Selina Textbook Solutions: History – An Introduction | History Class 6 ICSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. People who write history are known as Historians. 
2. By Archaeology we mean the study of the remains of the ancient past. 
3. The two Great epics tells us about the life and society in ancient past, besides 
being religious books. 
4. Old buildings which are important historically are known as Monuments. 
5. Meghadoot was written by Kalidasa. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Page 2


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. People who write history are known as Historians. 
2. By Archaeology we mean the study of the remains of the ancient past. 
3. The two Great epics tells us about the life and society in ancient past, besides 
being religious books. 
4. Old buildings which are important historically are known as Monuments. 
5. Meghadoot was written by Kalidasa. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
What is history? What is the origin of the word‘history’? 
Answer: 
History is the study of our past, a record of the events that happened long ago. It tells us 
about the life of people during a particular period. The word ‘History’ comes from the 
Greek word ‘Histo’ which means ‘know this’. 
Question 2. 
Why do we study history? Give two reasons. 
Answer: 
1. History helps us to understand our society and culture. 
2. History helps us to leam from our past mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. 
Question 3. 
Which period in history is called prehistoric? 
Answer: 
‘Pre-history’ means ‘before history’. This period refers to the era when man had not 
developed the art of writing. Hence, there are no written records of this period. The life 
of people during this period is constructed through tools, weapons, bones, etc. 
Question 4. 
Name two sources of history. What do literary sources include? 
Ans. 
Two sources of history are literary sources and archaeological sources. Literary sources 
include secular literature and religious literature. Writings related to a religion are called 
religious literature, for example, the Jatakas, the Ramayana. Secular literature is not 
related to a religion. It includes poems, plays, accounts by travelers, for example, the 
Indika of Megasthenes. 
Question 5. 
Give one example each of religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
Example of religious literature — the Mahabharata. Example of secular literature —
Abhigyan Shakuntalam. 
Question 6. 
What do we mean by culture? 
Answer: 
Culture is the sum total of knowledge, beliefs, morals, art, customs and laws and other 
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. 
Question 7. 
Explain the term archaeology. 
Page 3


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. People who write history are known as Historians. 
2. By Archaeology we mean the study of the remains of the ancient past. 
3. The two Great epics tells us about the life and society in ancient past, besides 
being religious books. 
4. Old buildings which are important historically are known as Monuments. 
5. Meghadoot was written by Kalidasa. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
What is history? What is the origin of the word‘history’? 
Answer: 
History is the study of our past, a record of the events that happened long ago. It tells us 
about the life of people during a particular period. The word ‘History’ comes from the 
Greek word ‘Histo’ which means ‘know this’. 
Question 2. 
Why do we study history? Give two reasons. 
Answer: 
1. History helps us to understand our society and culture. 
2. History helps us to leam from our past mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. 
Question 3. 
Which period in history is called prehistoric? 
Answer: 
‘Pre-history’ means ‘before history’. This period refers to the era when man had not 
developed the art of writing. Hence, there are no written records of this period. The life 
of people during this period is constructed through tools, weapons, bones, etc. 
Question 4. 
Name two sources of history. What do literary sources include? 
Ans. 
Two sources of history are literary sources and archaeological sources. Literary sources 
include secular literature and religious literature. Writings related to a religion are called 
religious literature, for example, the Jatakas, the Ramayana. Secular literature is not 
related to a religion. It includes poems, plays, accounts by travelers, for example, the 
Indika of Megasthenes. 
Question 5. 
Give one example each of religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
Example of religious literature — the Mahabharata. Example of secular literature —
Abhigyan Shakuntalam. 
Question 6. 
What do we mean by culture? 
Answer: 
Culture is the sum total of knowledge, beliefs, morals, art, customs and laws and other 
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. 
Question 7. 
Explain the term archaeology. 
Answer: 
Archaeology means the study of the remains of the past such as inscriptions, 
monuments, tools, coins, potteiy, etc. 
IV. Distinguish between 
1. Archaeological sources and literary sources. 
2. Monuments and inscriptions. 
3. Religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
1. Archaeological sources include inscriptions, coins, tools, weapons, pottery, bones, 
etc. Literary sources include books related to a religion and poems, plays, 
travelogues, etc. 
2. Monuments are old buildings such as caves, stupas, temples, forts and palaces. 
Inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, pillars, buildings, metal plates, etc. 
3. Religious literature is related to a religion, for example, the Puranas (Hindus), the 
Jatakas (Buddhists), the Angas (Jains). Secular literature has nothing to do with a 
religion, for example, the Arthashastra of Kautilya, the Indika of Megasthenes. 
V. Given below are some drawings. Circle those which you think below to 
prehistory. 
VI. Picture study — This picture shows a valuable source of history. 
 
