NCERT Class 8 Social Science Our-Pasts-III: Chapter 1 — 1. Introduction: How, When and Where
This chapter, 'How, When and Where,' from NCERT's Class 8 Social Science book 'Our-Pasts-III,' explores the significance of dates in history. It challenges the notion that history is solely about memorizing dates, emphasizing that history is about understanding changes over time. The chapter discusses how historical questions arise from everyday observations and introduces the idea that precise dates are not always relevant for processes that unfold over periods. It contrasts the traditional focus on rulers' lives and battles with the modern approach of studying people's livelihoods, production, markets, kingdoms, ideas, cultures, and societies. The selection of important dates depends on the focus of historical study, highlighting how different perspectives can make different events significant. The chapter also touches upon the imperial perspective in historical records, using an example of maps and advertisements to illustrate how history can be presented.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Social Science |
| Book | Our-Pasts-III |
| Chapter | Chapter 1 — 1. Introduction: How, When and Where |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 369 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand that history involves changes over time, not just dates.
- Identify the types of questions that lead to historical inquiry.
- Recognize that precise dates are not always applicable to historical processes.
- Differentiate between traditional and modern approaches to writing history.
- Analyze how the focus of study influences the selection of important dates.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Synonymous | having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or phrase |
| Conception | an idea or a way of thinking about something |
| Inhabit | live in (a place or area) |
| Curious | eager to know or learn something |
| Domination | the exercise of control or influence over someone or something |
| Imperial | relating to an empire, especially a large one |
| Perception | the way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted |
| Processes | a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end |
| Approximate | close to the actual, but not perfectly accurate or exact |
| Governor-General | the chief administrator of a colony or territory |
| Viceroy | a ruler exercising authority in a colony on behalf of a sovereign |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Why were historians fascinated with dates in the past? Answer: Historians were fascinated with dates because they focused on rulers, their crowning, battles fought, and succession, for which specific dates could be determined.
- Give an example of a historical question that arises from everyday life. Answer: Watching someone drink tea and wondering when people began to drink tea or coffee is an example of a historical question.
- Why is it sometimes incorrect to fix precise dates to historical processes? Answer: It is incorrect to fix precise dates to historical processes because many changes, like developing a taste for tea or the establishment of British rule, happen over a stretch of time.
- What kind of issues do historians now write about, besides battles and rulers? Answer: Historians now write about how people earned their livelihood, what they produced and ate, how cities and markets developed, how kingdoms were formed, new ideas spread, and how cultures and society changed.
- How does the focus of study affect the importance of dates? Answer: The focus of study determines which events are considered important, and therefore, which dates become significant. A change in focus can make a different set of dates appear significant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the common notion about history?
The common notion is that history is synonymous with dates and is boring because it involves memorizing them.
How does history relate to time?
History is about changes that occur over time, comparing the past with the present and referring to 'before' and 'after'.
Can all historical events be assigned a precise date?
No, processes like developing a taste for tea or the establishment of British rule happened over a stretch of time and cannot be fixed to a single precise date.
What did historians traditionally focus on?
Traditionally, historians focused on accounts of battles, big events, rulers, and their policies, writing about specific dates of crowning, marriage, war, death, and succession.
What are some of the new issues historians study today?
Historians today study people's livelihoods, production, food habits, development of cities and markets, formation of kingdoms, spread of ideas, and changes in culture and society.
What does the image of Brahmans offering Shastras to Britannia suggest?
It suggests an imperial perception, implying that Indians willingly gave their ancient texts to Britannia (symbol of British power) to protect Indian culture, reflecting a colonial viewpoint.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Social Science — Our-Pasts-III — Chapter 1 — 1. Introduction: How, When and Where. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.