Grade 10 History Textbook PDF

1 Sources of Studying History Books and documents written at different time periods by the people who lived in the past are consi...

1 Sources of Studying History Books and documents written at different time periods by the people who lived in the past are considered ‘literary sources’. Relics, Introduction monuments, coins, inscriptions and various Sources are needed to study history. The ruins which are unearthed from archaeological sources that help us to study history are diverse. excavations and experiments are called In this unit you will learn the areas such as, ‘archaeological sources’. Next, let’s discuss the introduction to sources, the way how history above mentioned two types further using the is built on the information provided by the sources which are helpful to study the history of sources and the benefits of studying history. Sri Lanka. 1. Literary Sources The literary sources, which can be used to study the history of Sri Lanka, can be 1.1 Classification of Sources categorized into two, as, ‘local literary sources’ and ‘foreign literary sources’. The texts, written History is a subject which studies the past by Sri Lankans in the form of prose and poetry human activities. When we study the history of from time to time about two thousand years ago hundreds and thousands of years back, we find are considered ‘local literary sources’. Apart from writings and various creations made by people the texts written by Sri Lankans, some books who lived in those ages. They are called ‘sources’ were written by foreigners who were interested because information about past human activities in Sri Lanka. Or else, some foreign writers have can be extracted from them. The sources, which included information about Sri Lanka in the belonged to each different age, provide us a books they wrote. Thus, the books written by good understanding about those eras and their foreign writers mentioning information about social backgrounds. Thus, when the information Sri Lanka are called ‘foreign literary sources’. taken from those sources are studied logically, the history about people’s lives in each period is Local Literary Sources formed. Among the local literary sources in Sri Lanka As there are a number of sources which are ‘Deepawamsa’ is considered the oldest text. available to study history, they are mainly divided Deepawamsa was written in about 4th century into two; A.D. Deepawamsa consists of historical 1. Literary sources information of this country up to the end of King Mahasen’s ruling period and descriptions 2. Archaeological sources of the history of the Buddhist order (Sasana) in this country. 1  the history has been written in one continuous text, Sri Lankans can be proud because the history of this country has been written in one text. Mahawamsa is considered a more credible historical source because some historical events recorded in it have been substantiated by the inscriptions and some other sources. About four centuries after the writing of Mahawamsa, in Pali, an annotation was compiled in order to interpret it by explaining some areas. That text, which is called the ‘Mahawamsa Fig 1.1. Ancient literary and religious information as well Teekawa’(annotation of the Mahawamsa), is as the Wamsakatha have been written on ola leaves. Sri Lanka inherits a tradition of talipots, which belonged to a named as Wansattappakasini. It consists of a lot long period of time. of information which are not available in some other sources. But, some historical events have been recorded briefly in Deepawamsa. Repetitions too can be Type of Source Examples seen in this source. Therefore, Mahawamsa was Sandesha Kawya Mayura, Thisara, composed as a historical chronicle with lesser Selalihini Sandesha mistakes than Deepawamsa. Prashasthi Kawya Perakumba Siritha Hatan Kawya Seethawaka Hatana, Mahawamsa is a text with several parts. The Constantinu Hatana, first part of it was written by a Bhikku named Ingirisi Hatana ‘Mahanama’ who lived in the ‘Diksanda Seneviya’ Piriwena (monastery). As in Deepawamsa, the Table No:1.1 A few ancient literary sources consisting first part of Mahawamsa consists of the historical different content from each other information of this country from the arrival of A number of books, which can be considered the Lord Buddha to Sri Lanka up to the end of to be local literary works, had been written the ruling time of king Mahasen. This part had from Anuradhapura era to Kandyan era of the been written in about 5th or 6th century A.D. history of this country. The books, considered as One can see a certain similarity between the Buddhist religious texts such as Bodhiwamasa, information