Indian History

Examination Syllabus - Subject : Indian History

Section-A

1. Prehistoric cultures in India
2. Indus Civilization. Origins. The Mature Phase: extent,
society, economy and culture. Contacts with other
cultures.Problems of decline.
3. Geographical distribution and characteristics of
pastoral and farming communities outside the Indus region,
from the neolithic to early iron phases.
4. Vedic society. The Vedic texts; changefrom Rigvedic
to later Vedic phases. Religion; Upanishadic thought.
Political and social organisation; evolutuion of monarchy
and varna system.
5. State formation and urbanization, from the mahajanapadas
to the Nandas. Jainism and Buddhism. Factors for the spread
of Buddhism.
6. The Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta; Megasthenes. Asoka and
his inscriptions; his dhamma, administration, culture and
art. The Arthasastra.
7. Post-Mauryan India, BC 200- AD 300. Society: Evolution of
jatis. The Satavahanas and state formation in Peninsula.
Sangam texts and society. Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Parthians, Kushanas;
Kanishka. Contacts with the outside world. Religion : Saivism,
Bhagavatism, Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism; Jainism; Culture and art.
8. The Guptas and their successors (to c. 750 AD). Changes in
political organisation of empire. Economy and society.
Literature and science. Arts.

Section-B

9. Early Medieval India. Major dynasties; the Chola Empire. Agrarian
and political structures. The Rajaputras. Extent of social mobility.
Postition of women. The Arabs in Sind and the Ghaznavides.
10. Cultural trends, 750-1200, Religious conditions : importance of
temples and monastic institutions; Sankaracharya; Islam; Sufism.
Literature and Science. Alberuni’s "India". Art and architecture.
11. Thirteenth and fourteenth Centuries: Ghorian invasions causes
and consequences. Delhi Sultanate under the "Slave" Rulers.
Alauddin Khalji : Conquests; administrative, agrarian and
economic measures. Muhammad Tughlug's innovations. Firuz Tughluq
and the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Growth of commerce and
urbanization. Mystic movements in Hinduism and Islam. Literature.
Architecture, Technological changes.
12. The fifteenth and early 16th Century : major Provinicial dynasties;
Vijaya-nagara Empire. The Lodis, First phase of the Mughal Empire: Babur,
Humayun. The Sur empire and administration. The Portuguese. Montheistic
movements: Kabir; Guru Nanak and Sikhism; Bhakti. Growth of regional
literatures. Art and Culture.
13. The Mughal Empire , 1556-1707. Akbar: conquests, administrative
measures, jagir and mansab systems; policy of sulh-i-kul. Jahangir,
Shahjahan and Aurangzeb : expansion in the Deccan; religious policies.
Shivaji.
14. Persian and regional literatures. Religious thought: Abul Fazl;
Maharashtra dharma. Painting. Architecture. Economy: conditions of
peasants and artisans, growth in trade; commerce with Europe.
Social stratification and status of women.
15. Decline of Mughal Empire, 1707-61. Causes behind decline.
Maratha power under the Peshwas. Regional states. The Afghans.
Major elements of composite culture. Sawai Jai Singh, astronomer.
Rise of Urdu language.

Section-C

16. British expansion : The Carnatic Wars, Conquest of Bengal.
Mysore and its resitance to British expansion: The three
Anglo-Maratha Wars. Early structure of British raj: Regulating
and Pitt's India Acts.
17. Economic Impact of the British Raj : Drain of Wealth
(Tribute); land revenue settlements (zamindari, ryotwari,
mahalwari); Deindustrialisation; Railways and commercialisation
of agriculture; Growth of landless labour.
18. Cultural encounter and social changes: Introduction of western
education and modern ideas. Indian Renaissance, social and
religious reform movements; growth of Indian middle class;
The press and its impact: rise of modern literature in Indian
languages. Social reforms measures before 1857.
19. Resistance to British rule : Early uprisings; The
1857 Revolt- causes, nature, course and consequences.
20. Indian Freedom struggle-the first phase: Growth of national
consciousness; Formation of Associations; Establishment of the
Indian National Congress and its Moderate phase;- Economic
Nationalism; Swadeshi Movement; The growth of "Extremism" and
the 1907 split in Congress; The Act of 1909 - the policy of
Divide and Rule; Congress-League Pact of 1916.
21. Gandhi and his thought; Gandhian techniques of mass
mobilisation- Khilafat and Non Cooperation Movement, Civil
Disobedience and Quit India Movement; Other strands in the
National Movement-Revolutionaries, the Left, Subhas Chandra
Bose and the Indian National Army.
22. Separatist Trends in Indian nationalist politics- the
Muslim League and the Hindu Mahasabha; The post -1945
developments; Partition and Independence.
23. India independent to 1964. A parliamentary, secular,
democratic (republic the 1950 Constitution). Jawaharlal Nehru's
vision of a developed, socialist society. Planning and
state-controlled industrialization. Agrarian reforms.
Foreign policy of Non-alignment. Border conflict with China
and Chinese aggression.


