The Story of the Past – Social Studies (ICSE class 4)

The story of the past – social studies (ICSE class 4): Study Notes, MCQs and question and answers.

What is History?

Anything that tells us about the past (particularly in human affairs) or the events that took place in the past is called history.

History comes from the ancient Greek word meaning knowledge from enquiry.
Herodotus (5th Century BC) is called the father of history. He was a Greek historian who was the first person to collect the materials systematically, test their accuracy and arrange them in a systematic manner.

The Story of the Past: How it helps?

It helps to know our past, to know about human culture and civilization, to know about the kings and ordinary people.

It provides better understanding of people and the present. Better understanding of events and consequences.

Why it is important?

It is important because it teaches important lessons, improves critical thinking, act as major tourist attraction.

It also helps to understand the evolution of different languages.

Periods

• Ancient: Up to 5th century AD
• Medieval: 5th to 14th century AD
• Modern: 15th century AD onwards

Sources of History

Literary sources (handwritten records such as Books, Texts). These are further divided into religious and non-religious literature. Most of India’s early literature is religious in nature – the Vedas, the Upanishads, the Puranas, and the religious writings of Jains and Buddhists.

The epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata are both religious and non-religious texts.

Archaeological sources include material remains such as seals, coins, inscriptions, monuments.

Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions:

What is history?

What is the difference between prehistory and history ?

Why should we study history / State the advantages of studying history.?

Explain the term the ‘Renaissance’.

Why do we compartmentalize history ? Explain.

Give the importance of coins in reconstructing history.

What are the sources of history?

Self-Assessment

Give a brief introduction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) along with its main functions.

Make a list of monuments of your state and try to find out whether they are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India or not (take help from your teacher or parents).

In India, there are several tribes who are still food-gathers and not food-producers. Collect information on any two of such tribes and write it in your notebook.