What is History? Sources, Periods & Writing History

TAKEAWAYS:

• History is the study of past events, people, and societies using evidence.
• Primary and secondary sources help historians write accurate accounts.
• History is divided into periods like Ancient, Medieval, and Modern.
• Historians use critical thinking to analyze and interpret evidence.
• Writing history involves asking questions, gathering facts, and presenting arguments.
• Understanding history helps us learn from the past and make better decisions today.

What is History?

History is the study of the past. It helps us understand how people lived, what they believed, and how societies changed over time. Unlike other subjects, history is not just about memorizing dates or names—it is about asking questions, finding evidence, and telling stories about the past.

Why Study History?

History is important because:

• It helps us learn from past mistakes and successes.
• It connects us to our cultural heritage and identity.
• It teaches us critical thinking and how to analyze information.
• It explains why the world is the way it is today.

Sources of History

Historians use sources to study the past. Sources can be divided into two main types:

1. Primary Sources

These are original records created during the time being studied. They provide firsthand information from people who lived in the past.

Examples of Primary Sources:

• Written records: Letters, diaries, official documents (e.g., treaties, laws).
• Archaeological evidence: Coins, tools, buildings, inscriptions.
• Oral traditions: Stories passed down through generations (e.g., folklore, myths).
• Art and architecture: Paintings, sculptures, temples.

Example: If you read a letter written by a king in the Lichchhavi period (Unit 2), that letter is a primary source because it was written at that time.

2. Secondary Sources

These are accounts written later by historians or researchers. They use primary sources to explain or interpret the past.

Examples of Secondary Sources:

• History textbooks.
• Documentaries.
• Biographies of historical figures.
• Articles written by modern historians.

Example: If a historian writes a book about the Malla period (Unit 3) using old letters, coins, and temples as evidence, that book is a secondary source.

How Do Historians Write History?

Writing history is not just about collecting facts—it involves asking questions, finding evidence, and making arguments. Here are the steps historians follow:

Step 1: Ask Questions

Historians start by asking why or how something happened. For example:

• Why did the Kirat kingdom fall?
• How did the Malla kings build their cities?

Step 2: Find Evidence

They look for primary and secondary sources to answer their questions. For example:

• To study the Kirat period, they might read old inscriptions or study archaeological findings.

Step 3: Analyze Evidence

Historians compare different sources to see if they agree or disagree. They also check if the sources are reliable (trustworthy).

Step 4: Write the History

Finally, they organize their findings into a story or argument. They explain:

• What happened?
• Why did it happen?
• How did it affect people?

Mermaid Diagram: How Historians Write History

flowchart TD
  A["1. Ask Questions: What happened? Why? How?"] --> B["2. Find Evidence: Artifacts, texts, oral histories"]
  B --> C["3. Analyze Evidence: Cross-check sources, identify bias"]
  C --> D["4. Write History: Draft narrative with arguments"]
  D --> E["5. Present Argument: Share with evidence, context, and analysis"]

Periods of History

History is divided into broad time periods to help us study it systematically. The main periods are:

Example:

• The Kirat period (Unit 2) falls under Ancient History.
• The Malla period (Unit 3) is part of Medieval History.
• The Rana Rule (Unit 5) is studied in Modern History.

Writing History: Fact vs. Interpretation

History is not just about facts—it also involves interpretation. Two historians might look at the same evidence but tell different stories because:

• They focus on different questions.
• They have different opinions or biases.
• They use different sources.

Example:

• Fact: King Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Kathmandu in 1768.
• Interpretation 1: He united Nepal for the greater good.
• Interpretation 2: He used war to expand his power.

This shows that history is not just about what happened, but also about how we explain it.

Common Mistakes in Studying History

Students often make these mistakes when studying history:

1. Memorizing without understanding – Just knowing dates and names is not enough. You must understand why things happened.
2. Ignoring sources – History is based on evidence, not guesswork.
3. Assuming history is bias-free – All historians have some bias, so you must compare different views.
4. Treating history as a single story – Different groups (kings, common people, women) have different experiences.

How to Avoid These Mistakes?

• Always ask "Why?" and "How?".
• Use multiple sources (not just one textbook).
• Think critically—don’t accept everything as true.

NEB-Style Questions and Answers

Short Answer Questions (SAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between primary and secondary sources? Give one example of each. Answer: Primary sources are original records from the past, like a letter written by a king in 1700. Secondary sources are accounts written later, like a history book explaining that letter.

Q2: Why is history important for students? Answer: History helps us:

• Learn from past mistakes.
• Understand our culture and identity.
• Develop critical thinking skills.
• See how the present is connected to the past.

Long Answer Questions (LAQ)

Q3: Explain the steps historians take to write history. Use an example from Nepal’s past. Answer: Historians follow these steps:

1. Ask Questions: For example, "How did the Lichchhavi kingdom rise in Nepal?"
2. Find Evidence: They look at inscriptions, coins, and old texts from that time.
3. Analyze Evidence: They compare different sources to see if they agree.
4. Write History: They explain how the Lichchhavis became powerful, using facts from inscriptions and archaeological findings.

Q4: "History is not just about facts—it is also about interpretation." Explain this statement with an example. Answer: History includes facts (what happened) and interpretation (how we explain it).

• Fact: King Jayasthiti Malla built the Pashupatinath Temple in the 17th century.
• Interpretation 1: He built it to honor Lord Shiva and strengthen his kingdom’s religion.
• Interpretation 2: He used temple construction to show his power to other kings.

This shows that while the fact (the temple was built) is clear, the reason behind it can be explained in different ways.

Exam Tip

1. Understand, Don’t Memorize – NEB exams test understanding, not just recall. Always explain why something happened, not just what happened.
2. Use Examples – When answering questions, relate to Nepal’s history (e.g., Kirat, Lichchhavi, Malla periods).
3. Compare and Contrast – Questions often ask for differences between primary and secondary sources or periods of history. Use tables or bullet points to make comparisons clear.
4. Critical Thinking – NEB values analysis. Always ask:
   • Is this source reliable?
   • What is the historian’s argument?
   • Are there other possible explanations?
5. Practice with Past Papers – Look at NEB’s previous questions to see how they test sources, periods, and interpretation.

Final Thought: History is like a detective story—you gather clues (sources), ask questions, and piece together the past. The better you understand how historians work, the easier it will be to score well in your exams!