NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 4 Notes Understanding Laws

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Understanding Laws Class 8 Notes Social Science Civics Chapter 4

CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 4 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. Parliament is in charge of making laws.

2. Laws apply to all:

  • All persons in independent India are equal before the law.
  • Law cannot discriminate between persons on the basis of their religion, caste and gender.
  • Rule of law means that all laws apply equally to all citizens of the country and no one can be above the law.
  • Any crime or violation of law has a specific punishment as well as process through which the guilt of the person has to be established.
  • In ancient India, there were innumerable and often overlapping local laws. Different communities enjoyed different degrees of autonomy in administering these laws among there own.
  • System of law began to further evolve during the colonial period.
  • It is believed that it was the British colonials who introduced the Rule of law in India.
  • Historians have disputed this claim on several grounds.
  • Sedition Act of 1870 changed the idea of sedition.
  • Indian nationalists began protesting and criticising the arbitrary use of authority by the British.
  • By the end of the 19th century the Indian legal profession also began emerging and demanded respect in colonial courts.
  • Indian judges began to play a greater role in working decisions.
  • With the adoption of the Constitution, this document served as the foundation on which our representatives began making laws for the country.
  • Every year our representatives pass several laws as well as revise existing ones.
  • Hindu Succession Amendment Act 2005. According to this new law, sons, daughters and their mothers can get an equal share of family property.

3. How do new laws come about?

  • Parliament plays important role in making laws.
  • An important role of Parliament is to be sensitive to the problems faced by the people.
  • Role of citizens is crucial helping Parliament frame different concerns that people have into laws.
  • From establishing the need for a new law to its being passed at every stage of the process, voice of citizen is a crucial element.

4. Unpopular and controversial laws:

  • Sometimes, a law can be Constitutionally valid and hence, legal but it can continue to be unpopular and unacceptable to the people because it is felt that the intention behind it is unfair and harmful.
  • In democracy like ours, citizens can express the unwillingness to accept repressive laws framed by the Parliament.
  • There is a pressure on Parliament to change the law if people begin to feel that the wrong law is passed.
  • If the law favours one group and disregards the other then it will be controversial and leads to conflict.
  • The people who think that the law is not fair can approach the court to decide on the issue.
  • The court has the power to modify or cancel laws if it finds that they don’t adhere to the Constitution.
  • As a citizen one should remember that role does not end with electing our representatives.
  • It is the involvement and the enthusiasm of the people that help Parliament performing representative functions properly.

Understanding Laws Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Criticise: to find fault with or disapprove of a person or thing.

Evolution: Process of development from a simple to a complex form and is often used to discuss the development of the species of plants and animals.

Sedition: This applies to anything that the government might consider as stirring up resistance or rebellion against it. In such cases government does not need absolute evidence in order to arrest persons.

Repressive: To control severely in order to prevent free and natural development or expression.

NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 3 Notes Why do we Need a Parliament

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Why do we Need a Parliament Class 8 Notes Social Science Civics Chapter 3

CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 3 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision making and control the government. Therefore, Parliament is the most important symbol of Indian democracy and key features of the Constitution.

2. Why should people decide?

  • After long and difficult struggle in which many sections of society participated, India got independence.
  • Under colonial rule people lived in fear of the British government and disagreed with the decisions of the British.
  • Criticizing the British government was a grave danger at that time.
  • During 1885, India National Congress (I.N.C) demanded that there be elected members in the legislatures with a right of discussing budget and ask questions.
  • Government of India act 1909, allowed for some elected representation.
  • The British did not allow for all adults to vote nor could people participate in decision making.
  • Nationalists, after getting freedom decided government will not do what they want but the people should get involved in decision making.
  • The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of independent India, laying down the principle of universal adult franchise.

3. People and their representatives:

  • The take-off point for democracy is the idea of consensus.
  • The decision of people creates a democratic government and decides about its functioning.
  • Individual gives approval to the government in many ways one of which is through elections in which people would elect their representative for the government.
  • The Parliament is made up of representatives together and controls and guides the government.
  • In this sense, people through their chosen representative, form the government and also control it.

4. The role of the Parliament:

  • Created after 1947, Indian Parliament is an expression of faith and because of it, the people of India have principle of democracy.
  • Parliament, in our system, has immense powers because it is the representative of the people.
  • Elections of parliament are held in similar manner as they are for the State legislature.
  • Lok Sabha is usually elected once every five years.
  • Each constituency elects one person to the Parliament.
  • The candidates contesting elections usually belong to different political parties.
  • Elected candidates become Member of Parliament or MPs.
  • The MP’s together make up the Parliament.
  • Parliament has following functions:

A. Select the National government:

  • Parliament consists of the President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in India.
  • After elections, a list is prepared about how many MP’s belong to each political party.
  • For a political party to form the government, they must have majority of elected MPs.
  • There are 543 elected and 2 nominated members in Lok Sabha, to have a majority a party should have at least half the number i.e., 272 members or more.
  • The opposition is formed in Parliament by all the political parties that oppose majority party/ coalition formed. The largest among these parties is called the Opposition party.
  • One of the most important functions of the Lok Sabha is to select the executive.
  • The Prime Minister (PM) of India is the leader of the ruling party in Lok Sabha.
  • PM selects ministers to work with in order to implement decisions.
  • The ministers take charge of different areas of government functioning like health, education, finance, etc.
  • The joining together of different political parties who are interested in similar concerns forms coalition government.
  • Rajya Sabha functions primarily as the representative of the States of India in the Parliament.
  • The members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of various States.
  • There are 233 elected and 12 nominated members in Rajya Sabha.

B. To control, guide and inform the government:

  • The Parliament, while in session, begins with question hour.
  • The Opposition parties play a critical role in the healthy functioning of a democracy.
  • The government gets valuable feedback and it is kept on its toes by the questions asked by the MPs.
  • The MPs are representatives of the people and have a central role in controlling, guiding and informing Parliament and this is a key aspect of the functioning of Indian democracy.

5. Lawmaking is a significant function of the Parliament.

6. The people in the Parliament:

7. Parliament now has more and more people from different backgrounds.

8. It has been observed that representative democracy cannot produce a perfect reflection of the society.

9. It is important to ensure that communities that have been historically marginalized are given adequate representation.

10. Considering this some seats are reserved in the Parliament for SCs and STs.

11. This has been done so that MPs elected from these constituencies will be familiar with and can represent Dalit andf Adivasi interests in Parliament.

12. Recently it has been suggested that there should be reservation of seats for women.

13. The fact that we can ask questions and are working towards answers is a reflection of the strength and the faith that people of India have in a democratic form of government.

Why do we Need a Parliament Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Approval: to give one’s consent to and be favourable towards something.

Coalition: A temporary alliance of groups and parties.

Unresolved: Situation in which there are no easy solutions to problem.

NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 12 Notes India After Independence

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 12 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 12 SST India After Independence will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

India After Independence Class 8 Notes Social Science History Chapter 12

CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 12 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. India, with its independence in 1947, faced a huge series of challenges.

2. Especially, the challenges were in the form of refugees and of princely states, settlements which were to be addressed immediately.

