Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 5 — Cultural Heritage of India and the Northeast Region
Welcome to HSLC Guru! This English-medium study guide covers the ASSEB Class 10 Social Science History Chapter 5 — Cultural Heritage of India and the Northeast Region. You will find a clear summary, complete textbook question answers, additional MCQs, fill in the blanks, true/false questions, and a glossary of important terms — perfectly aligned with the ASSEB syllabus and HSLC examination pattern.
Chapter Summary
Cultural heritage refers to the legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations. It is broadly divided into two categories: tangible heritage (monuments, sculptures, manuscripts, paintings, textiles, coins) and intangible heritage (oral traditions, folk songs, dances, festivals, rituals, languages, craftsmanship and indigenous knowledge). India’s cultural heritage is one of the oldest and richest in the world, shaped by thousands of years of religious, philosophical and artistic interaction among diverse communities. Cultural heritage gives identity to a people and is a living link between the past, present and future.
Several of India’s heritage sites are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites because of their outstanding universal value. The most famous cultural sites include the Taj Mahal at Agra (a Mughal mausoleum of white marble), the rock-cut Ajanta and Ellora caves of Maharashtra, the temple group of Khajuraho, the ruins of Hampi (Vijayanagara), the Sun Temple at Konark, the Sanchi Stupa, the shore temples and rathas of Mahabalipuram, the Qutb Minar complex and the Red Fort at Delhi. India also has natural World Heritage Sites such as Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and the Sundarbans, which protect rare biodiversity along with cultural traditions of the surrounding peoples.
The North-East region of India is a colourful mosaic of tribes, languages and traditions. Its cultural heritage is reflected in vibrant folk dances — Bihu of Assam, Cheraw (bamboo) dance of Mizoram, Hojagiri of Tripura, the Singpho dance of Arunachal Pradesh and the classical Manipuri Raasleela; in festivals like Bihu, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill and Wangala; in handicrafts such as the silk weaving of Sualkuchi (Muga, Eri and Pat silk) and the unique pottery of Manipur; and in rich traditions of music like Bihu geet and the devotional Borgeet of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva. Folk paintings, mask making, bamboo and cane work and tribal jewellery further enrich the regional heritage.
The Vaishnavite movement founded by Srimanta Sankaradeva in the 15th–16th centuries gave Assam a distinct cultural identity through Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma, the dance-drama form Ankiya Naat, the devotional songs known as Borgeet, and the institutions of Sattras and Namghars. The Ahom rulers of Assam left behind majestic monuments at Sivasagar — the Rangghar (one of Asia’s oldest amphitheatres), the Kareng Ghar and the seven-storied Talatal Ghar. Preserving such tangible and intangible heritage is essential because it builds national pride, supports tourism, sustains traditional livelihoods and passes priceless knowledge to future generations.
Textbook Question Answers
A. Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
Q1. What is meant by cultural heritage?
Answer: Cultural heritage means the customs, traditions, monuments, art, language, festivals and knowledge inherited by a society from its ancestors.
Q2. Name any two tangible cultural heritages of India.
Answer: The Taj Mahal and the Ajanta caves.
Q3. Which organisation declares World Heritage Sites?
Answer: UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation).
Q4. Where is the Rangghar located?
Answer: The Rangghar is located at Sivasagar in Assam.
Q5. Who was the founder of the Vaishnavite movement in Assam?
Answer: Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Q6. Name the bamboo dance of Mizoram.
Answer: Cheraw dance.
Q7. Which place in Assam is famous for silk weaving?
Answer: Sualkuchi.
Q8. Name the chief festival of the Garo tribe.
Answer: Wangala.
Q9. What is Borgeet?
Answer: Borgeet is a class of devotional songs composed by Srimanta Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva in the Brajavali language.
Q10. Where is the Hornbill festival celebrated?
Answer: The Hornbill festival is celebrated in Nagaland at Kisama Heritage Village near Kohima.
Q11. Name two natural World Heritage Sites of Assam.
Answer: Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park.
Q12. Who is the author of Kirtan Ghosha?
Answer: Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva.
B. Short Answer Questions (2–3 Marks)
Q1. Distinguish between tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Answer: Tangible cultural heritage consists of physical objects that can be seen and touched — monuments, temples, sculptures, paintings, manuscripts and handicrafts. Intangible cultural heritage consists of non-physical traditions and expressions — folk songs, dances, oral histories, festivals, rituals, languages and traditional skills. Both together form the complete cultural identity of a society.
