Important Topics List on History UPSC Prelims (GS-1)

Important Topics List on History

History of India In brief

UPSC Important Topics List History UPSC Prelims GS-1

As the scope of UPSC Exam is very large detail classification of all the topics can’t be done, however as with our experience we have listed some topics which are worthy, but the list is limited only. If any found and missing please comment below

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Topics on History

• 1.     Indian history (Prelims and Mains)
• 2.     World History (Only Mains)

Indian History can be classified into three categories  1.     Ancient History 2.     Medieval History 3.     Modern History 4.     Arts and culture of these Periods The study of Socio - economic and administrative aspects of these periods, forms the history of our country. And the important rulers and kingdoms both south and north India, national freedom struggle and the consequences and contributions of the important persons (Gandhi, Nehru and Other) are highly important from exam point of view Here are some topics every aspirant needs to know compulsorily

Ancient History Starts from ·        Indus valley civilization the Main cities (Harappa, Lothal etc), the geographical extent and the culture of that periods, practices, findings at different places, and how this civilization comes to end and others aspects, forms the important topics of this period ·        Vedic period and the literatures (Vedas, Brahmans, Philosophies, Aryanakas etc,) the socio economic aspects ·        Age of Mahajanapadas (16 Janapadas and capitals) ·        Buddhism (Life of Siddhartha, and important things happened in his life (Birth to Death), places associated with him, Different Mudras, his teachings, literature, Buddhist councils important, Buddhist temples and principles and philosophies associated with this period) ·        Jainism (Life of Mahavera, different stages of his life, places associated with him, his teachings, literature, Jain councils, principles and philosophies associated with this period etc)

Magadha Empire Harayanka Dynasty (Main Rulers Includes) ·        Bimbisara ·        Ajatashatru ·        Udayin Shishunaga Dynasty (Main Rulers Includes) ·        Shishunaga ·        Kalasoka Nanda Dynasty (Main Rulers Include) ·        Mahapadmananda ·        Dhanananda Foreign Invasions( Pre Mauryan Empire period) ·        Iranian Invasion ·        Alexander’s Invasion The Mauryan Empire (Main Rulers Includes) ·        Chandragupta Maurya ·        Bindusara ·        Ashoka (His Dhamma’s Important) ·        Also Includes the administrative aspects (Taxes system, Rock Edits, Administrative structures etc) ·        Art and Architecture etc Post Mauryan Period As the power of Maurya decreased, given raise to occupancy of thrown to native rulers and foreign rules Foreign States includes ·        Indo-Greeks ·        The Shaka rulers ·        The Parthians ·        The Kushanas Native Rulers Includes ·        Shunga Dynasty ·        Kanva Dynasty ·        Chedi Dynasty ·        Satavahana Dynasty

South Indian Rulers includes ·        Pandyas, cholas, cheras (Sangam literatures period) ·        Pallava rulers etc ·        The age of Guptas ·        Main Rulers Include: ·        Chandragupta-1 ·        Samudragupta ·        Chandragupta-2 ·        Kumaragupta ·        Skandagupta ·        Administrative and socio economic aspects of this period Pushyabhuti/Vardhana Dynasty Harshavardhana period Tripartite Struggles Rajputs Period etc

Medieval History Even before the Beginning of medieval History the Muslims rulers came into India ·        Advent of Muslims and condition of India During (750-1200A.D) ·        Ghazanavi and Ghorian Invasions and Wars The Delhi Sultanate (1210 – 1526) Chronological order of Dynasties and Sultans given Below Slave dynasty ·        Qutubuddin aibak ·        Iltutmish ·        Razia sultan ·        (Ghiyas-ud-din Balban) The Khilji Dynasty ·        Important Ruler ·        Ala-ud-din-Khilji ·        (Administrative reforms of his period etc) The Tughluq Dynasty ·        Ghiyas-ud-dinTughlaq ·        Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq ·        Firoz-Shah Tughlaq The Sayyid Dynasty ·        Khizr Khan-Mubarak Shah The Lodhi Dynasty ·        Bahalol Lodhi ·        Sikandar Lodhi ·        Ibrahim Lodhi ·        Reforms of Balban, Ala-ud-din-Khilji and Tughluqs Administrative Departments and Terms are highly important from exam point of view.

South India (Medieval period) Vijayanagara Kingdom ·        The sangams ·        The saluvas ·        The Tuluvas (KrishnaDeva raya belongs to this Dynasty) ·        The Aravidus Bahmani Kingdom ·        Important Rulers: ·        Alauddin Hassan ·        Bahman Shah (Allauddin Bahman Shah) ·        Kalim-Allah Shah ·        Split of Bahmani Kingdoms into five Kingdoms (Bijapur(1489), Ahmadnagar (1490), Berar (1490), Bidar (1492) and Golconda (1512). ·        Why there are disputes between Bahmani kingdom and Vijayanagara kingdom Other Important Topics of Medieval Period Includes ·        Religious movements ·        Bhakti movement (Bhakti Saints) ·        Sufisum (Sufis Order) ·        Next comes the Mughals empire The Mughal Empire ·        Babur ·        Humayun ·        Akbar (Mainly Administrative aspects of Akbar) ·        Jahangir ·        Shah Jahan ·        Aurangzeb     Later Mughals ·       Bahadur shah-1 ·        Jahandar Shah ·        Farrukh Siyar ·        Muhammad Shah ·        Ahmad Shah ·        Alamgir II ·        Shah Alam II ·        Akbar II ·        Bahadur Shah II ·        Administrative aspects (Mansabdari system, jagridari system etc) ·        Mughal Paintings, Architecture etc The Maratha kingdom ·        Administrative aspects etc

Modern History Advent of the Europeans ·        Portuguese-Dutch-English-Danes-French ·        Mysore wars ·        Carnatic wars ·        Maratha wars  And the treaties and the years of treaties ·        1857 revolt and the parties involved in it and further consequences etc ·        Formation of Indian National congress ·        Order of Governor- Generals of Bengal ·        Order of Governor- Generals of India ·        Order of Viceroys of India And their important contributions, administrative and developments aspects ·        Social and Cultural Movements ·        Growth of Modern Education in India ·        The Indian National Movement ·        Moderates period ·        Extremist’s period ·        Gandhi an Era ·        Important Phases of Indian freedom struggle ·        Demand of Pakistan ·        Partition of India ·        Indian Independence

Famous leaders and their part in Indian freedom struggle ·        Movements, Books, Press acts, Policy’s, Educational Developments and Acts are highly important for civil examination ·        Arts and culture topics include (from ancient, medieval period and Modern period) ·        Religions (Buddhisum, jainisum) ·        Philosophies, Bhaktisum and Sufism ·        Architecture of both south and north India (temples (different styles), forts, caves and rock edits) ·        Rajput’s architecture, Deccan Style, Mughal style etc Painting and literatures Dances and music musical instruments Languages Puppetry and the list goes..... comment if any topics missed or you think important for upsc preparation