Grade 10 Ordinary Level History PDF (2024/2025)

2024/2025 Ordinary Level History English Medium GRADE 10 – UNIT 01 SOURCES OF STUDYING HISTORY This document is for educational purposes only and is a property of Mr. M F Sheriffdeen. This document should not be reproduced in part or in full without the written permission of the author O/L History...

2024/2025 Ordinary Level History English Medium GRADE 10 – UNIT 01 SOURCES OF STUDYING HISTORY This document is for educational purposes only and is a property of Mr. M F Sheriffdeen. This document should not be reproduced in part or in full without the written permission of the author O/L History English Medium Page 2 of 7 Classification of sources Literary sources (written sources) Archeological sources. Literary sources can be further classified into Local literary sources Foreign literary sources Local literary sources Chronicles Deepawamsa (First), Mahawamsa(credible) Annotations / Mahawamsa teekawa (Wansattappakasini) interpretations Sandesha Kavya Mayura, Thisara, Selalihini Prashasthi Kavya Perakumba Siritha Hatan Kavya Seethawaka hatana, Constantinu Hatana, Ingrisi hatana Buddhist religious Bodhiwamsa, Thupawamsa, Dhathuwamsa, Poojawaliya, texts Saddharmalankaraya Page 2 of 7 O/L History English Medium Page 3 of 7 Local books and their importance Name of the books Importance Bodhiwamsa, Thupawamsa, Buddhist religious text that can be used to study the Dhathuwamsa, Poojawaliya, Rajarata Civilization( Anuradhapura and Saddharmalankaraya Polonnaruwa Kingdoms) Nikaya Sangraha History of the Buddhist order (Sasana) is written Political information written from Gampola to Kotte Rajawaliya period Sandesha, Prashasthi and To study the history between Kotte and Kandy Hatan Kavya periods Facts to consider while using literary sources to study history Time Author Author’s objectives (his aims and goals) The way facts were obtained for the source Uses of Literary Sources 1. To prepare the historical chronology (order). 2. To get information about political, economic and social affairs of each era 3. To substantiate (compare and prove) information provided in one source with another source. 4. To study the international relations of a country. Page 3 of 7 O/L History English Medium Page 4 of 7 Foreign Sources (Who came to Sri Lanka) Country Source India Seelappadikaram, Manimekalai, Padirupattu Chinese Fa-Hsien Thero’s Travelling accounts Arabian Ibn Batuta’s Travelling accounts Portuguese Ribeiro’s book of Sri Lanka Holland (Dutch) The book of Phillipus Baldaeus Robert Knox – Historical Relation of Island Ceylon English (Eda Heladiva) Foreign Sources (by who DID NOT COME to Sri Lanka) Country Source Greek Roman Chinese Portuguese Page 4 of 7 O/L History English Medium Page 5 of 7 Archaeological Sources Epigraphy (Inscriptions and writing on metal plates, wood, clay) Coins Ruins Drawings, Sculpture and Antiquities Epigraphy The word epigraphy is used commonly to name writings on various things such as stones, metal plates, clay slabs, wood etc Inscriptions The oldest inscriptions in Sri Lanka were named as Brahmi Inscriptions. Inscriptions are writings on STONES and can be categorized in to several types according to the shapes and uses of those stones such as Rock Inscriptions (Giri Lipi) – Inscriptions written on rock surfaces or top of the rocks Seat Inscriptions (Asana Lipi) – Inscriptions written on stone slabs like altars or pulpit Pillar inscriptions (Tam lipi) – Written on arranged stone pillars Slab Inscriptions (Puwaru Lipi) – written on arranged stone slabs Cave inscriptions (Len lipi) – written near drip ledges of caves Media of Epigraphy Examples Inscriptions King Nisshankamalla’s Galpotha Inscription Walls Graffiti in Sigiriya (kurutu gee) Copper Plates Panakaduwa Copper plate (King Vijayabahu I) Golden Plates Vallipuram Golden Plate (King Vasabha) Wood Writings in Ambekke Devalaya Clay Slabs Scripts on tiles and bricks Urns Scripts on clay pots and begging bowls Page 5 of 7 O/L History English Medium Page 6 of 7 Coins (Study of ancient coins - numismatics) Oldest coins found in Sri Lanka are called “Kahapana” / “Purana” or “Dharana” Swastika coins, Lakshmi coins and golden coins named AKA were also used Copper coins (Thamba Massa) were used in Polonnaruwa Era Roman, Indian and Chinese coins were found in Sri Lanka as well Ancient ruins Many ruins including ancient buildings, stupas, stone pillars, tanks and ponds can be seen in Sri Lanka Drawings, Sculptures and Antiquities Frescoes in Sigiriya (Paintings) Sculpture (Eg: Isurumuni Temple) Antiquities (Objects used by people) Benefits of Learning History Proper understanding of society and the world Ability to construct the future by understanding the present through past experiences Recognizing one’s national identity Respecting others’ cultures and tolerating different views (Ethnic harmony and co-existence) Page 6 of 7 O/L History English Medium Page 7 of 7 Importance of Protecting Archeological Sources Speedy urbanization, construction of roads and buildings and expansion of settlements pose a risk for the archaeological sources. Some rocks have been marked with Palmyra fan, Bow and Arrow, Sun and moon Ox hoof etc. These were used to either show the borders of areas or as a method of communication and should be considered valuable historical sites which must be protected at all costs Practice Questions 1. Briefly explain the importance of Mahawamsa and Deepawamsa ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ 2. Which is the considered more credible of the above and explain why. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Page 7 of 7