StudyOSStudyOS CBSE Study Material, Class 5–12

Timeline and Sources of History

NCERT Class 6 · Social Science Based on NCERT Class 6 Social Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

Everything you need to ace this chapter, in one place.
Notes · Mind Map · Quiz · Assertion-Reason · Case Studies · Question Bank · Past Papers

Get Full Study Kit →
Studying with friends? Send them this chapter.

Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter introduces students to the concept of historical time and the various sources that help us understand the past. It explains how historians, archaeologists, geologists, palaeontologists, and anthropologists work together to reconstruct human history. The big idea is that history is not just a list of dates but a dialogue between the present and the past, and that we can only fully understand the present in the light of the past. A student must walk away knowing how to measure historical time using BCE/CE, centuries, and millennia, and how different sources like inscriptions, coins, manuscripts, and excavations help us piece together the story of early humans.
Key Concepts (20)
History
The study of the human past.
e.g. When we read about how Ashoka ruled or how the Indus Valley people lived, we are studying history.
Geologists
Scientists who study the physical features of the Earth, like soil, stones, hills, mountains, rivers, seas, and oceans.
e.g. A geologist might study the rocks of the Himalayas to understand how they were formed millions of years ago.
Palaeontologists
Scientists who study the remains of plants, animals, and humans from millions of years ago in the form of fossils.
e.g. A palaeontologist might dig up a dinosaur bone in Rajasthan to learn about creatures that lived long before humans.
Anthropologists
Scientists who study human societies and cultures from the oldest times to the present.
e.g. An anthropologist might study the customs of a tribal community in Odisha to understand how their way of life has changed over centuries.
Archaeologists
Scientists who study the past by digging up remains that people, plants, and animals left behind, such as tools, pots, beads, figurines, toys, bones, teeth, burnt grains, parts of houses, or bricks.
e.g. An archaeologist digging at a site in Haryana might find ancient pottery and tools that tell us how people lived 4,000 years ago.
Fossils
Impressions of footprints, or parts of plants or animals that are found preserved within layers of soil or rocks.
e.g. A fossil of a leaf found in a coal mine in Jharia tells us about the plants that grew there millions of years ago.
Era
A distinct period of time.
e.g. The period when Ashoka ruled is called the Mauryan era.
Gregorian calendar
The calendar now used the world over; it has 12 months adding up to 365 days, and a leap year every four years. However, century years — for example, 1800, 1900, 2000 — are leap years only if they are multiples of 400; so in the three centenary years above, only 2000 is a leap year.
e.g. When we say '15th August 1947', we are using the Gregorian calendar.
Common Era (CE)
The term used now instead of AD (Anno Domini) to refer to years after the conventional date of Jesus Christ's birth.
e.g. India became independent in 1947 CE (or AD 1947).
Before Common Era (BCE)
The term used now instead of BC (Before Christ) to refer to years before the conventional date of Jesus Christ's birth.
e.g. Gautama Buddha was born around 560 BCE.
Timeline
A convenient tool to mark events, showing a sequence of dates and events covering any particular period.
e.g. A timeline from 300,000 BCE to 2000 CE shows the birth of the Buddha, the rise of the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation, and India's independence.
Century
Any period of 100 years. In history, specific centuries are counted every 100 years starting from the year 1 CE.
e.g. We are currently in the 21st century CE, which runs from 2001 to 2100.
Millennium
Any period of 1,000 years. In history, specific millennia are counted every 1,000 years from the year 1 CE.
e.g. We are currently in the 3rd millennium CE, which began in 2001 CE and will go up to 3000 CE.
Pañchānga
A book of tables which lists the days of each month along with related astronomical data; it precisely predicts events like solar and lunar eclipses, times for sunrise and sunset, etc.
e.g. Many Indian families use a pañchānga to find the exact date and time for festivals like Diwali or for an auspicious wedding date.
Source of history
A place, person, text, or an object from which we gather information about some past event or period.
e.g. An old coin, a grandmother's diary, or a temple inscription are all sources of history.
Historian
A person who studies and writes about the past.
e.g. A historian might write a book about the life of Mahatma Gandhi using letters, newspapers, and photographs.
Genetics
The branch of biology that studies how, in plants, animals or humans, certain features and characteristics get passed down from one generation to the next.
e.g. By studying the genetics of ancient skeletons, scientists can learn about the migration of people into India thousands of years ago.
Afterlife
A life that begins after death.
e.g. Early humans had some notion of an afterlife, which is why they buried their dead with tools and ornaments.
Welfare
Health, prosperity, and well-being.
e.g. In early communities, the chieftain was responsible for the welfare of all the people.
Hamlet
A small settlement or small village.
e.g. Over time, hamlets grew into sizeable villages that exchanged goods with each other.
How It Works
Calculating years between a BCE date and a CE date
  1. Identify the BCE year and the CE year.
  2. Add the BCE year and the CE year together.
  3. Subtract 1 from the total because there is no 'year zero' in the Gregorian calendar.
  4. The result is the number of years between the two dates.
💡 Students often forget to subtract 1. For example, from 2 BCE to 2 CE is 3 years, not 4 years, because the year 0 does not exist.
Using a timeline to understand the sequence of events
  1. Draw a horizontal line representing time from past to present.
  2. Mark key dates or events along the line in chronological order.
  3. Use a dotted line to indicate a skipped period if the timeline would otherwise be too long.
  4. Read the timeline from left to right to see which events happened earlier and which happened later.
💡 A timeline is not to scale unless specified. The dotted portion means a large gap in time has been skipped for convenience.
