Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION
TO HISTORY
Concept Notes:

1. Definition and etymology of history

The origin of the word History is associated

with the Greek word “historia” which means
“information” or “an enquiry designed to elicit
truth”. History has been defined differently by
different scholars.
Burckhardt: “History is the record of what one age.

Henry Johnson: “History, in its broadest sense.

Smith, V.S.: “The value and interest of history depend

largely.

Rapson: “History is a connected account of the course

of events or progress of ideas.
NCERT: “History is the scientific study of past
happenings

Jawaharlal Nehru: “History is the story of Man’s

struggle through the ages against Nature and the
elements
Study of history deepens our
understanding of the potentialities
and limitations of the present. It has
thus become a future-oriented study
related to contemporary problems.
2. Elements of history

P- olitics, what government influenced society -

E - conomics, where money dominates and effects
people.
R- eligion, a total impact on Europe during the 15th
century.
2. Elements of history
S-ocial how the upper class, middle class
and poor class communicate.
I- ntelligence and knowledge that has
progress in history.
A-rt paintings and pictures produced
throughout the course of time.
 3. Nature of History
1. A study of the present in the light of the
past: The present has evolved out of the past.
2. History is the study of man: History deals
with man’s struggle through the ages. History
is not static.
3. History is concerned with man in time: It
deals with a series of events and each event
occurs at a given point in time.
4. History is concerned with man in space: The
interaction of man on environment and vice versa is a
dynamic one.

5. Objective record of happenings: Every precaution

is taken to base the data on original sources and make
them free from subjective interpretation.

6. Multisided: All aspects of the life of a social group are

closely interrelatedand historical happenings
7. History is a dialogue between the events of the
past and progressively emerging future ends.

8. Not only narration but also analysis: The selected

happenings are not merely narrated.

9. Continuity and coherence are the necessary

requisites of history: History carries the burden of
human progress.
10. Relevant: In the study of history only those events
are included which are relevant to the understanding of
the present life
.

11. Comprehensiveness: According to modern

concept, history is not confined to one period or country
or nation.
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