NCERT History syllabus for UPSC

13th July 20218th June 2021 by Pravin Babu R

SYLLABUS	TOPICS
Stone Age	Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic – Occupation, Tools, Pottery, Settlements, Lifestyle, Prehistoric Art (Cave paintings). Chalcolithic – Early towns and settlements, Farming Cultures (Ahar, Malwa, Jorwe etc) , Pottery (Ochre colored), Dwelling and Burial practices
Indus Valley Civilization- Bronze Age	Origin, Geographical Extent, Cities and towns, Urban planning, Important structures, Agriculture, Trade and economy, Political organisation, Religious practices- Nature and animal worship , Crafts and Pottery, Seals , Bronze and terracotta figurines, Decline and its causes.
Early Vedic Age	Advent of Aryans, Family and kinship – Tribal , Rig Veda, Social Practices, Tribal Polity and administration. Occupation and economy, Religion and Vedic Gods.
Later Vedic Age	Transition to Later Vedic Age , Developments in Political Organisation and Economy, Social Order ( Rise of Gotra system, Ashramas, Caste ), Differences between Rig Vedic and Later Vedic society, Use of Iron- PGW Iron Phase, Vedas and Upanishads, Religion and rituals. Heterodox Philosophical systems.
Mahajanapadas / Age of Buddha	(a) Rise of State polity, 2nd Urbanisation- Rise of new cities, Magadhan Empire – Administration & Economy , Republican States , Society and Religion , Iranian & Macedonian invasion. (b) Jainism and Buddhism- Birth of Mahavira / Buddha, Orgin and Spread, Doctrines and Principles, Monastic establishments (Basadis/ Viharas), Jain & Buddhist Councils, Art and Architecture , Literature.
Mauryan Empire	Rise of the Mauryan dynasty, Chandragupta Maurya, Administation, bureaucracy, taxation and polity, Chanakya’s Arthashastra. Ashoka – Inscriptions (minor and major rock edicts ) , Art and Architechure, Ashoka’s Dhamma and patronage of Buddhism.
Post Mauryan Age	(a) Sungas and Kanwas. (b) Central Asian Invasions – Indo Greeks, Shakas, Parthians, Kushans. Their Impact- Money Economy, expansion in trade, silk route. Influx of foreign elements in polity, army, crafts. Religious Devilments- Mahayana Buddhism, Gandhara and Mathura school of art, Science & Technology, Literature. (c) Satavahanas- Polity and administration, Economy, Social Organisation , Religious Patronage, Art and Architecture.

Megaliths and Sangam Age	Megalithic culture- burials, pottery, tools, settlements. Sangam Age- Tamil Sangam literature , Chera, Chola and Pandyas, Evolution of early Tamil polity and society from Sangam Literature.
Guptan Age	Rise of the Guptas, Expansion and Administration, Trade and economy, Societal practices and status of women, Religion, Art and Architecture, Developments in Science and technology. Religious Literature- Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas. Secular Works- Works of Court poets like Kalidasa, Bhasa etc Scientific works of Aryabhata, Varahamihra etc. Decline of Guptas.
Post Guptas	Harshavardhana- Polity, Land Grants and its impact, Social conditions, Harsha and Buddhism, Hiuen Tsang visit and account of India. Literature- Works of Bhana & Harsha.
Pallavas & Chalukyas in South	Pallavas and Chalukyas in South. Administration and economy. Chalukya art, Pallava art and Literary works

