Maharashtra Board Class 5 EVS Part II Chapter 1 What is History PDF Download

What Is History?

1.1 History: A Science That Tells Us About Events In The Past

Last year, in Standard IV, we studied the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his mission of establishing Swaraj. The time before the birth of Shivaji Maharaj was about 400 years before now, or in the other words, the time '400 years ago'.

For our convenience, we divide time in different ways. Often we use words like 'now, some time ago, after some time', or 'today, yesterday, tomorrow', or 'this year, next year', etc. When we use these words, we are actually measuring time in our minds. 'Now', 'today' and 'this year' are terms that indicate the present. 'Some time ago', 'yesterday' and 'last year' are terms that indicate the past. 'After some time', 'tomorrow' and 'next year' are words that indicate the future.

The time that has already gone by is the past. The time that we are in now is the present. The time that is yet to come is the future.

The past includes many events that have already taken place. For example, if you are 10 years old today, it means that the event of your birth happened 10 years ago in the past. Similarly, after 10 years from now, that is, in future you will be 20 years old. The time gone by between today and the day of your birth is your past – the past in the life of a person.

Teacher's Note

History is all around us. We can see the history of our own families and our villages. For example, your grandfather's stories about old times are history.

Exam Trick

Remember: Past = gone, Present = now, Future = coming. Think of your own life - you were born in the past, you are living in the present, and you will grow up in the future.

Points to Remember

History is the science that tells us about events in the past.
The past is the time that has already gone by.
The present is the time we are living in now.
The future is the time that is yet to come.
We use words like yesterday, today, and tomorrow to talk about time.

1.2 The Scientific Method Of History

In Stds III and IV, as part of Environmental Studies, we have become acquainted with various sciences. The special characteristic of all these sciences is that their facts or evidence can be tested in experiments which can be repeated anywhere, any time. The method of using a number of different tests to determine whether the evidence is reliable is called the scientific method.

There are many things that happened since our birth that we may not know about. However, our grandparents or parents or others often tell us amusing stories of our childhood. Those stories are a part of their memory. However, when different people tell us about the same event, we find differences in their narrations. It makes us wonder which one is right. We need to examine the details of each narration carefully to decide the correctness of the facts.

It is not possible to conduct experiments to recreate the events that have happened in the past. Therefore, the method of presenting history is different from that of other sciences. Even so, history uses the scientific method at every stage, namely, while looking for and collecting evidence, examining the evidence and while putting it together. When required, help is also taken from other sciences. That is why, history is considered to be a scientific discipline. History is not written solely on the basis of imagination.

Ancient objects, structures, sculptures, pots, coins, inscriptions, copper plates, books, manuscripts, traditional stories and songs remembered over many generations, etc. are the 'sources of history'. The sources of history are of three types: 1. Material sources 2. Written sources 3. Oral sources. In order to find out what happened in the past and how it happened, evidence available from all these sources is collected and thoroughly examined to determine its reliability. With the help of the evidence that stands these tests, past events are put in a proper sequence and a historical account is written. This is the scientific method.

Teacher's Note

History needs proof, just like science. We look for real things like old pots, old coins, and old books to know the truth about the past. In India, archaeologists dig up old cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro to find proof of ancient times.

Exam Trick

Remember: History = Science + Evidence. History is not just stories. We need proof like old objects, old books, and old coins to say something about the past.

Points to Remember

History uses the scientific method like other sciences.
We cannot do experiments to test history, but we use evidence to prove it.
Sources of history are material sources, written sources, and oral sources.
Material sources are old things like pots, coins, and buildings.
We must examine all evidence carefully before writing history.

1.3 History And Us

The study of science helps us to find the answers to many questions, for example, environmental science studies the problems of degradation of the environment, pollution, etc. and looks for their solutions. In the same way, every science has its own areas of study. History studies events of the past.

Individual or collective actions of human beings have consequences. They result in an environment that may be either favourable or unfavourable for the progress of society. This affects our day-to-day life. For example, if the people of a village work together and help one another, the village makes good progress. However, if the people cannot come together, it puts obstacles in the way of its development.

History attempts to find out answers to many questions by studying the way of thinking of past societies, their actions and the consequences. The study of history makes it possible for us to study what is and what is not favourable for the progress of human society. History thus provides us with guidelines about how we should behave today in order to shape a good future.

By telling us the life stories of great people, history also serves to inspire and to motivate us. By studying history, we get to know about the give and take that took place between our own and other civilizations. We learn about the progress of human civilization. We also understand how people's way of life went on changing.

Every village, city, district, state and country has its own history. Similarly, the earth, its mountains, water bodies, the animal world, mankind all have their own history.

Every science, too, has a history. It tells of the many scientific discoveries that brought about important changes in human civilization and of the scientists who made those discoveries.

Teacher's Note

History teaches us how to live better today. When we study about the Quit India Movement, we learn about bravery and unity. This helps us become better citizens.

Exam Trick

Remember: History is a guide for our future. When we study how people solved problems in the past, we can solve problems in the present better.

Points to Remember

History helps us understand what is good for society and what is bad.
History teaches us lessons from great people in the past.
Every place, every animal, and every science has its own history.
We can learn from the past to make a better future.
History shows us how people's lives changed over time.

1.4 The Past And The Future

The past, present and future are linked by a continuous chain of events, for example, the Indian people fought against the British government to get Independence. This is a historical action. As a result, India became an independent nation on 15th August 1947. So, we can say that Independence was a consequence of an action, i.e., the Indian people's struggle for Independence.

In this way, the events of today are linked with past actions. When we understand this, we realize that the future depends on past events. This is what we learn from history. For example, we learn that man began to make tools from materials available in nature, that he learnt how to make use of fire and that he invented the wheel.

The next generations added to these developments. Technology developed and went hand in hand with the physical and intellectual development of man. This process is going on continuously even today. Inventions of today are only possible on the foundation of the discoveries and inventions of the past.

Teacher's Note

The past, present, and future are connected. When India fought for Independence, that was the past. India being free today is the present. And India growing strong in the future is because of Independence. One action leads to the next.

Exam Trick

Remember: Past causes present. Present creates future. Like a chain - one link connects to another. Study about Independence to understand this.

Points to Remember

The past, present, and future are linked together by events.
Past actions have effects on what happens today.
What we do today will affect the future.
Every invention today is built on discoveries of the past.
By studying history, we learn how to create a better future.

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