of Deepawamsa and the first part of Thupawamsa, Dhatuwamsa, Poojawaliya Mahawamsa. The reason for this may have been and Saddharmalankaraya, are important to the influence of the early texts such as, Seehala study the history of Rajarata civilization. The Attakatha Mahawamsa, Uttara Vihara Attakatha Nikaya Sangraha which has been written on and Vinaya Attakatha which were written before the history of the Buddhist order(Sasana) and these two sources. Rajawaliya which includes political information of the country are important sources of studying After the first part of Mahawamsa was written by history from Gampola to Kotte period. Sandesha Mahanama Thero, some other writers extended Kawya, Prashasthi Kawya and Hatan Kawya Mahawamsa as a continuous text with several are important to study the history between the parts by including some information about periods of Kotte and Kandy. Some examples are their contemporary time periods from time to given in the table No 1.1. time. Therefore, the history of Sri Lanka has been written continuously in Mahawamsa. As The local books were written during different there are a limited number of countries of which periods and the reasons which influenced to write 2 them too are different. The books which had been Uses of Literary Sources written from Anuradhapura era to the beginning of Kotte era have had religious objectives. Some 1. To prepare the historical chronology. books were written a few centuries after the 2. To obtain information about political, historical incidents, which have been mentioned economic, and social affairs in each era. in the same books. Therefore, when we form our 3. To substantiate the information provided by history using the literary sources, we have to pay one source with another source. our attention to the facts given below. 4. To study the international relations of a country (in this regard foreign sources are very 1. The time in which the sources were written important). 2. The author of the source Chinese Fa-Hsien Thero's travelling accounts Sources (Account on Buddhist Kingdom) 3. The author’s objectives Arabian Iban Batuta's travelling accounts 4. The way in which facts were obtained for the Sources source Portuguese Ribeiro's book on Sri Lanka Sources (Ribeiro's Lanka History) Therefore, you may understand that you have to be clever when you refer to the sources. Holland The book of Phillippus Baldaeus Sources (The Sri Lankan Chronicle of Foreign Sources Baldaeus) As Sri Lanka maintained trade relations English Robert Knox's book (An Historical Sources Relation of the Island Ceylon- Sin- with foreign countries from early period of hala translation: Eda Heladiva) Anuradhapura era, many foreigners who were engaged in trade activities in the Indian Ocean Table No. 1.2 The records and authors who came to Sri were aware of this country. Therefore, the Lanka and wrote about it. foreigners, who had written from the period of B.C, have included some information about Sri 2. Archaeological Sources Lanka in their books. From ancient time there was a good relation between Sri Lanka and India. Archaeological sources can be divided into a Therefore, some Indian books have mentioned few categories such as epigraphy, coins, ruins, information about Sri Lanka. Some Tamil drawings, sculptures and antiquities. books, such as Seelappadikaram, Manimekalayi and Padirruppattu written in India too have Epigraphy information about Sri Lanka. Some foreigners Epigraphy is a word used commonly to tended even to write books with separate introduce writings on stones (Shila), clay slabs, information about Sri Lanka after the arrival of walls, copper plates, golden plates, wood, and on the Portuguese in this country in the 16th century. various urns. Writings on stone slabs or rocks When we examine the foreign sources consisting are called ‘Sellipi / Shilalipi’ inscriptions. information about Sri Lanka, we can clearly see that there had been writers who came to Sri Inscriptions (Sellipi) Lanka and studied and wrote about it as well as writers who didn't visit Sri Lanka but inquired According to the shapes of the stones on which information about Sri Lanka from others and writings have been inscribed, the inscriptions wrote. can be categorized as cave inscriptions, rock inscriptions (Giri Lipi), pile inscriptions (Tam Lipi), slab inscriptions (Puwaru Lipi) 3  After the 2nd century A.D. inscriptions were established to write records on various events such as offering premises to temples, administrating temples, informing government laws to people, charge taxes, trading, forgiving convicts, and appreciating the service of some people. Therefore, much information, which is not provided