3. Political system was created in a manner that it could best serve the expectations of the country’s population.

4. In 1947, India had great population of approximately around 345 million that was divided on the basis of castes, community, languages, dress and lifestyle etc., that needed to be united as soon as possible.

5. Problem of unity was added with the problem of development.

6. New nation was willing in the upliftment of its masses that is its people out of poverty.

7. This could only be done by increasing the productivity of agriculture and by promotion of the new job creating industries.

8. The Constitution was written between December 1946 – November 1949 when around 300 members from all over India had series of meetings at the Constituent Assembly in Delhi.

9. These discussions resulted in framing of the Indian Constitution which came into effect on 26 January 1950.

10. First feature of the constitution was the adoption of universal adult franchise, a revolutionary step which was adopted in steps in UK and US also. But in India, just after Independence, this right was granted to the citizens regardless of gender, class or education.

11. Second feature of the Indian Constitution was that it guaranteed its citizen’s equality before the law regardless to their castes, or religious belongingness.

12. Third feature of the constitution was the offering of special privileges to the poorest and the most disadvantaged Indians by describing the practice of untouchability as a “slur and a blot” on the “fair name of India”.

13. Reservation was granted in seats and jobs to former untouchables, the adivasis or scheduled tribes.

14. Many of the days were spent in the discussions about the powers of the central government and the state governments.

15. This was resolved as in Constitution there is mentioned about the three lists of subjects.

  • Union List: That discusses about the subjects such as taxes, defence, and foreign affairs, basically the responsibility of the centre is discussed.
  • State List: Comprised of subjects like education and health that would be taken care of principally by the states.
  • Concurrent List: The subjects discussed in this list are such as forests and agriculture in which the centre and the states would have joint responsibility.

16. Major debate in the Constituent Assembly concerned language.

17. Many Indians played important role in the framing of the constitution but the most important role was played by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Chairman of the Drafting Committee who supervised and finalised the document.

18. Formation of state was also a problem. It was promised by the Congress before independence that after winning independence each major linguistic group would have its own province. Although the promise was not fulfilled by Congress.

19. Both Prime Minister Nehru and Deputy Prime Minister were against the creation of states on linguistic base.

20. Non-fulfillment of promise by Congress created a great disappointment among the speakers of different languages.

21. Strongest protest was by Telugu speaking districts of the Madras Presidency.

22. New state of Andhra Pradesh came into existence on 1 October 1953. This happened after:

23. Veteran Gandhian named Potti Sriramula went on a hunger fast demanding for the formation of a new state i.e., Andhra Pradesh that will protect the interests of the Telugu speakers.

24. State Reorganisation Commission was set up when the demand for various separate states was raised by the different linguistic communities.

25. The commission submitted its report in 1956. The report recommended the redrawing of district and provincial boundaries to form compact provinces of Assamese, Bengali, Oriya, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu speakers respectively.

26. The further division was seen in areas of Hindi speaking people and bilingual state. For example, Bombay a bilingual state was divided into Marathi and Gujarati, Punjab divided into Punjab and Haryana etc.

27. Planning for developments started as a process after the country was approximately settled best by the leaders of that period.

  • In manner to lift India and Indians out of poverty and building a modern and industrial base were taken as objectives of the new nation.
  • Planning Commission was set up in 1950 by the government.
  • Planning Commission was aimed at designing and executing suitable policies of economic development.
  • 1956 saw the Second Five Year Plan for emulation.
  • The Second Five Year Plan focused strongly on the development of heavy industries.
  • These sectors would be under the control of the state.
  • This approach of development of heavy industries on one side got strong supporters but on the same hand it also saw vocal critics.

28. At present even after such a long time of independence India is still united, democratic and its achievements are what makes its citizens proud of it.

29. Despite of several hurdles we all saw several successes which are not only appreciated by Indians but also by the other world countries and its people.

30. The speciality and features of the Constitution like free press, independent judiciary, unity in diversity made its people proud of‘The Republic of India’.

India After Independence Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Franchise: The right to vote.

Linguistic: Relating to language.

State: Concerned with the government (here in this chapter).

Refugee: The one who has been forced to leave his country or home due to any specific condition.

Notes of History Class 8 Chapter 12 Time Period

1945: Formation of United Nation.

1947: India became independent (15th August)

1948: Mahatma Gandhi shot by NathuramGodse.

1950: (i) Adopted Indian Constitution (26th January).

(ii) Planning Commission was set up.

1952: First General Election held in India.

1953: The new State of Andhra Pradesh came into existence.

1959: The Bhilai Steel plant was set up with the help of the former Soviet Union in 1959 in the back­ward rural area of Chhattisgarh.

1960: Bombay was divided into separate states for Marathi and Gujarati speakers.

1966: The state of Punjab divided into two states Punjab and Haryana on the basis Punjabi & Haryanvi or Hindi speaking.

NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 11 Notes The Making of the National Movement 1870s – 1947

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 11 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 11 SST The Making of the National Movement 1870s – 1947 will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

The Making of the National Movement 1870s – 1947 Class 8 Notes Social Science History Chapter 11

CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 11 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. The rise of Questions: what is this country India and for whom is it meant?

2. The answers to these questions are: India, was the people of India – all the people of all class, colour, caste, creed, language or gender belong to this nation. The resources of the country were meant for all the people.

3. The gradual rise in the thinking capability of the people of India with time answered many questions and even created awareness in the minds of the people that Britishers were fiercely exercising the control over the resources and lives of the people of India.

4. Indians could not be the part of India unless and untill the control of British got diminished or vanished.

5. The beginning of consciousness was with the formation of political associations like Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, the Bombay Presidency Association, the Madras Mahajan Sabha and the Indian National Congress. Although most of these were led by the English professionals but they clearly stated in their aim to spread consciousness and sovereignity in people.

6. Sovereign can be defined as modern consciousness and key feature of nationalism. In a layman sense, it means that Indias should be empowered for taking their own decisions.

7. During 1870’s and 1880’s dissatisfaction with British rule intensified due to various reasons like Arms Act of 1878, Vernacular Press Act, and in 1883 the government was willing to introduce the Ilbert Bill.

8. These reasons of dissatisfaction created the need for an all India organisation of educated Indians since 1880 and desire for this was deepened with the controversy of Ilbert Bill.

9. In 1885, 72 delegates from all over India met at Bombay and the Indian National Congress (INC) was established.

10. The early leadership comprised of a large number from Bombay and Calcutta.

  • Naoroji worked as a guide for the younger nationalists.
  • O. Hume, a retired British official, played an important role by bringing Indians from different re­gions together.

11. For the Ist 20 years which is known as the moderate phase of Congress it demanded basically a greater voice for Indians in the government and in administration.

12. They also demanded for the civil service examination to be held in India for their will of establishing Indians in high positions in the governance.

13. Indianisation of the administration can be regarded as the part of movement against racism.

14. By declaring that the British rule had led to poverty and famines, the Congress in its early phase demanded several economic issues like reduction of taxes and revenues on various things, well treatment of labour class etc.

