Where, When and How   

Chapter: 1 Orient Blackswan publication

When, Where and How

What is History?

• History = Study of our past.
• Tells us how people lived, worked, and ate.
• Describes rulers, battles, and daily life.
• Explains events using causes and effects.
• Connects the past to our present.

Why Study History?

1. Builds Thinking Skills
   • Helps us examine facts and question
2. Teaches Lessons
   • We learn from past mistakes → make better decisions.
3. Gives Identity
   • Teaches us who we are and about our ancestors.
4. Explains the Present
   • Knowing history helps us understand today.
   • Example: Understanding how India became independent.
5. Encourages Tolerance
   • Makes us more open-minded and respectful of other cultures.

Learning Outcomes (Goals)

By the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

• Explain what history is and why it’s important.
• Know the difference between history and prehistory.
• Understand how events and centuries are dated.
• List sources used to study history.
• See how geography affects history (focus on India).

 Interesting Fact

• Clay toys from 4,000 years ago look similar to what kids play with today.

 History and Prehistory

• The past is divided into:
  • Prehistory: Time before writing was invented (no written records).
  • History: Time after writing began (written records exist).

 Timeline of Human History

 Time and Dates in History

• To date events, we use:
  • BCE = Before Common Era (before birth of Jesus Christ)
  • CE = Common Era (after the birth of Jesus Christ)
• Example:
  • 1 BCE is just before 1 CE
  • Time goes backward in BCE, forward in CE
• Circa (c. or ca.) = “Around this time” (used when exact date is unknown)

Tip:

• Timelines help visualize history in the correct order and see how far apart events are.

 Terms Related to Time

• Decade = 10 years
• Century = 100 years
• Millennium = 1000 years

Naming Centuries

• The 1st century CE = Years 1 to 100
• The 2nd century CE = Years 101 to 200
• Before CE (BCE):
  • 1st century BCE = 100 BCE to 1 BCE
  • 2nd century BCE = 200 BCE to 101 BCE

We live in the 21st century CE (2001 to 2100 CE)

Sources for the Study of History

Two main types:

1. Archaeological Sources
   • Used for studying prehistory
   • Based on material remains:
     • Artefacts (tools, pottery, weapons, coins, etc.)
     • Bones, seeds, buildings, etc.
   • Tells us about:
     • Food, jobs, trade, beliefs, dress, and burial customs

2. Literary Sources
   • Used for history (written records)

Periods of Indian History

Indian history is divided into:

1. Ancient/Classical (up to 647 CE)
2. Medieval
3. Modern

• Ancient Period: Starts with Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3000 BCE) to Harshavardhana’s death (647 CE)

Literary Sources of History

Literary sources = Written records from the past. They are divided into:

1. Religious Literature

• Texts with religious themes (e.g., Vedas, Ramayana, Tripitaka)
• Teach about religion, society, and politics
• Passed down orally before writing was invented
• Some still preserved by tribal communities with strong oral traditions

2. Secular Literature

• Deals with non-religious topics like politics, economy, medicine, law
• Examples:
  • Harshacharita by Banabhatta (7th century CE): Life of King Harsha
  • Arthashastra by Kautilya (4th century BCE): Government and military strategy
  • Travel accounts:
    • Xuanzang: Visited India during Harsha’s rule
    • Megasthenes: Greek ambassador to Chandragupta Maurya, wrote Indica

Other Written Sources

• Manuscripts: Handwritten texts (on palm leaves, birch bark, etc.)
• Inscriptions: Writings carved on hard surfaces (stone, metal, etc.)
  • Example: Ashoka’s edicts on rocks and pillars

Geographical Framework of History

• Geography influences history strongly.
• Landforms, rivers, and location shape civilizations, trade, wars, and culture.

Interpreting Sources of History

Clay jars and pots:

• Found in archaeological sites, some date back to 4000 BCE.
• Still used in places like Kerala for cooking to add flavor.

Coins and Seals

Coins:

• Issued by rulers to allow trade and payment.
• Show the ruler’s name, period, and economic condition.
• Made from gold, silver, copper.
• Studying coins = Numismatics.
• Help verify facts found in other sources.