Q2. Mention any four UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.
Answer: (i) The Taj Mahal at Agra, (ii) the Ajanta and Ellora caves of Maharashtra, (iii) the Khajuraho group of temples in Madhya Pradesh, and (iv) the Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha. Kaziranga and Manas National Parks of Assam are listed as natural World Heritage Sites.
Q3. Write a short note on the Cheraw dance.
Answer: Cheraw is the famous bamboo dance of Mizoram. Long bamboo staves are placed in cross and parallel patterns on the ground; men sit on either side and tap the bamboos rhythmically while women dancers in colourful traditional costumes step in and out of the moving bamboos. It is performed during festivals such as Chapchar Kut and is one of the oldest dances of the North-East.
Q4. What is Ankiya Naat? Who composed it?
Answer: Ankiya Naat is a one-act dance-drama in the Brajavali language composed by Srimanta Sankaradeva to spread the message of Vaishnavism. The plays — such as Patni Prasad, Kaliya Daman and Rukmini Haran — combine music, dance, dialogue and devotional themes drawn from the life of Lord Krishna and are still performed in Sattras and Namghars.
Q5. Why is Sualkuchi called the “Manchester of Assam”?
Answer: Sualkuchi, on the bank of the Brahmaputra near Guwahati, is famous for its centuries-old tradition of silk weaving. Almost every household in the town weaves the world-renowned Muga (golden), Eri (peace silk) and Pat (mulberry) silk fabrics on handlooms. Because of this concentrated textile industry, Sualkuchi is popularly known as the “Manchester of Assam”.
Q6. What are Sattras and Namghars?
Answer: Sattras are monastic institutions established by Srimanta Sankaradeva and his disciples to preach Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma. Namghars are community prayer halls found in every Assamese village where devotees gather for prayer (naam-prasanga), recitation of religious texts and performance of Ankiya Naat. Together they form the cultural and religious nucleus of Assamese society.
Q7. Write a short note on the Bihu festival.
Answer: Bihu is the chief festival of Assam celebrated three times a year — Rongali (Bohag) Bihu in mid-April welcomes the Assamese new year and spring; Kongali (Kati) Bihu in October marks a period of scarcity in the fields and is observed by lighting earthen lamps; Bhogali (Magh) Bihu in mid-January is a harvest festival of feasting and bonfires (meji). Bihu reflects the agrarian rhythm and unity of the Assamese people.
Q8. What is meant by World Heritage Site?
Answer: A World Heritage Site is a place of outstanding cultural or natural importance to humanity, listed and protected under the UNESCO World Heritage Convention of 1972. India has more than 40 such sites, including the Taj Mahal, Hampi, Kaziranga and the Sundarbans.
C. Long Answer Questions (5–6 Marks)
Q1. Discuss the cultural diversity of the North-East region of India.
Answer: The North-East of India — comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim — is home to more than 200 ethnic groups speaking hundreds of languages and dialects. This diversity expresses itself in numerous folk dances such as Bihu of Assam, Cheraw of Mizoram, Hojagiri of Tripura, the Singpho dance of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipuri Raasleela. Each community has its own festivals — Bihu, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill, Wangala, Losar, Ningol Chakouba and Bhogali — that mark seasons of agriculture and community bonding. Traditional crafts include the silk of Sualkuchi, bamboo and cane work, Naga shawls, Manipuri pottery, Bodo weaving and tribal jewellery. Devotional traditions like the Vaishnavite Sattras of Assam, animist beliefs of the hills and Buddhist monasteries of Arunachal and Sikkim coexist peacefully, making the region a unique living museum of Indian culture.
Q2. Describe the contribution of Srimanta Sankaradeva to the cultural heritage of Assam.
Answer: Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449–1568) was a saint, scholar, poet, playwright, dancer, musician and social reformer who founded the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam. His contributions to Assamese culture are immense. (i) He preached Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma — devotion to one God, Lord Krishna. (ii) He composed Ankiya Naat, dance-dramas in Brajavali, and introduced Sattriya dance, now a recognised classical dance of India. (iii) He created Borgeet, the noble devotional songs that are sung in Sattras till today. (iv) He wrote Kirtan Ghosha, Bhakti Ratnakar and rendered parts of the Bhagavata Purana into Assamese, enriching Assamese literature. (v) He established the Sattra system and the village Namghar, which became centres of religion, education and community life. (vi) He encouraged painting, manuscript illustration and the weaving of the Vrindavani Vastra. Through these manifold works, Sankaradeva united the Assamese people across caste, tribe and language and gave the region a distinct cultural identity.
