TNPSC General Tamil Important Questions with Answers Download as PDF

6th Standard History( What Is History?) Important Short Notes for TNPSC / UPSC Exams: Download as PDF

New Books 6th standard History : What is History? Model Test -1

Unit-1  What is History?

History:  History is the study of past events in chronological order.The term history has been derived from the Greek word “Istoria” which means ‘learning by enquiry’.

Sources Of History:

1.Archaeological Sources:

• Artifact: Potteries, toys, tools, ornaments
• Inscriptions: Rock edicts, temple walls inscriptions, metal pillars
• Coins
• Monuments: Palaces, fort, temples, stupa, monastery

2.Literacy Sources:

A. Secular Literature: Epics and poems, Account by foreign travelers, Works by Indian Authors, Folk songs and Ballads

B. Religious Literature:

1. Epics: Ramayana,  Mahabharatha etc
2. Devotional literature : Deveram, Thiruvasagam etc

Rock paintings: In ancient period, the people lived in caves, used to draw paintings in rocks called Rock Painting. They might have wished to record their activities through these paintings.

Numismatics :  The study of Coins.

Epigraphy: The study of inscription.

Dhamma : ‘Dhamma' is the prakrit word for the sanskrit term 'dharma', which means religious duty.

How to understand the life styles of pre historic people?

The life styles of pre historic people can be understood from the stone tools, rock paintings, fossils and other excavated materials. Early humans domesticated dogs for their protection and hunting activities.

Proto history: It is the period between pre-history and history.

Sources : A source may be  a place, person, text or object from which some data can be obtained.

Monument : A monument may be  a statue, building or other structure built by a notable person.

Inscription: It is a written records engraved on stones, pillars, clay or copper tablets, caves and walls of temples.

Short Notes On Emperor Ashoka:

• Emperor Ashoka was the most famous ruler of ancient India. 
• Ashoka gave up war after seeing many people grieving death after the Kalinga war.
• During his period, Buddhism spread to different parts of Asia.He embraced Buddhism and then devoted his life to spread the message of peace and dharma.
• His service for the cause of public good was exemplary.
• He was the first ruler to give up war after victory. 
• He was the first to build hospitals for animals.
• He was the first to lay roads. 
• Dharma Chakra with 24 spokes in our national flag was taken from the Saranath Pillar of Ashoka.
• Even though Emperor Ashoka was great, his greatness had been unknown until 20th century.
• The material evidence provided by William Jones, James Prinsep and Alexander Cunningham revealed the greatness of Emperor Ashoka.
• Based on these accounts, Charles Allen wrote a book titled The Search for the India’s Lost Emperor, which provided a comprehensive account of Ashoka.
• Many researches made thereafter brought Ashoka’s glorious rule to light.
• These inscriptions were observed on the rocks, Sanchi Stupa and Saranath Pillar and helped to understand the greatness of Ashoka to the world.