TIMELINE AND SOURCES OF HISTORY : CLASS 6 : SOCIAL SCIENCE
SUMMARY
History is the study of the past. It tells us how people lived, what they ate, what work they did, and how societies changed.
Timeline is the arrangement of events in chronological order (earliest to latest).
Sources of History are the materials that tell us about the past. They are of two main types:
Archaeological sources (things we dig out): coins, inscriptions, tools, pottery, buildings, monuments, weapons, seals, fossils, skeletons.
Literary sources (things that were written): manuscripts, books, religious texts, epics, poems, biographies, travellers’ accounts.
Primary sources: First-hand records (coins, inscriptions, original documents).
Secondary sources: Based on primary sources (history books, research papers).
Archaeology helps us understand early life, culture, and civilization.
Historians arrange events using BC (Before Christ), AD (Anno Domini), BCE (Before Common Era), CE (Common Era).
SHORT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: What is history?
A: History is the study of the past.
Q: What is a timeline?
A: A timeline is the arrangement of events in chronological order.
Q: What are sources of history?
A: Materials that give information about the past are called sources of history.
Q: Name two types of sources of history.
A: Archaeological and Literary sources.
Q: Give two examples of archaeological sources.
A: Coins and inscriptions.
Q: Give two examples of literary sources.
A: Manuscripts and epics.
Q: What is chronology?
A: Chronology is the order of events based on time.
Q: What does BC stand for?
A: Before Christ.
Q: What does AD stand for?
A: Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord).
Q: What does BCE mean?
A: Before Common Era.
Q: What does CE mean?
A: Common Era.
Q: Which is an example of a religious literary source?
A: Vedas.
Q: Who are archaeologists?
A: People who study remains of the past through excavation.
Q: Who are historians?
A: People who study and write about history.
Q: What do coins tell us about history?
A: Coins tell us about rulers, trade, economy, and religion.
Q: What are inscriptions?
A: Writings on hard surfaces like stone, metal, or pillars.
Q: What is a manuscript?
A: Handwritten documents on palm leaves, birch bark, etc.
Q: What is archaeology?
A: The study of material remains of the past.
Q: Which sources are more reliable – archaeological or literary?
A: Archaeological sources, because they cannot be easily changed.
Q: What is the importance of sources of history?
A: They help us reconstruct and understand the past.
LONG QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q: Why do we study history?
A: History helps us understand how people lived in the past, how civilizations developed, and how societies changed over time. It helps us learn from mistakes and preserve culture.
Q: What is a timeline and why is it important?
A: A timeline is a record of events in chronological order. It helps us know the sequence of events and compare developments across periods.
Q: Explain the difference between BC and AD.
A: BC means Before Christ and refers to the years before the birth of Jesus. AD means Anno Domini and refers to the years after his birth.
Q: Explain BCE and CE.
A: BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) are secular terms used instead of BC and AD.
Q: What are archaeological sources? Give examples.
A: Archaeological sources are physical remains of the past such as coins, inscriptions, pottery, tools, weapons, and buildings.
Q: What are literary sources? Give examples.
A: Literary sources are written records like Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, manuscripts, and travellers’ accounts.
Q: What are inscriptions and why are they important?
A: Inscriptions are writings on stone, metal, or clay. They give details about rulers, administration, victories, and laws.
Q: How do coins help historians?
A: Coins provide information about kings, trade, economy, religion, and art of different times.
Q: Explain the importance of manuscripts.
A: Manuscripts written on palm leaves and birch bark tell us about ancient literature, medicine, law, and culture.
Q: What is archaeology and why is it important?
A: Archaeology is the study of remains of the past through excavation. It helps us reconstruct life and culture of early people.
Q: Differentiate between primary and secondary sources.
A: Primary sources are first-hand records (coins, inscriptions, manuscripts). Secondary sources are written later based on primary sources (history books).
Q: How do travellers’ accounts help historians?
A: Travellers describe the society, culture, economy, and political systems of the places they visited.
Q: Why are sources of history divided into two types?
A: Because some sources are material remains (archaeological) while others are written records (literary).
Q: Explain the importance of religious texts in history.
A: Texts like the Vedas, Ramayana, Bible, and Quran tell us about beliefs, traditions, and practices of people.
Q: How do buildings and monuments help historians?
A: Buildings like temples, stupas, and forts tell us about art, architecture, and culture of past societies.
Q: What are fossils and skeletons? How do they help?
A: Fossils and skeletons are remains of plants, animals, and humans. They tell us about ancient life and physical features.
Q: How are inscriptions different from manuscripts?
A: Inscriptions are carved on stone/metal and last long, while manuscripts are handwritten and can get damaged.
Q: Why do historians use both archaeological and literary sources?
A: To get a complete picture, since archaeological sources give material evidence and literary sources provide ideas and culture.
Q: Why are timelines important in history?
A: Timelines help historians arrange events in order and understand the cause-effect relationship between events.
Q: Explain how sources of history help reconstruct the past.
A: Sources provide direct or indirect evidence of life, culture, trade, and politics. Without them, historians cannot write history.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
History is the study of:
a) Future
b) Past ✅
c) Present
d) None
Timeline is:
a) Map of the past
b) Sequence of events ✅
c) A type of book
d) An inscription
Archaeological sources include:
a) Books
b) Coins ✅
c) Poems
d) Stories
Literary sources include:
a) Coins
b) Manuscripts ✅
c) Tools
d) Weapons
The study of remains of the past is called:
a) Biology
b) Archaeology ✅
c) Geography
d) Literature
BC means:
a) Before Civilization
b) Before Christ ✅
c) Before Common
d) Before Century
AD stands for:
a) After Death
b) Anno Domini ✅
c) After Development
d) Ancient Date
BCE means:
a) Before Current Era
b) Before Common Era ✅
c) Before Culture Era
d) Before Christ Era
CE stands for:
a) Christian Era
b) Common Era ✅
c) Current Empire
d) Cultural Era
Writings on stone and metal are called:
a) Manuscripts
b) Inscriptions ✅
c) Fossils
d) Monuments
Which is a religious text?
a) Ramayana ✅
b) Coin
c) Fort
d) Seal
Who studies past events and writes about them?
a) Geographer
b) Historian ✅
c) Archaeologist
d) Astronomer
Who studies remains through excavation?
a) Archaeologist ✅
b) Historian
c) Writer
d) Traveller
Which is an example of a monument?
a) Temple ✅
b) Manuscript
c) Coin
d) Inscription
Primary sources are:
a) History books
b) Original records ✅
c) Research papers
d) Novels
Secondary sources are:
a) Inscriptions
b) Coins
c) History books ✅
d) Manuscripts
Which source is more reliable?
a) Archaeological ✅
b) Literary
c) Secondary
d) None
Which ancient book is a literary source?
a) Rigveda ✅
b) Fort
c) Coin
d) Inscription
What are fossils?
a) Old books
b) Remains of plants and animals ✅
c) Coins
d) Inscriptions
What do coins tell us?
a) About rulers, trade, and religion ✅
b) About geography
c) About language only
d) About literature only
