History—When, Where and How Chapter Notes | Footprints Class 6: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Introduction

History is like a time machine that helps us explore the lives of people, places, and events from long ago. The word 'history' comes from the Greek word 'historia,' which means to investigate the past. It helps us understand how people lived, what they wore, ate, and how they functioned many years ago. History isn't just about kings and heroes, but about all of humankind and its growth.

What is History?

• Origin: The word 'history' comes from the Greek word 'historia', which means 'inquiry' or 'investigation into the past'.
• Definition: History is a record of people, places, and events from the past.
• Arrangement: History arranges events in the order they happened, from earlier events to later ones.
• Purpose: Studying history helps us understand how people lived, dressed, ate, and functioned many years ago.
• Scope: History is not just about kings, nobility, or heroes. It is about all of humankind and its development.
• Importance: History teaches us about human growth and can explain why we should study the past to understand our present and future.

Why Do We Study the Past? 

Studying history is important for several reasons:

• Learning about Our Ancestors: History tells us about our early ancestors - how they lived, what they ate, and how they managed to lead secure and settled lives through activities like farming, animal husbandry, and irrigation.
• Great Kings, Queens, and Ordinary People: History introduces us to great leaders and ordinary people who contributed to our culture and civilization.
• Evolution of Scripts and Languages: It helps us understand how scripts developed and how the languages we speak came into being.
• Solving Mysteries: Historians and archaeologists, who specialize in studying the past, help us solve mysteries of ancient times.

Dates in History

In history, we often come across dates written as BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, 'In the year of our Lord'). BC represents the years before the birth of Jesus Christ, while AD signifies years after. The date of Jesus Christ's birth, more than 2,000 years ago, serves as the reference point. For instance, 650 BC means 2,650 years ago. Nowadays, historians use BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC and AD.

Period and Periodization 

Historians divide the past into two main periods:

• Prehistory: This period predates the invention of writing, and there are no written records. People were hunter-gatherers and didn't lead settled lives. Archaeologists help us learn about this period by excavating sites and studying ancient remains like tools, jewelry, pots, bones, and buildings.
• History: This period begins after the invention of writing, leading to written records. Early writings appeared as drawings in caves, later evolving into inscriptions on various surfaces. The historical period is further divided into ancient, medieval, and modern periods.

How Do We Study the Past? 

Many experts and scholars, including historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, zoologists, geologists, and physicists, help us learn about the past. Historians and archaeologists are two important types of scholars who study the past. Archaeologists dig deep into the ground to find ancient remains, while historians use written records and accounts.

Sources of Ancient Indian History:

Archaeological Sources: 

• Inscriptions and Edicts: These are writings carved on rocks, pillars, walls, and tablets. They tell us about kings, their reigns, empires, and important events, as well as society, religion, and culture. 
• Monuments: Old buildings of historical importance, such as temples, forts, palaces, and stupas, offer insights into social life, beliefs, and culture. 
• Coins, Artefacts, and Objects: These include tools, weapons, pottery, statues, seals, paintings, and jewelry. They provide valuable information about cultures and civilizations.

Literary Sources: 

• Religious Literature: Includes Vedic texts, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Puranas. 
• Secular Literature: Non-religious texts, like Kautilya's Arthashastra, which offers guidelines on governance. Accounts of foreign travelers also provide valuable information.

Oral History: Records based on personal experiences and stories passed down through generations, like folk tales, songs, and myths.

Geographical Location

Geography plays a vital role in shaping the history of India. India, along with neighboring countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, forms the Indian subcontinent. India boasts of diverse landscapes, including rivers, mountains, desert, and plains. Rivers like the Indus, Ganga, and Narmada played a crucial role in early settlements. Mountains like the Himalayas acted as natural barriers. The country's coastal regions facilitated trade and cultural interactions through sea routes.

Conclusion
Studying history helps us uncover the fascinating stories of the past. Through various sources like inscriptions, monuments, coins, and literature, we gain a deeper understanding of how civilizations flourished and evolved. Geography, too, played a significant role in shaping India's history. So, the next time you delve into history, remember that you're embarking on a journey through time!