture, and religious assimilation. Explore detailed solutions on the unique cultural landscape of North-East India and Assam: tribal traditions, folklore, the Neo-Vaishnavite movement spearheaded by Srimanta Sankardeva, the institution of Satras and Namghars, Ankiya Naat, Borgeet, traditional crafts, the archaeological and architectural grandeur of Pragjyotishpur, Kamarupa, Charaideo maidams, Kamakhya temple, Rang Ghar, Kareng Ghar, major ethnic festivals (Bihu, Wangala, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill, Moatsu, Nongkrem), and structured model answers designed strictly according to the Assam Board (SEBA) HSLC curriculum.
1. What was the eastern border of the Indus Valley civilization extended up to?
Answer: Meerut in the Ganga valley.
2. When was the town culture developed during the Indus Valley civilization?
Answer: Around 4000 BC.
3. What was the presumed time of writing of the Rig Veda?
Answer: Between 1500 BC and 1000 BC (early-Vedic era).
4. The term ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in the National symbol was taken from which book?
Answer: Mundak Upanishad.
5. Which book did establish the term ‘unity in diversity’?
Answer: Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru.
6. Greek-Roman techniques were used in which style of sculptures of India?
Answer: Gandhara style.
7. What is the name of the famous book on political science written in ancient India?
Answer: Arthasastra by Kautilya.
8. When was the Natyasastra by Bharat Muni written?
Answer: Between the 2nd century BC and 2nd century AD.
9. How many slokas are there in the Natyashastra?
(Note: Natyashastra contains around 6,000 slokas.)
Answer: Around 6,000 slokas.
10. What is Heraka movement?
Answer: A movement launched by freedom fighter Rani Gaidalu for the revival and preservation of traditional religious beliefs and cultural heritage of the tribes of Nagaland.
SEBA Class 10 History Chapter 5 Solutions
11. Hornbill festival of Nagaland is based on which name of organism?
Answer: Hornbill (a sacred bird).
12. The traditional festival Chapchar Kut belong to which state?
Answer: Mizoram.
13. What is the meaning of the word Mizo?
Answer: Inhabitants of the Hills.
14. Which state of the North East has a matriarchal society?
Answer: Meghalaya.
15. What is the main theme of Manipuri dance?
Answer: The childhood of saint Chaitanya and the divine pastimes of Lord Krishna.
16. What is the ancient name of Assam?
Answer: Pragjyotishpur and Kamrup.
17. From which Bodo word the name Assam is considered to be derived?
(Note: Though debated, historians often trace ‘Assam’ historically to ‘Ahom’, while Austric/Bodo roots relate to regional nomenclature; following standard regional school text context, it is linked to the land of the Ahoms / indigenous roots.)
Answer: Derived from ‘Ha-sam’ or the Ahom kingdom name.
18. What is Charyapada?
Answer: A collection of ancient mystical Buddhist songs and poems written in early Assamese/Bengali/Odia script representing early linguistic heritage.
19. When was the Charyapada written?
Answer: Between the 8th and 12th centuries.
20. Under whose patronage did Madhab Kandali translate the Saptakanda Ramayana?
Answer: Under the patronage of Koch King Mahamanikya.
21. Who was the first to introduce prose literature in Assamese?
Answer: Bhattadeva.
22. Who composed Zikir and Zari?
Answer: Ajan Peer (Sah Milan).
23. Who is Ajan Peer?
Answer: A Sufi saint who came to Assam during the reign of king Gadadhar Singha and composed popular Islamic devotional songs called Zikir and Zari.
24. When did Ajan Peer come to Assam?
Answer: During the 17th century (reign of Gadadhar Singha).
25. When was the stone gate of Da-Parbatia made?
Answer: In the 6th century (influenced by Gupta sculpture).
26. What was the duty of the Changrung Phukan?
Answer: To supervise the construction and measurements of roads, palaces, temples, and houses during the Ahom period.
27. Which artist got Padmashree award for the contribution in folk song?
Answer: Pratima Pande Baruah.
28. What is the name of the first news magazine of Assam?
Answer: Orunodoi (Arunodoi), published in 1846.
29. Which tribe of North East is a part of the Austric ethnic group?
Answer: Khasis of Meghalaya.
30. Name the writers of the books:
- Arthashastra: Kautilya
- Hastividyarnava: Sukumar Borkaith
- Kirtan: Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva
- Naamghosa: Madhabdeva
- Chordhora aru Pimpara Goshwok: Srimanta Sankardeva
- Kaliya Daman: Srimanta Sankardeva
- Ramvijoy: Srimanta Sankardeva
- Katha Geeta: Bhattadeva
- Rajtarangini: Kalhan
- Bharat Sambhed: (Authored as regional cultural/literary compilations or specialized reference texts; structured across classical scholarship).
