Class 6 Exam  >  Class 6 Notes  >  Social Studies (SST) Class 6  >  Chapter Notes: What, Where, How, and When?

Class 6 History Chapter 1 Notes - What, Where, How and When?

What is History?

History is a chronological account of events as they took place in the past.
  • When we live in a society, we become used to the world around us. 
  • We begin to take that world for granted. 
  • We forget that life was not always the way we see it. 
  • History can take us into these pasts.

Sanchi from The Mauryan EmpireSanchi from The Mauryan Empire

Why Should We Study History?

We should study history as it tells us about our past.

  • It gives us an understanding of our ancient culture and lifestyle.
  • It helps us to solve the problems of the present-day world.
    An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved.An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved.

What do Dates Mean?

If somebody asks you the date, you will probably mention the day, month and year, 2000 and something. These years are counted from the date generally assigned to the birth of Jesus Christ.

  • Historians use a chronological sequence for a better understanding. The birth of Jesus Christ has been taken as year zero.Class 6 History Chapter 1 Notes - What, Where, How and When?
  • Any event before Christ is called Before Christ (BC) and any event after the birth of Jesus is called Anno Domini (AD).
  • The timeline of history is divided into three stages:
    (i) Prehistory
    (ii) Protohistory
    (iii) History

Question for Chapter Notes: What, Where, How, and When?
Try yourself:All dates before the birth of Christ are counted backwards and usually have the letters
View Solution

What can we know about the Past?

There are several things we can know about our past such as:

  • What people used to eat, the type of clothes they used to wear, the houses in which they lived.
  • How were the lives of hunters, herders, farmers, rulers, merchants, priests, craftspersons, artists, musicians, and scientists?
  • The games children used to play, the stories they have heard, the songs they sang.

Where did People Live?

People majorly lived near river valleys. This was because rivers provided water for all purposes.

  • Traces of life were found near Sulaiman and Kirtar hills in North West.
  • Traces of life even existed along Ganga. Mahajanapadas like Magadha, Kashi, Vajji, etc., flourished 2500 years ago.
  • The Himalayan mountain has acted as a natural barrier between India and Central Asia for ages.
  • The places where rice was first grown are to the north of the Vindhyas.

People lived near rivers.People lived near rivers.

Names of the Land

Two of the words we often use for our country are India and Bharat. 
  • Bharat was used by the people of North India in the Sanskrit composition Rigveda.
  • The word Indus traces its roots from the river Indus which is called Sindhu in Sanskrit.

Finding Out About the Past

Archaeologists and historians study several sources to tell us about the past. There are two sources - archaeological and literary.

  • Archaeology: The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of physical remains.
  • Inscriptions: Inscriptions are writings on relatively hard surfaces such as stone or metal. In the past, when kings wanted their orders inscribed so that people could see, read and obey them, they used inscriptions for this purpose.
    Stone InscriptionsStone Inscriptions
  • Archaeologists use sources like monuments, artifacts, inscriptions, and coins.
  • Handwritten or any other written record of the past is known as a literary source.
  • Literary sources include two types of literature - religious literature and secular literature.
  • Manuscripts are books that were written long ago by hand. These were written on palm leaves or on the specially prepared bark of a tree known as the birch, which grows in the Himalayas. These books dealt with all kinds of subjects: religious beliefs and practices, the lives of kings, medicine, and science.
    Manuscripts on Palm Leaves
    Manuscripts on Palm Leaves

Question for Chapter Notes: What, Where, How, and When?
Try yourself:Where were the manuscripts written?
View Solution

One Past or Many?

  • There were two groups of people who studied history. One was called archaeologists and the other group was called historians.
  • Archaeologists studied the remains of buildings made of stones, bricks, paintings, and sculptures.
  • The other group called historians were the people who studied the past and used information found in inscriptions, seals, and scripts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 They study the remains of buildings made of stone and brick, paintings, and sculptures. They explore to find tools, weapons, ornaments, and coins. Who are they?

Ans: There were many things that were made and used in the past. Those who study these objects are called archaeologists. They study the remains of buildings made of stone and brick, paintings, and sculptures. They also explore and excavate (dig under the surface of the earth) to find tools, weapons, pots, pans, ornaments, and coins.

Q.2.  Name two main groups (or categories) of historical sources. 

Ans: The two main groups (or categories) of historical sources are :

  1. Archaeological sources include physical remains inscriptions, coins, etc.
  2. Literary sources include religious books, manuscripts, foreign, travelers’ accounts etc.

Q.3. Explain the term BC.

Ans:  

  • The letter BC means Before Christ.
  • Dates are generally counted (i.e., the day, the month, and the years) or assigned to the birth of Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity.
  • So 2000 BC means 2000 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • All dates before the birth of Jesus Christ are counted backward and generally have the letter BC (Before Christ) added on.
The document Class 6 History Chapter 1 Notes - What, Where, How and When? is a part of the Class 6 Course Social Studies (SST) Class 6.
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FAQs on Class 6 History Chapter 1 Notes - What, Where, How and When?

1. What is the importance of studying history?
Ans. Studying history helps us understand the past and how it has shaped the present. It enables us to learn from past mistakes and successes, and make better decisions for the future. History also helps us understand different cultures, societies, and civilizations, and how they have evolved over time.
2. What do dates mean in history?
Ans. Dates are important in history as they provide a chronological order of events. They help us understand when certain events occurred and how they are related to each other. Dates also allow historians to create timelines and analyze patterns and trends over time.
3. How do we find out about the past?
Ans. There are many ways to find out about the past, such as through primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are firsthand accounts of events, such as diaries, letters, and photographs, while secondary sources are interpretations of primary sources, such as textbooks and historical analyses. Archaeological findings and oral histories are also important sources of information about the past.
4. What can we learn about the past through the names of the land?
Ans. The names of the land, such as place names and street names, can provide insights into the history of a place. They can reveal the origins of a settlement, the people who lived there, and the events that occurred. For example, a street named after a famous person could indicate their connection to the area, or a place name could suggest the geographical features or resources of the area.
5. Is there only one version of the past?
Ans. No, there is not only one version of the past. History is subjective and can be interpreted in different ways depending on who is telling the story and their perspectives. Different sources can also provide different accounts of the same event. It is important to consider multiple perspectives and sources in order to get a fuller understanding of the past.
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