Seals:

• Found in Indus Valley Civilization sites.
• Used by traders to stamp goods.
• Engravings show daily life, culture, and beliefs.
• Often show inscriptions useful for archaeologists.

Literary Sources (Summary Note at Bottom)

• Any written source that tells us about the past.
• Most come in the form of manuscripts and inscriptions.

Sources of History

1. Archaeological Sources (Prehistory)
   • Artefacts, tools, buildings, bones, seeds
   • Tell us about people’s life, jobs, beliefs
2. Literary Sources (History)
   • Manuscripts (on palm leaves, copper)
   • Inscriptions (carved in stone/metal)
   • Studied in epigraphy

Coins and Seals

• Coins: Show ruler, time period, economy; studied in numismatics
• Seals: Used for trade; tell about beliefs and culture

Types of Literary Sources

1. Religious Literature:

• Example: Vedas, Ramayana, Tripitaka
• Spread through oral tradition before being written

2. Secular Literature:

• Example:
  • Harshacharita (Banabhatta) – Life of King Harsha
  • Arthashastra (Kautilya) – Politics and economy
  • Travelogues:
    • Xuanzang (7th century)
    • Megasthenes (Indica, Mauryan rule)

Geography and History

• Geography (landforms, rivers, etc.) shapes:
  • Settlements
  • Trade
  • Battles
  • Cultural growth

 Geographical Features of India and Their Impact on History

 Himalayas

• Located in the north.
• Acted as a natural barrier against invasions.
• Also had passes that allowed migration and trade.

 Northern Plains

• Made of fertile land.
• Supported agriculture and rise of powerful kingdoms like the Mauryas and Guptas.

 Seas and Oceans

• India is surrounded by water on three sides.
• Helped with maritime trade (Rome, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Southeast Asia).
• Southern kingdoms built strong navies and established overseas ties.

 Words to Remember

 EXERCISES – Answers

1. Fill in the blanks

1. The study of events that happened before humans learnt to write is called prehistory.
2. In the period before the birth of Jesus Christ, historians count the years BCE.
3. In the period after the birth of Christ, they count the years CE.
4. The main source of information for prehistory is archaeological sources.
5. Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita in the 7th century CE.
6. Xuanzang visited India during the rule of Harsha, in the 7th century CE.

1. Multiple choice questions
2. The year 50 BCE:
   comes after the year 110 BCE
3. Assertion (A): It is important to teach history in school.
   Reason (R): History is a written account of events of the past.
   Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
4. Multiple Choice Questions (continued)
5. Incorrect statement about artefacts:

•  d. Artefacts can tell us whether India traded with China in the past.
•  Correct answer: d, because trade relations are better known through written records and coins, not artefacts alone.

4. Which of these would you call a manuscript? Why?

•  c. A poem written on a thin sheet of copper
• Explanation: Manuscripts are handwritten texts, not necessarily based on material like leaf or copper. So any handwritten document counts.

5. Why were powerful kingdoms established in the Indo-Gangetic Plains?

•  d. The fertile nature of the land encouraged economic prosperity.

III. Differentiate Between the Following

1. History vs. Prehistory
   • History: Period after writing began
   • Prehistory: Period before writing
2. Decade vs. Century
   • Decade = 10 years, Century = 100 years
3. Inscriptions vs. Manuscripts
   • Inscriptions: Carved or engraved on hard surfaces
   • Manuscripts: Handwritten on materials like palm leaves or paper
4. Coins vs. Seals
   • Coins: Issued by rulers, used in trade, show dates and rulers’ names
   • Seals: Used to stamp goods, show cultural info, symbols, animals
5. Religious vs. Secular Sources
   • Religious: Vedas, Ramayana – focused on faith, gods, rituals
   • Secular: Arthashastra, Indica – focused on politics, economy, society

1. Answer in Detail (Model Answers)
2. Is learning history a waste of time?
   No, history is important because:

• It helps us learn from past mistakes.
• It explains how societies evolved.
• It gives a sense of identity and helps shape better citizens.

