HISTORY – GRADE 6

WHAT, WHERE, HOW AND WHEN? - CLASS NOTES

I. Fill in the blanks:

1) History is a systematic record of past events.
2) The study of coins is called Numismatics.
3) Before paper, books were written on palm leaves.
4) Literary sources refer to written accounts.
5) The period for which we do not have written records is known as pre-history.
6) Chronology is the order in which a series of events happened.
7) People who study excavated objects are known as archaeologists.
8) To arrange historical events, historians refer to a timeline.
9) The Himalayas act as a natural barrier between India and Central Asia.
10) Inscriptions, monuments, artefacts, and coins are examples of archaeological sources.

II. State whether the following statements are true or false.

1) The study of inscriptions is called Epigraphy. True
2) Archaeological sources are direct sources as they cannot be changed or altered by humans. True
3) BC is counted forward while AD is counted backwards. False
4) Literary sources are divided into artefacts and coins. False
5) Manuscripts were written on palm leaves and the bark of birch trees. True
6) The first civilization emerged in the fertile valley of the river Indus. True
7) The objects that humans made in the past–pottery, tools, and ornaments are called inscriptions. False
8) History is generally divided into four time periods. False
9) Geography has played an important role in the history of India. True

III. Distinguish between the following terms:

1) Religious Literature and Secular Literature.
Religious Literature
Writings dealing with religious themes are called
religious literature.
The Vedas, the Puranas, and Mahabharata are some
examples of religious literature.
Secular Literature
Writings, that do not deal with religious themes, are
called secular literature.
These include poems, plays, stories, biographies of kings,
accounts of foreign travels, and books on science and
politics.
2) Pre-history and History.
Pre-history History
Writing was not invented in the pre-historical age, History is the period after the invention of writing.
hence there are no written records of that era.

Archaeological sources, such as coins, ornaments, Hence, there are lots of written records
artifacts, etc., are the only available sources of available, and archaeological sources are one of the main
evidence from prehistory. sources of evidence.

III. Answer the following questions in about 40-50 words.

1. Why do we need to study the past?
Ans. a) We need to study the past because history records the past as a chain of events right till the present time.
Hence, our present is shaped by events of the past.
a) It gives us an understanding of our ancient culture and lifestyle.
b) The past has a lot of effect on how the world around us exists at present. Hence, to understand the present, we
must study and understand the past.

2. Why did people travel from one place to another in ancient times?
Ans. Geography has always been the determining factor of development in a particular place. Favorable
environments with plenty of resources are populated. Therefore, people for the following reasons preferred river
valleys:
a) The river water provides sufficient water for all their needs.
b) Crops could be grown easily as the land near the river was very fertile. This was their source of food, which
helped in their survival.
c) The river served as a means of transport.

3. “Coins are a valuable source of information about ancient India”. Justify the statement.
Ans. Coins form an important source of historical information.
a) Ancient coins were mostly made of gold, silver, copper, or lead. Coin molds of the Kushan period made of burnt
clay have been also discovered.
b) Some of the coins contain religious and legendary symbols which throw light on the culture of that time. Coins
also contain the figures of kings and gods. Some contain the names and dates of the rulers.
c) Coins also throw significant light on the economic life of ancient people. They indicate trade and commerce and
help to reconstruct the history of several ruling dynasties.
d) Coins have been the primary source of information regarding the various Indian states during the same period.
The coins of the Kushan and the Gupta period give interesting accounts of those days. They throw light on
religious, political, economic, and commercial conditions. Every coin of the past has some story to convey.

4. What are inscriptions? How do they help us know about ancient India?
a) The written records on the walls of caves, metal pillars, rocks, stones, copper, stone and clay tablets, and walls
of temples are known as inscriptions.
b) The inscriptions on the monuments, metal pillars, rocks, copper, and clay tablets have been a source of
information about the victories and achievements of the rulers of the ancient empires.
c) The way of life, events, and culture of the empires are depicted through inscriptions. They are relevant sources
of information about battles and deeds of emperors and their achievements.
d) They also highlight the influence and historical legacy of a king or an emperor. This helps us to know about the
past, form an idea, and gain knowledge about history.
5. Why do you think rulers in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like rocks and pillars?
Ans. The rulers in ancient times recorded their victories on hard surfaces like copper and stone plates. This is
because of the following reasons:
a) The inscriptions on the stone and copper plates are clear, legible, and do not wear away easily.
b) The victories and achievements of the rulers could be read by the people. This would make them aware of the
ruler's authority and power.
c) The records last for a longer time and people of the future periods come to know about the history. This makes
the rulers and their achievements everlasting and creates a legacy.