HISTORY STRATEGY

Books/Sources to Refer ->

1. Weightage Given to History
2. Modern History
     > Weightage Given
     > How to prepare
     > Previous Year UPSC Questions and Solutions from Modern History
3. Ancient History
     > Weightage Given
     > How to prepare
     > Previous Year UPSC Questions and Solutions from Ancient History
4. Medieval History
     > Weightage Given
     > How to prepare
     > Previous Year UPSC Questions and Solutions from Medieval History

 

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.

 

hist
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.

 

  1. MODERN INDIA

 

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?

  • In this section, we come across various revolts/movements/agitations (like 1857 revolt, Tebhaga Peasant Movement, Home Rule Movement, Quit India Movement).

What one needs to Focus here is:

  • The Purpose of the movement[s]
  • The Reasons which led to the movement[s]
  • The Consequences of the movement[s]
  • The people who participated in this movement[s]
  • Famous Personalities involved in the movement[s] and their contribution
  • The role of Press and Literature

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
2.      the founder of the Theo-sophical Society
3.      once the President of the Indian National Congress

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:

  • Type of Administration followed during The Mughal’s rule. Example: Mansabdari System, Jagirdhari – its significance and impact.
  • The British rule. Example: Subsidiary alliance, Permanent Settlement, Mahalwari system etc. – its significance and impact.
  • Similarities and Differences between the Mughal and the British Administration
  • Consolidation of the British rule in India– through enactment of various Acts/Laws (Regulation Act, 1773 to Indian Independence Act, 1947).

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:

  • Political-Administrative organization, Policies of the British India.
  • Social, Economic setup like Agrarian Systems (Example: Permanent Settlement)
  • Important Reports, Sessions, Acts, Committees setup during the British period

 

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:

  • The Ideological base – rationalism, humanism and universalism
  • Reform Movements like Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Theosophical Society, Harijan Movement etc.
  • who started these movements
  • what was the objective and emphasis of these movements
  • how these movements were important in building a sense of nationalism among Indians.
  • Social reforms that had an impact on Education, Status of Women, Caste system of the society.

 

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:

  • Their contributions – literature, organization of movements and their role in India’s Freedom Struggle

 

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
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Solution (a)

 

Previous Year Questions from Modern India (2011-2014)– Click me

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