How historians reconstruct the past using sources
  1. Gather information from as many sources as possible (archaeological, literary, oral, etc.).
  2. Cross-check the sources to see if they confirm each other or give contradictory information.
  3. If sources contradict, decide which source is more trustworthy based on evidence and context.
  4. Piece together the information like a jigsaw puzzle to recreate the history of the period.
💡 Historians cannot always find all the pieces of the puzzle. Some information may be missing forever.
How early humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers to settled agricultural communities
  1. Early humans lived in bands, hunting animals and gathering edible plants and fruits.
  2. They lived in temporary camps, rock shelters, or caves and used fire.
  3. After the last Ice Age ended (around 12,000 years ago), the climate warmed up.
  4. Living conditions improved, and humans started settling down near rivers.
  5. They began cultivating cereals and grains and domesticated animals like cattle and goats.
  6. With more food available, communities grew in size and number.
  7. Hamlets grew into villages, and villages began exchanging goods.
  8. New technologies like pottery and metalworking (copper, then iron) appeared.
💡 The shift from hunting-gathering to farming did not happen overnight. It took thousands of years and happened in different places at different times.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing BCE and CE with BC and AD
✗ BCE means Before Christ Era and CE means Christ Era.
→ BCE stands for 'Before Common Era' and CE stands for 'Common Era'. They are secular terms used to replace BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini).
✓ BCE stands for Before Common Era, and CE stands for Common Era. They are the modern, globally accepted terms for dating historical events.
⚠ Mistaking the start of the 21st century
✗ The 21st century began in the year 2000 CE.
→ Because there is no year zero, the 1st century CE ran from year 1 to 100. Therefore, the 21st century began in 2001 CE and will end in 2100 CE.
✓ The 21st century CE began in 2001 CE and will end in 2100 CE.
⚠ Forgetting to subtract 1 when calculating years between BCE and CE
✗ The Buddha was born in 560 BCE, so in 2024 CE, he was born 560 + 2024 = 2,584 years ago.
→ The student forgot that there is no year zero. The correct calculation is 560 + 2024 - 1 = 2,583 years ago.
✓ To calculate years between a BCE date and a CE date, add the two numbers and subtract 1. So, 560 + 2024 - 1 = 2,583 years ago.
⚠ Confusing the roles of archaeologists and palaeontologists
✗ Archaeologists study fossils of dinosaurs.
→ Archaeologists study remains left by humans, such as tools, pots, and buildings. Palaeontologists study fossils of plants, animals, and humans from millions of years ago.
✓ Archaeologists study the past by digging up human-made remains like tools and pots. Palaeontologists study fossils of plants and animals from millions of years ago.
⚠ Thinking all sources of history are equally reliable
✗ All sources of history give us correct information.
→ Sources can sometimes contradict each other. Historians must decide which source is more trustworthy by cross-checking evidence.
✓ Historians gather information from many sources and cross-check them. If sources contradict, they decide which one is more reliable based on evidence.
Compare & Contrast
Position relative to the conventional birth of Jesus Christ
BCE (Before Common Era)
CE (Common Era)
BCE refers to years before the conventional birth of Jesus (e.g., 560 BCE), while CE refers to years after that event (e.g., 1947 CE). There is no year zero between them.
What they study
Archaeologists
Palaeontologists
Archaeologists study remains left by humans, such as tools, pots, and buildings. Palaeontologists study fossils of plants, animals, and humans from millions of years ago.
Duration of time
Century
Millennium
A century is a period of 100 years, while a millennium is a period of 1,000 years. For example, the 21st century runs from 2001 to 2100, and the 3rd millennium runs from 2001 to 3000.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Very Short Answer (1 mark), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks). Total: 11 marks.
Most asked: Meaning and use of BCE and CE · Calculation of years between BCE and CE dates · Definition and examples of sources of history (archaeological, literary, oral) · Roles of archaeologists, geologists, palaeontologists, and anthropologists · Understanding centuries and millennia · Early human life: hunter-gatherers to settled agriculture
Don't skip: Calculate the number of years between a given BCE date and a CE date (3 marks); Explain the different sources of history with examples (5 marks); Describe how early humans lived and how they transitioned to farming (5 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. History is the study of the human past.
  2. Geologists study the physical features of the Earth.
  3. Palaeontologists study fossils of plants and animals from millions of years ago.
  4. Anthropologists study human societies and cultures.
  5. Archaeologists study the past by digging up remains left by humans.
  6. Fossils are impressions of footprints or parts of plants or animals preserved in rocks.
  7. An era is a distinct period of time.
  8. The Gregorian calendar has 12 months and 365 days, with a leap year every four years.
  9. CE stands for Common Era, and BCE stands for Before Common Era.
  10. There is no year zero in the Gregorian calendar; 1 CE comes immediately after 1 BCE.
  11. To calculate years between a BCE and a CE date, add them and subtract 1.
  12. A timeline shows the sequence of dates and events in order.
  13. A century is a period of 100 years.
  14. A millennium is a period of 1,000 years.
  15. A pañchānga is an Indian calendar book that lists days, eclipses, and festivals.
  16. Sources of history include archaeological, literary, oral, and artistic sources.
  17. A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past.
  18. Early humans were hunter-gatherers who lived in bands and used fire.
  19. After the last Ice Age, humans began farming and domesticating animals.
  20. Hamlets grew into villages, and villages exchanged goods like food and tools.
  21. Early humans used stone tools, then copper, and later iron.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. What is history?

