Meaning and Importance
History is the study of the past, which tells us the story of
people and the events that occurred in a distant time.
History is a systematic record of events that have been
placed chronologically. (number wise)
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Importance
It isa window into the past.
It helps us learn how things evolved and transformed over
time
It gives us an understanding of the present
It leads us to make better choices for the future.
Example- nothing good happens because of war;
democracy is a better choice of government than
dictatorship
Dates in History
Dates help in maintaining proper records of the past.
The term circa or ca, in short, is generally used in historical
writings when the dates of events are not known for sure and have
been approximately mentioned.
We follow the Georgian calendar (US state), which comes from
Europe, followed by Christianity.
The birth of Jesus Christ is considered the most important event in
history.
The Indian national calendar is based on the Saka Era. Chaitra is
the first month of this calendar.
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CE and BCE
The first year after the birth of Christ will be year 1, and therefore, we
are in the year 2026.
A period of 100 years is known as a century. A period of 1000 years
millennium
We use CE and BCE to show the difference in time between the events,
such as after the birth of Christ and before the birth of Christ.
CE stands for common era, BCE stands for before the birth of Christ.
In earlier years, after the birth of Christ were referred to as AD Anno
Domini, which means “in the year of our Lord” in Latin.
Sources of History
Broadly divided into 1)Archaeological and 2)Literary
sources.
1)Archaeological Sources
Archaeology is the study of material remains of the past,
like monuments, tools, pots, etc.
The place where these remains are dug out is known as an
excavation or archaeological site.
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1.1)Monuments and buildingruins
They provide a standing testimony of the period of study,
like temples, stupas, forts and palaces.
They inform us about the period in which they were built
and the scientific knowledge of the people of that period.
They are like treasure and symbol of pride of their
civilization.
They act as evidences of history and enhance tourism.
Example: Ajanta caves in Aurangabad, Maharashtra are full
of sculptures and paintings.
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1.2)Inscriptions
They werewritten on rocks, pillars, walls of important buildings and
even metal sheets.
The study of Inscriptions is called Epigraphy.
It is an important source of Indian history which can’t be altered or
manipulated.
Ashokan inscriptions were issued in different languages making them
accessible to a large audience.
1.3)Coins
The study of coins is known as Numismatics.
Coins of Indian origin were made of gold, silver and copper.
Coins were sometimes issued to celebrate an important event.
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Historical Artefacts
Artefactsare objects made by human
beings used in the past. Ex: Tools and
pots, bones, toys, clothes etc.
They show the sign of human existence
and modification with time.
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Literary Sources
Dividedinto religious and secular texts.
Religious Test – based on religious culture and themes.
Example: Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and great epics like Ramayana,
Mahabharata.
Secular Literature:
Tells us about the social and economic lives of the kings and people.
Ex: Plays and poems of Kalidasa.
Oral history:
Stories we have heard from our elders, passed through generations in the form of
stories, fables, ballads (long poem/song), and common folklore.
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The Earliest Societies
Human evolution from ape-like ancestors to modern
humans.
Homo sapiens lived millions of years ago.
Earliest evidence from Africa, where fossils date back to 6
to 2 million years ago.
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Stone Age
Meaning
Theprehistoric period, when
humans mainly used stone tools, is
called the Stone Age.
Divisions of the Stone Age
Palaeolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age)
Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
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1)Palaeolithic Age (OldStone Age)
Time Period - Around 5,00,000 BCE to 10,000 BCE
Features
Humans were hunter-gatherers.
Lived in caves and under trees.
Moved from place to place in search of food.
Used crude stone tools.
Discovery of Fire
Fire was discovered accidentally.
Sparks from rubbing stones caused fire.
Uses of fire: Light, Warmth, Cooking food, Protection from wild animals
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Early Cave Paintings
Features
Found in caves from the Stone Age.
Show hunting, dancing, and rituals.
Used to express ideas and experiences.
Bhimbetka Cave Paintings
Bhimbetka Rock Shelters are the oldest cave paintings in India. They
are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They have around 243 rock
shelters.
Materials Used
Natural colours from rocks, plants, and charcoal.
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2) Mesolithic Age(Middle Stone Age)
Time Period - 10,000 BCE – 8,000 BCE
Features
Transition period between the Old and
New Stone Age.
Tools became smaller and sharper.
Tiny tools called Microliths were used.
Tools were attached to sticks and
bones.
Uses of Microliths - Hunting animals,
Digging the ground
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3)Neolithic Age (NewStone Age)
Time Period - 8,000 BCE – 4,000 BCE
Features
Beginning of agriculture.
Domestication of animals.
Permanent settlements developed.
Humans changed from food gatherers to food
producers.
Neolithic Revolution
The term used by Gordon Childe refers to the shift
from hunting and gathering to farming and settled
life.
Importance - Growth of villages, Storage of surplus
grains and Beginning of civilizations.
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The beginning ofcrop production
From hunter-gatherers to food producers
The climate became warmer compared to the Stone Age. It
created an ideal environment for crops to grow.
Because of an increase in population, hunting and food
gathering were not enough.
The growing demand for food was fulfilled by farming.
People were required to have permanent structures to live in,
resulting in the growth of civilization.
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Neolithic Sites
Mehrgarh
Earliestevidence of farming and herding.
Wheat, barley, and cotton were grown.
Mud-brick houses.
Domesticated cattle, sheep, and goats.
Pottery, bead-making, and metalwork developed.
Burzahom
First Neolithic site discovered in Kashmir.
Dates back to about 3000 BCE.