Syllabus: UGC NET History (Paper - II) | Crash Course for UGC NET History PDF Download

 Page 1


-1- 
 
    
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION 
NET BUREAU 
 
Subject:  HISTORY                                                         Code No. 06 
SYLLABUS  
 
The History paper consists of all the aspects of Indian History, Pre-history, Ancient 
period, Medieval Indian history and Modern India including National Movement 
and post independent phase. It also consists of Historical Method, Research 
Methodology and Historiography. Since, the subject and the boundaries of Indian 
history are vast and comprehensive, it has been systematically analysed and 
synthesized into Ten Units. However, the concepts, the ideas and the terms given 
here would specify the extent the subject included though it is not mentioned in 
the units. It is to make the student realize the comprehension of the syllabus 
prepared. 
Concepts, Ideas and Terms 
 
Bharatvarsha Khilafat 
Sabha and Samiti Sulah-i-kul 
Varnasrama Turkan-i-Chahlghani 
Vedanta Watan 
Purusharthas Baluta 
Rina Taquavi 
Samskaras Iqta 
Yajna Jaziya 
Ganarajya Zakat 
Janapada Madad-i-maash 
Doctrine of Karma Amaram 
Dandaniti / Arthasastra / Saptanga Raya-Rekho 
Dharmavijaya Jangama / Dasa 
Stupa / Chaitya/ Vihara Madarasa / Maqtab 
Nagara / Dravida / Vesara Chauth / Sardeshmukhi 
Bodhisattva / Tirthankara Sarai 
Alvars / Nayanars Polygars 
Sreni Jagir / Shariyat 
Bhumi-chidra-vidhana-nyaya Dastur 
Kara-bhoga-bhaga Mansab (Rank) 
Vishti Deshmukh 
Stridhana Nadu / Ur 
Memorial Stones Ulema 
Agraharas Firman 
Page 2


-1- 
 
    
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION 
NET BUREAU 
 
Subject:  HISTORY                                                         Code No. 06 
SYLLABUS  
 
The History paper consists of all the aspects of Indian History, Pre-history, Ancient 
period, Medieval Indian history and Modern India including National Movement 
and post independent phase. It also consists of Historical Method, Research 
Methodology and Historiography. Since, the subject and the boundaries of Indian 
history are vast and comprehensive, it has been systematically analysed and 
synthesized into Ten Units. However, the concepts, the ideas and the terms given 
here would specify the extent the subject included though it is not mentioned in 
the units. It is to make the student realize the comprehension of the syllabus 
prepared. 
Concepts, Ideas and Terms 
 
Bharatvarsha Khilafat 
Sabha and Samiti Sulah-i-kul 
Varnasrama Turkan-i-Chahlghani 
Vedanta Watan 
Purusharthas Baluta 
Rina Taquavi 
Samskaras Iqta 
Yajna Jaziya 
Ganarajya Zakat 
Janapada Madad-i-maash 
Doctrine of Karma Amaram 
Dandaniti / Arthasastra / Saptanga Raya-Rekho 
Dharmavijaya Jangama / Dasa 
Stupa / Chaitya/ Vihara Madarasa / Maqtab 
Nagara / Dravida / Vesara Chauth / Sardeshmukhi 
Bodhisattva / Tirthankara Sarai 
Alvars / Nayanars Polygars 
Sreni Jagir / Shariyat 
Bhumi-chidra-vidhana-nyaya Dastur 
Kara-bhoga-bhaga Mansab (Rank) 
Vishti Deshmukh 
Stridhana Nadu / Ur 
Memorial Stones Ulema 
Agraharas Firman 
-2- 
 
Ain-i-Dashsalah Satyagraha 
Pargana Swadeshi 
Shahna-i-Mandi Revivalism 
Mahalwari Communalism 
Hind Swaraj Orientalism 
Mercantilism Oriental Despotism 
Economic Nationalism De-Industrialisation 
Indian Renaissance Subsidiary Alliance 
Economic Drain Evangelicalism 
Colonialism Bhudan 
Paramountcy Panchsheel 
Dyarchy Mixed Economy 
Federalism Socialism  
Utilitarianism Hindu Code Bill 
Filtration Theory Historical Methods 
Forward Policy Plagiarism 
Doctrine of Lapse Ethics and Morality in History 
Writing  
 
