History Notes Chapter 2 Class 6 महाराष्ट्र Board

Notes For All Chapters – History Class 6

Sources of History

Sources of History

History is the study of past events. We learn about history from different sources. These sources are divided into three types:

1. Material Sources
2. Written Sources
3. Oral Sources

1. Material Sources

Things used by people in the past help us understand history. These are called artefacts.

Examples of material sources:

• Ancient pots and utensils – tell us about food habits.
• Jewelry and ornaments – show social life.
• Coins and seals – give information about trade and kings.
• Old buildings and monuments – show how people lived.

Example: Ancient people roasted food grains. Some burnt grains remained intact and were found in excavations.

2. Written Sources

In ancient times, people wrote on different materials like:

• Rocks, copper plates, and palm leaves – Used for important inscriptions.
• Books on religion and science – Help in understanding old traditions.
• Travel stories (Travelogues) – Written by travelers about what they saw.

Example: Kings wrote their orders on stone and copper plates.

3. Oral Sources

Some history is passed down by speaking (not writing). These are called oral sources.

Examples:

• Folk songs and stories – tell about old traditions.
• Poems and prayers – remembered and shared by people.

Example: The Vedas were first memorized and later written down.

Sources of Ancient Indian History

Material Sources: Temples, caves, old houses, coins, weapons.

Written Sources: Ramayana, Mahabharata, Buddhist & Jain books.

Oral Sources: Vedic hymns, folk songs, and traditions.