15. Being an elite educated body, it never discussed on behalf of any professional groups.

16. Moderates wanted the development of public awareness regarding the unjust nature of the British rule.

17. They even wanted to make the government aware about the feelings of Indians.

18. By 1890’s criticism of Congress started by questioning about the political style of Congress.

19. The critiques were the radical groups who criticised the moderates for their political prayers in front of the British government.

20. They wanted the people to rely on their own strength and improve themselves to fight for Swaraj.

21. “Freedom is my birthright and I shall have it” – Slogan raised by Tilak.

22. In 1905 Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal giving the reason that dividing Bengal would help in the administrative convenience.

23. It was also believed that by dividing Bengal, British had motives to curtail the influence of Bengali politicians and to split the Bengali people.

24. Partition of Bengal was opposed by all sections of the Congress and also infuriated the people all over India.

25. The struggle against the partition of the Bengal came to be known as Swadeshi movement. The movement although happened only in India but had echoed all over India too, for example in deltaic Andhra the movement was named or known as the Vandemataram Movement.

26. Swadeshi Movement not only opposed the British rule but also encouraged the idea of self help, Swadeshi enterprise, national education and of Indian languages.

27. Radicals advocated that to fight for Swaraj there was need for mass mobilisation and boycott.

28. Some even suggested “revolutionary violence” necessary for the overthrowing of the British Rule.

29. All India Muslim League at Dacca was founded in 1906 by group of landlords and nawabs. They were

  • supportive to Swadeshi Movement.
  • demanded separate electorates for Muslims and the demand was conceded by the government in 1909.

30. Congress split in 1907.

  • Moderates opposed using Boycott as they felt that Boycott involved the use of force.
  • Split was dominated by the moderate and Tilak’s followers were functioning from outside.
  • The both groups of Congress reunited in the year 1915 again and in the next year historical Lucknow Pact was signed between the Congress and the Muslim League.

31. Struggle against the British gradually transformed into a mass movement after 1919.

32. The first world war altered not only economic but also political scenario of India. It led to huge rise in defence expenditure of the government of India, increased military expenditure and with this there was a sharp rise in prices that created unbearable difficulties for the common people of that time.

33. The World war Ist created a great profit earning situation for the business groups.

34. The World war resulted in the expansion of the British army.

35. In 1917 with the revolution in Russia, the spread of ideas of socialism was seen widely resulting in the inspiration for the Indian Nationalists.

36. Advent of Mahatma Gandhi who emerged as mass leader.

37. Arrived in 1915 from South Africa at an age of 46 years.

38. Respected leader of South Africa for the Indians there.

39. Mahatma Gandhi spent Ist year in India by travelling throughout the country, understanding the actual situation of India and the Indians under the British colonial rule.

40. Earlier intervention of Gandhiji in the local movements was seen in Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad.

41. Movements between 1919 – 1922 were led by Gandhiji.

42. In 1919, Satyagraha was initiated against the just passed Rowlatt Act by the British.

  • Criticizing the Act as restriction on the basic freedom.
  • 6 April 1919 was observed as day of non-violent opposition to the Rowlatt Act.
  • The Rowlatt Satyagraha turned to be the first all-India struggle against the British government.
  • The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre on April 13 was also part of the repression of his satyagraha.
  • Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood expressing his anger against the British.

43. Khilafat agitation and the Non-cooperation Movement have gained momentum.

  • As in 1920 Khilafat issue got in front of the world.
  • British in 1920 imposed treaty on Khalifa.
  • Leaders of Khilafat agitation Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali supported Gandhiji, urged the Congress to campaign against Jallianwala Massacre, the Khilafat issue and also to demand Swaraj.
  • With the peak in the Non-cooperation movement complete boycott of British was seen.

44. The National Movement started to be linked with the local grievances by the people. In many forest villages peasants even proclaimed Swaraj and started believing about the establishment of the Gandhi Raj.

45. Khilafat – non-cooperation alliance gave enormous communal unity with the strenghtning of national movement.

46. In Punjab – Akali agitation of Sikhs was seen, in Assam tea garden labourers’ demand for increasing wages was raised. They all were seen as part of non-cooperation only.

47. Gandhiji was seen as a kind of Messiah by some people.

  • Ordinary people credited Gandhiji for their own achievements.

48. Mahatma Gandhi was strong opposer of violent movement. This resulted in calling off of the non­cooperation movement after crowd of peasants set police station in Chauri Chaura on fire in 1922.

49. In order to influence government policies it was stressed by some leaders that Congress should fight elections to the councils.

50. In the mid of 1920’s the two important development were seen in the form of formation of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Communist Party of India (CPI).

51. Revolutionary nationalist Shri Shaheed Bhagat Singh was too active during the period of mid 1920’s.

52. The “Independence Day” was observed on 26th January 1930 as under the Presidentship of Jawaharlal Nehru. Congress fought in the 1920’s decade for the objective of complete independence (ie. Poorna Swaraj).

53. In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi broke the salt law. Marching with 20 followers Gandhiji marched 240 miles from Sabarmati to the coastal town of Dandi.

54. Combined struggles of Indian people resulted in Government of India Act 1935 prescribing about provincial autonomy and announcing elections for the provincial legislatures in 1937. Congress won 7 out of 11 provinces.

55. In September 1939, with outbreak of IInd world war, Congress leaders got ready to support the British but in return demanded independence after the war which was refused by the British. In return Congress Ministries resigned as protest against the refusal.

56. Mahatma Gandhi initiated a new phase of movement against the British in middle of IInd world war, he said people to “do or die” to fight the British but with non-violence.

  • This movement attracted specially the peasants and youths.
  • The British Rai was brought to its knees.

57. In 1940, Muslim League moved resolution demanding “Independent States” for Muslims in north-west and east part of India.

58. From 1930’s Muslims were viewed as separate nation from the Hindu concluding with the history of tension.

59. Congress failed in mobilising Muslim masses and in 1930 this condition allowed Muslim League to widen its social support.

60. Muslim League persisted with its demand for Pakistan.

  • In March 1946, British cabinet sent 3 member mission to examine the demand of Pakistan.
  • The mission suggested that Indians should remain united and constitute itself as a loose confederation giving some autonomy for Muslim majority areas.
  • The Congress and the Muslim League did not agree on the details of proposal resulting in the more inevitability of the partition.
  • Failure of cabinet mission led to mass agitation of Muslim League for the demand of Pakistan.
  • 16th August 1946 was announced as “Direct Action Day”. Riots broke in Calcutta and by March 1947 violence spread to different parts of Northern India.

61. With the brutality against several innocent people of both the countries, Pakistan was bom and joy of country’s Independence from British rule came mixed with pain and violence of partition.

The Making of the National Movement 1870s – 1947 Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Sovereign: The capacity to act independently without outside interference.

Publicist: Someone who publicises an idea by circulating information, writing reports, speaking at meetings.

Repeal: To undo law to officially end the validity of something such as law.

Revolutionary violence: The use of violence to make a radical change within society.

Council: An appointed or elected body of people with an administrative, advisory or representative function.

Knighthood: An honour granted by the British Crown for exceptional personal achievement on public service.

Picket: People protesting outside a building or shop to prevent others from entering.

