History
Syllabus of Optional Subject – History Paper – I
1. Sources
Archaeological Sources
Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments, and literary sources.
Indigenous Sources
Primary and secondary literature, poetry, scientific texts, literature in regional languages, and religious texts.
Foreign Accounts
Contributions from Greek, Chinese, and Arab writers.
2. Prehistoric and Protohistoric Periods:
Geographical factors, hunting and gathering (Paleolithic and Mesolithic periods), and the beginning of agriculture (Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods).
3. Indus Valley Civilization
Origin, chronology, expansion, features, decline, survival, significance, and contributions to art and architecture.
4. Megalithic Cultures
Expansion of pastoral and farming cultures beyond the Indus region, development of community life, settlements, agricultural advancements, crafts, pottery, and iron industries.
5. Aryans and the Vedic Period:
Spread of Aryans in India Vedic period’s religious and philosophical literature, transformations from the Rigvedic to the later Vedic period, political, social, and economic life significance of the Vedic Age evolution of monarchy and caste systems.
6. Mahajanapada Period:
Formation of Mahajanapadas: Republican and monarchical states emergence of urban centers, trade routes, economic growth, coinage the spread of Jainism and Buddhism the rise of Magadha and the Nandas Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact.
7. Mauryan Empire:
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Kautilya, and Arthashastra Ashoka the concept of Dharma edicts governance administration economy art, architecture, and sculpture foreign relations dissemination of religion literature disintegration of the empire the Shunga and Kanva dynasties.
8. Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Shakas, Kushans, Western Satraps):
Contact with the outer world growth of urban centers, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature, and science.
9. Early States and Society in Eastern India, Deccan, and South India:
Kharavela, Satavahanas, Tamil states of the Sangam period administration, economy, land grants, coinage, guilds, and urban centers; Buddhist centers, Sangam literature and culture, art, and architecture.
10. Gupta, Vakataka, and Vardhana Dynasties:
Governance and administration, economic conditions, Gupta coinage, land grants, decline of urban centers, Indian feudalism, caste system, status of women, education, and educational institutions like Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Vallabhi literature, science, art, and architecture.
11. Regional States of the Gupta Era:
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:
13. Early Medieval India (750-1200):
14. Cultural Traditions in India (750-1200):
15. The Thirteenth Century:
16. The Fourteenth Century
17. Society, Culture, and Economy (13th–14th Century):
18. Political Events and Economy (15th–Early 16th Century):
19. Society and Culture (15th–Early 16th Century):
20. Akbar:
21. Mughal Empire in the 17th Century:
22. Economy and Society (16th–17th Century):
23. Culture under the Mughals:
24. The Eighteenth Century:
Paper-II: History (Optional Subject)
1. Entry of Europeans into India:
Early European settlements Portuguese and Dutch, English and French East India Companies their wars for supremacy Carnatic Wars struggles between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal Siraj-ud-Daulah and the English Battle of Plassey significance of Plassey.
2. Expansion of British Power in India:
Bengal – Mir Jafar and Mir Qasim Battle of Buxar Mysore Marathas three Anglo-Maratha wars Punjab.
3. Initial Structure of British Rule:
Early administrative structures from Dual Government to Direct Control Regulating Act (1773) Pitt’s India Act (1784) Charter Act (1833) the evolution of free trade and the changing nature of British colonial rule; English Utilitarian thought and its impact on India.
4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule:
(a) Land revenue settlements in British India Permanent Settlement Ryotwari Settlement Mahalwari Settlement economic effects of revenue administration commercialization of agriculture emergence of landless agricultural labor erosion of rural society.
(b) Displacement of traditional trade and commerce de-industrialization decline of traditional crafts drain of wealth economic transformation of India development of railways and communication networks including telegraphs and postal services famines and poverty in rural hinterlands European business enterprises and their limitations.
5. Social and Cultural Developments:
Status of indigenous education and its displacement Orientalist-Anglicist controversy introduction of Western education in India rise of press, literature, and public opinion emergence of modern vernacular literature progress in science activities of Christian missionaries in India.
6. Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Regions:
Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Brahmo Movement Debendranath Tagore Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar Young Bengal Movement Dayanand Saraswati social reform movements, including issues like Sati, widow remarriage, and child marriage contributions of Indian Renaissance to modern Indian development Islamic revivalist movements – Faraizi and Wahabi movements.
7. Indian Response to British Rule:
Rangpur Dhing (1783) Kol Rebellion (1832) Moplah Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920) Santhal Hul (1855) Indigo Rebellion (1859-60) Deccan Riots (1875) and Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900), among other tribal and peasant movements of the 18th and 19th centuries 1857 Revolt – causes, nature, failure, and impact changes in the nature of peasant revolts in the post-1857 period peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.
8. Factors for the Birth of Indian Nationalism
Politics of associations foundation of the Indian National Congress Safety Valve theory regarding the birth of Congress early Congress programmes and objectives social composition of early Congress leadership Moderates and Extremists Partition of Bengal (1905) Swadeshi Movement in Bengal economic and political perspectives of the Swadeshi Movement emergence of revolutionary extremism in India.
