Study Module & Revision Notes (Chapter 4)

1. What is History?

History is the study of past events and the lives of people who lived earlier. It helps us understand why societies changed, how communities interacted and how events are connected over time. History is more than stories — it is an organised study based on evidence and sources.

2. Timelines — Organising the Past

Timelines are visual tools that place events in chronological order so we can see which happened first, later or at the same time. They give a clear sense of sequence and help compare events across places. Key ideas:

• Direction: Timelines move from left to right (usually) with earlier events on the left.
• BCE and CE: BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) replace older terms like BC/AD; BCE is used for dates before year 1 and CE for dates after.
• Scales: Timelines can use equal scales (each centimetre = 100 years) or unequal scales for clarity — always note the scale used.
• Types: Simple timelines list events; comparative timelines show events from two regions side by side; personal timelines track an individual's life.

3. Sources of History — Primary and Secondary

Sources are the pieces of evidence historians use to reconstruct the past. They are classified as:

• Primary sources: Direct, contemporary records from the period studied — these include inscriptions, coins, manuscripts, letters, photographs, autobiographies, government records, artefacts and oral testimonies collected from people who remember the events.
• Secondary sources: Works created later that interpret or analyse primary sources — examples are history books, articles, documentaries and encyclopaedias.

4. Important Primary Sources Explained

Primary sources are especially valuable because they were created by people who experienced the events. Here are common primary sources you must know:

Manuscripts

Manuscripts are handwritten documents on paper, palm leaves or birch bark. They may contain literature, administrative records, medical knowledge, religious texts and chronicles. Manuscripts give direct clues about language, ideas, beliefs and knowledge systems of the time.

Coins

Coins help date events and reveal rulers' names, titles and symbols. They tell us about trade links, economic conditions, and cultural contacts — for example, the presence of foreign metal or designs may indicate external trade relations.

Inscriptions

Inscriptions are writings carved on stone or metal — on pillars, walls or temple stones. They were often used to record important events, royal orders, grants and donations. Because inscriptions are durable, they are excellent for establishing dates and verifying historical claims.

Oral Traditions

Oral traditions include stories, songs and testimonies passed down generations. While they can change over time, they preserve community memory and local perspectives, especially where written records are rare.

Artefacts

Objects like pottery, tools, jewellery and buildings provide insights into daily life, technology and art. Archaeologists study artefacts to reconstruct lifestyles and trade networks.

5. How Historians Use Sources

Historians analyse and cross-check different sources to build reliable accounts. Key steps include:

• Identifying the source: Who made it? When and where was it made?
• Assessing reliability: Does the source have bias? Was it intended as propaganda, a private note, or an official record?
• Cross-checking: Compare with other independent sources (inscriptions, coins, archaeological evidence) to confirm facts.
• Interpreting context: Understand cultural, political and economic background to interpret meaning correctly.

6. Dating Techniques and Chronology

Dating methods used in history include:

• Relative dating: Establishing which event came before another, often through stratigraphy (layers of earth) or cross-referencing inscriptions and coins.
• Absolute dating: Scientific methods like carbon dating used by archaeologists to estimate age in years for organic materials (not covered in depth at Class 6 but useful to know).
• Calendar systems: Different regions used different calendars — historians convert these dates into a common timeline using known reference points.

7. Reliability, Bias and Limitations

No source is completely neutral. Many records were created by rulers or elites — they may exaggerate achievements or omit failures. Oral traditions may change over time. Manuscripts and inscriptions sometimes use symbolic language. Recognising these limitations is crucial for good historical interpretation.

8. Examples — How Sources Tell Different Stories

Look for short examples in textbooks: a coin may tell the name of a king and show symbols of trade, while an inscription may record a land grant — together they provide a fuller picture of political and economic life.

9. Making Timelines — Step by Step

1. Collect dates and events from sources (inscriptions, manuscripts, secondary texts).
2. Decide on the period scale (years, decades, centuries).
3. Place events in order, add short notes and cross-references.
4. Use arrows or colour codes to show related events or causes and effects.

10. Classroom & Exam Strategies

11. Sample Short Questions (Practice)

• What is a primary source? Give two examples.
• Explain why timelines are useful in history.
• How do inscriptions help historians?
• Give one limitation of oral traditions.

12. Final Summary (Revision Points)

• History uses evidence (sources) to reconstruct the past — primary sources are first-hand; secondary sources interpret them.
• Timelines arrange events in time — useful for understanding sequence and duration.
• Manuscripts, coins and inscriptions are key sources; cross-checking them improves reliability.
• Always consider bias, purpose and audience when using a source.

These notes are prepared strictly according to the NCERT Class 6 syllabus and are tailored to support CBSE-style revision, classroom use and exam preparation.