 
Unit – I 
 
Negotiating the Sources: Archaeological sources: Exploration, Excavation, 
Epigraphy and Numismatics. Dating of Archaeological Sites. Literary Sources: 
Indigenous Literature: Primary and Secondary: problem of dating Religious and 
Secular Literature, Myths, Legends, etc. Foreign Accounts: Greek, Chinese and 
Arabic. 
 
Pastoralism and Food production: Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phase: Settlement, 
distribution, tools and patterns of exchange. 
 
Indus/Harappa Civilization: Origin, extent, major sites, settlement pattern, craft 
specialization, religion, society and polity, Decline of Indus Civilization, Internal 
and external trade, First urbanization in India. 
 
Vedic and later Vedic periods; Aryan debates, Political and Social Institutions, 
State Structure and Theories of State; Emergence of Varnas and Social 
Stratification, Religious and Philosophical Ideas. Introduction of Iron Technology, 
Megaliths of South India. 
 
Expansion of State system:  Mahajanapadas, Monarchical and Republican States, 
Economic and Social Developments and Emergence of Second Urbanization in 
6
th
 century BCE; Emergence of heterodox sects-Jainism, Buddhism and Ajivikas. 
 
 
Unit – II 
From State to Empire: Rise of Magadha, Greek invasion under Alexander and its 
effects, Mauryan expansion, Mauryan polity, society, economy, Asoka’s Dhamma 
and its Nature, Decline and Disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, Mauyan art and 
architecture, Asokan edicts: language and script. 
Page 3


-1- 
 
    
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION 
NET BUREAU 
 
Subject:  HISTORY                                                         Code No. 06 
SYLLABUS  
 
The History paper consists of all the aspects of Indian History, Pre-history, Ancient 
period, Medieval Indian history and Modern India including National Movement 
and post independent phase. It also consists of Historical Method, Research 
Methodology and Historiography. Since, the subject and the boundaries of Indian 
history are vast and comprehensive, it has been systematically analysed and 
synthesized into Ten Units. However, the concepts, the ideas and the terms given 
here would specify the extent the subject included though it is not mentioned in 
the units. It is to make the student realize the comprehension of the syllabus 
prepared. 
Concepts, Ideas and Terms 
 
Bharatvarsha Khilafat 
Sabha and Samiti Sulah-i-kul 
Varnasrama Turkan-i-Chahlghani 
Vedanta Watan 
Purusharthas Baluta 
Rina Taquavi 
Samskaras Iqta 
Yajna Jaziya 
Ganarajya Zakat 
Janapada Madad-i-maash 
Doctrine of Karma Amaram 
Dandaniti / Arthasastra / Saptanga Raya-Rekho 
Dharmavijaya Jangama / Dasa 
Stupa / Chaitya/ Vihara Madarasa / Maqtab 
Nagara / Dravida / Vesara Chauth / Sardeshmukhi 
Bodhisattva / Tirthankara Sarai 
Alvars / Nayanars Polygars 
Sreni Jagir / Shariyat 
Bhumi-chidra-vidhana-nyaya Dastur 
Kara-bhoga-bhaga Mansab (Rank) 
Vishti Deshmukh 
Stridhana Nadu / Ur 
Memorial Stones Ulema 
Agraharas Firman 
-2- 
 
Ain-i-Dashsalah Satyagraha 
Pargana Swadeshi 
Shahna-i-Mandi Revivalism 
Mahalwari Communalism 
Hind Swaraj Orientalism 
Mercantilism Oriental Despotism 
Economic Nationalism De-Industrialisation 
Indian Renaissance Subsidiary Alliance 
Economic Drain Evangelicalism 
Colonialism Bhudan 
Paramountcy Panchsheel 
Dyarchy Mixed Economy 
Federalism Socialism  
Utilitarianism Hindu Code Bill 
Filtration Theory Historical Methods 
Forward Policy Plagiarism 
Doctrine of Lapse Ethics and Morality in History 
Writing  
 
