ICSE Syllabus Class 8 History

ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus

The ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus helps students gain a deeper understanding of the exam format, question types, significant topics and question paper design. It is vital to understand the present-day global world by understanding the past as taught in the ICSE History Class 8 syllabus. As a result of the current ICSE History Class 8 curriculum, students will have a better understanding of the world. Students can learn more about the detailed ICSE History Class 8 syllabus on the Extramarks website. 

Students must effectively prepare for the ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus. The Class 8th History ICSE syllabus allows students to understand the curriculum structure, which enables them not just to plan well but also to prepare well for the examination. Students are advised to keep this ICSE History Class 8 syllabus handy to revisit it when needed and go through it to cross-check that they have brushed up on the entire topic well. The Extramarks team has provided the complete History syllabus for Class 8 ICSE that lets students prepare well for their school and competitive examinations.

Apart from the ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus, Extramarks also offers many other resources such as ICSE Solutions, ISC & ICSE Syllabus, ICSE Sample Question Papers, ICSE Revision Notes, ICSE Important Questions, ICSE Question Papers and more.

ICSE Class 8 History Syllabus for 2023-24

The ICSE History Class 8  Syllabus is available on the Extramarks website for students who wish to check it out. In this way, the students will be able to divide their study time and prepare for the final exams as effectively as possible. All topics are based on the latest developments from 2023-2024, preparing students to enter Class 9 and 10 in  2023. In addition, they will learn various concepts that are crucial for the examinations.

ICSE History Syllabus is divided into the following chapters, as shown in the table below.

The ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus is as under.

1. A Period of Transition

• The period of transition – basic understanding.
• Sources – Primary and Secondary.
• The transition from the Medieval to the Modern Age (a brief discussion of Renaissance,  Voyages, Reformation and Discoveries).
• The Industrial Revolution – its meaning and the reasons why it began in England, major inventions and Impacts of the Industrial Revolution.
• Imperialism- Its meaning, causes and impacts with special reference to South Asian Countries.

2. The Growth of Nationalism

• The French Revolution – what caused the outbreak, its impact, the post-revolution period, Napoleon Bonaparte (the brief discussion of the revolution).
• The American War of Independence – its colonies, beginning, causes, the birth of the United States of America.
• American Civil War – its background, beginnings, causes, the role of Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address.

3. India in the 18th Century

• The decline of the Mughal Empire – (Major causes/factors).
• Rise of the regional/independent kingdoms- Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh, Rajputs, Sikhs, Mysore, Marathas (brief).

4. Traders to Rulers

• The advent of the English East India Company- a brief discussion
• Conquest of the Bengal-Battle of Plassey, Buxar- causes and results.
• Dual Government- Drawbacks of Dual government.
• The policy of the British Expansion (its meaning and examples) – the Doctrine of lapse, Annexation of Awadh (pretext), Subsidiary Alliance.

5. British Policies and Impacts

• Economic policies
  • Land Revenue system (Permanent Settlement, Ryotwari, Mahalwari), highlight Permanent Settlement only,
• The exploitation of artisans and weavers.
• The concept of the drain of wealth.
• Introduction of Modern Education.

Wood’s Despatch (Introduction to Wood’s despatch and its effects).

6. The Great Uprising of 1857

• Reasons – political, socio-religious, economic, military.
• Immediate causes.
• Leaders and the Spread of the uprising
• Consequences.
• Nature of the Uprising.

7. Socio-religious Reforms

• Contribution of the Social Reformers in brief:
• Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda, Sree Narayana Guru, Annie Besant, Dayanand Saraswati,  Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Veeresalingam, Jyotiba Phule, Kandukuri and Singh Sabhas

8. India’s Struggle for Freedom

Phase 1

• Rise of nationalism – factors- economic exploitation, the spread of western education, the role of the Press, the repressive policy of Lord Lytton (to be discussed briefly)
• Early political associations – The Indian National Congress (its formation and objectives), The Moderates- leaders, their methods, demands Partition of Bengal- only the Anti-Partition Movement-i.e., Swadeshi and Boycott to be discussed briefly, the Surat split- a brief understanding.

Phase 2

• Home Rule Movement- the leaders and its objectives, the Lucknow Pact (1916)- as Unity Pact (a brief covering).
• Gandhian Era (1917 – 1947).
• Early campaigns- Kheda,  Ahmedabad, Champaran(a brief description).
• Mass Movements-Non- cooperation (its causes, impact, withdrawal), Rowlatt Act, Khilafat (Chauri- Chaura), Jallianwala.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (its causes), the Simon Commission, Lahore Session Quit India-Forward Bloc, and INA (the objectives only) Independence and the partition – Mountbatten plan, Cabinet Mission Plan, Indian Independence Act (only clauses).

About Class 8 ICSE History Syllabus

The most recent guidelines established by the ICSE board are followed by all ICSE-affiliated institutions in India. The most recent curriculum for the academic year 2023-2024 is available on the Extramarks website. Even though the ICSE History Class 8 syllabus is more extensive than that of other boards, it will benefit students in their future academic endeavours. 

