UPSC History Optional Syllabus for Mains – Complete Guide (Paper I & II)

History, as an optional subject for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, is a favorite among aspirants due to its interconnection with GS papers, essay topics, and interviews. It is a static subject and deeply rooted in analytical as well as factual understanding.

The History Optional Paper is divided into two parts:

• Paper I – Covers Ancient and Medieval India
• Paper II – Covers Modern India and World Hist ory

Let’s delve into the detailed and descriptive syllabus for both papers:

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Paper I – Ancient and Medieval India

Section A – Ancient India

1. Sources of Indian History

• Archaeological sources – Excavations, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Monuments
• Literary sources – Indigenous (Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit) and Foreign accounts (Chinese, Greek, Persian)
• Critique of the reliability and interpretations of sources

2. Prehistoric and Protohistoric Periods

• Stone Age – Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic cultures
• Chalcolithic cultures
• Harappan Civilization: Origin, extent, urban features, political and economic structures, religious beliefs, art, decline
• Comparison between Harappan and contemporary civilizations

3. Vedic Period

• Early Vedic and Later Vedic culture – polity, society, economy, religion, literature
• Transition from pastoral to agrarian society
• Iron Age developments

4. Mahajanapadas to Mauryan Empire

• Rise of Mahajanapadas and formation of states
• Religious movements – Buddhism and Jainism: doctrines, spread, decline
• Persian and Greek invasions
• Mauryan Empire – administration, economy, Ashoka’s Dhamma, art and architecture, causes of decline

5. Post-Mauryan Period (200 BCE – 300 CE)

• Regional states – Shungas, Kanvas, Satavahanas, Kushanas, Sakas
• Indo-Greek and Indo-Roman relations
• Spread of Buddhism – Gandhara and Mathura schools of art
• Sangam literature and culture

6. Gupta Empire and Successor States

• Gupta polity, economy, society, science and technology, literature, and art
• Vakatakas, Harshavardhana – administration and cultural contributions
• Emergence of regional powers in South India – Pallavas and Chalukyas

7. Society, Religion and Philosophy

• Evolution of social structures – varna, jati, family system
• Position of women, marriage, and property rights
• Religious developments – Puranic Hinduism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Tantricism
• Philosophical systems – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Mimamsa, Vedanta

8. Science and Technology

• Mathematics – zero, decimal system, Aryabhata, Varahamihira
• Medicine – Charaka, Sushruta
• Astronomy, metallurgy, and other scientific achievements

9. Art and Architecture

• Stupa, cave architecture, temples
• Sculpture and iconography
• Development of painting traditions (Ajanta, Bagh)

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Section B – Medieval India

1. Early Medieval India (750–1200 CE)

• Polity – Rajput kingdoms, Cholas, Rashtrakutas, Palas, Pratiharas
• Feudalism debate, local self-governance
• Society – castes, peasantry, urbanism
• Economy – agriculture, trade, and guilds
• Religion – Bhakti, Shaiva and Vaishnava movements

2. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

• Sources and historiography (Persian chronicles, travelers' accounts)
• Establishment and consolidation of Delhi Sultanate – Mamluks, Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, Lodis
• Administration – Iqta system, agrarian policy, military
• Economy – urbanization, trade, coinage
• Architecture – Indo-Islamic style
• Decline and regional kingdoms – Vijayanagara, Bahmani

3. Mughal Empire (1526–1707)

• Founding and expansion – Babur to Aurangzeb
• Mughal administration – Mansabdari, Jagirdari, revenue system (Todar Mal), central and provincial setup
• Economy – agriculture, trade (internal and external), urbanization
• Society – nobility, artisans, peasantry, religious tolerance vs orthodoxy
• Culture – Persian literature, miniature painting, architecture
• Causes of decline

4. Provincial and Regional States (18th Century)

• Successor states – Bengal, Awadh, Hyderabad
• Rise of Marathas, Sikh Confederacy, Mysore
• Administrative and cultural contributions

