NCERT Book Class 12 History PDF

Studying history is crucial since we can only make sense of our current world if we have a deeper understanding of our past. In Class 11, students learned about different themes of world history in detail. 

Similarly, contemporary world history old NCERT Class 12 PDF, which has been divided into three parts, will explore various themes of Indian history, namely – economic, cultural, social, political, and religious factors. Additionally, NCERT 12 history will strive to explore how each of these themes is interdependent.

Students will also get a look into how historians work in NCERT book Class 12 history PDF – discover, read, look for clues in sources and finally interpret and interconnect them to piece together the past.

NCERT History Book Class 12 Part 1

The first part of the NCERT Book Class 12 history PDF talks about Harappan culture. It also reveals how historians used various archaeological evidence like artifacts and relics from this period to find out more about the people and their lives. 

After the end of Harappan civilisation, several developments took place - agricultural settlements, new modes of disposal of the dead, the emergence of some of the earliest states and towns followed by empires and kingdoms. Historians try to understand these trends by examining various sources like inscriptions, coins, and texts. Among these sources, ancient texts like Mahabharata were referenced to understand the social structure, situations, and practices of old.

NCERT History Book Class 12 Part 2

Part 2 of NCERT book Class 12 history PDF looks at history through the accounts of travellers either from distant countries or from other parts of the country. They recorded their experiences on various subjects such as religious issues, court matters, architecture, customs, traditions, and so on. This helped historians to understand early society. Religious beliefs, holy texts, and compositions along with biographies of saints also provide a glimpse of the diversity and dynamism that existed.

History NCERT Class 12 book Part 2 also examines how scholars rediscovered the ancient empire and city Vijaynagara from oral tales, monuments, inscriptions, etc. It also provides an in-depth look into the structure and aspects of agrarian society during the Mughal Empire. 

NCERT History Book Class 12 Part 3

This section from the Class 12 history book PDF will focus on the colonial rule in India and its impact on various strata of society. Students will go through journals and accounts, reports by multiple individuals, travellers, and official enquiry commissions to understand how laws made by the East India Company impacted people like zamindars, Santhals, etc. and how they reacted. This part will also discuss the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, which is known as the first war of independence.

NCERT book Class 12 history PDF also analyses Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to the nationalist movement. The third part of Class 12th history NCERT ends with the framing of the Indian constitution, which marks the beginning of a new era.

Other Free CBSE Study Material for Class 12

Why are NCERT Books Favoured by All Students?

NCERT textbooks like history textbook Class 12 have become the go-to guide for students from not only CBSE but also from other boards too. The factors responsible for this have been listed below – 

• In-Depth Analysis – NCERT books explain each concept from a topic or a chapter in a very clear and lucid manner so that students can grasp them quickly. Pupils forget information more quickly when they memorise without having a basic idea of the underlying concepts. Keeping this in mind, expert academicians have explained each topic in-depth so that students will be able to understand the subject as they read through it.

• Charts and Figures – NCERT Books Class 12 history PDF contains charts of important events and dates, which help students to learn and remember complicated facts quickly. Similarly, the statistics and images enable students to understand the context of the topic, which makes it more interesting for them. It also keeps them engaged for longer. Therefore, charts and figures in NCERT books not only help students to memorise information quickly but also makes studying history more interesting.

• The Clarity in Language – The chapters from NCERT books history are drafted in an easy-to-understand language which enables students to understand the basic concepts quickly. If students find the language difficult, then they will not pay much attention while learning. On the other hand, language clarity also helps them to retain information easily during an examination. 

• Topic-Based Questions – Each chapter contains specific topic-based questions at the end. Attempting these questions will help students to gain a better understanding of the subject. Furthermore, Class 12 board examinations are also based on these questions. So, students can practise them before their boards which will help them score better marks.

As you can see, students benefit greatly by consulting NCERT textbooks for their board preparations. With ample information, interested students can pick up substantial amounts of knowledge from these sources.   

Chapters Covered in the NCERT Book Class 12 History Free PDF Download 

Here is a list of chapters covered in the NCERT Book Class 12 History Free PDF Download:

Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads, and Bones

The first chapter of the NCERT Book Class 12 History takes you through the history of the oldest civilisation of India, Harappan Civilisation. It teaches you about the culture, food habits, agricultural techniques, etc. of the Harappan people. 

Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers, and Towns

Chapter 2, Kings, Farmers, and Towns, is all about the developments that took place after the end of the Harappan civilisation. It also gives you an insight into the beginning of the Mauryan Empire and the emergence of new kingdoms.  

Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste, and Class

In this chapter, you get to learn the social history of India between 600BCE and 600CE. You will study the social differences, kinship, marriage rules, Mahabharata, and much more in this important chapter of your syllabus.   

Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs, and Buildings

This chapter provides you with the historical facts related to the ancient building, Sanchi Kannakkheda, and its preservation. It tells you about Thinkers, who are concerned with understanding the nature of reality. The period also saw the growth of Jainism in the country.   

Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers

Chapter 5 is about the travellers who visited India in the medieval period and their motives. It gives you a brief explanation of the three famous travellers, Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, and Francois Bernier, who visited the sub-continent from the 11th to 17th century.  

Chapter 6: Bhakti- Sufi Traditions

The Bhakti Movement, Islam, and Sufi movement played a vital role in the medieval period between the 8th and 18th centuries. In this chapter, you will get to know about the founders of the Bhakti Movement and the pillars of Islam. 

Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara

The Vijayanagara Empire was the most dignified empire of Southern India. The chapter will provide you with deep insights into the history of this empire, its capital i.e. Hampi, dynasties that ruled the empire, etc.   

Chapter 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State

In Chapter 8, you will be introduced to the agricultural technology used by peasants during that time. It also explains the history of various tribes, village communities, and the Mughal Empire under Akbar’s rule.  

Chapter 9: Kings and Chronicles

The chapter provides you with valuable information about the institution of the Mughal state. It depicts the policies formed in the Mughal Empire that the rulers sought to impose. 

Chapter 10: Colonialism and the Countryside

This chapter gives you an overview of the establishment of colonial rule, rise of Jotedars, Paharis, and Santhals. 

Chapter 11: Rebels and the Raj

Chapter 11 takes you through the revolt of 1857 and its representation Pattern of Rebellion, Awadh revolt, and Revolt of the sepoys. 

Chapter 12: Colonial Cities

This chapter is about colonial rule, which was based on data and a compilation of information with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on the city life and trading activities. 

Chapter 13: Mahatma Gandhi and National Movements

In Chapter 13, you will read about Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha Movement, Khilafat Movement, and many other events that led to India’s independence.  

Chapter 14: Understanding Partition

The chapter covers what happened during and after the partition between India and Pakistan. 

Chapter 15: Framing and the Constitution

Chapter 15 of the NCERT Book Class 12 History tells you about the formation of the constitution and how it came to effect in India. 

Why is Vedantu Your Go-to Digital Study Guide?

Vedantu helps students to achieve their academic dreams. Accordingly, students can download NCERT book Class 12 history PDF as well as solutions for NCERT textbooks, previous years, question papers, important questions, etc. for enhanced exam preparation.

They can also opt for live interactive Classes from teachers to gain a better understanding of topics from subjects like NCERT Class 12th history, which will help them to score top marks in the CBSE board examination. Download the PDF file for this book from Vedantu and refer to it at your convenience.