History for UPSC Prelims & Mains Exam

History

The understanding of historical research techniques and applicants’ knowledge with chronological events are highly valued in the history curriculum for the UPSC. Additionally, it is covered in General Studies Paper 1 of the IAS Exam. Give yourself enough time to revise History frequently. To make sure you retain the information, constantly review your notes, relevant dates, and key ideas.

History is a subject that calls for strong presentation abilities. To enhance your writing style, coherence, and clarity, practice answering questions frequently. Work on organising your responses, offering pertinent examples, and including historical nuances. Keep up with current events, especially those that pertain to history. To stay up to date on historical arguments, fresh interpretations of historical events, and latest archaeological findings, read newspapers, periodicals, and online sources.

UPSC History Syllabus

One of the most crucial topics for the UPSC Exam is history. Indian History is a relatively broad subject for the IAS, encompassing the following topics:

• Ancient Indian History
• Medieval Indian History
• Modern Indian History

UPSC History Notes

One of the important topics that UPSC emphasises in both the Prelims and Mains exams is history. Understanding what happened in the past to shape the present and future requires a thorough understanding of history. The UPSC holds civil service examinations each year to choose candidates for various governments of India civil services. For these chosen individuals, studying Indian history is essential in order to understand the character of the past and the difficulties that India as a country may encounter.

Ancient India History

In the Prelims syllabus, ancient Indian history is given considerable weight. When we talk about ancient history, we mostly mean the time starting around 5000 years ago when humans first started keeping records and writing things down. Topics in ancient Indian history for the UPSC are mentioned below.

• Indus Valley Civilization
• Decline of Harrapan Civilization
• Sangam Period
• Sangam Literature
• Buddhism
• Hinaya school
• Jainism
• Chalcolithic Age
• Gupta Empire
• Harshavardhana
• Rig Vedic period
• Later Vedic period
• Mahajanapadas
• Mauryan empire
• Ashoka Empire
• Alexander Invasion of India 

Medieval History

• Bhakti Movement
• Bhaktism, Sufism, and Sikhism
• Tripartite Struggle
• Cholas
• Mansabdari System
• Regional Cultures
• 18th Century Political Formations

Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD – 1526 AD)

• Slave Dynasty
• Khilji Dynasty
• Tuglaq Dynasty
• Sayyid Dynasty
• Lodi Dynasty
• Pallava Dynasty
• Chalukya Dynasty
• Rashtrakuta dynasty

First Battle of Panipat

Second Battle of Panipat

Mughals (AD 1526 – AD 1857)

• Mughals
• Later Mughals
• Decline of Mughal Empire
• Arrival of Europeans

Modern History

Modern Indian history covers a wide range of topics related to the development of modern India, and events that happened in that period. Modern Indian history has changed a lot and had a big impact on the economy, and political system of our society. Some of the important History topics for UPSC from modern India are given below.

• Portuguese in India
• Dutch East India company
• French East India Company
• East India Company
• Regulating Act 1773
• Pitt’s India Act 1784
• Charter Act of 1793
• Subsidiary alliance
• Land Revenue System
• Ryotwari System
• Mahalwari System
• Permanent Settlement
• Revolt of 1857
• Socio-Religious Reforms
  1. Prarthana Samaj
  2. Satyashodhak Samaj
  3. Servants of India Society
  4. Social Service League
  5. Reforms Movements in south India
  6. Self-Respect Movement
  7. Temple Entry Movement
  8. Justice Movement
  9. Reform Movements by Parsis
  10. Singh Sabha Movement
  11. Akali Movement
  12. Reform movement in North India
  13. Wahabi Movement
  14. Faraizi Movement
  15. Aligarh Movement
  16. Ahmadiyya Movement
  17. Deoband Movement
• Portuguese in India
• Exaptation and Consolidation of British Power in India
  1. Conquest of Sindh
  2. Conquest of Punjab
  3. Brahmo samaj
  4. Arya samaj
  5. Anglo Mysore wars
  6. Anglo Maratha wars
• Emergence of Regional States
  1. Hyderabad Kingdom
  2. Bengal Province
  3. Awadh Kingdom
  4. Sikh State
  5. Maratha Empire
  6. Jats History
  7. Mysore Kingdom
  8. Travancore Kingdom
  9. Rajputs Kingdom
• Doctrine of Lapse
• The Charter Acts
• Cabinet Mission (1946)
• Indian Independence Act 1947
• Peasant Movements
• Extremist
• Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists
• 1857- First War of Indian Independence
• 1885- Formation of Indian National Congress
• Indian Councils Act 1861
• Indian councils act 1892
• Drain of Wealth, drain of wealth theory
• Land revenue, Land revenue system
• Government of India act 1858
• British Administration System
• Civil Service under British Administration
• Army & Police under British Administration
• 1905- 1918 National Movement
  1. Swadesi Movement
  2. 1906-Formation of Muslim League
  3. Surat Split
  4. Revolutionary Activity
  5. Morley-Minto Reforms
  6. Home Rule League Movement
  7. Gandhi Irwin Pact
  8. Lucknow Pact
  9. Indian National Congress
• 1919-1939 National Movement
  1. Government of India act 1919, Montague Chelmsford Reforms,
  2. Judicial system in British India
  3. Education system in British India
  4. Wood’s Despatch
  5. Hartog committee
  6. Macaulay minutes
  7. Hunter commission
  8. Raleigh commission
  9. Indian university act 1904
  10. Sadler commission
  11. Wardha education scheme
  12. Sergeant plan of education
  13. Rowlatt Act
  14. Khilafat Movement
  15. Swarajists Movement
  16. Growth of Communalism Upsurges
  17. Nehru Report
  18. Civil Disobedience Movement
  19. Poona Pact
  20. Communal Award
  21. Government of India act 1935
  22. Round Table Conference

