History, undoubtedly, remains one of the 'most popular' optional subjects among those who take

the Civil Services Main Examination.

If you are not intimidated by a big syllabus, this subject has a number of advantages: it is easier
to grasp, plenty of study material, history covers an important segment of General Studies paper.

A judicious mix of 'hard work' and 'right strategy' can see you through if you take history as an
optional paper.

The History paper in the Main Exam stresses on concepts behind the facts of historical
happenings.

We have listed below is the 'right strategy' for each section of the history paper for the mains
exam.

Ancient Indian history

There is greater emphasis on sources of early Indian history. This has gained currency in the
new syllabus. So make notes on the sources that are available to record ancient Indian history.
Among various source the archaeological source is the most important source to study of ancient
India. It covers from the prehistoric times to the Iron Age and you have to keep track of latest
findings of this source.

In the revised syllabus, the politico-administrative history from pre-Mauryan period - rise of
Mahajanapadas, to post-Gupta period-beginning of feudalism and centrifugal trends, has been
given more significance. So prepare this section with great importance.

Your strategy should be to start from the Indus civilisation and trace the evolution up to the post-
Gupta period.

The other area of emphasis should be major Philosophical thinkers and schools in ancient India.
Here you must make notes on Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jain philosophical schools.

In science and mathematics segment of ancient India , you must have notes on the contribution
of the Indus valley civilization to ancient Indian scientist like Patanjali and Aryabhatta besides
other.

Medieval Indian History

You may categorise medieval Indian history into five subsections to make things simpler:

1. Give greater emphasis on contemporary historians and sources of the medieval Indian
history. Prepare short answers on them
2. You must study the Delhi sultanate in totality.
3. Similarly prepare the entire Mughal rule holistically, but give special emphasis on the age
of Akbar.
 4. In medieval India section prepare all the provincial dynasties but give special emphasis
on the Cholas, the Vijayanagar and the Marathas. This is the most important section from
the examination point of view
5. Other Important topics are: Society during medieval times; Bhakti movement:
Sankaracharya, Ramanuja, Chaitanya, Kabir, Bhakti movement in South India,
Lingayats, Maharashtra Dharma; Sufi-movement; architecture from early Sultanate to the
Lodis etc. You must have a comparative and evolutionary approach while preparing this
section.

Modern Indian History

Majority of the questions comes from Modern Indian history. It will be advisable to prepare the
themes chronological and unit-wise.

a) British conquests and Indian reactions:

i. The syllabus mentions Mysore, Punjab, the Marathas and their resistance against the
colonial power. You must study the native states resistance to the British conquest
ii. Next you may prepare the political, social and economic circumstances leading to the
1857 revolt. Besides prepare notes on other uprisings, such as tribal, civil and peasants'
revolt.

b) British economic policy:

An important aspect of British colonisation was economic exploitation of India and its ruinous
impact on the Indian society. In this regard pro-nationalistic and leftist ideological viewpoints
must be taken into account while preparing the notes for this segment.

c) Socio-cultural aspects:
i) It includes sub-topics like Indian Renaissance, Christian missionary activities, evolution of
educational and social policies and its role in rise of nationalism in India. ii) Other sub-topics are
on literary personalities; like Tagore, Premchand, S Bharati and others; film and theatre are
important topics. The emphasis is to trace the cultural evolution of modern India. You have to
prepare your notes from such perspective.

d) Freedom struggle:
This section also accounts for 90-100 marks in Main General Studies paper too. So a thorough
and in-depth study of history of Indian nationalism from 1885 i.e. foundation of Indian national
Congress to 1947 and Partition and freedom of India is a must for preparation. Sub-divide the
particular unit into following section: i) 1885 to 1916, which includes early Indian nationalism ii)
'Home Rule' movement; 1916 to 1945, which is the 'Gandhian era'. You can start form
'Champaran experiment' to 'Quit India movement'. iii) The Gandhian thought and methods of
mass mobilisation should be given special emphasis; iv) 1945 to 1947 - a chronological study of
this portion will be the right approach. Analyse how and why Indian nationalism, at the end
yielded a paradoxical result, which is partition and freedom together; v) other strands of national
movement, which ran parallel to the Congress movement; rise and growth of the revolutionary
terrorism; Swarajist movement; social and communist movements; Indian National Army - role of
Subhash Chandra Bose and rise and growth of communalism too must be prepared.

e) Independence to 1964:
This unit includes the Nehruvian era and development of an independent Indian polity;
Constitution, planned economy and foreign policy are the topics for in-depth preparation.