 
Unit – I 
 
Negotiating the Sources: Archaeological sources: Exploration, Excavation, 
Epigraphy and Numismatics. Dating of Archaeological Sites. Literary Sources: 
Indigenous Literature: Primary and Secondary: problem of dating Religious and 
Secular Literature, Myths, Legends, etc. Foreign Accounts: Greek, Chinese and 
Arabic. 
 
Pastoralism and Food production: Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phase: Settlement, 
distribution, tools and patterns of exchange. 
 
Indus/Harappa Civilization: Origin, extent, major sites, settlement pattern, craft 
specialization, religion, society and polity, Decline of Indus Civilization, Internal 
and external trade, First urbanization in India. 
 
Vedic and later Vedic periods; Aryan debates, Political and Social Institutions, 
State Structure and Theories of State; Emergence of Varnas and Social 
Stratification, Religious and Philosophical Ideas. Introduction of Iron Technology, 
Megaliths of South India. 
 
Expansion of State system:  Mahajanapadas, Monarchical and Republican States, 
Economic and Social Developments and Emergence of Second Urbanization in 
6
th
 century BCE; Emergence of heterodox sects-Jainism, Buddhism and Ajivikas. 
 
 
Unit – II 
From State to Empire: Rise of Magadha, Greek invasion under Alexander and its 
effects, Mauryan expansion, Mauryan polity, society, economy, Asoka’s Dhamma 
and its Nature, Decline and Disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, Mauyan art and 
architecture, Asokan edicts: language and script. 
-3- 
 
Dissolution of Empire and Emergence of Regional Powers: Indo-Greeks, Sungas, 
Satavahanas, Kushanas and Saka-Ksatrapas, Sangam literature, polity and 
society in South India as reflected in Sangam literature. Trade and commerce 
from 2
nd
 century BCE to 3
rd
 century CE, Trade with the Roman World, Emergence 
of Mahayana Buddhism, Kharavela and Jainism, Post-Mauryan art and 
Architecture. Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools. 
Gupta Vakataka age:  Polity and Society, Agrarian Economy, Land Grants, Land 
Revenue and Land Rights, Gupta Coins, Beginning of Temple Architecture, 
Emergence of Puranic Hinduism, Development of Sanskrit Language and 
Literature. Developments in Science Technology, Astronomy, Mathematics and 
Medicine.  
Harsha and his Times:  Administration and Religion. 
Salankayanas and Visnukundins in Andhradesa. 
 
Unit – III 
Emergence of Regional Kingdoms: Kingdoms in Deccan: Gangas, Kadmabas, 
Western and Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, 
Hoysalas and Yadavas. 
Kingdoms in South India: Pallavas, Ceras, Colas and Pandyas, 
Kingdoms in Eastern India: Palas and Senas of Bengal, Varmans of Kamarupa, 
Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis of Odisha. 
Kingdoms in Western India: Maitrakas of Vallabhi and Chalukyas of Gujarat. 
Kingdoms in North India: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Kalacuri-Chedis, Gahadavalas and 
Paramaras. 
Characteristics of Early Medieval India: Administration and Political Structure 
Legitimation of Kingship. 
Agrarian economy; land grants, changing production relations; graded land rights 
and peasantry, water resources, taxation system, coins and currency system; 
Trade and urbanization: patterns of trade, and urban settlements, ports and trade 
routes, merchandise and exchange, trade guilds; trade and colonization in south-
east Asia. 
Growth of Brahminical religions: Vaisnavism and Saivism; Temples; Patronage 
and Regional Ramification; Temple Architecture and Regional Styles. Dana, Tirtha 
and Bhakti, Tamil Bhakti movement - Shankara, Madhava and Ramanujacharya. 
Society: Varna, Jati and Proliferation of Castes, Position of women; Gender, 
marriage and property relations; Women in public life. Tribes as peasants and 
their place in Varna order. Untouchability. 
Education and Educational Institutions: Agraharas, Mathas and Mahaviharas as 
Centres of Education. Growth of Regional Languages. 
Page 4