Medieval India

Chola Empire	The rise of Cholas, Administration and taxation, Territorial Expansion, Society and Culture. Chola Art & Architecture.
Ghaznavid and Turkish Invasions	Coming of Ghaznavids, Status of Rajput States and reasons for defeat, Ghurid invasion . Alberuni’s Kitab-ul-Hind.
Delhi Sultanate	Nature of the State, Administration of Delhi Sultanate, State Departments and various posts, Military reforms. Land revenue and taxation, local and village administration, Cities and towns. Trade and crafts, Agriculture, export & imports, Economic and social life. Religion and customs under the Sultanate, Scientific advancements. Art and Architecture of Delhi Sultanate, Construction and rise of new Cities. Accounts of foreign travellers like Ibn Batutta, Court poets and Historians like Amir Khusrau, Barauni etc. The Mamluks (1206-1290) – Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish – Chagalani system, Raziya Sultana, Balban- Policies and administration, Mongol menace, Khaljis (1290-1320), The Tughlaqs(1320-1414), The Sayyid dynasty (1414- 1451), The Lodis( 1451-1526)
Vijayanagara and Bahmini Kingdom	Rise of Vijayanagara State, Harihara and Bukkaraya, Political Organisation – Nayaka System, Social life and Economy, Krishna Devaraya- administration and foreign policy, Literary works , Architechure of Vijajanagara- Structures of Hampi. Visit of Foreign travellers- Nicolo Conti, Abdul Razack, Nuniz, Barbossa. Bahmini Kingdom- Polity & Internal Conflicts, Administration and Economy. Conflict with Vijayanagara- Battle of Talikotta , Rise of Deccani culture, Architechure of Bahminis, Disintegration of Bahminis. Annexation by Mughal empire. Arrival of Portuguese, Impact on Indian Politics, trade and economy. Relationship with Indian rulers.
Religious and Cultural Developments in India( 1200- 1500 CE)	Rise of concept of Bhakti, Vaishnavites and Saiviites in South (Alwars and Nayanmars), Shankaracharya and Ramanuja, Bhakthi movements in North India and Maharashtra . Saguna and Nirguna schools, Bhakthi Saints and Poets, Bhakti Literature, Impact on Social life. Sufi movements- Basic concept, 12 orders or Silsilahs, Sufi saints- Nizamuddin Auliya, Moinuddin Chisti, Baba Farid. Sufi impact on Indian arts, culture and society.
Mughal Empire	1526-1555 Babar(1526-1530), First Battle of Panipat, Battle of Kanwa , Babar Nama. Humayun (1530- 1535, 1555-56) Suri dynasty (1535- 1555) – SherShah’s reign, Administration and land revenue policy , Law & Order, Economic Reforms. 1556-1707 Akbar’s Reign (1556-1605) – Second battle of Panipat, Early expansion under Bairam khan, Administration and Polity, Mughal army, Land revenue system of TodarMal, Mansabdari System and political organisation, Akbar’s Rajput Policy, Religious tolerance and social reforms. Economic and Social Conditions- City and village life, Zamindars and peasantry, Religious ideas, status of women. Arabic and Persian Literature, Account of court Historians and Poets, Foreign accounts of travellers on Mughal society and polity. Mughal Arts- Miniature Painting, Mughal Architecture and Monuments. Traditional crafts, Export and imports, Science and Technology. Disintegration of Mughal Empire (1707-1856) Deccan Conquests of Aurangazeb- Impact. Causes of disintegration.
Rise of Maratha	Maratha expansion under Shivaji, Maratha army and administration, Chauth and Sardeshmukhi, Conflict with Mughals and other Deccan powers
Indian Art & Architecture	IVC- Various sites associated with Architecture. Their significance and location. Sculptures, figurines & seals. Mauryan Architecture- Ashokan Pillars, Stupas, Cave Architecture- Chaitiyas & Viharas, Sculptures. Post Mauryan – Features of three schools of art- Gandhara, Mathura, Amaravati. Rock cut caves. Gupta period- Cave Architecture- Ajanta, Ellora, Bagh, Nasik etc Temple Architecture – Nagara Style. Temple Architecture in South India -Pallava style, Dravidian Style- Chola temples, Vesara Style, Nayaka school, Hoysala Style, Pala school of temples. Medieval / Islamic Architecture- Delhi Sultanate- Different characteristics and introduction of new features of various dynasties- The Mamluks, Khiljis, Lodhis. Mughal Architecture – Features and important structures. Provincial Styles- Bengal, Malwa, Rajputana.
