Class 11 and 12 History Syllabus (2025-26)

HISTORY

Classes XI & XII (2025-2026)

Subject Code: 027

Academic Session 2025-26

Rationale & Aims

The History curriculum introduces students to important historical events and processes through sources, debates and enquiry. It emphasizes history as a critical discipline — a way of knowing the past, not just a collection of facts. Students learn how historians select evidence, interpret sources, and construct narratives. The syllabus enables comparative analysis across cultures and time, fostering an appreciation of diverse human experiences.

Aims: Develop analytical skills to understand change and continuity, appreciate heritage, and use historical perspective for contemporary challenges. Emphasis on enquiry, evidence-based thinking, and connecting global developments with Indian history.

CLASS XI – WORLD HISTORY

Theory: 80 | Project: 20

📜 Section I : EARLY SOCIETIES (Timeline: 6 MYA – 1 BCE)

• Theme 1: Writing and City Life (Iraq, 3rd millennium BCE)10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Elucidate interwoven social & cultural aspects of early civilizations
  • Analyse outcomes of sustained tradition of writing
  • Explain connection between urban growth and cultural development

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Growth of towns & urban societies
  • Mesopotamia urban planning
  • Cuneiform script & writing traditions
  • Historians' debate on uses of writing
  • Cultural legacy of Mesopotamia

🏛️ Section II : EMPIRES (c.100 BCE – 1300 CE)

• Theme 2: An Empire Across Three Continents (Roman Empire)10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Explain Roman polity, economy, society, culture
  • Analyse Rome's contacts with India, slavery, cultural transformation

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Political evolution & urban life
  • Slavery system & economic networks
  • Roman legacy & contacts with India
• Theme 3: Nomadic Empires (Mongols)10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Identify living patterns of pastoral nomads
  • Trace rise of Genghis Khan & socio-political changes

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Mongol society & military expansion
  • Genghis Khan's rise & administration
  • Mongol legacy & global perspectives

⚜️ Section III : CHANGING TRADITIONS (c.1300 – 1700)

• Theme 4: The Three Orders10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Explain feudalism with reference to social orders
  • Assess 14th century crisis & rise of nation-states

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Feudal society & Christian Church
  • Trade & urban growth
  • 14th century crisis & nation-states rise
• Theme 5: Changing Cultural Traditions10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Analyse Renaissance, humanism, new worldviews

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Renaissance & Humanism
  • Reformation & Scientific revolution
  • Enlightenment roots & cultural transformations

🌍 Section IV : TOWARDS MODERNISATION (c.1700 – 2000)

• Theme 6: Displacing Indigenous Peoples10 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Understand European colonisation impact on indigenous populations

  📖 Key Topics:

  • European settlers in America/Australia
  • Displacement policies & resistance movements
  • Cultural transformation & frontier conflicts
• Theme 7: Paths to Modernisation15 Marks

  Learning Outcomes

  • Compare modernisation in Japan, China, Korea

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Meiji restoration (Japan)
  • Chinese revolutions & Korean transformation
  • Industrialisation, nationalism, social change

Map Work (Class XI): 5 marks – Locations related to themes (Mesopotamia, Roman Empire, Mongol expansion, etc.)

CLASS XII – INDIAN HISTORY (Themes in Indian History)

Theory: 80 | Project: 20

🏺 PART I (Ancient India) – 25 Marks

• Theme 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones (The Harappan Civilisation)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Investigate early urban centres, social institutions
  • Interpret Harappan civilisation & ASI viewpoints

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Town planning: grid pattern, drainage, granaries
  • Trade, craft production & seals
  • Religious beliefs, script debates
  • Theories of decline & recent discoveries (Rakhigarhi, Dholavira)
• Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns (Early States c.600 BCE–600 CE)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Critically evaluate political & economic trends

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Mahajanapadas & Mauryan Empire
  • Ashokan edicts & inscriptions
  • Trade networks: Silk Route & Indian Ocean
  • Post-Mauryan polities & coinage
• Theme 3: Kinship, Caste and Class (Early Societies)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Examine social history & Mahabharata as source

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Varna & Jati evolution, gender roles
  • Marriage practices & family structures
  • Mahabharata: social norms & historical context
  • Dharmashastras & social regulation
• Theme 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings (Cultural Developments)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Infer major religious developments (Jainism, Buddhism)

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Jainism & Buddhism doctrines
  • Stupa architecture: Sanchi, Bharhut
  • Rock-cut caves: Ajanta, Ellora
  • Spread of Buddhism & philosophical schools

🕌 PART II (Medieval India) – 25 Marks

• Theme 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers (10th–17th c.)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Understand social histories by Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, Bernier

