CBSE Notes for Class 8 History (Our Pasts- III)

Chapter 1: How, When and Where
Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory (The Company Establishes Power)
Chapter 3: Ruling the Countryside
Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
Chapter 5: When People Rebel 1857 and After
Chapter 6: Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners
Chapter 7: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation
Chapter 8: Women, Caste and Reform
Chapter 9: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947
Chapter 10: India After Independence

Get chapter-wise notes for CBSE Class 8 History and ace your exams! Find comprehensive notes on How, When, and Where, From Trade to Territory, Ruling the Countryside & more below.

Chapter 1: How, When and Where

The first chapter of history in the Class 8 Social Science Curriculum gives an overview of the period. It gives an introduction to new geographical categories and an outline of the time frame. The main objective is to understand the changing nomenclatures, and major developments and understand sources of study.

• How Important are Dates?
• Periodization of Dates
• Sources of History

Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory: The Company Establishes Power

The second chapter is about Establishment of Company Power. It deals with topics like mercantilism, trade wars, struggle for territory, wars with Indian rulers, growth of colonial army and civilian administration. The objective is to understand how a trading company became a political power.

• East India Company
• Trade-In Bengal
• Trade Led to Battle
• Company Rule Expands
• Tipu Sultan
• War with Marathas
• Doctrine of Lapse
• Setting Up New Administration

Chapter 3: Ruling The Countryside

The third chapter is about Ruling The Countryside. It deals with the colonial agrarian policies, their effects on peasants and landlords, growth of commercial crops and peasant revolt. The objective is to provide view of changes in rural society, continuities and changes and growth of new crops.

• Company Becomes the Diwan
• Different Land Settlements
• Crops for Europe
• Indigo Cultivation and Ryots
• The Blue Rebellion and After

Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age

The fourth chapter deals with Colonialism and Tribal Societies. It deals with the changes in the tribal economies and tribal revolts, with focus on Birsa Munda. The objective is to show how government records can be read to reconstruct histories of tribal revolts.

• How Did Tribal Groups Live?
• How Did Colonial Rule Affect and Tribal Live?
• Birsa Munda

Chapter 5: When People Rebel 1857 and After

The fifth chapter deals with Revolt of 1857. It talks about the rebellion in the army and spread of the movement, and nature of participation being both elite and peasants. The objective is to know how revolts originateand spread, changes in colonial rule after 1857 and reading of Vernacular and British sources.

• Policies and the People
• Through the Eyes of the People
• A Mutiny Becomes a Popular Rebellion
• The Company Fights Back
• Aftermath

Chapter 6: Weavers, Iron Smelters and Factory Owners

The sixth chapter deals with crafts and industries. It talks about the decline of handicrafts in 19th century and growth of industries in 20th century. The objective is to familiarise students with concepts like industrialization and de-industrialisation, and ideas of weaving and live of weavers.

• Indian Textiles and the World Market
• Decline of Indian Textiles
• Cotton Mills Comes Up
• The Sword of Tipu Sultan and Wootz Steel
• Iron and Steel Factory in India

Chapter 7: Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation

The seventh chapter deals with Education and British Rule. It talks about the new Education System, changes in indigenous systems and growth of “National Education”. The objective is to understand the history of education system in India and linkage of politics of education with power and cultural identity.

• How the British saw Education
• Tradition of Orientalism
• What Happened to the Local Schools?
• The Agenda for a National Education

Chapter 8: Women, Caste and Reform

The eight chapter deals with Women,Caste and Reform. It deals with issues of sati,widow remarriage, child marriage and ideas on women and women education by reformers. It also deals with caste reforms, consequences and implications of the activities of reformers.

• Working Towards Change
• Changing the Lives of Widows
• Girls Begin Going to School
• Caste and Social Reform
• Non-Brahman Movement
• Reformers in India

Chapter 9: The Making of the National Movement: 1870s-1947

The ninth chapter deals with the National Movement. It gives a overview of nationalist movement from the 1870s to 1940s and about the diverse trends within the movement and different social groups and link it to constitutional changes. The objective is to see how contemporary writings and documents can be used for reconstruction of histories of political movements.

• Emergence of Nationalism
• Growth of Mass Nationalism
• Advent of Mahatma Gandhi
• Rowlatt Satyagraha
• Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movement
• The March to Dandi
• Quit India and Later

Chapter 10: India After Independence

The tenth chapter deals with India After Independence. It deals with national and regional developments since 1947, relations with other countries and future prospects. The objective is to discuss the successes and failures of Indian democracy in last 50 years and how different sources can be used to understand contemporary history.

• A New and Divided Nation
• A Constitution is Written
• How were States to be Formed?
• Planning for Development
• The Nation Sixty Years On

CBSE Class 8 History is an essential subject that covers various historical events and timelines, helping students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the past. To score well in exams, it is crucial for students to have a good command of the subject, which requires clarity of concepts and continuous practice. In this regard, CBSE Class 8 History Notes are an invaluable resource that can help students revise effectively and prepare for their exams.

Class 8 History Notes are designed to provide a concise and comprehensive overview of the historical events and concepts covered in the syllabus. These notes are created by experienced subject matter experts who have an in-depth knowledge of the subject and can offer valuable insights and explanations on complex topics. Additionally, the notes are based on the latest NCERT syllabus, ensuring that students have access to accurate and reliable study notes.