World history
a. In this segment you can start with Renaissance, enlightenment and socialist ideas.
Similarly, study all the major revolutions that shaped the modern world history. Moreover,
the two World Wars have to be studied comprehensively. Few inferences can be drawn
from this syllabus;
i. Going through the syllabus, it be said one can safely conclude that mastering the
European history can fetch more marks.
ii. The second half of this section world history deals with more contemporary
events and it is relevant to General Studies' paper too as this section covers
important portions of it.
iii. Factual study of individual event is not sufficient for preparation as there is
emphasis towards conceptualisation of events than generalisation.
b. You are required to have detailed and in-depth understanding of the post-World War II
developments, such as the 'Cold War' and division of world into two military blocs, NATO
and Warsaw pact; emergence of the 'Third World' and their decision to remain
nonaligned; United Nations; decolonisation and factors constraining development of the
newly-independent Latin American and African countries.
c. At the same time you should study the circumstances leading to the end of the 'Cold War'
and the US ascendancy in the world, as well as the disintegration of Soviet Union, fall of
Berlin wall and the US and the UN victory in the Gulf war.
d. Another important strand of contemporary history is process of integration of nations
across the globe, which is 'Globalisation'. Continent-wise, development in this regard has
to be studied. European Union has achieved some success in this regard but "Britexit"
has dampened such hopes.

A good book on international politics or contemporary history will suffice to prepare this portion.

Important Topics
ANCIENT INDIA
1. Indus Valley civilization
- Society, Religion
- Important Harappan towns & artifacts excavated
- Extension
- Town Planning
- Economical Importance
- Political Life
- Causes of decline
2. Aryan Civilization: - Origin
- Vedic literature
- Religion
- Society
- Polity
- Economic Condition
- Difference between Indus and Aryan
3. Religions movements.
Jainism
- About Mahavira & teachings
- councils
- Important books causes for decline
Buddhism
- Buddha teachings
- Councils
- Important books
- Causes for decline
4. The Mauryan Empire - About Ashoka in detail
- Article and Architecture
- Administration
- Society
5. Central Asian contacts and their results.
- Indo- Greeky
- The Shakas
- The pacthians Article and Architecture
- The Kushans - Kanishka in detail
6. South Indian History
- Sangam Age
- Satavahanas
- Chola's
- Pallavas art and architecture
7. Gupta Empire
- Administration
- Article and Architecture
- Social development
8. Post-Gupta period
- Harsha in detail
- Fendal System

MEDIVAL INDIA
1. Turkish Invasion
2. Delhi Sultnate
- Rulers and their contribution
- Aibek, Iltumish, Balban, Aluddin Khilji, Mohamad bin Tughlug, Feroz Tughlug, Sikandu lodi,
Ibrahim Lodi in detail
- Administration (Important terms)
- Art and Architecture
3. Vijayanagar Empire
- Krishna Devaraya in detail
- Important temples and books
4. Mughals
- Babar's wars
- Akbar in detail
- Jehangir, Shahjahan, Aurangazeb in detail
- Administration
- Society
- Causes for decline
- Important books (authors)
- Art and Architecture

MODERN INDIA
1. Marathas
- Shivaji in detail
- Administration
- Peshwas and their administration
2. European powers
- Chronologoical order of European powers in India
- East India Company
- Important Governor General and their contribution
Warsen Hastings, Coronwallis, wellesely, William Bentinck, Dalhousie, Lytton, Rippon,
Curzon, Mount Patten.
- British rule impact on India
- Social and cultural developments/Awakening
3. Reform movements
- In detail
- Founders and their contribution
- Books
4. 1857 Revolt
- In detail
5. Freedom Struggle
- Formation of INC.
- Moderates and Extremist
- Partition Role of Bengal/Surat Split
- Muslim league
- Lucknow pact
- Minto Morley/Montagu Chelmsford
6. Ghandhian Era
- His experiments
- Non Cooperation Movement
- Civil dis-obedience movement
- Gandhi - Irwin Pact
- August Offer
- Quit India Movement
- Cripps mission
- Cabinet Committee
- Partition
7 .Important
- INC meetings and its resolutions
- President, place
8. Extremist
- Terrorist activites
- Bengal
- Maharastra
- Some other places
9. Subash Chandra Bose
- INA formation in detail