History Optional 4 UPSC

  Strategy For Map    Try to find out all the places that have been asked in the optional since Big Bang and classify them according to the period. Prepare a separate map for each period/theme. (See Attachment 1)   If there are sites that have overlapping layers, add them to each of the corresponding maps. To mark the sites, do not use any of the standard books (emphasis added), instead one should look upon the coordinates (lat, long) in google maps and mark them accordingly by using the indicators provided by the UPSC. One can use borders, coast, lat/long as indicators for marking a site. ·          For description, one can pick either D Amarkesh’s map notes (English medium) or use भारतीय ऐतिहासिक स्थल कोष by Jain Prakashn Mandir(Hindi m edium).   Please do not try to collect too many facts about a site. Limit yourself to a short historical description as one has limited capacity of retention as we...

Maps  and Model Answer- Strategy/Notes by Agam Jain-  Click here   Disclaimer – I will share which I tried to implement during my preparation days, this might not be accurate strategy, so kindly use your wisdom. First of all, history is very interesting subject and has its own advantages except covering half of the portion of gs1. It is static but not boring. It is mostly about chronology but not exactly a story. It gives the sense of glory but also explains the mistakes of our forefathers. From exam point of view, safe subject too and not a hindrance in getting top ranks. My score- 142+117. Regarding coaching-  Even though I opted for coaching (balyan sir), this subject could be prepared without any external help with certain extra efforts. Booklist- this isn’t exclusive list and there are many other sources but stick yourself to limited but better sources. Even if you are reading more than one source, don’t just read the story/chronology again and a...

Self Study History Test 1 with solution Click to  Download

S. Baliyan Modern History Notes for History Optional

Ancient Port  

World History Syllabus   Enlightenment and Modern ideas:  Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau; Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies; Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism Origins of Modern Politics:  European States System; American Revolution and the Constitution; French revolution and aftermath, 1789- 1815; American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery; British Democratic Politics, 1815- 1850; Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists. Industrialization:  English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society; Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan; Industrialization and Globalization. Nation-State System:  Rise of Nationalism in 19th century; Nationalism: state-building in Germany and Italy; Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world. Imperialism and Colonialism:  South and South-East A...

Modern History Syllabus European Penetration into India:  The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch; The English and the French East India Companies; Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars; Bengal -The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey. British Expansion in India:  Bengal – Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha Wars; The Punjab. Early Structure of the British Raj:  The early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt’s India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule:  Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement; Ryotwari Settlement; Mahalwari Settlement; Economic impact of t...

Ancient History Syllabus Sources: Archaeological sources:  Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments Literary sources: Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature. Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers. Pre-history and Proto-history:  Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic). Indus Valley Civilization:  Origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and significance, art and architecture. Megalithic Cultures:  Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry. Aryans and Vedic Period:  Expansions of Aryans in India. Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic...

Medieval History Syllabus Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Polity:  Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs; The Cholas: administration, village economy and society; “Indian Feudalism”; Agrarian economy and urban settlements; Trade and commerce; Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order; Condition of women; Indian science and technology Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200:  Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma-Mimansa; Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism; Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India; Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting The Thirteenth Century: Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate:  The Ghurian invasions – fa...

How should one prepare for modern India for a history optional? My score was 173 in Paper 2. Hopefully I can help u a little for this paper. Must read books and materials:  B L Grover, Bipan Chandra, Balyan sir notes, Bipan Chandra India post Independence Complementary books:  Shekhar Bandoadhyay (read only few topics like socio-religious reform movements, labour, women and Dalit movements etc.) Must do:  Download previous year questions. It is beautifully compiled topic wise by  selfstudyhistory.  Analyse the questions asked in each topic thoroughly. You will understand what to read and what to skip.  Analysis of previous year questions helped me a lot.  Example: Battle of Plassey or Drain of wealth or Gandhian freedom struggle have been asked so many times. It helps in selecting topics which are highly relevant for the exam. 1.1. Modern India (from 1707–1857) Refer B L Grover and Balyan sir notes. Prepare notes for various themes...

What are the important chapters to cover from RS Sharma's Ancient History from the UPSC CSE? Few topics which are  quite important for CSE.  Cover it from  R S Sharma and new NCERT themes in Indian history. Indus Valley civilization ( very important). Cover the salient features of this civilization : it's  art and culture, Economy, urban planning, society etc. Vedic civilization : Rig Vera and alter vehicle period. Cover the above salient features here as well. Buddhism and Jainism : causes behind their rise, salient features of both religion, significance of both religions.  Complement R S Sharma with Wikipedia of buddhism and Jainism. Mauryan period: (very important):  cover this from R S Sharma. Complement it with  NCERT themes in Indian history and NCERT Class 11th Art and culture. Post-Mauryan period: cover the art, culture, Economy and society in the period of  foreign invasions like shaka, kushana etc.  Cover it from R S S...