Mahants: Religious functionaries of Sikh gurdwaras.

Illegal eviction: Forcible and unlawful throwing out of tenants from the land they rent.

Provincial autonomy: Capacity of the provinces to make relatively independent decisions while remaining within a federation.

General constituencies: Election districts with no reservations for any religious or other community.

Pooma swaraj: Complete independence.

RSS: Hindu ideological group. RSS Stands for Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

Notes of History Class 8 Chapter 11 Time Period

1878: Arms Act was passed which disallowing Indians from possessing arms.

1885: Formation of ‘Indian National Congress’ at Bombay.

1905: Viceroy Curzon partitioned Bengal.

1906: Formation of ‘All India Muslim League’ at Dacca.

1907: Congress split in two groups.

1915: (i) Gandhiji arrived in India from South Africa.

(ii) Both group of Congress reunited.

1917: Revolution of Russia took place.

1919: (i) Satyagraha against the Rowlatt Act called by Gandhiji.

(ii) JallianwalaBagh atrocities (13 April)

1920: The Non-Cooperation Movement started.

1928: Formation of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association by Bhagat Singh and his comrades at FerozeshahKotla in Delhi.

1929: Demand of PurnaSwaraj by Congress.

1930: (i) Independence Day was observed all over the Country (26 January).

(ii) ‘Dandi March’ launched by Gandhiji.

1942: The Quit India Movement started (in August).

1947: India got independence from British Rule & a new country formed known as Pakistan.

NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes Understanding Secularism

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 2 SST Understanding Secularism will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

Understanding Secularism Class 8 Notes Social Science Civics Chapter 2

CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. History provides us the many examples that show how there was discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the ground of religion.

2. Maximum times members of one religious community either persecute or discriminate against member of other religious communities.

3. The process of discrimination always occurs at the time when one religion is given official recognition by the State at the expense of other religions.

4. No one would wish to be discriminated against because of their religion nor dominated by another religion.

5. In India the Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these.

6. For the above purpose, India adopted a studying of separating the power of religions and the power of the State.

7. Secularism refers to this separation of religions from the State.

8. To function democratically it is important for a country that there should exist the separation of religion from State power.

9. If majority religious groups have the access to State power, they misuse their power against other religions.

10. The majority could quite easily prevent minorities from practising their religions.

11. This will result in the tyranny of the majority and the violation of Fundamental Rights.

12. This shows why it is important to separate the State and religion in democratic societies.

13. The need to protect the freedom of industries to exit from their religion, embrace religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently. This is another reason that shows the importance of separation of religions from the State.

14. India Secularism, according to the Indian Constitution, it is mandatory for the Indian State to be secular.

15. As per the Constitution, only a secular State can realise its objective to ensure the following:

16. That one religious communists does not dominate another.

17. That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.

18. That the State does not enforce any particular religion non take away the religions freedom of individuals.

19. Indian State works in various ways to prevent the above domination.

20. Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any religion.

21. Government schools cannot promote any religions either in the morning prayers or through religions celebrations.

22. Indians secularism also works on the strategy of non interference.

23. It means that in order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious practices, the State makes certain exception for particular religions communities. For e.g., A sikh while riding bike can wear Pugri (turban) instead of helmet.

24. Indian secularism also works to prevent domination of majority over minority through the strategy of intervention.

25. Indian Constitution bans untouchability.

26. To ensure that laws relating equal inheritance rights are respected, the State may have to intervene in the religion-based ‘personal laws’ communities.

27. The Indian Constitution grants the right to religious communities to set up their own schools and colleges. Also the financial aid on non-preferential basis is provided to them.

28. There is a strict separation between religion and the State in U.S.A. While in Indian secularism, the State can intervene in the religious affairs.

29. The Indian State is secular and works in various ways to prevent religious domination.

30. The Indian Constitution gurantees Fundamental Rights that are based on these secular principles.

31. To prevent violation of these rights in India Society we need Constitutional mechanism to prevent them from happening.

32. The knowledge that such rights exist, makes us sensitive to their violations and enables us to take action when these violations takes place.

Understanding Secularism Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Secularism: India adopted a strategy of separating the power of religion and the power of the State. This separation of religion from the State that is called secularism.

Intervene: It refers to the State’s efforts to influence a particular matter in accordance with the principle of the Constitution.

Coercion: to force someone to do something. It refers to the force used by a legal authority like the State.

Freedom to interpret: It refers to the freedom that all persons shall have to understand things in their own way.

NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Notes The Indian Constitution

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 SST The Indian Constitution will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

The Indian Constitution Class 8 Notes Social Science Civics Chapter 1

CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. The society has Constitutive rules that make it what it is and differentiate it from other kinds of societies.

2. In large societies different communities of people live together and rules are formulated through consensus, and in modern countries, this consensus is usually available in written form.

3. A written document where one finds, such rules is called a Constitution.

4. Most countries of the world in present-day have a Constitution.

5. The Constitution serves purposes:

Ist purpose:

6. It lays out certain ideals that form the basis of the kind of country that the citizens of that country aspire to live in.

7. A Constitution tells us about the fundamental nature of the society.

8. A Constitution helps serve as a set of rules and principles that all persons in a country can agree upon as the basic way in which they want the country to be governed.

9. It not only tells us about the type of government but it also explains about an agreement on certain ideals that the citizens of the country believe and should uphold.

10. The best example for the Ist purpose in Nepal.

11. Nepal that was monarchial country in past adopted its previous Constitution in 1990 reflected with the fact that the final authority rested with king.

12. In 2006 with the constant struggle and the people’s movement for several decades the establishment of Democracy was seen putting an end the powers of the king.

13. Now in Nepal there was a definite need for the framing of the new Constitution as the people of the country did not want to continue with the previous Constitution which did not reflect the ideals of the country. The ideals that were wanted by the people of that country.

14. Nepal and its people are involved in the process of writing a Constitution for the country.

IInd purpose:

15. The IInd most important purpose of Constitution is to define the native of a country’s political system.

16. The countries which have adopted it, in those countries, Constitution plays a crucial role in laying out important guidelines that govern decision making within these societies.

17. In democratic societies the Constitution often lays down rules guarding against the misuse of authority by the political leader as in democratic societies the people of choose their leaders, and the leaders exercise power responsibly on the people behalf.                                                       ,

18. Right to Equality is one of Fundament Right guaranteed by the Indian Constitution.

19. Constitution even functions to ensure that the dominant group does not use its power against less powerful group or people in a democracy.

20. The Constitution usually contains of rules ensuring that minorities are not excluded from anything that is routinely available to the majority.

21. The Constitution prevents tyranny or domination by the majority of a minority.

22. The Constitution also helps us ‘to save us from ourselves’. This means that the Constitution helps to protect us against certain decisions that we might take that could have an adverse effect on the larger principle that the country believes in.

23. A good Constitution never allows any whims to change its basic structure.

24. Key features of the Indian Constitution itself carries the struggle that was faced under the British, the dreams that how free India would be, the ill treatment of British towards Indians, all these with the long experience of authoritarian rule under the colonial rule convinced the Indians that the free India should be a democracy in which every one should be treated equal and allowed to participate in government.

