The Class 11 history syllabus 2025-26 is designed to give you a deeper understanding of world history, societies, and cultures. It explores the growth of civilizations, empires, cultural traditions, and paths to modernisation through major global events and debates.
Studying this subject helps you develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a historical perspective that connects the past with the present.
At Law Prep Tutorial, we provide the complete syllabus of class 11 history subject, including unit-wise details, marks distribution, exam pattern, prescribed books, project work, and preparation tips to help you prepare confidently for your exams.
Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26: Overview
| Subject Code | 027 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Theory | 80 |
| Project/IA | 20 |
| Duration | 3 Hours |
| Units | Theme No. | Theme Title | Marks |
| I. Early Societies | 1 | Writing and City Life | 10 |
| II. Empires | 2 | An Empire Across Three Continents | 10 |
| 3 | Nomadic Empires | 10 | |
| III. Changing Traditions | 4 | The Three Orders | 10 |
| 5 | Changing Cultural Traditions | 10 | |
| IV. Towards Modernisation | 6 | Displacing Indigenous Peoples | 10 |
| 7 | Paths to Modernisation | 15 | |
| Map Work | — | Related Themes | 5 |
| Total (Theory) | 80 | ||
| Project Work | 20 | ||
| Grand Total | 100 |
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Get the official CBSE document of the class 11 history syllabus with complete unit-wise topics, marks distribution, exam pattern, and project guidelines. This PDF is essential for students, teachers, and parents to plan studies effectively.
Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26
Find the detailed class 11th history syllabus below:
Unit I: Early Societies
The first unit in the class 11th history syllabus introduces you to the origins of writing, city life, and early civilizations. It focuses on Mesopotamia (Iraq, 3rd millennium BCE), showing how towns developed, how urban societies functioned, and why writing became central to administration, trade, and culture. Students also explore historians’ debates on the uses of writing.
Theme 1: Writing and City Life
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Growth of Towns | Development of cities in Mesopotamia. |
| Nature of Early Urban Societies | Characteristics of the first complex societies. |
| Debate on Uses of Writing | How writing shaped economy, politics, and culture. |
Unit II: Empires
The second unit of the history syllabus of class 11th covers large empires and their influence across regions. The focus is on the Roman Empire and Nomadic Empires, especially Genghis Khan’s Mongols.
Students learn about polity, economy, culture, slavery, pastoral life, and global interactions during this period, along with contrasting perspectives of empire-builders and the world.
Theme 2: An Empire Across Three Continents
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Roman Polity and Economy | Governance, trade, and economy of Rome. |
| Society and Culture | Social life, family, and cultural achievements. |
| Slavery | Role of slaves in economy and society. |
| Roman Contacts with India | Trade and cultural exchanges with subcontinent. |
Theme 3: Nomadic Empires
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Pastoralist Society | Lifestyle of nomadic tribes. |
| Rise of Genghis Khan | His leadership and empire-building. |
| Descendants of Genghis Khan | Expansion and changes under successors. |
| Global Perspectives | Mongols’ image in Asia vs Europe. |
Unit III: Changing Traditions
This unit in the class 11th history syllabus explores transformations in medieval Europe between 1300–1700. It explains the Three Orders of society (clergy, nobility, peasants), feudalism, the 14th century crisis, and rise of nation-states.
It also covers the Renaissance, Reformation, Scientific Revolution, and Age of Exploration, highlighting cultural, social, and intellectual shifts.
Theme 4: The Three Orders
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Feudal System | Clergy, nobility, peasants, and serfs. |
| Slavery vs Serfdom | Comparison of bonded labour systems. |
| 14th Century Crisis | Economic and social upheavals. |
| Rise of Nation States | Emergence of centralized powers. |
Theme 5: Changing Cultural Traditions
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Renaissance | Revival of art, literature, and humanism. |
| Reformation | Protestant movement and Church reforms. |
| Scientific Revolution | New discoveries changing worldview. |
| Age of Exploration | Expansion into new lands and trade routes. |
| Role of Women | Position of women in Renaissance societies. |
Unit IV: Towards Modernisation
This unit in the CBSE class 11th history syllabus studies major global changes between 1700–2000. It highlights the displacement of indigenous peoples in America and Australia during colonization, as well as Japan, China, and Korea’s paths to modernisation.
It helps students compare colonial impacts, nationalism, and transformations from tradition to modernity.
Theme 6: Displacing Indigenous Peoples
| Topics Covered | Description |
| Native Displacements | Colonization of America and Australia. |
| European Settlements | Expansion and settlement patterns. |
| Indigenous Roles | Social and cultural impact on natives. |
| Japanese Nationalism | Japan’s rise before and after WWII. |
Theme 7: Paths to Modernisation
| Topics Covered | Description |
| China’s Nationalist Movements | From Sun Yat Sen to Mao Zedong. |
| Communist Era | Transformation under Mao and Deng Xiaoping. |
| Japan’s Transformation | From imperialism to modernisation. |
| Korea | Struggles and changes in Korean society. |
Also checkout CBSE Class 11th all details!