-1- 
 
    
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION 
NET BUREAU 
 
Subject:  HISTORY                                                         Code No. 06 
SYLLABUS  
 
The History paper consists of all the aspects of Indian History, Pre-history, Ancient 
period, Medieval Indian history and Modern India including National Movement 
and post independent phase. It also consists of Historical Method, Research 
Methodology and Historiography. Since, the subject and the boundaries of Indian 
history are vast and comprehensive, it has been systematically analysed and 
synthesized into Ten Units. However, the concepts, the ideas and the terms given 
here would specify the extent the subject included though it is not mentioned in 
the units. It is to make the student realize the comprehension of the syllabus 
prepared. 
Concepts, Ideas and Terms 
 
Bharatvarsha Khilafat 
Sabha and Samiti Sulah-i-kul 
Varnasrama Turkan-i-Chahlghani 
Vedanta Watan 
Purusharthas Baluta 
Rina Taquavi 
Samskaras Iqta 
Yajna Jaziya 
Ganarajya Zakat 
Janapada Madad-i-maash 
Doctrine of Karma Amaram 
Dandaniti / Arthasastra / Saptanga Raya-Rekho 
Dharmavijaya Jangama / Dasa 
Stupa / Chaitya/ Vihara Madarasa / Maqtab 
Nagara / Dravida / Vesara Chauth / Sardeshmukhi 
Bodhisattva / Tirthankara Sarai 
Alvars / Nayanars Polygars 
Sreni Jagir / Shariyat 
Bhumi-chidra-vidhana-nyaya Dastur 
Kara-bhoga-bhaga Mansab (Rank) 
Vishti Deshmukh 
Stridhana Nadu / Ur 
Memorial Stones Ulema 
Agraharas Firman 
-2- 
 
Ain-i-Dashsalah Satyagraha 
Pargana Swadeshi 
Shahna-i-Mandi Revivalism 
Mahalwari Communalism 
Hind Swaraj Orientalism 
Mercantilism Oriental Despotism 
Economic Nationalism De-Industrialisation 
Indian Renaissance Subsidiary Alliance 
Economic Drain Evangelicalism 
Colonialism Bhudan 
Paramountcy Panchsheel 
Dyarchy Mixed Economy 
Federalism Socialism  
Utilitarianism Hindu Code Bill 
Filtration Theory Historical Methods 
Forward Policy Plagiarism 
Doctrine of Lapse Ethics and Morality in History 
Writing  
 
 
Unit – I 
 
Negotiating the Sources: Archaeological sources: Exploration, Excavation, 
Epigraphy and Numismatics. Dating of Archaeological Sites. Literary Sources: 
Indigenous Literature: Primary and Secondary: problem of dating Religious and 
Secular Literature, Myths, Legends, etc. Foreign Accounts: Greek, Chinese and 
Arabic. 
 
Pastoralism and Food production: Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phase: Settlement, 
distribution, tools and patterns of exchange. 
 
Indus/Harappa Civilization: Origin, extent, major sites, settlement pattern, craft 
specialization, religion, society and polity, Decline of Indus Civilization, Internal 
and external trade, First urbanization in India. 
 
Vedic and later Vedic periods; Aryan debates, Political and Social Institutions, 
State Structure and Theories of State; Emergence of Varnas and Social 
Stratification, Religious and Philosophical Ideas. Introduction of Iron Technology, 
Megaliths of South India. 
 
Expansion of State system:  Mahajanapadas, Monarchical and Republican States, 
Economic and Social Developments and Emergence of Second Urbanization in 
6
th
 century BCE; Emergence of heterodox sects-Jainism, Buddhism and Ajivikas. 
 