• 1942- Quit India Movement
• 1947- Partition of India
  1. Land Reforms in India
  2. Chauri chaura incident
  3. Jallianwala bagh massacre
  4. Battle of Plassey
  5. Battle of Buxar
  6. Partition of Bengal
  7. August Offer
  8. Individual Satyagrah
  9. Cripps Mission
  10. Desai Liaqat Pact
  11. Wavell Plan
  12. Indian National Army
  13. Cabinet Mission
  14. Interim Government
• 1946 – 1950 Constitutional Development of India
• 1962- India- China war
• 1965-India-Pakistan war
• 1971- Formation of Bangladesh
• 1991-New Economic Policy
• Indian Independence Act 1947
• Integration of Princely States
• Two-Nation Theory
• Lee Commission
• Development of Indian Press
• Asiatic Society
• All India Trade Union Congress
• Tribal Revolts and Movements (1757-1900s)
  1. Sanyasi Revolt
  2. Paika Rebellion
  3. Tribal Movements in India
  4. Ahom Revolt
  5. Kuka Movement
  6. Chuar Uprising
  7. kol rebellion
  8. Pahariyas’ Rebellion
  9. Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan Revolt)
  10. Santhal Rebellion
  11. Khond Uprisings
  12. Bhil Revolts
  13. Ramosi Uprising
  14. Poligar Revolt
  15. Peasant Movements in India
  16. Moplah Rebellion
  17. Pagal Panthis Revolt

History UPSC Preparations

Understanding the UPSC History Syllabus will help you to clearly understand the subjects and subtopics you must discuss. Pay attention to the importance placed on various eras, themes, and study areas. Read the NCERT history textbooks for classes six through twelve to start your preparation. NCERT books offer a strong foundation and succinctly address fundamental ideas and subjects.

Take thorough notes while you are learning. Make a list of significant details, occasions, dates, and ideas. As the exam draws nearer, you can quickly review these notes to help you remember key points. Pay attention to the ideas, causes, and effects of historical events rather than memorising facts and dates. Create a comprehensive understanding of the topic by connecting various eras and concepts.

UPSC History Syllabus

One of the most crucial topics for the UPSC Exam is history. Indian history is a relatively broad subject for the IAS, encompassing the following topics:

• Ancient Indian History
• Medieval Indian History
• Modern Indian History

Ancient History	Medieval History	Modern History
Prehistoric period and Indus Valley Civilization Vedic period and the emergence of Jainism and Buddhism Mauryan Empire and Ashoka’s reign Gupta Empire and the golden age of India Harshavardhana and his empire Chola Empire and South Indian kingdoms	Delhi Sultanate and its rulers Mughal Empire and its decline Sufism and Bhakti movements Regional kingdoms and their contribution Indo-Islamic architecture and art	British rule in India and the freedom struggle Revolt of 1857 and its impact Partition of India and the formation of Pakistan Nehruvian era and socialist policies Indira Gandhi and the Emergency Period Economic liberalization and globalization World Wars and their Impact on India

Best Books for History Topics for UPSC

Without the appropriate reading materials, no preparation method for the Prelims history section will be successful. When it comes to selecting books for the history component of the Prelims, there are several alternatives. To finish them all, though, is impossible. When deciding on the proper book, it can get overwhelming for the applicants. The best books to cover history topics for UPSC Prelims are given here to make things easy.

• India’s Ancient Past by R. S. Sharma
• India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra
• History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
• Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
• History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra