📘 Question Bank – Timeline and Sources of History
Section A – Multiple Choice Questions (30 with answers)
-
Who said, “History is an unending dialogue between the present and the past”?
a) Herodotus
b) E.H. Carr
c) Megasthenes
d) Romila Thapar
Answer: b) E.H. Carr -
Which calendar is widely used all over the world today?
a) Hindu Calendar
b) Gregorian Calendar
c) Chinese Calendar
d) Jewish Calendar
Answer: b) Gregorian Calendar -
In the Gregorian calendar, which year is a leap year?
a) 1800
b) 1900
c) 2000
d) 2100
Answer: c) 2000 -
What does CE stand for?
a) Current Era
b) Common Era
c) Christian Era
d) Century Era
Answer: b) Common Era -
What does BCE mean?
a) Before Common Era
b) Before Current Era
c) Before Christian Era
d) Beginning of Christian Era
Answer: a) Before Common Era -
Which of these does NOT study the past?
a) Archaeologists
b) Geologists
c) Engineers
d) Anthropologists
Answer: c) Engineers -
Fossils are—
a) Remains of living beings preserved in rocks
b) Tools made by early humans
c) Metal objects from ancient times
d) Ancient manuscripts
Answer: a) Remains of living beings preserved in rocks -
What is the study of inscriptions called?
a) Archaeology
b) Epigraphy
c) Anthropology
d) Palaeontology
Answer: b) Epigraphy -
Which of these is an archaeological source?
a) Coins
b) Rock paintings
c) Pottery
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these -
Manuscripts are usually written on—
a) Copper plates
b) Palm leaves or birch bark
c) Stone
d) Wood
Answer: b) Palm leaves or birch bark -
The first examples of rock art date back to—
a) 10,000 BCE
b) 40,000 BCE
c) 14,000 BCE
d) 3,000 BCE
Answer: b) 40,000 BCE -
The last Ice Age ended around—
a) 1,000 years ago
b) 12,000 years ago
c) 5,000 years ago
d) 20,000 years ago
Answer: b) 12,000 years ago -
Early humans were mainly—
a) Farmers
b) Merchants
c) Hunters and gatherers
d) Priests
Answer: c) Hunters and gatherers -
Which metal was first used by humans?
a) Iron
b) Bronze
c) Gold
d) Copper
Answer: d) Copper -
The Indus-Sarasvatī civilisation began around—
a) 2000 BCE
b) 3000 BCE
c) 6000 BCE
d) 1500 BCE
Answer: a) 2000 BCE -
The Rani of Jhansi was born in—
a) 1728 CE
b) 1828 CE
c) 1928 CE
d) 1628 CE
Answer: b) 1828 CE -
How many years ago was the Buddha born (around 560 BCE, calculated from 2024 CE)?
a) 2,500 years
b) 2,583 years
c) 3,000 years
d) 1,800 years
Answer: b) 2,583 years -
The 3rd century BCE includes—
a) 300–201 BCE
b) 301–400 BCE
c) 201–100 BCE
d) 100–1 BCE
Answer: a) 300–201 BCE -
The 21st century CE began in—
a) 2000 CE
b) 2001 CE
c) 2100 CE
d) 1999 CE
Answer: b) 2001 CE -
A millennium means—
a) 100 years
b) 500 years
c) 1000 years
d) 2000 years
Answer: c) 1000 years -
Which is NOT a literary source?
a) Vedas
b) Itihasas
c) Pottery
d) Travelogues
Answer: c) Pottery -
The main occupation of early humans was—
a) Agriculture
b) Hunting and gathering
c) Trade
d) Teaching
Answer: b) Hunting and gathering -
Which tool was developed by early humans?
a) Stone axe
b) Compass
c) Microscope
d) Telescope
Answer: a) Stone axe -
The earliest humans appeared around—
a) 10,000 years ago
b) 1 million years ago
c) 300,000 years ago
d) 5,000 years ago
Answer: c) 300,000 years ago -
Which was the first animal domesticated?
