UPSC Optional Subject Syllabus: History | History Optional for UPSC PDF Download

The History Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a popular choice among aspirants due to its comprehensive coverage of historical events, conceptual clarity, and significant overlap with the General Studies papers. The syllabus is divided into two papers, Paper I and Paper II, each carrying 250 marks, totaling 500 marks in the UPSC Mains examination. Below is the detailed syllabus for History Optional, designed to help candidates prepare effectively.

Why Choose History as an Optional Subject?

Selecting History as an optional subject offers several advantages, making it a strategic choice for UPSC aspirants. Below are the key reasons:

• Significant Overlap with General Studies: History Optional covers substantial portions of General Studies Paper I (Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, and Art & Culture) and parts of Paper II (World History). This overlap reduces preparation time and strengthens overall performance.
• Well-Defined and Static Syllabus: The History syllabus is comprehensive yet static, with minimal updates compared to dynamic subjects like Public Administration or Sociology. This allows candidates to focus on mastering a fixed set of topics.
• Availability of Resources: A wealth of study materials, including NCERTs, standard reference books (e.g., Bipan Chandra, Romila Thapar), and online resources, is readily available, making preparation structured and accessible.
• Scoring Potential: With a clear understanding and strong answer-writing skills, History can be highly scoring. Analytical and factual questions allow candidates to showcase depth and clarity, often leading to consistent marks.
• Engaging and Interesting Content: For those interested in India’s past and global historical developments, History is intellectually stimulating, making the preparation process enjoyable and sustainable.
• Relevance to Other Exam Stages: Knowledge of History enhances performance in the UPSC Prelims (through topics like freedom struggle and culture) and the interview stage, where historical perspectives add depth to discussions on current affairs.
• Suitable for Diverse Backgrounds: History does not require prior academic specialization, as its concepts are accessible to students from humanities, science, or commerce backgrounds with proper guidance.

Paper - I

1. Sources

• Archaeological sources: Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.
• Literary sources:
• Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature.
• Foreign account: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

2. Pre‐history and Proto‐history

• Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic).

3. Indus Valley Civilization

• Origin, date, extent, characteristics-decline, survival and significance, art and architecture.

4. Megalithic Cultures

• Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.

5. Aryans and Vedic Period

• Expansions of Aryans in India:
• Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.

6. Period of Mahajanapadas

• Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.
• Iranian and Mecedonian invasions and their impact.

7. Mauryan Empire

• Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration, Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature.
• Disintegration of the empire; sungas and Kanvas.

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

• Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.

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

• Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, Economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.

10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas

• Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.

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 Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas 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

• Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.

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

• Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions - factors behind Ghurian success.
• Economic, Social and cultural consequences.
• Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans.
• Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban.

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

• Regional cultures specificities.
• Literary traditions.
• Provincial architectural.
• Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.

20. Akbar

• Conquests and consolidation of empire.
• Establishment of jagir and mansab systems.
• Rajput policy.
• Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sulh‐i‐kul and religious policy.
• Court patronage of art and technology.

21. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

• Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
• The Empire and the Zamindars.
• Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
• Nature of the Mughal State.
• Late Seventeenth Century crisis and the revolts.
• The Ahom kingdom.
• Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom.

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

• Persian histories and other literature.
• Hindi and religious literatures.
• Mughal architecture.
• Mughal painting.
• Provincial architecture and painting.
• Classical music.
• Science and technology.

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.

Paper - II

1. European Penetration into India

• The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch; The English and the French East India Companies;$'Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars; Bengal-The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey.

2. British Expansion in India

• Bengal-Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha Wars; The Punjab.

3. Early Structure of the British Raj

• The Early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct contol; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt's India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The Voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India.

4. Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule

• 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.
• 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

• 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; Christian missionary activities in India.

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

• 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 Cabinetâ€TMs Cabinet Mission.

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

11. Other strands in the National Movement

• The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P. the Madras Presidency, Outside India.
• The Left; The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, the Congress Socialist Party; the Communist Party of India, other left parties.

12. Politics of Separatism

• the Muslim League; the Hindu Mahasabha; Communalism and the politics of partition; Transfer of power; Independence.

13. 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; the Question of National Language.

14. Caste and Ethnicity after 1947

• Backward Castes and Tribes in post-colonial electoral politics; Dalit movements.

15. 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.

16. Enlightenment and Modern ideas

• Major Ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau.
• Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies.
• Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism.

17. Origins of Modern Politics

• European States System.
• American Revolution and the Constitution.
• French Revolution and Aftermath, 1789-1815.
• American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery.
• British Democratic politics, 1815-1850: Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists.

18. Industrialization

• English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society.
• Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan.
• Industrialization and Globalization.

19. Nation‐State System

• Rise of Nationalism in 19th century.
• Nationalism: State-building in Germany and Italy.
• Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the World.