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Al-Biruni's Kitab-ul-Hind: caste, science
  • Ibn Battuta's Rihla: urban centres, markets
  • Francois Bernier: Mughal court critique
  • Travellers' accounts as historical sources
• Theme 6: Bhakti-Sufi Traditions (8th–18th c.)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Summarise philosophies of Bhakti & Sufi saints

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Alvars, Nayanars & Shankara
  • Saguna & Nirguna Bhakti: Kabir, Mirabai
  • Sufi Silsilas: Chishti, Naqshbandi
  • Syncretic culture & vernacular literature
• Theme 7: An Imperial Capital – Vijayanagara (c.14th–16th c.)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Classify architectural contributions & city planning

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Urban planning: Royal & Sacred Centres
  • Temple architecture: Virupaksha, Vittala
  • Foreign travellers' accounts
  • Battle of Talikota & UNESCO Hampi
• Theme 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State (Mughal Empire)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Comprehend agrarian developments & state-agriculture relationship

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Land revenue: Zabt, Dahsala
  • Ain-i-Akbari & agricultural statistics
  • Zamindars rights & peasant uprisings
  • Debates on Mughal agrarian economy

🇮🇳 PART III (Modern India) – 25 Marks

• Theme 9: Colonialism and the Countryside (Exploring Official Archives)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Evaluate British revenue systems & economic colonization

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari
  • Commercialization of agriculture & peasant debt
  • Deccan Riots & peasant uprisings
  • Colonial archives & their limitations
• Theme 10: Rebels and the Raj (1857 Revolt)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Examine events, planning & coordination of 1857

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Causes: political, economic, military, social
  • Key leaders: Bahadur Shah Zafar, Rani Lakshmibai
  • Hindu-Muslim unity & British suppression
  • Representations: British vs nationalist narratives
• Theme 11: Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement

  Learning Outcomes

  • Understand nationalist movement chronologically

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Satyagraha: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad
  • Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
  • Mass mobilization & Gandhi's ideology
  • Sources: autobiographies, letters, government records
• Theme 12: Framing the Constitution (A New Era)

  Learning Outcomes

  • Highlight role of Constituent Assembly & debates

  📖 Key Topics:

  • Constituent Assembly composition & functioning
  • Fundamental Rights & Directive Principles
  • Debates: citizenship, federalism, reservations
  • Role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar & adoption

Map Work (Class XII): 5 marks – Locations: Harappan sites, Mahajanapadas, Vijayanagara, 1857 centres, national movement sites

Question Paper Design (Classes XI & XII)

MCQ

21 x 1 = 21

Objective & competency based

Short Answer (SA)

6 x 3 = 18

Concise analytical questions

Long Answer (LA)

3 x 8 = 24

In-depth explanation

Source Based

3 x 4 = 12

Primary source interpretation

Map Work

05

Identification & location

📖 Knowledge & Remembering

Recalling facts, basic concepts

21 Marks (26.25%)

🧠 Understanding

Interpreting, explaining, stating main ideas

18 Marks (22.5%)

⚙️ Applying & Analyzing

Applying knowledge, examining evidence

24 Marks (30%)

📝 Evaluating & Creating

Making inferences, constructing arguments

12 Marks (15%) + Map 5

Internal Assessment – Project Work (20 Marks)

Class XI – Suggestive Topics

• Facets of Industrialization (16th-18th c.)
• Crusades: causes, events, outcomes
• Ancient Mesopotamia in depth
• Greek Philosophy & City States
• Renaissance in art & literature
• Genghis Khan – piecing the past
• Modernization in China/Japan/Korea

Class XII – Select Topics

• Indus Valley Civilization: New Perspectives
• Mahabharat – The Great Epic of India
• Bhakti Movement & Sufism Interpretations
• Global Legacy of Gandhian Ideas
• Revolt of 1857: Causes & Leadership
• Architecture: Vijayanagar vs Mughal
• Indian Constitution: Debates & Vision

Assessment Rubrics (20 Marks)

• Synopsis/Initiation: 6 marks
• Planning & Data Collection: 5 marks
• Analysis & Interpretation: 5 marks
• Viva Voce: 4 marks

Project report handwritten only, original work with proper citations.

Prescribed Textbooks (NCERT)

• Class XI: Themes in World History (NCERT)
• Class XII: Themes in Indian History – Parts I, II, III (NCERT)
• NCERT Official: https://ncert.nic.in/

History Curriculum 2025-26 | CBSE Subject Code 027 | Complete syllabus with Themes 1-12 & detailed subtopics