IAS History

History Syllabus for IAS prelims

Ancient History syllabus for UPSC/Ancient Indian History syllabus for UPSC

• Prehistoric cultures in India
• Indus Civilization. Origins- the different phases- society, economy, and culture- Contacts with other cultures- factors lead to the decline.
• Geographical distribution and characteristics of pastoral and farming society.
• Vedic society-Vedic texts- change from Rigvedic to later Vedic phases.
• Vedic society Religion- Upanishad thought-Political and social organization, the evolution of Varna system and monarchy.
• Formation of the State and urbanization, from the Mahajanapadas to the Nandas.
• Buddhism and Jainism- Factors for the spread of Buddhism.
• The Mauryan Empire- Chandragupta and Megasthenes.
• Asoka and his inscriptions, his dhamma, culture, administration, and art
• Society of Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300- Evolution of Jatis.
• The Satavahanas and formation of the state in the Peninsula.
• Sangam texts and society.
• Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushans, Kanishka-Contacts with the outer world.
• Different Religion- Bhagavatism, Saivism, Mahayana Buddhism and Hinayana, Jainism and Culture and art.
• The Guptas and their descendants.
• Literature science, Arts, Economy, and society -Modification in the political organization of empire.

Section-B

Medieval India

• Early Medieval India. Major dynasties; Political and Agrarian organization. Status of women, Extent of social mobility. The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavids.
• Cultural trends, 750-1200, Religious circumstances: significance of temples and monastic institutions; Sankaracharya; Islam; Sufism. Art and architecture. Literature and Science.
• 13th and 14th Centuries: Ghorian invasions reasons and consequences. Delhi Sultanate under the Slave Rulers. Aladdin Khalji: invasion; administrative, agrarian and economic measures. Muhammad Tughlug’s innovations. Firuz Tughluq and the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Development of urbanization and commerce. Spiritual movements in Hinduism and Islam. Literature. Architecture, Technological changes.
• The 15th and early 16th Century: Key Provincial dynasties; Vijayanagara Empire. The Lodhis, First stage of the Mughal Empire: The Sur Empire and administration. Monotheistic movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. The spread of regional literature. Art and Culture.
• The Mughal Empire, Akbar: invasion, administrative measures, Policy of Sulh-I-Kul. Jagir and Mansab systems; Jahangir, Shahjahan, and Aurangzeb: extension of Mughal empire in the Deccan; religious policies. Shivaji. Persian and regional literature. Religious idea: Abul Fazl; Maharashtra dharma. Architecture. Painting. Economy: state of affairs of peasants and artisans, escalation in trade; trade with Europe. Social stratification and position of women.
• The decline of Mughal Empire, Reason behind the decline. Maratha power under the Peshwas. The Afghans. Regional states. Most important components of composite culture. Sawai Jai Singh, astronomer. The rise of Urdu language.

 Section-C

Modern India (Modern History Syllabus for IAS)

• British extension: The Carnatic Wars, invasion of Bengal. Mysore and its confrontation to British expansion: The three Anglo-Maratha Wars. Regulating and Pitt’s India Acts. Early composition of the British raj.
• Economic Impact of the British Raj: land revenue settlements like Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari; Deindustrialization; Railways and commercialization of agriculture; increase of landless labor.
• Cultural encounter and social changes: inception of western education and modern thoughts. Indian Renaissance, religious and social reform movements; Social reforms events before 1857. Development of Indian middle class; the vernacular press and its effects: the rise of modern literature in Indian languages.
• Confrontation to British rule: Early uprisings; The 1857 Revolt-reasons, character, course and result.
• Indian Freedom struggle the first stage: Growth of national consciousness; creation of Associations; Establishment of the Indian National Congress and its Moderate stage; Swadeshi Movement; Economic Nationalism; The development of Extremism and the split in Congress; The policy of Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.
• Gandhian thoughts and techniques of mass mobilization- Civil Disobedience, the Khilafat movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement; another strand in the National Movement-Revolutionaries, Subhash Chandra Bose, and the Indian National Army.
• Separatist movements in Indian politics- the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League; Partition and Independence; The post -1945 developments.
• India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, democratic, secular. Jawaharlal Nehru’s vision, Foreign policy of Non-alignment, Planning and state-controlled industrialization. Agrarian modification.

History Syllabus for UPSC Civil Services Mains

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle – its various stages and important contributors /contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from 18th century such as industrial revolution, world wars,
• redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism,
• capitalism, socialism etc.- their forms and effect on the society.

Books for History

• India’s Ancient Past – R.S. Sharma (For Ancient Indian History)
• History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra (For Medieval Indian History)
• India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipin Chandra.
• A brief History of Modern India – Spectrum (History)
• History of Modern India – Bipin Chandra

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