History Syllabus

History Syllabus and Some PYQs

In this post of “History Syllabus and Some PYQs”, we will discuss about the Syllabus of History for Prelims and Mains, UPSC History Trend Analysis for Prelims and Mains, Some Previous Years UPSC History Questions for Prelims and Mains etc.

Syllabus for UPSC Prelims (History):

• History of India and Indian National Movement.

Syllabus for UPSC Mains (History):

• Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature, and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
• Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence consolidation and reorganization within the country.
• History of the world will include events from the 18th century such as the Industrial Revolution, world wars, redrawal of national boundaries, colonization, decolonization, political philosophies like communism, capitalism, socialism, etc.— their forms and effects on society.

UPSC History Trend Analysis (Prelims)

UPSC History Trend Analysis (Mains)

Some Previous Years’ UPSC Prelims Questions (History)

Q1. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for (2011)
a) Running the Secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement.
b) Participating in the Second Round Table conference.
c) Leading a contingent of Indian National Army.
d) Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.

Q2. With reference to Ryotwari Settlement, Consider the following statements: (2012)
1. The rent was paid directly by the peasants to the Govt.
2. The government gave Pattas to the Ryots.
3. The lands were surveyed and assessed before being taxed.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1, 2 and 3
d) None

Q3.Consider the following Bhakti Saints: (2013)
1. Dadu Dayal
2. Guru Nanak
3. Tyagaraja
Who among the above was/were preaching when the Lodi dynasty fell and Babur took over ?
a) 1 and 3
b) 2 only
c) 2 and 3
d) 1 and 2

Q4. The Partition of Bengal made by Lord Curzon in 1905 lasted until (2014)
a) the First World War when Indian troops were needed by the British and the Partition was ended.
b) King George V abrogated Curzon’s Act at the Royal Durbar in Delhi in 1911.
c) Gandhiji launched his Civil Disobedience Movement.
d) the Partition of India in 1947 when East Bengal became East Pakistan.

Q5. Who of the following organized a march on the Tanjore Coast to break the Salt Law in April 1930? (2015)
a) V.O. Chidambaram Pillai
b) C. Rajagopalachari
c) K. Kamaraj
d) Annie Besant

Q6. Banjaras during the medieval period of Indian History were generally (2016)
a) agriculturists
b) warriors
c) weavers
d) traders

Q7. The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to (2017)
a) Define the jurisdiction of the Central & Provincial Governments.
b) Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
c) Impose censorship on national press.
d) Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.

Q8. Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India? (2018)
a) Francois Bernier
b) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
c) Jean de Thevenot
d) Abbe Barthelemy Carre

Q9. Which one of the following is not a Harappan site? (2019)
a) Chanhudaro
b) Kot diji
c) Sohgaura
d) Desalpur

Q10. With reference to the history of India, “Ulgulan” or the Great Tumult is the description of which of the following events? (2020)
a) The Revolt of 1857
b) The Mapilla Rebellion of 1921
c) The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60
d) Birsa Munda’s Revolt of 1899-1900

Q11. Who among the following was associated as secretary with Hindu Female School which later came to be known as Bethune Female School? (2021)
a) Annie Besant
b) Debendranath Tagore
c) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
d) Sarojini Naidu

Q12. Consider the following freedom fighters: (2022)
1. Barindra Kumar Ghosh
2. Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee
3. Rash Behari Bose
Who of the above was / were actively associated with the Ghadar Party?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 1 and 3
d) 3 only

Q13. Who among the following rulers of medieval Gujarat surrendered Diu to Portuguese? (2023)
a) Ahmad Shah
b) Mahmud Begarha
c) Bahadur Shah
d) Muhammad Shah

Some Previous Years’ UPSC Mains Questions (History)

Q1. “In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.” Elaborate. (200 Words) [10 Marks] (2013)

Q2. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? (150 Words) [10 Marks] (2014)

Q3. Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment. (200 Words) [12.5 Marks] (2015)

Q4. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom? (200 Words) [12.5 Marks] (2016)

Q5. Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end. of the nineteenth century? (150 Words) [10 Marks] (2017)

Q6. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (Answer in 150 Words) [10 Marks] (2018)

Q7. Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s “Indian Renaissance” and the emergence of national identity. (Answer in 150 Words) [10 Marks] (2019)

Q8. Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 Words) [10 Marks] (2020)

Q9. Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (Answer in 250 Words) [15 Marks] (2021)

Q10. Discuss the main contributions of Gupta Period and chola Period to Indian heritage and culture. (Answer in 250 Words) [15 Marks] (2022)

Q11. What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (Answer in 150 Words) [10 Marks] (2023)

Ancient Indian History (20 lakh BC – 750 AD)

• Pre-History
• IVC (2500BC-1500BC)
• Vedic Age (1500BC-600BC) :
  • a) Early Vedic Age (1500BC-1000BC)
  • b) Later Vedic Age (1000BC-600BC)
• Pre-Mauryan Age (600BC-300BC)
• Mauryan Age (300BC-200BC)
• Post-Mauryan Age (200BC-320AD)
• Gupta Age (320AD-550AD)
• Post Gupta Age (550AD-750AD)
• Miscellaneous issues of Ancient India

Medieval Indian History

• Early Medieval India
• Delhi Sultanate
• Sher Shah and his times
• Mughal Empire
• Marathas

Modern Indian History

• British Foundation, Expansion, and Consolidation
• British Policies
• Revolts and Movements
• Indian National Movement (1885-1947) : 8 Aspects
• Communalism and Partition
• Post Independence (1947-1964)
• Governor General and Viceroy

Indian National Movement (8 Aspects)

• Aspect 1 : Foundation of INC and Growth of Indian Nationalism
• Aspect 2 : Early Nationalism (1885-1947)
• Aspect 3 : Revolutionary Extremism
• Aspect 4 : Home Rule Movement (1916) by Annie Besant & Bal Gangadhar Tilak
• Aspect 5 : Rise of Gandhian Leadership and Gandhian Ideology
• Aspect 6 : Indian National Movement from 1920-1927
• Aspect 7 : Indian National Movement from 1927-1934
• Aspect 8 : Indian National Movement from 1937-1947

Indian Art and Culture

• Art and Architecture
• Paintings
• Dance
• Music
• Religion and Religious Philosophy
• Sufi and Bhakti Movement
• Miscellaneous – Fairs and Festivals etc.

World History

• American Revolution
• French Revolution
• Russian Revolution
• Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Industrial Revolution
• First World War
• Second World War
• Cold War
• Miscellaneous

Some Important Links
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