An Introduction to History (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) The time frame under study (b) The geographical framework (c) Sources.

The Earliest Societies (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Hunting and gathering as a way of life, its implications. (b) Introduction to stone tools and their use. (c) Case study: the Deccan.

The First Farmers and Herders (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Implications of farming and herding. (b) Archaeological evidence for crops, animals, houses, tools, pottery, burials, etc. (c) Case study: the North-West, and North-East.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL LIFE - DIVERSITY AND INTERDEPENDENCE

UNIT 1: Diversity

Diversity as a fact of being human - What diversity adds to our lives - Diversity in India.

Prejudice and discrimination - Inequality and discrimination - Recognition of multiple identities in oneself - The Constitution and respect for diversity

UNIT 2: Government

The need for government. Decision - making and participation- The quest for universal adult franchise through examples of the sufferagate movement and the antiapartheid struggle - Various forms of government and absence of collective sanction.

Participation and accountability - Resolution of Conflict - Concerns for Equality and Justice.

UNIT 3: Local Government  

Panchayati Raj - Description of panchayat including electoral process, decision making, implementation of decisions - Role of a gram sabha - Women and the panchayat

Urban Local Government - Municipal corporation elections, decision making structures - The provision of water and the work of the municipal corporation - Citizens protests to get their grievances addressed

Rural Administration -Focus on a land dispute and show the role of local police and patwari. - On land records and role of patwari.- On the new inheritance law.

UNIT 4: Making a Living

Rural Livelihoods -Various types of livelihoods prevalent in a village.- Different types of farmers: middle farmer, landless labourers and large farmers.

Urban Livelihoods -Difference between primary, secondary and tertiary occupations.- Descriptions of various types of lievelihoods including vegetable vendor, domestic servant, garment worker and bank employee. - Differences between self-employed, regular employment and wage employment. - The interlinkage between rural and urban lives through a discussion of migration.

The First Cities (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) The settlement pattern of the Harappan civilisation. (b) Unique architectural features. (c) Craft production. (d) The meaning of urbanism. (e) Case study: the North-West.

Different Ways of Life (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) The Vedas and what they tell us. (b) A contemporary chalcolithic settlement. (c) Case studies: the North-West and the Deccan.

Early States (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Janapadas to Mahajanapadas (b) Case study: Bihar, Magadha and the Vajji confederacy.

New Ideas (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Upanisads. - (b) Jainism. (c) Buddhism.

The First Empire (His. - Our Pasts I)

 (a) The expansion of the empire. (b) Asoka (c) Administration.

GEOGRAPHY - THE EARTH - OUR HABITAT

Planet: Earth in the solar system.

Globe: the model of the earth, latitudes and longitudes; motions of the earth rotation and revolution.

Maps: essential components of maps distance, directions and symbols.

Four realms of the earth: lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere: continents and oceans.

Major relief features of the earth

India in the world: physiographic divisions of India – mountains, plateaus and plains; climate; natural vegetation and wild life; need for their conservation.

Life in towns and villages (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) The second urbanisation. - (b) Agricultural intensification. - (c) Case study: Tamil Nadu.

Contacts with Distant lands (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) The Sangam texts and long distance exchange. Suggested regions: the Tamil region, extending to south east Asia and the west. (b) Conquerors from distant lands: north western and western India. (c) The spread of Buddhism: north India to Central Asia.

Political Developments (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Gupta empire and Harshavardhana. (b) Pallavas and Chalukyas.

Culture and Science (His. - Our Pasts I)

(a) Literature, including the Puranas, the epics, other Sanskrit and Tamil works. (b) Architecture including early monasteries and temples, sculpture, painting (Ajanta); (c) Science.

History - On The Trail of The Earliest People

The earliest people: why were they on the move-How do we know about these people-Choosing a place to live in-Making stone tools-Finding out about fire-A changing environment-Rock paintings and what they tell us-Who did what-A closer look-Hunsgi

History - What, Where, How and When

What can we know about the past-Where did people live-Names of the land-Finding out about the past-One past or many-What do dates mean

History - From Gathering to Growing Food

Varieties of foods-The beginnings of farming and herding-A new way of life-‘ Storing’ animals-Finding out about the first farmers and herders-Towards a settled life-What about other customs and practices-A closer look: Living and dying in Mehrgarh-A closer look: Daojali Hading

