Timeline and Sources of History-Understanding History Social Science Class 6 In English-CBSE Notes

Chapter 4. Timeline and Sources of History

1. Understanding History

History is the study of the human past. It helps us understand how people, societies and civilisations developed over time.

• History helps us understand the present through the study of the past.
• The Earth has a very long history, while human history forms only a small part of it.
• Many experts study different aspects of the past.
• Different types of evidence help us reconstruct the history of human societies.

2. People Who Study the Past

Different specialists study different aspects of the Earth's and human past.

Geologists

Geologists study the physical features of the Earth.

• They study soil and stones.
• They study hills and mountains.
• They study rivers, seas and oceans.
• Their studies help us understand the physical history of the Earth.

Palaeontologists

Palaeontologists study the remains of plants, animals and humans from the distant past, especially through fossils.

• They study fossils preserved in layers of soil or rocks.
• Fossils may include footprints or parts of plants and animals.
• Their studies help us understand life in the distant past.

Anthropologists

Anthropologists study human societies and cultures from the oldest times to the present.

• They study human communities.
• They study cultures and ways of life.
• They help us understand how human societies changed over time.

Archaeologists

Archaeologists study the past by examining remains left behind by people, plants and animals.

• They may excavate tools and pots.
• They study beads, figurines and toys.
• They examine bones and teeth of animals and humans.
• They may study burnt grains.
• They examine parts of houses, bricks and other remains.

3. Important Terms Related to the Study of the Past

4. How Is Time Measured in History?

Different societies and cultures have developed different ways of measuring time. Important events have often been used to mark the beginning of a new era.

• Time is essential for understanding the sequence of historical events.
• Different cultures have used different calendars.
• Important events may be used as reference points for measuring historical time.
• Today, the Gregorian calendar is widely used around the world.
• Other calendars, such as Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Chinese calendars, are also used.

5. Gregorian Calendar

The Gregorian calendar is the calendar commonly used in most parts of the world today.

• It has 12 months.
• A normal year has 365 days.
• A leap year normally occurs every four years.
• A leap year has 366 days.
• The extra day is added to February.
• Century years are treated differently when deciding whether they are leap years.
• A century year is a leap year only when it is divisible by 400.

Examples:

• 2000 was a leap year because it is divisible by 400.
• 1800 was not a leap year.
• 1900 was not a leap year.

6. AD, CE, BC and BCE

Historical dates are commonly expressed using CE and BCE. These terms correspond to the older terms AD and BC.

• CE and BCE are widely used in modern historical writing.
• Years in the BCE period are counted backwards.
• There is no year zero between 1 BCE and 1 CE.

7. No Year Zero

The Gregorian calendar has no year zero.

• 1 BCE is immediately followed by 1 CE.
• There is no 0 CE or year zero between them.
• This must be remembered while calculating the number of years between BCE and CE dates.

Rule for Calculating Years Between BCE and CE

When calculating the number of years between a BCE date and a CE date:

Number of years = BCE year + CE year − 1

Example:

Years between 2 BCE and 2 CE:

2 + 2 − 1 = 3 years

Therefore, only three years pass between 2 BCE and 2 CE because there is no year zero. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

8. Timeline

A timeline is a useful tool for showing dates and historical events in their chronological order.

• A timeline places events in the order in which they occurred.
• It helps us understand the sequence of historical events.
• It helps us compare events from different periods.
• It can include both BCE and CE dates.
• Historical events can be marked at their appropriate positions on a timeline.

9. Decade

A decade is a period of 10 years.

• 1 decade = 10 years.
• For example, the period from 2010 to 2019 represents a decade.

10. Century

A century is a period of 100 years.

• 1 century = 100 years.
• The 1st century CE includes the years 1 CE to 100 CE.
• The 2nd century CE includes the years 101 CE to 200 CE.
• The 21st century CE began in 2001 CE and will end in 2100 CE.

Important Rule

The century number is generally one more than the first two digits of a year, except when the year ends in two zeros.

Examples:

• 2024 CE belongs to the 21st century CE.
• 1900 CE belongs to the 19th century CE.
• 2000 CE belongs to the 20th century CE.
• 2001 CE began the 21st century CE.

11. BCE Centuries

BCE centuries are counted backwards from 1 BCE.

• The 1st century BCE includes 100 BCE to 1 BCE.
• The 2nd century BCE includes 200 BCE to 101 BCE.
• The 3rd century BCE includes 300 BCE to 201 BCE.

Thus, the numbers become larger as we move further back in BCE time. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

12. Millennium

A millennium is a period of 1,000 years.

• 1 millennium = 1,000 years.
• The 1st millennium CE includes 1 CE to 1000 CE.
• The 2nd millennium CE includes 1001 CE to 2000 CE.
• The 3rd millennium CE began in 2001 CE.
• The 3rd millennium CE will continue up to 3000 CE.

Millennia in the BCE period are also counted backwards from 1 BCE. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

13. Indian Calendars

India has a long tradition of using calendars based on astronomical observations.

• Many traditional Indian calendars use the positions of the Sun and Moon.
• The movement and positions of celestial bodies help define months and other periods.
• Different regions and traditions may follow different calendar systems.

14. Pañchānga

A pañchānga is a traditional Indian calendar or book of tables containing information about days, months and astronomical events.

• It provides information about days and months.
• It contains related astronomical data.
• It can predict solar eclipses.
• It can predict lunar eclipses.
• It gives information about sunrise and sunset.
• Many pañchāngas provide weather predictions.
• They also provide dates and timings of festivals.
• Pañchāngas continue to be widely used in India. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

15. Important Differences

16. Quick Revision

• ✔ History helps us understand the human past.
• ✔ Geologists study the physical features of the Earth.
• ✔ Palaeontologists study fossils.
• ✔ Anthropologists study human societies and cultures.
• ✔ Archaeologists study material remains of the past.
• ✔ Gregorian calendar has 12 months.
• ✔ A normal Gregorian year has 365 days.
• ✔ A leap year has 366 days.
• ✔ CE = Common Era.
• ✔ BCE = Before Common Era.
• ✔ There is no year zero between 1 BCE and 1 CE.
• ✔ Timeline shows events in chronological order.
• ✔ Decade = 10 years.
• ✔ Century = 100 years.
• ✔ Millennium = 1,000 years.
• ✔ 21st century CE = 2001 to 2100 CE.
• ✔ 3rd millennium CE = 2001 to 3000 CE.
• ✔ Traditional Indian calendars often use the Sun and Moon.
• ✔ Pañchānga contains calendar and astronomical information.

All Topics Chapter Timeline and Sources of History

• 1. Chapter Review and Key Points
• 2. Understanding History
• 3. Sources of History
• 4. Assignments - What Have You Learned?