25. Then the work was started for the ways in which a democratic government should be set up in India and the rules that would determine its functioning.

26. A Constituent Assembly comprised of 300 members, was founded in 1946. The 300 members met periodically for the next 3 yrs for the purpose of writing the Indian Constitution.

27. Various issues were kept in mind while the framing up of the Constitution for the country that was made up of several communities and that comprised of several different languages speakers, the people belonged to different religions and had different cultures. The Constituent Assembly drafted the Indian Constitution by giving this country a visionary document that reflects a respect and maintains diversity while preserving national unity.

28. The final document also reflects their concern for eradicating poverty through socio-economic reforms as well as emphasizing the crucial role the people can play in choosing their representatives.

29. The Indian Constitution has several number of features that are:

1. Federation: The term refers to the existence of more than one level of government in the country.

  • In India, the governments are at the state level and at the centre and Panchayati Raj is the 3rd tier of government.
  • Under Federalism the states are not merely agents of the federal government but draw their authority from the Constitution as well.
  • In short, the Indian Constitution defines the power of each government at each level and at every tier.

2. Parliamentary Form of government: The Indian Constitution guarantees universal adult suffrage for all citizens as at the time of making the Constitution, the members of Constituent Assembly felt that freedom struggle had prepared the masses for universal adult suffrage and that this would encourage a democratic mindset and break the clutches of traditional caste, class and gender hierarchies. This means the people of India have a direct role in electing their representatives.

  • Also, every citizen of the country, irrespective his/her social background, can also contest in elections.
  • The representatives are accountable to the people.

3. Separation of power: As per the Indian Constitution there are 3 organs of the state. That are

  • The Legislative
  • The Executive
  • The judiciary.
  • The legislative refers to our elected representatives.
  • The Executives are the groups of people who are responsible for the implementation of laws and run­ning of the government.
  • The Constitution states that each of these organs should exercise different powers.
  • Each organ acts as a check on the organs of the state and this ensures the balance of Power between the 3 organs.

4. Fundamental Rights: This section of the India Constitution has often been referred to as the ‘conscience’. The Fundamental Rights protect the citizens against any arbitrary and absolute exercise of power by the state.

  • The Indian Constitution guarantees the Fundamental Rights of individuals against the state as well as against other individuals.
  • Various minorities communities have expressed the need for the Constitution to include the rights that would protect their group. Therefore the Indian Constitution also guarantees the rights of minorities against the majority.
  • In addition to Fundamental Rights, the Constitution of India also consists of a section called The Directive Principle of State Policy.
  • The Directive Principle of State Policy (D.P.S.P) was designed to ensure greater social and economic reformers and also to serve as a guide to the independent Indian state to institute laws and policies that would help in reducing the poverty of the masses.

5. Secularism: A secular state is a state which never officially promotes any type of religion as the state religion and India is one of the secular states that officially does not have any religion.

  • The Constitution plays crucial role in laying out ideas that citizens would adhere to including the representatives that we elect to rule us.
  • Often a major change in the Constitution means a change in the fundamental nature of the country.

The Indian Constitution Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Arbitrary: Arbitrary is a functioning which based on a desire or idea only rather than reason. Our Con­stitution is prevented arbitrary functioning.

Ideal: A goal or a principle in its most excellent or perfect form.

Polity: A society has an organized political structure. India is a democratic polity.

Sovereign: Possessing supreme or ultimate power.

Tyranny: The cruel and unjust use of power or authority.

Trafficking: The practice of the illegal buying and selling of different commodities across the National boundaries.

NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 10 Notes The Changing World of Visual Arts

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 10 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 10 SST The Changing World of Visual Arts will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

The Changing World of Visual Arts Class 8 Notes Social Science History Chapter 10

CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 10 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. Changes in the world of visual arts during the colonial period are linked to the wider history of colonialism and nationalism.

2. Several new art forms, styles, materials and techniques were creatively adapted by the Indian artists for local patrons and markets, in elite and popular circles during the time period of colonial rule.

3. European artists came to India along with the British traders and rulers and new styles and norms of painting were brought by them. The pictures produced by them became widely popular in Europe and helped shaping up of western perception of India.

4. European artists brought the idea of Realism with them.

5. The artists from Europe used oil paintings that enables artists to produce images that looked real.

6. Subjects painted were varied but invariably they seemed emphasising the superiority of Britain.

7. ‘Picturesque’ landscape painting was a style of painting that depicted India as a quaint land to be explored by travelling British artists. Its landscape was rugged and wild, seemingly untamed by the human hands.

8. Thomas Daniell and William Daniell were the most famous artists who painted within the tradition of ‘Picturesque’.

9. Portrait painting was a tradition of art that become immensely popular in colonial India.

10. Colonial portraits were life-size images that looked lifelike and real.

11. The size itself projected the importance of patrons who commissioned these portraits.

12. This new style of portraiture also served as ideal means displaying the lavish lifestyles, wealth and status that empire generated.

13. In search of profitable commissions, many European painters came to India.

14. Many Indian Nawabs too began commissioning imposing oil portraits by the European painters.

15. Muhammad Ali Khan was a British pensionary who became dependent of the East India and has commissioned to visiting European artists in his court.

16. There was third category of imperial art called History painting that sought to dramatise and recreate

17. various episodes of British imperial history, and enjoyed great prestige and popularity during the late 18th and early 19th century.

18. British victories in India served as rich material for history painters in Britain.

19. One of the Ist victory paintings was produced by Francis Hayman in 1762 and was placed on public display in the Vauxhall gardens in London. It showed how Robert Clive was welcomed by Mir Jafar and his troops after the Battle of Plassey.

20. Then the celebration painting in which British military triumph seen after they defeated Tipu Sultan of Mysore, the most powerful enemy in 1799 at the famous battle of Seringapatam.

  • The painting dramatizes the event and glorifies the British triumphs.

21. Imperial Historical paintings sought to create a public memory of imperial triumphs and the victories that had to be remembered implanted in the memories of the people of India and Britain.

22. Tipu continued to encourage the local traditions of art and had his walls of palace painted by the local artists. The walls of his place at Seringapatam were painted with Mural paintings.

23. The local miniature artists at Murshidabad began adopting element of European realism.

24. With the lost of influence and wealth by the local rulers they were unable to support the painters and pay them to paint for the court.

25. In search of earning, the artists turned to the British.

26. The local painters producing a waste number of images of local plants and animals, historical buildings and monuments, festivals and processions, traders and crafts castes and communities were collected eagerly by the East India Company officials and came to be known as company paintings.

27. A whole new world of popular and developed art was seen in many cities of India.

28. In Bengal around the pilgrimage centre of the temple of Kalighat, local village scroll painters and potters began developing a new style of art.

29. Village artists settled in the city at a very exact time when the cities appeared as an opportunity where people could come and make new living.

30. Village Patuas and Kumors, on shifting to Kalighat, continued these works on mythological themes and produced images of gods and goddeses.

31. Kalighat artists, responding to the world around produced painting on social and political themes.

32. Kalighat pictures were painted in large numbers and sold in the market. The images were engraved in wooden blocks. The carved block was inked pressed against paper and then the woodcut paints that were produced were coloured by hand. In this process, many copies could be produced from the same block.

