hamburger

Important History Topics for UPSC: Modern, Ancient & Medieval History for UPSC

By Balaji

Updated on: March 10th, 2023

Candidates must know the important History Topics for UPSC in order to fetch good marks in the history section of the Prelims syllabus. History is a very imperative subject in the UPSC Prelims, and candidates who prepare for this subject properly can score well in the examination. The History Topics for UPSC Prelims revolve around the history of India and India’s national movement. These sections comprise various important History Topics for UPSC, which will be discussed in this article.

Below we will reveal the crucial History Topics for UPSC from ancient India, medieval India, modern India, and Art & culture that candidates shouldn’t miss during their preparation. We also recommend that candidates shouldn’t only focus on these important topics and must cover all the History topics mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus for better results.

Table of content

(more)
  • 1. History Topics for UPSC (more)
  • 2. Important Ancient India History Topics for UPSC Prelims (more)
  • 3. Important Medieval India History Topics for UPSC Prelims (more)
  • 4. Modern History Important Topics for UPSC (more)
  • 5. Art & Culture Important History Topics for UPSC (more)
  • 6. Best Books for History Topics for UPSC (more)
  • 7. How to Cover History Topics for UPSC (more)

History Topics for UPSC

The UPSC History Syllabus for Prelims can be divided into four parts, namely- Ancient India, Medieval India, Art & Culture, and Modern India. These sections cover a wide range of topics. That’s why candidates should know which History Topics for UPSC Prelims to target so that they can utilize their time in the best possible way and ace the history section in the UPSC Prelims exam. We will list down the important History Topics for UPSC Prelims.

Important Ancient India History Topics for UPSC Prelims

Ancient Indian history holds significant importance in the UPSC Prelims history syllabus. Ancient history mainly refers to the period from the beginning of the record and writing of humans, and it takes back to 5000 years ago. Below we have listed down Ancient Indian History Topics for UPSC.

Important Medieval India History Topics for UPSC Prelims

The History UPSC Prelims syllabus also includes medieval India and includes many important topics such as Bhakti and Sufi Movement, The Battle of Panipat, Akbar’s rule and religious views, Jahangir’s rule, The Pratiharas, Chalukyas, Aurangzeb, Shivaji, The Peshwas, Vijayanagara Empire, Rashtrakutas, Indian Feudalism, Cholas, The Palas, Pallavas, Early Muslim invasions eg, Mahmud of Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori, The Delhi Sultanate eg, Khalji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, Lodi Dynasty, etc

Modern History Important Topics for UPSC

Modern Indian history covers a wide range of topics related to the development of modern India, and events that happened in that period. Modern Indian history has changed a lot and had a big impact on the economy, and political system of our society. Sone of the important History topic from UPSC from modern India are given below.

Art & Culture Important History Topics for UPSC

Art & Culture hold high importance in the UPSC Exam, and questions related to Art & Culture are asked in the both UPSC Prelims and Main exams. While the art and culture in Indian history is a wide topic, candidates should only read the topics mentioned in the UPSC Syllabus. Below we have provided the list of important Art & Culture History Topics for UPSC that candidates

  • Indian Architecture, Sculpture, and Pottery
  • Post-Mauryan Art
  • Gupta Age Art
  • Mughal Arachitecture.
  • South Indian Art
  • Harappan Art
  • Mauryan Art.

Apart from these topics, candidates should also learn about the caves like Ajanta, Ellora, and Elephanta, as also Indian paintings, temples, handicrafts, music, dance forms, etc.

Best Books for History Topics for UPSC

An effective preparation strategy to cover the history section for UPSC Prelims is incomplete without the right books. There is a wide range of options when it comes to choosing books for the history section of UPSC Prelims. However, it is impossible to complete all of them. It can get overwhelming for the candidates when it comes to choosing the right book. To make things easier here, we have listed down the best books to cover History Topics for UPSC Prelims below.

  • India’s Ancient Past by R. S. Sharma
  • India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra
  • History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
  • Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania
  • History of Medieval India by Satish Chandra

How to Cover History Topics for UPSC

Below we have mentioned a strategy that can help the candidates to cover the History Topics for UPSC effectively.

  • Start analyzing the UPSC History syllabus, and don’t focus only on the important History topics. Questions from UPSC are unpredictable, and you need to be ready for all types of questions.
  • Start with the NCERT Books for UPSC to build a solid theoretical foundation.
  • Then glance through the UPSC Previous Year Question Papers to know the difficulty level and important sections.
  • Start making short notes to revise the subject quickly.
  • Focus on more factual details.
  • Don’t try to read from too many books and sources.
UPSC Topics
IAS Interview Questions How to Prepare for IAS at Home
UPSC Rank-Wise Post How to Prepare for UPSC Prelims
How to Prepare for UPSC How to Prepare History for UPSC
IPS Training How to Prepare for CSAT UPSC
Our Apps Playstore
POPULAR EXAMS
GOVT. EXAMS
STATE EXAMS
GradeStack Learning Pvt. Ltd.Windsor IT Park, Tower - A, 2nd Floor, Sector 125, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201303 help@byjusexamprep.com
Home Practice Test Series Premium