History Optional Notes for UPSC

Complete History Optional Notes for UPSC IAS. Know your detailed syllabus and download complete notes for UPSC History Optional Preparation.

Syllabus

History Optional Syllabus

Question Papers

History Optional Question Paper

Booklist

History Optional Booklist

Categories

Ancient Indian History

Medieval Indian History

Modern Indian History

Post-Independence History

World History

Mapping History Optional

History Optional PYQPs

Mapping PYQPs Solution

Ancient Indian History

1. Sources

Archaeological Sources

Literary sources

Foreign account

Approaches to the Study of Early Indian History

Ancient Indian Historiography

Land Ownership in Ancient India

 2. Pre‐history and Proto‐history

Geographical factors

Paleolithic Period: Hunting and Gathering

Mesolithic Period: Hunting and Gathering

Mesolithic Art: Rock Paintings

Beginning of Agriculture in Neolithic and Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic Pottery as a Source of History

3. Indus Valley Civilization

Indus Valley Civilisation: Origin

Indus Valley Civilisation: Date and Extent

Indus Valley Civilization: Characteristics and Significance

Indus Valley Civilization: Art and Crafts

Indus Valley Civilization: Architecture

Subsistence Pattern of Harappan Civilisation

Harappan Religious and Funerary Beliefs

Harappan Trade

Political System of Harappa Civilization

Harappan Script

Seals of Harappan Civilization: Seals and Sealings

Decline and Survival of Indus Valley Civilisation

4. Megalithic Cultures

Megalithic Culture

5. Aryans and Vedic Period

Expansions of Aryans in India

Vedic Period: Political, Social and Economical life

Vedic Literature: Religious and Philosophic Literature

Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period

Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.

6. Period of Mahajanapadas

Formation of States (Mahajanapadas): Republic and Monarchies

Rise of Urban Centres; Trade routes; Economic Growth

Introduction of Coinage

Spread of Buddhism

Spread of Jainism

Similarities & Differences between Jainism and Buddhism

Rise of Magadha Empire and Nandas

Iranian and Macedonian Invasions and Their Impact

7. Mauryan Empire

Maurya Empire

Mauryan Empire: Art, Architecture and Sculpture

Mauryan Empire: Disintegration of the empire

Sunga Dynasty

Kanva Dynasty (75 BCE – 30 BCE)

8. Post‐Mauryan Period (Indo‐Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas)

Post-Mauryan Period: Contact with Outside World

Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas

Post-Mauryan: Growth of Urban Centres, Economy, Coinage

Post-Mauryan Period: Development of Religions

Post-Mauryan Period: Society (Social Conditions)

Post-Mauryan Period: Literature and Science

Post-Mauryan Period: Art, Architecture, Culture

9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India

Kharavela Dynasty

The Satavahanas

Tamil States of the Sangam Age: Cheras, Cholas & Pandyas

Sangam Age: Economy of the Sangam Age

Sangam Age: Social Development

Sangam Literature and Culture

Sangam Age: Administration

Sangam Age: Economy, Land grants

Sangam Age: Coinage

Sangam Age: trade guilds and urban centres

Buddhist centres

Art and architecture

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas

Guptas: Gupta Empire

Polity and Administration of Gupta Empire

Guptas: Caste system, Position of women

Guptas: Economic conditions

Guptas: Coinage of the Guptas

Guptas: Land grants

Guptas: Decline of urban centres

Guptas: Indian feudalism

Guptas:  Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi

Gupta Period: Literature, Scientific literature

Gupta Period: Art and Architecture

Paintings of Gupta period

Ajanta Art

Vakataka Dynasty

Vardhana Dynasty: Harshavardhana

11. Regional States during Gupta Era

Kadamba Dynasty

Pallava Dynasty

The Chalukyas of Badami (Badami Chalukyas)

Regional States during Gupta Era: Polity and Administration

Growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions, Tamil Bhakit movement.