Q3. Write a note on the monuments of the Ahom period in Assam.
Answer: The Ahom dynasty, which ruled Assam for nearly six hundred years (1228–1826), built many remarkable monuments concentrated around the old capital of Sivasagar. The most famous are: (i) Rangghar — a two-storied oval pavilion built by king Pramatta Singha; one of Asia’s oldest surviving amphitheatres, it was used to watch buffalo fights, wrestling and other games during Bihu and royal festivals. (ii) Kareng Ghar — the seven-storied royal palace at Garhgaon, built by Suklenmung and rebuilt by Rajeswar Singha; four storeys are above ground. (iii) Talatal Ghar — a massive palace-cum-fort with three underground floors used for military purposes and four floors above ground. (iv) The Sivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol temples on the bank of Sivasagar tank built by queen Ambika in 1734. (v) The Maidams of Charaideo — the burial mounds of Ahom kings and queens, often called the “Pyramids of Assam”. These monuments represent the architectural genius of the Ahoms and are an invaluable part of Assam’s cultural heritage.
Q4. Why is it important to preserve our cultural heritage? Suggest some measures.
Answer: Cultural heritage is the soul of a nation; it gives a people their identity, pride and continuity. Its preservation is important because: (i) it is a record of human creativity and achievement; (ii) it strengthens national integration by reminding people of shared roots; (iii) it supports tourism and provides livelihood to artisans and local communities; (iv) it is a source of inspiration for art, literature and education; and (v) once lost, heritage cannot be re-created. Some measures to preserve heritage are — strict laws like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act, scientific conservation by the Archaeological Survey of India, listing of monuments by UNESCO, support to traditional artists and craftspersons, inclusion of heritage education in school curricula, encouragement of folk festivals and museums, and active participation of citizens, especially the youth, through awareness campaigns and heritage walks.
Q5. Describe the major folk dances and festivals of the North-East.
Answer: The North-East is celebrated for its lively folk dances and festivals. Folk dances: Bihu, the spring dance of Assam performed during Rongali Bihu; Cheraw, the bamboo dance of Mizoram; Hojagiri, performed by Reang women of Tripura while balancing pitchers and lamps; the Singpho and Bardo Chham dances of Arunachal Pradesh; the Bagurumba of the Bodos; the Cham dance of Buddhist monasteries; the Bamboo dance of the Kukis; and Manipuri Raasleela, one of the eight classical dances of India. Festivals: Bihu (Assam) marking the agricultural cycle; Chapchar Kut (Mizoram) celebrating spring; Hornbill (Nagaland), the “festival of festivals” showcasing all Naga tribes; Wangala (Garos of Meghalaya), the hundred-drum harvest festival; Losar (Arunachal/Sikkim) for the Tibetan New Year; and Ningol Chakouba (Manipur). Together, these dances and festivals reflect the joyful spirit, agricultural rhythm and deep community bonds of the North-Eastern peoples.
Additional Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. The Taj Mahal was built by —
(a) Akbar (b) Shah Jahan (c) Aurangzeb (d) Babur
Answer: (b) Shah Jahan.
Q2. The Ajanta caves are situated in —
(a) Madhya Pradesh (b) Maharashtra (c) Karnataka (d) Odisha
Answer: (b) Maharashtra.
Q3. The Sun Temple is located at —
(a) Khajuraho (b) Hampi (c) Konark (d) Sanchi
Answer: (c) Konark.
Q4. Hojagiri dance belongs to —
(a) Assam (b) Manipur (c) Tripura (d) Nagaland
Answer: (c) Tripura.
Q5. Wangala is the festival of the —
(a) Khasis (b) Garos (c) Mizos (d) Bodos
Answer: (b) Garos.
Q6. The Rangghar was built by —
(a) Rudra Singha (b) Pramatta Singha (c) Siva Singha (d) Rajeswar Singha
Answer: (b) Pramatta Singha.
Q7. Borgeets are written in —
(a) Sanskrit (b) Assamese (c) Brajavali (d) Pali
Answer: (c) Brajavali.
Q8. Kaziranga National Park is famous for the —
(a) Asiatic Lion (b) One-horned Rhinoceros (c) Bengal Tiger (d) Snow Leopard
Answer: (b) One-horned Rhinoceros.
