1. Sources:
Archaeological sources: Exploration, Excavation, Epigraphy, Numismatics and Monuments.
Literary sources:
- Indigenous: Primary and secondary ; poetry, scientific literature, literature , literature in regional languages, religious literature.
- Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.
2. Pre-history and Proto-history:
Geographical factors
Hunting and gathering (Paleolithic and Mesolithic)
Beginning of agriculture (Neolithic)
Chalcolithic Culture
The Neolithic-Chalcolithic Cultures Outside The Indus System
3. Indus Valley Civilization:
4. Megalithic Cultures:
Megalithic Cultures: Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.
5. Aryans and Vedic Period:
Expansions of Aryans in India
Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.
6. Period of Mahajanapadas:
Formation of States (Mahajanapada):Republics and monarchies
Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage
Spread of Jainism and Buddhism (Part 1)
Spread of Jainism and Buddhism (Part 2)
Spread of Jainism and Buddhism (Part 3)
Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact and Early Geek-Roman Accounts on India
7. Mauryan Empire:
Mauryan Empire: Foundation of the Mauryan Empire , Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature. Disintegration of the empire
8. Post – Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.
9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India:
Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration , economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.
10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas:
Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas: Polity and administration , Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.
Vardhana Dynasty And Chinese Buddhist Travelers’ Accounts
11. Regional States during Gupta Era:
The Kadambas,
Pallavas,
Chalukyas of Badami;
Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions.
Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture;
Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects.
Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni,
The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Government ; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:
Languages and texts,
Major stages in the evolution of art and architecture,
Mathura School of art, Gandhara School of Arts, Amaravati School of Art
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: The Systems of Indian Philosophy
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: Six Schools of Indian Philosophy
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: Ajivika and Charvaka School
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: Shaktism, Tantricism and other schools
Ideas in Science and Mathematics.
Sir,all these topics covers which reference books so that we can just read this rather then that book…And these ancient ,medieval history notes for optional ?
These are take from many sources. There is no one particular book. And yes, it is mainly for optional but anyone can goo through
Sir this is a good initiative.. Can you tell us any more books that we need to read for good coverage of optional
thanks for this
hopes you will upload all the topics
sir, please tell me some best source for archaelogical,literary evidance and foreign accounts in chap 1 history optional.
how to prepare map questions
my prelims cutoff was expected around 80 . many are speculating around 120 in forumias.am i eligible for mains.
I am shocked to see this website!
Proud to chosen history as my optional !
Thank you very much, Sir for your able guidance. I request you to upload the following topics of Ancient Indian History which will make the whole package all encompassing.
5.Aryans and Vedic Period:
Expansions of Aryans in India
Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.
8. 8. Post – Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.
Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration , economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.
11. Regional States during Gupta Era:
The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Government ; Growth of ar t and archi tecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:
Languages and texts,
Major stages in the evolution of art and architecture,
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: Shaktism, Tantricism and other schools
Ideas in Science and Mathematics.
13. Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs
– The Cholas: administration, village economy and society
– “Indian Feudalism”
– Agrarian economy and urban settlements
– Trade and commerce
– Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order
– Condition of women
– Indian science and technology
I will try but it will take time
Sir, not all the topics have hyperlink to open up study material. can you please make all the topics as hyperlinks to open study material
SIR please provide us with all the material .
Sir its been 3 yrs still u haven’t uploaded the grey topics ( topics with no hyperlink ). Plz upload ASAP
Sir, waiting for the rest of the topics. Hopes you Will post it as early as possible. This is in-depth coverage. Can you share your reference books with us? There are some “grey areas” in the Syllabus, which standard books don’t provide in one place, like literary sources. To people like me, who do Self study, these areas are more worrying.I request you to cover Such topics first. Thanks.
I will cover all areas whatever is in syllabus that also includes grey areas. But it will take time.
Sir,
Waiting for your remaining notes. Last year I scored 81 in Paper I and 116 in Paper II history optional.
I left IGNOU as it takes much time but after seeing your site, I am feeling happy that I can cover most of the grey areas also.
Please upload the remaining topics so that we can revise it atleast twice before this year mains.
If possible can you please suggest some tips on how to increase score in History optional specially in Paper I, as UPSC is asking in corner areas also.