by the literary sources can be discovered from the inscriptions. Coins Coins were used in Sri Lanka from Anuradhapura era. The oldest coins found in this country are called ‘ Kahapana’. The names ‘Purana’ and ‘Dharana’ too are used for them. The tusker and Swastika coins, Lakshmi coins and a type of golden coins named ‘Aka’ were used in this country. The copper coins (Thamba Massa) were used during the Polonnaruwa kingdom. The Fig. 1.2. Claudius Ptolemy, a Greek-Roman lived in coins needed for the country were produced in Alexandria between 90-168 A.D., was a geographer. He the country itself and even the moulds which drew a map of Sri Lanka. were used to produce coins have been discovered in excavations. Apart from the local coins, Roman and seat inscriptions (Asana Lipi). The oldest coins, Chinese coins, and Indian coins are found inscriptions in this country are named ‘Brahmi in Sri Lanka. In studying the economic condition, inscriptions’ and they were written to record the trade, and use of metals, coins are an immensely events such as offering of caves to Bhikku. important source. The study of ancient coins is These inscriptions are important to called ‘numismatics’. understand the history of the ancient society and the expansion of settlements. Writing of inscriptions had continued from the 2nd century B.C. to the period of Kandyan kingdom. Type of Source Examples Greek Sources Demundo by Aristotle, Indica by Megasthinis, the records of Onesicritus. Roman Sources Naturalis Historia by Plini, Approach to Geography by Ptolemy, Sri Lankan Map by Ptolemy Chinese Sources The book on records of tours of Hsuan-Tsang Thero Portuguese Sources The book about Sri Lanka by Father Fernāo de Queiroz Table No. 1.3. The authors who have written records about Sri Lanka based on the information obtained from others without seeing the country with their own eyes, and their books. 4 Ancient Ruins Many ruins such as ancient buildings, stupas, stone pillars, tanks and ponds can be seen in Sri Lanka. Since some places, where ancient people of this country lived are still in wilderness, such ruins exist even in and close to the forestry areas. These ruins, which are called archaeological monuments, are a very good source to study the history of this country. These ruins help us to gain a clear knowledge on various aspects such as creative ability, technology, building designing or architecture, craftsmanship, ability to conserve the environment and water management of the ancient people. Fig. No. 1.3. The ‘Galpotha inscription', made by King Keerthi Sri Nisshankamalla. This is located in Polonnaruwa. Fig. 1.4. Panakaduwa copper plate, written on the order of king Vijayabahu I. This was granted to an officer named Sithnarubima Budalna with gratitude for his loyalty to the king. This is what was written from its first line to the third; “Swasthi Sirisiriwath Apiriyath Lo Ikuth Gunamulin Uthurath Mulu Dambadiwhi Ankethkula Pamili Kala Okawas Rad Parapuren Bat Keth Usabnat Agamehesun Wu Lakdiw Polo Yohena Parapuren Himi Sirisangabo Vijayabahu Rajapa Wahanse”. This document is important to study the history of 12th century A.D. Media of Epigraphy Examples Inscriptions (Stone) King Nisshankamalla’s Galpotha inscription Walls The graffiti in Sigiriya Copper Plates Panakaduwa Copper Plate of King Vijayabahu I Golden Plates Vallipuram golden plate Wood Writings on the wooden posts of the Ambekke Devalaya Clay Slabs Scripts written on tiles and bricks Urns Scripts written on clay pots and begging bowls Table No.1.4. Different Media of Epigraphy. 5  Cave Inscriptions Inscriptions written near the drip ledges of caves Rock inscriptions Inscriptions written on rock surfaces or top of the rocks Pillar Inscriptions Inscriptions written on arranged stone pillars Slab Inscriptions Inscriptions written on arranged stone slabs Seat Inscriptions Inscriptions written on stone slabs like altar or pulpit Table 1.5. The names used to introduce the epigraphy according to the nature of the place where they were written. Drawings, Sculpture and Antiquities can be considered credible. In constructing history regarding a certain historical incident, all Ancient drawings, sculpture and engravings are sources relevant to that incident should be used. live evidence that display our culture. Drawings, Next, after analyzing the various information sculpture, and engravings are helpful to gain received from the sources critically, history information about various aspects of the ancient should be constructed by using the most credible people such as their clothes, art skills, use of information. Accordingly, archaeological sources jewellery, using colours, and religious