Main Examination Syllabus - Subject : History

Paper-I

Section-A

1. Sources and approaches to study of early
Indian history.
2. Early pastoral and agricultural communities.
The archaeological evidence.
3. The Indus Civilization: its origins,
nature and decline.
4. Patterns of settlement, economy, social organization
and religion in India (c. 2000 to 500 B.C.)
: archaeological perspectives.
5. Evolution of north Indian society and culture:
evidence of Vedic texts (Samhitas to Sutras).
6. Teachings of Mahavira and Buddha. Contemporary
society. Early phase of state formation and urbanization.
7. Rise of Magadha; the Mauryan empire. Ashoka's
inscriptions; his dhamma. Nature of the Mauryan state.
8. Post-Mauryan period in northern and peninsular
India: Political and administrative history,. Society,
economy, culture and religion. Tamilaham and its
society: the Sangam texts.
9. India in the Gupta and post-Gupta period (to c. 750)
: Political histroy of northern and peninsular India;
Samanta system and changes in political structure;
economy; social structure; culture; religion.
10. Themes in early Indian cultural history: languages
and texts; major stages in the evolution of art and
architecture; major philosphical thinkers and schools;
ideas in science and mathematics.

Section-B

1. India, 750-1200 : Polity, society and economy.
Major dynasties and political structurs in North India.
Agrarian structures. " Indian feudalism". Rise of Rajputs.
The Imperial Cholas and their contemporaries in Peninsular
India. Villagle communities in the South. Conditions fof
women. Commerce mercantile groups and guilds; towns. Problem
of coinage. Arab conquest of Sind; the Ghaznavide empire.
2. India, 750-1200: Culture, Literature, Kalhana,
historian. Styles of temple architecture; sculpture.
Religious thought and institutions: Sankaracharya's vedanta.
Ramanuja. Growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India.
Sufism. Indian science. Alberuni and his study of Indian
science and civilization.
3. The 13th Century. The Ghorian invasions. Factors behind
Ghorian success. Economic, social and cultural consequences.
Foundation of Delhi Sultanate. The "slave" Dynasty.
IItutmish; Balban. "The Khalji Revolution". Early Sultanate
architecture.
4. The 14th Century. Alauddin Khalji's conquests, agrarian
and economic measures. Muhammad Tughluq's major "projects".
Firuz Tughluq's concessions and public works. Decline of
the Sultante. Foreing contacts: Ibn Battuta.
5. Economy societyand culture in the 13th and 14th centureis.
Caste and slavery under sultanate. Tehnological changes.
Sultanate architecture. [persian literature: Amir Khusrau,
Historiography; Ziya Barani. Evolution of a composite culture.
Sufism in North India. Lingayats. Bhakti schools in the south.
6. The 15th and early16th Century (Political History). Rise
of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin),
Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids. The Vijayanagra Empire.
Lodis. Mughal Empire, First phase : Babur, Humayun.
The Sur Empire : Sher Shah's administration. The
Portuguese colonial enterprise.
7. The 15th and early 16th Century (society, economy
and culture). Regional cultures and literatures. provincial
architectural styles. Society, culture, literature and the
arts in Vijayanagara Empire. Monotheistic movements:
Kabir and Guru Nank. Bhakti Movements: Chaitanya.
Sufism in its pantheistic phase.
8. Akbar: His conquests and consolidation of empire.
Establishment of jagir and mansab systems. His Rajput
policy. Evolution of religious and social outlook.
Theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy. Abul Fazl,
thinker and historian. Court patronage of art and
technology.
9. Mughal empire in the 17th Century. Major policies
(administrative and religious) of Jahangir, Shahjahan
and Aurangzeb. The Empire and the Zamindars. Nature of
the Mughal state. Late 17th Century crisis: Revolts.
The Ahom kingdom, Shivaji and the early maratha kingdom.
10. Economy and society, 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,
famines. Condition of Women.
11. Culture during Mughal Empire. Persian literature
(including historical works). Hindi and relgious
literatures. Mughal architecture. Mughal painting.
Provincial schools of architecture and painting.
Classical music. Science and technology. Sawai Jai
Singh, astronomer. Mystic eclecticism : Dara Shukoh.
Vaishnav Bhakti. Mahrasthra Dharma. Evolution of the
Sikh community (Khalsa).
12. First half of 18th Century: Factors behind decline
of the Mughal Empire. The regional principalities
(Nizam's Deccan, Bengal, Awadh). Rise of Maratha
ascendancy under the Peshwas. The Maratha fiscal
and financial system. Emergency of Afghan Power.
Panipat, 1761. Internal weakness, political cultural
and economic, on eve of the British conquest.

