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CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus can be checked here. The theory part has a total of 12 themes which have a total weightage of 80 marks. The project work constitutes the remaining 20 marks. Students are provided 3 hours to write the exam. The themes are divided into 3 parts:

  • Themes in Indian History Part-I
  • Themes In Indian History Part-II
  • Themes In Indian History Part-III

Each part carries 25 marks and contains 4 themes. The map work includes questions related to Harappan sites, Mahajanapada and cities, Ashokan inscriptions, major Buddhist sites, etc. and carry 5 marks.

Download Here: CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2022-23 PDF

CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus Structure

CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus Structure

There will be 1 theory paper for 3 hours duration which has a total weightage of 80 marks. In the table below each theme and its sub-theme are mentioned:

THEMES
Themes in Indian History Part-I (25 Marks)
Theme 1 Brick, Beads, and Bones Theme 2 Kings, Farmers and Towns Theme 3 Kinship, Caste and Class Theme 4 Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings
Themes In Indian History Part-II (25 Marks)
Theme 5 Through the Eyes of Travellers Theme 6 Bhakti –Sufi Traditions Theme 7 An Imperial Capital: Vijayanagar Theme 8 – Peasants, Zamindars and the State
Themes In Indian History Part-III (25 Marks)
Theme 10 Colonialism and The Countryside Theme 11 Rebels and the Raj Theme 12 Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement Theme 13 Framing the Constitution
Including Map Work of The Related Themes (5 Marks)
Project work (20 Marks)

Class 12 History Syllabus: Chapter-Wise Topics

Class 12 History Syllabus 2022-23: Chapter-Wise Topics

Different themes and the important topics related to each of those themes in 3 parts are mentioned below. Students must study chapter-wise topics to stay sorted with the preparations.

Theme Important Topics to Focus
Part-I
BRICKS, BEADS AND BONES The Harappan Civilization:
  • Broad overview: Early urban centers
  • Story of discovery:
  • Harappan civilization Excerpt:
  • Archaeological report on a major site
  • Discussion: How it has been utilized by archaeologists/ historians
KINGS, FARMERS AND TOWNS: Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE) Political and Economic History from the Mauryan to the Gupta period
  • Story of discovery:
  • Inscriptions and the Decipherment of the script.
  • Shifts in the Understanding of political and economic History.
  • Excerpt: Ashokan inscription and Gupta period land grant Discussion:
  • Interpretation of inscriptions by historians.
KINSHIP, CASTE, AND CLASS Early Society Societies (C. 600 BCE-600 CE) Social Histories:
  • Using the Mahabharata Issues in social History, including caste, class, kinship, and gender
  • Story of discovery:
  • Transmission and publications of the Mahabha rat
  • Excerpt: from the Mahabharata, illustrating how it has been used by historians. Discussion: Other sources for reconstructing social History.
THINKERS, BELIEFS, AND BUILDINGS Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE - 600 CE) A History of Buddhism:
  • Sanchi Stupa
  • A brief review of religious histories of Vedic religion, Jainism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism (Puranic Hinduism)
  • Focus on Buddhism.
  • Story of discovery: Sanchi stupa. Excerpt: Reproduction of sculptures from Sanchi. Discussion:
  • Ways in which sculpture has been interpreted by historians, and
  • other sources for reconstructing the History of Buddhism
Part-II
THROUGH THE EYES OF TRAVELLERS Perceptions of Society (c. tenth to the seventeenth century) Outlines of social and cultural life as they appear in traveler’s account.
  • Story of their writings:
  • A discussion of where they traveled, what they wrote, and for whom they wrote.
  • Excerpts: from Al Biruni, Ibn Battuta, Francois Bernier.
  • Discussion: What these travel accounts can tell us and how they have been interpreted by historians
BHAKTI –SUFI TRADITIONS: Changes in Religious Beliefs and Devotional Texts (c. eighth to eighteenth centuries) Outline of religious developments during this period saints.
  • Ideas and practices of the Bhakti-Sufi Story of Transmission:
  • How Bhakti-Sufi compositions have been preserved.
  • Excerpt: Extracts from selected Bhakti-Sufi works. Discussion: Ways in which these have been interpreted by historians
AN IMPERIAL CAPITAL: VIJAYANAGARA (c. fourteenth to sixteenth centuries) New Architecture: Hampi
  • Outline of new buildings during Vijayanagar period-temples, forts, irrigation facilities.
  • Relationship between architecture and the political system
  • Story of Discovery: Account of how Hampi was found.
  • Excerpt: Visuals of buildings at Hampi
  • Discussion: Ways in which historians have analyzed and interpreted these structures.
PEASANTS, ZAMINDARS AND THE STATE: Agrarian Society and the Mughal Empire (c. sixteenth-seventeenth centuries) The Aini-Akbari
  • Structure of agrarian relations in the 16th and 17th centuries.
  • Patterns of change over the period.
  • Story of Discovery: Account of the compilation and translation of Ain I Akbari Excerpt: from the Ain-iAkbari.
  • Discussion: Ways in which historians have used texts to reconstruct History.
Part-III
COLONIALISM AND THE COUNTRYSIDE: Exploring Official Archives Colonialism and Rural Society:
  • Evidence from Official Reports
  • Life of zamindars, peasants, and artisans in the late 18th century
  • Permanent Settlement, Santhals, and Paharias Story of official records:
  • An account of why official Investigations into rural societies were undertaken and the types of records and reports produced. Excerpts: From Fifth Report Discussion: What the official records tell and do not tell, and how they have been used by historians.
REBELS AND THE RAJ: 1857 Revolt and its Representations The events of1857-58.
  • Vision of Unity
  • How these events were recorded and narrated.
  • Focus: Lucknow Excerpts:
  • Pictures of 1857.
  • Extracts from contemporary accounts.
  • Discussion: How the pictures of 1857 shaped British opinion of what had happened.
MAHATMA GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT: Civil Disobedience and Beyond The Nationalist Movement 1918 -48.
  • The nature of Gandhian politics and leadership. Focus:
  • Mahatma Gandhi and the three movements and his last days as “finest hours”
  • Excerpts: Reports from English and Indian language newspapers and other contemporary writings.
  • Discussion: How newspapers can be a source of History.
FRAMING THE CONSTITUTION: The Beginning of a New Era The Making of the Constitution an overview:
  • Independence and then a new nation-state.
  • The making of the Constitution Focus: The Constituent Assembly Debates
  • Excerpts: from the debates
  • Discussion: What such debates reveal and how they can be analyzed.