 
Unit – II 
From State to Empire: Rise of Magadha, Greek invasion under Alexander and its 
effects, Mauryan expansion, Mauryan polity, society, economy, Asoka’s Dhamma 
and its Nature, Decline and Disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, Mauyan art and 
architecture, Asokan edicts: language and script. 
-3- 
 
Dissolution of Empire and Emergence of Regional Powers: Indo-Greeks, Sungas, 
Satavahanas, Kushanas and Saka-Ksatrapas, Sangam literature, polity and 
society in South India as reflected in Sangam literature. Trade and commerce 
from 2
nd
 century BCE to 3
rd
 century CE, Trade with the Roman World, Emergence 
of Mahayana Buddhism, Kharavela and Jainism, Post-Mauryan art and 
Architecture. Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools. 
Gupta Vakataka age:  Polity and Society, Agrarian Economy, Land Grants, Land 
Revenue and Land Rights, Gupta Coins, Beginning of Temple Architecture, 
Emergence of Puranic Hinduism, Development of Sanskrit Language and 
Literature. Developments in Science Technology, Astronomy, Mathematics and 
Medicine.  
Harsha and his Times:  Administration and Religion. 
Salankayanas and Visnukundins in Andhradesa. 
 
Unit – III 
Emergence of Regional Kingdoms: Kingdoms in Deccan: Gangas, Kadmabas, 
Western and Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, 
Hoysalas and Yadavas. 
Kingdoms in South India: Pallavas, Ceras, Colas and Pandyas, 
Kingdoms in Eastern India: Palas and Senas of Bengal, Varmans of Kamarupa, 
Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis of Odisha. 
Kingdoms in Western India: Maitrakas of Vallabhi and Chalukyas of Gujarat. 
Kingdoms in North India: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Kalacuri-Chedis, Gahadavalas and 
Paramaras. 
Characteristics of Early Medieval India: Administration and Political Structure 
Legitimation of Kingship. 
Agrarian economy; land grants, changing production relations; graded land rights 
and peasantry, water resources, taxation system, coins and currency system; 
Trade and urbanization: patterns of trade, and urban settlements, ports and trade 
routes, merchandise and exchange, trade guilds; trade and colonization in south-
east Asia. 
Growth of Brahminical religions: Vaisnavism and Saivism; Temples; Patronage 
and Regional Ramification; Temple Architecture and Regional Styles. Dana, Tirtha 
and Bhakti, Tamil Bhakti movement - Shankara, Madhava and Ramanujacharya. 
Society: Varna, Jati and Proliferation of Castes, Position of women; Gender, 
marriage and property relations; Women in public life. Tribes as peasants and 
their place in Varna order. Untouchability. 
Education and Educational Institutions: Agraharas, Mathas and Mahaviharas as 
Centres of Education. Growth of Regional Languages. 
-4- 
 
Debates of state formation in early medieval India: A) Feudal model; B) 
Segmentary model; C) Integrative model 
Arab contracts: Suleiman Ghaznavid conquests. Alberuni’s Accounts. 
 
Unit – IV 
Source of Medieval Indian History: Archaeological, Epigraphic and Numismatic 
sources, Material evidences and Monuments; Chronicles; Literary sources – 
Persian, Sanskrit and Regional languages; Daftar Khannas: Firmans, Bahis / 
Pothis / Akhbarat; Foreign Travellers’ Accounts – Persian and Arabic.  
 
Political Developments – The Delhi Sultanate – the Ghorids, the Turks, the 
Khaljis, the Tughlaqs, theSayyids and the Lodis. Decline of Delhi Sultanate. 
 
Foundation of the Mughal Empire – Babur, Humayun and the Suris ; Expansion 
and Consolidation from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Decline of the Mughal Empire.  
 
Later Mughals and Disintegration of the Mughal Empire. 
 
The Vijayanagara and the Bahmanis - Deccan Sultanate; Bijapur, Golkonda, 
Bidar, Berar and Ahmadnagar – Rise, Expansion and Disintegration; Eastern 
Gangas and Suryavamshi Gajapatis. 
 
Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji ; its expansion under 
the Peshwas ; Mughal – Maratha relations, Maratha Confederacy, Causes of 
Decline. 
 
Unit – V 
Administration & Economy: Administration under the Sultanate, Nature of State – 
Theocratic and Theocentric, Central, Provincial and Local Administration, Law of 
succession. 
 
Sher Shah’s Administrative Reforms ; Mughal Administration – Central, Provincial 
and Local : Mansabdari and Jagirdari Systems. 
 
Administrative System in the Deccan – The Vijayanagara State & Polity, 
Bahamani Administrative System; Maratha Administration – Asta Pradhan. 
 
Frontier Policies under Delhi Sultanate and Mughals.  
 
Inter-State Relations during the Sultanate and the Mughals. 
 
Agricultural Production and Irrigation System, Village Economy, Peasantry, Grants 
and Agricultural Loans, Urbanization and Demographic Structure. 
 
Industries – Cotton Textiles, Handicrafts, Agro-Based industries, Organisation, 
Factories & Technology. 
 
Page 5


-1- 
 
    
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION 
NET BUREAU 
 
Subject:  HISTORY                                                         Code No. 06 
SYLLABUS  
 
The History paper consists of all the aspects of Indian History, Pre-history, Ancient 
period, Medieval Indian history and Modern India including National Movement 
and post independent phase. It also consists of Historical Method, Research 
Methodology and Historiography. Since, the subject and the boundaries of Indian 
history are vast and comprehensive, it has been systematically analysed and 
synthesized into Ten Units. However, the concepts, the ideas and the terms given 
here would specify the extent the subject included though it is not mentioned in 
the units. It is to make the student realize the comprehension of the syllabus 
prepared. 
Concepts, Ideas and Terms 
 
Bharatvarsha Khilafat 
Sabha and Samiti Sulah-i-kul 
Varnasrama Turkan-i-Chahlghani 
Vedanta Watan 
Purusharthas Baluta 
Rina Taquavi 
Samskaras Iqta 
Yajna Jaziya 
Ganarajya Zakat 
Janapada Madad-i-maash 
Doctrine of Karma Amaram 
Dandaniti / Arthasastra / Saptanga Raya-Rekho 
Dharmavijaya Jangama / Dasa 
Stupa / Chaitya/ Vihara Madarasa / Maqtab 
Nagara / Dravida / Vesara Chauth / Sardeshmukhi 
Bodhisattva / Tirthankara Sarai 
Alvars / Nayanars Polygars 
Sreni Jagir / Shariyat 
Bhumi-chidra-vidhana-nyaya Dastur 
Kara-bhoga-bhaga Mansab (Rank) 
Vishti Deshmukh 
Stridhana Nadu / Ur 
Memorial Stones Ulema 
Agraharas Firman 
-2- 
 
Ain-i-Dashsalah Satyagraha 
Pargana Swadeshi 
Shahna-i-Mandi Revivalism 
Mahalwari Communalism 
Hind Swaraj Orientalism 
Mercantilism Oriental Despotism 
Economic Nationalism De-Industrialisation 
Indian Renaissance Subsidiary Alliance 
Economic Drain Evangelicalism 
Colonialism Bhudan 
Paramountcy Panchsheel 
Dyarchy Mixed Economy 
Federalism Socialism  
Utilitarianism Hindu Code Bill 
Filtration Theory Historical Methods 
Forward Policy Plagiarism 
Doctrine of Lapse Ethics and Morality in History 
Writing  
 
 
Unit – I 
 
Negotiating the Sources: Archaeological sources: Exploration, Excavation, 
Epigraphy and Numismatics. Dating of Archaeological Sites. Literary Sources: 
Indigenous Literature: Primary and Secondary: problem of dating Religious and 
Secular Literature, Myths, Legends, etc. Foreign Accounts: Greek, Chinese and 
Arabic. 
 
