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1. Prehistoric Period – Definition

Mnemonic: PPP → Prehistoric = Past without Paper & Pen.
No Paper, No Pen, No Past Records = Prehistory.

2. Sources of Prehistoric Period

Mnemonic: Little Ancient Civilisations Inform Fully.

Sources = LACI F

  • L – Literary sources
  • A – Archaeological evidence
  • C – Coins
  • I – Inscriptions
  • F – Foreign accounts

3. Literary Sources

Mnemonic: “Pretty Religious Upanishads Join Great Philosophers, Supplying Literature, Politics, People, Others, Narratives.”

  • P – Puranas & Epics (Ramayana, Mahabharata)
  • R – Religious texts (Jaina & Buddhist)
  • U – Upanishads
  • J – Jaina texts (Parisistaparvan)
  • G – Gargi Samhita
  • P – Panini’s Grammar
  • S – Sandhyakar Nandi’s Ramacharita
  • L – Literary plays (Kalidasa, Vishakhadatta, Banabhatta)
  • P – Political treatises (Arthashastra, Manusmriti)
  • P – Personal accounts (Kalhana’s Rajatarangini)
  • O – Other literary works (Padmagupta, Hem Chandra, Nyaya Chandra)
  • N – Navasahasanka Charita, etc.

4.  Archaeological Evidence

Mnemonic: Wise Archaeologists Could Make Journeys Revealing Discoveries.
Key Figures & Events: WACMJRD

  • W – William Jones (Asiatic Society, 1784)
  • A – Alexander Cunningham (Father of Indian Archaeology, 1862)
  • C – Curzon (expanded ASI)
  • M – Marshall (Director-General 1901)
  • J – John Marshall excavations 1924–31
  • R – R.D. Banerjee (1922 Mohenjodaro)
  • D – Daya Ram Sahni (1921 Harappa)

5. Prehistoric Art Ages

 Mnemonic: Please Make Culture Shine.

  • P – Paleolithic
  • M – Mesolithic
  • C – Chalcolithic
  • S – Successive periods

6. Upper Paleolithic Art

Mnemonic: “BIG GREEN RED”

  • B – Bison, Boars, Big animals
  • G – Geometric designs & Green = dances
  • R – Red = hunters

7. Mesolithic Art

Mnemonic: “Mesolithic = HUNT LAD.”

Features = HUNT LAD

  • H – Hunters in groups
  • U – Use of snares & traps
  • N – Naturalistic animals
  • T – Tiny/small paintings
  • L – Life scenes (women, families, dances)
  • A – Armed with bows, arrows, spears
  • D – Dances (community)

8.  Chalcolithic Art

Mnemonic: Chalcolithic = CAP Vanishes.

Features = CAP V

  • C – Copper Age

  • A – Agricultural links

  • P – Pottery & metal tools

  • V – Vitality diminished

9. General Features of Prehistoric Paintings

Mnemonic: “Colors, Brushes, Binders Last; Symbols, Sites, Geometry, Subjects.”

  • C – Colors (red, white fav.)

  • B – Brushes (plant fibre)

  • B – Binders (fat/resin)

  • L – Longevity (thousands of years)

  • S – Symbolism (nature, spirituality)

  • S – Sites (occupied/unoccupied caves)

  • G – Geometric patterns

  • S – Subjects (flora, fauna, humans, carts, chariots)

The document Mnemonics: Sources of Ancient History | General Awareness for SSC CGL is a part of the SSC CGL Course General Awareness for SSC CGL.
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FAQs on Mnemonics: Sources of Ancient History - General Awareness for SSC CGL

1. What are the primary sources of ancient history for SSC CGL preparation?
Ans. The primary sources of ancient history include archaeological findings, ancient texts, inscriptions, coins, and monuments. Archaeological findings provide physical evidence of past civilizations, while ancient texts and inscriptions offer insights into the social, political, and cultural aspects of those times. Coins reflect economic conditions and trade practices, and monuments illustrate architectural styles and historical significance.
2. How can mnemonic devices assist in remembering ancient historical facts?
Ans. Mnemonic devices can help in remembering important dates, names, and events by associating them with familiar words, phrases, or acronyms. For example, creating a sentence where the first letter of each word corresponds to historical events can aid recall. This technique simplifies complex information, making it easier to memorize for exams.
3. What role do archaeological sources play in understanding ancient history?
Ans. Archaeological sources play a crucial role in understanding ancient history as they provide tangible evidence of past human activities. Excavations reveal artifacts, structures, and everyday items that inform us about the lifestyles, technologies, and cultures of ancient civilizations. This evidence complements written records, offering a more comprehensive view of history.
4. Can you explain the significance of ancient texts as historical sources?
Ans. Ancient texts are significant historical sources as they document the thoughts, beliefs, and events of the time. They include religious scriptures, literary works, and official records that reflect the values and norms of ancient societies. These texts help historians analyze political systems, social hierarchies, and cultural practices, providing a narrative of human history.
5. What are some challenges historians face when using ancient sources?
Ans. Historians face several challenges when using ancient sources, including the potential for bias in written records, the incomplete nature of archaeological findings, and the difficulty in interpreting ancient languages and scripts. Additionally, the preservation of artifacts and texts can be problematic, leading to gaps in the historical narrative. These challenges necessitate careful analysis and corroboration of multiple sources to construct an accurate historical account.
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