Science History Chapter 1 What Where How And When Class 6 Notes

Key Points to Remember

• People have lived along the banks of the Narmada river for several hundred thousand years, skilled gatherers and hunters.
• Early agriculture began in the Sulaiman and Kirthar hills (north-west) about 8000 years ago, with crops like wheat and barley.
• Rice was first grown in the north of the Vindhyas (central India).
• The first cities flourished around the Indus and its tributaries (like the Ganga) about 4700 years ago.
• Later cities developed along the Ganga Valley and its tributaries, and along the sea coasts, about 2500 years ago.
• Magadha was a powerful kingdom located south of the Ganga.
• The name 'India' comes from the Indus (Sindhu in Sanskrit); 'Bharat' was used for a group of people living in the northwest.
• Historians use sources like manuscripts, inscriptions, and archaeological findings to study the past.
• Dates in history are commonly expressed as BC (Before Christ) or AD (Anno Domini), which are now often replaced by BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era).

Key Historical Terms

Manuscript

Handwritten documents, often on palm leaves or bark, preserved in temples and monasteries, providing historical information.

Inscription

Writings engraved on hard surfaces like stones, metals, or clay tablets, which are more durable than manuscripts.

Archaeologist

A person who studies the material remains of the past, such as buildings, pottery, tools, and ornaments.

Historian

A person who studies the past by examining various sources to reconstruct events and interpret them.

BC (Before Christ)

A dating system used to count years backward from the birth of Jesus Christ.

AD (Anno Domini)

Meaning 'in the year of the Lord', used to count years forward from the birth of Jesus Christ. Same as CE.

BCE (Before Common Era)

A modern alternative to BC, referring to the same period before the common era.

CE (Common Era)

A modern alternative to AD, referring to the same period as the common era.

Tributary

A river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake.

Unravelling the Past: How Historians Work

Understanding history is like being a detective trying to solve a very old mystery. Historians are the detectives, and they piece together clues from the past to tell us what happened, when, and why. These clues are called sources. There are many different types of sources, and each tells a part of the story.

One of the most important sources are manuscripts. These are old books or writings, often on palm leaves or the bark of birch trees. Because they were written by hand, they are called manuscripts (from Latin 'manu' meaning hand and 'script' meaning writing). Manuscripts often contain religious beliefs, lives of kings, medicines, and scientific texts. However, many manuscripts were eaten by insects, destroyed, or simply did not survive the passage of time.

Another crucial source is inscriptions. These are writings engraved on hard surfaces, such as stone, metal, or baked clay. Kings often got their orders inscribed so people could see and read them. Inscriptions also record the deeds of kings, battles, or donations. Unlike manuscripts, inscriptions tend to survive for much longer due to their durable nature, offering a direct glimpse into the thoughts and commands of rulers.

Archaeologists play a vital role by studying the physical remains of the past. They dig under the surface of the earth to find buildings made of stone and brick, paintings, and sculptures. They also search for tools, weapons, pots, pans, ornaments, and coins. By studying these objects, archaeologists can figure out what people ate, what kind of clothes they wore, and what tools they used. These material remains are invaluable because they often tell us about common people, who might not have written manuscripts or commissioned inscriptions.

Historians combine information from all these sources – manuscripts, inscriptions, and archaeological finds – to reconstruct the past. They have to be careful, as different sources might tell different parts of the story, or even contradict each other. Sometimes, the language and script of ancient manuscripts and inscriptions are not easy to understand, and require careful deciphering. For instance, Brahmi script was used for many early inscriptions.

Finally, understanding when events happened is key. Historians use dating systems like BC/AD or BCE/CE to place events in chronological order. This helps in understanding the sequence and cause-and-effect relationships in history. Each piece of evidence is a puzzle piece, and historians diligently work to fit them together to complete the picture of our past.

Manuscripts vs. Inscriptions

Examples of Historical Clues

• Narmada River Valley: Evidence of early hunter-gatherers, showing long-term human habitation and reliance on natural resources.
• Sulaiman and Kirthar Hills: Archaeological finds here indicate the earliest farming communities, cultivating wheat and barley around 8000 years ago.
• Indus River and its tributaries: Sites like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro show the development of the first great cities in India, with advanced planning and urban life.
• An Edict of Ashoka: An inscription on a rock or pillar would convey King Ashoka's messages about dhamma (dharma), showing royal decrees being communicated publicly.

Exam Tip: Connecting 'What, Where, How, When'

When answering questions about this chapter, always try to interconnect the 'What, Where, How, and When' aspects. For example, if asked about early farming, don't just state 'wheat and barley'. Mention WHERE it happened (Sulaiman and Kirthar hills), WHEN (around 8000 years ago), and WHAT archaeological evidence helps us know this (grains, tools found by archaeologists). This shows a deeper understanding and fetches more marks. Use specific examples from your textbook!

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: Where were rice first grown in India? A: Rice was first grown in the north of the Vindhyas.
• Q: Name two types of sources that historians use. A: Historians use manuscripts and inscriptions, among other sources.
• Q: What is the main difference between an archaeologist and a historian? A: An archaeologist studies material remains (buildings, tools), while a historian studies all types of sources (including written records) to reconstruct the past.
• Q: What do the terms BCE and CE stand for? A: BCE stands for 'Before Common Era', and CE stands for 'Common Era'.

Frequently Asked Questions