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CBSE 8 History
Explore and master the fundamentals of CBSE 8 History
You've not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.Chapter 1
Introduction: How, When and Where
The chapter discusses the importance of understanding history beyond mere dates, emphasizing the need to consider broader social and economic changes over time. It critiques traditional historical narratives that focus primarily on rulers and significant events, advocating for a diverse perspective that includes various societal groups. The chapter also examines different approaches to periodization and the sources historians use, illustrating how these impact our understanding of India's past.
Chapter 2
From Trade to Territory The Company Establishes Power
The chapter outlines the transformation of the East India Company from a trading entity to a dominant territorial power in India. It discusses the key events, conflicts, and administrative changes that facilitated the Company's expansion, culminating in direct control over vast regions of the subcontinent by 1857. Economic motivations, military conquests, and complex interactions with local rulers played crucial roles in this historical transition.
Chapter 3
Ruling the Countryside
The chapter explores the establishment of British colonial rule in the Indian countryside, focusing on the economic and administrative transformations that occurred post the East India Company's appointment as the Diwan of Bengal. It discusses the revenue systems like the Permanent Settlement and the Mahalwari system, the introduction and impact of cash crops like indigo, and the resulting struggles of peasants under these exploitative systems, culminating in the Indigo Rebellion and subsequent movements for reform.
Chapter 4
Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
The chapter delves into the lives and struggles of tribal groups in India during British rule, exploring their traditional practices and how these were disrupted by colonial policies. It highlights the significant role of figures like Birsa Munda in advocating for tribal rights and the quest for a return to their 'golden age'. The transformation in tribal livelihoods and the impact of external forces are also examined, emphasizing the resilience and resistance of tribal communities.
Chapter 5
When People Revolt 1857 and After
The chapter discusses the widespread revolt against British rule in India beginning in May 1857, primarily led by sepoys and supported by various Indian social groups. Factors such as political discontent, socioeconomic grievances, and religious sentiments fueled the uprising against oppressive colonial policies, ultimately challenging the East India Company's control. The revolt, known as India's First War of Independence, highlighted the communal solidarity against colonialism, despite eventual British suppression and subsequent policy changes.
Chapter 6
Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
The chapter explores the impact of British colonial rule on education in India, highlighting the contrasting views of British officials on the need to civilize the natives through education. It discusses the rise of Orientalism and the push for English education, alongside the reactions of Indian thinkers like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore, who envisioned alternative educational systems that emphasized moral values, national pride, and a deeper connection to Indian culture.
Chapter 7
Women, Caste and Reform
The chapter discusses the significant changes in women's rights and caste reform in India over the last two centuries. It highlights the role of social reformers like Rammohun Roy and Jyotirao Phule, who advocated for women's education, widow remarriage, and the abolition of caste discrimination. Additionally, the chapter examines the struggles faced by various groups and the gradual shifts in societal attitudes towards these issues.
Chapter 8
The Making of the National Movement: 1870s–1947
The chapter discusses the evolution of nationalism in India from the 1870s to 1947, highlighting the emergence of political associations, the role of the Indian National Congress, and the radical shift in strategies as various groups mobilized against British rule. It emphasizes major events such as the partition of Bengal, the rise of the Swadeshi movement, the impact of World War I, and the significant contributions of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Subhas Chandra Bose, culminating in the Indian independence movement and the subsequent partition of the country.