Pastoralism and Food production: Neolithic and Chalcolithic Phase: Settlement, 
distribution, tools and patterns of exchange. 
 
Indus/Harappa Civilization: Origin, extent, major sites, settlement pattern, craft 
specialization, religion, society and polity, Decline of Indus Civilization, Internal 
and external trade, First urbanization in India. 
 
Vedic and later Vedic periods; Aryan debates, Political and Social Institutions, 
State Structure and Theories of State; Emergence of Varnas and Social 
Stratification, Religious and Philosophical Ideas. Introduction of Iron Technology, 
Megaliths of South India. 
 
Expansion of State system:  Mahajanapadas, Monarchical and Republican States, 
Economic and Social Developments and Emergence of Second Urbanization in 
6
th
 century BCE; Emergence of heterodox sects-Jainism, Buddhism and Ajivikas. 
 
 
Unit – II 
From State to Empire: Rise of Magadha, Greek invasion under Alexander and its 
effects, Mauryan expansion, Mauryan polity, society, economy, Asoka’s Dhamma 
and its Nature, Decline and Disintegration of the Mauryan Empire, Mauyan art and 
architecture, Asokan edicts: language and script. 
-3- 
 
Dissolution of Empire and Emergence of Regional Powers: Indo-Greeks, Sungas, 
Satavahanas, Kushanas and Saka-Ksatrapas, Sangam literature, polity and 
society in South India as reflected in Sangam literature. Trade and commerce 
from 2
nd
 century BCE to 3
rd
 century CE, Trade with the Roman World, Emergence 
of Mahayana Buddhism, Kharavela and Jainism, Post-Mauryan art and 
Architecture. Gandhara, Mathura and Amaravati schools. 
Gupta Vakataka age:  Polity and Society, Agrarian Economy, Land Grants, Land 
Revenue and Land Rights, Gupta Coins, Beginning of Temple Architecture, 
Emergence of Puranic Hinduism, Development of Sanskrit Language and 
Literature. Developments in Science Technology, Astronomy, Mathematics and 
Medicine.  
Harsha and his Times:  Administration and Religion. 
Salankayanas and Visnukundins in Andhradesa. 
 
Unit – III 
Emergence of Regional Kingdoms: Kingdoms in Deccan: Gangas, Kadmabas, 
Western and Eastern Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas, 
Hoysalas and Yadavas. 
Kingdoms in South India: Pallavas, Ceras, Colas and Pandyas, 
Kingdoms in Eastern India: Palas and Senas of Bengal, Varmans of Kamarupa, 
Bhaumakaras and Somavamsis of Odisha. 
Kingdoms in Western India: Maitrakas of Vallabhi and Chalukyas of Gujarat. 
Kingdoms in North India: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Kalacuri-Chedis, Gahadavalas and 
Paramaras. 
Characteristics of Early Medieval India: Administration and Political Structure 
Legitimation of Kingship. 
Agrarian economy; land grants, changing production relations; graded land rights 
and peasantry, water resources, taxation system, coins and currency system; 
Trade and urbanization: patterns of trade, and urban settlements, ports and trade 
routes, merchandise and exchange, trade guilds; trade and colonization in south-
east Asia. 
Growth of Brahminical religions: Vaisnavism and Saivism; Temples; Patronage 
and Regional Ramification; Temple Architecture and Regional Styles. Dana, Tirtha 
and Bhakti, Tamil Bhakti movement - Shankara, Madhava and Ramanujacharya. 
Society: Varna, Jati and Proliferation of Castes, Position of women; Gender, 
marriage and property relations; Women in public life. Tribes as peasants and 
their place in Varna order. Untouchability. 
Education and Educational Institutions: Agraharas, Mathas and Mahaviharas as 
Centres of Education. Growth of Regional Languages. 
-4- 
 
Debates of state formation in early medieval India: A) Feudal model; B) 
Segmentary model; C) Integrative model 
Arab contracts: Suleiman Ghaznavid conquests. Alberuni’s Accounts. 
 
