Table Of ContentSOCIAL SCIENCE
(HISTORY-CIVICS-GEOGRAPHY)
STANDARD X
A Publication under
Government of Tamilnadu
Distribution of Free Text Book Programme
(NOT FOR SALE)
Untouchability is a Sin
Untouchability is a Crime
Untouchability is Inhuman
TAMILNADU
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i
© Government of Tamilnadu
First Edition - 2004
Reprint - 2006 CHAIRPERSONS
HISTORY & CIVICS GEOGRAPHY
Dr. C. Balakrishnan Dr. T. Vasantha Kumaran
Professor of History Professor
Institute of Distance Education Department of Geography
University of Madras University of Madras
Chennai – 600 005 Chennai – 600 005
REVIEWERS
Dr. P. Saravanan Dr. J. Uma
Reader, Dept. of History Professor
Govt. Arts College Department of Geography
Nandanam Bharathi Women’s Govt. College
Chennai- 600 035 Chennai- 600 108
AUTHORS
History
Tmt. S. Vasantha Mr. N. Subramanian
B.T. Assistant (Retd.) Lecturer
Lady M.Ct.M.Girls' Hr.Sec.School DIET
Purasawalkam Namakkal
Chennai- 600 084 637 001
Thiru R. Ravindranathan Ms. A. Dhanapackiam
Head Master (Retd.) Professor
Govt. High School Department of Geography
Alavakkottai Bharathi Women’s Govt. College
Sivaganga District Chennai- 600 108
Civics
Dr. R. Mathaiyan
Lecturer in Politics & Public Administration
Institute of Distance Education
University of Madras
Chennai - 600 005
This book has been prepared by The Directorate of School
Education on behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu.
This book has been printed on 60 G.S.M.Paper
CONTENTS
HISTORY
Time Line ... V-VI
UNIT - I
1. The Advent of the Europeans ... 1
2. Establishment and Expansion of British
Power in India ... 13
3. The First War of Indian Independence (The Great
Revolt of 1857) – End of East India Company’s Rule ... 37
UNIT – II
4. Social and Religious Reform Movements
in the 19th Century ... 49
UNIT – III
5. Emergence and Growth of the
Indian National Movement ... 63
6. India’s Struggle for Freedom – Gandhian Era ... 81
UNIT – IV
7. India since Independence (1947 – 2000) –
Social Progress ... 99
8. Planned Economic Development and
Growth of Science and Technology in India ... 107
9. India’s Foreign Policy ... 117
(iii)
CIVICS
UNIT - I
1. Form of Federal Government ... 125
2. The Union Government of India ... 131
3. The State Government ... 145
UNIT – II
4. The Election Commission of India ... 155
5. Elections ... 161
6. Citizenship ... 169
GEOGRAPHY
UNITS
1. India : Regional Diversity – The Indian Subcontinent ... 175
2. Relief and Drainage – Physiography and Drainage ... 191
3. Climate of India – Climate and Rainwater Harvesting ... 209
4. Vegetation – Natural Vegetation and Soils ... 225
5. Crops and Food – Crops and Food Security ... 239
6. Industries – Indian Industries ... 255
7. Infrastructures and Services – Services ... 267
8. Human Resources – Population of India ... 279
9. Developing India – Emerging India ... 289
10. Maps and Diagrams –
Distribution Maps and Diagrams ... 299
11. Fieldwork - Fieldwork : Concept and Practice ... 315
12. Participatory Assessment –
Rapid and Participatory Appraisals ... 329
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
UNIT – I
Lesson – 1
THE ADVENT OF THE EUROPEANS
Learning Objectives
1. Pupil learns how the Discovery of New Sea routes by the
Europeans was a turning point in the history of India.
2. Pupil understands that the coming of the Europeans to India led to
revolutionary changes in her destiny in the future.
3. Pupil acquires knowledge about the establishment and growth of
trading centres by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the British, the
French and the Danes.