Paper-II

Section-A

1. Establishment of British rule in India: Factors
behind British success against Indian powers-Mysore,
Maratha Con federacy and the Punjab as major powers
in resistance; Policy of subsidiary Alliance and
Doctrine of Lapse.
2. Colonial Economy : Tribute system. Drain of
wealth and "deindustrialisation", Fiscal pressures
and revenue settlements (Zamindari, Ryotwari and
Mahalwari settlements); Structure of the British
raj up to 1857 (including the Acts of 1773 and
1784 and administrative organisation).
3. Resistance to colonia rule : Early uprisings; Causes,
nature and impact of the Revolt of 1857;
Reorganisation of the Raj, 1858 and after.
4. Socio-cultural impact of colonial rule: Official
social reform measures (1828-57); Orientalist-Anglicist
controversy; coming of English education and the press;
Christian missionary activities;Bengal Renaissance; Social
and religious reform movements in Bengal and other areas;
Women as focus of social reform.
5. Economy 1858-1914: Railways; Commercialisation of
Indian agriculture; Growth of landless labourers and
rural indebtedness; Famines; India as market for British
industry; Customs removal, exchange and countervailing
excise; Limited growth of modern industry.
6. Early Indian Nationalism: Social background; Formation
of national associations; Peasant and tribal uprising
during the early nationalist era; Foundation of the Indian
National Congress; The Moderate phase of the Congress;
Growth of Extremism; The Indian Council Act of 1909;
Home Rule Movement; The Government of India Act of 1919.
7. Inter-War economy of India: Industries and problem of
Protection; Agricultural distress; the Great Depression;
Ottawa agreements and Discriminatory Protection; the growth
of trade unions; The Kisan Movement; The economic programme
of the Congress' Karachi resolution, 1931.
8. Nationalism under Gandhi's leadership: Gandhi's career,
thought and methods of mass mobilisation; Rowlatt Satyagraha,
Khilafat- Non Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement,
1940 Satyagraha and Quit India Movement; State People's Movement.
9. Other strands of the National Movement:
1. Revolutionary movements since 1905
2. Constitutional politics; Swarajists, Liberals,
Responsive Cooperation
3. Ideas of Jawharlal Nehru
4. The Left (Socialists and Communists)
5. Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian
National Army
6. Communal strands: Muslim League and
Hindu Mahasabha
7. Women in the National Movement.
10. Literary and cultural lmovements: Tagore,
Premchand, Subramanyam Bharati, Iqbal as examples
only; New trends in art; Film industry; Writers'
Organisations and Theatre Associations.
11. Towards Freedom: The Act of 1935; Congress Ministries,
1937-1939; The Pakistan Movement; Post-1945 upsurge (RIN Mutiny,
Telangana uprising etc.,); Consititutional negotiations
and the Transfer of Power, 15 August 1947.
12. First phase of Independence (1947-64): Facing the
consequences of Partition; Gandhiji's murder; economic
dislocation; Integration of States; The democratic constitution,
1950; Agrarian reforms; Building an industrial welfare state;
Planning and industrialisation; Foreign policy of
Non-alignment; Relations with neighbours.

Section-B

1. Enlightenment and Modern ideas

1. Renaissance Background
2. Major Ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau
3. Spread of Enlightenment outside Europe
4. Rise of socialist ideas (to Marx)

2. Origins of Modern Politics

1. European States System
2. American Revolution and the Constitution.
3. French revolution and after math, 1789-1815.
4. British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850;
Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, chartists.

3. Industriatization

1. English Industrial Revolution: Causes and
Impact on Society
2. Industrialization in other countries: USA,
Germany, Russia, Japan
3. Socialist Industrialization: Soviet and
Chinese.
4. Nation-State System

1. Rise of Nationalism in 19th century
2. Nationalism : state-building in Germany and Italy
3. Disintegration of Empires through the emergence
of nationalities.

5. Imperialism and Colonialism

1. Colonial System (Exploitation of New World,
Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, Tribute from Asian Conquests)
2. Types of Empire: of settlement and non-settlement:
Latin America, South Africa, Indonesia, Australia.
3. Imperialism and Free Trade: The New Imperialism

6. Revolution and Counter-Revolution

1. 19th Century European revolutions
2. The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921
3. Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.
4. The Chinese Revolution of 1949

7. World Wars

1. 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars:
Societal Implications
2. World War I : Causes and Consequences
3. World War II : Political Consequence

8. Cold War

1. Emergence of Two Blocs
2. Integration of West Europe and US
Strategy; Communist East Europe
3. Emergence of Third World and Non-Alignment
4. UN and Dispute Resolution

9. Colonial Liberation

1. Latin America-Bolivar
2. Arab World-Egypt
3. Africa-Apartheid to Democracy
4. South-East Asia-Vietnam

10. Decolonization and Underdevelopment

1. Decolonization: Break up of colonial Empires:
British, French, Duth
2. Factors constraining Development : Latin
America, Africa

11. Unification of Europe

1. Post War Foundations : NATO and European
Community
2. Consolidation and Expansion of European
Community/European Union.

12. Soviety Disintegration and the Unipolar
World

1. Factors in the collapse of Soviet communism and
the Soviet Union, 1985-1991
2. Political Changes in East Europe 1989-1992
3. End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World
4. Globalization