Class 9 · Social Science · New NCERT
Chapter 4: Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation
"Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation" opens the History chapters, at about thirty-four pages. Students are likely to follow the story of early humans from hunting and gathering to farming and settled life, and the rise of the first cities and civilisations, using archaeological evidence such as tools, paintings and remains. Timelines and maps help. The chapter builds on the Grade 6 chapters on the beginnings of civilisation and teaches students to reason from evidence about periods without written records.
This is chapter 4 (Part 1, Chapter 4) of 15 in Exploring Society: India and Beyond, the Class 9 Social Science textbook, in the History section, and begins on page 61 of Part 1 of the printed 2026-27 book. It follows "Atmosphere and Climate" and is followed by "State and Society up to 1000 CE".
In "Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation", students develop skills of reading maps and data, working with evidence, comparing places and times and expressing an informed opinion. The disciplines overlap, so links should be drawn to other chapters. Group discussion, role-play, short projects and mapping activities suit this chapter, and the text, images and activities can all be used for assessment.
Families can support "Early Humans and Beginning of Civilisation" by showing interest, helping students collect information and images, visiting local sites where possible and encouraging them to explain what they learnt in their own words.
This overview is written from the 2026-27 textbook's Contents page, its preface and the chapter title, to help families and teachers prepare. Please read the chapter itself for exact content, activities and exercises.