2. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
We come to know the gradual development of
civilization by the study of ancient history. There
are many sources to know history, which are
mainly divided in two plants- Archaeological
sources and literary sources.
3. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOURCES
The relics of ancient times which help us to
understand the context of places and incidents are
called archaeological sources.
Records, currency, monuments, artefacts and the
materials obtained from excavation are included
in these sources. Through this we can understand
the contemporary life. Archaeological sources in
brief are like-
4. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
RECORDS (ABHILEKH)
These are found engraved on inscriptions (plates
of stones), stone edicts (big blocks of stone),
pillars, buildings, walls of caves, idols-statues,
stupas, monasteries, ponds, blocks erected in
farms and copper plates.
5. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
IMPORTANCE OF ABHILEKH
These are found in various languages in both the
forms poetry and prose. On these records the
names, and the dates of incidents, administrative
duties, decrees and orders of kings, their
dependents, queens, princes, feudal lords are
mentioned.
6. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
We get the knowledge of contemporary political,
religious, cultural life through these. Inscriptions
written in praise are called ‘Prashasasti’.
7. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
IMPORTANT ABHILEKH
We get the information about religious
arrangement, types of Yajnas, land and
Dravyadaan (material donations), political
boundary from Nagri record, Kanswa record,
Ghatiyala record, Kiradoo record, Nandsa and
Barnala yup (pillar) inscription, Samoli inscription
etc. of Rajasthan.
8. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
For example, Ghatiyala abhilekh, Pratihar and
Bijoliya inscriptions are important resources to
know the history of Chauhans. Inscription of
Cheerwa gives the information about the period of
Rawal Samarsingh.
9. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
MONUMENTS
Forts are prominent among various monuments in
Rajasthan. Forts of Chittor, Jalore, Gagron,
Ranthambore, Amer, Meharanagarh, Taragarh,
Kumbhalgarh etc. are important. Except these
buildings, Rajaprasad (palaces), public buildings,
bathrooms, homes of the commons, Vihars,
Monasteries, Chetya, Stupas, temples, temples,
stepwells, tombs, wells etc. are also monuments.
10. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
These also provides the knowledge of
contemporary architecture, religious beliefs,
worship methods, conscience of human and
prosperity.
11. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
CURRENCIES
Religious, political and economic condition of
certain period is known though currencies or
coins, stamps or other symbols. Symbols,
language, script, year, names with samvat and
purity of metal, measurements etc. graved on the
currencies, give us the knowledge about the
prosperity of that period. Coins also indicate the
power of king and state.
12. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
Coins and Currencies excavated from Ahad, Red,
Bairtah, Rangmahal, Sambhar, Sukhaniya gives
information about the period of dynasty, rule,
kingdom, and occupied borders of Chhatraps,
Maalavas, Chauhans, Guhils etc.
13. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
VESSELS AND ARTWORKS
We have obtained vessels and artefacts from
excavation. In the Artwork we see the drawings on
vessels, engravings on pillars, and the
workmanship on doors and windows (gokhars).
The vessels obtained and their structure, polish,
colour, etc. depicts the excellent art of that period.
We can understand the art and skill of our
ancestors from the earthenware, bowls dishes
14. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
incense pots, lamps excavated from different
places in Rajasthan.
The art and skill can be seen in the relics of
Ganeshwar’ (Neem ka Thana, Sikar) Copper
Culture, black and red earthenware obtained from
Jodhpura (Jaipur) and Noh (Bharatpur), Prastar
(engraved stones/ jewels), Falak (banners) etc.
obtained from Ahad and Gilund.
15. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
COPPER PLATES
Writings engraved on copper’s large-small plates
are called ‘Tamra Patra’. Related to charity and
virtue (punya) these are also called ‘Dan Patras’.
Through these we come to know about the kings,
period, festivals, religion, lands, types of lands,
measurements and charity etc.
16. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
LITERACY SOURCES
Literature plays an important role in knowing
history. Literature written in Sanskrit, Hindi,
Rajasthani, Urdu and Persian is found in
abundance.
We get the help from Veda-Purana, Ramayana,
Mahabharat, Buddhist and Jain texts to know the
ancient history of Rajasthan.
17. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
We get the description of achievements of
Chauhans by epic, ‘Prathiviraj Vijay’ written by
Jayanak in latter part of the 12th century. Through
Nayan Chand Suri’s epic ‘Hammeer Mahakavya’
we get the information about history of Chauhans
along with Allauddin Khilji’s Ranthambore victory
as well as the social, religious, condition of that
time.
18. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
In Rajasthani literature Prithvi Raj Raso, Vachnika
of Achal Das Khinci, Padmnabh written Kanhad
Dev Prabandh, Dalpat-Vilas written by Dapat Singh
of Bikaner, Vachnika written by Khidiya Jagga etc.
are especially noteworthy.
In Khyat thematic literature there is a description
of establishment of famous Rajpoot dynasties,
lineage of kings, state area, etc. Nainsi’s Khyat,
Dayal Das’s Khyat, Khyat of Jodhpur state, helps us
19. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
to know the history. Persian- Urdu literary texts
(Persian-Urdu Tvarikho) helps us to understand
the history of medieval Rajasthan specially.
The historical texts ‘Annals and Antiquities of
Rajasthan’ and ‘A journey of western Rajasthan’
written by Colonel Todd, “Vansh Bhaskar” written
by the great writer of Bundi Suryamall Misan,
‘Veer Vinod’ written by poet laureate Shyam Das,
History of Marwar state (Marwar rajya ka itihas)
20. SOCIAL SCIENCE-VI CH-3 SOURCES TO KNOW HISTORY
written by Vishweshar Nath Reu, History of
Udaipur, Jodhpur, Sirohi, Dungarpur, Banswara
and Pratapgarh written by Gauri chand Ojha are
notable.