NCERT Question-Answer Solution for Class 6 Social Science History Chapter 4 – Timeline and Sources of History
Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond
Theme B: Tapestry of the Past
History Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History
Complete NCERT Question–Answer Set for Class 6 Social Science (Exploring Society: India and Beyond Textbook)
Class 6 Science NCERT Solution – History Chapter 4: Timeline and Sources of History
History – Timeline and Sources of History – Full NCERT Question–Answer Solution (CBSE Class 6 Social Science – Exploring Society: India and Beyond Book)
Chapter 4 Timeline and Sources of History NCERT Questions and Answers
In-text Questions (THINK ABOUT IT)
Q1. What is the earliest memory you can recollect? Do you remember how old you were at that time?
Answer:
The earliest memory usually comes from early childhood, such as starting school, a family event or a festival. At that time, one may have been around four or five years old. Such memories form a part of our personal past. They help us understand how our life has changed over time.
Q2. How do you think understanding the past will help us understand the present world?
Answer:
Understanding the past helps us know how societies, cultures and institutions developed. Many present-day traditions, beliefs and systems have roots in history. The past explains why the world is the way it is today. Learning history also helps us avoid repeating past mistakes.
LET’S EXPLORE (Calendar and Timeline)
Q3. Why is calculating years between BCE and CE dates tricky?
Answer:
Calculating years between BCE and CE is tricky because there is no year zero in the Gregorian calendar. The year 1 CE comes immediately after 1 BCE. Therefore, while calculating, we add the BCE and CE years and subtract one. This adjustment gives the correct number of years.
Q4. How many years ago was Gautama Buddha born if the current year is 2024 CE?
Answer:
Gautama Buddha was born around 560 BCE.
To calculate the number of years:
560 + 2024 – 1 = 2,583 years
So, Gautama Buddha was born approximately 2,583 years ago.
Q5. What is the use of a timeline?
Answer:
A timeline helps us arrange events in the order in which they happened. It shows the sequence of historical events clearly. Timelines also help compare events from different periods. They make long spans of history easier to understand.
DON’T MISS OUT (Time Concepts)
Q6. What is a century? Give an example.
Answer:
A century is a period of 100 years.
For example, the 21st century CE runs from the year 2001 to 2100.
Q7. What is a millennium? Give an example.
Answer:
A millennium is a period of 1,000 years.
For example, the 3rd millennium CE began in 2001 and will end in 3000.
LET’S EXPLORE (Indian Calendars)
Q8. What is a pañchānga?
Answer:
A pañchānga is a traditional Indian calendar. It provides information about dates, festivals, eclipses, sunrise and sunset. It is based on the positions of the Sun and the Moon. Pañchāngas are still widely used in India today.
THINK ABOUT IT (Sources of History)
Q9. What information can we get from old objects like coins, utensils or buildings?
Answer:
Old objects provide information about the lifestyle, culture and technology of people from the past. Coins tell us about rulers and trade. Utensils show eating habits and materials used. Buildings reveal architectural styles and social organisation.
LET’S EXPLORE (Family History)
Q10. What sources did you use to learn about your family’s past?
Answer:
Information about family history can be collected from elders, photographs, diaries and official documents. Oral memories shared by grandparents are important sources. Old letters and identity cards also help. All these together form sources of recent history.
Short Answer Questions
Q11. Who is a historian?
Answer:
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past. Historians use different sources to understand historical events. They analyse evidence carefully. Their work helps us understand how societies developed.
Q12. What are fossils?
Answer:
Fossils are preserved remains or impressions of plants, animals or humans found in layers of soil or rock. They help us learn about life forms that existed millions of years ago. Fossils are studied by palaeontologists.
Q13. What is meant by an era?
Answer:
An era is a distinct and important period of time in history. It is often marked by a major event. Examples include the Common Era (CE) and Before Common Era (BCE).
Q14. Name the specialists who study the past and their work.
Answer:
Geologists study the Earth’s physical features.
Palaeontologists study fossils of ancient plants and animals.
Anthropologists study human societies and cultures.
Archaeologists study remains such as tools, houses and ornaments left by early humans.
Long Answer Questions
Q15. How is time measured in history?
Answer:
Time in history is measured using calendars and timelines. Different societies developed their own calendars based on important events. Today, the Gregorian calendar is used worldwide. Time is divided into years, decades, centuries and millenniums. BCE and CE are used instead of BC and AD. Timelines help arrange events in chronological order.
Q16. What are the sources of history? Explain.
Answer:
Sources of history are places, objects, texts or people that provide information about the past. Archaeological sources include tools, coins, buildings and inscriptions. Literary sources include books, religious texts and records. Oral sources include folk tales and traditions. Scientific studies such as climate and genetic research also help historians understand the past.
Q17. Why are historians compared to detectives?
Answer:
Historians are compared to detectives because they investigate the past using clues. These clues come from various sources like objects, texts and remains. Sometimes sources agree, and sometimes they contradict each other. Historians analyse all evidence carefully to reconstruct history.
Q18. Describe the life of early humans.
Answer:
Early humans lived in groups called bands for safety. They were hunters and gatherers who depended on animals and plants for food. They lived in caves, rock shelters and temporary camps. Early humans used fire, made stone tools and created rock paintings. They also made ornaments and had beliefs about nature and life after death.
Q19. How did agriculture begin and change human life?
Answer:
Agriculture began after the last Ice Age when the climate became warmer. Humans started growing crops and domesticating animals. Settled life began near rivers because of fertile soil and water availability. Food production increased, leading to population growth. Villages developed, trade expanded and societies became more complex.
NCERT Exercise Questions
Q20. Can we compare historians to detectives? Give reasons.
Answer:
Yes, historians can be compared to detectives. They collect evidence from different sources to understand past events. They analyse clues carefully and verify facts. When sources contradict each other, historians decide which is more reliable. This investigative process is similar to detective work.
Q21. Place these dates in chronological order:
323 CE, 323 BCE, 100 CE, 100 BCE, 1900 BCE, 1090 CE, 2024 CE
Answer:
1900 BCE
323 BCE
100 BCE
100 CE
323 CE
1090 CE
2024 CE
Q22. If King Chandragupta was born in 320 CE, which century did he belong to? How many years after Buddha’s birth was this?
Answer:
320 CE belongs to the 4th century CE.
Buddha was born around 560 BCE.
Years between them = 560 + 320 – 1 = 879 years
So, Chandragupta was born about 879 years after Buddha.
Q23. Rani of Jhansi was born in 1828. Which century did she belong to? How many years before India’s Independence was this?
Answer:
1828 belongs to the 19th century CE.
India became independent in 1947.
1947 – 1828 = 119 years
So, she was born 119 years before Independence.
Q24. Convert “12,000 years ago” into a date.
Answer:
12,000 years ago means around 10,000 BCE.
Project-Based Questions (Guidance Answers)
Q25. Write the history of your family or village.
Answer:
This project should be done using interviews with elders, old photographs, documents and memories. The history should describe occupations, places of birth and major events. Sources used should be clearly mentioned.
Q26. Why is it important to know the history of your region?
Answer:
Knowing regional history helps us understand local culture and traditions. It strengthens our identity and sense of belonging. It also helps preserve heritage and learn from past experiences.