Unit 1: Personal and Cultural Expressions (Renaissance and Reformation)

Bridge Course

  • Feudalism: Social, economic, and political system in medieval Europe
  • Black Death: Epidemic (bubonic plague) that killed millions, reshaped society

Delhi Sultanate

  • Timeline: Major dynasties and rulers
  • Key points: Political structure, administration, and cultural developments

Mughal Empire

  • Timeline: Establishment to decline
  • Art, Architecture, and Culture:
    • Famous monuments and paintings
    • Development of literature and music
  • Mughal Administration:
    • Jagirdari system: Land revenue assignment
    • Mansabdari system: Military-administrative hierarchy
    • Trade and commerce
  • Decline of the Empire: Factors leading to weakening and fall

Renaissance in Europe

  • Evolution and development: Transition from medieval to modern thinking
  • Effects on lifestyle: Advances in art, science, and society
  • Idea of Humanism: Focus on human potential and achievements
  • Romanticism: Artistic and literary movement emphasizing emotion and individuality
  • Significant individuals:
    • Michelangelo: Sculptor, painter, architect
    • Leonardo da Vinci: Artist, inventor, scientist
    • Machiavelli: Political thinker, author of "The Prince"
    • Shakespeare: Playwright and poet

Reformation

  • Martin Luther: Initiated Protestant Reformation, challenged Catholic Church practices
  • Key ideas: 95 Theses, faith over rituals, translation of Bible to vernacular
  • Impact: Religious, political, and social changes across Europe
Exam Tip: Memorise timelines for Mughal Empire and Renaissance. Link key individuals to their contributions. Understand cause-and-effect of Reformation on European society.

Unit 2: Pioneers, Innovators, and Developers (Industrial Revolution)

Industrial Revolution

  • Case Study:
    • Britain: First country to industrialise
    • India: Introduction of factories, railways, and mechanised production
  • Causes:
    • Technological innovations (steam engine, mechanised textile production)
    • Availability of raw materials
    • Capital investment and trade expansion
    • Labour supply and population growth
  • Effects and Impacts:
    • Urbanisation and growth of industrial cities
    • Improved production but poor working conditions
    • Environmental pollution

Child Labour

  • Children employed in factories, mines, and textile mills
  • Poor working conditions and long hours
  • Health and education impacted

Reforms During Industrial Revolution

  • Legislation to improve working conditions
  • Reduction of working hours, minimum age laws
  • Education and labour rights for children
  • Support for women workers

Condition of Women

  • Worked in factories under harsh conditions
  • Lower wages than men
  • Reforms gradually improved rights and access to education
Exam Tip: Link causes and effects clearly. Remember the differences in Britain vs India. Focus on social issues: child labour and women’s conditions. Be able to give examples from case studies.

Unit 3: How New Technologies Affect Our Identities and Relationships

Major Technological Breakthroughs in History

  • The Printing Press: Spread information and literacy
  • Electricity: Enabled industrialisation and modern communication
  • Telephone: Connected people across distances
  • Radio and Television: Mass media and cultural exchange
  • Computers and Internet: Digital communication, global networks

Modern Technologies and Identity

  • Television: Influences cultural norms, lifestyle, and perceptions
  • Computers and Smartphones: Social media, online communities, self-expression
  • Impact on Identity:
    • Shaping values, beliefs, and habits
    • Creation of online personas
    • Peer influence and social comparison
  • Impact on Relationships:
    • Connecting with distant friends/family
    • Maintaining virtual communities
    • Potential for isolation or reduced face-to-face interaction

Technology for Social Good

  • Education: Online learning platforms, digital libraries
  • Healthcare: Telemedicine, health monitoring apps
  • Environment: Smart energy management, pollution monitoring
  • Community Engagement: Social campaigns, fundraising platforms
  • Emergency Response: Early warning systems, disaster tracking apps
Exam Tip: Give examples of both historical and modern technologies. Show how technology can affect identity, relationships, and society. Link positive and negative effects for a balanced answer.

Unit 4: Dynamics of Weather and Climate

Weather and Climate

  • Weather: Day-to-day atmospheric conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind)
  • Climate: Average weather of a place over a long period
  • Examples:
    • Indian Monsoon: Seasonal rains, high humidity, wind patterns
    • Britain: Mild, wet climate, moderate temperatures

Structure and Composition of the Atmosphere

  • Layers of atmosphere: Troposphere, Stratosphere (includes Ozonosphere), Mesosphere, Thermosphere, Exosphere
  • Composition: Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Trace gases (CO₂, Argon, etc.)
  • Ozonosphere: Absorbs harmful UV radiation

Elements of Weather

  • Temperature:
    • Insolation: Incoming solar radiation
    • Conduction: Heat transfer through materials
    • Convection: Heat transfer by fluid movement
    • Terrestrial radiation: Heat emitted by Earth’s surface
  • Rainfall:
    • Convectional: Rising warm air (tropical regions)
    • Orographic: Mountains force air to rise
    • Cyclonic/Frontal: Meeting of warm and cold air masses
  • Humidity: Amount of water vapour in the air
  • Atmospheric Pressure: Pressure belts, high and low pressure zones
  • Wind:
    • Planetary/Permanent winds: Trade winds, Westerlies, Easterlies
    • Local winds: Sea breeze, Land breeze, Mountain and Valley winds
    • Cyclones and Anticyclones: Low and high pressure systems
  • Other Factors: Ocean currents, proximity to coast
Exam Tip: Be able to differentiate weather vs climate with examples. Learn the layers of the atmosphere and key elements of weather. Use diagrams to show wind patterns, pressure belts, and types of rainfall.