2. How do we tell dates in history?

• By using BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era).
• A timeline helps place events in chronological order.

3. How does archaeology help us?

• Archaeology studies artefacts, buildings, bones, etc.
• These remains show us what people ate, believed, and how they lived.

4. How to recreate the history of a 5000-year-old tribe?

• Use archaeological sources like tools, bones, seeds, cave art.
• Written records may not exist, so artefacts are the key.

5. Religious vs. Secular Sources in Ancient Indian History

• Religious: Vedas, Ramayana – tell us about religion, rituals.
• Secular: Arthashastra, travel accounts – tell us about society, governance, trade.

 Q6 – Write a Paragraph: Impact of Geography on India’s History

Key Points to Use:

• Barrier, protection, trade, travellers, new ideas, empires, agriculture, transport, navies

Sample Answer:
The geography of India has deeply shaped its history. The Himalayas acted as a natural barrier, protecting India from invasions while also allowing limited travel and trade through mountain passes. The Indo-Gangetic Plains, with their fertile soil, helped develop agriculture and supported the rise of powerful empires like the Mauryas and Guptas. Surrounded by seas and oceans, India traded with lands like Rome and Southeast Asia, helping develop strong navies. Geography also allowed new ideas and cultures to enter, shaping Indian civilization.

Picture-Based Questions (on Fa Xian’s journey)

1. How did Fa Xian enter India?
   • Likely through mountain passes in the Himalayas, as used by traders and travelers.
2. Landforms encountered:
   • Mountains, plains, rivers, and possibly deserts.
3. Means of transport:
   • Likely on foot, by animal (horses, donkeys), and boats for rivers or coastal areas.

Enrichment Activities

1. Make a model
   • Create a 3D map of India using clay. Highlight Himalayas, rivers, plains, and coastal regions. Use it to explain how geography helped shape trade, farming, and settlement.
2. Diary entry (Archaeologist Role)
   Example:

“Today was an amazing day! While working on a 4,000-year-old site, I found pottery, tools, and a buried house layout. I felt like I was discovering a hidden story from the past. It’s amazing to see how people lived back then. I was a bit nervous while uncovering bones, but also super excited!”

Life Skills – Role Play

Prompt: Your parents want you to be a doctor, but you want to be an archaeologist.

Suggested Points:

• Archaeology matches your love for history and discovery.
• You’re good at observation, patience, and research.
• You want to preserve and tell stories of the past, not treat patients.
• You enjoy working outdoors and using logic and analysis.

 Extra questions

Fill in the blancks

1. The study of events of the past is called history.
2. The period before writing was invented is known as prehistory.
3. Archaeology is the study of the physical remains of human life.
4. Objects like tools and pottery found at sites are called artefacts.
5. The study of coins is known as numismatics.
6. Documents written by hand are called manuscripts.
7. Decipherment means discovering the meaning of ancient scripts.
8. Writing on rocks and metal surfaces is called an inscription.
9. The study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.
10. India’s northern natural barrier is the Himalayas.
11. The fertile region in north India is the Northern Plains.
12. India is surrounded by seas on three sides.
13. Coins provide information about the ruler who issued them.
14. The first tools were used around 6 million years ago.
15. Agriculture began around 10,000 years ago.
16. Writing was invented around 5,000 years ago.
17. The steam engine was invented about 200 years ago.
18. The period after the birth of Jesus is called CE.
19. The period before the birth of Jesus is called BCE.
20. Circa means “around this time” when the date is not exact.
21. A period of 10 years is a decade.
22. A span of 100 years is a century.
23. 1000 years is called a millennium.
24. The Vedas and Ramayana are religious
25. The Arthashastra is an example of secular
26. Xuanzang visited India during Harsha’s reign.
27. Banabhatta wrote Harshacharita.
28. The Greek ambassador who wrote Indica was Megasthenes.
29. Indica describes the rule of Chandragupta Maurya.
30. Kautilya wrote the Arthashastra.
31. History helps us understand the present.
32. Studying the past gives us a sense of identity.
33. Learning from the past helps us avoid mistakes.
34. The Maurya and Gupta empires arose in the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
35. The Indus Valley Civilization used seals for stamping goods.
36. Religious texts were first passed down orally.
37. The Tripitaka is a text from the Buddhist
38. Ashoka’s edicts were written on rocks and pillars.
39. The process of understanding inscriptions is decipherment.
40. Artefacts give us vital clues about ancient life.
41. India traded with Rome and Egypt via sea
42. History is divided into ancient, medieval, and modern
43. History is studied using archaeological and literary
44. Tribes passed stories through oral
45. A timeline shows events in order.
46. The Ganga was a sacred river in India.
47. Seals had engravings of animals and gods.
48. Ancient coins were made of gold, silver, and copper.
49. Written records mark the start of history.
50. Archaeological sites give us evidence of early settlements.

