1. What is History?
The word history comes from a Greek word meaning "to inquire" or "to investigate."
History is the study of people, places, events, cultures, and civilizations of the past. It helps us understand how people lived, worked, solved problems, and how the world has changed over time.
History is not just about kings and wars. It also tells us about:
- Ordinary people's lives
- Homes and families
- Food and clothing
- Farming and trade
- Art and culture
- Science and inventions
Why do we study history?
History helps us:
- Learn from the successes and mistakes of people in the past.
- Understand how our society developed.
- Appreciate different cultures.
- Protect our heritage.
- Become responsible citizens.
Example:
By studying history, we learn how people invented the wheel, discovered farming, and built the first cities.
2. How Do We Learn About the Past?
We cannot travel back in time. Historians learn about the past by studying evidence left behind by earlier people.
People who study history are called historians.
Historians:
- Collect evidence
- Study old objects
- Read old writings
- Visit historical sites
- Compare information from different sources
- Draw conclusions based on facts
Sometimes historians work with archaeologists.
Archaeologists
Archaeologists study the remains of ancient people by carefully digging the ground.
This careful digging is called excavation.
They discover:
- Pottery
- Tools
- Bones
- Coins
- Ornaments
- Buildings
- Skeletons
These discoveries help us understand how people lived thousands of years ago.
3. How is Time Measured in History?
History covers thousands and even millions of years.
To understand such long periods, historians divide time into different units.
Time Units
Unit
Meaning
Day
24 hours
Month
About 30 days
Year
12 months
Decade
10 years
Century
100 years
Millennium
1000 years
Examples
- 10 years = 1 decade
- 100 years = 1 century
- 1000 years = 1 millennium
BC and AD
Years are divided into two parts.
BC (Before Christ)
These are the years before the traditional birth year of Jesus Christ.
Example:
- 500 BC
- 1200 BC
In BC, numbers become smaller as time moves forward.
Example:
500 BC → 400 BC → 300 BC → 200 BC → 100 BC
AD (Anno Domini)
"Anno Domini" means "In the Year of the Lord."
These are the years after the birth of Jesus Christ.
Example:
AD 200
AD 500
AD 2026
The numbers become larger as time moves forward.
BCE and CE
Today many historians use:
- BCE = Before Common Era
- CE = Common Era
These mean the same as BC and AD but are religiously neutral.
4. Timeline
A timeline is a straight line that shows important events in the order in which they happened.
Timelines help us understand:
- Which event happened first
- Which event happened later
- How much time passed between events
Example Timeline
10,000 BCE 8,000 BCE 3,000 BCE 2026 CE |---------------|---------------|---------------| First farming First villages Early cities Today
Another Example
Birth → School → College → Job
This is also a timeline because events are arranged in order.
Why are Timelines Important?
They help us:
- Arrange events correctly.
- Understand the passage of time.
- Compare events.
- Remember historical events easily.
5. What are the Sources of History?
Anything that gives us information about the past is called a source of history.
Historians use many different sources.
They are mainly divided into:
- Archaeological Sources
- Literary Sources
A. Archaeological Sources
These are objects found by archaeologists.
Examples include:
1. Monuments
Large buildings made long ago.
Examples:
- Temples
- Forts
- Palaces
- Stupas
- Mosques
These tell us about:
- Architecture
- Religion
- Art
- Kings and rulers
2. Coins
Coins tell us:
- Names of kings
- Dates
- Trade
- Economy
- Religion
Coins may be made of:
- Gold
- Silver
- Copper
- Bronze
3. Inscriptions
Inscriptions are writings carved on:
- Stone
- Rocks
- Pillars
- Metal plates
They tell us about:
- Kings
- Battles
- Laws
- Religious beliefs
4. Pottery
Broken pots and clay vessels tell us about:
- Cooking
- Storage
- Daily life
- Trade
5. Tools and Weapons
Stone tools, axes, knives, spears, and arrows tell us:
- How people hunted
- How they farmed
- Their skills
6. Skeletons and Bones
These help scientists know:
- Age
- Diet
- Diseases
- Height
- Lifestyle
B. Literary Sources
These are written records.
Examples:
- Books
- Manuscripts
- Religious texts
- Diaries
- Letters
- Government records
Ancient manuscripts were written on:
- Palm leaves
- Birch bark
- Cloth
- Animal skin
Primary and Secondary Sources
Primary Sources
Original evidence from the past.
Examples:
- Coins
- Inscriptions
- Diaries
- Letters
- Pottery
- Buildings
Secondary Sources
Information written later using primary sources.
Examples:
- History textbooks
- Research books
- Encyclopedias
6. The Beginning of Human History
Human history began millions of years ago.
The earliest humans lived in forests and open grasslands.
They were called hunter-gatherers because they:
- Hunted animals.
- Gathered fruits, nuts, roots, and seeds.
They did not have permanent homes.
They moved from place to place searching for:
- Food
- Water
- Safety
Early Humans
Early humans:
- Lived in caves.
- Used simple stone tools.
- Wore animal skins and leaves.
- Lived in groups.
- Used fire for warmth and cooking.
Fire was one of the greatest discoveries in human history.
It helped people:
- Cook food
- Keep wild animals away
- Stay warm
- See at night
Stone Age
The Stone Age is the earliest period of human history.