Let us know more about the different sections of the ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus.

Chapter 1: The Period of Transition

It briefly covers the changes that occurred across the world during the study. Along with discussing the profound changes brought on by the industrial revolution and assessing the effects of imperialism on the world, it also addresses the fundamental distinctions between primary and secondary sources.

After reading chapter one, students will be able to:

• Form an overview of the developments and shifts that took place during the time of transition 
• throughout the world.
• Distinguish between primary and secondary historical sources.
• Identify, comprehend and opine on significant movements like the Renaissance, Reformation, etc.

Chapter 2: The Growth of Nationalism 

The process that led to social, political, religious, and economic justice for the people of France and America, as well as the abolition of the monarchy, is discussed, as is the demand for equality and freedom in those countries.

A student will be able to do the following after studying this chapter:

• Identify the first nationalist movements in history
• Examine and comprehend the significant changes that the French Revolution and the American War of Independence brought about in the world.
• Examine the various causes of the French Revolution.

Chapter 3: India in the 18th Century

This chapter discusses the developments that occurred in India after Aurangzeb’s passing. Following the demise of the Mughal Empire, strong nobles created their own sovereign kingdoms. The passage of India from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era is covered in this chapter.

Students will be able to:

•  Identify the Mughal emperors who succeeded Aurangzeb and talk about the causes of the Mughal empire‘s decline.
• Recognise how to separate regional kingdoms that have grown.
• Calculate the Marathas’ increasing power under the Peshwas.

Chapter 4: Traders to Rulers

This chapter describes how foreign European powers came to have political sway over the nation. Students will learn about the Plassey and Buxar battles. Additionally, they will comprehend how the British came to rule India. The exploits of the colonial powers are also discussed.

Upon finishing this chapter, students will be able to:

• Recognise the trade and commercial system that prevailed in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• Look at the fierce competition amongst the trading companies.
• Analyse how the victories at Plassey and Buxar helped to expand British influence in India.

Chapter 5: British Policies and Impacts 

You will learn about Indian wealth before British rule in this chapter. Understanding how British dominance devastated the Indian industry is helpful. It also discusses how Indian native businessmen, peasants, and artisans were taken advantage of by British policies.

Students will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate and reflect on India’s economic policy under the Company rule after finishing this chapter.
• Recognise the various land revenue regimes that the British introduced.
• Analyse how British control has affected traditional industries.

Chapter 6:The Great Uprising of 1857 

The First War of Independence, which had taken place in 1857, is discussed in this chapter. It introduces pupils to the leaders of the same and talks about the effects of the conflict.

Post-reading chapter 6, students will be able to:

•  Recognise the causes of the Great Uprising
• Indicate the locations of the great uprising’s centres on a map of India.
• Recognise the effects of the 1857 revolution.

Chapter 7: Social and Religious Reforms

In the nineteenth century, social reformers in India brought about change. Additionally, it aids in understanding the movements for social, cultural and religious reform. The Singh Sabha, Brahmo Samaj, Ramakrishna Mission and Arya Samaj are all discussed.

After finishing chapter 7 of the curriculum, students will be able to:

• Recognise the socio-religious customs that prevailed in 19th-century Indian society.
• Discuss the significance of social reform initiatives from the 19th and 20th centuries that aimed to increase public knowledge of common social practices.
• Applaud the reformers’ attempts to address problems like the caste system, child marriage, sati pratha, etc.

Chapter 8: India’s Struggle for Freedom 

It talks about India’s fight to break away from the British Empire. Learn about the many rises in nationalism in India, the Indian National Congress and its two phases of involvement in the battle, prominent activities started by Mahatma Gandhi, and his nonviolent and Satyagraha beliefs in this chapter.

Paper Pattern of ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus

There are several details provided in the ICSE History Class 8 exam pattern, including the number of questions, how marks are distributed, and the number of mandatory questions. The exam pattern is, therefore, useful to the students before they begin preparing for the exam. Students can study the ICSE History Class 8 Paper Pattern to prepare for the upcoming board exams. The paper will be worth 100 marks.

Stay tuned to the Extramarks website to get the latest news on the ICSE syllabus and the marking scheme of the exam, timetable, and other exam details. Students should regularly visit the Extramarks website for the latest update on ICSE History Class 8  Syllabus. 

ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus & Study Materials 2023-2024 – Click For More Details

During the preparation, students will gain a better understanding of the subjects they will study in class. Thus, they can refer to the ICSE Syllabus Class 8 History to attain a good score. 

It also covers various heart-wrenching history topics, which essentially will improve the knowledge of the students. The students will explore basic to advanced History learning in ICSE Class 8 History Syllabus. It will help them to score more on the exam. 

It is available on the Extramarks website, where you can download the ICSE History Class 8 Syllabus. By clicking on the links below, students can also access various other study materials.

• ICSE Solutions
• ICSE History Class 8 Notes
• ICSE sample question papers
• ICSE revision notes
• ICSE important questions
• ICSE question paper

Students may click here to access the ICSE Class 8 History Syllabus on Extramarks.