Class 12 History Syllabus: List of Maps

Class 12 History Syllabus 2022-23: List of Maps

List of Maps mentioned below are an essential part of CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus 2022-23.

Topic Sub-topics to Focus
Book 1
Mature Harappan sites Harappa Banawali Kalibangan Balakot Rakhigarhi Dholavira Nageshwar Lothal Mohenjodaro Chanhudaro KotDiji
Mahajanapada and cities: Vajji Magadha Kosala Kuru Panchala Gandhara Avanti Rajgir Ujjain Taxila Varanasi
Distribution of Ashokan inscriptions: Kushanas Shakas Satavahanas
Vakatakas, Guptas ● Cities/towns: Mathura, Kannauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha ● Pillar inscriptions – Sanchi, Topra, Meerut Pillar and Kaushambi. ● Kingdom of Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.
Important kingdoms and towns: Kushanas Shakas Satavahanas Vakatakas Guptas
  • Cities/towns: Mathura, Kanauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha, Shravasti, Rajgir, Vaishali, Varanasi, Vidisha
Major Buddhist Sites: Nagarjunakonda Sanchi Amaravati Lumbini Nasik Bharhut Bodh Gaya Ajanta
Book 2
Bidar Golconda Bijapur Vijayanagar Chandragiri Kanchipuram Mysore Thanjavur Kolar Tirunelveli
Territories under Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb Delhi Agra Panipat Amber Ajmer Lahore Goa
Book 3
Territories/cities under British Control in1857: Punjab Sindh Bombay Madras Fort St. David, Masulipatam Berar Bengal Bihar Orissa Avadh Surat Calcutta Patna Benaras Allahabad Lucknow
Main centers of the Revolt of 1857: Delhi Meerut Jhansi Lucknow Kanpur Azamgarh Calcutta Benaras Gwalior Jabalpur Agra Awadh
Important centers of the National Movement: Champaran Kheda Ahmedabad Benaras Amritsar Chauri Chaura Lahore Bardoli Dandi Bombay (Quit India Resolution) Karachi

CBSE Class 12 History Deleted Syllabus

CBSE Class 12 History Deleted Syllabus 2022-23

The updated syllabus includes some reduction in the topics and chapters covered. Here are the deleted portions from CBSE Class 12 History syllabus for the academic year 2022-23:

Part I: Ancient India

  • Introduction: From the Beginning of Time
  • The Harappan Civilization
  • The Vedic Period
  • Religious Movements of the Sixth Century BCE and the Rise of Jainism and Buddhism
  • The Mauryan Empire
  • Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, and Western Kshatrapas)
  • The Gupta Empire
  • Society, Culture, and Economy during the Gupta Period

Part II: Medieval India

  • Historiography and Periodization
  • Political Developments
  • The Delhi Sultanate
  • Provincial and Regional Cultures
  • The Mughal Empire
  • Agrarian Relations and the Mughal Economy
  • Culture during the Mughal Period

Part III: Modern India

  • The Beginning of Colonialism
  • Economy and Society under Early Colonialism
  • Resistance to Colonialism
  • Revolt of 1857
  • Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
  • Social and Cultural Developments
  • Indian Nationalism
  • India after Independence: Nehru’s Foreign Policy

Recommended Books for CBSE Class 12 History

The books provided below are considered to be the most useful resource to prepare for the CBSE class 12 Hostroy exam. Students are advised to give first preference to the NCERT books while preparing for the exam.