Shankaracharya and Vedanta

Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita

Palas: Polity and administration

Rashtrakutas: Polity and administration

Senas: Polity and administration

Paramaras: Polity and administration

Palas: Cultural Aspects

Rashtrakutas: Cultural Aspects

Arab Conquest of Sind

Albiruni’s India

Chalukyas of Kalyani (Western Chalukyas)

Cholas: Polity and Administration

Hoysalas: Polity and Administration

Pandyas: Polity and Administration

Chola: Local Government

Cholas: Art and Architecture

Hoyasala: Art and Architecture

Pandyas: Art and Architecture

Cholas : Economy, Society, Education and Literature

Pandyas : Economy, Society, Education and Literature

12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History

Languages and Texts

Major Stages in the Evolution of Art and Architecture

Mathura School of Arts

Gandhara school of Arts

Amaravati School of Arts

Systems of Indian Philosophy

Six Schools of Indian Philosophy

Ajivika and Charvaka School

Tantricism

Shaktism

Money lending in Ancient India

Slavery in Ancient India

Medieval Indian History

1. Early Medieval India, 750‐1200

Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Major Political Developments

Origin and the Rise of Rajputs

Cholas: Administration, Village economy and Society

Indian Feudalism in Early Medieval Period

Agrarian Economy in Early Medieval India

Urban Settlements in Early Medieval India

Trade and Commerce in Early Medieval India

Society in Early Medieval India

Condition of Women

Indian Science and Technology

2. Cultural Traditions in India, 750‐1200

Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta

Philosophy: Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita

Philosophy: Madhva and Brahma-Mimansa

Religion: Forms and features of religion

Religion: Tamil devotional cult, Growth of Bhakti

Religion: Islam and its arrival in India

Religion: Sufism

Literature: Literature in Sanskrit

Literature: Growth of Tamil literature

Literature: Literature in the newly developing Languages

Literature: Kalhan’s Rajtarangini

Literature: Alberuni’s India

Temple Architecture: Odisha Temple Architecture

Temple Architecture: Kashmir Temple Architecture

Temple Architecture: Khajuraho Temple Architecture

Temple Architecture: Temples in Gujarat and Rajasthan

Temple Architecture: Temples in South India

Art and Architecture: Painting

3. The Thirteenth Century

Mahmud of Ghazni (Mahmud Ghaznavi)

Muhammad Ghori (Muhammad of Ghor)

The Ghurian invasions, factors behind Ghurian success.

Foundation of Delhi Sultanate: Rule of Iltutmish

Foundation of Delhi Sultanate: Rule of Balban

 4. The Fourteenth Century

The Khalji Revolution: Jalaluddin Khalji

Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure

Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq

Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian Measures, Achievements in Civil Engineering and Public Works, Decline of the Sultanate

Shams Siraj Afif’s Account: Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi

Foreign Contact: Ibn Battuta’s Accounts

The Mangol threat to India during Sultanate period

5. Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries

Government and Administration under the Delhi Sultanate

Economy: Agricultural Production

Economy: Rise of Urban Economy and Non-Agricultural Production

Economy: Trade and Commerce

Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes under the Sultanate

Society: town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate

Lekhapaddhati as a Source of History

Sultanate Architecture and New structural forms

Persian Literature, Literature in the regional languages of North India, Literature in the languages of South India

Painting, Music, Evolution of Composite Culture

Amir Khusrau and his Contribution

Educational development during Sultanate Period

6. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐Political Developments and Economy

Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal

Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Gujarat

Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Malwa

Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Lodis

Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Kashmir

Vijayanagara Empire

Society in Vijaynagar Empire

Bahmani Kingdom (Bahmanids)

