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,		Narhan, U.P		Senaur – Bihar – Neolithic-Chalcolithic		Golbai Sasan, Odisha
Sohgaura, U.P

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
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	Besnagar(M.P) Pillar Inscription- Heliodorus(Greek ambassador) -Sunga period

 

Rock Cut Cave/Cave Paintings

Lakhudiyar, Uttarakhand Piklihal, Karnataka Tekkalakota, Karnataka Bhimbetka, M.P Bagh Caves, M.P Barabar Caves, Bihar Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra Kondane Caves, Maharashtra Ellora Caves, Maharashtra Nasik/Pandavleni Caves, Maharashtra Kanheri Caves, Maharashtra Karle Caves, Maharashtra Sittanavasal, Tamil Nadu Armamalai Caves, Tamil Nadu Edakkal caves, Kerala

 

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 6^thC ; 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 – 7^th and 8^th 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 3^rd and 4^th 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 3^rd 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 1^st 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 8^th century AD; major Buddhist learning centre; also, Jainism and Sanatana Dharma;

Part- II

• Nalanda, Bihar– University was established by Kumaragupta during 5^th century AD; destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji; had residential quarters;
• Vikramshila, Bihar– established by Dharampala of Pala dynasty in 8^th 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 3^rd 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 1^st and 5^th century AD; Capital of Pallavas (6^th-8^th 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 (12^th century to mid-18^th century)

Until, next time.