HISTORY INTRODUCTION

 The study of past is called “History”.

 History is derived from a Greek word ‘historia’ meaning inquiry or

investigation. Thus the knowledge acquired by investigation is known as

‘historia’.

 The Greek historian Herodotus (484 BC – 425 BC) was the first real

historian of the world. He wrote only one book ‘The Histories’ (430 BC).

 Roman philosopher Cicero called him ‘The Father of History’.

 German historian Leopold von Ranke is known as ‘The Father of Modern

History’.

 Historical Sources: The sources that give information about the events of

past time are known as ‘Historical sources’.

 Archeological Source: The physical remains or ruins of the things used or

the constructed structures in the past are called archeological sources.

Example Coins, Monuments, Pottery, Inscription etc.

 Literary Source: The literature in the books which gives us important

information about the past is called Literary Source.

 Decade = Period of 10 years.

 First half of a century = First 50 years of a century.

 Second half of a century = Last 50 years of a century.

 Century = Period of 100 years.

 Millenium = Period of 1000 years.

 Circa --- Ca./C. = If the exact date is not known then the word

‘circa’ is used with the date. In short it is denoted as Ca. or C.

Example: C.1500 BC – 600 BC.

 First decade of 20th century AD means ------ the period from 1901

AD – 1910 AD.