ICSE Syllabus for Class 8 History

The ICSE Syllabus Class 8 History of Several Units

Chapter 1: The Period of Transition 

It covers the events and changes that occurred across the world during the study. It also discusses the basic differences between primary and secondary sources, analyzing the radical changes brought about by the industrial revolution and evaluating the impact of imperialism on the world.

After reading chapter one student will be able to:

• Form a general idea of the events and the changes that occurred all over the world during the period of transition 

• Make out the differences between primary and secondary historical sources 

• Recognize, understand and speculate on the important movements such as the renaissance, reformation, etc.

Chapter 2: The Growth of Nationalism 

It talks about the process of people and the demand for equality and liberty in France and America which resulted in social, political, religious, and economic justice to the people of France and America and ended the monarchy.

Once this chapter is studied by a student he/she/they will be able to:

• Recognize the earliest Nationalist movements in global history 

• Examine and understand major changes that occurred in the world due to the French revolution and the American War of Independence 

• Inspect several factors leading to the French revolution

Chapter 3: India in the 18th Century

This chapter talks about changes that took place in India post the death of Aurangzeb. The downfall of the Mughal Empire was followed by the formation of independent kingdoms founded by powerful nobles. This chapter talks about the transition of India from medieval to modern.

Students will be able to:

• Recognize the Mughal rulers who ruled after Aurangzeb discuss factors responsible for the decline of the Mughal empire

• Understand the rise of independent regional kingdoms

• Estimate the rising power of the Marathas under the Peshwas

Chapter 4: Traders to Rulers

This chapter talks about how foreign European powers gained political control of the country. Students will discover about the battles of Plassey and Buxar. They will also understand how Britishers became masters of India. It also talks about the exploits of the colonial powers. 

After completion of this chapter learners will be able to:

• Understand the system of trade and commerce that existed in India in the 17th and 18th centuries

• Examine the intense rivalry among the trading companies

• Evaluate the impacts of the Battle of Plassey and Buxar in strengthening the British position in India

Chapter 5: British Policies and Impacts 

This chapter takes you through the prosperity of India before the British Rule. It helps to understand how British rule destroyed the Indian industry. It also talks about how British policies exploited local Indian traders, peasants, and artisans.

After completing this chapter students will be in a position to:

• Analyze critically and reflect on the economic policy of India under the Company rule

• Understand the different land revenue systems introduced by the British

• Evaluate the impacts of British rule on the traditional industries.

Chapter 6:The Great Uprising of 1857 

This chapter talks about the First War of Independence that had taken place in 1857. It makes students acquainted with the leaders of the same and also discusses the impact of the war.

Post-reading chapter 6 students will be able to:

• Understand the reasons for the great uprising

• Point the centers of the great uprising on an outline map of India

• Understand the impact of the great uprising of 1857.

Chapter 7: Social and Religious Reforms

It talks about social reformers who brought changes in the nineteenth century in India. It also helps understand the social, cultural, and religious reform movements. It discusses Singh Sabha, Brahmo Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission, Arya Samaj, etc. 

After completion of chapter 7 of the syllabus learners will be able to:

• Understand the socio-religious practices that existed in Indian society in the 19th century, 

• Talk about the importance of social reform movements during the 19th and 20th century which focused on raising awareness about prevalent social practices, 

• Appreciate the efforts of the reformers to deal with issues such as caste system, child marriage, sati pratha, etc. 

Chapter 8: India’s Struggle for Freedom 

It discusses India's struggle to free herself from the shackles of the British. In this chapter learn of various rise of nationalism in India, Indian National Congress - its formation and role in the struggle, its two phases, leaders involved in the struggle, their contributions, important movements started by Mahatma Gandhi and his ideologies of nonviolence and Satyagraha. 

After completing the last chapter of the syllabus students will be able to:

• Define nationalism and understand factors that gave rise to nationalism 

• Enlist the objectives of the Indian National Congress 

• Comprehend and discuss the methods and demands of the moderates

• Appreciate the ideas of Nationalism and Swadeshi introduced during the Swadeshi Movement post-partition of Bengal 

• Understand the importance of the various campaigns initiated by Gandhi

• Understand the various factors responsible for the launching of the Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India movement 

• Examine the various clauses that were present in the Indian Independence Act