Portuguese Colonial Enterprise

Central Asian Politics & advance of Babar towards India

Mughal Empire, First Phase: Babur

Mughal Empire, First Phase: Humayun

The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s Administration

Growth of Bhakti, Bhakti Movement

Sufi Movements

7. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐ Society and culture

Regional Cultures Specificities

Provincial Architecture: Bengal and Jaunpur

Provincial Architecture: Gujarat

Provincial Architecture: Deccan

Provincial Architecture: Malwa

Rana Kumbha’s Cultural Contribution

Architecture, Culture, Literature and Arts in Vijayanagara Empire

8. Akbar

Akbar: Conquests and consolidation of empire

Rajput Policy of Akbar

Establishment of Jagir & Mansab Systems

Land Revenue System under Akbar

Akbar’s Religious Views and Social Reforms

Court Patronage of Art and Technology

Foreign Policy of Akbar

9. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

Mughal Administration

Mughal Land Revenue System

Rajput Policy of Akbar

Rajput Policy of Jahangir

Religious Policies of Jahangir

Religious Policies of Shahjahan

War of Succession by Shahjahan’s Sons: Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh

Religious Policies of Aurangzeb

Rajput Policy of Aurangzeb

Revolts against Aurangzeb

The Empire and the Zamindars

Nature of Mughal State

Mughal Theory of Sovereignty

Foreign Policy of Mughals in Northwest

Deccan Policy of Mughals

Late Seventeenth Century crisis and the revolts

Peasant Revolts of Jats, Satnamis, Sikhs and Marathas

The Ahom Kingdom

Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom

10. Economy and society, in the 16th and 17th Centuries

Population in Mughal India

Fiscal and Monetary System, Prices in Mughal India

Agriculture Production in Mughal India

Craft Production in Mughal Period

Towns

Commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French Companies

Indian Mercantile Classes, Banking, Insurance and Credit Systems

Potentiality of Emergence of Capitalism in Mughal India

Condition of Peasants in the 16th and 17th Centuries

Condition of Women in the 16th and 17th Centuries

Evolution of the Sikh Community and the Khalsa Panth

Bernier’s Account of India

11. Culture during Mughal Empire

Persian Histories and other Literature (Mughal India)

Hindi and Religious Literatures in Mughal India

Mughal Architecture

Mughal Painting

Rajput Painting

Provincial Architecture: Bijapur

Provincial Architecture: Kashmir

Provincial Painting: Pahari School of Painting

Provincial Painting: Deccan Painting

Provincial Painting: Patna Kalam Painting

Classical Music in Mughal India

Science and Technology in Mughal India

12. The Eighteenth Century

Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire

Regional Principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh

Maratha Ascendancy under the Peshwas

Nature of Political System of Marathas

The Maratha Fiscal and Financial System

Emergence of Afgan Power

Third Battle of Panipat

State of Politics, Culture and Economy on the eve of the British Conquest

Modern Indian History

1. European Penetration into India

The Early European Settlements: The Portuguese in India

The Early European Settlements: The Dutch in India

The Early European Settlements: The English in India

The Early European Settlements: The French in India

The Carnatic Wars: First, Second, and Third Carnatic Wars

Conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal

2. British Expansion in India

British Expansion in India: Bengal

British Expansion in India: Mysore

British Expansion in India: The Marathas

British Expansion in India: The Punjab

3. Early Structure of the British Raj

The Early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct contol; The Regulating Act (1773)

The Act of Settlement 1781

The Pitt’s India Act (1784)

Charter Act of 1793

The Charter Act of 1813

The Charter Act of 1833

The Charter Act of 1853

The Voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule

The English Utilitarian and India

British Paramountcy over the Princely States

4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule

Permanent Settlement: Land Revenue Systems in British India

Ryotwari Settlement: Land Revenue System in British India

Mahalwari Settlement: Land Revenue System in British India

Commercialization of Agriculture during British Rule in India

Rise of landless agrarian labourers

Impoverishment of the rural society

Deindustrialisation & Decline of traditional crafts

Rise of Modern Industries in British India

Drain of wealth: Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule

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

The State of indigenous education, its dislocation

Orientalist-Anglicist Controversy

The Introduction of Western Education in India

The Rise of Press, Literature and Public Opinion

The Rise of Modern Vernacular Literature

Progress of Science in Colonial India

Christian Missionary activities in India

6. Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas

Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Movement) & Devendranath Tagore