a) Horse
b) Cattle
c) Goat
d) All of these
Answer: d) All of these -
A person who studies the past is called—
a) Scientist
b) Historian
c) Librarian
d) Politician
Answer: b) Historian -
Rock shelters and caves were mainly used for—
a) Worship
b) Living and painting
c) Farming
d) Trading
Answer: b) Living and painting -
Which source is used in modern history (last 2–3 centuries)?
a) Manuscripts
b) Newspapers
c) Inscriptions
d) Rock paintings
Answer: b) Newspapers -
Which period came first?
a) Iron Age
b) Copper Age
c) Bronze Age
d) Medieval Age
Answer: b) Copper Age -
Who studies human societies and cultures?
a) Geologists
b) Archaeologists
c) Anthropologists
d) Epigraphists
Answer: c) Anthropologists
Section B – Very Short Answer (20 questions, 1–2 sentences each)
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Define history.
Answer: History is the study of the human past and its relation to the present. -
What is a timeline?
Answer: A timeline is a sequence of dates and events shown in order of occurrence. -
What is meant by CE?
Answer: CE stands for Common Era, referring to years after the birth of Jesus Christ. -
What is meant by BCE?
Answer: BCE means Before Common Era, referring to years before the birth of Jesus Christ. -
What is a century?
Answer: A century is a period of 100 years. -
What is a millennium?
Answer: A millennium is a period of 1,000 years. -
What is the Gregorian calendar?
Answer: It is the world’s most widely used calendar with 12 months and leap years. -
Who are archaeologists?
Answer: They study the past by excavating remains like tools, pottery, bones, etc. -
Who are geologists?
Answer: They study the physical features of the Earth like rocks, mountains, and soil. -
Who are palaeontologists?
Answer: They study fossils of plants, animals, and humans. -
Who are anthropologists?
Answer: They study human societies and cultures from ancient to modern times. -
What are fossils?
Answer: Fossils are preserved remains or impressions of ancient plants and animals. -
Name one literary source of history.
Answer: The Vedas. -
Name one archaeological source of history.
Answer: Coins. -
Name one oral source of history.
Answer: Folklore. -
Name one foreign account that helps in history.
Answer: Travelogues. -
Where did early humans live?
Answer: In caves, rock shelters, and temporary camps. -
What was the main food of early humans?
Answer: Wild fruits, edible plants, and hunted animals. -
When did the last Ice Age end?
Answer: Around 12,000 years ago. -
Name the first metal used by humans.
Answer: Copper.
📘 Section C – Short Answer (3–4 sentences each)
1. Explain why history is important to study.
Answer: History helps us understand how societies, cultures, and human life have evolved over time. It connects the past with the present and shows us how past events shape today’s world. By studying history, we also learn from past mistakes and achievements.
2. How do timelines help us understand history?
Answer: A timeline presents events in chronological order. It helps us clearly see the sequence of events, like which happened first and which later. This makes it easier to understand the flow of history and compare events across regions.
3. Differentiate between CE and BCE.
Answer: CE (Common Era) refers to the years after the birth of Jesus Christ, while BCE (Before Common Era) refers to the years before his birth. For example, 1947 CE is the year of India’s independence, while 560 BCE is the approximate birth year of Buddha.
4. What is the importance of the Gregorian calendar?
Answer: The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used calendar today. It has 12 months, 365 days, and leap years every four years. It helps maintain uniformity in recording and calculating dates across the world.
5. Explain the role of archaeologists.
Answer: Archaeologists study the past by excavating remains such as tools, pottery, bones, coins, and monuments. These objects reveal how people lived, what they ate, and how they built their houses. Their discoveries help reconstruct ancient cultures and societies.
6. Explain the role of palaeontologists.
Answer: Palaeontologists study fossils of plants, animals, and humans that lived millions of years ago. Fossils give us an idea of how life evolved on Earth. Their work also helps us understand the early environment and human ancestors.
