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Themes in Indian History #1
Themes in Indian History Part I
This is textbook for class XII Social Science for History Part 1 published by National Council of Technical Education and Research (NCERT), Delhi for Central Board of Secondary Education, Delhi affiliated schools of India.
- GenresHistory
117 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 8, 2020
It has been 25 years since I left high school (bang on, guessing my age :)).
Like most Indian lower middle class �. oops� �. strike strike�. aspirant class kid, my focus was always on Maths and Science -- because that's how you get into Engineering, and that's how you get a good job, and that's how you can buy a car, and that's how you can go abroad.
Why was 'Social science' even taught was a question in mind. Civics made sense, OK, it could help you to know your rights and duties as a citizen, but why would one read history was beyond me. What happened 50, 100, 200 or 1000 year ago, how was that relevant today? What purpose that would serve, even if one knows those unimportant events, laughable customs - I thought.
25 years later, now that I've become slightly wiser (really?), I appreciate the importance of subjects on humanities, particularly history in our lives.
It is only through knowing our pasts, we can forge our future.
I reflected, why none of the best minds of my class never aimed to become a historian, an economist, a political scientist or a writer, et al and I found the scapegoat in our course materials and the way history was taught - focusing more on dates, and names. WHAT and WHEN. And, never WHY and HOW?
So, I thought of revisiting how history is being taught now in our schools. Have we evolved in teaching social sciences in our schools?
In that attempt, The first book I picked was the NCERT book for History for Class 12 - Themes in Indian History - divided into 3 parts.
And boy, was I impressed!!
This is exactly how history should be taught and read. The book asks questions and does not provide answers that could stir the minds of students in any particular direction. Instead of telling what is right or what is wrong, it asks the students to consider arguments from all side and then come to their own conclusion ; e.g. whether Mahabharata is pure myth or pure history or mixture of both, what rights women had as reflected from Draupadi's life, the rise of different sects and offshoots of hindu religion, justification for caste and their relevance today, how we know what is truth, etc etc
Lots of emphasis on learning through projects, debates, thought experiments, and not merely guzzling on lots of information
The book is low on chronological events, focusing more on different themes that shaped Indian history at different times.
The first part of the series has these four themes -
1. Bricks, Beads and Bones - The Harappan Civilization
2. Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economics
3. Kinship, caste and Class - Early Societies
4. Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings - Cultural developments
Since the book builds on the previous courses in earlier classes - that's why it omits a lot of information that could come handy in reflecting lots of questions given, that probably had been taught through class 6-8 ( I am going to read those next).
But, had this been my course book then, probably, I would have been in a different career path.
Like most Indian lower middle class �. oops� �. strike strike�. aspirant class kid, my focus was always on Maths and Science -- because that's how you get into Engineering, and that's how you get a good job, and that's how you can buy a car, and that's how you can go abroad.
Why was 'Social science' even taught was a question in mind. Civics made sense, OK, it could help you to know your rights and duties as a citizen, but why would one read history was beyond me. What happened 50, 100, 200 or 1000 year ago, how was that relevant today? What purpose that would serve, even if one knows those unimportant events, laughable customs - I thought.
25 years later, now that I've become slightly wiser (really?), I appreciate the importance of subjects on humanities, particularly history in our lives.
It is only through knowing our pasts, we can forge our future.
I reflected, why none of the best minds of my class never aimed to become a historian, an economist, a political scientist or a writer, et al and I found the scapegoat in our course materials and the way history was taught - focusing more on dates, and names. WHAT and WHEN. And, never WHY and HOW?
So, I thought of revisiting how history is being taught now in our schools. Have we evolved in teaching social sciences in our schools?
In that attempt, The first book I picked was the NCERT book for History for Class 12 - Themes in Indian History - divided into 3 parts.
And boy, was I impressed!!
This is exactly how history should be taught and read. The book asks questions and does not provide answers that could stir the minds of students in any particular direction. Instead of telling what is right or what is wrong, it asks the students to consider arguments from all side and then come to their own conclusion ; e.g. whether Mahabharata is pure myth or pure history or mixture of both, what rights women had as reflected from Draupadi's life, the rise of different sects and offshoots of hindu religion, justification for caste and their relevance today, how we know what is truth, etc etc
Lots of emphasis on learning through projects, debates, thought experiments, and not merely guzzling on lots of information
The book is low on chronological events, focusing more on different themes that shaped Indian history at different times.