Book Name Publication
Themes in Indian History, Part-I, Class XII NCERT
Themes in Indian History Part-II, Class XII NCERT
Themes in Indian History Part-III, Class XII NCERT

Also Check: CBSE Class 12 NCERT Textbooks


CBSE Class 12 History Exam Pattern

CBSE Class 12 History Exam Pattern 2023

CBSE Class 12 History Exam Pattern consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A is divided into two sections: Section A and Section B. Part B also has two sections: Section C and Section D.

Part A: Ancient Indian History (25 marks)

Section A: There will be two sources-based questions, each carrying 4 marks, with internal choice.

Section B: There will be five short answer questions, each carrying 2 marks, with internal choice.

Part B: Medieval Indian History (25 marks)

Section C: There will be two sources-based questions, each carrying 4 marks, with an internal choice.

Section D: There will be five short answer questions, each carrying 2 marks, with internal choice.

Part C: Modern Indian History (25 marks)

Section E: There will be two sources-based questions, each carrying 4 marks, with an internal choice.

Section F: There will be five short answer questions, each carrying 2 marks, with internal choice.

Part D: Map Work (25 marks)

There will be two parts in this section:

Section G: It will contain two questions carrying 5 marks each, with internal choice. One question will be based on the identification of features like rivers, mountains, etc., and the other will be based on locating and labeling significant sites/events on maps of India.

Section H: It will contain one question carrying 10 marks, with internal choice, based on map work.

Also Check: CBSE Class 12 Syllabus for Other Subjects

CBSE Class 12 History Project Work Marking Scheme

The teacher will assess the progress of the project work in the following manner:

Assessment Rubrics Marks
Introduction, Statement of Purpose/Need, and objectives of the study, Hypothesis/Research Question, Review of Literature, Presentation of Evidence, Methodology, Questionnaire, Data Collection. 6
Significance and relevance of the topic; challenges encountered while conducting the research. 5
Content analysis and its relevance in the current scenario. Conclusion, Limitations, Bibliography, Annexures, and Overall Presentation. 5
Final Assessment and VIVA by both Internal and External Examiners 4
TOTAL 20

CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers

CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers

Students must practice as many sample papers to understand the exam pattern and improve their efficiency in time management. Download the below-mentioned CBSE Class 12 History Sample Papers.

Year PDF Link
2023 Check Here
2022 Check Here
2021 Check Here
2020 Check Here
2019 Check Here
2018 Check Here
2017 Check Here

Check: CBSE Class 12 Question Papers 2023


Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 12 History Exam

Preparation Tips for CBSE Class 12 History Exam 2023

Remember, consistent hard work, dedication, and smart preparation are the key to scoring well in CBSE Class 12 History exam. Here are some preparation tips for CBSE Class 12 History exam 2023:

  • Start by thoroughly understanding the exam pattern and syllabus to know what topics and concepts you need to focus on.
  • Create a study schedule to manage your time effectively and cover all the topics within the given time frame.
  • Focus on important topics: Identify and give them more attention.
  • Use NCERT textbooks as they cover the entire syllabus and are recommended by CBSE.
  • Practicing previous years' papers helps you understand the pattern of the exam and also helps in time management.
  • Make concise notes while studying, highlighting important points and concepts.
  • Use mnemonic devices to memorize key dates, events, and names.
  • Refer to additional study material like reference books, online resources, and articles to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.
  • Clear your doubts by consulting your teachers or classmates or by attending doubt-clearing sessions.
  • Revise regularly to retain what you have learned and to avoid last-minute stress.

Also Check: CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Papers


Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. What are the timings for the CBSE class 12 History board exam 2023?

Ans. The 3 hours CBSE Class 12 History exam will be held from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

Ques. How much are the minimum passing marks for the CBSE class 12 History exam?

Ans. The minimum passing mark for the CBSE class 12 History exam is 33%.

Ques. Which portion of CBSE class 12 History syllabus 2022-23 is deleted from NCERT?

Ans: Topics including references to the 2022 Gujarat Riots, the Cold War, and Mughal courts have been deleted from the updated Class 12 NCERT Book.

Ques. Which History chapters are removed from CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus?

Ans. CBSE has removed several chapters from the History syllabus 2022-23 of Classes 11 and 12, including the Non-Aligned Movement, the Cold War era, the rise of Islamic empires in Afro-Asian territories, the chronicles of Mughal courts, and the industrial revolution.

Ques. What is the updated CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper Pattern 2022-23?

Ans. The updated CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper Pattern 2022-23:

  • MCQs - 20%
  • Competency-based Questions in the form of multiple choice questions, case-based questions, source-based questions, or any other types - 30%
  • Short/long answer questions - 50%

Ques. Is CBSE class 12 History syllabus 2023 reduced?

Ans. CBSE Class 12 History syllabus 2023 is reduced by 30%.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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