Indian Paintings	Prehistoric Paintings Cave paintings in Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chacolithic periods. Their location, colors, themes. Mural Paintings- Ajanta, Ellora, Sittanavasal etc. Miniature paintings – Mughal Era. Regional Paintings Different Schools- Rajasthani, Pahari, Kishangarh, Bundi, Kangra, Basholi, Tanjore. Folk Paintings Madhubani, Pattachitra, Kalighat,Pattua, Kalamkari, Warli etc.
Indian Music	Classical Music- Hindustani and Carnatic Forms- Their features and styles. Folk Music- Pandwani, Lavani,Dandiya,Wanawan, Khonjom Parwa etc.
Dance Forms	8 Classical dance forms- Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Mohiniyattam, Odissi, Kathakali, Sattriya, Manipuri, Kathak. Folk dances- Chauu, Raslila,Garba,Dandiya,Ghoomar,Padayani etc
Indian Theatre	Ritual theatres of different traditions like Ankianat, Ramlila. Entertainment theatre forms- Tamasha, Nautanki, Swang etc.
Indian Puppetry	String Puppets- Kathputli, Bommalatam. Shadow Puppets[1]RavanChayya, Togalu Gombayetta. Rod puppets-Putul Nautch, Yampuri.
Fairs & Festivals	Important Tribal and Northeast festivals. Ex- Losar, Wangala, Bihu.
Indian Literature	Ancient India – Vedas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Puranas. Sanskrit Literature – Prose, Drama & Poetry – Works of court poets like Kalidasa, Sudraka, Bhasa of Ancient , Medival India. Pali & Prakrit Literature Jain texts- Angas, Upangas. Buddhist – Canonical (Tripitakas) and non-canonical (Jatakas). Persian/ Arabic Literature – Works of court historians of Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Bahminis. Ex-Ain-i-Akbari by Abul Fazl, Tarikh-i-Firozshahi by Barauni
Modern India History
Before revolt	Advent of Europeans – Portuguese, French, Dutch, English and Danish – Anglo-French wars and carnatic wars Weak Mughal Rulers post Aurangazeb – Rise of Regional Kingdoms- Bengal, Hyderabad, Awadh Conquest and Establishment of British Empire – Battle of Plassey, Buxar – Mysore , Maratha, Sikh, Afghan wars – Innovative Administrative polices – Ringfence, subsidiary alliance and doctrine of lapse
Revolt of 1857	Causes, spread , nature and consequences Important personalities and area of revolt
Socio Religious Movements	Important associations and leader
Modern Nationalism	Pre-INC organizations, Newspapers Factors for growth of Modern Nationalism
INC- Moderate Phase	Foundation of INC Approach, Ideology, Important leaders and contributions – economic criticism of British Rule
Extremist Phase	Rise of extremism, Partition of Bengal Anti- Partition, Swadeshi Movement Surat Split Minto – Morley reforms
Revolutionary Activities	Bengal, Maharastra, Punjab, Abroad Imp leaders and activities
World events and Nationalist response	World War I and response Home Rule Movement Lucknow Pact Russian Revolution and impact Montague Chelmsford Reforms
Non cooperation Movement	Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala bagh massacre Khilafat movement NCM Participation of masses and withdrawal
Phase in between NCM and CDM	Swarajists and No-changers Emergence of socialist, Marxist ideas Peasant , Trade and caste movements Revolutionary Activity- II
Civil Disobedience Movement	Run up to CDM – Simon Commission – Nehru Report and response – Lahore session and Poorna Swaraj Spread of CDM Govt Response- Gandhi- Irwin Pact Round Table Conferences (RTC) Communal Award- Poona Pact Gandhi Harijan Campaign
Post CDM	Nationalist Response to WW II Bose- Gandhi- Nehru Ideologies August offer, Individual Satyagraha, Cripps Mission Quit India Movement- Resolution and Mass participation Wavell Plan INA (1st phase and Bose arrival), trials Elections- Congress and League’s performance Cabinet Mission Plan Atlee Statement, Mountbatten plan India Independence Act and Partition India – Post Independence
1939- 1947	Nationalist Response to WW II Bose- Gandhi- Nehru Ideologies August offer, Individual Satyagraha, Cripps Mission Quit India Movement- Resolution and Mass participation Wavell Plan INA (1st phase and Bose arrival), trials Elections- Congress and League’s performance Cabinet Mission Plan Atlee Statement, Mountbatten plan India Independence Act and Partition India – Post Independence

Related

* * All the Notes in this blog, are referred from Tamil Nadu State Board Books and Samacheer Kalvi Books. Kindly check with the original Tamil Nadu state board books and Ncert Books.