ICSE Class 6 History Syllabus 2020-21

Unit1 - The River Valley Civilization

In this unit, students would learn the basics of civilization and what it means. Students would know why the earliest societies developed near rivers. It also gives you a perspective of the contributions of various cultures in the world. Students will be able to compare the societies of the past with the current civilization. This section talks about:

The various sites on the map of India where different river valley civilizations were based. The major civilizations discussed are Indus valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Chinese.
Characteristics of these civilizations in terms of origin, social life, town planning, occupations, trade, art and craft, architecture, and religious beliefs.
How these civilizations declined.

Unit 2 - The Vedic Civilization

This unit aims at acquainting students with India's glorious past, which dates back to 3500 years ago. The genesis of today’s society can be gauged by learning about Vedas and epics of ancient Indian literature in this section. The key takeaways of this part of the syllabus are:

Definition of the term “Vedic” and information on all the literature related to it.
Learn what makes up the four Vedas, Upnishads, and Puranas.
Knowledge about the epics; Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Development of Aryans in the Sapta Sindhu and Gangetic valleys towards the later Vedic period.
The caste system and division of labour into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.
Understand the political organization, social life, and economic lives during the early Vedic age (Brahmavarta) and late Vedic age (Aryavarta).
Get knowledge about the Gurukul system

Unit 3 - Mahavira and Buddha - Great Preachers

Here students will learn to appreciate the teachings of Mahavira and Gautam Buddha. By going through this section of Class 6th History ICSE Syllabus students can understand the similarities and differences between the two ideologies. This chapter also teaches them the importance of tolerance (Ahimsa) so that students can become better citizens. This unit will take you through the following key topics:

The social conditions under which Jainism and Buddhism arose.
In-depth knowledge on Vardhamana Mahavira in terms of his early life, teachings (caste system, rebirth, karma, ahimsa, search for truth).
You would also learn how Jainism is divided into different subsections.
The early life of Gautam Buddha and his various teachings (four noble truths, Nirvana, Eight-fold path, Karma, Ahimsa, Caste system).
Various subsections of Buddhism.
There is also a comparative study on Jainism and Buddhism with emphasis on their spread and decline.

Unit 4 - Rise of Kingdom and Republicans

In this section of ICSE Class 6 History, Syllabus students will look into how wars and invasions came about with men's ambition to rule and form empires. It is these kingdoms of the past that have shaped the present-day political and social lives. You would get in-depth knowledge on:

Aryans and the use of iron tools by them to cultivate the land.
Introduction to terms Janapadas and Mahajanapadas.
Get to know the powerful kingdoms of this era: Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha.
The political history of the mighty empire of Magadha and the powerful emperors who ruled it (Bimbsara, Ajatshatru).
You would know about the life of Chandragupta Maurya before he became a ruler.
It also discusses the rule of Nanda and Alexander’s invasion.

Unit 5 - The Mauryan Empire

This section would teach students about the Mauryan empire with a special mention to Ashoka The Great, who realized how wars could demolish civilization. King Ashoka got influenced by the Buddhist principles of peace, non-violence, and compassion. Students would know how the doctrine of Dig Vijaya (conquest of lands and territories) slowly gave way to the doctrine of Dhamma Vijaya (Winning through love). The key concepts of this chapter are:

Learn about the great thinker “Chanakya” who worked for Chandragupta Maurya and how he influenced his rule.
The rule of Ashoka and how he ascended to the throne and acquired a large kingdom. It talks about how the Kalinga war affected him, and he finally devised a welfare state.
Ashoka created the dhammas and edicts. His edicts are inscribed on rocks, stone pillars, and caves (in Prakrit language).
Mauryan administration in Patliputra, their art, and economy and their final decline.

Unit 6 - The Golden Age - Gupta Empire

This section focuses on the Gupta dynasty, which came into existence after the Satavahana and Kushan empires’ fall. Students will learn how the rule of the Gupta dynasty describes the “Golden Age” of ancient Indian history. It was named so because of the advancements in trade, literature, Mathematics, Ayurveda, and astronomy in this era. From this unit, students would learn the following:

The details on the history of the Gupta empire.
The rulers of this empire; Chandragu[ta I, Samudragupta I, and Chandragupta II.
You would also get to know why this era was called the “Golden age” by learning about its characteristics, religious life, administration, scientific progress, and education.

ICSE Class 6 History Syllabus 2020-21

Unit1 - The River Valley Civilization

The various sites on the map of India where different river valley civilizations were based. The major civilizations discussed are Indus valley, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Chinese.

Characteristics of these civilizations in terms of origin, social life, town planning, occupations, trade, art and craft, architecture, and religious beliefs.

How these civilizations declined.

Unit 2 - The Vedic Civilization

This unit aims at acquainting students with India's glorious past, which dates back to 3500 years ago. The genesis of today’s society can be gauged by learning about Vedas and epics of ancient Indian literature in this section. The key takeaways of this part of the syllabus are:

Definition of the term “Vedic” and information on all the literature related to it.

Learn what makes up the four Vedas, Upnishads, and Puranas.

Knowledge about the epics; Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Development of Aryans in the Sapta Sindhu and Gangetic valleys towards the later Vedic period.

The caste system and division of labour into Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

Understand the political organization, social life, and economic lives during the early Vedic age (Brahmavarta) and late Vedic age (Aryavarta).

Get knowledge about the Gurukul system

Unit 3 - Mahavira and Buddha - Great Preachers

The social conditions under which Jainism and Buddhism arose.

In-depth knowledge on Vardhamana Mahavira in terms of his early life, teachings (caste system, rebirth, karma, ahimsa, search for truth).

You would also learn how Jainism is divided into different subsections.

The early life of Gautam Buddha and his various teachings (four noble truths, Nirvana, Eight-fold path, Karma, Ahimsa, Caste system).

Various subsections of Buddhism.

There is also a comparative study on Jainism and Buddhism with emphasis on their spread and decline.

Unit 4 - Rise of Kingdom and Republicans

In this section of ICSE Class 6 History, Syllabus students will look into how wars and invasions came about with men's ambition to rule and form empires. It is these kingdoms of the past that have shaped the present-day political and social lives. You would get in-depth knowledge on:

Aryans and the use of iron tools by them to cultivate the land.

Introduction to terms Janapadas and Mahajanapadas.

Get to know the powerful kingdoms of this era: Vatsa, Avanti, Kosala, and Magadha.

The political history of the mighty empire of Magadha and the powerful emperors who ruled it (Bimbsara, Ajatshatru).

You would know about the life of Chandragupta Maurya before he became a ruler.

It also discusses the rule of Nanda and Alexander’s invasion.

Unit 5 - The Mauryan Empire

Learn about the great thinker “Chanakya” who worked for Chandragupta Maurya and how he influenced his rule.

The rule of Ashoka and how he ascended to the throne and acquired a large kingdom. It talks about how the Kalinga war affected him, and he finally devised a welfare state.

Ashoka created the dhammas and edicts. His edicts are inscribed on rocks, stone pillars, and caves (in Prakrit language).

Mauryan administration in Patliputra, their art, and economy and their final decline.

Unit 6 - The Golden Age - Gupta Empire

The details on the history of the Gupta empire.

The rulers of this empire; Chandragu[ta I, Samudragupta I, and Chandragupta II.

You would also get to know why this era was called the “Golden age” by learning about its characteristics, religious life, administration, scientific progress, and education.