The first part of the series has these four themes -
1. Bricks, Beads and Bones - The Harappan Civilization
2. Kings, Farmers and Towns - Early States and Economics
3. Kinship, caste and Class - Early Societies
4. Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings - Cultural developments
Since the book builds on the previous courses in earlier classes - that's why it omits a lot of information that could come handy in reflecting lots of questions given, that probably had been taught through class 6-8 ( I am going to read those next).
But, had this been my course book then, probably, I would have been in a different career path.
March 25, 2016
Giving it a read and simultaneously referring to Class VI textbook of NCERT will be very useful. By referring both textbooks you will not miss a thing about Harappan Culture and other articles that come under Ancient India. Make sure you go word by word because everything in there is important. It will set you in to chronology and you can start relating innumerable things happened in various centuries upto Vedic age. Besides, it gives a brief description about Buddhism in last chapter.
September 24, 2020
Liked it for the language used and the thoughtful questions on the margins of each section.
There is scope for really interesting discussion and a opening for various disciplines to collaborate while teaching this book in schools - for example biology text book.
The foreword begins with how this book is a support to the belief of linking children's life at school to their life outside school.
Part I is about understanding and reflecting on sources. It begins with Harappa and ends with Stupa at Sanchi. This book shows the process of encountering information and then making sense of it by asking questions or introducing other sources to complicate one's own understanding to learn about developments in various spheres.
There is scope for really interesting discussion and a opening for various disciplines to collaborate while teaching this book in schools - for example biology text book.
The foreword begins with how this book is a support to the belief of linking children's life at school to their life outside school.
Part I is about understanding and reflecting on sources. It begins with Harappa and ends with Stupa at Sanchi. This book shows the process of encountering information and then making sense of it by asking questions or introducing other sources to complicate one's own understanding to learn about developments in various spheres.
January 12, 2022
My first read of 2022. Rekindled my forgotten liking towards History. It is written differently than the usual History books. Although I had studied the same content from another book as well, this provides a rather interesting and intriguing perspective. The style is more analytical rather than the usual narrative (so covers limited information only, not would be of much help if you want to know each of the dynasties/cultures in detail). But covers enough to arouse one's inquisitiveness.
So, as also mentioned in the book I would agree with the fact that the instances covered by this book are just the 'tip of the iceberg' when it comes to Indian History.
Looking forward to reading Part II and III soon!
So, as also mentioned in the book I would agree with the fact that the instances covered by this book are just the 'tip of the iceberg' when it comes to Indian History.
Looking forward to reading Part II and III soon!
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June 16, 2021Get this Online from SchoolChamp India.
This edition of Themes in Indian History Part - 1 is a must-have textbook for anyone who is a part of std XII. It has been published by NCERT and closely follows the syllabus that has been laid out by the CBSE. Besides, it contains fluid English, which makes it simple for any student to understand.
This edition of Themes in Indian History Part - 1 is a must-have textbook for anyone who is a part of std XII. It has been published by NCERT and closely follows the syllabus that has been laid out by the CBSE. Besides, it contains fluid English, which makes it simple for any student to understand.
September 10, 2019
Though it was a textbook it was an interesting read . Glimpses of the ancient Indian history with pictures and bubble boxes to add some more knowledge .
July 25, 2020
After I finish reading Part I, II, and III, I am gonna go on a heritage tour! I confess that I have been oblivious to the richness in the culture of my own country.
May 13, 2021
Slightly deeper in topics, giving nice overview of topics covered from past. Also, easily comprehensible.
June 19, 2021
Great book for introduction into the beginnings of Indian civilization and culture. Gives insights into the evolution of the religious, literary and traditional conditions in India.
September 2, 2024
thank you for ruining my life negi mam
July 1, 2019
As always,NCERT books are Magnum opus.
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May 22, 2018A different approach...
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