History and Its Sources

In the partial fulfillment of marking scheme of BALLB (7th semester)

Submitted to-:

Mr Vikas Nandal

Assistant Professor

Submitted by-:

Vishal Singh Ghangas

B.A LLB 7TH SEMSTER

20570
Abstract

History is the repository of human experiences, documenting the triumphs, challenges, and
evolution of societies and civilizations throughout time. This abstract explores the dynamic
relationship between history and its sources, emphasizing the crucial role played by various
types of historical materials in our understanding of the past. Historical sources are the
foundation upon which the edifice of history stands. These sources can be categorized into
primary, secondary, archaeological, oral, and material culture, each offering unique
perspectives on past events and societies. Primary sources, consisting of firsthand accounts
and contemporary records, provide intimate insights into the thoughts, emotions, and
motivations of historical figures. Secondary sources, on the other hand, offer critical analyses
of primary materials, adding depth and context to historical narratives.
Objective

The main objective of this assignment is to through the lights on the various topics which
covered under this assignment. Such as-:

1. What is history?
2. What are the various sources of history?
3. What are primary sources?
4. What are the secondary sources?
5. What is the need to use history as resources?

Introduction

History, often regarded as a tapestry woven from the threads of time, serves as a beacon
illuminating the paths we have traversed as a civilization. It provides us with the wisdom
derived from the experiences of our ancestors, empowering us to comprehend our present and
shape our future. At the heart of this dynamic discipline lie its sources, the wellspring of
knowledge that enables us to decode the enigmatic narratives of the past. Through a
comprehensive examination of these sources, we can unearth the multifaceted layers of
history, discerning the diverse perspectives that contribute to its complex mosaic. This article
endeavors to delve into the profound significance of historical sources, elucidating their role
in shaping our understanding of the past and their continued relevance in contemporary
society. Archaeological sources, such as artifacts, ruins, and structures, provide tangible
evidence of ancient civilizations, shedding light on their cultures, technologies, and ways of
life. Oral traditions, myths, legends, and folklore, serve as valuable sources for understanding
preliterate societies, offering glimpses into cultural beliefs and traditions.

History, often considered the collective memory of humanity, serves as a significant lens
through which societies interpret their past, understand their present, and plan for their future.
It is a dynamic narrative that intertwines various perspectives, narratives, and interpretations.

What are historical sources?

 Historical sources are the main way that we can interact with and understand more about past
events. Learning from history is very important, as it helps us to work out how we got here.
We can explore events that shaped our society and even discover what society was like back
then through the personal accounts of the people who lived through it.

What are the three types of sources?

1. Primary Sources

2. Secondary Sources

3. Tertiary Sources

What is a primary source?

A primary source is one that provides original information on an event, topic, or era from that
period in time. Crucially, the information has to be first-hand. That means it was produced by
a person who experienced that event, topic, or era themselves.

Primary sources can take many shapes. They don’t just have to be interviews or diaries,
although these may be more likely to survive than other forms. They could have been created
during the event, or after it, in the form of memoirs or oral histories.

For non-historical topics, primary sources might include data and surveys – the raw figures
that you have to interpret yourself to make any sense of.

What is a secondary source?

A secondary source is a second-hand account of history. Usually these look at and interpret
primary sources, using these to build up a clearer picture of what actually happened.

They don’t need to have been created at the time, and in fact they could have been produced
centuries or millennia later! Think textbooks and school essays that use quotations from other
places.
 Some secondary sources can be used as historical sources. There’s a difference between a
textbook written in the 1800s versus one written in the present day, so you could use them to
demonstrate how opinions or understanding of a topic have changed over time.

What is a tertiary source?

A tertiary source is one that neither provides original information nor interprets it. Instead,
tertiary sources tend to collect or summarise other sources, guiding people towards this
information. Some dictionaries and encyclopedias can be tertiary, along with textbooks, fact
books, and handbooks.

In many cases, tertiary sources aren’t considered a proper source to use in writing essays or
reports. They’re still vital for our research, however, and shouldn’t be ignored!

Why is it important to know about historical sources?

Historical sources give us an in-depth understanding of things that have happened in the past
from the point of view of the people who lived through them. They’re usually but not always
primary sources.

Even something as simple as a shopping list from 100 years ago can help us understand how
the people who came before us lived. What did they buy? How much money would this have
cost? What did they earn? How many people did they have to feed in their family? It might
be possible to answer some of these questions through something that simple, so it’s a good
demonstration of the power of a historical source!

Examples of Historical Sources

1. Letters

2. Diaries

3. Newspaper reports

4. Original photographs
5. Recordings or transcripts of speeches

6. Plays

7. Paintings

8. Oral histories

9. Artefacts and relics

10. Archaeological sites

Reasons to Use Historical Sources

Historical sources can be used as evidence to back up your claims of what the past was like.
They allow you to say that something happened, whether it’s a battle, or the existence of a
famous figure. You can then use them to create your own interpretations of the finer details.

