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HISTORY STRATEGY
INDIAN HISTORY AND INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT
History of India can be divided into 3 sections – Ancient, Medieval and Modern. A significant weightage has been given to History over the years.
As per the recent trend, atleast 15-20% weightage is given to History.
But then History is a very ‘vast’ subject. So what to do now? A plethora of questions keep bombarding your head – How do I read History? What to focus on? Will I be able to cover the entire syllabus?
The answer to all your confusion is here – You have to think smart! From the previous year papers analysis, we have observed that more weightage is given to ‘Modern History’. So to make the maximum benefit for the time invested, ‘prioritize’ in this order- Modern, Ancient and Medieval History.
In this article, to ease your preparation we have divided History into 4 Sections – Modern, Ancient, Medieval and Culture. Under each section we have analysed the weightage given, what aspects to focus on and the books to refer.
Since, Culture too has been gaining a lot of mileage in the recent times, we have come up with a separate section for Culture (In 2014 alone, 7 questions had come from this section)
So now let’s start with Modern History.
Emergence of regional powers in the early decades of 18th Century is taken as a change from the Medieval to Modern India.
The early modern India witnessed the fall of the great Mughal Empire, the Marathas and Consolidation of British rule in India. The mid-phase marks the struggle of Indians- revolt of 1857 (or the First War of Independence), organisation of Indian National Congress, role of Moderates and the Extremists. And finally the last stage stands testimony to various National Movements –Civil Disobedience Movements, Quit India Movement, Formation of Constitution Assembly and Sampoorna Swaraj (or Complete Independence) to India.
Modern India is the most important section from the prelims perspective. The weightage given to this section over the years stands testimony to the significance of this section.
Weightage given since 2011
YEAR | MARKS |
2011 | 9 |
2012 | 8 |
2013 | 6 |
2014 | 5 |
How to read Modern History?
What one needs to Focus here is:
Note: Also note down the ‘chronology’ of the major Movements and Missions sent by the British to gain support of the Indians and extend their rule.
Example (2013 Prelims Questions Paper):
Annie Besant was:
1. responsible for starting the Home Rule Movement Select the correct statement/statements using the codes given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution (c) |
Type of Administration (Revenue, Military)
Focus:
Atleast two to three important changes/provisions made under each Act and the Governor Generals involved should be noted down. And also the impact of the Act should be given importance.
Example: Under Charter Act, 1833- The East Indian Company’s monopoly over tea and China was ended. Lord William Bentinck was the Governor General then and he was instrumental in abolition of ‘sati’ system.
Colonial Rule in India
Focus:
Note: Give special importance to Events, Movements (including Tribal, Peasant and Trade Union Movements) and Acts passed after Revolt of 1857.
Example (2011 Prelims Questions Paper):
The tendency for increased litigation was visible after the introduction of the land settlement system of Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The reason for this is normally traced to which of the following provisions? (a.) Making Zamindar’s position stronger vis-a-vis the ryot (b.)Making East India Company an overlord of Zamindars (c.) Making judicial system more efficient (d.)None of the (a), (b) and (c) above Solution (d)
|
Example (2014 Prelims Questions Paper):
What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria’s Proclamation (1858)? 1. To disclaim any intention to annex Indian States 2. To place the Indian administration under the British Crown 3. To regulate East India Company’s trade with IndiaSelect the correct answer using the code given below (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution (a) |
Religious and Social Reform Movements (from 1800 AD to 1947 AD)
This is another important section of Indian National Movement from the Prelims point of view.
Focus:
Example (2012 Prelims Questions Paper):
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding BrahmoSamaj? 1. It opposed idolatry. 2. It denied the need for a priestly class for interpreting the religious texts. 3. It popularized the doctrine that the Vedas are infallible.Select the correct answer using the codes given below : (a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Solution (b) |
Famous Personalities (Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Subash Chandra Bose, DadabhaiNaoroji, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bhagat Singh, Annie Besant etc)
Focus:
Example (2012 Prelims Questions Paper):
Consider the following statements : The most effective contribution made by DadabhaiNaoroji to the cause of Indian National Movement was that he 1. exposed the economic exploitation of India by the British 2. interpreted the ancient Indian texts and restored the self-confidence of Indians 3. stressed the need for eradication of all the social evils before anything elseWhich of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only Solution (a) |
Previous Year Questions from Modern India (2011-2014)– Click me