Fundamentals

1. Human Geography: Nature and Scope

Defines human geography, the nature-human relationship (environmental determinism, possibilism, neo-determinism), and its major fields and sub-fields.

2. The World Population: Distribution, Density and Growth

Patterns of population distribution and density, factors influencing them, components of population change, and the demographic transition theory.

3. Human Development

The concept of human development, its approaches and indicators (including the Human Development Index), and sustainable development.

4. Primary Activities

Economic activities directly using natural resources — hunting-gathering, pastoralism, agriculture (types and systems), mining and quarrying.

5. Secondary Activities

Manufacturing industries — classification, locational factors, and major industrial regions of the world.

6. Tertiary and Quaternary Activities

Service-sector activities — trade, transport, tourism — and knowledge-based quaternary/quinary activities.

7. Transport and Communication

Land, water and air transport networks, and the role of communication and satellite technology in a globalising world.

8. International Trade

Basis and types of international trade, trade blocs, the World Trade Organisation, and trade routes/ports.

Appendix I

Supplementary statistical tables referenced across chapters.

Glossary

Definitions of key terms used throughout the textbook.

Theme 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones — The Harappan Civilisation

How archaeologists reconstruct Harappan life from material evidence — cities, crafts, trade, and the still-undeciphered script.

Theme 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns — Early States and Economies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)

The mahajanapadas, the Mauryan Empire and Asoka's inscriptions, changing agrarian society, trade and coinage, and how inscriptions are deciphered.

Theme 3: Kinship, Caste and Class — Early Societies (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)

The Mahabharata as a historical source, kinship and marriage norms, and the varna/caste social order as described in early texts.

Theme 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings — Cultural Developments (c. 600 BCE-600 CE)

The rise of Buddhism and Jainism, the Bhakti tradition's roots, and religious architecture such as the stupa at Sanchi.