History — Syllabus & Chapters

The complete syllabus for History — every chapter you need to study, and how the exam paper is structured.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation
Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns: Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)
Chapter 3: Kingship, Caste and Class: Early Societies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)
Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings: Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)
Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers
Chapter 6: Perceptions of Society
Chapter 7: Bhakti–Sufi Traditions
Chapter 8: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. 8th–18th centuries)
Chapter 9: Vijayanagar: An Imperial Capital (c. 14th–16th centuries)
Chapter 10: Peasants, Zamindars and the States
Chapter 11: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. 16th–17th centuries)
Chapter 12: Colonialism and The Countryside
Chapter 13: Exploring Official Archives
Chapter 14: Rebels and Raj
Chapter 15: 1857 Revolt and its Representations
Chapter 16: Mahatma Gandhi and the National Movement
Chapter 17: Civil Disobedience and Beyond
Chapter 18: Framing of the Constitution
Chapter 19: The Beginning of a New Era

Frequently asked questions

How many chapters are there in History?

The History syllabus has 19 chapters, listed in full above. Cover the high-weightage chapters first using the exam pattern as a guide.

How do I know which History chapters carry the most marks?

Compare the chapter list above with the exam pattern and the last few years of question papers — the topics that appear most often and the units with the highest marks are where to focus first. Always confirm weightage against the official syllabus for your exam year.

Has the History syllabus changed this year?

Boards occasionally revise the syllabus or remove topics for a session. Always download the official syllabus for your exact exam year from the official CBSE portal rather than relying on an older copy or a social-media list.

How can I prepare for History faster?

Begin with the most-frequently-asked topics and the last few years of question papers, then test yourself under timed conditions. If you want guided help, you can use the free AI study tutor for History — practise past-paper questions and get instant feedback — or a focused History study guide that condenses the syllabus into the topics that matter most — both are free to start.