Q9. Muga silk is exclusively produced in —
(a) Manipur (b) Assam (c) Mizoram (d) Tripura
Answer: (b) Assam.
Q10. The Hornbill festival is held in —
(a) Mizoram (b) Manipur (c) Nagaland (d) Meghalaya
Answer: (c) Nagaland.
Q11. The Sanchi Stupa was originally built by —
(a) Chandragupta (b) Ashoka (c) Harshavardhana (d) Akbar
Answer: (b) Ashoka.
Q12. The Sattra system in Assam was founded by —
(a) Madhavadeva (b) Damodaradeva (c) Sankaradeva (d) Sridhara Kandali
Answer: (c) Sankaradeva.
Fill in the Blanks
Q1. The full form of UNESCO is __________.
Answer: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
Q2. The Talatal Ghar is located at __________.
Answer: Sivasagar (Assam).
Q3. __________ is the bamboo dance of Mizoram.
Answer: Cheraw.
Q4. The community prayer hall established by Sankaradeva is called __________.
Answer: Namghar.
Q5. Chapchar Kut is the spring festival of __________.
Answer: Mizoram.
True / False
Q1. The Khajuraho temples are situated in Madhya Pradesh.
Answer: True.
Q2. Manipuri Raasleela is a folk dance of Assam.
Answer: False (it is a classical dance of Manipur).
Q3. Ankiya Naats were composed by Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Answer: True.
Q4. Hampi was the capital of the Mughal empire.
Answer: False (it was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire).
Q5. Sundarbans is a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site.
Answer: True.
Match the Following
| Column A | Column B |
|---|---|
| 1. Taj Mahal | (a) Garos of Meghalaya |
| 2. Cheraw | (b) Devotional song |
| 3. Wangala | (c) Mughal mausoleum at Agra |
| 4. Borgeet | (d) Bamboo dance of Mizoram |
| 5. Rangghar | (e) Ahom amphitheatre at Sivasagar |
Answer: 1 — (c), 2 — (d), 3 — (a), 4 — (b), 5 — (e).
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cultural Heritage | The legacy of physical artefacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations. |
| Tangible Heritage | Physical objects of cultural value such as monuments, sculptures and manuscripts. |
| Intangible Heritage | Non-physical traditions like folk songs, dances, festivals and oral histories. |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which lists World Heritage Sites. |
| Stupa | A dome-shaped Buddhist monument enshrining sacred relics; e.g., the Sanchi Stupa. |
| Ankiya Naat | One-act dance-dramas in Brajavali composed by Sankaradeva. |
| Borgeet | Devotional “noble” songs composed by Sankaradeva and Madhavadeva. |
| Sattra | Vaishnavite monastic institution founded by Sankaradeva. |
| Namghar | Village community prayer hall of the Assamese Vaishnavites. |
| Rangghar | Two-storied royal amphitheatre of the Ahoms at Sivasagar. |
| Kareng Ghar | Seven-storied Ahom royal palace at Garhgaon. |
| Talatal Ghar | Ahom palace-cum-fort with underground floors at Sivasagar. |
| Maidam | Burial mound of Ahom royalty at Charaideo. |
| Cheraw | Traditional bamboo dance of Mizoram. |
| Hojagiri | Folk dance of the Reang community of Tripura. |
| Wangala | Hundred-drum harvest festival of the Garos of Meghalaya. |
| Hornbill | The “festival of festivals” of Nagaland celebrated in December. |
| Muga Silk | Golden-yellow silk produced exclusively in Assam. |
| Sualkuchi | Silk-weaving town of Assam, the “Manchester of Assam”. |
| Brajavali | Artificial literary language used by Sankaradeva for his Ankiya Naats and Borgeets. |
| Vrindavani Vastra | A pictorial silk tapestry woven under Sankaradeva’s guidance depicting the life of Krishna. |
| Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma | “Religion of complete surrender to one God” — the path preached by Sankaradeva. |
| Sattriya | Classical dance form developed in the Sattras of Assam; recognised as a classical dance of India. |
| Bihu Geet | Traditional folk songs of Assam sung during Rongali Bihu. |
| Chapchar Kut | Spring festival of Mizoram celebrated in March. |
| Bagurumba | Traditional folk dance of the Bodo community of Assam. |
About Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva
Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449–1568) was born at Bardowa in present-day Nagaon district of Assam. A polymath of unique stature, he was a saint, scholar, poet, playwright, musician, dancer, painter and social reformer. Through his Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma he preached devotion to one supreme God, Lord Krishna, irrespective of caste, creed and tribe. His literary works in Assamese and Brajavali — Kirtan Ghosha, Bhakti Ratnakar, Ankiya Naats and Borgeets — laid the foundation of modern Assamese literature. The Sattra and Namghar institutions he created remain the cultural and spiritual heart of Assam to this day.