5. Society and Culture

• Bhakti and Sufi movements – key saints, teachings, regional variations
• Impact on caste, communal harmony, and vernacular languages
• Development of languages and literature – Persian, Hindi, Urdu, regional
• Art and architecture – forts, palaces, mausoleums, gardens

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Paper II – Modern India and World History

Section A – Modern India (1757–1947)

1. British Expansion in India

• Battle of Plassey, Buxar, and Anglo-Mysore, Anglo-Maratha wars
• Subsidiary alliance, Doctrine of Lapse
• Annexation policies and resistance

2. Economic Impact of British Rule

• Deindustrialization, Drain of Wealth theory (Dadabhai Naoroji)
• Agrarian policies – Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari systems
• Famines, landless labor, commercialization of agriculture
• Development of railways and modern industries

3. Social and Cultural Reforms

• Role of Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda
• Arya Samaj, Aligarh Movement, Theosophical Society
• Role of reform in social awakening and nationalism
• Women’s reforms, education, caste movements

4. Indian National Movement

• Early nationalism – formation of Congress, moderate and extremist phases
• Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement
• Revolutionary movements – India and abroad
• Home Rule Movement
• Gandhian Era – Champaran, Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Quit India
• Role of Subhas Chandra Bose and INA
• Communalism, demand for Pakistan
• Transfer of power – Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan, Indian Independence Act

5. Constitutional Developments

• Regulating Act, Pitt’s India Act
• Charter Acts, Government of India Acts (1858, 1919, 1935)
• Cripps Mission, Wavell Plan

6. Peasant, Tribal and Workers' Movements

• Indigo revolt, Santhal, Munda uprisings
• Tebhaga, Telengana, Moplah Rebellion
• Trade unions and labor movements

7. Post-Independence Consolidation

• Integration of princely states (Sardar Patel's role)
• Reorganization of states
• Land reforms and planning
• Constitution-making and Nehruvian policies

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Section B – World History (1750–2000)

1. Industrial Revolution

• Causes and impacts in England and Europe
• Spread to other parts of the world – USA, Japan
• Impact on society, urbanization, and class structures

2. American Revolution (1776)

• Background and ideological basis
• War of Independence
• Constitution and democracy

3. French Revolution (1789)

• Social, political and economic causes
• National Assembly, Reign of Terror, Napoleonic era
• Impact on Europe and global political thought

4. Napoleon Bonaparte

• Rise and fall
• Napoleonic Code and administrative reforms
• Continental system and legacy

5. Unification of Germany and Italy

• Role of Bismarck, Cavour, Garibaldi, Mazzini
• Nationalism in Europe and consequences

6. Colonialism and Imperialism

• Factors behind European imperialism
• Colonization of Asia and Africa
• Resistance movements – China, India, Africa

7. World War I

• Causes and major battles
• Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations
• Russian Revolution and Bolshevik ideology

8. Interwar Period

• Rise of fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany
• Great Depression and its global effects
• Spanish Civil War

9. World War II

• Causes and global involvement
• Holocaust and war crimes
• End of war and formation of the United Nations

10. Cold War Era

• US–USSR rivalry, Cuban Missile Crisis, proxy wars
• Decolonization in Asia and Africa
• Emergence of NAM, Third World

11. Contemporary World (Post-1945)

• China’s revolution and reforms (1949–1980)
• Disintegration of USSR
• Globalization and its discontents
• Technological developments and changing power structures

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Final Thoughts

History optional requires a multi-dimensional approach—analyzing events not just by chronology, but also by themes, causes, and consequences. The subject’s overlap with General Studies papers makes it a strategic choice for many aspirants.

Make sure to supplement the syllabus with relevant books like:

• A.L. Basham for Ancient India
• Satish Chandra for Medieval India
• Bipan Chandra for Modern India
• Norman Lowe for World History