What is History?

The study of the past is called ‘History’. The English word ‘History‘ is derived from the Greek word historia’ meaning research, inquiry or investigation.

Who is Know as father of History

The Greek historian Herodotus (484 BC-425 BC) was the first real historian of the world. He wrote only one book ‘The Histories’ (430 BC). ‘The Histories’ describes the background and events of the Graeco-Persian/Greek Iranian Wars. Herodotus is known as Father of History. First of all the Roman philosopher Cicero (106 BC-43 BC) called him ‘The Father of History’. And the German historian Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886 AD) is known as ‘The Father of Modern History‘.

Many historians and philosophers have different thoughts on history. The German philosopher Hegel (1770-1831 AD) once said ‘History repeats itself’, later on German economist and philosopher Karl Marx (1818-83 AD) extended the line: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” According to British historian E. H. Carr (1892-1982 AD): “History is an unending dialogue between-past and present.”

System of Dating

BC and AD: BC is the acronym of Before Christ. This is an English phrase meaning ‘Before the birth of (Jesus) Christ’. So, the years before the birth of Jesus Christ is known as Before Christ’ and it is denoted as BC in short. e.g.: Gautama Buddha was born in 563 BC and died in 483 BC.

AD is the acronym of Anno Domini. This is a Latin phrase meaning ‘In the year of the Lord (Jesus) Christ)’. So, the years begin with the birth of Jesus Christ is known as ‘Anno Domini’, and it is denoted as AD in short. e.g.: Jesus Christ was crucified in 30 AD. Hazrat Muhammad was born in 570 AD and died in 632 AD.

Time Line: The line displaying the events of past time is called ‘Time Line’.

From the above-mentioned time line, it is clear that the years before the birth of Christ have counted backward, viz. -500 BC…-5 BC-4 BC -3 BC -2 BC- 1 BC.

The meaning of one year before 1 BC is 2 BC, the meaning of one year before 2 BC is 3 BC, the meaning of one year before 3 BC is 4 BC, the meaning of one year before 4 BC is 5 BC.

From the above-mentioned time line, it is also clear that the years after the birth of Jesus Christ have counted forward. It implies that the meaning of one year after 1 AD is 2 AD, one year after 2 AD is 3 AD, one year after 3 AD is 4 AD, one year after 4 AD is 5 AD. In the mathematical language, it is like forward counting (1, 2, 3 and so on). Now if anyone raises a question that which year is first one and which year is last one in 500 AD and 2,000 AD then right answer will be 500 AD is first one and 2,000 AD is last one. It means firstly the year 500 AD passed and after that 2,000 AD appeared.

Some important terms associated with time are

Decade – The period of 10 years

First Half – First 50 years of a century i.e., the period from 1st year to 50th year

Second Half  – Last 50 years of a century i.e., the period from 51st year to 100th year.

Century – The period of 100 years

Millenium – The period of 1,000 years

Circa-Ca./C. – If the exact date is not known then the word ‘circa’ is used with the date. In short, Circa is denoted as Ca. or C. Example: C. 1,500 BC-600 BC: The Vedic Culture Period means that the exact date of Vedic Culture Period is not known but it (C. 1500 BC-600 BC) is some where close to that.

Example of decades in a century

First decade of 20th century AD means – the period from 1901 AD to 1910 AD.

Fifth decade of 20th century AD means – the period from 1941 AD to 1950 AD.

Last decade of 20th century AD means – the period from 1991 AD to 2000 AD.

First half of 20th century AD means – from 1901 AD to 1950 AD.

Second half of 20th century AD means -from 1951 AD to 2000 AD.