Cultural Heritage of India and North-East Textual Questions SEBA 2026-27
Short Answer Type Questions
1. Write the names of two foreign communities which came to India after 6th century.
Answer: Greeks and Kushans (or Persians/Parsi, Turks, and Afghans).
2. Name two statues used for worshipping and which were discovered during Indus Valley civilisation.
Answer: Statues of Pashupati and Mother Goddess (or Shivalinga).
3. Mention two contributions of the Austric to Indian culture.
Answer:
- Introduction of rice cultivation and making cotton clothes.
- Use of sindoor and turmeric in religious ceremonies.
4. How does the geography of India play a role in creating cultural diversity of India?
Answer: Fertile plains provide advanced economic and cultural growth, while harsh hilly or remote terrains create hard lifestyles, unique traditions, distinct dialects, and varied housing styles among different groups.
5. Write the names of the four Samhitas of the Vedas.
Answer: Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda.
6. What is written about religious tolerance in the 12th main stone carvings of Ashoka?
Answer: Emperor Ashoka stated that no one should consider his or her own religion superior to others, and people should follow unity by learning the essence of other religions.
7. What is multiculturalism?
Answer: Multiculturalism refers to the mutual respect that different groups of people in a country have for each other’s cultural heritage, traditions, and beliefs.
8. What are the divisions in the ancient Indian culture?
Answer: Broadly divided into material, spiritual, linguistic, ethnic, and regional religious traditions (incorporating Aryan, Dravidian, and pre-Aryan elements).
9. Write names of two scientists in ancient India.
Answer: Aryabhatta and Varahamihira.
10. Write names of two medical books written in ancient India.
Answer: Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita.
Class 10 History Chapter 5 Question Answer Assam Board
11. Write names of two Moghul emperors who patronized arts.
Answer: Akbar and Jahangir.
12. Write names of two pictorial books written in ‘Sanchipat’ in Assam.
Answer: Hastibidyarnava and Chitra Bhagawat.
13. Write the names of the two painters of Hastividyarnava.
Answer: Dilbar and Dosai.
14. What is jhum cultivation?
Answer: A traditional system of shifting or slash-and-burn agriculture practiced widely by hill tribes in the North-Eastern region.
15. What is Zeng bihu?
Answer: A traditional style of Bihu performed exclusively by women, traditionally popular in Upper Assam.
16. Write two divisions of Ojhapali.
Answer: Byash oja and Sukannani oja.
17. Write names of two philosophers of ancient India.
Answer: Kapil and Patanjali.
18. Write names of two histories written during the Ahom era.
Answer: Deodhai Buranji and Tungkhungiya Buranji.
19. Write the names of two homogenous festivals of Bihu celebrated in lower Assam.
Answer: Bhatheli and Deul.
20. Write names of two folk dances of Darrang.
Answer: Deodhani and Dhepadhulia.
SEBA Class 10 History Sankardeva Satra Bihu Maidam Notes
21. What are the main ethnic groups of India?
Answer: Proto-Australoids, Negritos, Austrics, Mongoloids, Dravidians, and Nordics (Aryans).
22. Write three factors that create unity among cultural diversity in India.
Answer:
- Shared epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Political unity under historical empires.
- Universal values of religious tolerance, multi-culturalism, and cultural exchange.
23. What are the main divisions made for the Indian architectural setup?
Answer: Nagara style (North India), Dravida style (South India), and Vesara style (Central India).
24. Write names of three architectural setups of India which are declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Answer: Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, and Sanchi Stupa.
25. What statues were mainly created in the field of Indian sculptures?
Answer: Statues of Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Hindu Gods and Goddesses, fairies, and sacred animals.
26. What are the three main styles of Indian Sculptures?
Answer: Gandhara, Mathura, and Amarawati styles.
27. Name three pictorial books of Moghul age.
Answer: Padshahnama, Tutinama, and Jahangirnama.
28. What are the six skills (sorangas) of paintings?
Answer: Shape, measurement, feeling-expressing techniques, artistic presentation, knowledge of similarity, and rule of using brush.
29. Write about three places of India having ancient wall paintings.
Answer: Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra), Bagh Caves (Madhya Pradesh), and Chittanavachal Caves (Tamil Nadu).
30. Write briefly on the culture of Yoga in India.
Answer: Yoga is an ancient physical, mental, and spiritual discipline rooted in the Indus Valley and Vedic periods, standardized by Maharshi Patanjali in his work Yogasutra as a complete philosophy of life.
