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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL STUDIES

GRADE 6
SUBJECT: SOCIAL SCIENCE
L 1- An Approach Towards the Past

LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
➢ To describe the importance of archaeological sources to reconstruct
history,
➢ To Analyse importance of manuscripts and inscriptions for the kings
and common man.
➢ To critically evaluate the effect of Geography of an area to the history
KEYWORDS:
❖ Bhojpatra
❖ Inscriptions
❖ Manuscript
❖ Epigraphy
Answer in a word:
1.Knowldeg that is gained from the study of the past is called
History
2.Old buildings which have historical importance are called
Monuments
3.The period for which written records are not available is called
Prehistory
4.Archaeological sources are direct evidence
5.Coins are a valuable source of information
6.Indika was written by Megasthenes
7.Inscriptions are written records engraved on rocks, copper plates and
clay tablets
 8.Study of inscriptions is called epigraphy.
9.Handwritten records of the past , in the form of books are called
manuscripts
10.The Arthashastra was written by Kautilya
Answer the following in one or two sentences:
1. What is the difference between Prehistory and History?
Ans: Prehistory is the period of human development when writing had
not been invented and of which we have no written records. Whereas
history is the period for which written records are available.
2. What are monuments? What do we get know from them?
Ans: Monuments are old buildings old settlements ruins of temples,
stupas, mosques, tombs, palaces, etc. They provide important information
about our past heritage.
3.How did the Northern Plains influence the history of India?
The places along the rivers of the northern plains developed faster
than any other part of the country. Rivers were not only used as a mode of
transport but also were an important water resource. This helped agriculture
and trade prosper.
II. Answer in detail
1.How does the study of history help us?
By studying history, we come to know about kings, kingdoms and
leaders of the past. We can also learn about the lives and activities of the
common man. We can understand the past and the present, by studying history.
What is today will be history tomorrow. History teaches us not to make
mistakes that have been made in the past. We can also study the continuous
development of man by studying literature, art, architecture, etc.

2.How do historians find out about our past?

Ans: Historians find out about the past with the help of archaeological
 and literary sources.
Archaeological sources mean artefacts or monuments. Artefacts are the
objects made and used by man in the past. Metal objects pottery, jewellery, etc.,
give historians important clues and help them to understand their cultural lives,
e.g., artefacts found at Harappa and Mohenjodaro. Monuments and coins are
also valuable sources of information. Ruins of temples, palaces, forts, mosques,
old settlements, etc., provide information about our past heritage. Coins tell
historians about the economy and trade of the kingdoms in the past, about
administration and qualities of kings. Historians find out dates of coronations,
specimens of art and relations with neighbouring kings with the help of
inscriptions engraved on rocks, pillars, copper plates, wall, etc.
They also depend on Literary sources to get the knowledge about the past.
People wrote on barks of trees, stones, rocks, or tablets. Handwritten records
helped them gain information about customs, religious beliefs and cultures of
people. Travellers wrote about their stay and other events, administrative set
up, rules, declaration by kings, etc. The religious literature gave an account to
historians about religious beliefs which were followed in ancient India.

3.Write a short note on secular literature?

Ans: Writings which are not religious are known as secular literature.
These induce biographies and historical accounts written by poets and foreign
travellers. They were written to record happenings, events, administrative set
up, rules and declaration by kings.
'Arthashastra' by Kautilya gives us an account of Mauryan administration and
society whereas, 'Indika' by Megasthenes gives an account of the court life of
Chandragupta Maurya.

4.What are inscription? How do they help us to study the past?

Writings which are not religious are known as secular literature.
These induce biographies and historical accounts written by poets and
foreign travellers. They were written to record happenings, events,
administrative set up, rules and declaration by kings.
'Arthashastra' by Kautilya gives us an account of Mauryan administration
and society whereas, 'Indika' by Megasthenes gives an account of the court
life of Chandragupta Maurya.
5.The concepts of dates in History
BCE: Before common era that happened before the birth of Jesus Christ
CE: Common era stands for anything that happened after the birth of
Jesus Christ

III. Critical thinking questions:

Do you think the work of an archaeologist is like that of detective?
Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: A detective follows clues and comes to some conclusion. An
archaeologist finds ruins of old monuments and forts to come to some
conclusion. The detective constructs the scene of crime with the help of
whatever clues he gets. An archaeologist gives us a picture of the past with
the help of whatever he can judge from ruins of old building. So, their
works are similar.
IV. Value based question
Rulers of ancient times wrote about their own glories on pillars and
rocks. If you were one such ruler, how far would you have been honest
in your portrayal of yourself?
If I were a ruler in ancient India, I would give true accounts of my
conquests and defeats, birth, coronation, and administration. I would keep
it as truthful as possible and let people decide if I should be glorified or not.
V.Map Activity:
• The student must mark the important physical features of India on an
outline map of India.
Refer Physical map Pg No 10 from textbook
Note: Always read the lesson well for answering objective type of
questions.