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar

The Young Bengal Movement

Arya Samaj & Dayanada Saraswati

Theosophical Society

Ramakrishna Movement and Vivekananda

Sikh and Parsi Reform Movements

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 Faraizi Movement

Islamic Revivalism: The Wahabi Movement

Islamic Revivalism: The Deoband Movement

Islamic revivalism: Ahmedia Movement

Aligarh Movement

7. Indian Response to British Rule

Rangpur Dhing Rebellion (1783)

Kol Rebellion (1832)

Mopla Rebellion of 1921 in Malabar

Santhal Rebellion (1855-56)

Indigo Revolt (1859-60)

Deccan Uprising (Deccan Riots): 1875

Munda Rebellion (Ulgulan Movement): [1899-1900]

Pabna Revolt (1873–76) – Pabna Peasant Uprising

The Great Revolt of 1857

The Shift in the Character of Peasant Uprisings in the Post-1857 Period

The Peasant Movements of the 1920s and 1930s

8. Early Indian Nationalism

Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism

Political Association before Indian National Congress

The Foundation of Indian National Congress

Programme and Objectives of Early Congress

Safety-Valve Thesis relating to the birth of Congress

The Social Composition of early Congress Leadership

The Moderates and Extremists

The Partition of Bengal (1905)

The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal

Surat Split of INC, 1907

The Beginning of Revolutionary Extremism in India

The Home Rule Movement (1915–1916)

Lucknow Pact, 1916

9. Rise of Gandhi; Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhian Era

Philosophy and Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi

Rise of Gandhi and Early Actvism; Rowlatt Satyagraha

Khilafat Movement and Non-Cooperation Movement

The Swarajists and No Changers

Bardoli Satyagraha, 1928

Simon Commission

The Nehru Report, Delhi Proposal and Jinnah’s Fourteen Demands

The Civil Disobedience Movement

Round Table Conferences

Communal Award and Poona Pact

Nationalism and the Peasant Movements

Nationalism and Working Class Movements

Praja Mandal Movements in Princely States

Women in Indian Politics (1885-1947)

Indian Youth and Students in Indian Politics (1885-1947)

The Election of 1937 and formation of Congress Ministries

August Offer & Individual Satyagraha

Cripps Mission

Quit India Movement (1942-1944)

C. R. formula or Rajaji Formula (1944)

The Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference 1945

INA Trial and RIN Mutiny

The Cabinet Mission Plan

10. Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935

ViceRoy’s Executive Council & Imperial Legislative Council

The Government of India Act 1858

The Indian Councils Act 1861

The Indian Councils Act 1892

Morley-Minto Reforms, 1909 (Indian Councils Act 1909)

Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms & Government of India Act, 1919

The Government of India Act 1935

11. Other strands in the National Movement

The Revolutionaries: Bengal, Punjab, Maharashtra, UP, Madras Presidency, Outside India

The Left; Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Congress Socialist Party; Communist Party of India, Other Left Parties

Strategy and Ideologies of the Indian National Movement

12. Politics of Separatism

Politics of Separatism; Communalism and the Politics of Partition

Transfer of Power & Independence

Post-Independence Indian History

1. Consolidation as a Nation

Nehru’s Foreign Policy

India and her neighbours (1947-1964)

The linguistic reorganisation of States (1935-1947)

Regionalism and regional inequality

Integration of Princely States

Princes in electoral politics

Question of National Language

2. Caste and Ethnicity after 1947

Backward castes in postcolonial electoral politics

Tribes in post-colonial electoral politics

Dalit movements

3. Economic development and political Change

Land reforms

The politics of planning and rural reconstruction

Ecology and environmental policy in post – colonial India

Progress of science

World History

1. Enlightenment and Modern ideas

Enlightenment & Roots of Enlightenment

Major ideas of Enlightenment: Kant

Major ideas of Enlightenment: Rousseau

Enlightened Despotism/ Enlightened Absolutism

Developments and Legacy of Enlightenment

Spread of Enlightenment in the Colonies

Rise of Socialist Ideas upto Marx

Spread of Marxian Socialism

2. Origins of Modern Politics

European State System

American Revolution

Causes of the American Revolution

Effects of the American Revolution

American Constitution & It’s Main Features

The Congress of Vienna 1814–1815

French Revolution and it’s Causes (1789-1815)

