Strategy, Sources and Sites for Map Section- History Optional Paper I [By Chitra Mishra, Rank 20, CSE- 2018]
Name: Chitra Mishra
Rank: 20 [CSE- 2018]
Detailed Strategy for Map
This section is a very grey-area in case of our Optional paper. I have had interaction with many of my peer aspirants. So, if you are an engineer by academic background – this section might seem a cake walk for you. In perplexing contrast, you may be an MPhil graduate in History background from say Delhi University or JNU chances are you still may detest this section.
Difficulty of Map-Section:
- It begins your paper presentation of the Paper 1 of the optional paper. It justifies the epithet- “You Know you know- You don’t know-you don’t ‘know’’
- Map Section in many ways forms the first impression upon the evaluator and your level of interest, knowledge about the historical events, sites and depth of preparation.
- So while you marking 18 out of 20 sites accurately becomes an assumed requirement for the Part B to be evaluated with a good impression, the reverse can be a disaster; implying- if you choose to ignore/skip/underperform Map section and simply choose to go by focussing or devoting all your preparation time upon the improving standard and quality of Question and Answer section- it might not be very advisable- in case you target to score 300+ in History Optional or to see your name in the top 100 of CSE final merit list. Such is the significance.
What are the most useful sources so far?
In case of Map we must understand it doesn’t come as an isolated entity or a table of enlisted sites which needs to be info-photographed in our memory in last 100 odd days gap between Prelims and Mains.
If one were to follow carefully UPSC Ancient India syllabus and trace major sites which form crucial points of historical evolution, be it of religious progress, trade and commerce outgrowth, educational centre, a site of political expansion, etc, (as elucidated in IGNOU Map sites- attached) a lot of sites become a part of your muscle memory and organic usage of its significance can be extremely useful and scoring even while writing answers.
The following sources can be used for preparing map sites: –
- Previous year question paper(s). (Link for 2012-18). In the below post I have analysed the sites in varied manner for simplification. To practice it on a outline map, just google them or use com website to locate/view/study the site.
- Links to maps in NCERT Text books(attached) and few maps (attached) for general understanding of the period under study; NCERT here includes OLD NCERT by Makkhan Lal, R.S Sharma as well as New NCERT (VI to XII)
In addition, the illustrated maps of four most important books of this period as follows:
- Early India by Romila Thapar(attached)
- Upinder Singh’s Ancient and Early Medieval India(attached)
- R S Sharma’s India’s Past(attached) and
- IGNOU BA Level compilationMaps (attached).
Selectively- (Spectrum Publication Atlas and a newly released GK publication. Please do not solely rely on these ready reckoner books;
- Compiled Map by Gaurav Agarwal, AIR 1, CSE 2013, (attached PDF)
- My notes of Map makingto some extent would help provide this perspective. Also see- Link 2
How best to approach Map Section?
A note on marking the Map:
- All places on the coast should be shown along the coast. Example sites likes Mahabalipuram, Puri, Prabhas Patan, Korkai, Tamralipti, Kaveripatnam, Muziris, Dwarka; They should not be plotted incorrectly.
- Similarly, if we are plotting two nearby places their marking should be accurate vis-à-vis near prominent site with respect to one another e.g. We should be exactly sure while plotting Inamgaon-Daimabad-Nevasa-Jorwe; Badami-Aihole-Pattdakal; Ujjain-Vidisha-Eran as to which is to the north/south/east/west of the other.
To sum it up the idea is to have a list of historical sites- important (through reading and historical significance) and convincing (through previous year paper analysis) as far as possible. The idea then must be to locate these sites under specific headings/sub-divisions as we read the chapters as we come across during preparation. Finally, as it is often said- keep practicing and revising on sample map (attached).
Ways of Simplification:
Usually be it Spectrum Atlas History Map book and even the prominent websites such as selfstudy history.com have already outlined very effectively alphabetically all the sites. However, as a student one may not be very interested right away to memorise in alphabetical order. Also, how much can one memorise that way? One can certainly feel secure of having a repository of all the possible sites from say Alphabet S or V but one of the better ways is to do the following:
- Analyse the most prominent sites across the UPSC syllabus in Ancient India
- Analyse and co-relate it with the last 30 years of Map question asked(analysed below)
- Finally divide the sites under the key sub-headings from the UPSC paper itself such as Fort city, Educational Sites, Buddhist Site, Neolithic Site, and note down while preparing notes as well as revising as one comes across all along the preparation;
- In my notes- I also learnt it by dividing the sites State wise (example attached in notes).