  • A. The study of the human past and how people lived in earlier times ✓
  • B. A book about famous people
  • C. A subject taught only in museums
  • D. The study of future events

Answer: A — History specifically means the study of the human past and how societies lived in different time periods.

Q2. Which scientist studies fossils?

  • A. Archaeologist
  • B. Geologist
  • C. Palaeontologist ✓
  • D. Anthropologist

Answer: C — Palaeontologists specifically study the remains of plants, animals, and humans from millions of years ago in the form of fossils.

Q3. What does 'CE' stand for?

  • A. Central Europe
  • B. Common Era ✓
  • C. Christian Era
  • D. Calendar Era

Answer: B — CE stands for Common Era, which is the modern term for years after year 1 CE, replacing the old term AD.

Q4. How many years does one century have?

  • A. 10 years
  • B. 50 years
  • C. 100 years ✓
  • D. 1,000 years

Answer: C — One century equals exactly 100 years, and specific centuries are counted every 100 years starting from year 1 CE.

Q5. Which of the following is an example of something archaeologists study?

  • A. Weather patterns from 100 years ago
  • B. Old pottery pots, tools, and bones found buried in the ground ✓
  • C. How planets move in space
  • D. Modern technology

Answer: B — Archaeologists dig up and study material remains like pots, tools, beads, and bones left behind by ancient people.

Q6. Fill in the blank: Between the year 1 BCE and 1 CE, there is ________ year zero.

  • A. one
  • B. no ✓
  • C. two
  • D. many

Answer: B — The Gregorian calendar has no year zero; year 1 CE follows immediately after year 1 BCE, which is why calculation between them requires subtracting 1.

Q7. If the Buddha was born in 560 BCE and we are in 2024 CE, how many years ago was he born?

  • A. 1,464 years ago
  • B. 2,584 years ago
  • C. 2,583 years ago ✓
  • D. 560 years ago

Answer: C — Using the formula (BCE) + (CE) − 1, we calculate: 560 + 2024 − 1 = 2,583 years ago.

Q8. Looking at the timeline of human development, which event happened FIRST?

  • A. Birth of Jesus (around 1 CE)
  • B. First examples of rock art (40,000 BCE) ✓
  • C. Beginning of agriculture (8000 BCE)
  • D. Birth of Buddha (560 BCE)

Answer: B — Rock art examples at 40,000 BCE occurred much earlier than all other events listed, as it has the largest number of years before the Common Era.

Q9. What is a timeline used for in studying history?

  • A. To tell the time of day
  • B. To show a sequence of dates and events in order ✓
  • C. To measure how tall a person is
  • D. To predict the future

Answer: B — A timeline is a convenient tool that shows events arranged in order from earliest to latest, helping us understand which events happened before or after others.

Q10. According to the chapter, what do anthropologists study?

  • A. Only animal fossils
  • B. Physical features of mountains
  • C. Human societies and cultures from oldest times to present ✓
  • D. Only tools and pottery

Answer: C — Anthropologists study human societies and cultures from the oldest times to the present day, including how people lived and organized themselves.