1. Identify the source 
Ans. The source is coin. 
Page 4


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. People who write history are known as Historians. 
2. By Archaeology we mean the study of the remains of the ancient past. 
3. The two Great epics tells us about the life and society in ancient past, besides 
being religious books. 
4. Old buildings which are important historically are known as Monuments. 
5. Meghadoot was written by Kalidasa. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
What is history? What is the origin of the word‘history’? 
Answer: 
History is the study of our past, a record of the events that happened long ago. It tells us 
about the life of people during a particular period. The word ‘History’ comes from the 
Greek word ‘Histo’ which means ‘know this’. 
Question 2. 
Why do we study history? Give two reasons. 
Answer: 
1. History helps us to understand our society and culture. 
2. History helps us to leam from our past mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. 
Question 3. 
Which period in history is called prehistoric? 
Answer: 
‘Pre-history’ means ‘before history’. This period refers to the era when man had not 
developed the art of writing. Hence, there are no written records of this period. The life 
of people during this period is constructed through tools, weapons, bones, etc. 
Question 4. 
Name two sources of history. What do literary sources include? 
Ans. 
Two sources of history are literary sources and archaeological sources. Literary sources 
include secular literature and religious literature. Writings related to a religion are called 
religious literature, for example, the Jatakas, the Ramayana. Secular literature is not 
related to a religion. It includes poems, plays, accounts by travelers, for example, the 
Indika of Megasthenes. 
Question 5. 
Give one example each of religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
Example of religious literature — the Mahabharata. Example of secular literature —
Abhigyan Shakuntalam. 
Question 6. 
What do we mean by culture? 
Answer: 
Culture is the sum total of knowledge, beliefs, morals, art, customs and laws and other 
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. 
Question 7. 
Explain the term archaeology. 
Answer: 
Archaeology means the study of the remains of the past such as inscriptions, 
monuments, tools, coins, potteiy, etc. 
IV. Distinguish between 
1. Archaeological sources and literary sources. 
2. Monuments and inscriptions. 
3. Religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
1. Archaeological sources include inscriptions, coins, tools, weapons, pottery, bones, 
etc. Literary sources include books related to a religion and poems, plays, 
travelogues, etc. 
2. Monuments are old buildings such as caves, stupas, temples, forts and palaces. 
Inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, pillars, buildings, metal plates, etc. 
3. Religious literature is related to a religion, for example, the Puranas (Hindus), the 
Jatakas (Buddhists), the Angas (Jains). Secular literature has nothing to do with a 
religion, for example, the Arthashastra of Kautilya, the Indika of Megasthenes. 
V. Given below are some drawings. Circle those which you think below to 
prehistory. 
VI. Picture study — This picture shows a valuable source of history. 
 
1. Identify the source 
Ans. The source is coin. 
2. How do you think these are useful? 
Ans. Coins give us information about use of a metal during a particular period and the 
economic conditions of the people. 
3. What do you understand by the term ‘numismatics’? 
Ans. Numismatics is the study of coins. 
Textbook Keywords 
1. History is a record of people, places and events of the past arranged in 
chronological order. 
2. Prehistory is the history of the period before writing was invented. 
3. Archaeology  is the study of material remains of the distant past. 
4. Parchment  is the dried skin of goats and sheep used for writing. 
5. Sources Sources are clues from archaeology’ or literature which help historians to 
put together a period of history. 
6. Monuments Monuments are ancient buildings such as temples, palaces and 
forts, which are valuable sources of information of the life and times of people in 
the distant past. Numismatics It is a study of coins. 
7. Inscriptions are the engraving on solid objects such as metal surfaces, stone 
tablets, rocks, pillars, cave walls, etc. Epigraphy Epigraphy is the study of old 
inscriptions. Edicts Edicts are royal commands issued by the rulers. Manuscripts 
Manuscripts are the handwritten records of the past in the form of books. 
8. Religious literature It refers to literacy writing dealing with religion. 
9. Secular literature is non-religious literature such as plays, poems, accounts of 
foreign travelers and other works on politics, science, etc. 
Additional Questions 
A. Fill in the blanks. 
1. History is record of people, places and events of the past, arranged 
in chronological order. 
2. Prehistory is the history of the period before writings was invented. 
3. The sources of history can be broadly classified into archaeological sources 
and literary 
4. The study of coins is known as numismatics 
5. Edicts are royal commands issued by kings. 
6. Inscriptions are engravings on solid objects. 
7. Handwritten records of the past are known as Manuscripts 
8. Literary source material can be divided into religious literature and secular 
literature 
9. The Greek ambassador in Chandragupta Maurya’s court was Magasthenes 
10. The Chinese travelers who came to India were Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang 
Page 5


Exercise 
I. Fill in the blanks: 
1. People who write history are known as Historians. 
2. By Archaeology we mean the study of the remains of the ancient past. 
3. The two Great epics tells us about the life and society in ancient past, besides 
being religious books. 
4. Old buildings which are important historically are known as Monuments. 
5. Meghadoot was written by Kalidasa. 
II. Match Column A with Column B: 
 
 
Answer: 
 