Section II:
In this section, the aim is to divide the section of Map into specific categories and relate it with previous year UPSC paper sites; Taking note from table and analysis below, the attempt is to deconstruct the possible areas of significance and sites which remains potentially important for future CSE aspirants. As per previous five years of UPSC paper analysis, following key sub-parts can be classified for Map portion:
Part- I
- A prehistoric site (2014)
- Palaeolithic Site
- Mesolithic Site
- A Palaeolithic and Mesolithic site (2013) Eg: Sundergarh
- Neolithic Site
- Chalcolithic Site (2018) (2017) (2014) (2013) (2012)
- Megalithic Site (2018) (2016) (2015) (2014)
- Neolithic-Chalcolithic Site (2017) Eg. (Hallur)
- Megalithic -Chalcolithic Site (2016) Eg: Adichanallur
- A Neolithic Megalithic and Chalcolithic site (2013) Eg- Brahmagiri
Part -II
- Pre-Harappan Site (2013)/ Early Harappan Site (2017) (2018)
- Harappan Site
- A late Harappan site
Part-III
- A Painted grey ware site (2015)
- Mahajanapada
- Buddhist centre (2015) (2016)
- A Jaina centre
- A site of Ashokan inscriptions/ Ashokan Rock Edicts
- Post Mauryan
- Gupta
- Post Gupta
Part-IV (very important***)
- An Ancient Capital Site (2014-18) – every year this is asked ***
- A cultural centre (2014)/ Political and Cultural centre (2018) (2014) – Sirpur is one of the major example; Hampi
- An archaeological temple site (2015)/ A Rock-cut temple site/ An ancient temple site
- A seaport/ A lost port (2014)/Ancient Sea- Port (2015)
- Rock-cave art centre (2014)/ A Prehistoric cave-painting’s site (2017)/ A rock-cut cave site (2016)/ Cave paintings (2018)/ A site of ancient cave-paintings (2015)/ Historical Rock-cut Caves (2013)
Part -V
Miscellaneous Categories:
- An educational centre (2016) (2015) – eg: Vikramashila;
- Early agricultural centre (2018)- eg: Koldihwa
- Terracotta centre (2018) / A terra-cotta art centre (2016)- eg: Chandraketugarh;
- Brahmadeya village (2015)- Eg: Uttarmerur, Tamil Nadu
- An ancient town (2014)- eg: Mathura
- A historical site (2014)- eg: Maski
- An important ancient city (2015)- eg: Vidisha
- An early fortified city (2017)- eg: Sisupalgarh
- Vaishnava cultural site (2018) eg: Besnagar
- An inscriptional site (2015) eg: Junagarh
- An important halting place (2013) Eg: Laghman
- Site of important fossils (2013) Eg: Hathnora
- Site related to a famous Indian Philosopher (2013) Eg: Kaladi,Kerala related to Adi Shankaracharya
- Famous Fort (2013)- Fort St George
- A religious centre (2012)
- A post Mauryan town (2012)
Last 100 days between Prelims and Mains- ways to revise:
One of the best ways to revise in the last 3 months when one has to consolidate optional notes, write test series, prepare GS simultaneously, is to have a list of Map sites with clear classified basis such as following:
List of Most Important Sites
Fossil Site
- Hathnora, M.P
- Odai, Tamil Nadu
Palaeolithic Site
Part A
- Lingsugur, Karnataka – First Palaeolithic site,
- Bhimbetka, M.P, -most famous site;
- Adamgarh, M.P – prehistoric rock shelter painting; earliest evidence of domestication,
Part B
- Attirampakkam, Tamil Nadu -lower-middle-upper Paleolithic culture,
- Ajmer, Rajasthan; lower-middle-upper Paleolithic culture,
- Gudiyam Cave, Tamil Nadu- Lower-Middle-Upper Paleolithic tools,
Part C
- Didwana, Rajasthan -Lower to middle Paleolithic age,
- Hiran Valley, Gujarat -Lower and middle Paleolithic tools,
- Luni Valley, Rajasthan- Lower to middle Paleolithic age,
- Dari-Dungari, Odisha – Lower and Middle Paleolithic ,
Part D
- Paisra, Munger, Bihar – Lower Palaeolithic,
- Nasik, Maharashtra -Lower Palaeolithic Site,
- Palghat, Kerala- Lower Palaeolithic Site,
- Hunsgi, Karnataka- Lower Palaeolithic tools; factory site cum habitation site,
Part E
- Kalpi, U.P – Middle Paleolithic age,
- Nevasa, Maharashtra – Middle Paleolithic and factory site
- Patne/Chalisgaon, Maharashtra -Middle and Upper Paleolithic
- Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh- Upper Paleolithic site,
- Renigunta, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh- upper Paleolithic site,
- Chopani Mando– Belan Valley, U.P – Upper Paleolithic to Neolithic Age,
Mesolithic Site:
Part I:
- Chopani Mando – Paleolithic and Mesolithic – wild rice, animal bones, handmade pottery
- Sarai Nahar Rai, U.P – Microlith, shells, animal bones
- Mahadaha, U.P – grave goods; microlith, animal bones
- Damdama, U.P -domesticated rice
- Lekhakia, U.P – Burials, microlith
Part II:
- Paisra, Bihar
- Birbhanpur, West Bengal – factory site and habitation site; microlith made of quartz
- Renigunta, Chittoor, A.P
- Sebalgiril, Meghalaya
- Sanganakallu, Karnataka- Mesolithic and Neolithic
Part III:
- Adamgarh, M.P – prehistoric rock shelters; geometric microlith, pottery;
- Bhimbetka, M.P -Mesolithic rock painting site;
Part IV
- Langhnaj, Gujarat
- Loteshwar, Gujarat
- Ratanpura, Gujarat
Part V
- Bagor, Rajasthan -Largest Mesolithic site in India,
- Tilwara, Rajasthan
Part VI
- Kuchai, Odisha- Mesolithic and Neolithic
- Sundargarh, Odisha- Mesolithic cave painting
Neolithic Sites
Part A:
J&K
- Burzahom, J&K – bone industry, burial practice, cultivation of wheat, barley, lentil;
- Gufkral, Srinagar, J&K- pit dwelling, domesticated sheep’/goat;
Odisha:
- Kuchai, Odisha– Mesolithic and Neolithic; Reddish Brown Pottery
- Golbai Sasan, Odisha
Bihar:
- Chirand, Bihar – bone industry, apart from Burzhom;
- Senuwar- Neolithic and Chalcolithic – Wattle and Daub houses; Pottery ; semi-precious beads; domesticated animals
U.P
- Koldihwa, UP – Neolithic to Iron Age; Domesticated as well as wild rice; handmade pottery;
- Mahagara, Allahabad – Post holes, Pottery, Cattle pen;
- Sohaguara, U.P
Assam:
- Sarutaru, Assam– Handmade pottery- buff and greyware;
- Daojali Hading, Assam
Karnataka:
- Sangankallu/ Kupgal, Karnataka– Neolithic and Chalcolithic– Wattle and Daub huts with ash mounds
- Brahmagiri,Karnataka-Wattle and Daub huts, urns burial
- Piklihal,Karnataka– Ash mound site, cattle rearing; circular as well as wattle and daub rectangular huts; carnelian beads; animal bones
- Maski, Karnataka– Neolithic-Chalcolithic site – Carnelian beads, animal bones
- Hallur, Karnataka– Ash mound, animal rearing, round wattle and daub hut, double urn burial, animal bones
Other prominent sites:
- Pandu Rajar Dhibi, West Bengal– grey ware painted red pottery; stone tools, microlith, bone tools
- Barudih, Jharkhand
- Napchik, Manipur
- Utnur, Telangana – Cattle pen; cattle rearing; earliest Neolithic site of South India; Neolithic and Chalcolithic
- Paiyampalli– Tamil Nadu – Neolithic and Megalithic Site – ash mound and habitation site
Part B:
- Mehrgarh, Baluchistan – earliest evidence of agriculture based on wheat, barley, cattle, sheep and goat. Neolithic and Harappan Granary; Mud brick house; Domesticated cattle sheep; Pottery; Terracotta human figurines;
- Kili Gul Mohammad, Baluchistan– Wattle and Daub houses; handmade pottery; Animal remains of cattle; microlith
- Amri, Sind– Pre-Harappan Site. Mud brick house; Domestication of cattle; Pottery; Terracotta figurines;
- Rana Gundai, Pakistan – Pottery; stone and bone tools; domestication of animals;
- Gumla, Gomal Valley– Domestication of animal; pottery
- Rehmandheri (Also Pre-Harappan Site) – Neolithic to Indus Civilisation; A large site with fortification; Remains of wheat, barley; Domestication of sheep, cattle; Pottery
- Mundigak, Afghanistan– Wheel made pottery; Lapis lazuli beads; humped bull terracotta figurine; houses made of sun-baked bricks; wells inside the house.
Other Stone age Sites (in tabular mode)
Pahalgam | Ahar | Jogadha | Singhbhum | Singrauli | Belan Valley |
Sohan Valley | T.Narsipur | Tekkalkota | Bori | Nagarjunkonda | Puskar |
Chalcolithic period
Ahar, Rajasthan | Gilund,Rajasthan | Kayatha, M.P | Eran, M.P | |||
Jorwe, Maharashtra | Inamgaon,Maharashtra | Nevassa, Maharashtra | Daimabad,Maharashtra | |||
Navdatoli, M.P | Nasik, Maharashtra | Pandu Rajar Dhibi, W.B | Mahisdal, W.B | |||
Ganeshwar, M.P | Koldihwa, U.P | Mahagara | Chopani–Mando | |||
Chirand, Bihar | Balathal, Rajasthan | Atranjikhera, U.P | Prabhas Patan, Gujarat | |||
Rangpur,Gujarat,
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Narhan, U.P
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Senaur – Bihar – Neolithic-Chalcolithic
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Golbai Sasan, Odisha
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Sohgaura, U.P
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Megalithic Site:
Burzahom – J&K |
Junapani– Maharashtra |
Brahmagiri – Karnataka |
Maski – Karnataka |
Hallur – Karnataka |
Nagarjunakonda – A.P |
Adichanallur – Tamil Nadu |
Indus Valley Civilisation Sites:
Dholvira, Gujarat– Early, Mature and Late Harappan | Alamgirpur, U.P- Eastern most limit of IVC; Harappan pottery with beads; | Balakot,Pakistan- Early Harappan | Amri, Sind- Early and Mature Harappan | Banawali, Haryana |
Gumla,Pakistan- Early and Mature Harappan | Bhiranna, Haryana- Mature Harappan | Chanhudaro, Sindh- Bead making factory; | Daimabad, Maharashtra- late Harappan site; | Desalpur, Gujarat- Mature Harappan phase; |
Kalibangan, Rajasthan– Early Harappan, Harappan and Mature Harappan | Mohanjodaro, Sind- Great Bath, great granary;bronze dancing girl; Early & Mature Harappan | Kot Diji, Pakistan- Early and Mature Harappan | Harappa, Pakistan- Early and Mature Harappan; H type cemetery; | Lothal, Gujarat- artificial brick dockyard; cultivation of rice |
Rehman Dheri, Pakistan- Early Harappan | Rakhigarhi, Haryana- Early Harappan | Shortugai, Afghanistan- Lapis Lazuli bead; pottery. | Sutkagendor, Baluchistan- fortification wall; | Ropar, Punjab- Burial system; pottery |
Other prominent sites:
Part-I
- Allahadino, Rana Ghundai, Mehargarh, Killi Gul Mohammad, Nal(Balochistan), Soktakoh (Balochistan), Dabar Kot(Balochistan)– Pakistan
- Jhukar– Sindh- (Late Harappan Site)
- Mundigak– Afghanistan
Part II
- Rangpur, Somnath, Rojdi, Surkotada, Bhagatrav– Gujarat
- Badgaon, Balathal– Rajasthan
- Akhnoor– Jammu and Kashmir
- Bahawalpur– Punjab
- Kunal, Bhagwanpura– Haryana
Painted Grey Ware Sites:
Adichannallur | Ahar | Amri | Ahichhatra– U.P; Largest PGW site; | Alamgirpur |
Atranjikhera | Gilund | Bahawalpur-Pakistan | Bhagwanpura (Haryana) | Lal Qila |
Hastinapur– U.P | Jakhera | Kampilya– U.P | Kausambi– U.P | Mathura– U.P |
Ropar (Punjab) | Sanghol (Punjab) | Sravasti– U.P | Noh (Rajasthan) | Pandu–Rajar Dhibi, W.B |
Northern Black Polished Ware Sites
Taxila,Pakistan- capital of Gandhara kingdom; major trade centre and part of Uttarapatha; | Sravasti, U.P (NBPW & PGW)- capital of North Kosala; fortification; copper and iron objects; | Kaushambi, U.P (also important halting place) | Pataliputra, Bihar(capital of Mauryas, Shungas and Guptas); Trade and commerce centre; | Vaishali, Bihar- Capital of Lichchhavis and Vajji confederacy) in 6th century BCE; Ashokan Pillar with single lion |
Rajgir, Bihar- first capital of Magadha Mahajanapada; first Buddist council; important centre for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus- NBPW; | Amravati, A.P- NBPW, BRW | Chandraketugarh, W.B- NBPW, terracotta beads and punched marked coins and it is terracotta manufacturing site. | Tamralipti, W.B- most important sea port and emporium of trade in Eastern India; Roulette ware and Red Polished Ware; | Ropar, Punjab(PGW and NBPW site); punch marked coins and cast copper coins; houses made of burnt bricks; |
Hastinapur, U.P- BRW, PGW and NBPW- Capital of Kuru; elaborate drainage; punch marked coins; terracotta figurines | Prabhas-Patan, Gujarat & Noh, Rajasthan | Sisupalgarh, Odisha – fortified centre; NBPW, Rouletted ware, BRW; Terracotta and stone beads; | Ahichchhatra (BRW, PGW and NBPW site); discovery of coins | Atranjikhera (BRW, PGW and BPW site); use of burnt bricks; |
Buddhist Sites:
Lumbini | Bodhgaya | Sarnath | Kushinagar | Sravasti |
Rajgir | Sankissa | Amravati | Nagarjunakonda | Bharhut |
Lalitgiri(Orrisa) | Sanchi | Vikramshila | Sanghol | Kanganahalli (Karnataka) |
Ajanta | Ellora |
Jaina Sites
Shravan Belagola(Karnataka) | Dilwara Temple(Rajasthan) | Palitana (Gujarat) | Shikarji Temple(Parasnath) |
Kumbharia(Gujarat) | Sitanavassal(Tamil Nadu) |
Mahajanapada
Ahhichhatra | Anga | Avanti | Ayodhaya |
Banaras | Asmaka | Champa | Chedi |
Girivraja | Indraprastha | Kamboja | Gandhara |
Kashi | Kausambi | Kosala | Kampilya |
Kushinagar | Magadha | Mahismati | Kuru |
Matsya | Panchala | Pavapuri | Malla |
Sarnath | Sravasti | Rajgir | Pratishthana(modern Paithan) |
Purushapura(Peshawar) | Sahet-Mahet | Ujjain | Vaishali |
Viratanagara(modern Bairat) | Vajji | Surasena | Taxila |
Alexandria | Vatsa |
Ashoka Sites
Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka
Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan)- written in Prakrit language and Kharosthi script,- Northern extent of Mauryan empire. |
Kandahar/Shar-i-kuna (Afghanistan)- Only Rock edict XII and XIII, |
Kalsi (Uttarakhand)- Presence of Royal Elephant; All 14 rock edict;Major trading centre, |
Girnar (Gujarat)- Mentions principles of Dhamma; Also Rudradaman and Skandagupta, |
Sopara (Maharashtra) -also seaport and town; Only Rock edict VIII and IX, |
Dhauli (Odisha)- Seprate Rock edict I and II replace major rock edicts 11-13, |
Jaugada(Odisha)- also a trade centre, |
Yerraguddi (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)- Both Major and Minor edicts of Ashoka, |
Sannati(Karnataka) – It also has special rock edicts I and II- like Dhauli, |
Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka
Bairat -Rajasthan(along with Bhabru edict) |
Sasaram– Bihar |
Rupnath– M.P |
Maski-Karnataka |
Gavimath– Karnataka |
Brahmagiri– Karnataka |
Nittur -Karnataka |
Udegolam– Karnataka |
Laghman– Afghanistan |
Pillar Edicts of Ashoka
Allahabad-Kaushambi (Pillar Edict I-VI) |
Delhi-Topra (Pillar Edict I-VII) |
Delhi-Meerut |
Lauriya Nandangarh, West Champaran, Bihar – Monolithic |
Lauriya Araraj, East Champaran, Bihar |
Rampurva (Pillar Edict I-VII) |
Kandahar, Afghanistan (Edict XII and XIII) |
Nigali-Sagar, Nepal |
Other important Ashoka inscriptions for famine relief
- Sohguara- Gorakhpur – Uttar Pradesh
- Mahasthan – Bangladesh
Ujjain | Jatinga Rameshwar(Karnataka) | Palkigundu – Mysore (Karnataka) | Chandraketugarh |
Patliputra/Kumrahar | Sankisa | Sanchi(UP) | Taxila |
Sarnath(UP) | Siddapura(Karnataka) |
Post Mauryan Site:
Mathura, U.P | Sialkot (Sakala), Pakistan |
Gupta Period Site:
Deogarh | Tigwa | Udaigiri | Sarnath |
Bhittari | Nalanda | Bhitargaon |
Ancient Capitals
Agra | Ahmadnagar | Ajmer- Chauhans | Berar | Bidar | ||
Bijapur | Bundelkhand | Delhi | Devagiri | Golkunda | ||
Gulbarga | Bidar | Khandesh | Malwa | Jaunpur | ||
Uraiyur– Early Cholas | Vallabhi– Maitraka | Halebid/Dwarsamudra-Hoyasala | Kannauj– Harshvardhan(Pushyabhuti dynasty) | Thanesar-Pushyabhuti | ||
ManyakhetaRashtrakutas | Kapilvastu– Sakya | Pataliputra-Magadha | Rajgir/Girivraj– Magadha | Hampi-Vijayanagara
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Champa– Anga | Paithan– Satavahana | Ujjain– Avanti | Vatapi/Badami– Chalukyas | Vengi– Eastern Chalukyas | ||
Thanjavur/ Tanjore– Cholas | Vijayanti– Kadambas | Kanchipuram-Pallavas | Sialkot/Sakala – Bactrian-Indo-Greek | Varanasi– Kashi Mahajanpada | ||
Shravasti– North Kosala | Peshawar/Purushpura– Kushans | Vaishali– Shishunaga | Kushinagar– Malla | Kaushambi– Vatsa | ||
Indraprastha– Kuru | Ahichchhatra– North Panchala | Kampilya – Dakshin Panchala | Viratnagara– Matsya | Mathura– Shurasenas | ||
Mahismati– Avanti | Taxila– Gandhara | Amravati/Dharnikota– Satavahanas | Korkai– Pandyas | Madurai– Pandyas | ||
Inscription Sites:
Junagarh(Gujarat)- Rudradaman and Skandagupta | Mehrauli Inscription/Garuda Pillar- Chandragupta Vikramaditya |
Allahabad Pillar /Prayag Prasasti – Samudragupta/Harisena | Nasik Inscription- Gautamiputra Satakarni |
Nanaghat Inscription -Pune(Maharashtra) | Aihole(Karnataka) – Pulakeshin II/Ravikirti |
Hathigumpha Inscription- Udayagiri(Orrisa)- Kharavela | Mandsaur(M.P) inscription-Kumargupta |
Lumbini Pillar Inscription | Eran(M.P) Pillar Inscription- Sati evidence-Gupta period. |
Uttaramerur Inscription, Tamil Nadu- Cholas
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Besnagar(M.P) Pillar Inscription- Heliodorus(Greek ambassador) -Sunga period |
Rock Cut Cave/Cave Paintings
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Ancient Ports
Part I
- Dwarka, Gujarat
- Broach, Gujarat
- Lothal, Gujarat
Part II
- Sopara, Maharastra
- Muziris, Kerala
- Tamralipti – West Bengal
- Arikamedu- Puducherry
Part III
- Puhar (Kaveripattinam)- Tamil Nadu
- Korkai, Tamil Nadu,
Ancient Cities and Trade Sites:
Part-I
- Taxila– Capital of Gandhara; Capital of northern province under Mauryas; Major trade centre and part of Uttarapatha
- Mahastangarh, Bangladesh
Part II
- Vaishali- Capital of both Lichchavis and Vajji Confederacy in 6thC ; Republic; Second Buddhist council; Buddha’s last sermon; Capital of Shishunaga dynasty;
- Sambhar, Rajasthan– capital of Chahamanas; coins from Kushans and Indo-Greeks; Beads and terracotta figurines from Shunga and Gupta period have been found;
- Muziris, Kerala- ancient seaport, urban centre on Malabar coast; Finds mention in Sangam Literature; trade relation with Persia, Egypt, Greeks, Roman empire; Important site under Cheras.
Part III
- Vidisha, Besnagar, M.P- Western capital of Shungas – important trade centre connecting North India with Deccan and Western ports; pillar inscription
- Tripuri, M.P- Capital of Kalchuri – 7th and 8th century AD; Mahajanapadas
Part IV
- Tamluk, West Bengal- trade contacts with Rome.
- Chandraketugarh, West Bengal – NBPW, punch marked coins, terracotta beads, coins, trade;
Part V
- Atranjikhera, U.P
- Shravasti– U.P – Capital of North Kosala; Buddhist site; also called Sahet-Mahet; Uttarapatha Network;
- Mathura, U.P- Capital of Shurasenas; centre of Buddhism and Vaishnavism; Second capital of Kushanas; Mathura School of Art; Part of Uttarapatha
Part VI
- Shishupalgarh– Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha- NBPW, Rouletted ware, BRW
- Jaugada– Odisha – Ashoka rock edict and Kalinga edict; town centre from Mauryan age and bead making centre
Part VII
- Nagarjunakonda, A.P: Capital of Ikshvaku dynasty in 3rd and 4th century AD; centre of Buddhism ; also an important economic centre
- Amaravati, A.P – second capital of Satavahanas- was a major Buddhist centre and Mahachaitya Stupa; Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy temple;
Part VIII
- Tagara/Ter, Maharashtra: Trade centre during Saka-Satavahana period and lay on route connecting eastern Deccan to Broach; Both commercial and Religious centre;
- Kalyan, Maharashtra- important trading centre;
Part IX
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu- capital of Pandyas from 3rd century BCE. ; First and third Sangam held here; Mentioned by Kautilya and Megasthenes; Meenakshi Amman temple located here; Seat of Tamil Literature and learning;
- Korkai, Tamil Nadu- Port under Pandyas; Pearls in Sangam and Greek accounts; centre of pearl fishing;
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu- Capital of Pallavas; Religious centre; Vaikuntha Perumal temple; Silk industrial centre;
- Puhar, Tamil Nadu- Chief port of early Cholas, mentioned in Sangam literature; Trade links with Romans in 1st century AD; Buddhist centre and a temple from Chola period;
- Uraiyur, Tamil Nadu- Capital of early Cholas- mentioned in Ashokan inscription and Satavahana inscriptions;
Temple Sites:
Part -I
- Martand, Kashmir – Karakota dynasty- dedicated to Martand, the Sun -God;
- Rock Cut temple, Masrur- Himachal Pradesh– Monolithic; dedicated to Shiva
- Khajuraho Temple Complex- M.P – Chandella dynasty; Hinduism and Jainism; Chausath Yogini temple is dedicated to Tantric Worship- Nagara Style of Temple
- Laxman Temple, Sirpur, Chattisgarh
- Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan- Also mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas
- Kamakhya temple – Assam
- Dashavtara Temple, Deogarh, Lalitpur, U.P- pachatantra style of temple- Vishnu temple;
Part-II
- Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat- Raja Bhimdev I of Solanki -1026 AD
- Somnath/Prabhas patan – Gujarat- Shore temple- Bhimdev of Solanki
Part -III
- Sun temple, Konark, Odisha- Narsimhadeva-I, Ganga dynasty
- Bhubhaneshwar, Odhisha- Kalinga period- Parasuramesvar temple; Lingaraj temple;
Part-IV
- Pattadakal, Karnataka- Chalukya; blending of Rekha, Nagara, Prasada, Dravida Vimana style of temple architecture; Sangamesvara, virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples;
- Badami, Karnataka– Brahmanical and Jaina centre
Part-V
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu- Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, important cultural and commercial centre and capital of Pandya kings;
- Thanjavur, TamilNadu – Brihadeshwara temple, Cholas; Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; also cultural site for paintings;
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu- Pallavas Ratha monuments, mandapas, giant open reliefs such as famous ‘Descent of the Ganges’; also Shore temples; also trading site with South- East Asia
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu – Centre of learning for Tamil, during Sangam age and then Pallavas; Also religious centre for Buddhism and Jainism; Educational Centre; important commercial centre during Satavahanas
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam– Tamil Nadu- Vaishnav temple; Dravidian architecture
Education Centres:
Part- I
- Taxila, Pakistan– Capital of Gandhara in 600 B.C; Major trade centre and part of Uttarapatha; Part of Silk road; University site and learning centre; Chanakya, Panini, Charaka, Jivaka were graduates; Fahien and Hieun tsang visited it;
- Somapura University, Bangladesh– Established by Dharampala during 8th century AD; major Buddhist learning centre; also, Jainism and Sanatana Dharma;
Part- II
- Nalanda, Bihar– University was established by Kumaragupta during 5th century AD; destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji; had residential quarters;
- Vikramshila, Bihar– established by Dharampala of Pala dynasty in 8th century AD; training in Tantra; also famous for teaching in Grammar, Logic and Philosophy;
Part- III
- Vallabhi, Gujarat– 600 AD. Under reign of Maitraka dynasty; centre of Buddhist learning; Taught secular subjects like politics, administration and agriculture;
- Pushpagiri University, Odisha– established in Kalinga in 3rd century AD; prominent centres of higher education in Ancient India. Hsien Tsang visited in 639 AD.
- Ujjain, M.P– Major centre of linguistics, astronomy, astrology, arithmetic and classical arts; Kalidas and Ashoka learnt from this centre;
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu– Centre of learning for Tamil and Sanskrit; Sangam Age; Also religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between 1st and 5th century AD; Capital of Pallavas (6th-8th century AD); Very important cultural centre during Satavahanas.
Fort Cities:
Part-I
- Chittor, Rajasthan- Capital of Mewar (till it was shifted to Udaipur)
- Kumabalgarh, Rajasthan
- Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Part-II
- Penukonda, A.P – also Jain pilgrimage site
- Golconda, Telangana Fort St George, Chennai
- Fort St William, Kolkatta
- Mandu, M.P, capital of Malwa
- Agra, P
Early Medieval Sites
Konark | Martand(Kashmir) | Mandasor | Aihole(Ladhkhan temple) |
Modhera(Gujarat) | Multan |
Medieval Sites
Ucch | Chandawar | Chausa | Ghagra | Gadakatang | Sirhind | Samugarh | |
Khanwa | Kannauj | Karnal | Anhilwara | Ahmadnagar | Asirgarh | ||
Section III: Previous Year Paper Analysis
In this section the intent is to analyse the papers along two dimensions:
- Previous 5 years pattern after it has begun asking thematic sites under categories aforementioned earlier; The papers can be downloaded here – (attached)
- Last 29 years of Site analysis where UPSC gave directly names of different historical sites through which we can understand the significance and prominent areas of questions and rationale of asking those sites repeatedly (Eg: Fatehpur Sikri, Sirpur, Kanchipuram)
Let us have a look at the exact areas which UPSC has asked questions in the last five years:
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
Megalithic burial site | A Prehistoric cave-painting’s site | A Mesolithic site | A Neolithic site
|
An ancient capital
|
Chalcolithic site | A Neolithic-Chalcolithic site | A Neolithic site | A Neolithic site
|
A Palaeolithic site
|
Cave paintings | An Early Harappan site | A Megalithic Chalcolithic site | A Harappan site
|
A cultural centre
|
Paleolithic site | A Harappan site | A Neolithic site | A Megalithic site
|
An Ancient capital.
|
Political and Cultural centre | An ancient capital site | A Neolithic site | A Harappan site
|
A Palaeolithic site
|
Terracotta centre | A Painted grey ware site | A Megalithic site | A painted-Grey-ware site | A historical site
|
Harappan site | A Neolithic site | A site known for Buddhist remains | An inscriptional site | A Harappan site
|
Vaishnava cultural site | A site of Ashokan inscriptions | A Harappan site | An important ancient city | An ancient capital
|
Painted Grey Ware site | An ancient port and trade centre | A Harappan site | An ancient port
|
A political and cultural centre
|
Chalcolithic site | A Harappan Site | A Harappan site | A site of ancient cave-paintings | Megalithic site
|
Early agricultural centre | A Chalcolithic site | A Neolithic site | A Buddhist site
|
A Mesolithic site
|
Early Harappan site | An ancient capital city | A Harappan site | An educational centre | A Chalcolithic site
|
An ancient temple | A Rock-cut cave site | A capital city | Brahmadeya village | A prehistoric site
|
Political and Cultural centre | An early fortified city | A rock-cut cave site | An ancient capital | A political and cultural centre
|
An ancient sea port | A Rock-cut temple site | A late Harappan site | An ancient capital | An ancient capital |
Buddhist centre | An ancient temple site | An educational centre | A temple site
|
A lost port
|
Inscriptional site | An ancient capital city | A terra-cotta art centre | An ancient capital | Rock-cave art centre |
An ancient capital | An ancient temple site | A seaport | An ancient sea-port | An ancient capital |
A Jaina centre | A Palaeolithic site | A capital city | An archaeological temple site | A political and cultural centre |
An ancient capital | An ancient capital city | A capital city. | Harappan site
|
An ancient town |
2013 | 2012 |
A Palaeolithic and Mesolithic site | A prehistoric site |
A Mesolithic site | A Chalcolithic site |
An important halting place | A religious centre |
A Pre-Harappan site | A prehistoric site |
An important Harappan site | An art centre |
Site of important fossils | A prehistoric site |
A Sea-port | An art centre |
A Palaeolithic site | A port |
A Neolithic Megalithic and Chalcolithic site | A capital town |
A Harappan site | A prehistoric site |
A Palaeolithic site | A post Mauryan town |
A Neolithic site | An art centre |
A Chalcolithic site | A prehistoric site |
A Chalcolithic site | A Chalcolithic site |
A site of Buddhist Monastery | A Chalcolithic site |
Painted Grey Ware site | A Chalcolithic site |
Site related to a famous Indian Philosopher | A prehistoric site |
Historical Rock-cut Caves | An art centre |
Famous Fort | A Chalcolithic site |
Capital of famous Kingdom | A Chalcolithic site |
Part-II: 2011-1979
Some of the important sites asked by UPSC between 2011-1979
