D. Short-answer Questions -
1. In how many parts is the study of our past
divided? Name them.
2. What are the two sources of history?
3. What did earlier people write on?
4. Give some examples of secular literature.
5. What is the significance of inscriptions and
edicts in history?
Answers
1) Universal history in the Western tradition is commonly divided into three parts, viz. ancient, medieval, and modern time.
2)There are two main types of historical sources: primary sources and secondary sources.
3)Written language, however, does not emerge until its invention in Sumer, southern Mesopotamia, c. 3500 -3000 BCE. This early writing was called cuneiform and consisted of making specific marks in wet clay with a reed implement.
4)More examples include biographies of important historical characters like 'Harshacharitra' by Banabhatta, dramas, and poems like Kalidasa's 'Abhijnanasakuntalam' and 'Meghaduta', folk tales like 'Panchatantra', books on the law like 'Manusmriti'. Accounts of foreign travellers are also important sources of information.
5)Such inscriptions provide historians and historiographers with invaluable data about rulers, the extent of their empires, major events, political conditions, religious and cultural practices etc.