7. List the main sources of history.
Answer: The main sources of history are archaeological sources (coins, pottery, monuments), literary sources (manuscripts, Vedas, chronicles), oral sources (folklore, songs), and artistic sources (paintings, sculptures). Modern sources also include newspapers and electronic media.
8. What can coins tell us about the past?
Answer: Coins provide information about rulers, trade, economy, and art of the period. They often carry inscriptions, dates, and symbols that reveal political and cultural aspects of the time. They also help in dating historical events.
9. Why are manuscripts important sources of history?
Answer: Manuscripts, written on palm leaves or birch bark, record religious texts, poems, plays, and historical accounts. They help us understand the ideas, beliefs, and knowledge of the past. They also give details about rulers, wars, and society.
10. How did early humans survive?
Answer: Early humans survived by hunting animals and gathering edible plants and fruits. They lived in groups for protection and shared food. They used tools made of stone and discovered fire for warmth and cooking.
11. Explain the role of fire in the life of early humans.
Answer: Fire provided warmth and protection against wild animals. It also helped cook food, making it easier to eat and digest. Fire was an important discovery that improved their chances of survival.
12. What changes came after the Ice Age?
Answer: After the Ice Age, the climate became warmer, and rivers swelled with melted ice. Humans began to settle near rivers and cultivate crops. Domestication of animals also began, leading to permanent settlements.
13. Why did early people settle near rivers?
Answer: Rivers provided water for drinking, farming, and daily use. The soil near rivers was fertile, which made crop cultivation easier. Rivers also supported fishing and transportation.
14. How did villages emerge from hamlets?
Answer: Small hamlets grew as families and groups settled together. With agriculture, more food was available, leading to larger communities. Over time, trade and communication networks developed, and hamlets became villages.
15. Why do historians consult multiple sources of history?
Answer: Different sources provide different types of information, and sometimes they may contradict each other. By comparing multiple sources, historians can cross-check facts. This helps create a more accurate picture of the past.
📘 Section D – Long Answer (6–8 sentences each)
1. Describe the different ways of measuring time in history.
Answer: Time in history is measured using years, decades (10 years), centuries (100 years), and millenniums (1000 years). Events before the birth of Jesus are recorded as BCE (Before Common Era) and those after as CE (Common Era). For example, 560 BCE is the birth of Buddha, while 1947 CE marks India’s independence. Calendars like the Gregorian calendar are also used to measure and record time. Traditional Indian calendars such as the Pañchānga rely on lunar and solar movements. These different systems help historians date events accurately.
2. Explain the concept of CE, BCE, century, and millennium with examples.
Answer: CE stands for Common Era, which begins after the birth of Jesus Christ, for example, 2024 CE. BCE means Before Common Era, such as 300 BCE. A century is 100 years—for instance, the 20th century ran from 1901 to 2000. A millennium is 1000 years—for example, the 3rd millennium CE runs from 2001 to 3000. These units help historians divide time into manageable periods for study. They also provide a standard method to calculate events across the world.
3. What are the main sources of history? Explain each with examples.
Answer: The main sources of history are archaeological, literary, oral, and artistic sources. Archaeological sources include coins, pottery, monuments, and tools that give material evidence of the past. Literary sources like the Vedas, epics, chronicles, and manuscripts provide written records. Oral sources, such as folklore, songs, and traditions, preserve cultural memories. Artistic sources include paintings, sculptures, and carvings that reflect people’s beliefs and lifestyle. Modern history also uses newspapers and electronic media. Together, these sources help reconstruct the past.
4. Explain the role of archaeologists, anthropologists, epigraphists, and geologists in reconstructing history.
Answer: Archaeologists excavate sites and study objects like tools, pottery, and bones to learn about human life. Anthropologists study human societies and cultures, comparing ancient and modern traditions. Epigraphists study inscriptions to understand language, rulers, and events. Geologists examine the Earth’s features like rocks and soil to explain the environment of the past. Together, these specialists provide a deeper understanding of history. Their combined efforts make history more accurate and reliable.