20. Imperialism and Colonialism

• South and South-East Asia.
• Latin America and South Africa.
• Australia.
• Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism.

21. Revolution and Counter‐Revolution

• 19th Century European revolutions.
• The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921.
• Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.
• The Chinese Revolution of 1949.

22. World Wars

• 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars: Societal implications.
• World War I: Causes and Consequences.
• World War II: Causes and Consequences.

23. The World after World War II

• Emergence of Two power blocs.
• Emergence of Third World and non-alignment.
• UNO and the global disputes.

24. Liberation from Colonial Rule

• Latin America-Bolivar.
• Arab World-Egypt.
• Africa-Apartheid to Democracy.
• South-East Asia-Vietnam.

25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment

• Factors constraining Development; Latin America, Africa.

26. Unification of Europe

• Post War Foundations; NATO and European Community.
• Consolidation and Expansion of European Community.
• European Union.

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

• Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991.
• Political Changes in East Europe 1989-2001.
• End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower.

Preparation Tips for History Optional

Effective preparation for History Optional demands a strategic approach, combining thorough study, answer writing, and revision. Below are practical tips to excel:

1. Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly

• Familiarize yourself with the UPSC History Optional syllabus for Paper I (Ancient and Medieval India) and Paper II (Modern India and World History).
• Break the syllabus into manageable sections and prioritize topics based on weightage (e.g., Modern India, freedom struggle).
• Keep the syllabus handy to ensure no topic is overlooked during preparation.

2. Build a Strong Foundation with Standard Books

• Start with NCERTs (Class VI–XII) for a clear conceptual base in Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, and World History.
• Refer to standard books for in-depth study:
  • Ancient India: RS Sharma (Old NCERT), Upinder Singh’s A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India.
  • Medieval India: Satish Chandra (Old NCERT), Irfan Habib’s works.
  • Modern India: Bipan Chandra’s India’s Struggle for Independence, Sumit Sarkar’s Modern India.
  • World History: Norman Lowe’s Mastering Modern World History, Arjun Dev’s History of the World.
  • Art and Culture: Nitin Singhania’s Indian Art and Culture.
• Avoid overloading with too many books; stick to 1–2 trusted sources per topic and revise them multiple times.

3. Focus on Chronology and Themes

• Create timelines for major events (e.g., Mauryan Empire, Delhi Sultanate, freedom struggle) to understand historical progression.
• Identify recurring themes (e.g., polity, economy, society, culture) across periods to write comprehensive answers.
• Link events causally (e.g., how the Battle of Plassey led to British dominance) to develop analytical skills.

4. Master Answer Writing

• Practice writing answers daily, focusing on structure: introduction, main body (with subheadings if needed), and conclusion.
• Incorporate facts, dates, names, and examples (e.g., Ashoka’s edicts, Gandhi’s Dandi Salt March) to add credibility.
• Develop a balanced perspective by discussing multiple viewpoints (e.g., economic vs. cultural impacts of British rule).
• Join a test series or evaluate answers with peers/mentors to improve presentation and time management.

5. Emphasize Map-Based Questions

• Paper I often includes map-based questions on historical sites (e.g., Harappa, Sanchi, Nalanda).
• Practice marking sites on blank maps and learn associated details (e.g., period, significance, artifacts).
• Use resources like Oxford Student Atlas or online map tools for accuracy.

6. Integrate Current Affairs

• Relate historical events to contemporary issues (e.g., colonial economic policies to modern globalization debates).
• Read editorials or magazines like Yojana to understand how history shapes current socio-political contexts.

7. Revise and Consolidate Notes

• Prepare concise, topic-wise notes covering key points, dates, and historiographical debates (e.g., Marxist vs. Cambridge school on nationalism).
• Use diagrams, flowcharts, or tables to summarize complex topics (e.g., Mughal administration, land revenue systems).
• Revise notes regularly to retain factual details and reinforce understanding.

8. Leverage Online Resources and Test Series

• Use platforms like EduRev for topic-wise notes, quizzes, and previous years’ question papers.
• Enroll in a reputed test series to simulate exam conditions and receive feedback on answers.
• Watch video lectures or join online forums for doubt clarification and peer learning.

9. Manage Time Effectively

• Allocate specific hours daily to History Optional while balancing General Studies and other subjects.
• Prioritize high-weightage topics (e.g., Modern India, World Wars) in the initial months and cover smaller sections later.
• Plan a revision schedule closer to the exam to avoid last-minute cramming.

10. Stay Motivated and Consistent

• Break the vast syllabus into weekly goals to maintain momentum.
• Read inspiring historical accounts or biographies (e.g., Gandhi, Ashoka) to stay engaged.
• Take short breaks and avoid burnout by maintaining a balanced study routine.