History Paper-1

Thematic Analysis 2006-2024

Section – A

  • Sources of early Indian history.
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  • Early pastoral and agricultural communities.
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  • The Indus Civilization: its origins, nature and decline.
  • Patterns of settlement, economy, social organization and religion in India (c. 2000 to 500 B.C.).
  • Evolution of society and culture: evidence of Vedic texts (Samhitas to Sutras).
  • Life and teachings of Mahavira and Buddha. Contemporary society. Early phase of state formation and urbanization.
  • Rise of Magadha; the Mauryan Empire. Ashoka’s inscriptions; his Dhamma. Nature of the Mauryan state.
  • Post-Mauryan period in India: political and administrative history; society, economy, culture and religion. Tamilaham and its society: the Sangam texts.
  • India in the Gupta and post-Gupta periods (to c. 750): political history; Samanta system and changes in political structure; economy; social structure; culture and religion.
  • Themes in early Indian cultural history: languages and texts; evolution of art and architecture; philosophical thinkers and schools; ideas in science, technology and mathematics.
  • Kalinga War; achievements of Kharavela.
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  • Political history of Odisha (c. 4th Century AD – 7th Century AD).
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Section – B

  • India (750–1200): polity, society and economy. Major dynasties in North India. Agrarian structures. Feudalism. Rise of Rajputs. Imperial Cholas and South Indian polity. Village communities, women’s conditions, trade, guilds, towns, coinage, Arab conquest of Sind and the Ghaznavids.
  • India (750–1200): culture and literature. Kalhana as historian. Temple architecture and sculpture. Religious thought: Sankaracharya and Ramanuja. Bhakti movement. Advent of Islam and Sufism. Indian science. Alberuni’s study of India.
  • The 13th Century: Ghorian invasions, causes of success, consequences. Foundation of Delhi Sultanate. Slave Dynasty: Iltutmish and Balban. Early Sultanate architecture.
  • The 14th Century: Alauddin Khalji’s conquests and reforms; Muhammad Tughluq’s projects; Firuz Tughluq’s administration; decline of the Sultanate; Ibn Battuta.
  • Economy, society and culture in the 13th–14th centuries: caste, slavery, technology, architecture, Persian literature (Amir Khusrau), historiography (Barani), composite culture, Sufism, Lingayats and Bhakti movements.
  • 15th and early 16th Century (Political History): Provincial dynasties of Bengal, Kashmir, Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids; Vijayanagara Empire; Lodis; early Mughals; Sur Empire; Portuguese enterprise.
  • 15th and early 16th Century (Society, Economy and Culture): regional cultures, literature, architecture; Vijayanagara society and arts; Kabir, Nanak, Chaitanya and Sufi traditions.
  • Akbar: conquests and consolidation; mansab and jagir systems; Rajput policy; Sulh-i-kul; Abul Fazl; art and technology.
  • Mughal Empire in the 17th and 18th centuries: policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb; zamindars; nature of the Mughal state; revolts; Shivaji and Maratha expansion; decline of the Mughals.
  • Economy and society in the 16th and 17th centuries: population, agriculture, crafts, towns, European trade, banking and credit, peasants, famines and women.
  • Culture under the Mughals: Persian and Hindi literature, architecture, painting, music, science and technology, Sawai Jai Singh, Dara Shukoh, Bhakti traditions and Sikh community.
  • Medieval Odisha: the Bhaumakaras, Somavamsis, Imperial Gangas, Suryavamsi Gajapatis and the cult of Jagannatha.

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