The coming of the Europeans to India forms an important event
in the history of our country. Our country was well known in Europe, for
its immense wealth, through the accounts of Marcopolo, a Venice
Merchant. India had trade relations with the western world from the
ancient times. Indian commodities like spices, certain drugs, metal
works, textiles, silk, gold, silver and precious stones were in great
demand in the European markets throughout the Middle Ages. These
goods used to reach Europe either by land or partly by land, and partly
by sea.
However, difficulties arose on account of the capture of
Constantinople (Modern Istanbul in Turkey) by the Turks in 1453 A.D.
It blocked the traditional trade route through land between Europe and
the Eastern countries. It made European traders to find out new sea
routes to reach the Golden East i.e. India and China.
The Portuguese
The Kings of Portugal and Spain encouraged the sailors to
discover new sea routes. The Portuguese were the pioneers in this
field. Prince Henry of Protugal patronised the sailors. He set a
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regular school for the training of seamen on scientific lines. He
supported all those who took up the work of navigation.
Due to his encouragement and interest in the field of Navy he
is nicknamed in history as “Henry, the Navigator.”
Bartholomeu Diaz : In 1487 Bartholomeu Diaz travelled along the
west coast of Africa. He reached its southern most tip. However, he
could not continue his voyage further due to heavy storms. This
voyage gave hope to the navigators. Hence the southern most tip of
Africa is known as Cape of Good Hope.
Vasco da Gama : Vascoda Gama, a
Portuguese explorer, sailed through the
route of Bartholomeu Diaz. He reached the
cape of Good Hope and then Mozambique.
From there he continued his journey for a
month. He reached near Calicut on 20 May
1498 A.D. He was cordially received by
King Zamorin, the local ruler. Vascoda
Gama got certain privileges also. They
opened the way for commercial relations
Vasco da Gama
with India.
Vascoda Gama stayed three months in India. He carried
back a rich cargo with him on his return. It tempted many other
rich merchants of European nations to come to India.
Vascoda Gama founded a factory at Cannanore on his second
visit to India in 1501. In due course, Calicut, Cochin and Cannanore
became the Portuguese trading centres.
The Arabs could not reconcile the Portuguese reaping their
profits. They created enmity between the Portuguese and King
Zamorin. King Zamorin attacked the Portuguese in Cochin. But he
suffered a defeat. The supremacy of the Portuguese was established.
Francisco de Almeida (1505 – 1509) : Francisco Almeida came to
India in 1505. He was the first Governor of Portuguese possessions in
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India. He had the aim of developing the naval power of the Portuguese
in India. He wanted to make the Portuguese the masters of the Indian
Ocean. His policy is known as the Blue water policy.
Alfonso de Albuquerque (1509 – 1515) : The real founder of
Portuguese power in India was Alfonso de Albuquerque. He
captured Goa from the rulers of Bijapur in 1510. It was made their
headquarters. He also strengthened his relationship with the
Vijayanagar Empire. In 1511 he captured Malacca. He built the Port of
Ormuz in the Persian Gluf in 1515. Eventhough he was a good
administrator, he became unpopular with the Muslims due to his
religious policy . He treated the Hindus well. He opened schools for
their education. He encouraged marriage relationship between the
Indians and the Portuguese.
He took steps to do away with Sati. He was the precursor of
Lord William Bentinck.
His good qualities won him respect among the Indians. By the
end of the 16th Century, the Portuguese brought Goa, Diu, Daman and
Salsette and a vast area around them under their rule. However, their
power was shortlived. They were displaced with the coming of other
European merchants.
Causes for the decline of the Portuguese power :
1. Portugal was a small country. It could not control a big dominion
like India. It did not have resources necessary for building up a
large overseas trade colony.
2. There appeared corruption in administration. The Portuguese
Merchants were rarely honest.
3. The religious policy followed by the Portuguese created enmity
of the Muslims. Hindus also did not like forcible conversion of
the natives by the Portuguese.
4. The Portuguese often indulged in piracy against the Indian
merchants.
5. The prosperity of Goa depended on that of the great Hindu
Capital of Vijayanagar. The fall of Vijayanagar in 1565 A.D. was
a great blow to the Portuguese.
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