History paper 1 optional booklist for UPSC examination
These book are the toppers recommendation even we took suggetin form Ojha sir, Tanu jain mam about history optional booklist, so use this book for upsc history optional.
sources and booklist for history option
Archaeological sources
| Exploration, excavation | Balyan sir Ancient India handwritten notes |
Balyan sir’s notes are very comprehensive for these two topics, He covers each and everything, the readability of these notes is pretty high, and you can easily understand the theme of exploration and excavation, These are highly recommended by toppers as well as teachers like Ojha sir and Tanu Jain man even Mrunal sir also recommended this notes.
| epigraphy, numismatics | A history of Ancient and early medieval India by Upinder Singh |
This a very thick and heavy book but do not worry just read the necessary portions of this book. But take a reading of this book to find out what to write in the exam paper, For ancient history this book is essential.
| Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature. | Balyan sir Ancient India handwritten notes |
Again we use these Balyan sir notes these notes are pretty high-quality as we told you earlier. It is tough to read any particular book on one topic so use these notes.
Pre‐history and Pro-tohistory
| Geographical factors; hunting and gathering, (paleolithic and mesolithic) | Balyan sir notes / Upinder Singh |
Both cover these chapters very comprehensively so you can use any of these but chose one source of information.
| Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic) | Map entries for history optional by Rashid Yasin |
This book covers the entire map section including paleolithic, mesolithic, neolithic, Indus Valley, chalcolithic, Megalithic, Buddhist, Jain, the ancient capital, caves, and previous year’s question paper. This is an amazing book for the map section and you can rely on this book. This book explains each and everything very well, they use maps on one page and they explain these maps on another page.
Indus Valley Civilization
| Origin, date, extent, characteristics-decline, survival, and significance, art and architecture. | Class 11th ancient India old ncert book |
This class’s 11th-old ncert book explains these topics very well even you can directly use these facts and information on your answer sheet. If you read this old ncert book then you do not need any special book.
Megalithic Cultures
| Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry. | selfstudyhistory.com |
Use this website, they explain everything in a topic wise, download or get a printout of this page, some topper use this website for their Megalithical culture notes. They write this topic with bullet points and they also include images, This is a pretty good source for history optional.
Aryans and Vedic Period
| Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system. | Class 11th ancient India old ncert book |
This old ncert book provides you with all the information that you need on this topic, even in the years 2016, 2018, 2020 & 2022 direct question do some from this book. You can depend on this book blindly.
Period of Mahajanapadas
| Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.Iranian and Mecedonian invasions and their impact | Class 11th ancient India old ncert book |
Same as above this book is a masterpeace for history option students.
Mauryan Empire
| Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration, Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature | Class 11th ancient / Upinder Singh |
Use both of these books but your main book should be Upinder Singh’s book because this book covers the entire Mauryan empire very well and it in detail book. Use the old ncert book for reference only.
Post‐Mauryan Period (Indo‐Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas) :
| Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science | Tamil nadu board old ncert book of class 11th |
This book covers the entire post-Mauryan period, this book has enough materials that you need for only this topic. Do not read the entire book but use this book for reference.
Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India
| Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, Economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture. | Tamil Nadu board old ncert book of class 11th |
Again on this topic, this Tamilnadu old nert book provides you with truly knowledgeable sources of information about early states and societies in east India, Deccan, and south India. If you use this book then you do not need any other source of information.
Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas
| Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women, Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture. | Class 11th ancient India old ncert and selfstudyhistory.com |
Combining the class 11th ncert book and selfstudyhistory website, ncert should be your main source, and use this website for in-depth knowledge, this should be enough for this part.
Regional States during Gupta Era
| The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakit movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni, The Chaluky as of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; Local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society. | Tamilnadu board old ncert of class 12th |
you can use the Tamilnadu board ncert book for this, This is the main source for this topic.
Themes in Early Indian Cultural History
| Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture, major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics | Medieval India old ncert by Satish Chandra |
This topic is comprehensively covered by Satish Chandra’s old ncert book, so many UPSC toppers refer to this book.