History - In The Earliest Cities

The story of Harappa-What was special about these cities-Houses, drains and streets-Life in the city-New crafts in the city-In search of raw materials-Food for people in the cities-A closer look:  Harappan towns in Gujarat-The mystery of the end

History - What Books and Burials Tell Us

One of the oldest books in the world-How historians study the Rigveda-Cattle, horses and chariots-Words to describe people-Silent sentinels: the story of the megaliths-Finding out about social differences-Were some burial spots meant for certain families-A special burial at Inamgaon-Occupations at Inamgaon

History - Kingdoms, Kings and an Early Republic

How some men became rulers-Janapadas-Mahajanapadas-Taxes-Changes in agriculture-A closer look: Magadha-A closer look: Vajji

History - New Questions and Ideas

The story of the Buddha-Upanishads-Jainism-The sangha-Monasteries

History - Ashoka, The Emperor Who Gave Up War

A very big kingdom=an empire-How are empires different from kingdoms?-Ruling the empire-Ashoka, a unique ruler-Ashoka’s war in Kalinga-What was Ashoka’s dhamma

History - Vital Villages, Thriving Towns

Iron tools and agriculture-Other steps to increase production: irrigation-Who lived in the villages-Finding out about cities: stories, travellers, sculpture and archaeology-Coins-Cities with many functions-Crafts and crafts persons-A closer look: Arikamedu

History - Traders, Kings and Pilgrims

How to find out about trade and traders-New kingdoms along the coasts-The story of the Silk Route-The spread of Buddhism-The quest of the pilgrims-The beginning of Bhakti

History - New Empires and Kingdoms

Prashastis and what they tell us-Samudragupta’s prashasti-Genealogies-Harshavardhana and the Harshacharita-The Pallavas, Chalukyas and Pulakeshin’s prashasti-How were these kingdoms administered-A new kind of army-Assemblies in the southern kingdoms-Ordinary people in the kingdoms

History - Buildings, Paintings and Books

The iron pillar-Buildings in brick and stone-How were stupas and temples built-Painting-The world of books-Recording and preserving old stories-Stories told by ordinary people-Writing books on science

Geography - The Earth in the Solar System

Introduction-The Solar System

Geography - Globe: Latitudes and Longitudes

Important Parallels of Latitudes-Heat Zones of the Earth-What are Longitudes-Longitude and Time-Why do We Have Standard Time

Geography - Motions of the Earth

Introduction-Motions of the Earth

Geography - Maps

Physical Maps-Political Maps-Thematic Maps-Distance-Direction-Symbols-Sketch-Plan

Geography - Major Domains of the Earth

Lithosphere-Hydrosphere-Atmosphere-Biosphere: The Domain of Life

Geography - Major Landforms of the Earth

Mountains-Plateaus-Plains-Landforms and the People

Geography - Our Country: India

Locational Setting-Political and Administrative Divisions-Physical Divisions

Geography - India: Climate, Vegetation and Wildlife

Cold Weather Season Or Winter-Hot Weather Season Or Summer-South West Monsoon Season Or Rainy Season-Season Of Retreating Monsoons Or Autumn-Natural Vegetation-Tropical Rain Forest-Tropical Deciduous Forests-Thorny Bushes-Mountain Vegetation-Mangrove Forests-Why Are Forests Necessary-Wild Life

Civics - Understanding Diversity

Making Friends-What Does Diversity Add To Our Lives-Diversity In India-How Do We Explain Diversity-Unity In Diversity

Civics - Diversity and Discrimination

Difference and Prejudice-Creating Stereotypes-Inequality and Discrimination-On being discriminated against-Striving for Equality

Civics - What is Government?

Levels of Government-Laws and the Government-Types of Government-Democratic Governments

Civics - Key Elements of a Democratic Government

Participation-Other Ways of Participating-Need To Resolve Conflict-Equality and Justice

Civics - Panchayati Raj

Gram Sabha-The Gram Panchayat-Three Levels of Panchayats

Civics - Rural Administration

A Quarrel in the Village-Area of the Police Station-Maintenance of Land Records-A New Law

Civics - Urban Administration

The Ward Councillor and Administrative Staff-A Community Protest

Civics - Rural Livelihoods

Kalpattu village-Sekar-On being in Debt-Ramalingam and Karuthamma-Agricultural Labourers and Farmers in India-Rural Livelihoods

Civics - Urban Livelihoods

Working on the Street-In the Market-Harpreet and Vandana: Businesspersons-In the Factory: Workshop Area-In the office area