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Key Facts: Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music Exam

Subject code 65

Official MSBSHSE HSC subject code for History and Development of Indian Music

MSBSHSE HSC general subject codes (mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm)

100 marks

Each Indian Music subject (including code 65) is commonly treated as a full 100-mark unit

MSBSHSE Indian Music syllabus choice notes

35%

Common minimum passing floor per HSC subject under MSBSHSE

Maharashtra HSC pass-mark practice (~35% each subject)

Written theory paper

Official code 65 assessment is a written theory paper, not pure MCQ

MSBSHSE Indian Music theory subject scheme

Pairing with 66/67/68

Code 65 is often compulsory with practical Indian Music papers and may also be taken alone

MSBSHSE Indian Music choice-of-subject notes

English MCQ adaptation

This free local bank is not the official Higher Secondary written-paper format

OpenExamPrep practice policy

Maharashtra MSBSHSE HSC History and Development of Indian Music (code 65) is a Class 12 written theory subject (commonly 100 marks, ~35% pass floor), compulsory with practical Indian Music papers and also takeable alone — not a pure MCQ board paper. This free 2026 bank is an English MCQ study adaptation for history, gharanas, biographies, forms, instruments, and stage knowledge only.

Sample Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1MSBSHSE lists History and Development of Indian Music under which HSC subject code?
A.Subject code 67 (Vocal Classical Music)
B.Subject code 65
C.Subject code 73 (European Music)
D.Subject code 69 (Percussion only)
Explanation: On the Maharashtra HSC general subject-codes list, History and Development of Indian Music is subject code 65. Codes 66–69 cover practical Indian Music branches; European Music is separately coded.
2In the traditional Indian fourfold classification of instruments (Natya Shastra tradition), Tata vadya means:
A.Wind instruments only
B.Stringed (chordophone) instruments
C.Solid idiophones struck together only
D.Membrane drums only
Explanation: Tata (or Tat) vadya are stringed instruments such as tanpura, veena, sitar, and sarod. Wind instruments are sushira; membrane drums are avanaddha; solid struck instruments are ghana.
3Tabla belongs primarily to which instrument class?
A.Tata vadya
B.Sushira vadya
C.Avanaddha vadya
D.Ghana vadya only
Explanation: Tabla is a pair of membrane-covered drums and is classified as avanaddha vadya (membranophone).
4Tanpura is best described as:
A.A double-reed wind solo instrument like the shehnai
B.A drone string instrument that provides continuous tonal reference in classical performance
C.A pair of tuned drums used only for light music
D.A solid idiophone used only in temple processions
Explanation: The tanpura (tampura) is a long-necked string drone instrument that supplies continuous sa–pa (or sa–ma) support so performers stay in pitch.
5In Hindustani classical music, Khayal (Khyal) is primarily:
A.A pure percussion solo form with no melody
B.A major improvisatory vocal form built on a bandish with alap and taan development
C.Only a Western orchestral movement label
D.A classification of wind instruments
Explanation: Khayal is the dominant modern Hindustani vocal form: a composition (bandish) in a raga and tala is expanded through alap, bol work, and taan.
6Bhajan, in Indian music culture, most typically refers to:
A.A strictly secular court dance form only
B.A devotional song form praising a deity or spiritual theme
C.A pure tabla theka with no lyrics
D.A Western sonata-allegro blueprint
Explanation: Bhajan is a devotional vocal genre expressing bhakti; it may draw on classical ragas but is generally treated as light/devotional rather than full-scale khayal presentation.
7A gharana in Hindustani music is best defined as:
A.A government tax on concert tickets
B.A stylistic school or lineage of teaching and performance tradition
C.Only a type of tabla drum head
D.A fixed list of ten thaats invented in Europe
Explanation: Gharana means a hereditary or pedagogical lineage with characteristic style (gayaki, repertoire, and training methods), such as Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur, or Kirana for khyal.
8Gurukul padhhati traditionally means music learning through:
A.Only self-study from YouTube without a teacher
B.Close residential or long-term discipleship under a guru
C.Only written university examinations with no oral training
D.Only group marching-band rehearsal
Explanation: Gurukul padhhati is the classical teacher–disciple system: the shishya learns by prolonged personal training, imitation, and oral transmission under a guru.
9Ustad Bismillah Khan is most famous as a master of the:
A.Sitar
B.Shehnai
C.Sarod
D.Tabla
Explanation: Ustad Bismillah Khan elevated the shehnai (a double-reed wind instrument) to concert stature and is inseparably linked with that instrument in modern Indian music history.
10Pt. Ravi Shankar is internationally renowned primarily as a:
A.Shehnai soloist of Banaras gharana only
B.Sitar maestro and global ambassador of Hindustani instrumental music
C.Founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli vocal gharana
D.Playback singer known only for film qawwali
Explanation: Pandit Ravi Shankar popularised the sitar worldwide, collaborated across genres, and became a central figure in 20th-century Hindustani instrumental music.

