History subject Notes have a large UPSC syllabus to prepare for. The syllabus for Indian history Among candidates, UPSC is considered the least prominent and common topic. Therefore, candidates should divide their preparation into three sections: first Ancient History, Medieval History, and one for Modern History.
On this page, you can see the complete topics of Indian history for the UPSC Exam that are often asked in the UPSC Exam. This division allows aspirants to prepare for their exams effectively.
UPSC Indian History Notes for Exam Preparation
Exploring the Past: Indian History Notes for UPSC, Ancient History constitutes a significant portion of the General Studies section in the UPSC 2024 Syllabus. Hence, a strong understanding of this subject is valuable for effective preparation. This section encompasses topics such as the Pre-Historic Period, Historic Period, Civilizations, Scripts, Cultures, and the Pre-Mauryan and Mauryan Age with insights into religious developments, art and architecture, and trade.
Understanding these subjects well can help to make the preparation process go more smoothly and effectively. This is an all-inclusive study guide with topic-specific material designed for the 2024 IAS exam to help you do well.
UPSC History Topic Wise Notes for UPSC Examination
History holds an important role in the UPSC exam. The UPSC history test checks applicants’ knowledge of India’s past and its importance to the world. It focuses on the sociopolitical challenges, economic shifts, and cultural advancements that impact civilizations over the ancient, medieval, and modern eras.
UPSC History Topic-wise Notes offer a structured approach for aspirants to master this vast subject, fostering a deep understanding of historical narratives and their contemporary relevance. Engaging with these notes equips candidates with critical analysis skills to interpret historical events and their impact on present-day societies, ensuring thorough preparation for the UPSC examination.
Stone Age Indian Notes for UPSC
Vedic and Later Vedic Age UPSC Notes for UPSC
- Advent of Aryans
- Economic and Social life of Aryans
- List of Archaeological Findings & Evidences Prehistoric & Indus
- Later Vedic Age (1000-600 B.C.)
- List of Archaeological Sites of Indus Valley Civilisation
- List of Vedic Literature
- List of Rig Vedic Gods & Goddesses
- Economic and Social Life in the “Later Vedic Period”
Valley Civilization History Notes for UPSC
Valley Civilization is discussed in the History Notes for UPSC as such, candidates should prepare for this topic as well, as it appears in many of the exam questions.
Religions of Ancient India History UPSC Notes
- Buddha
- Hinayana and Mahayana
- Bodhisattvas
- List of Jain Tirthankaras
- Origin of Buddhism and Jainism
- Jainism- Teaching of Mahavira| Spread of Jainism
Pre-Mauryan Age History Notes for UPSC
- The Age of Satavahanas
- Magadhan Empire
- Janapadas and Mahajanapadas
- Source of Mauryan History
- The Mahajanapadas
- Foreign Invasions during the Mauryan Age
Age of Mauryas
- Ashoka the Great
- Mauryan Dynasty
- Economy, Social Life, Art and Architecture in the Mauryan Age
- The Mauryan Empire- Administration
- Mauryan Empire- Its Decline and Significance
Contemporary and Post-Mauryan Rulers
- Kanishka- The Kushan Dynasty
- Sunga, Kanva and Chedi Dynasty
- Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas
- Impact of Central Asian Contacts (During Shaka-Kushan age)
Gupta Empire
- Gupta Dynasty
- List of Taxes levied during the Gupta Period
- List of the Titles Adopted by Gupta Kings
Post Gupta’s Era
- Chola Kingdom
- Delhi Sultanate- Slave Dynasty
- List of Ancient Historical Monuments in India and their
- Chola, Chera, and Pandya Dynasties
- Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj
- Economy, Social Life, and Temple Architecture in the Post-Gupta Era
- List of the Ancient Indian Scholars and their Patrons
Harshavardhana Era
- Ancient Philosophies of India
- The Harshavardhana Era
Medieval Indian History Notes For UPSC Exam
The medieval period holds significant importance in Indian history, showcasing advancements in art, languages, culture, and religion. This comprehensive study material on the “History of Medieval India” is categorized into five major sections.
A wide range of empires and kingdoms are covered in history, including the Mughals, Marathas, Rajputs, Cholas, Bahmanis, rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, invading Turks, monarchs of Vijayanagara, and many more noteworthy historical occurrences.
A thorough exploration of these sections provides a well-rounded understanding of the complexities and developments during the medieval period.
Medieval History Topic Wise Notes for UPSC Exam
You can prepare for the UPSC Exam by reviewing the key medieval history topics listed below, arranged topic by topic.