Early Medieval India, 750‐1200
| Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs. The Cholas: administration, village economy and society “Indian Feudalism,Agrarian economy and urban settlements,Trade and commerce,the status of the Brahman and the new social order,Condition of women,Indian science and technology. | A history of Ancient and early medieval India by Upinder Singh |
This book covers each of these chapters very comprehensively so don’t go for another source of information.
Cultural Traditions in India, 750‐1200
| Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma-Mimansa, | Medival India by SatishChandra |
Yes, again Satish Chandra, covers this topic and you will get in-depth knowledge from this book.
| Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism, | Medival India by Satish Chandra |
This book covers these topics amazingly, so detailed and throw the book, If you read this book then I think you do not need any special materials.
| Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India. | Themes of Indian History class 11th ncert |
An amazing source for the Literature part, every detail is covered by this book, easy to understand and This book only has 258 pages, with full of information.
The Thirteenth Century
| Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind Ghurian success, Economic, Social and cultural consequences, Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans, Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban | Satish Chandra’s book |
One advice that i want to give you that limit your source of information, for this part use satish chandras book.
The Fourteenth Century
| The Khalji Revolution Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measure Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq Firuz Tugluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account | Satish chandra’s book |
Yes, this book is a masterpeace so use this book as much as possible.
Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:
| Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi movement Culture: Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North India, literaute in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture Economy: Agricultural Production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and commerce. | Balyan sir hand written class notes |
The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐Political Developments and Economy
| Rise of Provincial Dynasties : Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat. Malwa, Bahmanids The Vijayanagara Empire Mughal Empire, first phase : Babur, Humayun The Sur Empire : Sher Shah’s administration Portuguese colonial enterprise, Bhakti and Sufi Movements | Satish Chandra book |
The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century‐ Society and culture
| Regional cultures specificities Literary traditions Provincial architectural Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire | Satish chandra book |
For these two topic use this medical india book by satish chandra
Akbar
| Conquests and consolidation of empire Establishment of jagir and mansab systems Rajput policy Evolution of religious and social outlook. Theory of Sulh‐i‐kul and religious policy Court patronage of art and technology. | Satish Chandra |
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
| Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb The Empire and the Zamindars Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb Nature of the Mughal State Late Seventeenth Century crisis and the revolts The Ahom kingdom. Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom | SSatish Chandra Part 2 |
Economy and society, in the 16th and 17th Centuries
| Population Agricultural and craft production Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution Indian mercantile classes. Banking, insurance and credit systems Conditions of peasants, Condition of Women. Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth | Satish Chandra part 2 |
Culture during Mughal Empire
| Persian histories and other literature Hindi and religious literatures. Mughal architecture Mughal painting Provincial architecture and painting Classical music Science and technology | Satish Chandra part 2 |
The Eighteenth Century
| Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas The Maratha fiscal and financial system. Emergence of Afghan power Battle of Panipat, 1761 State of, political, cultural and economic, on eve of the British conquest | Satish Chandra part 2 |
History paper 2 optional booklist for UPSC examination
European Penetration into India
| The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch; The English and the French East India Companies; Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars; Bengal-The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
This book should be enough for this part, Bipin Chandra covers everything on this topic.
British Expansion in India
| Bengal-Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar; Mysore; The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha Wars; The Punjab. | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Early Structure of the British Raj
| The Early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control; The Regulating Act (1773); The Pitt’s India Act (1784); The Charter Act (1833); The Voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule; The English utilitarian and India. | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
| (a) Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement; Ryotwari Settlement; Mahalwari Settlement; Economic impact of the revenue arrangements; Commercialization of agriculture; Rise of landless agrarian labourers; Impoverishment of the rural society. (b) Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce; De-industrialisation; Decline of traditional crafts; Drain of wealth; Economic transformation of India; Railroad and communication network including telegraph and postal services; Famine and poverty in the rural interior; European business enterprise and its limitations | Spectrum |
In spectrum this chapter covers very well.