About the Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music Exam

Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music under MSBSHSE is the Class 12 Indian Music theory subject aligned to board subject code 65. Core themes span Std XI–XII syllabus: history of Indian music (Vedic Period, Mughal Period; pre- and post-Independence); nature, merits, and demerits of gurukul padhhati; khyal gharanas (Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur, Kirana); biographical sketches (e.g. Pt. Balkrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar, Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Ustad Alladiya Khan, Hirabai Badodekar; Pt. V.D. Paluskar, Pt. V.N. Bhatkhande, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, Balgandharva, Pt. Govindrao Tembe, Pt. Gajananbuwa Joshi, Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pt. Pannalal Ghosh, Lata Mangeshkar); classical forms (Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tarana, Thumri) and light/social forms (Bhavgeet, folk song, Bhajan, Natya Geet); fourfold instrument classification with Tanpura, Tabla, and Harmonium; modern forms (orchestra, choral music, fusion); importance of music in daily/social life and education; audio-visual aids (radio, tape-recorder, TV, computer); comparative study (vocal vs instrumental, solo vs group, classical vs light, solo vs accompaniment instruments); and stage roles (artists, accompanists, listeners, organizers). Official assessment is a written theory paper (commonly 100 marks) — not a pure MCQ board paper. This free local bank provides English four-option MCQs for theory revision; pair it with textbook essays, biography notes, and official papers/circulars via mahahsscboard.in.

Exam sponsor: Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE), Pune. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Maharashtra Higher Secondary History and Development of Indian Music is an HSC (Class 12) Indian Music theory subject under MSBSHSE, Pune (subject code 65). Official logistics emphasise a written theory paper covering history of Indian music (including Vedic and Mughal periods and pre-/post-Independence developments), gurukul padhhati, major khyal gharanas, biographical sketches of prescribed artists, classical and light musical forms, instrument classification (with Tanpura, Tabla, Harmonium), modern forms (orchestra, choral, fusion), audio-visual aids, comparative study, the importance of music in life and education, and stage performance roles. Each Indian Music subject is commonly treated as a 100-mark unit; syllabus choice notes often require code 65 when taking practical papers (66/67/68), while code 65 may also be taken alone. Qualifying typically requires about 35% in the subject. This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for theory fluency only. Confirm current syllabus and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

35%

Exam / Certification Fees

As notified by MSBSHSE and paid through affiliated junior colleges for regular and private/improvement sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories).

Exam sponsor website

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~12% of this local bank

Historical Periods

Vedic, Mughal, pre- and post-Independence music developments.

~6% of this local bank

Gurukul Padhhati

Teacher–disciple system: nature, merits, demerits.

~10% of this local bank

Khyal Gharanas

Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur, Kirana identities and traits.

~22% of this local bank

Biographical Sketches

Prescribed Std XI–XII artists and reformers.

~16% of this local bank

Musical Forms

Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tarana, Thumri; light and theatre forms.

~10% of this local bank

Instruments

Four classes; Tanpura, Tabla, Harmonium.

~8% of this local bank

Modern Forms and Media

Orchestra, choral, fusion; radio, TV, computer aids.

~16% of this local bank

Comparative Study, Society, Stage

Comparisons, social role of music, stage performance roles.

