This is not a new concept to us. We use this, follow this in our day to day life. This only proves that Computer Science and its concepts are very well related to real world only. Don't believe me?
Have an example: Suppose, You are at point A and want to reach at B. There are 3 roads say X, Y and Z to follow from A and you have no idea about which is the right path. What you will do? You will choose any one path out of three say X. But you eventually found that X does not lead to B. What will you do now? You will come back to A and follow path Y. Is it not right? Is it not what you do? And, for your information, you just followed the principle of Backtracking.