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

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.

• Indus Valley Civilization
• Sangam Age
• Buddhism
• Hinaya school
• Jainism
• Post-Mauryan India
• Satavahanas, Sakas, Kushanas
• Gupta Empire
• Harshavardhana
• Rig Vedic period
• Later Vedic period
• Mahajanapadas
• Mauryan empire
• Asoka’s Reign

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.

• Land Revenue System
• Ryotwari System
• Mahalwari System
• Permanent Settlement
• Revolt of 1857,
• Socio-religious reforms
• Portuguese in India, Dutch in India,
• Danes in India, The English,
• Anglo Maratha War
• Doctrine of Lapse
• The Charter Acts
• Nagpur Session of Congress
• Cabinet Mission (1946),
• Indian Independence Act 1947
• Peasant Movements
• The Extremist (1905-1920)
• Differences between the Moderates and the Extremists
• Governor generals and viceroys of India

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.

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