5. How does a timeline help us understand historical events?
Answer: A timeline arranges events in chronological order, making it easy to see what happened first and what followed. For example, it shows that the Buddha’s birth (560 BCE) came before the birth of Jesus (0 CE). It also helps compare events across different regions. By placing dates on a timeline, we can understand the flow of history. It also prevents confusion between BCE and CE. Thus, timelines act like maps of history, guiding us through time.
6. Describe the life of early humans as hunters and gatherers.
Answer: Early humans lived in small groups and survived by hunting animals and gathering edible plants and fruits. They moved from place to place in search of food and shelter. They used stone tools like axes, blades, and arrowheads. They discovered fire, which gave warmth, safety, and cooked food. Early humans lived in caves and rock shelters, some of which still show rock paintings. They also made ornaments from shells and animal teeth. Their lives were simple but full of struggle.
7. How did the discovery of fire change the life of early humans?
Answer: The discovery of fire was a turning point in early human history. Fire gave them warmth in cold weather and protection against wild animals. It allowed them to cook food, making it tastier and easier to digest. Fire also lit up dark caves, improving their living conditions. It became a central part of community life, around which people gathered. Over time, fire was also used for making tools, pottery, and in agriculture. It marked a major step in human progress.
8. Explain the role of rock paintings in understanding early human life.
Answer: Rock paintings are one of the earliest artistic expressions of humans. They show scenes of hunting, animals, and daily life. Some paintings are simple symbols, while others are detailed drawings. They reveal the beliefs, skills, and imagination of early humans. They also tell us about the animals that existed in their time. Rock art is an important source because it gives a direct glimpse into early human culture.
9. How did agriculture change human societies?
Answer: Agriculture allowed humans to settle in one place instead of moving constantly. It provided a steady supply of food, leading to population growth. People began domesticating animals and living in permanent villages. Surplus food encouraged trade and exchange. New technologies like pottery and metal tools developed. Agriculture also led to social organisation, with leaders or chieftains emerging. Thus, agriculture transformed human life from nomadic to settled.
10. Why did early humans begin domesticating animals?
Answer: Early humans domesticated animals for food, farming, and companionship. Cattle, goats, and sheep gave milk, meat, and hides. Animals also helped in ploughing fields and transporting goods. Domestication made life easier and more secure. It also created a close bond between humans and animals. Over time, it contributed to the growth of villages and agriculture-based societies.
11. Describe the social life of early villages.
Answer: Early villages were based on cooperation and collective work. Land was farmed together, and the harvest was shared. Leaders or chieftains took responsibility for the welfare of the community. People engaged in farming, tool-making, and weaving. Exchange of goods like food, tools, and clothing took place between villages. Social roles were simple, but life was based on unity and survival.
12. Explain how trade and exchange grew in early societies.
Answer: As villages grew, people produced more than they needed. Surplus food and tools were exchanged with other groups. This gave rise to trade networks. Goods like pottery, ornaments, and metal tools were commonly traded. Trade helped in spreading ideas, skills, and cultures. It also linked small villages to larger towns. Over time, trade became a key part of early economies.
13. What new technologies appeared in early human societies?
Answer: Early humans developed stone tools like blades and axes. Later, they discovered metals such as copper and iron, which made stronger tools and weapons. Pottery was invented for storing food and water. They also made ornaments from shells and beads. These technologies improved daily life and supported trade. Such inventions prepared the way for civilisations.
14. Why do historians compare themselves to detectives?
Answer: Like detectives, historians search for clues about the past. They gather evidence from sources like coins, manuscripts, and monuments. They compare and cross-check information to solve historical mysteries. Sometimes sources agree, while sometimes they contradict each other. Historians, like detectives, must judge which source is more reliable. This careful investigation helps reconstruct history.
15. How do modern sources like newspapers and electronic media help historians?
Answer: Newspapers record daily events, politics, and social life of recent centuries. They provide details about leaders, wars, and public opinion. Electronic media like radio, television, and the internet give quick access to events of the last few decades. These sources are especially useful for studying contemporary history. They also preserve speeches, photographs, and videos. Thus, they act as living records of recent times.
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