Are you looking for Class 10 History important dates for your CBSE Board Exams 2026? You’re in the right place! This complete timeline covers all the crucial dates from Nationalism in Europe, Nationalism in India, Industrialisation, Print Culture, and The Making of a Global World.
Remembering historical dates can be challenging, but having them organized in one place makes revision much easier. Whether you’re preparing for your board exams or just need quick reference notes, this Class 10 History dates list will help you memorize key events faster.
The Rise of Nationalism in Europe
The Nationalism in Europe chapter covers the rise of nation-states from 1789 to 1871. It begins with the French Revolution in 1789 and traces how nationalist ideas spread across the continent. Key events include the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Giuseppe Mazzini founding Young Italy in 1831, and the Revolutions of 1848 that swept across Europe.
The chapter focuses on two major unifications: Italy in 1861 under Victor Emmanuel II and Germany in 1871 under Kaiser William I. Understanding these dates helps students see how modern European nations were formed through wars, diplomacy, and revolutionary movements. Dates like 1789, 1848, 1861, and 1871 are frequently asked in CBSE board exams.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1789 | French Revolution begins |
| 1815 | Napoleon defeated; Congress of Vienna |
| 1821 | Greek War of Independence begins |
| 1831 | Giuseppe Mazzini founds Young Italy |
| 1834 | Zollverein (customs union) formed under Prussia |
| 1848 | Revolutions in Europe; Frankfurt Parliament |
| 1861 | Victor Emmanuel II becomes king of unified Italy |
| 1866 | Austro-Prussian war |
| 1870–71 | Franco-Prussian war → Unification of Germany |
| 1871 | Germany unified under Kaiser William I |
Nationalism in India
Nationalism in India is the most crucial chapter for Class 10 History exams, covering India’s freedom struggle from 1905 to 1947. It starts with the Partition of Bengal in 1905 and includes Gandhi’s major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Salt March (1930), and Quit India Movement (1942).
Important milestones include the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919), the Lahore Session (1929) demanding complete independence, and finally Independence on August 15, 1947. Students must understand the chronology of Gandhi’s movements and how different leaders contributed to freedom. These dates carry heavy weightage in board exams.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1905 | Partition of Bengal by Lord Curzon |
| 1906 | Muslim League founded |
| 1915 | Gandhi returns to India from South Africa |
| 1916 | Lucknow Pact; Home Rule League launched |
| 1917 | Champaran Satyagraha (first Satyagraha of Gandhi) |
| 1919 | Rowlatt Act; Jallianwala Bagh Massacre; Khilafat Movement |
| 1920 | Non-Cooperation Movement begins |
| 1922 | Chauri Chaura incident → Non-Cooperation withdrawn |
| 1927 | Appointment of Simon Commission |
| 1928 | Nehru Report drafted |
| 1929 | Lahore Session; demand for Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence) |
| 1930 | Civil Disobedience Movement begins with Salt March |
| 1931 | Gandhi-Irwin Pact |
| 1935 | Government of India Act |
| 1939 | Congress ministries resign (protest against WWII) |
| 1942 | Quit India Movement launched |
| 1946 | Naval Mutiny in Bombay |
| 1947 | Indian Independence and Partition (August 15) |
The Making of a Global World
The Making of a Global World explores how trade and exploration connected the world from the 15th century. Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492, while Vasco da Gama arrived in Calicut in 1498, opening direct sea trade between Europe and Asia. History Important Dates
The 1500s saw European conquests in the Americas, with the Spanish defeating the Aztec (1519-21) and Inca (1532-33) empires. European diseases like smallpox in the 16th century devastated indigenous populations. This chapter shows how globalization began through exploration, colonization, and trade centuries ago.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1492 | Christopher Columbus reaches America |
| 1498 | Vasco da Gama arrives in Calicut (India), opening direct sea trade |
| 1500s | Beginning of European conquests and colonisation in America |
| 1519–21 | Hernán Cortés conquers the Aztec Empire (Mexico) |
| 1532–33 | Francisco Pizarro conquers the Inca Empire (Peru) |
| 1500s | Smallpox brought by Europeans devastates indigenous populations |
The Age of Industrialisation
The Industrialisation chapter covers technological revolution from the 18th to 20th century. Key inventions include the Flying Shuttle (1733), Spinning Jenny (1764), and James Watt’s steam engine (1769) that powered factories.
Industrial growth reached India with the first cotton mill in Bombay (1854). By 1900, Bombay had 84 textile mills. However, the First World War (1914-18), Great Depression (1929-39), and Second World War (1939-45) disrupted global economies. This chapter shows how technology changed production and created new working classes.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1733 | Invention of Flying Shuttle |
| 1764 | Spinning Jenny invented |
| 1769 | James Watt patents improved steam engine |
| 1779 | Spinning Mule invented |
| 1785 | Power Loom invented |
| 1854 | First cotton mill in Bombay |
| 1900 | 84 textile mills in Bombay |
| 1914–18 | First World War disrupts world economy |
| 1929–39 | Great Depression |
| 1939–45 | Second World War |
Print Culture and the Modern World
Print Culture examines how printing revolutionized the spread of ideas from the 15th century onwards. Johann Gutenberg printed the first book in Europe in 1455, making knowledge accessible. The first printing press in India was established in Goa in 1556. History Important Dates
Indian newspapers like Bengal Gazette (1780) and Bombay Samachar (1822) spread nationalist ideas. Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Kesari (1881) and Gandhi’s Young India (1920s) became powerful tools for the freedom struggle. The British tried controlling the press through the Vernacular Press Act (1878). This chapter shows how newspapers became weapons in India’s independence movement.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1455 | Johann Gutenberg prints first book (Bible) in Europe |
| 1556 | First printing press in India (Goa, by Portuguese) |
| 1780 | James Augustus Hicky publishes Bengal Gazette (India’s first newspaper) |
| 1817 | Serampore Mission Press founded by missionaries |
| 1821 | Samachar Darpan and Bengal Gazette (vernacular) became popular |
| 1822 | Bombay Samachar (Gujarati newspaper, still running today) |
| 1835 | English Education Act → growth of English print |
| 1854 | Printing press grows rapidly; more vernacular papers |
| 1878 | Vernacular Press Act (Lord Lytton) restricts Indian-language papers |
| 1879 | Indian Spectator (English weekly) started in Bombay |
| 1881 | Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English) founded by Tilak |
| 1890s | Amrita Bazar Patrika became powerful nationalist newspaper |
| 1900s | Growth of nationalist print: The Hindu, Indian Mirror, Sudharak |
| 1920s–30s | Gandhi’s journals Young India and Harijan spread nationalist ideas |
Download this complete Class 10 History dates timeline as a PDF
How to use this History Important Dates PDF effectively:
- Start by reading through each chapter’s dates once
- Focus on dates that appear frequently in previous year papers
- Create flashcards for dates you find difficult to remember
- Test yourself regularly using these tables
- Revise all dates at least 2-3 times before the exam
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Conclusion
We hope this Class 10 History important dates timeline helps you ace your CBSE board exams! Having all the crucial dates from 1455 to 1947 organized in one place should make your revision much more efficient. Save this Class 10 History revision PDF for your final exam preparation. Share it with your classmates who might find it helpful too. Good Luck!