Social and Cultural Developments
| The state of indigenous education, its dislocation; Orientalist-Anglicist controversy, The introduction of western education in India; The rise of press, literature and public opinion; The rise of modern vernacular literature; Progress of Science; Christian missionary activities in India | spectrum |
Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas
| Ram Mohan Roy, The Brahmo Movement; Devendranath Tagore; Iswarchandra Vidyasagar; The Young Bengal Movement; Dayanada Saraswati; The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage etc.; The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India; Islamic revivalism-the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Indian Response to British Rule
| Peasant movement and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783), the Kol Rebellion (1832), the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), the Santal Hul (1855), Indigo Rebellion (1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875) and the Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900); The Great Revolt of 1857 — Origin, character, casuses of failure, the consequences; The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s. | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism
| Politics of Association; The Foundation of the Indian National Congress; The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress; | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism
| Politics of Association; The Foundation of the Indian National Congress; The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress Programme and objectives of Early Congress; the social composition of early Congress leadership; the Moderates and Extremists; The Partition of Bengal (1905); The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal; the economic and political aspects of Swadeshi Movement; The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Rise of Gandhi
| Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi’s popular appeal; Rowlatt Satyagraha; the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement; National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience Movement; the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences; Nationalism and the Peasant Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements; Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947); the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries; Cripps Mission; the Quit India Movement; the Wavell Plan; The Cabinet Mission. | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
| Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935 | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Other strands in the National Movement
| The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P. the Madras Presidency, Outside India, The Left; The Left within the Congress: Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, the Congress Socialist Party; the Communist Party of India, other left parties. | Modern Indian history by Bipin chandra |
Politics of Separatism
| the Muslim League; the Hindu Mahasabha; Communalism and the politics of partition; Transfer of power; Independence | Spectrum |
Consolidation as a Nation
| Nehru’s Foreign Policy; India and her neighbours (1947-1964); The linguistic reorganisation of States (1935-1947); Regionalism and regional inequality; Integration of Princely States; Princes in electoral politics; the Question of National Language | India since Independence by Bipin Chandra |
Caste and Ethnicity after 1947
| Backward Castes and Tribes in post-colonial electoral politics; Dalit movements. | India since Independence by Bipin Chandra |
Economic development and political change
| Land reforms; the politics of planning and rural reconstruction; Ecology and environmental policy in post-colonial India; Progress of Science. | Indian economic development class 11th ncert book |
Enlightenment and Modern ideas
| Major Ideas of Enlightenment: Kant, Rousseau Spread of Enlightenment in the colonies Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism | Mastering Modern World History by Norman Law |
Origins of Modern Politics
| European States System American Revolution and the Constitution French Revolution and Aftermath, 1789-1815 American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery British Democratic politics, 1815-1850 : Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders, Chartists | Mastering Modern World History by Norman Law |
Industrialization
| English Industrial Revolution : Causes and Impact on Society. Industrialization in other countries : USA, Germany, Russia, Japan Industrialization and Globalization | Norman Law |
Nation‐State System
| Rise of Nationalism in 19th century Nationalism : State-building in Germany and Italy Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the World. | Norman Law |
Imperialism and Colonialism
| South and South-East Asia. Latin America and South Africa Australia Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism. | Norman Law |
Revolution and Counter‐Revolution
| 19th Century European revolutions The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921 Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany. The Chinese Revolution of 1949 | Norman Law |
World Wars
| 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars : Societal implications World War I : Causes and Consequences World War II : Causes and Consequences | Norman Law |
The World after World War II
| Emergence of Two power blocs Emergence of Third World and non-alignment. UNO and the global disputes. | Norman Law |
Liberation from Colonial Rule
| Latin America-Bolivar Arab World-Egypt. Africa-Apartheid to Democracy South-East Asia-Vietnam | Norman Law |
Decolonization and Underdevelopment
| Factors constraining Development ; Latin America, Africa | Norman Law |
Unification of Europe
| Post War Foundations ; NATO and European Community. Consolidation and Expansion of European Community European Union. | Norman Law |
Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
| Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union, 1985-1991 Political Changes in East Europe 1989-2001 End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower. | Norman Law |