They’re also great for showing children how bias can affect a source. It’s said that ‘history is
written by the victors’. Compare different primary historical sources to see what other people
of the time thought. A newspaper might print biased reporting of a war or an election, while
people’s private journals disagree.

You can also compare primary sources to someone’s analysis of them in a secondary source
to fact-check their claims about the past and make sure they’re accurate.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Historical Sources

Advantages
 You know that the historical source hasn’t been changed, altered, or paraphrased by
anyone else. It’s “straight from the horse’s mouth” and ready for you to apply your
own interpretation.

 If a source was not ever meant to be read by other people (for example, diaries or
journals) then it might be more candid and direct than other sources from the past and
present.
 It provides evidence that can be linked back to an original source or author – someone
who was alive at the time of the event. This is usually more convincing than guessing
or making unconfirmed claims would be.

Disadvantages
 Some historical sources might cause problems when it comes to understanding them –
especially the written ones! Language changes over time. The English in use today is
not the same as the one that was used even 400 years ago, which can make it difficult
to interpret.

 Older historical sources can be fragile, and have to be kept in museums or special
collections. This means they are difficult to access for ordinary people, requiring
special permission – if you can even access them at all!

 You don’t know if a historical source is telling the truth or not. It could be true or
untrue, it could be leaving out key pieces of information to create a biased account, or
it could be based on false beliefs and prejudices that the writer had at the time.

Researching Historical Sources

How do you find historical sources?

There are many ways to find first-hand historical sources to use in your history research,
especially in the age of technology. Here are a few ideas:

 Using the Internet – Some people upload historical photographs, diaries, and
newspaper articles to the web in huge archives, many of which are free to access. Just
be sure to check the authenticity of them!

 Ask a Librarian – If you’re not sure what books to look at, local librarians are wizards
at finding out where you can get information from. Many libraries also have primary
sources on hand, like newspaper articles from the past or maps of the local area.

 Visit a Museum – When it comes to ancient, fragile resources, it makes sense that not
just anyone can pick it up. They might get damaged that way. This might be the only
way to see things like paintings or artefacts for yourself, without the bias of someone
else’s research.
 You might also want to look at secondary sources. Even if they aren’t historical themselves,
they will likely include references that can guide you to where they found their information.
Sometimes if a primary source is difficult to access, they can include pictures of it or
quotations from it!

How do you analyse historical sources?

 Work out what kind of source it is. Is it primary or secondary? Can it be both?

 Write down what you know about the author or artist. Who wrote it? When and where
did they live? What might their biases be?

 Think about the bias of the publisher of the source. If it’s a newspaper, could this
be propaganda?

 Consider what kind of audience this source was intended for, if any.

 Jot down important words or phrases that can be used as quotations in your report.

 Find other historical sources that can link to it. Do they agree or disagree with the
arguments made in this one?

Famous Historical Sources from Different Eras

1. The Domesday Book – A great survey of who owned land in England and Wales that
was completed in 1086. It’s currently held in the National Archives.

2. The Bayeux Tapestry – A huge tapestry from the 11th century that details what
happened at the Battle of Hastings in a visual form.

3. The Declaration of Independence – This document is useful for those interested in

the early politics of the United States of America, as it was written in 1776.

4. What Shall we Have for Dinner? – Written under the pseudonym ‘Lady Maria
Clutterbuck’ in 1850, this cookbook by Charles Dickens’ wife Catherine can help us to
understand more about food in the Victorian era.
5. The ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech – Footage, audio recordings, and transcripts of Martin
Luther King Jr.’s famous speech during the Civil Rights Movement is a useful
historical source for learning about this important turning point in American history.

6. Second World War Propaganda Posters – Used to encourage men to join the army
and women to help out the war effort, these posters might not convince you in the
modern day, but they did back then! Why were they so effective, and how do the
language and images reflect the values of the past?

Conclusion
History stands as a testament to the collective experiences of humanity, embodying the
triumphs, struggles, and aspirations that have shaped our shared journey. Its sources, ranging
from primary relics to secondary analyses and tertiary disseminations, form an intricate
tapestry that enables us to unravel the complexities of the past. While historical research
poses inherent challenges, its significance in fostering critical thinking, cultural awareness,
and global harmony remains undiminished. As we continue to explore the labyrinth of
history, may we recognize the invaluable lessons it imparts, guiding us towards a future
rooted in the wisdom of the past.

REFERENCES -:

1. Available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_source
2. Available on https://guides.lib.uw.edu/c.php?g=344285&p=2580599
3. Available on https://libguides.lehman.edu/history/primary-secondary-sources
4. Available on https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1048/sources-of-history/

5. Available in-: History and Its Sources An Address Read Before the Long
Island Historical Society at the Annual Meeting May 7th, 1868 - Primary
Source Edition