Class 11 History Syllabus: Question Paper Design
| Section / Theme | MCQ (1 mark) | Short Answer (3 marks) | Long Answer (8 marks) | Source-Based (4 marks) | Total Marks |
| I. Early Societies (Theme 1) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 |
| II. Empires (Themes 2–3) | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| III. Changing Traditions (Themes 4–5) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 20 |
| IV. Towards Modernisation (Themes 6–7) | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Map Work (Related Themes) | — | — | — | — | 5 |
| Total | 21 × 1 = 21 | 6 × 3 = 18 | 3 × 8 = 24 | 4 × 3 = 12 | 80 |
Internal Assessment (Project Work) – 20 Marks
- Project File: 12 Marks
- Viva Voce: 8 Marks
Prescribed Books for Class 11th History Syllabus 2025-26
Themes in World History: Class XI, NCERT Publication
The NCERT textbook is the core reference for the class 11 history syllabus. Since CBSE designs board papers directly from NCERT, students should prioritize this book for concept clarity, timelines, and maps.
Teachers may recommend additional guides for practice, but NCERT remains the most reliable.
More Important Resources for CBSE Exam:
| CBSE Full Form | CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus |
| All about CBSE Class 11th | Class 11th Hornbill Syllabus |
| CBSE Class 11 Economics Syllabus | CBSE Class 11 Commerce Subjects |
Objectives of Class XI History Syllabus 2025-26
- Develop Historical Understanding: To help students explore major world events, civilizations, and processes that shaped societies and cultures.
- Encourage Critical Thinking: To train students to question, compare, and analyze historical evidence instead of memorizing facts.
- Understand Continuity and Change: To make students recognize patterns of continuity and transformation across different periods in history.
- Learn Historical Methods: To introduce students to how historians collect, examine, and interpret sources like inscriptions, writings, and artefacts.
- Connect Past with Present: To show how historical developments influence present-day institutions, cultures, and global issues.
- Appreciate Cultural Diversity: To cultivate respect for different civilizations, traditions, and perspectives across time and space.
- Build Research and Inquiry Skills: To develop skills in project work, debates, map analysis, and inquiry-based learning.
- Prepare for Higher Studies: To provide a foundation for advanced history studies in Class 12 and for competitive exams like CUET, UPSC (foundation), and law entrances.
Tips to Prepare for CBSE Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26
1. Start with the NCERT Book
The NCERT Themes in World History is your core resource. Read each theme line by line, highlight important events, timelines, and maps. Since CBSE bases exam questions on NCERT, this should be your first priority.
2. Make Timelines and Flowcharts
History is easier when you visualize it. Create timelines for empires, revolutions, and cultural changes, and use flowcharts to show cause-effect relationships (e.g., reasons for Renaissance → impact on Europe).
3. Practice Map Work Regularly
Map questions carry 5 marks. Practice locating cities, empires, and trade routes mentioned in the class 11 history syllabus. Repeated practice ensures accuracy and quick recall during exams.
4. Use Case Studies and Debates
Themes like Writing and City Life or Changing Cultural Traditions include historians’ debates. Note down arguments from different perspectives. Writing answers with these debates makes them richer and fetches more marks.
5. Prepare Short Notes and Mind Maps
Summarize each theme in 1–2 pages. Include key terms, dates, thinkers, and events. Mind maps and visual summaries help in quick revision before exams.
6. Solve Previous Year Papers & Sample Papers
Attempting previous year CBSE papers and sample papers will familiarize you with the exam pattern, question types, and time management. It also boosts confidence.
7. Revise with Keywords and Examples
In long answers, use keywords like Renaissance, Humanism, Reformation, Industrialisation, Nationalism along with examples (e.g., names of thinkers, rulers, or movements). This shows conceptual clarity.
8. Connect History with Current Affairs
Relating past events with present issues makes learning more meaningful. For example, while studying colonization and indigenous people, connect it with modern debates on indigenous rights. This will also help in CUET, UPSC foundation, and law entrance exams.
Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:
Suggested Project Topics for CBSE Class 11th History Syllabus
- Facets of Industrialisation in the 16th–18th Centuries: its impact on economy and society.
- The Crusades: causes, events, and outcomes of the Holy Wars.
- Mesopotamia: an in-depth study of early urban civilization.
- Greek Philosophy and City States: contributions to politics, art, and science.
- Roman Civilization: governance, culture, and legacy in world history.
- The Renaissance Spirit: art, literature, and rational thinking.
- Development in South American States: political and cultural evolution.
- Schools of Thought: Realism, Humanism, Romanticism in world history.
- Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire: piecing together the past.
- Slavery in Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Times: a comparative study.
- Aboriginal History in America and Australia: culture and struggles.
- Modernisation in Asia: Japan, China, and Korea’s paths to modernity.
- Impact of Scientific Revolution: how discoveries reshaped Europe.
- Reformation Movement: Martin Luther and the Protestant challenge to the Church.
- Age of Exploration: expansion into new continents and its consequences.
FAQs About Class 11 History Syllabus 2025-26
The subject code for Class 11 history syllabus for CBSE is 027.
The exam carries 100 marks: 80 for theory and 20 for project work/internal assessment.
The syllabus of class 11 history subject is divided into four sections: Early Societies, Empires, Changing Traditions, and Towards Modernisation.
There are 7 major themes, each highlighting key historical processes and debates.
The prescribed book is Themes in World History, NCERT Class XI.
It includes displacement of indigenous peoples in America and Australia, and modernization in China, Japan, and Korea.
Yes, map work based on related themes carries 5 marks.
Internal assessment is project work (20 marks) consisting of a project file and viva voce.
Project work carries 20% of the total marks.
The paper includes MCQs, short answer, long answer, source-based, and map questions.
Yes, it builds a foundation for CUET, UPSC (foundation), and law entrance exams like CLAT and AILET by improving analytical and historical reasoning.
Yes, every student must submit a project file to score the 20 internal marks.
It requires effort but becomes easy with proper timelines, maps, notes, and consistent revision.