25 MCQs – Chapter: When, Where and How

1. What is the study of the past called?
   a) Geography
   b) Archaeology
   c) History
   d) Culture
   Answer: c) History

2. The period before writing was invented is called:
   a) History
   b) Prehistory
   c) Ancient
   d) Modern
   Answer: b) Prehistory

3. Archaeology deals with the study of:
   a) Stars
   b) Rocks
   c) Written records
   d) Physical remains of the past
   Answer: d) Physical remains of the past

4. Human-made objects from the past are called:
   a) Tools
   b) Relics
   c) Artefacts
   d) Equipment
   Answer: c) Artefacts

5. The study of coins is known as:
   a) Archaeology
   b) Numismatics
   c) History
   d) Epigraphy
   Answer: b) Numismatics

6. A document written by hand is called a:
   a) Seal
   b) Script
   c) Manuscript
   d) Charter
   Answer: c) Manuscript

7. Decipherment refers to:
   a) Destroying old documents
   b) Making tools
   c) Reading ancient texts
   d) Sealing coins
   Answer: c) Reading ancient texts

8. Inscriptions are usually written on:
   a) Paper
   b) Stone and metal
   c) Cloth
   d) Wood
   Answer: b) Stone and metal

9. Epigraphy is the study of:
   a) Manuscripts
   b) Tools
   c) Inscriptions
   d) Maps
   Answer: c) Inscriptions

10. The Himalayas act as a:
    a) Trade route
    b) Fertile plain
    c) Natural barrier
    d) River system
    Answer: c) Natural barrier

11. The Indo-Gangetic Plain is known for its:
    a) Forests
    b) Trade centers
    c) Fertile soil
    d) Temples
    Answer: c) Fertile soil

12. Seas around India helped in:
    a) Farming
    b) River trade
    c) Maritime trade
    d) Mining
    Answer: c) Maritime trade

13. Coins help us learn about:
    a) Religious texts
    b) Mountains
    c) Rulers and economy
    d) Forests
    Answer: c) Rulers and economy

14. The first tools were used around:
    a) 10,000 years ago
    b) 5,000 years ago
    c) 200 years ago
    d) 2.6 million years ago
    Answer: d) 2.6 million years ago

15. Agriculture began around:
    a) 2.6 million years ago
    b) 200 years ago
    c) 10,000 years ago
    d) 1,000 years ago
    Answer: c) 10,000 years ago

16. Writing was invented about:
    a) 10,000 years ago
    b) 200 years ago
    c) 5,000 years ago
    d) 2,000 years ago
    Answer: c) 5,000 years ago

17. The steam engine was invented around:
    a) 5,000 years ago
    b) 2.6 million years ago
    c) 10,000 years ago
    d) 200 years ago
    Answer: d) 200 years ago

18. CE stands for:
    a) Central Era
    b) Common Era
    c) Christian Era
    d) Classical Era
    Answer: b) Common Era

19. BCE means:
    a) Before Classical Era
    b) Before Common Era
    c) Before Colonial Era
    d) Before Current Era
    Answer: b) Before Common Era

20. The term “circa” is used when:
    a) The date is unknown
    b) It is a religious date
    c) It is a festival
    d) It is written in code
    Answer: a) The date is unknown