2011
Chirand | Basohli | Lalitgiri | Mandu
|
Samugarh | Vikramasila |
Halebid | Sanghol | Sirpur | Kibbanhalli | Jorwe | Badaun |
2010
Korkai | Eran | Rakhigarhi | Birbhanpur | Sannati | Tripuri |
Dhanyakataka | Junnar | Edakkal | Paithan | Pandu Rajar Dhibi | |
Karle | Vatapi | Multan | Bairat | Chanhudaro |
2009
Koldihwa | Kuchai | Utnar | Patne |
Semthan | Bagasra | Balatha | Hallur |
Kandahar | Ter | Uchh | Gyaraspur |
Uttaramerur | Lalkot | Sittanavasal | Mansura |
Jaunpur | Daojali Hading | Machilipatnam | Mahisadal |
2008
Burzahom | Banawali | Ahar | Girnar | Chandraketugarh | Brahmagiri | Bayana | Muziris |
Tamralipti | Modhera | Devnimori | Bundi | Gingee(jinjee) | Sasaram | Mahasthamgarh |
2007
Kot diji | Kalibangan | Ahicchatra | Bhimbaitka | Kanauj | Siddapura | Udayagiri |
Sisupalgarh | Anuradhapura | Hampi | Haldighati | Golconda | Chittagong | Kaveripoompattinam |
2006
Taxila | Talikota | Somnath | Nalanda | Tanjore | Amber | Chanderi | Arikmedu | |
Nagarjunakonda | Kaibangan | Eran | Pattadakal | Halebid | Konark | Mandu | ||
Murshidabad | Dvasamudra | |||||||
2005
Mohenjodaro | Burzahom | Inamgaon | Sannathi | Kaveripattinam | Sisupalgarh |
Anuradhapura | Chittagong | Chittoor | Pratishthana | Vidisa | Hampi |
Warangal | Bijapur | Seringapatam | Debal | Fatehpur Sikri | Sasaram |
2004
Achichhatra | Amaravati | Bhimbetka | Champa | Kalibangan | Kanauj |
Kapilvastu | Karle | Mahabalipuram | Mathura | Mehrgarh | Paithan |
Pataliputra | Sarnath | Siddapura | Somnath | Tamralipti | Taxila |
Tripuri | Udaigiri |
2003
Kot Diji | Banavali | Mathura | Tiruclirapalli | Tamralipti | Vaisali |
Kundagrama | Puri | Ujjain | Badami | Sarnath | Amaravati |
Somnath | Kolhapur | Nagarjunkonda | Golconda | Haldighati |
2002
Ajanta | Bodh Gaya | Varanasi | Dholavira | Dwarka | Girnar |
Hastinapur | Kanchipuram | Kosambi | Madurai | Thaneswar | Mohanjodaro |
Nalanda | Purushpur | Ropar | Sanchi | Sravanbelgola | Sravasti |
Tanjore |
2001
Ajmer | Ahmednagar | Allahabad | Badami | Bhubaneshwar | Chittor |
Lothal | Elephanta | Ellora | Harappa | Indraprastha | Jagannathpuri |
Kalyan | Kaveripattanam |
2000
Amritsar | Arikamedu | Bharukachha | Bhaja | Gangotri | Jaugada |
Jhansi | Kalsi | Kanchivaram | Kanheri | Kumrahar | Konark |
Mathura | Madurai | Nalanda | Nasik | Palitana | Rajagriha |
Udayagiri-Khandagiri | Uchh | Ujjain | Valabhi | Vidisha | Vaishali |
Vatapi |
1999
Amber | Kanyakubj | Bijapur | Kundalvan | Khajuraho | Dwarka |
Badrinath | Chidamberum | Bairat | Jaisalmer | Takshila | Burhanpur |
Bhitargaon | Nalanda | Sripur | Pataliputra | Fatehpur Sikri | Warangal |
1998
Aihole | Amaravati | Besnagar | Bhagawanpura | Bhrigukachchha | Dholavira |
Valabhi | Daimabad | Inamgaon | Kalinganagar | Kanheri | Karle |
Kausambi | Kayatha | Kili-Ghul Mohammad | Uraiyur | Kot Diji | Ujjayini |
Kushinagar | Mamallapuram | Maski | Mehargarh | Prayag | Pushkalava |
Sarnath | Tekkalakotta | Topra |
1997
Amarkot | Asirgarh | Aurangabad | Belur | Burhanpur |
Chanderi | Chandernagore | Golkunda | Jhansi | Janjira |
Jaunpur | Junagarh | Kanchi | Kandahar | Kannauj |
Vatapi | Kaveripattinam | Konark | Multan | Mursidabad |
Nagpur | Nasik | Puri | Vengi | Ratnagiri |
Satara | Talikota | Tiruchirapalli |
1996
Ajmer | Attock | Benares | Uttaramerur | Champaner | Cutch |
Daulatabad | Delhi | Devagiri | Diu | Thatta | Ellora |
Ghazni | Ghor | Gwalior | Hampi | Hissar | Jodhpur |
Kabul | Thaneswar | Khyber Pass | Warangal | Lahore | Peshawar |
Rameswaram | Ranthambore | Sialkot |
1995
Ahmadnagar | Anhilwara | Daman | Balasore | Bayana | Bidar |
Chinsura | Chittor | Gaur | Raichur | Kishangarh | Gangaikondacholapuram |
Madurai | Mandu | Patan | Orchha | Pandharpur | Panipat |
Sirohi | Somnath | Tirhut |
1994
Akhnur | Arikamedu | Barabar | Bagh | Bhumra | Bodh |
Gaya | Bhagatav | Chandraketugrah | Harappa | Elephanta | Eran |
Sutkagendor | Martand | Maski | Mehendragiri | Karle | Mohenjodaro |
Piprahwa | Tigwa | Sanghol | Sisupalgarh | Sirpur | Sonkh |
1993
Chunar | Gingee | Golconda | Janjira | Kalpi | Khajuraho |
Konark | Mandasor | Modhera | Pandua | Pulicat | Puri |
Raigarh | Sringeri | Talikota |
1992
Aihole | Alamgirpur | Amaravati | Anuradhapura | Badami | Bhagwanpura |
Girnar | Jaugada | Kausambi | Khandgiri Udayagiri | Kusinagara | Kot Diji |
Vidisa | Lumbini | Mahabalipuram | Nalanda | Pratisthana | Purushapura |
Rajagriha | Ratnagiri | Sanathi | Sittannavasal | Sravasti | Sravanbelgola |
Sultanganj | Surkotda | Takshasila | Valabhi |
1991
Amber | Anhilwara | Asirgarh | Bayana | Bijapur | Burhanpur |
Cambay | Champaner | Chanderi | Daulatabad | Fathehpur Sikri | Tarain |
Gaur | Gulbarga | Halebid | Hampi | Jalor | Kabul |
Kanauj | Surat | Multan | Murshidabad | Tanjore | Sirhind |
1990
Ahmadnagar | Badaun | Bidar | Chunar | Gangaikonda- cholapuram | |
Jaunpur | Junagadh | kalyani | Kanhwa | Warangal | Mandu |
Masulipatam | Thatta | Sasaram | Trichinopoly | Srirangapatnam | Talakad |
Uttaramerur |
1989
