Understanding Your Journey
The UPSC History Optional syllabus is vast and comprehensive, covering ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history, along with significant world history events. This explorer tool is designed to help you dissect each topic and sub-topic systematically. Click on any item to simulate opening detailed notes in a new tab (currently, these links are placeholders and will open a blank new tab; you would update the `href` attribute to point to your actual content).
History Optional Syllabus: Paper-1
1. Sources
2. Pre‐history and Proto‐history
3. Indus Valley Civilization
4. Megalithic Cultures
5. Aryans and Vedic Period
6. Period of Mahajanapadas
7. Mauryan Empire
8. Post‐Mauryan Period (Indo‐Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas)
9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India
10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas
11. Regional States during Gupta Era
The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakit movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta;
Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects.
Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chaluky as of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; Local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History
13. 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.14. 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.15. The Thirteenth Century
16. The Fourteenth Century
“The Khalji Revolution”.
Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure.
Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq.
Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account.
17. Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries
Society:
composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement.Culture:
Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North India, literaute in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture.Economy:
Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and commerce.18. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐Political Developments and Economy
Rise of Provincial Dynasties :
Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat. Malwa, Bahmanids. The Vijayanagara Empire. Lodis.Mughal Empire, first phase :
Babur, Humayun.The Sur Empire :
Sher Shah’s administration. Portuguese colonial enterprise, Bhakti and Sufi Movements.19. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐ Society and culture
20. Akbar
21. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
22. Economy and society, in the 16th and 17th Centuries
Population Agricultural and craft production.
Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution.
Indian mercantile classes. Banking, insurance and credit systems.
Conditions of peasants, Condition of Women.
Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth.
23. Culture during Mughal Empire
24. The Eighteenth Century
Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh.
Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas.
The Maratha fiscal and financial system.
Emergence of Afghan power Battle of Panipat, 1761.
State of, political, cultural and economic, on eve of the British conquest.
History Optional Syllabus: Paper-2
1. European Penetration into India
2. British Expansion in India
3. Early Structure of the British Raj
4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
(a) Land revenue settlements
Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement; Ryotwari Settlement; Mahalwari Settlement; Economic impact of the revenue arrangements; Commercialization of agriculture; Rise of landless agrarian labourers; Impoverishment of the rural society.(b) Dislocation of traditional trade
Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce; De-industrialisation; Decline of traditional crafts; Drain of wealth; Economic transformation of India; Railroad and communication network including telegraph and postal services; Famine and poverty in the rural interior; European business enterprise and its limitations.5. Social and Cultural Developments
6. Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas
Ram Mohan Roy, The Brahmo Movement; Devendranath Tagore; Iswarchandra Vidyasagar; The Young Bengal Movement; Dayanada Saraswati;
The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage etc.; The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India;
Islamic revivalism-the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.
7. Indian Response to British Rule
Peasant movement and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783), the Kol Rebellion (1832), the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), the Santal Hul (1855), Indigo Rebellion (1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875) and the Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900);
The Great Revolt of 1857 —Origin, character, casuses of failure, the consequences;
The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.
8. Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism
Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism; Politics of Association;
The Foundation of the Indian National Congress; The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress;
Programme and objectives of Early Congress; the social composition of early Congress leadership;
the Moderates and Extremists; The Partition of Bengal (1905);
The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal; the economic and political aspects of Swadeshi Movement; The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India.
9. Rise of Gandhi
Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi’s popular appeal; Rowlatt Satyagraha; the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement;
National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement; the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences;
Nationalism and the Peasant Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements;
Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947); the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries;
Cripps Mission; the Quit India Movement; the Wavell Plan; The Cabinet Mission.
10. Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935
11. Other strands in the National Movement
12. Politics of Separatism
13. Consolidation as a Nation
14. Caste and Ethnicity after 1947
15. Economic development and political change
16. Enlightenment and Modern ideas
17. Origins of Modern Politics
18. Industrialization
19. Nation‐State System
20. Imperialism and Colonialism
21. Revolution and Counter‐Revolution
22. World Wars
23. The World after World War II
24. Liberation from Colonial Rule
25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment
26. Unification of Europe
27. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
How to Prepare UPSC History Optional?
Understand the Syllabus
Familiarise yourself with the detailed syllabus, identifying key themes, periods, and topics to be covered.
Collect Study Material
Gather recommended history books, reference materials, and previous years’ question papers.
Conceptual Clarity
Begin with foundational texts that provide a conceptual understanding of different historical periods and themes.
Notes Creation
While studying, create concise and organised notes for each topic. This aids in quick revision.
Primary and Secondary Sources
Read primary sources like historical documents and secondary sources like scholarly books to gain diverse perspectives.
Map-based Learning
For ancient and medieval history, focus on geographical changes, trade routes, and empires using maps.
Case Studies
Use case studies to delve deeper into specific events, personalities, or movements. This enhances analytical skills.
Historiography
Understand the evolution of historical interpretations. Compare different historians’ viewpoints to form a balanced understanding.
Current Relevance
Link historical events to current affairs. Understand how historical factors influence contemporary situations.
Practice Questions
Regularly solve UPSC previous year question papers and mock tests to improve answer-writing skills.
Revision
Regularly revise your notes to reinforce memory and strengthen your grasp of the subject.
Mock Tests
Take full-length mock tests to simulate exam conditions. Analyse your performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.
Feedback and Improvement
Seek feedback from mentors, teachers, or peers on your answer-writing style and content.
Time Management
Develop a study schedule that allocates time for each historical period and topic.