33. The setup of mechanical press in the different parts of India allowed prints to be produced in a larger numbers and sold at cheap price in market.

34. The Calcutta art studio is one of the most successful press set up in late 19th century and produced lifelike images of eminent Bengali personalities as well as mythological pictures.

35. Towards the end of the 19th century, a strong connection has been established between art and nationalism. Raja Ravi Varma from the family of Maharajas of Travapcore in Kerala was the Ist artist who tried creating a style that was both modern and national.

36. From 1880’s Ravi Varma’s mythological paintings became the rage among the Indian princes and art collectors, who filled their palace galleries with his works.

37. Picture production printing press was set up by Ravi Varma responding to huge popularity and appeal of his paintings.

  •  The picture production team was set up on the outskirts of Bombay.

38. Bengal saw a new group of nationalist artists who gathered around Abanindranath Tagore (1871 – 1951), the nephew of Rabindranath Tagore.

39. The Bengal group reflected art of Raja Ravi Varma by claiming it westernised and declaring that such styles were unsuitable for depicting the nation ancient myths and legends.

40. The Bengal group broke away from the convention of oil paintings and the realistic style and turned for inspiration to the medieval Indian tradition of miniature painting and the ancient art of Mural painting of Ajanta caves.

41. The groups were even influenced with Japanese artists who visited India during that time for developing an Asian art movement.

42. The effort of defining about what ought to be an authentic. Indian style of art continued.

43. After the 1920’s, a new generation of artists broke away from the style popularized by Abanindranath Tagore.

44. As the debate continued, new movements of art grew with the change in the styles of art.

The Changing World of Visual Arts Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Convention: An accepted norm or style

Engraving: A picture printed onto paper from a piece of wood or metal into which the design or drawing has been cut.

Portrait: A picture of a person in which the face and its expression is prominent. Portraiture: The art of making portraits.

Commission: To formally choose someone to do special piece of work usually against payment.

Mural: A wall painting.

Perspective: The way that objects appear smaller when they are further away and the way parallel lines appear to meet each other at a point in the distance.

Life-study: Study of human figures from living models who pose for the artists.

Notes of History Class 8 Chapter 10 Time Period

1762: One of the first history paintings was produced by Francis Hayman.

1770: Muhammad Ali Khan became a dependent pensioner of the East India Company.

1780: Tipu and Hidar Ali defeated the English troops.

1785: Thomas Deniell& William Deniell (famous artists) came in India.

1799: Tipu Sultan was finally defeated at the famous battle of Srirangapatnam.

1904: A famous book called ‘The Ideals of the East’ published in Japan.

NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 6 Notes Human Resource

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 6 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 6 SST Human Resource will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

Human Resource Class 8 Notes Social Science Geography Chapter 6

CBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 6 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. Human Resource is the ultimate resource as healthy, educated and motivated people develop resources as per their requirements and people are a nation’s greatest resources.

2. Human resources differ in their educational levels, age and sex and unequally distributed over the world.

3. The way in which people are spread across the earth surface is known as the pattern of population distribution. The distribution of the world’s population is extremely uneven. As some areas of the world are very populated and some are sparely populated.

4. More people live north of the Equator than south of the Equator. Almost three-quarters of the world’s people live in two continents Asia and Africa. 60% of the world’s people stay in just 10 countries.

5. Population density: The number of people living in a unit area of the earth’s surface.

6. Factors that affect the distribution of population are:

  • Topography
  • Climate
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Minerals.

7. These are the subcategory of the major factors that are Geographical factors important for the distribution.

8. The other major factors are social, cultural and economic factors.

9. Population change refers to change in the number of people during a specific time and the world’s population has never been stable.

10. The reasons behind the growth of population was that there were availability of better food supplies and medicine.

11. Births are usually measured using the birth rate i.e. the number of live births per 1000 people.

12. Death are usually measured using the death rate i.e. the number of deaths per 1000 people.

13. Migration refers to the movement of the people in and out of an area.

14. Natural growth rate is the difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a country, and population increase in the world is mainly due to rapid increase in natural growth rate.

15. Emigrants are people who leave a country and Immigrants are the ones who arrive in a country.

16. General trend followed during international migration is from the less developed nations to the more developed nations that too in search of better employment opportunities.

17. Rates of population growth vary across the world.

18. Population composition refers to the structure of the population. The composition helps us in knowing the number of males or females, their age group and the education they have, do they have employment or what are the income levels and health conditions there.

19. Population pyramid is something special and interesting it is the way of studying the population composition and the population pyramid is also known as Age-sex pyramid. Its shape tells about the people their children (below 15 yrs), the aged people (above 65 yrs) and also it reflects the number of deaths.

20. Population pyramid also tells about the dependents in the country which have two groups. The young i.e. aged below 15 yrs and elderly, the one aged over 65 yrs.

21. The skilled, spirited and hopeful young people endowed with a positive outlook are the future of any nation.

Human Resource Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Life expectancy: It is the number of years that an average person can expect to live.

Migration: It is the movement in which people move within a country or between countries.

Natural growth rate: The difference between the birth rate and death rate of a country is called the natural growth rate.

Emigrants: These are the people who leave a country.

Emigration: When a person leaves a country.

Immigration: When a person enters a new country.

Rem-migration: When person leaves a country.

NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Notes Industries

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Geography Chapter 5 SST Industries will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

Industries Class 8 Notes Social Science Geography Chapter 5

CBSE Class 8 Geography Chapter 5 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. The change of raw materials into products of more value for the people is done by secondary activities or manufacturing for example, conversion of a tree into pulp and pulp that has changed into paper and paper changed into notebooks.

2. The finished product has more value and utility than the raw material that it is made from because at each stage value is added to them during the manufacturing process.

3. Industry is referred to an economic activity that is concerned with production of goods, extraction of minerals or the provisions of services.

4. Industries are classified on the basis of:

  • Raw material: Depending on the types of raw material used by the industry the industries may be agro-based, mineral-based, forest-based and marine-based.
  • Agro-based: Industries that use plant and animal-based products as their raw materials.
  • Minerals based: Industries that are primary and use mineral ores as their raw materials. The product of these industries feed other industries.
  • Marine based: Industries which use products from the sea and oceans as raw materials.
  • Forest-based: Industries that utilise forest produce as raw materials.

5. Size: It refers to the amount of capital involved invested, number of people employed and the volume of production.

  • Based on size, industries can be classified as small scale and large scale industries.

6. Ownership: Industries can be classified into:

  • Private-sector industries: owned and operated by individuals or a group of individuals.
  • Public sector industries: These are owned and operated by the government.
  • Joint sector industries: These are owned and operated by the state and individuals or a group of individuals.
  • Cooperative sector industries: These are owned and operated by the producers or suppliers of raw materials, workers or both.

7. The factors that affect the location of the industries are the availability of raw material, land, water, labour, power, capital, transport and market.

8. Industrialisation often leads to the development and growth of towns and cities.

9. An industrial system contains of inputs, processes and outputs.

10. Industrial region is a location where a number of industries locate close to each other and share benefits of their closeness.

