Strategy For Map

 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 medium).

•  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 well as time is rather scarce in the examination.
• Instead of marking the sites on the map, it would be better to put only the numbers on the map, while the names are put in the legend. This practice would help in revision and one can continue using the same map.

Creating hints for sites:

1. For port sites, one can use the hinge points along the coast.

2. Sites located along major latitude should be noted. For eg Aihole, Ajanta, Amer are all located close to 75◦ E. Even the grid can be created along the major lat/long, which can serve as the further aid in the locating a site.

3. Club the sites located in the same/adjacent district. This would help in reducing the number of sites to be remembered.

Classification for Map Sites

1.       Fossils

2.       Paleolithic

3.       Mesolithic

4.       Neolithic

5.       Chalcolithic

6.       Megalithic

7.       Harappan- Early/Mature/Late

8.       PGW

9.       NBPW/Mahajanpada

10.   OCP

11.   Mauryan Inscriptions

12.   Post-Mauryan towns/Sangam/Satvahan

13.   Temple Sites

14.   Educational Centers

15.   Sites along trade routes/halting places/ trade termini/Trading posts

16.   Ports- Ancient/Medieval/Company Era

17.   Temples- Hindu/Jain/Buddhist

18.   Stupa/monastery and Buddhist remains

19.   Cave Art- Prehistoric/Others/Rock-cut

20.   Other Inscriptions

21.   Coin hordes

22.   Art Centres – Terra-cotta/stone/other

23.   Educational Centres/Cultural Centres

24.   Ancient/ Medieval Capitals/Politically Important Cities

25.   Sites of famous battles

26.   Strategic Forts

27.   Birth place/places associated with famous people

Fossils

·         Hathnora

·         Odai

·         Nadab

·         Darra-i-Kur

·         Sites in Sri Lanka- Batamdob Lena, Fa Hien Lena, Beli Lena

 We will Update it