Ancient World — Syllabus
NIOS · Class 10 · Social Studies
What Ancient World covers in NIOS Class 10 Social Studies: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the NIOS Class 10 Social Studies syllabus.
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Topics in Ancient World
1. The Stone Age to the Metal Ages
- The Stone Age was followed by the Metal Ages, namely the Bronze Age and the Iron Age.
- Discovery of metals changed human life greatly and made civilisation more advanced.
- Copper was the first metal used by human beings.
2. Bronze Age Civilisations
- The major Bronze Age civilisations were Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China.
- These civilisations developed in river valleys because rivers made the land fertile.
- Town-based life, trade, writing, and organised administration developed in this period.
3. Indus Valley Civilisation
- The Indus Valley Civilisation was first excavated in the 1920s at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
- It is also called the Harappan Civilisation.
- Important cities included Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Lothal, Kalibangan, Ropar, Banawali, Rakhigarhi, and Dholavira.
4. Iron Age Civilisations
- The Iron Age began about 3000 years ago.
- Iron was cheaper and stronger than copper and bronze.
- Iron tools helped clear forests and expand cultivation.
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