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Timeline and Sources of History – Class 6 Social Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 6 Social Science, chapter 4. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

History is the study of the past, and we place events on a timeline to understand when they happened. Historians and archaeologists use sources such as tools, buildings, inscriptions, coins and texts. Early humans lived as hunter-gatherers, and the beginning of farming changed human life.

Measuring historical time

Years before the birth of Jesus Christ are written as BCE (Before Common Era) and are counted backwards; years after are CE (Common Era).
A century is 100 years and a millennium is 1,000 years; for example, 1–100 CE is the first century CE.
A timeline shows events in the order in which they happened.

Sources of history

Archaeological sources: tools, pottery, ornaments, bones, buildings and rock paintings found through excavation.
Written sources: inscriptions on stone and metal, coins, manuscripts and books.
Oral traditions, songs and stories also help historians understand the past.

Early humans and farming

Early humans were hunter-gatherers who made stone tools, used fire and moved from place to place.
Rock shelters at Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh have paintings made by early humans.
With farming and the domestication of animals, people began to settle in villages; Mehrgarh (now in Pakistan) is one of the earliest known farming sites in the subcontinent.

Key terms

BCE: Before Common Era; years counted backwards before the year 1
CE: Common Era; years counted forward from the year 1
Archaeologist: a person who studies the past by excavating and examining remains such as tools and buildings
Inscription: writing carved on a hard surface such as stone or metal

Important questions with answers

What do BCE and CE mean?2 marks

BCE means Before Common Era and refers to years before the year 1; these years are counted backwards, so 500 BCE is earlier than 100 BCE. CE means Common Era and refers to years counted forward from the year 1, such as 2026 CE.

What are the different sources of history?3 marks

Archaeological sources include tools, pottery, ornaments, bones, buildings and paintings found through excavation. Written sources include inscriptions on stone and metal, coins, manuscripts and books. Oral sources such as songs, stories and traditions passed down by word of mouth also give information about the past.

Describe the life of early humans and explain how the beginning of farming changed it.5 marks

Early humans lived as hunter-gatherers. They hunted animals, caught fish and collected fruits, roots and seeds. They made tools of stone, bone and wood, learned to use fire for warmth, cooking and protection, and lived in caves or rock shelters such as those at Bhimbetka, where they also made paintings. They moved from place to place following animals and seasonal plants. When people began to grow crops and domesticate animals such as sheep, goats and cattle, they needed to stay near their fields, so they began to live in settled villages like Mehrgarh. Farming produced more food, so populations grew, people stored grain, made pottery, built houses and developed new skills and crafts, which later led to towns and civilisations.

Quick revision

BCE counts backwards; CE counts forwards.
Century = 100 years; millennium = 1,000 years.
Sources: archaeological, written, oral.
Bhimbetka paintings; Mehrgarh early farming.

Exam tips

In BCE dates, the bigger number is older: 3000 BCE is earlier than 2000 BCE.
To find the gap between a BCE date and a CE date, add the two numbers (ignoring the year 0).

Practice MCQs

Which date is the earliest
1. 500 BCE
2. 1000 CE
3. 200 CE
4. 1000 BCE
Show answer
Answer: (d) 1000 BCE. In BCE dates, the larger number is older.
A century has
1. 10 years
2. 50 years
3. 1,000 years
4. 100 years
Show answer
Answer: (d) 100 years. A millennium has 1,000 years.
A person who digs out and studies remains of the past is
1. an astronomer
2. an archaeologist
3. a geographer
4. an economist
Show answer
Answer: (b) an archaeologist. Archaeologists excavate sites.
Bhimbetka is famous for
1. its iron tools
2. a Mauryan pillar
3. Harappan seals
4. rock shelters with paintings by early humans
Show answer
Answer: (d) rock shelters with paintings by early humans. It is in Madhya Pradesh.
Which of these is a written source of history
1. stone tool
2. pottery
3. inscription
4. animal bones
Show answer
Answer: (c) inscription. Inscriptions are writings carved on stone or metal.
Early humans who lived by hunting animals and collecting food are called
1. farmers
2. hunter-gatherers
3. traders
4. artisans
Show answer
Answer: (b) hunter-gatherers. They moved from place to place.
How many years passed from 300 BCE to 200 CE
1. 100
2. 300
3. 500
4. 200
Show answer
Answer: (c) 500. 300 + 200 = 500 years (counting without a year 0).
Why did people begin to live in settled villages
1. they started farming and keeping animals
2. they stopped using fire
3. they lost their tools
4. rivers dried up everywhere
Show answer
Answer: (a) they started farming and keeping animals. Crops needed care, so people stayed near their fields.

All chapters of Class 6 Social Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.