Eargerly waiting for your updates Sir.
Hello Suneel !!! I’m really confused with the history optional. I thought it is enough to study just old NCERT’s. Can you give some advice and strategies for History optional?… Mail me your opinion- thiyaga1414@gmail.com
Sir
When will you complete chapter no 11 of Ancient India.
Superb work!!! waiting for the remaining topics…pls try to upload as soon as possible
Thanks a lot for your nice work but I want to know is it sufficient for history optional or we have to go through some additional materials also…
Some topics are not covered .Will they be covered in future?
Yes, obviously
First of all Hats off sir for your praiseworthy work. Sir, It is my humble request please upload topic wise past years questions also for Ancient & Medieval. Thanks
Sir, first of all hats off for your praiseworthy work.Sir, It is my humble request please upload topic wise past years questions also for Ancient & Medieval(like Modern & world). Thanks & Regards
Soon Ancient and Medieval question bank will be uploaded
Dear Sir,
You have been doing great job for history optional specifically. Can you please write articles on how to tackle with history optional starting from his month of January until the time of mains exam. It will be really helpful for aspirant like me preparing in isolation at home.
Ok.. I will try to do that if time permits.
First of all, I really salute your dedication to help students. I m totally confused as regards ancient and medieval history. I bought A L Basham’s A wonder that was India but I don’t think I should waste my time going through this book. It would be so kind of you if you completed the ancient history articles before March.Also if you could suggest some books for the chapters of ancient indian history not covered by you.
Praiseworthy work Sir,Keep it up.
sir firstly THANK YOU for your great and selfless job…..in world history portion its been a great help to me..made notes from ur contents..[actually its been much more reliable than s baliya classes which i’ve recently done.]…to me ancient is a bit tougher because so many source are there in market and exams are not too far……so u r requested to upload ancient indian remaining topics as soon as possible for you…………
May i know your sources sir so that i can allign my prepartion accordingly .
Sr..wen will b rest of topics covered..
Thank you very much sir for your notes which help me a lot but please upload remaining notes as soon as possible sir.. Im totally depends on your notes it self..
sir please provide vedic age notes
sir,can you please explain the question,regarding credibility of sruti literature
I have already uploaded the answer of this question.
Please hyperlink the rest of the topics.
Sir plz upload the previous question bank in between the 1966 to 1979 for history optional ,it’s very difficult to find plz help me sir
I will try
sir is there any good book for ancient how will be upinder singh
Upinder is very good book
Sir please add search option also. Otherwise so crisps notes availability
Thanks
sir please add the chalcolithic and other notes too
Please add archaeological sources and foreign accounts…..
Sir…a big thanks for this initiative!!!!
sir if possible please upload the remaining parts of Ancient History at least….
Sir pls give me marathi medium booklist for history optional subject…if you know pls tell me as soon as possible…
Sir please upload remaining ancient india topics
sir plz post left of the topics…
I request you to upload the following topics of Ancient Indian History which will make the whole package all encompassing.
5.Aryans and Vedic Period:
Expansions of Aryans in India
Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.
8. 8. Post – Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.
Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration , economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.
11. Regional States during Gupta Era:
The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Government ; Growth of ar t and archi tecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:
Languages and texts,
Major stages in the evolution of art and architecture,
Major philosophical thinkers and schools: Shaktism, Tantricism and other schools
Ideas in Science and Mathematics.
13. Early Medieval India, 750-1200: Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs
– The Cholas: administration, village economy and society
– “Indian Feudalism”
– Agrarian economy and urban settlements
– Trade and commerce
– Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order
– Condition of women
– Indian science and technology
Will you share your whatsapp number. I too have history optional
Send email to selfstudyhistory@gmail.com
sir,plz post left of the topic
Dear Sir,
This is a very noble initiative of your’s and I really thank you for it. But please tell the time limit when you are going to complete all the remaining topics of history, especially Ancient Indian History because its hard to find good material anywhere. Please do tell because I am waiting for it for almost 2 years and I need them now desperately.
sir. i find upinder singh book very vast. even if i finish it once i will be unable to revise it. what shall i do. any substitute to reading ancient india.
Hello Sir, Please upload the other topics too. thank you. Its a great initiative.
Kindly upload the left portion