Class 8 Social Science - Deep Notes
Geography - Chapter 1: Resources
- Resource: Anything that satisfies human needs and has utility.
- Example: Electricity, Water, Books, Vehicles.
- Resource becomes useful when it has utility and value.
- Types of Resources:
- 1. Natural Resources - obtained from nature, without human effort.
- - Examples: Air, Water, Soil, Minerals, Forests, Wildlife.
- - Classification by origin: Biotic (living) and Abiotic (non-living).
- - Classification by development/use: Actual (used, quantity known) and Potential (unused,
unknown quantity).
- - Classification by stock: Renewable (can renew) and Non-renewable (cannot renew quickly).
- - Classification by distribution: Ubiquitous (found everywhere) and Localized (found only in certain
areas).
- 2. Human-made Resources - created by humans from natural resources.
- - Examples: Buildings, Machines, Roads, Vehicles, Money.
- 3. Human Resources - people and their skills, knowledge, education, health.
- Characteristics of Resources: Utility, Value, Accessibility.
- Resource Conservation - using resources wisely to prevent exhaustion.
- Sustainable Development - meeting present needs without harming future generations.
- Examples: Saving electricity, planting trees, recycling paper.
- Global examples: Rio Earth Summit (1992), Agenda 21 action plan.
Geography - Chapter 2: Land, Soil, Water, Natural Vegetation &
Wildlife Resources
- Land: used for agriculture, forestry, mining, housing, roads, industries.
- Land degradation: caused by deforestation, overgrazing, mining, overuse of chemicals.
- Soil: thin layer covering Earth’s surface, essential for plant growth.
- Soil conservation methods: terrace farming, contour ploughing, afforestation.
- Water resources: unevenly distributed, fresh water limited.
- Water conservation: drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, recycling.
- Natural Vegetation: forests, grasslands, deserts.
- Wildlife: animals and birds; conservation through sanctuaries, national parks, biosphere reserves.
Geography - Chapter 3: Mineral & Power Resources
- Minerals: naturally occurring substances with definite properties.
- Types: Metallic (Iron, Copper, Gold) and Non-metallic (Coal, Salt, Limestone).
- Power resources: Conventional (Coal, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Hydel) and Non-conventional
(Solar, Wind, Tidal, Nuclear, Geothermal).
- Conservation: reducing wastage, recycling, using alternative energy.
Civics - Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution
- Constitution: supreme law of India, rules for governance.
- Adopted: 26 November 1949, enforced: 26 January 1950.
- Features: Federalism, Parliamentary Government, Separation of Powers, Fundamental Rights,
Secularism.
Civics - Chapter 2: Understanding Secularism
- Secularism: no state religion, equal respect for all religions.
- India is secular: government cannot favor or discriminate any religion.
- Freedom of religion guaranteed by Constitution.
Civics - Chapter 3: Why Do We Need a Parliament?
- Parliament: supreme law-making body of India.
- Represents people of the country.
- Functions: Makes laws, controls government, approves budget, debates issues.
- Lok Sabha: directly elected; Rajya Sabha: indirectly elected.
Civics - Chapter 4: Understanding Laws
- Laws: rules everyone must follow.
- Examples: laws against dowry, child marriage, domestic violence.
- Laws are dynamic, changing with society.
History - Chapter 1: How, When and Where
- History: study of past events, dates, people, society.
- Earlier historians focused on rulers, wars, policies.
- Modern history includes common people, society, culture, economy.
History - Chapter 2: From Trade to Territory
- East India Company came for trade in 1600, set up trading posts.
- Battle of Plassey (1757): British defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah.
- Battle of Buxar (1764): Company got Diwani rights in Bengal.
- Expansion through wars, alliances, annexations.
History - Chapter 3: Ruling the Countryside
- British introduced land revenue systems.
- Permanent Settlement (1793): Zamindars collected tax; peasants exploited.
- Ryotwari System: direct tax from farmers.
- Impact: high taxes, poverty, famines, forced cash crops (indigo, cotton).
History - Chapter 4: Tribals, Dikus and the Vision of a Golden Age
- Tribal communities lived in forests, practiced shifting cultivation, hunting, gathering.
- Dikus (outsiders: moneylenders, zamindars) exploited tribals.
- British forest laws restricted tribal freedom.
- Leaders like Birsa Munda led revolts for independence and tribal rights.