Ahichhatra | Atranjikhera | Ayodhya | Brahmagiri | Burzahom | Dhauli |
Dwarka | Hastinapur | Kalibangan | Kanchipuram | Kapilavastu | Khajuraho |
Lothal | Madurai | Nagaijunikonda | Paithan | Pragyotishpur | Puskalavati |
Sanchi | Sarnath | Vengi | Tamralipti | Tanjore | Thaneswar |
Vaisali | Vatapi |
1988
Amarkot | Attock | Bijapur | Cambay | Calicut | Chanderi |
Tanjore | Rameshwaram | Tarain | Dvarasamudra | Fatehpur Sikri | Talikota |
Goa | Golkunda | Gulbarga | Hampi | Jodhpur | Kalpi |
Kanauj | Kangra | Masulipatnam | Multan | Pondicherry | Raichur |
1987
Aihole | Amaravati | Arikmedu | Bairat | Banawali | Bodh-Gaya |
Burzahom | Deogarh | Daimabad | Elephanta | Ellora | Eran |
Hastinapur | Kausambi | Konarak | Lauriya- Nandangarh | Vikramasila | Mahabalipuram |
Maski | Mathura | Nalanda | Nasik | Navdatoli | Piprahwa |
Rajagriha | Ropar | Sankisa | Sopara | Tamralipti | Vidisha |
1986
Agra | Ahmadnagar | Anhilwara | Attock | Bidar | Cambay |
Champaner | Chittor | Chunar | Daultabad | Dvarasamudra | Gaur |
Gwalior | Jaunpur | Kalinjar | Warangal | Madura | Mandu |
Panipat | Rameshwaram | Ranthambhor | Sarhind | Sasaram | Sailkot |
Surat | Tanjore | Thatta | Ujjain | Vijayanagara |
1985
Ajanta | Atranjikhera | Ayodhya | Bharhut | Dhauli | Ganjam |
Gaya | Gwalior | Harappa | Junagadh | Kalibangan | Kapilavastu |
Kanyakubja | Khajuraho | Lothal | Manyakheta | Mathura | Multan |
Nagarjunikonda | Prayaga | Rameshwaram | Sakala | Sravana Belgola | Vengi |
Vikramsila | Tanjore | Taxila | Ujjain | Vaisali |
1984
Ahmedabad | Ajmer | Aurangabad | Bikaner | Baroda | Calicut |
Cutch | Deogiri | Fatehpur Sikri | Bassein | Gulbarga | Halebid |
Hospet | Tirupati | Jaisalmer | Jodhpur | Kalyan | Udaipur |
Warangal | Somnath | Murshidabad | Nasik | Panjim | Raichur |
Rameshwaram | Shravan Belgola |
1983
Amaravati | Arikamedu | Avanti | Bedsa | Belur | Bhrigukachha |
Dwarka | Elephanta | Halebid | Kanchipuram | Kaushambi | Kurukshetra |
Lothal | Madurai | Mahabalipuram | Maski | Nagarjunkonda | Nalanda |
Nasik | Pataliputra | Pratishthana | Rajagriha | Rupar | Sanchi |
Sarnath | Shravasti | Sopar | Tamralipti | Varanasi | Vatapi |
1982
Agra | Ahmednagar | Ajmer | Attock | Bidar |
Bijapur | Ujjain | Surat | Chittor | Talikota |
Tanjavur | Dabhol | Daulatabad | Fatehpur Sikri | Raigarh |
Gingee | Golconda | Gwalior | Hampi | Janjiar |
Jaunpur | Mandu | Multan | Panipat | Pune |
1981
Ahichchatra | Aihole | Bamiyan | Bharukachcha | Bodhgaya | Chanhudaro | |
Ellora | Girnar | Hastinapura | Kalibangan | Kausambi | Madurai | |
Mahishmati | Muziris | Nagarjunakonda | Poompuhar | Purushapura | Rajgir | |
Shabazgarhi | Sopara | Sravanabelgola | Sravasti | Tamralipti | Thanesar | |
Tosali | Ujjain | Vaisali | Vatapi | Vidisa | ||
1980
Amber | Ahmadnagar | Badami | Bassein | Bidar |
Chanderi | Chittor | Arikamedu | Devagiri | Gaur |
Halebid | Jinji | Burzahom | Dvarasamudra | Nalanda |
Nagarjunakonda | Nasik | Pattadakal | Eran | Purandar Fort |
Gulbarga | Sasaram | Sikandara | Tanjore | Kausambi |
Mamallapuram | Kalibangan |
1979
Avanti | Asirgarh | Amaravati | Aihole | Brahmagiri |
Fatehpur Sikri | Warangal | Golkonda | Gangaikondacholapuram | Hampi |
Kapilavastu | Kanauj | Kanchipuram | Takshashila | Daulatabad |
Paithan | Panipat | Ranthambhor | Ropar | Samugarh |
Tamralipti | Jaunpur | Lothal | Murshidabad | Salsette |
Talikota | Somnath | Kalinjar | Mandu |
One of the most effective ways to use the above listed sites is to understand the rationale and the pattern as to why has been a particular site asked, the historical significance of the site, the period associated with it, and the basis of being in the 20 prominent sites.
This brings me to end my analysis of Map section with stratified/simplified insights, analysis and information – all at one place for the readers to not digress and be lost/confused about sources, approach or content;
End Note:
I hope, with this post, many of the History optional beginners will now not have to unnecessarily worry about a section which otherwise do not make us – (a group of history optional takers) happy about preparation as a whole.
I also want to emphasise that even if this post helps you prepare 17 to 18 sites with lot of confidence, assertion and clarity and helps concentrate only on focussing on practising /plotting/ marking on the provided outline map instead of worrying about classification, sources, arrangement and map section as a whole.
Finally, if all our energies can be then directed towards reading and handling the remaining syllabus which requires
- Content enrichment (ancient India and early medieval India)
- Effective answer writing and presentation
- Reading the best sources and ensuring 300+ is an interesting journey;
In my next post, the attempt is to analyse the remaining part of Paper-1, which involves
- Subjective syllabus of Ancient and Early Medieval Indian History
- Medieval India (12th century to mid-18th century)
Until, next time.
thank you ma’am 🙂