Earth as
Part of the Solar SystemSummary 1.The universe is the vast space around us which
includes stars, planets, satellites, etc. 2.Stars are giant balls of gases in space. 3.Stars occur in groups that make an imaginary shape in
the night sky called constellations. 4.The sun is a star of medium size. 5.The sun and eight planets more...
Development in Art and ArchitectureSummary 1.India?s
rich cultural heritage is the crowning glory of the Indian civilisation.2.A
stupa is a domed building which houses Buddhist relics.3.Many
temples were built in India. The three main components of the temples were Garbagriha,
mandapa and shikhar.4.Beautiful
paintings called murals adorn the walls, ceilings and pillars of the Ajanta
Caves. The technique of painting is known as fresco-secco.5.Our
heritage includes many great more...
New
Empires and KingdomsSummary1.After
a gap of many years, a large part of India was united under the rule of the
Gupta dynasty.2.Chandragupta
I was the first important king. He was succeeded by his son Samudragupta.3.Allahabad
Prashasti is one of the most important sources of information. It was
engraved on the Ashokan pillar in Kausambi near Allahabad.4.The
glory of the Gupta Empire reached its pinnacle under Chandragupta II, who took
the title of Vikramaditya.5.Contact With Distant LandsSummary1.After
the collapse of the Mauryan Empire, several small kingdoms came up. The most
important development was the arrival of foreign tribal groups in India.2.The
important kingdoms of the south were Cheras, Cholas and Pandyas. These three
southern kingdoms were in constant conflict for supremacy.3.Another
kingdom ruled by the Satavahana Dynasty rose to power in 200 BCE. They occupied
a large part of central India known as dakshinapatha.4.The
route through which silk was taken to the west came more...
The
Second UrbanisationSummary1.From
the 1st century BCE to about 4th century CE, India underwent huge
transformation.2.During
this period, there was a spurt in agricultural production which led to the
emergence of many towns and cities.3.This
phase also opened up a network of internal and overseas trade routes.4.It
saw the introduction of currency and witnessed the development of numerous arts
and crafts including ceramics.5.Archaeologists
have found thousands of coins made of more...
Ashoka
the GreatSummary1.The
foundation of the first empire in India was laid by the Mauryan Dynasty in
Magadha. Chandragupta Mauraya was the first ruler of the dynasty.2.Megasthenes
in his book Indica and Chanakya in Arthashastra have given
detailed accounts of the administrative, political, economic and military
system of the Mauryan Empire.3.Ashoka
is regarded as one of the greatest rulers of the world.4.He
waged a war on Kalinga and this war changed him from a great warrior to a great
advocate of peace. more...
New Thoughts - Evolution of IdeasSummary 1.The
Upanishads are philosophical texts. They have the ideas and teachings of the
new thinkers.2.The
Upanishads are strongly opposed to rituals and sacrifices.3.Buddhism
is based on the teachings of Prince Siddharth. He achieved enlightenment and
came to be known as the Buddha.4.According
to Buddhist teachings, each person is born and reborn many times. The ultimate
freedom from this wheel of life is a state where there is no suffering and is
called nirvana. more...
Early
Kingdoms and RepublicsSummary1.By the end of the Rig Vedic period, many territorial
states called janapadas arose as people stopped moving from one place to
another. These states became stronger and bigger and were called mahajanapadas.2.Buddhist texts tell us that there were 16 mahajanapadas.3.These mahajanapadas were either republican or
monarchial. In a republic (gana-sangha), the territory was governed by
an assembly and not a hereditary monarch.4.Important advancements in agriculture occurred which
led to increased agricultural production.The
Vedic AgeSummary1.The
Aryans were nomadic people who came to India from the north-west.2.They
settled down and gradually took to agriculture.3.Our
knowledge of the Aryans comes from the Vedas.4.The
Rigveda gives information about the Early Vedic Age.5.The
period when the Aryans first settled in India is known as the Early Vedic Age
(1500 BCE to 1000 BCE).6.During
this more...
Early Cities in the Indian
SubcontinentSummary1.The Indus
Valley Civilisation is believed to have existed between 2500 BCE and 1700 BCE.2.Some
important sites of the civilisation are Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan and
Dholavira.3.The cities
exhibit excellent planning. The drainage system was also hygienic and planned.4.There was
internal as well as external trade.5.The main
crops more...