French Revolution: National Assembly 1789-91

French Revolution: Legislative Assembly 1791-92

French Revolution: National Convention (1792-1795)

Nature of French Revolution

French Revolution: The Consulate (1799-1804)

Causes of the Excesses of the French Revolution

American Civil War and Abolition of Slavery

Causes of American Civil War

British Democratic Politics 1815-1850: Parliamentary Reformers

British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850: Free Traders

British Democratic Politics 1815-1850: Chartists

3. Industrialization

English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society

Industrialization in USA

Industrialization in Germany

Industrialisation in Russia

Industrialization in Japan

Industrialisation and Globalisation

4. Nation‐State System

Emergence of Nation State System

Rise of Nationalism in 19th century: Nationalism and Nation State

Eastern Question: Rise and it’s Development

Eastern Question: Crimean War

Eastern Question: From Treaty of Paris to Treaty of Berlin

Nationalism: State-building in Germany

Nationalism: State-building in Italy

Unification of Italy

Comparison between Italian Unification and German Unification

Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the World

5. Imperialism and Colonialism

Imperialism and Colonialism: South-East Asia

Imperialism and Colonialism: Latin America

Imperialism and Colonialism: South Africa

Imperialism and Colonialism: Australia

Imperialism and Free Trade: Rise of Neo-imperialism

Imperialism and Colonialism: The Great Game

6. Revolution and Counter‐Revolution

19th Century European revolutions

The Russian Revolution of 1917-21

Nazi Counter-Revolution: Germany

Fascist Counter-Revolution: Italy

Chinese Revolution

7. World Wars

World War I: The world in 1914

World War I: Events Leading To The Outbreak Of War

World War I: Causes Of The World War I

World War I: Events And Character of The World War I

World War I: Impact of the World War I

World War I: Paris Peace Settlement

World War I: League of Nations

International Relations Between Two World Wars

Interwar Period: Mussolini’s Foreign Policy

Interwar Period: Hitler’s foreign Policy

Interwar Period: The Policy of Appeasement

Munich Agreement to Outbreak of the World War II

The World War II

8. The World after World War II

Emergence of Two Power Blocs (World after World War II)

Emergence of two Power Blocs: Beginnings of the Cold War

Emergence of two Power Blocs: Thaw and Escalation

Emergence of two Power Blocs: Confrontation through détente

Emergence of Third World and Non-alignment

UNO and the global disputes

Conflict in Middle East

9. Liberation from Colonial Rule

Latin America- Bolivar

Arab World-Egypt

South Africa-Apartheid to Democracy

Decolonisation of Africa

Decolonisation of Algeria

Colonisation and Decolonisation: Vietnam

Colonisation and Decolonisation: Indonesia

Colonisation and Decolonisation: Malaya

Colonisation and Decolonisation of South-East Asia

10. Decolonization and Underdevelopment

Factors constraining development: Latin America

Factors constraining development: Africa

11. Unification of Europe

Unification of Europe: Post War Foundations – NATO

Consolidation and expansion of European Community, European Union

12. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World

Factors leading to collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991

Factors Contributing to emergence of a Unipolar World

Effect of Cold War and Effect of end of Cold War

Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001

History Optional Mapping

Palaeolithic Sites

Mesolithic Sites

Neolithic Sites

Early Harappan Sites

Harappan Sites

Late Harappan Sites

Chalcolithic Sites

Megalithic Sites

Painted Grey Ware Sites

Northern Black Polished Ware Sites

Ancient Ports

Ancient Cave Sites

Ancient Education Centres

Temple Sites

Buddhist Sites

Ancient Jain Sites

Ancient Capital Cities

Famous Inscriptional sites

Edicts of Ashoka

Ashoka’s Inscriptions for Famine Relief

Ancient Mosque Sites

Ancient Church Sites

World Heritage Ancient Sites

Petroglyph Sites

Hominid Fossil Sites