21. A decade consists of:
    a) 100 years
    b) 50 years
    c) 10 years
    d) 25 years
    Answer: c) 10 years

22. A century equals:
    a) 10 years
    b) 100 years
    c) 1,000 years
    d) 500 years
    Answer: b) 100 years

23. Manuscripts were often written on:
    a) Plastic sheets
    b) Tree bark and palm leaves
    c) Stone
    d) Glass
    Answer: b) Tree bark and palm leaves

24. Ramayana and Vedas are examples of:
    a) Legal texts
    b) Religious literature
    c) Travel logs
    d) Science books
    Answer: b) Religious literature

25. Arthashastra is written by:
    a) Fa Xian
    b) Kautilya
    c) Banabhatta
    d) Xuanzang
    Answer: b) Kautilya

True or False – With Answers and Explanations

1. History is the study of future events.
   False
   Explanation: History is the study of past events, not future ones.

2. Prehistory refers to the time before writing was invented.
   True
   Explanation: Prehistory is the period with no written records, only material remains.

3. Archaeology helps us understand history through written records.
   False
   Explanation: Archaeology studies physical remains, not written records (that’s the job of historians using literary sources).

4. Manuscripts are documents carved into stone.
   False
   Explanation: Manuscripts are handwritten on materials like palm leaves, not carved.

5. Coins can give us information about ancient rulers and their kingdoms.
   True
   Explanation: Coins show names, symbols, and economic details of the rulers.

6. The Vedas and Ramayana are examples of secular literature.
   False
   Explanation: These are examples of religious literature.

7. Xuanzang visited India during the rule of Harshavardhana.
   True
   Explanation: Xuanzang was a Chinese traveler who visited India in the 7th century CE.

8. A century is a period of 50 years.
   False
   Explanation: A century equals 100 years.

9. The Himalayas protected India from invasions and also allowed limited trade.
   True
   Explanation: They acted as a natural barrier but had passes for travel and trade.
10. Inscriptions are found only in books.
    False
    Explanation: Inscriptions are engraved on hard surfaces like stone or metal.

11. History helps us understand our present better.
    True
    Explanation: By learning about the past, we can understand current events and society.

12. Seals were used to decorate pottery in the Indus Valley Civilization.
    False
    Explanation: Seals were mainly used for stamping goods and trade purposes, not decoration.

13. The Ganga River played an important role in the rise of early kingdoms.
    True
    Explanation: The Indo-Gangetic Plain is fertile and supported powerful kingdoms.

14. The term ‘circa’ means a very exact date.
    False
    Explanation: ‘Circa’ () means an approximate date, not exact.

15. Artefacts like tools and weapons help us know how ancient people lived.
    True
    Explanation: Artefacts reveal details about daily life, jobs, and culture.

2-Mark Questions with Answers

1. What is the difference between history and prehistory?
   Answer:
   History is the period after writing began and has written records.
   Prehistory is the time before writing was invented, studied using material remains.
2. Why are coins important sources of history?
   Answer:
   Coins tell us about the rulers, their reigns, economy, religion, and trade practices.
3. Define manuscript and inscription.
   Answer:
   A manuscript is a handwritten document.
   An inscription is text engraved on hard surfaces like stone or metal.
4. What is the role of an archaeologist?
   Answer:
   An archaeologist studies physical remains like tools, pottery, and bones to understand the past.
5. Why is the Indo-Gangetic Plain historically significant?
   Answer:
   It has fertile soil, which supported agriculture and the rise of powerful kingdoms.
6. What is meant by BCE and CE?
   Answer:
   BCE: Before Common Era (before the birth of Christ)
   CE: Common Era (after the birth of Christ)
7. Name any two religious texts and the religions they belong to.
   Answer:
   Vedas – Hinduism
   Tripitaka – Buddhism
8. Mention two sources used to study prehistory.
   Answer:
9. Tools and weapons
10. Bones and cave paintings
11. What does the term ‘circa’ mean in history?
    Answer:
    Circa (c.) means ‘approximately’ and is used when the exact date is not known.
12. How does geography influence history?
    Answer:
    Geography affects settlement, agriculture, trade routes, and protection from invasions.