Page 8 - SST Class 06
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THE GEOGRAPHICAL FRAMEWORK SOURCES OF HISTORY
Geography has played an important role in the If something occurred thousands of years ago,
history of India. Such a large country, as India, how do we find out what actually happened at
has many distinct geographical features. The that time? We learn about it from the evidence
Himalaya mountains in the north act as a barrier which our ancestors have left behind. Historians
between India and Central Asia. However, the and archaeologists analyse these evidences and
passes in these mountains acted as routes of reconstruct the past.
contact since ancient times. People and ideas A historian’s work is similar to that of a detective.
were exchanged through these mountain passes. Just as a detective solves a mystery with the help
of clues, a historian solves the mystery of the past
with the help of historical clues. He begins with
some clues such as a piece of writing, a wall
painting or even some broken pieces of pottery
belong from that period. These clues are called
the sources of history and are the source materi-
als for historians. These source materials can be
divided into two categories, that is, archaeologi-
cal and literary.
Archaeological Sources
Two Archaeologists Fitting Together Pieces Archaeological sources refer to the sources which
of Pottery Found During an Excavation
are obtained by the process of archaeological
The Indus and the Ganga plains were very excavations. There are three sections which fall
fertile. Many kingdoms since ancient times under archaeological sources. These are :
prospered in these plains. The river valleys were
areas where humans settled first. This was
because the conditions here were very favour-
able for the growth of settlements.
g The river provided sufficient water to
support large settlements.
g The land near the river was very fertile.
People could grow more crops here.
g The river served as a means of transport.
Geography also determines the development
Inscriptions : Written records engraved on
seen in an area. Places where the environment is
rocks, pillars, cave-walls, walls of forts, palaces
harsh are sparsely populated. There is also much
and temples and on clay and copper tablets are
less change in such areas. The culture that
called insctiptions. These provide historians with
develops in such areas does not have much
a lot of information about the names and dates
outside influence. Conversely, areas where the
environment is favourable are densely popu- of kings, the extent of their empires, the impor-
tant events of their reigns and so on, Besides
lated. There is an exchange of goods which later
political history, inscriptions also provide infor-
develops into full-fledged trade.
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