8. Rise of Gandhi:
Gandhi’s concept of nationalism Gandhi’s appeal to the masses Rowlatt Satyagraha Khilafat Movement Non-Cooperation Movement transition from the Non-Cooperation Movement to the Civil Disobedience Movement phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement Simon Commission Nehru Report Round Table Conferences nationalism and peasant movements nationalism and working-class movements role of women, youth, and students in Indian politics (1885-1947) elections of 1937 and formation of ministries Cripps Mission Quit India Movement Wavell Plan Cabinet Mission.
9. Contemporary Issues
Ecological issues – environmental hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and droughts issues related to environmental pollution changes in land-use patterns principles of environmental impact assessment and management population explosion and food security environmental degradation, deforestation, desertification, and soil erosion problems of agrarian and industrial unrest regional disparities in economic development concepts of sustainable growth and development environmental awareness river interlinking globalization and the Indian economy.
10. Constitutional Developments in Colonial India:
Constitutional developments between 1858 and 1935.
11. Other Strands of the National Movement:
Revolutionary activities in Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, UP, Madras Presidency, and outside India left-wing politics within Congress Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Congress Socialist Party, Communist Party of India, and other leftist groups.
12. Politics of Separatism:
Muslim League Hindu Mahasabha communalism and politics of partition transfer of power independence.
13. Consolidation as a Nation:
Nehru’s foreign policy India and its neighbors (1947-1964) linguistic reorganization of states (1935-1947) regionalism and regional inequality integration of princely states princes in electoral politics the question of a national language.
14. Caste and Ethnicity After 1947:
Backward castes and tribal communities in post-colonial electoral politics, Dalit movements.
15. Economic Development and Political Change:
Land reforms planning and politics of rural reconstruction ecology and environmental policies in post-colonial India progress in science.
16. Enlightenment and Modern Ideas:
(i) Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau.
(ii) Spread of Enlightenment in colonies.
(iii) Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx) spread of Marxian socialism.
17. Origins of Modern Politics:
(i) European state system.
(ii) American Revolution and Constitution.
(iii) French Revolution and its aftermath (1789-1815).
(iv) American Civil War and abolition of slavery (with reference to Abraham Lincoln).
(v) British republican politics (1815-1850): parliamentary reforms, free traders, and Chartists.
18. Industrialization
(i) English Industrial Revolution: causes and impact on society.
(ii) Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan.
(iii) Industrialization and globalization.
19. Nation-State System:
(i) Rise of nationalism in the 19th century.
(ii) State – building in Germany and Italy.
(iii) Disintegration of empires and the emergence of nationalities worldwide.
20. Imperialism and Colonialism:
(i) South and Southeast Asia.
(ii) Latin America and South Africa.
(iii) Australia.
(iv) Imperialism and free trade: rise of neo-imperialism.
21. Revolutions and Counter-Revolutions:
(i) European revolutions of the 19th century.
(ii) Russian Revolution (1917-1921).
(iii) Fascist counter-revolution: Italy and Germany.
(iv) Chinese Revolution (1949).
22. World Wars:
(i) First and Second World Wars as total wars: societal implications.
(ii) Causes and consequences of the First World War.
(iii) Causes and consequences of the Second World War.
23. Post-World War II World:
(i) Emergence of two power blocs.
(ii) Rise of the Third World and Non-Alignment.
(iii) United Nations and global disputes.
24. Liberation from Colonial Rule:
(i) Latin America – Bolivar.
(ii) Arab World – Egypt.
(iii) Africa – From apartheid to the Republic.
(iv) Southeast Asia – Vietnam.
25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment:
(i) Factors constraining development: Latin America, Africa.
26. European Unity:
(i) Post-war foundations: NATO and the European Community.
(ii) Consolidation and expansion of the European Community.
(iii) European Union.
27. Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Emergence of a Unipolar World:
(i) Soviet communism and factors leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union (1985-1991).
(ii) Political changes in Eastern Europe (1989-2001).
(iii) End of the Cold War and the rise of the US as the sole superpower.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I choose History as my optional subject?
History is a popular optional subject because it overlaps significantly with the General Studies syllabus of most competitive exams. It also provides a better understanding of India’s cultural, social, and political heritage.
What is the syllabus for History as an optional subject?
The syllabus is divided into three broad sections:Ancient History: Harappan Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan and Gupta Empires, etc.
Medieval History: Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagar Empire, etc.
Modern History: British Colonialism, Indian National Movement, and Post-Independence developments.
Is History a scoring optional subject?
Yes, History can be a scoring subject if prepared strategically. A clear understanding of timelines, critical analysis of events, and coherent presentation in answers can help fetch high marks.
What are some key resources for preparing History as an optional?
Standard books like:
Ancient India by R.S. Sharma
Medieval India by Satish Chandra
Modern India by Bipan Chandra
Reference books like India’s Struggle for Independence and NCERTs from Class VI-XII.
How should I approach answer writing for History optional?
To write effective answers:Begin with an introduction setting the context.
Use diagrams, maps, and timelines where relevant.
Provide a balanced perspective with facts and analysis.
Conclude with a forward-looking statement or relevance to the present day.
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