Introduction to History

·         The task of a historian is to collect facts, inquire about them and interpret them with the assumption it might have happened this way with an open, balanced mind.

·         Herodotus , a Greek, who lived from 489- 430 BC used the Greek term “istoria” (the result obtained after an inquiry) to present his work.

·         History is about the political, economic and cultural environment of humans who lived in the past.

·         Through a study of history one could interpret how the above conditions have influenced the present situation and form hypothesis on how one should plan for future.

·         “We study history to get a clear understanding about a particular state of affairs” Collinwood

·         “History is the only story of humanity which acts differently at different situations” Bradley

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·         “If a person could study the life of a society of another period he studies his own life.” T. S. Eliot

·         “ History is not an isolated subject but a mixture of all the other subjects” Trevylian

·         “Human history is the history of ideologies.” H. G. Wells

·         “History teaches who the man is and what the man has done.” Collinwood

·         History is a subject that presents rapid changes. History shows that there is no value for anything if it does not change.” Professor Jeffrey

·         History is the activities of the human society and its activities from ancient times to the present.” Stuart Piggott

·         History is what one generation discovers about previous generations and feel it is worth writing them down.” Burkehardt

Benefits of studying History

·         Historical records trace the evolution of human activities from ancient times onwards and create awareness on trends discovered. Eg: colonization, discoveries, Universal Franchise, emancipation of the slaves, breakdown of the Feudal System, Renaissance 

·         Creates a clearer picture of the cause of conflicts. Eg: LTTE, Holocaust, WW I and II, invasion of Kuwait, Russian Revolution, French Revolution, Uva Wellassa Riots 

·         Helps to develop attitudinal changes necessary to look at national/ international conflict objectively.

·         Can develop the ability to trace the factors that have led to a particular event, news or a statement correctly.

·         Can prevent worsening of conflicts.

·         The study of historical figure can inspire children to emulate them.

·         Receives an understanding about one’s roots.

·         Receives a national feeling and a cultural identity.

·         Helps to understand the need for mutual co-operation among the nations

·         Provides a suitable background to deal with the international community.

·         Promotes international unity.

·         Provides background knowledge leading to a methodical study of any other subject.

·         Provides insight on the social and cultural values of the period under study.

·         Be able to identify and evaluate national and international values.

Historical sources

·         Historical sources are of two types:

1.      Literary sources: legends, chronicles, books, fiction, travellers’ and explorers’ records

2.      Archaeological sources: ruins, statues, frescoes, murals, coins, pottery, tools, weapons, inscriptions

·         Dipavamsa is the oldest chronicle. It traces the history of the Sinhala race from prehistory to the reign of King Mahasena. It is written in Pali.

·         The main source of history of Sri Lanka is Mahavamsa. First part of Mahavamsa traces the history from prehistory to the reign of King Mahasena. It was compiled at Mahavihara by Mahanama Thero in the c. 5^th or 6^th AD in Pali. The last chapter contains historical information up to the end of 1956.

·         Samanthipasadika

·         Thupavamsa

·         Bodhivamsa

·         Dhathuvamsa

·         Dhatavamsa

·         Dalada Siritha

·         Dalada Poojawaliya

·         Nikaya Sangrahaya

·         Rajawaliya   

·         Chulavamsa

Are some of the other local literary sources of history. 

·         Foreign literary sources on Sri Lanka

1.      “De Mondo” – Aristotle

2.      “Periplus of Eritrean Sea” – business with northwest coast of India.

3.      “Arthasasthraya” – Kautilya – Pearl and gem trade

4.     “Divyavadan”

5.      “Manimekalei”

6.      “Silappadikaram”

7.      Travel records of the Chinese monks Fa-Hsian and Hsuan-Tsang

8.      Travel records of Ibn Batuta

9.      Travel records of Marco Polo as an ambassador to Court of Kublai Khan

10.  Records of Robert Knox as a prisoner of the king of Kandy

11.  Records of John Doily as a Government Agent of the British

12.  Records of Onesicritus and Megasthenes of Greece

13.  Records of the Italian john de Marignolli

14.  Map of Ptolemy

15.  Records of Pliny the Roman

·         Epigraphical sources:

1.      Cave inscriptions- Mihintale, Sigiriya

2.      Pillar inscriptions- Badulla Pillar Inscription

3.      Slab inscription- Mihintale Tablet Inscription (Mahinda IV), Galpotha (Nissankamalla)

4.      Rock inscription- Sangamu inscription, Galviharaya, Gadaladeniya, Dambulla, Resvehera, Thonigala

·         Copper and gold plates

1.      Panakaduwa Copper Plates- Vijayabahu I

2.      Vallipuram Gold Plates – Vasabha

·         Numismatic sources such as coins give information on

1.      Economy and trade relationships

2.      Metal industries

3.      Artistic and technical skills

4.      Writing

5.      Rulers etc.

·         Sealed or branded coins (Has ebu kasapana) were the oldest coins found in Sri Lanka.

·         Rankahawanu with the image of “Kuvera” on both sides

·         Coins with a tusker on one side and the swastika on the other from Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura

·         Sri Lakshmi coins with image of Lakshmi on one side and the swastika on the other from Mullaithiv, Kattarodei, Vallipuram.

·         Carbon dating technique, X-Ray, DNA testing and chemical methods are used to date the archaeological findings.

Ruins of Panduwasnuwara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Dambadeniya, Yapahuwa, Kurunegala, Gampola, Kandy, Kotte, etc. give valuable information about political, cultural and economic conditions of the periods.