Chapter 1. India – Size and Location

Size and Location * India spreads across the Eastern and Northern Hemisphere. * India’s latitudinal stretch is from 8.4° E to 37.6° E. * India’s longitudinal stretch is from 68.7° E to 97.25° E. * The Tropic of Cancer at 23.30° N divides it almost into two equal halves. * India has the Andaman and ... Read more

Chapter 8 . Clothing – A Social History

Sumptuary Laws of France * The sumptuary laws existed from 1294 to the time of the French Revolution in 1789. * It restricted people from wearing certain clothes and from consuming certain foods and beverages such as alcohol. * The French Revolution swept away the existing dress codes. * Later, both men and women wore ... Read more

Chapter 7. History and Sports – The Story of Cricket

Development of Cricket in England * Cricket developed in rural England out of several stick and ball games. * First laws of cricket were written in 1744. * The Marylebone Cricket revised the cricket laws and published them in 1788. * The cricketing equipment is still handmade using natural pre-industrial materials. * The hierarchies of ... Read more

Chapter 6. Peasant and Farmers

Agriculture in England * The agriculture system changed in England in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. * Until the eighteenth century, the countryside of England was open. * The common land was open to all villagers, and was used for a variety of daily activities. * The rich landlords enclosed lands by drawing ... Read more

Chapter 5. Pastoralists on the Modern World

Movement of Pastoral Nomads * The nomads who live in the different terrains of India follow various seasonal movements to earn their livelihood. * There are different communities of nomadic pastoralists in India. * Nomadic pastoralists adjust their movement and activities according to the surrounding conditions to make a living. Colonial Rule and Pastoral Life ... Read more

Chapter 4. Forest Society and Colonialism

Deforestation * Forests form an important part of our ecosystem and are beneficial to us in various ways. * Deforestation is the process of clearing of forests by removing trees through logging or burning. * Causes of deforestation are cultivation, timber for building ships, trains and railway line sleepers, plantations and the demand for fodder, ... Read more

Chapter 3. Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

Nazism and the Rise of Hitler: An Introduction * Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany from 1933 to 1945. * During Hitler’s government Germany was called Nazi Germany. * Nazi Germany followed a philosophy called Nazism, which promoted violent practices to restore German pride. * In 1939 Hitler attacked Poland to conquer more land ... Read more

Chapter 2. Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution

Factors Leading to Socialism in Europe * Liberals and radicals wanted change in the social structure. * Conservatives realized that change was inevitable, however wanted it to be a gradual process. * The industrial revolution led to the formation of new cities, industrial regions and the expansion of the railway. * The working conditions were ... Read more