His chief disciple, Mahapurusha Madhavadeva (1489–1596), continued the mission and composed the Naam Ghosha and additional Borgeets. Together they shaped a syncretic culture that absorbed tribal communities such as Misings, Bodos, Tiwas and Garos within the Vaishnavite fold while respecting their traditions.
Quick Revision Points
- Cultural heritage = tangible (objects, monuments) + intangible (traditions, languages, performances).
- UNESCO declares World Heritage Sites of “outstanding universal value” — cultural, natural and mixed.
- India has more than 40 UNESCO sites; Assam contributes Kaziranga and Manas (natural) and the Charaideo Maidams (cultural).
- Taj Mahal (1632–53) — built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal at Agra.
- Ajanta caves — Buddhist rock-cut viharas and chaityas with murals; Ellora has Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves.
- Khajuraho — Chandela-period temples famous for sculptural beauty.
- Hampi — ruins of the medieval Vijayanagara empire on the Tungabhadra river.
- Konark Sun Temple — chariot-shaped temple of King Narasimhadeva I (13th century).
- Sanchi Stupa — Buddhist monument originally built by Emperor Ashoka.
- Mahabalipuram — Pallava shore temple and rathas in Tamil Nadu.
- Qutb Minar (Delhi) — tallest brick minaret built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish.
- Red Fort (Delhi) — Mughal fortress built by Shah Jahan; venue of the Independence Day flag hoisting.
- North-East folk dances — Bihu, Cheraw, Hojagiri, Singpho, Bagurumba, Manipuri Raasleela.
- North-East festivals — Bihu, Chapchar Kut, Hornbill, Wangala, Losar, Ningol Chakouba.
- Sankaradeva — founder of Eka-Sarana-Naam-Dharma; created Ankiya Naat, Borgeet, Sattras and Namghars.
- Ahom monuments at Sivasagar — Rangghar, Kareng Ghar, Talatal Ghar, Sivadol, Charaideo Maidams.
Examination Tips
For one-mark questions, memorise the location, builder and key feature of each major monument. For 2–3 mark questions, learn precise definitions of terms like Sattra, Namghar, Borgeet and Ankiya Naat with one example each. For long answers, keep three or four short sub-points ready for “preserve heritage”, “Sankaradeva’s contribution”, “Ahom monuments” and “North-East cultural diversity” — these are repeatedly asked in the ASSEB HSLC examination.
Important Dates and Facts at a Glance
| Year / Period | Event / Fact |
|---|---|
| 3rd century BCE | Sanchi Stupa originally built by Emperor Ashoka. |
| 2nd century BCE – 6th century CE | Excavation of Ajanta caves over several phases. |
| 13th century | Konark Sun Temple built by Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. |
| 1228 CE | Sukapha founds the Ahom kingdom in Assam. |
| 1449–1568 | Lifetime of Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva. |
| 1632–1653 | Construction of the Taj Mahal at Agra. |
| 1734 | Sivadol, Vishnudol and Devidol built by Queen Ambika. |
| 1972 | UNESCO World Heritage Convention adopted. |
| 1985 | Kaziranga National Park added to UNESCO list as a natural site. |
| 2000 | Manas National Park reinstated; Sattriya recognised as classical dance. |
Things You Can Do
- Visit the nearest Sattra, Namghar or museum and note down what tangible and intangible heritage you observe.
- Prepare a scrapbook on five UNESCO sites of India with pictures, location and historical details.
- Interview an elderly artisan from your locality about traditional weaving, pottery or bamboo craft.
- Watch a performance of Ankiya Naat, Bihu, Cheraw or Manipuri Raasleela on television or online and write a short review.
- Discuss in your class how environmental pollution and unplanned construction threaten heritage monuments.
Keep visiting HSLC Guru for more chapter-wise notes, question answers and revision material for ASSEB Class 10 Social Science. Best wishes for your HSLC examination!