31. By what names are the first seven days of Rongali Bihu commonly known?
Answer: Garu Bihu (Sankranti/last day of Sot) followed by Manuh Bihu and the subsequent days of celebration and Huchari visits.
32. What are the main subject matters of Kamrupi and Goalparia folk songs?
Answer: Daily life, love, nature, social customs, local legends, and devotion.
33. Name three books where the ancient names of Assam—Kamrup and Pragjyotishpur are mentioned.
Answer: Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Kalika Puran.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Write briefly on the source and development of multi-culturalism in India.
Answer: Multi-culturalism in India originated from the early waves of migration and assimilation—starting from the Indus Valley civilization and Vedic era, followed by pre-Aryan groups (Austrics, Mongoloids, Dravidians) and later foreign arrivals (Greeks, Parsis, Mughals, British). Over centuries, these diverse ethnic groups blended their customs, languages, and rituals through a spirit of tolerance and co-existence, creating a rich mosaic where different communities respect each other’s heritage.
2. 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: Ancient Sanskrit literature—comprising the Vedas, Upanishads, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and Puranas—contains the foundational philosophy, moral values, and scientific wisdom of India. Texts taught universal messages like ‘Satyameva Jayate’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. They shaped family values, spiritual thought, and social behavior, serving as the intellectual bedrock and “soul” of Indian civilization.
3. Write about religious traditions in India.
Answer: India’s religious tradition is characterized by pluralism, tolerance, and assimilation. From the diverse polytheistic and monotheistic beliefs of the Indus Valley and Vedic periods, India embraced new faiths without violent conflicts. Rulers like Emperor Ashoka championed religious harmony. Over time, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and various indigenous tribal faiths took root, co-existing peacefully under a shared spiritual ethos.
4. Write how the common and separate identity of the North-East is developed.
Answer: The North-East possesses a distinct regional identity due to its unique geographical setting surrounded by hilly borders and foreign countries, with Assam acting as a central transport bridge. While the region shares commonalities like tribal heritage, jhum cultivation, and council cooperation (NEC), each state maintains its own separate cultural identity through distinct dialects, traditional dresses, and unique festivals like Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival and Mizoram’s Chapchar Kut.
5. Write briefly about the religious environment in the North-East.
Answer: The North-East features a diverse religious landscape. Ancient traditions include Hinduism and Buddhism in states like Assam, Tripura, and Manipur (where the Vaishnavite movement strongly influenced culture). During the British era, Christianity expanded rapidly, particularly in hill states like Meghalaya and Mizoram. Alongside these major religions, many indigenous tribes continue to practice traditional animist beliefs and nature worship, such as Doney-Polo in Arunachal Pradesh.
6. Assam has a mixed culture due to assimilation of Aryan and non Aryan cultures—discuss briefly this aspect.
Answer: Assam has historically served as a gateway where various ethnic streams—including Proto-Australoids, Austrics, Mongoloids, and Aryans—interacted. Through centuries of trade, migration, and social contact, local indigenous traditions merged with Aryan customs and language. This synthesis produced Assam’s unique composite culture, visible in its language, social practices, festivals like Bihu, and religious syncretism.
7. Write briefly on the heritage of paintings in Assam.
Answer: Painting in Assam gained prominence from the 17th century onwards, largely patronized by Ahom kings and religious Satras. Illustrated manuscripts (Sanchipat books) like Hastibidyarnava, Chitra Bhagawat, and Geet Govinda were created using natural colors derived from plants and minerals. Artists like Dilbar and Dosai beautifully illustrated these texts with scenes of royalty, deities, animals, and flora.
8. Write about religious unity and diversity in Assam.
Answer: Assam displays remarkable religious diversity accompanied by deep communal harmony. While Hinduism is practiced across various sects (Sakta, Vaishnav, Shaiva), Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and Sikhism also have deep roots, marked by sacred sites like Kamakhya Temple, Poa Macca in Hajo, and ancient Buddhist monasteries. The Ahom kings maintained a secular outlook, patronizing multiple faiths, while Sufi songs like Zikir by Ajan Peer fostered inter-religious bonding.
9. Why the cultural diversity, assimilation and change are taking place more rapidly in Assam than the other states of the region?
Answer: Assam acts as the central geographical and commercial hub of the North-East, featuring fertile river plains (Brahmaputra and Barak) that facilitated easy transport, migration, and economic exchange. Its historical role as a crossroad for traders, pilgrims, and invaders accelerated the ongoing process of social interaction, linguistic blending, and cultural transformation compared to more isolated hill states.