Flashcards

What does the word 'History' mean?

History is the study of the human past and how societies lived in earlier times.

What are fossils?

Fossils are impressions of footprints or preserved remains of plants and animals found in layers of soil or rocks.

What do archaeologists do?

Archaeologists dig up and study remains left behind by people, such as tools, pots, bones, and parts of old houses.

What does 'BCE' stand for in the new term?

BCE stands for Before Common Era, which refers to years before the year 1 CE.

What does 'CE' mean?

CE means Common Era and refers to years after the year 1 CE, including the current year 2024 CE.

How many years are there in one century?

One century equals 100 years.

How many years are there in one millennium?

One millennium equals 1,000 years.

What is a timeline?

A timeline is a tool that shows a sequence of dates and important events arranged in order from earliest to latest.

If Gautama Buddha was born in 560 BCE and we are now in 2024 CE, how many years ago was he born?

Buddha was born 2,583 years ago (calculated as 560 + 2024 − 1 = 2,583).

What is the Gregorian calendar?

The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used worldwide with 12 months adding up to 365 days, plus a leap year every four years.

Important Board Questions

What is history? [1 mark]

Define history as the study of human past; mention that it helps us understand the present by learning from earlier times.

Name any two scientists who study the past and write one line about what each one does. [2 marks]

Choose from geologists, palaeontologists, anthropologists, or archaeologists; write their main work briefly (e.g., archaeologists dig up old objects).

Explain with an example how a timeline helps us understand history. [3 marks]

Describe that a timeline shows events in order; give an example like how we can see Buddha's birth (560 BCE) came before Jesus's birth (1 CE) without checking dates separately.

Describe the four types of scientists who study the past. What does each one study? Create a simple table or list with their names and their main work. [5 marks]

Include geologist (Earth features), palaeontologist (fossils), anthropologist (human societies), and archaeologist (buried objects); explain briefly what each discovers about the past.

True or False: The year 2000 BCE came before the year 500 BCE. Give a reason for your answer. [2 marks]

Remember that BCE numbers go backward in time; larger BCE numbers mean older times, so 2000 BCE is earlier than 500 BCE.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Timeline and Sources of History

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Gregorian calendar is now used worldwide and marks time by the conventional birth of Jesus Christ.

Reason (R):

The years after Jesus' birth are marked as CE (Common Era) and years before are marked as BCE (Before Common Era).

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why the Gregorian calendar divides time the way it does. CE and BCE are based on Jesus's birth.

Q2. Assertion (A):

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

Reason (R):

Archaeologists dig up remains like tools, pots, beads, bones, and parts of houses to understand the past.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false — anthropologists study human societies and cultures. Archaeologists dig up physical remains. So the assertion is wrong, but the reason describes what archaeologists actually do.

Q3. Assertion (A):

A timeline is a useful tool because it shows events in order and helps us understand which event happened first.

Reason (R):

Timelines have dotted portions to skip large time periods so they don't become too long.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, but the reason does not explain why timelines are useful. The reason describes how timelines are made, while the assertion is about their usefulness. The assertion is supported by the ability to see chronological order, not by the dotted portions.

Unlock more Assertion-Reason questions in Premium — unlock →

Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Timeline and Sources of History

Case Study:

Priya's grandfather found some old broken pottery pieces and clay toys while digging in the backyard of their ancestral home. He was very curious about these objects and decided to visit the local museum. The museum director told him that these objects were likely from a settlement that existed about 2000 years ago. The director explained that by studying such items, scientists can learn how people lived, what they ate, what they made, and how they organized their communities long ago.

Q1. Which type of scientist would be most interested in the pottery and clay toys that Priya's grandfather found?

  • A. Archaeologist ✓
  • B. Geologist
  • C. Palaeontologist
  • D. Anthropologist

Answer: A

Q2. How long ago did the people who made these pottery pieces and toys live?

  • A. 200 years ago
  • B. 20 years ago
  • C. 2000 years ago ✓
  • D. 200,000 years ago

Answer: C

Q3. What can scientists learn from studying old pottery and clay toys?

  • A. How modern people make pottery
  • B. How people lived, what they ate, what they made, and how they organized their communities ✓
  • C. How to make museums more beautiful
  • D. How to farm in modern times

Answer: B

Unlock more case studies in Premium — unlock →

Next chapterIndia, That Is Bharat →
Found this useful? Share it with your class group.

You've seen the free preview. Open the full interactive study kit — mind map, instant-graded quiz, progress tracking — free, no sign-in required.

Open Full Study Kit — Free →

Premium unlocks the full Question Bank, Daily Practice Papers, Chapter Quiz and Full Mock Papers for every chapter.