GS History Orientation

Sainil Nagare
01. SYLLABUS 02. PREVIOUS YEAR PAPER
Syllabus
03. TIMELINE 04. CENTURY
WHAT IS HISTORY?

• The word history comes from the Greek word "historia" meaning 'inquiry,
knowledge from inquiry, or judge'.

• History is also an academic discipline which uses narrative to describe,

examine, question, and analyze past events, and investigate their patterns of
cause and effect.

• Historians often debate which narrative best explains an event, as well as the
significance of different causes and effects.

• History differs from myth in that it is supported by verifiable evidence.

• There are varieties of ways in which history can be organized, including

chronologically, culturally, territorially, and thematically.
CATEGORISATION OF HISTORY?

events that occurred before the existence of written records

Prehistory Eg. Paleolithic Age, Mesolithic Age, Neolithic Age and

Chalcolithic age and Megalithic Age

period between prehistory and history

Protohistory civilization has not yet developed writing but other cultures have
already noted their existence. Eg. Harappan Age

refers to the time period after the invention of written records

in a given culture
History
Eg. the period from Vedic Age onwards
For better understanding of historical eras, historians have categorized
Indian history into Ancient, Medieval and Modern India rather arbitrarily.
• Ancient India: From earliest times to 7th century AD.
• Medieval India: From 8th century AD to 18th century AD.
• Modern India: From 18th century AD onwards.