10. Really the society is like a book for studying the folk culture—provide your views on this issue.
Answer: Yes, society functions like an open living book because folk culture cannot be learned merely from formal textbooks; it is preserved in the daily lives, spoken dialects, traditional songs, dances, agriculture, and festivals of common people. Observing community life, rituals, and local habits allows one to truly understand the heartbeat, values, and history of a culture.
Assam Board HSLC Class 10 History Chapter 5 Solved Textbook Solutions PDF
Write Short Notes on:
1. Sculptures of ancient India
Ancient Indian sculpture reached remarkable heights right from the Indus Valley civilization (evident in terracotta and bronze artifacts). Over time, sculptures depicted deities, animals, and spiritual figures under royal patronage and were categorized into three major styles: Gandhara (influenced by Greek-Roman art in the northwest), Mathura (native style peaking under the Guptas), and Amarawati (patronized by the Satbahanas).
2. Indian paintings
Indian painting traditions are broadly divided into large wall murals (found in caves like Ajanta, Bagh, and Ellora depicting religious themes using the six sarangas of painting) and smaller miniature paintings (flourishing during the Mughal era with Persian influence and in regional manuscript traditions on paper and cloth).
3. Traditions of songs and dances in India
India boasts a rich heritage of classical and folk music rooted in Vedic chants (Sama Veda). Classical music follows the strict guru-sishya tradition alongside diverse instruments like the sitar and tabla. Additionally, India recognizes eight classical dance forms (such as Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and Satriya) alongside countless vibrant regional folk dances.
4. Sculptures of Assam
Assameses sculpture is prominently displayed on ancient temple ruins across sites like Da-Parbatia, Bamuni Pahar, and Ambari. Created from stone, metal, and wood, these sculptures feature deities like Shiva, Vishnu, and Ganesha, as well as delicate artistic reliefs influenced by Gupta art, such as the famous Ganga-Yamuna doorway at Da-Parbatia.
5. Architectures of Assam
Assamese architecture flourished under the Ahom and Koch kings using bricks, stones, and an indigenous sticky mortar made from eggs, Bora rice, and catfish. Notable examples include multi-storied palaces like Talatal Ghar, pavilions like Rong Ghar, durable stone bridges (Namdang), and numerous hilltop temples and douls.
6. Vaishnavite literature of Assam
Rooted in the neo-Vaishnavite movement led by Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhabdeva, this literature enriched Assamese culture through devotional poetry, dramas (Ankia Naat), and translated epics. It was further expanded by prose writers like Bhattadeva, creating a rich spiritual and literary legacy.
7. Folk songs of Assam
Assam’s folk songs reflect the everyday emotions, rural life, and cultural celebrations of its people. Popular genres include marriage songs (biya naam), lullabies (nisukani geet), devotional Aainam, and regional styles like Goalparia and Kamrupi folk songs popularized by legendary artists like Pratima Pande Baruah.
8. Religious unity in Assam
Religious unity in Assam is built on a strong foundation of secular governance historically championed by Ahom rulers and spiritual leaders. People of various faiths—Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs—co-exist harmoniously, participating in shared cultural spaces, linguistic traditions, and syncretic art forms like Ajan Peer’s Zikir.
9. Historical literature of Assam
Historical literature in Assam is famously represented by the Buranji chronicles written under Ahom royal patronage. Initially composed in the Ahom language and later in Assamese, these chronicles meticulously documented state affairs, neighboring relations, and administrative reports, later preserved and printed during the British period.
10. Bihu festival
Bihu is the universal community festival of Assam, celebrated across three seasons: Bohag Bihu (spring/New Year), Kati Bihu (agricultural solemnity/lamps), and Magh Bihu (harvest feast/bonfires). It brings together all communities through traditional dances, songs (Huchari), feasts, and mutual greetings, symbolizing the unity and cultural diversity of Assam.
🏛️ HSLC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Notice: This page features the complete SEBA Class 10 Social Science (History Section) Chapter 5: Cultural Heritage of India and North-East Official Textual Questions and Answers updated for the 2026–27 academic session. Formatted according to the official Assam Board evaluation marking scheme, every cultural and historical dimension—from the foundational traits of composite Indian civilization and religious tolerance to Assam’s indigenous crafts, Ahom architectural monuments, Neo-Vaishnavite renaissance under Srimanta Sankardeva, and the vibrant ethnic festivals across the North-Eastern states—is presented with point-wise clarity and structured subheadings to help you secure full marks in your 2-mark, 3-mark, and 5-mark board exam questions.
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