Preparing for the Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 35%
  • Assessment: Maharashtra Higher Secondary History and Development of Indian Music is an HSC (Class 12) Indian Music theory subject under MSBSHSE, Pune (subject code 65). Official logistics emphasise a written theory paper covering history of Indian music (including Vedic and Mughal periods and pre-/post-Independence developments), gurukul padhhati, major khyal gharanas, biographical sketches of prescribed artists, classical and light musical forms, instrument classification (with Tanpura, Tabla, Harmonium), modern forms (orchestra, choral, fusion), audio-visual aids, comparative study, the importance of music in life and education, and stage performance roles. Each Indian Music subject is commonly treated as a 100-mark unit; syllabus choice notes often require code 65 when taking practical papers (66/67/68), while code 65 may also be taken alone. Qualifying typically requires about 35% in the subject. This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for theory fluency only. Confirm current syllabus and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: As notified by MSBSHSE and paid through affiliated junior colleges for regular and private/improvement sittings (no single fixed public subject fee for all categories). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music: Suggested Study Strategy

1Build one-page biography cards: full name, dates if known, gharana/instrument, one landmark contribution, and one related contemporary.
2Map the four khyal gharanas (Gwalior, Agra, Jaipur, Kirana) to founding or flagship artists before memorising style traits.
3Separate classical form definitions (Dhrupad, Dhamar, Khayal, Tarana, Thumri) from light/social forms (Bhavgeet, Bhajan, Natya Geet, folk).
4Drill the four instrument classes (Tata, Avanaddha, Sushira, Ghana) with two examples each, then place Tanpura, Tabla, and Harmonium.
5Practise short comparative paragraphs (vocal vs instrumental; classical vs light; solo vs accompaniment) under timed writing — MCQs alone are not enough for the board paper.
6After MCQ concept checks, write 5–8 line notes on gurukul merits/demerits and pre-/post-Independence music institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music officially examined?

History and Development of Indian Music is examined under the Maharashtra Higher Secondary Certificate Examination as a Class 12 Indian Music theory subject (MSBSHSE subject code 65). Assessment is primarily a written theory paper (commonly 100 marks) covering history, gharanas, biographies, forms, instruments, comparative topics, and related syllabus units. Candidates generally need about 35% in the subject to pass. Confirm the year’s syllabus, paper design, and circulars on mahahsscboard.in.

Is this practice bank the same format as the official HSC paper?

No. Official MSBSHSE assessment for subject code 65 is a written theory paper (short notes, definitions, biographies, comparative answers as designed for the year) — not a pure multiple-choice paper. This bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation for theory recall only, not an official blueprint or substitute for long-answer practice.

What syllabus does this bank follow?

It is aligned to Maharashtra HSC History and Development of Indian Music under MSBSHSE subject code 65 and the Indian Music theory curriculum themes for Std XI–XII: historical periods, gurukul padhhati, khyal gharanas, prescribed biographical sketches, classical and light musical forms, instrument classification, modern forms, audio-visual aids, comparative study, social importance of music, and stage roles. Always confirm the current MSBSHSE syllabus for your year.

What is the pass mark for this subject?

MSBSHSE commonly requires a minimum of about 35% in each subject (including History and Development of Indian Music) out of the full 100-mark total. Always verify the current Higher Secondary notification for your sitting.

What is the official subject code?

MSBSHSE lists History and Development of Indian Music as subject code 65 in the HSC general subject codes scheme (see mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm). Related Indian Music codes include Vocal Light Music (66), Vocal Classical Music (67), Instrumental Music (68), and Percussion (69). Confirm against your college subject registration and admit card.

Is this subject compulsory with practical Indian Music?

Syllabus choice notes for Indian Music commonly state that when choosing a practical paper (Vocal Light, Vocal Classical, or Instrumental), the theory subject History and Development of Indian Music (code 65) is compulsory, while code 65 may also be taken independently. Confirm the current scheme with your junior college and year circulars.

Where should I check official syllabus, papers, and results?

Use the MSBSHSE site at mahahsscboard.in for circulars and materials, mahahsscboard.org/hscsub.htm for subject codes and syllabus links, Balbharati digital resources where available, and your divisional board portals for results and hall tickets.