History is a unique and interesting optional for UPSC , if you have right strategy.The syllabus is huge but with proper planning you can complete history syllabus in 3-4 months.and can make your own hand written notes for revision.
How to start preparing history for prelims and mains from scratch ?
1.Begin your history preparation with studying the history optional syllabus and previous year question paper to understand the pattern and trend of the exam.
2.Observe what topics have more weight age in UPSC prelims and mains
3.For prelims,refer to following study material:
ANCIENT– rs sharma(old ncert),Tamil nadu class 11 history (buy link or download)
MEDIEVAL– satish chandra ncert
MODERN– spectrum, bipin chandra
CULTURE– nitin singhania, NIOS|(national open school)
4.For mains , refer to following study material:
ANCIENT –RS sharma, IGNOU, upender singh, DN jha
MEDIEVAL-satish chandra, IGNOU
MODERN-grover,bipin chandra,shekhar bandopadhya
WORLD- arjun dev, norman lewis, vd mahajan (selected topic)
5.For prelims , focus on multiple revision and practising MCQ
6.For mains , history optional is a whole new game.you can follow HOZINTAL TECHNIQUE OR VERTICAL TECHNIQUEto study history for mains.
THE VERTICAL TECHNIQUE involves studying history as given in syllabus , chapter wise according to the syllabus , for example;
- paleolithic,Mesolithic
- Indus valley,harappa
- Aryans and vedic age
- Mahajanapadas
- Mauryan empire
- Post mauryan empire
- Gupta period
THE HORIZONTAL TECHNIQUE is the best way to study history,where you focus on single topic across all period from ancient india to medieval india, studying continuity and change.
For example,
SOCIETY IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDIEVAL INDIA
SLAVE IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDIEVAL INDIA
RELIGION IN ANCIENT INDIA AND RELIGION IN MEDEIVAL INDIA
ECONOMY IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
ART AND ARCHITECTURE IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
POLITICAL SYSTEM IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
TRADE, CRAFT,INDUSTRY IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
AGRICULTURE IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
LITRETURE IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
URBANISATION IN ANCIENT INDIA AND MEDEIVAL INDIA
You can also do comparison between north india and south india :
SOCIETY in north india and in south india
RELIGION in north india and in south india
BHAKTI MOVEMENT in north india and south india
ART AND ARCHITECTURE in north india and south india
POLITICAL SYSTEM in north india and south india
ECONOMY in north india and south india.
This technique helps you to have broader outlook over a single issue/topic. You can observe continuity,change and decline through entire period from ancient to medieval India.
How to make history notes for prelims and mains UPSC exam
You don’t need specific notes for prelims exam.just refer to standard textbook and focus on multiple revision. But if you want to make notes you can make short quick notes using NOTE CARD SYSYTEM
But for mains , notes making is essential.its better to make notes topic wise.
Make a list of topics and sub topics from ancient,medieval,modern and world history by observing the history syllabus and previous year question paper.
Follow the HORIZONTAL TECHNIQUE as I have shown above.
For example , it you are studying SOCIETY DURING HARAPPA PERIOD, you should also study vedic society, post vedic society ,mauryan society, post mauryan society ,society during gupta period too all together and make notes to better understand the continuity and change
How should I approach history for UPSC GS1 (general studies paper 1) ?
History section in GS PAPER 1 , mainly covers 4 topics.
- ART AND CULTURE
- MODERN HISTORY
- INDIA AFTER INDEPENDENCE
- WORLD HISTORY
Here are standard study material for GS PAPER 1 , history section :
ANCIENT- RS sharma (old ncert)
MODERN- spectrum,bipin chandra,shekhar bandopadhya
POST INDEPENDENCE- bipin chandra , ramchandra guha|(selected chapter)
CULTURE- nitin singhania. NIOS(national open school), current affairs
WORLD – arjun dev, norman lewis
Study these books and make your own notes in 200-500 words topic wise
Study previous years question paper
Study UPSC toppers mains answer writing copy of any coaching to understand how to write better answer and how to add diagram and data to make your answer more better and complete.
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