Early Medieval India Notes for UPSC
- Prithvi Raj Chauhan
- The Palas
- Social and Cultural Development during the Rajput Dynasty
- The Rashtrakutas
- Kannauj after Harsha
- The Senas of Bengal
- The Gahadavals of Kannauj
- Chahamans or Chauhanas of Shakambhari
- The Kalachuri’s of Tripuri
- Chandelles of Bundelkhand
- Karkota Dynasty
- Utpala Dynasty
- Kingdoms of Kashmir
- Ride of Lohara Dynasty
- The Arab conquest of Sindh
The Rise of Rajput Notes for UPSC
- The Chandela of Bundelkhand
- The Origin of Rajputs
Emergence of Provincial Kingdoms UPSC Notes
- Architecture and Literature during the Vijayanagara Empire
- The Bahmani Kingdom
Delhi Sultanate
- Mahmud Ghaznavi
- Jalal ud din Khilji and Alauddin Khilji
- Economic Policy and Administration under the Khilji Dynasty
- Razia Sultan
- Bahlul Lodhi
- Causes of the Downfall of Lodhi Dynasty
- Administration in Delhi Sultanate
- Firoz Shah Tuglaq
- Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
- Qutb-ud-Din Mubarak Shah Khilji
- Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
- Smaller Kingdoms during the Sultanate Era
- Sayyid Dynasty
- Sikandar Lodi
- Economic Conditions During Delhi Sultanate
- Ibn Battuta’s Memoir on Tughlaq Dynasty
- Invasion of Timur on India
- Sufi Movement in India
Mughal Empire History Notes for UPSC
- Akbar the Great
- Aurangzeb -Emperor of Mughal India
- Nasin al Din Muḥammad
- Ibrahim Lodi
- Jehangir
- Shahabuddin Muhammad Shah Jahan
- Babur (Zahir-ud-din Muhammad)
- Cultural Development during the Mughal Era
- The Sur Empire
- Mughal Administration: Key Features & Structure
- Mughal Empire Arts and Architecture
- List of the Great Mughal Emperors of India
- Modern History For UPSC Exam 2024
Modern History Notes for UPSC
“Modern History” is a topic that is extremely important for competitive examinations, especially Civil Services exams. This study guide is intended to meet the needs of students pursuing a degree, those preparing for competitive tests, and those enrolled in classes.
The Decline of the Mughal and Maratha Empire UPSC History Notes
- Successors of Mughal
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- The Successors of Shivaji
- Maratha Administration
- Peshwas under the Maratha Empire
List of Officers in Mughal Administration UPSC Indian History Notes
- History of the Punjab | Sikh Warrior
- History of Rajputs: Rajput Provinces of India
- History of Mysore State
- The Awadh | Historic Region of Northern India
- Independent Rulers of Bengal during the 17th Century
- History of Hyderabad State & Nizams of Hyderabad
- History of Jats State during the 17th Century
- Establishment of the Portugal Dominion
- Establishment of the Dutch Dominion
- French East India Company
- British East India Company
18th Century Revolts and Reform Study Indian History Notes for UPSC
- Ramakrishna Mission and Vivekananda
- Ishwar Chandra Vidhya Sagar
- Vivian Derozio
- Ram Mohan Roy| Brahmo Samaj
- The Revolt of 1857
- Social Legislation under British Rule
- Reform Movements in Southern India
- Movements in Western India
- Syed Ahmad Khan
- Muslim Socio-Religious Movements in India
- Theosophical Society
British Paramountcy and Acts UPSC Notes for History Subjects
- The Regulating Act, of 1773
- Key Points on Subsidiary Alliance
- Key features of Pitt’s India Act of 1784
- Doctrine of Lapse
- Charter Act of 1793
- Charter Act of 1853
- Battle of Buxar
- Government of India Act 1858
- Indian Council Act of 1861
- Main Features of the Indian Council Act 1892
- Indian Council Act 1909
- Government of India Act 1935
- Government of India Act, 1919
Indian National Movement UPSC Notes for Indian History
- Development of Education during the British Period in India
- Development of Indian Press during British Rule in India
- Indian National Congress
- Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
- The Moderate
- The Extremist and Partition of Bengal
- Formation of the Muslim League and its Objectives
- Anti-Rowlatt Satyagraha
- Swadeshi Movement and its impact on India
- The Anarchical and Revolutionary Crime Act, 1919
- Non-Cooperation Movement
- Aims of Swaraj Party and its Work
- Muddinman Committee (1924)
- Butler Committee
- The Simon Commission
- Key Features of Nehru Report
- Jinnah’s ’14 Points’
- Civil Disobedience Movement
- Gandhi-Irwin Pact
- Communal Awards & Poona Pact
- August Offer
- Individual Satyagraha
- Cripps Mission
- Quit India movement
- Subhas Chandra Bose and INA (Azad Hind Fauz)
- Rajagopalachari Formula (1944 AD)
- Desai – Liaquat Proposals (AD 1945)
- Wavell Plan and Shimla Conference
- Cabinet Mission Plan: Impact & Purpose
- Interim Government: First Government of Independent India
- The Constituent Assembly of India: Features & its Committees
- Indian Independence Act 1947
Conclusion
In conclusion, NCERT-based history notes are an invaluable resource for UPSC exam preparation. They provide a solid base, covering essential topics in a clear and straightforward manner. By thoroughly studying these notes, candidates can gain a deep understanding of historical events, themes, and concepts, which are crucial for both the UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains exams. Consistent revision and combining these notes with advanced study materials will improve a candidate’s knowledge base and improve their chances of success in the UPSC exam.