11. Information technology is an emerging industry and the major hubs of this industry are the Silicon Valley of central California and Bengaluru, India.

12. Iron and Steel industry also comprises various inputs, processes and outputs. It is a feeder industry whose products are used as raw material for other industries. The process of conversion of Iron ore into steel involves many stages.

13. Steel is often known as the backbone of modern industry as almost everything used today is either made of iron or steel or has been made with tools and machinery of these metals.

14. The location of the iron and steel industry was where the raw materials, power supply and running water were easily available. This was the scenario before 1800 A.D. but the later ideal location for the industry was near coal fields and close to canals and railways. After 1950, iron and steel industry began to be lo­cated on large areas of flat land near sea ports. This is because the steel works had become very large and iron ore had to be imported from overseas.

15. India has developed the iron and steel industry taking the advantage of raw materials, cheap labour, transport and market. All steel-producing centres are situated in a region that spreads over four states.

16. The important steel-producing centre in India and World are:

Jamshedpur:

  • Before Independence i.e. 1947 there was only one iron and steel plant in the country TISCO (Tata Iron and Steel Company Limited) that was privately owned, but the government took the initiative of setting up several iron and steel plants.
  • TISCO was started in 1907 at Sakchi later renamed as Jamshedpur. Geographically, Jamshedpur is the most conveniently situated iron and steel centre in the country.
  • The development of the iron and steel industry had opened the doors to rapid industrial develop­ment in India.

17. Pittsburgh: An important steel city of the USA. The industry there enjoys the locational advantages. Pittsburgh is also one of the world’s best routes for shipping iron ore cheaply—the famous Great Lakes waterway. The Pittsburgh area has many factories other than steel mills.

18. Weaving clothes from yam is an ancient art.

19. Textile industries are divided on the basis of raw material used in them.

20. The cotton textile industry is one of the oldest industries in the world. Till the industrial revolution in the 18th century, cotton cloth was made using hand-spinning techniques (wheels) and looms.

21. India has a glorious tradition of producing excellent quality cotton textiles.

22. The first successful mechanized textile mill was established in Mumbai in 1854.

23. The first mill was established in 1859 in Gujarat (Ahmedabad). Ahmedabad had soon become the second-largest textile city of India after Mumbai.

24. Ahmedabad is situated very close to cotton growing area assuring easy availability of raw material.

25. Osaka is an important textile centre of Japan also known as the ‘Manchester of Japan’.

26. The information technology (I.T.) industry deals in the storage, processing and distribution of information.

27. The factors guiding the location of these industries are mainly resource availability, cost and infrastructure. The major hubs of IT industry are the Silicon Valley, California, and India.

  • Bengaluru is located on the Deccan Plateau from where it gets it name ‘Silicon Plateau’.
  • Silicon Valley, is a part of Santa Clara Valley, located next to the Rocky Mountains of North America.

28. There are also emerging information technology hubs in metropolitan centres of India such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai.

29. Bengaluru has always had a unique advantage as a city with the highest availability of middle and top management talent.

Industries Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Industry: Refers to an economic activity that is concerned with production of goods, extraction of minerals or the provision of services.

Industrial Disaster: In industries, accident/ disasters mainly occur due to technical failure or irresponsible handling of hazardous material and destruction caused by all this is termed as Industrial Disaster.

Smelting: It is the process in which metals are extracted from their ores by heating beyond the melting point.

Textile: It is derived from the Latin word texere which means to weave.

NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 10 Notes Law and Social Justice

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 Civics Chapter 10 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 10 SST Law and Social Justice will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

Law and Social Justice Class 8 Notes Social Science Civics Chapter 10

CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 10 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. Markets almost everywhere tend to be exploitative of people, whether as consumers, producers or as workers.

2. The government makes certain laws and these laws try to ensure that the unfair practices are kept at a minimum in the markets.

3. Private companies, contractors, etc. in order to gain maximization of profits, might deny workers their rights and not pay them wages.

4. As per the law on minimum wages, which is meant to protect workers, there are also laws that protect the interests of producers and consumers in the market.

5. These laws help ensure that the relations between the three parties – the worker; consumers and producer are governed in a manner that is not exploitative.

6. Enforcement of law becomes even more important when the law seeks to protect the weak from the strong.

7. To ensure that every worker gets fair wages, government has to regularly inspect worksites and punish those who violate the law.

8. Through making, enforcing and upholding the laws, the government can control the activities of individuals or private companies so as to ensure social justice.

9. The Right against Exploitation says that no one can be forced to work for low wages or under bondage.

10. Constitution also lays down that “A child below the age of 14 years shall not be employed to work in any factory or mines or engaged in any other hazardous employment”.

11. One reason why foreign companies come to India is for cheap labour. For lower pay, the companies can get longer hours of work. This can help in saving costs and earning higher profits.

12. Being lawmaker and enforcer, the government is supposed to ensure that safety laws are implemented.

13. Safety laws and non-enforcement of weak safety laws are seen in India.

14. Bhopal Gas Tragedy was the world’s worst industrial tragedy which took place in Bhopal where Union Carbide (UC) an American company had a factory in the city which was pesticides producer, there at midnight on 2nd December 1984 methyl – isocyanite (MIC) started leaking killing a huge number of people. The installation of an MIC production unit in 1978 was a safety violation, the position of the government was that the state needs continuous investment of the Bhopal plant which provide job.

15. Therefore, government inspectors continued to approve the procedure in the plant.

16. People safety was being disregarded both by the government and by private companies.

17. In 1984, there were very few laws protecting the environment in India.

18. The environment was treated as a ‘free’ entity and any industry could pollute the air and water without any restrictions.

19. Bhopal tragedy causing disaster has brought the environment issues to the forefront.

20. Following the Bhopal gas tragedy the government under pressure introduced new laws on the environment. The polluter was to be held accountable for the damage done to the environment.

21. The court gave several judgments upholding the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to Life.

22. In Subash Kumar Vs State of Bihar (1991), the Supreme Court held that the Right to Life is a Fundamental Right under Article 21 of the Constitution and it includes the right to the enjoyment of pollution-free water and air for full enjoyment of life.

23. The government is responsible for setting up laws and procedures that can check pollution, clean rivers and induce heavy fines for those who pollute.

24. Laws are necessary in many situations, whether this be the market, office or factory for the purpose of protecting people from unfair practices.

25. The government has to make ‘appropriate laws’ and also has to enforce the laws.

26. Laws weak in nature and poorly enforced can cause serious harm.

27. The government has the leading role in this respect, people can exert pressure so that both private companies and the government act in the interests of society.

Law and Social Justice Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Consumer: An individual who buys goods for personal use and not for resale.

Producer: A person or organisation that produces goods for sale in the market. At times, the producer keeps a part of the produce for his own use, like a farmer.

Investment: Money spent to purchase new machinery or buildings or training so as to be able to increase/ modernise production in the future.

Worker’s union: An association of workers.

NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 9 Notes Women, Caste and Reform

On this page, you will find NCERT Class 8 History Chapter 9 Notes Pdf free download. CBSE Class 8 Social Science Notes History Chapter 9 SST Women, Caste and Reform will seemingly, help them to revise the important concepts in less time.