III. Answer the following questions briefly: 
Question 1. 
What is history? What is the origin of the word‘history’? 
Answer: 
History is the study of our past, a record of the events that happened long ago. It tells us 
about the life of people during a particular period. The word ‘History’ comes from the 
Greek word ‘Histo’ which means ‘know this’. 
Question 2. 
Why do we study history? Give two reasons. 
Answer: 
1. History helps us to understand our society and culture. 
2. History helps us to leam from our past mistakes so that we don’t repeat them. 
Question 3. 
Which period in history is called prehistoric? 
Answer: 
‘Pre-history’ means ‘before history’. This period refers to the era when man had not 
developed the art of writing. Hence, there are no written records of this period. The life 
of people during this period is constructed through tools, weapons, bones, etc. 
Question 4. 
Name two sources of history. What do literary sources include? 
Ans. 
Two sources of history are literary sources and archaeological sources. Literary sources 
include secular literature and religious literature. Writings related to a religion are called 
religious literature, for example, the Jatakas, the Ramayana. Secular literature is not 
related to a religion. It includes poems, plays, accounts by travelers, for example, the 
Indika of Megasthenes. 
Question 5. 
Give one example each of religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
Example of religious literature — the Mahabharata. Example of secular literature —
Abhigyan Shakuntalam. 
Question 6. 
What do we mean by culture? 
Answer: 
Culture is the sum total of knowledge, beliefs, morals, art, customs and laws and other 
capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. 
Question 7. 
Explain the term archaeology. 
Answer: 
Archaeology means the study of the remains of the past such as inscriptions, 
monuments, tools, coins, potteiy, etc. 
IV. Distinguish between 
1. Archaeological sources and literary sources. 
2. Monuments and inscriptions. 
3. Religious and secular literature. 
Answer: 
1. Archaeological sources include inscriptions, coins, tools, weapons, pottery, bones, 
etc. Literary sources include books related to a religion and poems, plays, 
travelogues, etc. 
2. Monuments are old buildings such as caves, stupas, temples, forts and palaces. 
Inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, pillars, buildings, metal plates, etc. 
3. Religious literature is related to a religion, for example, the Puranas (Hindus), the 
Jatakas (Buddhists), the Angas (Jains). Secular literature has nothing to do with a 
religion, for example, the Arthashastra of Kautilya, the Indika of Megasthenes. 
V. Given below are some drawings. Circle those which you think below to 
prehistory. 
VI. Picture study — This picture shows a valuable source of history. 
 
1. Identify the source 
Ans. The source is coin. 
2. How do you think these are useful? 
Ans. Coins give us information about use of a metal during a particular period and the 
economic conditions of the people. 
3. What do you understand by the term ‘numismatics’? 
Ans. Numismatics is the study of coins. 
Textbook Keywords 
1. History is a record of people, places and events of the past arranged in 
chronological order. 
2. Prehistory is the history of the period before writing was invented. 
3. Archaeology  is the study of material remains of the distant past. 
4. Parchment  is the dried skin of goats and sheep used for writing. 
5. Sources Sources are clues from archaeology’ or literature which help historians to 
put together a period of history. 
6. Monuments Monuments are ancient buildings such as temples, palaces and 
forts, which are valuable sources of information of the life and times of people in 
the distant past. Numismatics It is a study of coins. 
7. Inscriptions are the engraving on solid objects such as metal surfaces, stone 
tablets, rocks, pillars, cave walls, etc. Epigraphy Epigraphy is the study of old 
inscriptions. Edicts Edicts are royal commands issued by the rulers. Manuscripts 
Manuscripts are the handwritten records of the past in the form of books. 
8. Religious literature It refers to literacy writing dealing with religion. 
9. Secular literature is non-religious literature such as plays, poems, accounts of 
foreign travelers and other works on politics, science, etc. 
Additional Questions 
A. Fill in the blanks. 
1. History is record of people, places and events of the past, arranged 
in chronological order. 
2. Prehistory is the history of the period before writings was invented. 
3. The sources of history can be broadly classified into archaeological sources 
and literary 
4. The study of coins is known as numismatics 
5. Edicts are royal commands issued by kings. 
6. Inscriptions are engravings on solid objects. 
7. Handwritten records of the past are known as Manuscripts 
8. Literary source material can be divided into religious literature and secular 
literature 
9. The Greek ambassador in Chandragupta Maurya’s court was Magasthenes 
10. The Chinese travelers who came to India were Fa Hien and Hiuen Tsang 
B. Match the following. 
 
 
Answer: 
 
 
C. Answer the following questions. 
Question 1. 
What is history? Why do we study history? 
Answer: 
History is a record of people, places and events of the past, arranged in chronological 
order. We study history because it tells us about the problems of our ancestors, their 
aspirations as well as their achievements. 
Question 2. 
What is the difference between prehistory and history? 
Answer: 
The main difference between prehistory and history is that we have written records in 
history and have no written records in prehistory. 
Question 3. 
How many groups can the sources of history be broadly divided into? Name them.