Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 4

Timeline and Sources of History

Question 1: What is history according to E.H. Carr?

Answer: According to E.H. Carr, history is “an unending dialogue between the present and the past, between the society of today and the society of yesterday.”

Question 2: What is a timeline, and why is it important in history?

Answer: A timeline is a tool that marks events and dates in a sequence, helping us understand the order in which historical events occurred. It is important because it helps visualize historical periods and make comparisons between events.

Question 3: How do we measure historical time?

Answer: Historical time is measured through years, decades (10 years), centuries (100 years), and millennia (1,000 years). Major events or eras, such as the birth of a ruler, are often used to mark time.

Question 4: What is the Gregorian calendar?

Answer: The Gregorian calendar, used worldwide, is a calendar with 12 months, adding up to 365 days in a year, with a leap year every four years. It is based on the birth of Jesus Christ as the starting point.

Question 5: What is BCE and CE?

Answer: BCE stands for Before Common Era, referring to the years before the birth of Jesus. CE stands for Common Era, referring to the years after the birth of Jesus.

Question 6: How is time calculated between BCE and CE dates?

Answer: To calculate the time between BCE and CE dates, the years are added, and 1 is subtracted because there is no year 0. For example, to calculate the time from 560 BCE to 2024 CE: 560 + 2024 − 1 = 2583 years.

Question 7: What are some key activities of early humans?

Answer: Early humans were mainly hunters and gatherers, relying on hunting animals and collecting edible plants. They lived in groups, used tools made of stone, and later began to settle down and cultivate crops.

Question 8: Who are archaeologists, and what do they study?

Answer: Archaeologists study the past by digging up remains left behind by people, plants, and animals, such as tools, pots, bones, and buildings, to learn about ancient human life.

Question 9: What is the significance of fossils in history?

Answer: Fossils, which are the preserved remains or impressions of plants and animals, help paleontologists understand life from millions of years ago and give insight into the Earth’s past.

Question 10: What was the main source of food for early humans?

Answer: Early humans were hunters and gatherers, relying on hunting wild animals and gathering fruits, nuts, and edible plants for their survival.

Question 11: How did early humans use fire?

Answer: Early humans used fire for warmth, cooking food, and protection from wild animals. Fire was one of the most important discoveries for their survival.

Question 12: What is the role of anthropologists in studying history?

Answer: Anthropologists study human societies and cultures, from ancient times to the present, to understand how humans lived, interacted, and developed culturally over time.

Question 13: How did humans start living in settled communities?

Answer: As the climate improved after the Ice Age, humans began to cultivate crops and domesticate animals, leading to the establishment of settled communities near rivers, where the soil was fertile.

Question 14: What are some examples of sources of history?

Answer: Sources of history include archaeological remains (tools, pottery, coins), written records (books, inscriptions), oral traditions, and artistic works (paintings, sculptures).

Question 15: What is the importance of rock paintings in history?

Answer: Rock paintings, found in caves worldwide, depict scenes of animals, humans, and symbols, giving insight into the lives, beliefs, and artistic expressions of early humans.

Question 16: What is a millennium, and how is it calculated in history?

Answer: A millennium is a period of 1,000 years. In history, specific millennia are calculated from the year 1 CE onward. For example, we are currently in the 3rd millennium CE, which started in 2001 CE.

Question 17: How do archaeologists gather information from the past?

Answer: Archaeologists gather information by excavating and studying artifacts such as tools, pottery, and bones, as well as ancient structures like buildings and monuments, to reconstruct historical events.

Question 18: What is the significance of early agriculture for human societies?

Answer: Early agriculture allowed humans to settle in one place, grow food, and domesticate animals, leading to the growth of villages and towns, and eventually the development of civilizations.

Question 19: What are inscriptions, and why are they important in history?

Answer: Inscriptions are writings engraved on surfaces such as stone or metal. They provide valuable historical information about rulers, events, and cultures from ancient times.

Question 20: How did the use of metals change human society?

Answer: The use of metals like copper and iron allowed early humans to create stronger and more durable tools, weapons, and ornaments, improving their daily lives and fostering trade and social development.