It is divided into:
1. Old Stone Age (Palaeolithic)
People:
- Hunted animals
- Gathered food
- Used rough stone tools
- Lived in caves
2. Middle Stone Age (Mesolithic)
People:
- Used smaller tools
- Began domesticating animals
- Started living in temporary shelters
3. New Stone Age (Neolithic)
People:
- Learned farming
- Built permanent houses
- Kept animals
- Made pottery
This period marked the beginning of settled life.
7. The First Crops
Around 10,000 years ago, humans discovered farming.
This changed human life forever.
Instead of moving from place to place, people settled near rivers.
Why Did Farming Begin?
People observed that seeds falling on the ground grew into new plants.
They began planting seeds deliberately.
Early Crops
Some of the first crops were:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rice
- Millet
- Lentils
- Peas
Domestication of Animals
People also tamed animals.
Early domesticated animals included:
- Dogs
- Goats
- Sheep
- Cattle
Animals provided:
- Milk
- Meat
- Wool
- Help in farming
- Protection
Advantages of Farming
Farming helped people:
- Produce more food.
- Build permanent homes.
- Form villages.
- Increase population.
- Develop trade.
- Start civilizations.
From Villages to Civilizations
As farming improved:
- Villages grew larger.
- People built houses.
- Different occupations developed.
- Trade began.
- Writing was invented.
- The first civilizations emerged near rivers.
Examples:
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Egyptian Civilization
- Mesopotamian Civilization
Key Terms
Word
Meaning
History
Study of the past
Historian
Person who studies history
Archaeologist
Person who studies ancient remains
Excavation
Digging carefully to find historical objects
Timeline
Arrangement of events in chronological order
Source
Evidence about the past
Inscription
Writing carved on stone or metal
Manuscript
Handwritten document
Domestication
Taming animals for human use
Civilization
Advanced society with cities, farming, and trade
Quick Revision
Remember
- History is the study of the past.
- Historians use evidence to understand history.
- Archaeologists discover objects through excavation.
- Time is measured using years, decades, centuries, and millennia.
- A timeline arranges events in chronological order.
- Sources of history are archaeological and literary.
- Early humans were hunter-gatherers.
- Farming began about 10,000 years ago.
- Farming led to villages and later civilizations.
Practice Questions
A. Fill in the Blanks
- History is the study of the __________.
- A person who studies history is called a __________.
- A period of 100 years is called a __________.
- Archaeologists carry out __________ to discover ancient objects.
- The earliest humans were __________ and gatherers.
- The first farmers grew crops such as __________ and __________.
- A __________ shows events in chronological order.
- Coins and inscriptions are __________ sources of history.
B. Answer in One Sentence
- What is history?
- Who is an archaeologist?
- What is a timeline?
- What are sources of history?
- Why did early humans begin farming?
C. Long Answer Questions
- Explain how historians learn about the past.
- Describe the different sources of history with examples.
- Explain how time is measured in history.
- Describe the life of early humans.
- Explain how the discovery of farming changed human life.
Did You Know?
- The earliest stone tools are over 3 million years old.
- Agriculture began around 10,000 years ago.
- The earliest villages gradually developed into the world's first civilizations, laying the foundation for modern society.
Questions (15-07-2026)
A. Fill in the Blanks (10 Marks)
There are ______ months in one year.
10 years make one ______.
100 years make one ______.
1000 years make one ______.
BC stands for __________________.
AD stands for __________________.
In BC, the numbers become ______ as time moves forward.
In AD, the numbers become ______ as time moves forward.
A millennium is equal to ______ years.
A century is equal to ______ decades.
B. Multiple Choice Questions (10 Marks)
How many months are there in a year? a) 10 b) 11 c) 12 d) 13
10 years are called a: a) Century b) Decade c) Millennium d) Month
100 years make a: a) Decade b) Century c) Millennium d) Era
1000 years make a: a) Century b) Decade c) Millennium d) Month
BC means: a) Before Century b) Before Christ c) British Calendar d) Big Century
AD stands for: a) After Death b) Anno Domini c) Ancient Date d) After Decade
Which comes first? a) AD 100 b) 100 BC c) AD 500 d) AD 2026
Which sequence is correct in BC? a) 100 BC → 200 BC → 300 BC b) 500 BC → 400 BC → 300 BC c) 200 BC → 400 BC → 500 BC d) 100 BC → 300 BC → 500 BC
Which sequence is correct in AD? a) AD 500 → AD 400 → AD 300 b) AD 200 → AD 100 → AD 50 c) AD 200 → AD 500 → AD 2026 d) AD 2026 → AD 1000 → AD 500
How many decades are there in one century? a) 5 b) 10 c) 20 d) 100
C. True or False (5 Marks)
A decade is equal to 10 years. ______
A century is equal to 1000 years. ______
BC means Before Christ. ______
In AD, numbers increase as time moves forward. ______
AD 2026 comes after AD 2025. ______
D. Answer the Following (5 Marks)
What is a decade?
What is a century?
What is a millennium?
What does BC stand for?
What does AD stand for?
E. Arrange in Correct Order (5 Marks)
300 BC, 500 BC, 100 BC, 200 BC
AD 2026, AD 500, AD 100, AD 1000
Century, Month, Millennium, Decade
400 BC, 100 BC, 300 BC, 200 BC
AD 50, AD 250, AD 150, AD 350