Women, Caste and Reform Class 8 Notes Social Science History Chapter 9

CBSE Class 8 History Chapter 9 Notes Understanding the Lesson

1. 200 years ago things and conditions of the country were very different from that of today’s. Today’s society is far better from that of 200 years ago.

2. There was injustice done to women in past society.

3. Society was divided into castes.

4. Over time many of these social evils got extinct or on the verge of getting extinct.

5. Reasons behind the slow and gradual social change in society and getting it transformed includes the development of the new forms of communication.

6. Social evils were often taken as debates by Indian reformers and the reform groups in an attempt to change the society of that time practiced the debate with conclusion for the improvement of the society.

7. Raja Rammohan Roy (1772 – 1833) found reform association known as Brahmo Sabha and later it was known as Brahmo Samaj in Calcutta.

8. Reformers were the ones who felt that the changes were necessary in society and unjust practices needed to be done away with. This can be done according to them only by giving up old practices and orthodoxy and adopting a new way of life.

9. Raja Rammohan Roy was keen to spread western education in the country and bring freedom and equality for women.

10. Roy began campaigning against the ill practices of sati and was particularly moved by the problems faced by widows in their lives.

11. Roy’s writings showed that ancient texts do not sanction any widow burning.

12. Even the Britishers also criticised Indian traditions and customs.

13. In 1829, sati was banned.

14. The later reformers also adopted the way Raja Rammohan Roy had adopted. They used to find a verse or sentence in the ancient texts supporting their point of view as challenging a practice seemed harmful.

15. In 1856, widow remarriage law was passed by the Britishers after the suggestion by famous reformer Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar who claimed that ancient texts suggested that widow could remarry.

16. In south Veerasalingam Pantulu formed an association for widow remarriage.

17. Intellectuals and reformers in Bombay pledged themselves to working for the same cause.

18. Founder of reform association Arya Samaj, Swami Dayanand Saraswati also supported widow remarriage.

19. Conservatives continued opposing the new law.

20. Many reformers thought that education for girls was necessary in order to improve their condition.

21. Schools for girls were set up in Calcutta and Bombay.

22. Most of educated women were taught at home only by their liberal fathers or husbands. Some educated themselves for eg. Rashsundari Debi who secretly learned to read and write in the flickering light of candles at night.

23. School for girls in Punjab by Arya Samaj and in Maharashtra by Jyotirao Phule were set up.

24. Women of aristocratic Muslim households in North India read the Koran in Arabic. Some interpreted verses from Koran to argue for women’s education. This was in regard to encourage women to read about religion and domestic management in language they could understand.

25. By the 1880’s, women began entering the universities.

26. Many started writing critical views about the women in society.

27. example, Tarabai Shinde published a book – Stripurushtulna, criticising the social differences between men and women.

28. Pandita Ramabai (Sanskrit scholar) wrote book on miserable lives of upper caste Hindu women and founded widows home at Poona providing shelter for widows. Women there were trained to support themselves economically.

29. Some women not only limited themselves to writing books and all but also joined various nationalist and socialist movements from 1920’s.

30. After independence full suffrage was promised to women and men by nationalist leaders.

31. Reforms and social reformers also criticized caste inequalities.

32. In an effort to get rid of caste prejudices, many reformers violated caste taboos.

33. Christian missionaries began setting up schools for tribal groups and lower-caste children equipped with some resources to make their way into this changing world.

34. Poor people began leaving villages looking up for jobs in the cities.

35. Some also went out of country.

36. They all saw this as an opportunity to get away from the oppressive hold that upper caste landowners exercised over their lives and the daily humiliation they suffered.

37. By the 2nd half of the 19th century, people within the non-Brahmin caste began organising movements against caste discrimination and demanded social equality and justice.

38. The sects and movement were formed to go against the ill caste practices with their leaders from Non­Brahman castes trying to change the habits and practices which provoked the contempt of dominant castes. They tried creating sense of self-esteem among the subordinate castes.

39. Jyotirao Phule, one of the most vocal leaders among the “low castes’ people who was born in 1827 and studied in school set up by the Christian missionaries, carried many reforms.

40. He attacked Brahmans who were claiming their supremacy since they were Aryans.

41. He claimed that before the rule of the Aryans, there existed a golden age when warrior-peasants tilled land and ruled the Maratha countryside in just and fair ways.

42. The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by him, propagating caste equality.

43. In 1873, Phule wrote a book named Gulamgiri (Slavery).

44. He established link between the conditions of the lower castes in India with the black slaves in America.

45. The movement of caste reform continued in the 20th century by the other leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, E.V. Ramaswamy etc.

46. Dr Ambedkar, born in Mahar family, experienced caste discrimination in every day life.

47. After finishing school, Dr Ambedkar went to the U.S. for highers studies after getting a fellowship.

48. After his arrival back to India, he wrote extensively about the upper caste power in contemporary society.

49. In 1927 Dr Ambedkar started temple entry movement and Mahar caste followers participated in it.

50. Three such movements were led by Dr Ambedkar for temple entry between 1927 and 1935. He aimed at making everyone see the power of caste prejudices within the society.

51. Early 20th century experienced the Non-Brahman movement.

52. Non-Brahman caste was getting access to education, wealth and influence.

53. Brahmanical claim to power was challenged extensively.

54. Ramaswamy Naicker or Periyar who became Congress member left Congress in disgust when he found that at a feast organised by the Nationalists, seating arrangements followed caste distinctions, lower castes were made to sit at a distance from the upper castes.

55. Periyar founded the self-respect movement.

56. He believed that untouchables had to free themselves, from all religions in order to achieve social equality.

57. Periyar was an outspoken critique of Hindu scripture, especially the codes of Manu, the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana.

58. The forceful speeches, writing and movement of lower caste leaders did lead to rethinking and some self criticism among the upper caste Nationalist leaders.

59. The debates and struggles over the caste continued even beyond the colonial period and are still going on in present time.

Women, Caste and Reform Class 8 CBSE Notes Important Terms

Suffrage: Right to vote.

Stripurushtulna: A book of comparison between men and women, published by Tarabai Shinde.

Indigenous: Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; Native.

Aryan: Term meaning noble used as a self-designation by Indo-Iranian people.

Gulamgiri: Means slavery – book written by Phule in 1873.

Notes of History Class 8 Chapter 9 Time Period

1772-1833: Period of Raja Rammohan Roy.

1827: Jyotirao Phule was bom.

1829: Sati was banned.

1830: The BrahmoSamaj formed.

1856: Permitting widow remarriage.

1864: The Veda Samaj established in Madras (Chennai).

1867: The PrarthanaSamaj established at Bombay by Swami Vivekananda.

1873: Phule wrote a book named Gulamgiri.

1875: (i) Swami Dayanand founded the AryaSamaj.

(ii) The Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College founded by Sayyid Ahmed Khan at Aligarh later be­came the Aligharh Muslim University.

1927-35: Ambedkar started a temple entry movement.

1929: A Law preventing child marriage called Child Marriage Restraint Act was passed.