Unit – IV 
Source of Medieval Indian History: Archaeological, Epigraphic and Numismatic 
sources, Material evidences and Monuments; Chronicles; Literary sources – 
Persian, Sanskrit and Regional languages; Daftar Khannas: Firmans, Bahis / 
Pothis / Akhbarat; Foreign Travellers’ Accounts – Persian and Arabic.  
 
Political Developments – The Delhi Sultanate – the Ghorids, the Turks, the 
Khaljis, the Tughlaqs, theSayyids and the Lodis. Decline of Delhi Sultanate. 
 
Foundation of the Mughal Empire – Babur, Humayun and the Suris ; Expansion 
and Consolidation from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Decline of the Mughal Empire.  
 
Later Mughals and Disintegration of the Mughal Empire. 
 
The Vijayanagara and the Bahmanis - Deccan Sultanate; Bijapur, Golkonda, 
Bidar, Berar and Ahmadnagar – Rise, Expansion and Disintegration; Eastern 
Gangas and Suryavamshi Gajapatis. 
 
Rise of the Marathas & the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji ; its expansion under 
the Peshwas ; Mughal – Maratha relations, Maratha Confederacy, Causes of 
Decline. 
 
Unit – V 
Administration & Economy: Administration under the Sultanate, Nature of State – 
Theocratic and Theocentric, Central, Provincial and Local Administration, Law of 
succession. 
 
Sher Shah’s Administrative Reforms ; Mughal Administration – Central, Provincial 
and Local : Mansabdari and Jagirdari Systems. 
 
Administrative System in the Deccan – The Vijayanagara State & Polity, 
Bahamani Administrative System; Maratha Administration – Asta Pradhan. 
 
Frontier Policies under Delhi Sultanate and Mughals.  
 
Inter-State Relations during the Sultanate and the Mughals. 
 
Agricultural Production and Irrigation System, Village Economy, Peasantry, Grants 
and Agricultural Loans, Urbanization and Demographic Structure. 
 
Industries – Cotton Textiles, Handicrafts, Agro-Based industries, Organisation, 
Factories & Technology. 
 
-5- 
 
Trade and Commerce – State Policies, Internal and External Trade: European 
Trade, Trade Centres and Ports, Transport and Communication. 
 
Hundi (Bills of Exchange) and Insurance, State Income and Expenditure, 
Currency, Mint System; Famines and Peasant Revolts. 
 
Unit – VI 
Society and Culture: Social Organisation and Social Structure. 
 
The Sufis – Their Orders, Beliefs and Practices, the leading Sufi Saints, Social 
Synchronization. 
 
Bhakti Movement – Shaivism; Vaishnavism, Shaktism. 
 
The Saints of the Medieval Period – North and South – their impact on Socio-
Political and Religious Life – Women Saints of Medieval India. 
 
The Sikh Movement – Guru Nanak Dev: his teachings and practices, Adi Granth; 
the Khalsa. 
 
Social Classification: Ruling Class, Major Religious Groups, the Ulemas, the 
Mercantile and Professional Classes – Rajput Society.  
 
Rural society – Petty Chieftains, Village Officials, Cultivators and                              
Non-Cultivating Classes, Artisans. 
 
Position of Women – Zanana System – Devadasi System. 
 
Development of Education, Centres of Education and Curriculum, Madarasa 
Education. 
 
Fine Arts – Major Schools of Painting – Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari, Garhwali; 
Development of Music.  
 
Art and Architecture, Indo-Islamic Architecture, Mughal Architecture, Regional 
Styles.  
 
Indo-Arabic Architecture, Mughal Gardens, Maratha Forts, Shrines and Temples. 
 
Unit –VII 
Sources of Modern Indian History: Archieval Materials, Biographies and Memoirs, 
Newspapers, Oral Evidence, Creative Literature and Painting, Monuments, Coins. 
 
Rise of British Power: European Traders in India in the 16
th
 to 18
th
 Centuries – 
Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. 
 
Establishment and Expansion of British Dominion in India.