beliefs; for are useful to fill up what lacks in the literary example, the frescos in Sigiriya provide us some sources, to obtain new information and to information about clothes, jewellery, hair styles substantiate the information mentioned in the and beauty culture of women who lived during literary sources. ancient times. The objects which are remaining now, after being created or used by the ancient people can be introduced as antiquities. Antiquities are in the museums, religious places, and various institutions and in care of some people of this country. Many antiquities are discovered in excavations. Antiquities help us to understand many different aspects of the ancient people, such as their abilities, skills, ancient culture, technology, foreign relations and their life style. You may see that there are diverse sources which can be used to construct the history of Sri Lanka. Fig. 1.5. This coin ,used in Sri Lanka, has been made of In constructing the history with the help of the gold. It is called ‘medieval golden coins (Madyakalina information extracted from a particular source, Ran Kahawanu)’. These coins are a source which helps one has to be shrewd in using that source. to study not only the ancient economy but also the technology. Historical sources in Sri Lanka are past reports rather than past events. And also there is a possibility of including the personal likes and 1.2 Importance of Learning History dislikes of the authors of these books into the sources. Archaeological sources are mostly History is a subject which is linked with the study considered as contemporary ones to the of sources. It could be studied with curiosity too. historical events. Accordingly, if the information Therefore, one who studies history naturally mentioned in the literary sources is substantiated tends to read books. Since the reader comes by the archaeological sources, that information across with diverse facts, ideas, and opinions 6  1.3 Protecting Archaeological Sources When we consider the long history of Sri Lanka, expansion of ancient population, and the number of people who had lived in this country, what remains here for us as archaeological sources today is only the creations made of long lasting raw materials such as stone, metal and clay; Fig. 1.6. The sculpture of Man and the Head of Horse in Isurumuni temple in Anuradhapura. This sculpture is believed to have been created in 7th or 8th century A.D. This sculpture or large scale creations represents the gods ‘Agni’ (Head of Horse)and ‘Parjanya’. (Image of man) such as tanks and canals. There is a possibility of these valuable sources getting destroyed due to in reading books, his or her critical sense gets speedy urbanization, expansion of settlements, developed. Therefore, he or she tends to think of constructing roads, constructing buildings, and anything with a logical mind and this will help agricultural activities happening in the country. him or her to understand the problems properly. Today we see historical places, monuments and When the problems are understood properly, antiquities because our ancestors had protected he or she will tend to find solutions to those them. Therefore, it is a responsibility of the problems creatively. Therefore, when one learns citizens of the country to protect them as the history, it helps him or her to develop his or her present generation. personality. Apart from these, one will gain the benefits given below by studying history. There are different types of ancient marks inscribed on the rocky surfaces in various areas in 1. Proper understanding of society and the Sri Lanka. Among them various figures such as, world in which one lives Sun and Moon, Palmyra- fan, bow, arrow, conch, ox-hoof, tusker- step, figures of various animals 2. Constructing future by understanding the are marks that show the ancient borders of areas; present through the past experiences or they are an ancient form of communication as the present road signs. Some people dig out and 3. Recognizing the national identity destroy the places where there are these marks and moonstones, guard stones, stone pillars and 4. Building up national reconciliation other antiquities by misunderstanding that the by loving humanity treasures have been deposited in such places. These activities and other activities like scribbling 5. Respecting others’ cultures and drawing pictures in historical places and on the antiquities will pave the way to destroy the 6. Tolerating different views antiquities. It is a punishable offence according to the law of the country. Therefore, you should be determined to protect the antiquities as the students who have understood the value of them. 7