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Strategy For History:: Main Examination (Mains Exam) Preliminary Exams (Prelims Exam)

Strategy For History As Optional In Main Examination

I f the prelim's is to be compared with one day match, mains could be described as test match. The temperament and technique to play it is different then prelims.
Prelim is mainly factual study, many times without knowing how or why. On the other hand main's is analytical study, knowing the essence of the story.
Writing an answer for 60 marks question is challenging. It is as good as writing a short essay. Here you cannot bluff if you don't know; you get exposed from second paragraph onwards.


As it is rightly said that history is not a study of facts, but interpretation of facts. Facts are just raw material with which interpretation is done. Answers in the main's are about your interpretation of History. Here you have to balance different viewpoints. For that purpose you have to know different viewpoints. At least three main currents i.e. leftist, centrist and rightist. The angle of focus on history has constantly changed. From Political to Cultural to Economic. Now the subaltern approach is in vogue.

How Much Scoring History Is?

History is most popular option is U.P.S.C. examination for obvious reasons. It has synergy with General studies. 90 marks questions of modern India get covered in optional history. It is also useful in writing essay. Since at least one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments.

History complements with any combination of optional but goes best with political science. Second best combination is Public Administration.
Percentile method is not applied in the mains. History is directly compared with other subjects.


History is highly subjective subject. Suppose the question was given ‘Evaluate the Gandhi', then all candidates will write different answers. Who of them is right & who is wrong?
No one. It depends on how arguments are pushed. This makes the subject safe. Generally it is not possible that you don't know anything about the answer. Ultimately you fetch some minimum marks in each question. That way nobody goes below 200 in history.


But going by same logic history also does not give very high marks. There is nothing called perfect answer. Because of this phenomenon marks do not go above 380. That doesn't mean that history is not a scientific subject or cannot be studied scientifically. It is as scientific as physics or mathematics, only since it is from humanities side, things are open ended.


For those who are having History as first optional in prelim, - Be cautious, don't overestimate your knowledge of History. Prepare separately for mains.
For those who are having History as second optional, - Be cautious, you have to compete with candidates who are having history as a first optional in prelims.
For prelim's following syllabus may not be a fruitful exercise, but for mains it is.

The vast syllabus cannot be covered without the pointers. Especially they have made work easy by giving some points in bold, for e.g. Kitab-ul-Hind. It means short note or long answer question is expected. Indeed on Kitab-ul-Hind both came in different years.

The compulsory map question should be solved first and prepared first. Fifteen sites are given & you have to mark the site in given map and describe its importance in four lines. Two marks for marking site and two for description. All sites are compulsory. Fortunately they give only important sites, and that has made it scoring. Mapping has to be practiced daily. On the given map they use to give rivers in the beginning then they started giving states and now they give blank map with only India's international boundaries. It is safer to make blocks and practice. Sites from Ancient and medieval India are asked. Spectrum has published the book about Ancient Indian places. Ensemble has come out with History through maps, a well researched and royally presented work. It is useful from both prelims and mains point of view.


In paper II world history is to be targeted. On modern India now so much research is available that there is no end of interpretation. Comparatively world history is straight and neutral. There are controversies in France about how the fall of Napoleon took place, but there are no such controversies in India. As it is, if world history questions are difficult you can jump to modern India in the last movement but reverse is not true.


IGNOU books are useful for mains too. Publication Division has published a book on Ancient India. Each of its 16 article's is like long answer of mains.
For world History good work is done by Jain & Mathur. Their book for world History mains is excellent. It has covered our syllabus topic wise. World History by L.Mukherjee is lucid and will make answers readable.


If you analyze the past papers you will be surprised to find that most of the questions are repeated from the last ten year papers. So that's the hint. Here some analysis of past papers from 2001 onwards.



Ancient India

Topic

Sub-topic

Brief Description

Long Ans

1

Sources

i)

Archeological sources

2003

ii)

Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments

2007

2

Pre-history and Proto-history

3

Indus Valley Civilization

2002

4

Megalithic Cultures

2008

5

Aryans and Vedic Period

2004

6

Period of Mahajanapadas

i)

Economic growth; Introduction of coinage

2003

ii)

Spread of Jainism and Buddhism

2007

iii)

Rise of Magadha and Nandas

2001

7

Mauryan Empire

i)

Polity, Administration

2005

ii)

Religion; Spread of religion; Literature

2004

8

Post - Mauryan Period

2008

9

Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India

2008

10

Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas

i)

Polity and administration

2006/05

ii)

Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women

2007/05

iii)

Education and educational institutions

2003

11

Regional States during Gupta Era

i)

Chalukyas of Badami

ii)

Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas

12

Themes in Early Indian Cultural History

i)

major stages in the evolution of art and architecture

2004

ii)

ideas in Science and Mathematics

2001




Medieval India

Topic

Brief Description

Short Note

Long Ans

13

Early Medieval India, 750-1200

The Cholas: administration, village economy and society

2004/07

“Indian Feudalism”

2005

14

Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200

Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta

2001

2008

Growth of Bhakti

2002

Sufism

2003

Kalhan's Rajtarangini

2003

Alberuni's India

2007

2003

15

The Thirteenth Century

Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban

2004/08

16

The Fourteenth Century

“The Khalji Revolution”

2006

Alauddin Khalji

2001

Muhammad Tughluq

2003/04

17

Society, Culture and Economy in the 13 th & 14 th Centuries

Sufi movement

2006

18

The 15 th & Early 16 th Century – Political Developments and Economy

Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun

2001

The Sur Empire: Sher Shah's administration

2006

Bhakti and Sufi Movements

2005

2001/03/04/05/07

Portuguese Colonial Enterprise

2008

19

The 15 th & Early 16 th Century – Society and Culture

Literary traditions

2002

20

Akbar

Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems

2002

Rajput policy

2003/07

Evolution of religious and social outlook

2004/06

2002

21

Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century

Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb

2004

Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb

2006

Ahom Kingdom

2008

22

Economy and Society in the 16 th & 17 th Centuries

Agriculture & craft

2008

Towns, commerce with Europe

2006

Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems

2005

Evolution of Khalasa

2008

23

Culture in the Mughal Empire

Hindi and other religious literature

2006

Mughal architecture

2001

2002

Mughal painting

2005/07

Science and technology

2001

24

The Eighteenth Century

Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire

2005

Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas

2001

The Maratha fiscal and financial system

2003/04/07

Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761

2002

2008

Modern India

Topic

Sub-topic

Brief Description

Short Note

Long Ans

1

European Penetration into India

2002/6

2002

2

British Expansion in India

2001/4/5

2006

3

Early Structure of the British Raj

2004

2005

1

English Utilitarian

2008

4

Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule

2001/3/4/5/6

2001/3/4/6/7

1

Famine and poverty in the rural interior

2003

2002/5/8

2

Drain of wealth

2008

5

Social and Cultural Developments

2008

2004

6

Social and Religious Reform movements in Bengal and Other Areas

2005/7

7

Indian Response to British Rule

2001

1

The Great Revolt of 1857

2005/7

8

Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism

2001

1

National Congress

2002

2

the Moderates and Extremists

2006

2003

9

Rise of Gandhi

2002

1

the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement

2008

2007

2

beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement

2005

3

Quit India Movement;

2001/3

4

The Cabinet Mission

2004

10

Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India

2007

11

Other strands of the National Movement

1

The Revolutionaries

2008

2003

2

The Left

2002/6

3

Subhas Chandra Bose

2002

12

Politics of Separatism

2006

13

Consolidation as a Nation; Nehru's Foreign Policy

1

Integration of Princely States

2007

2

Nehru's Foreign Policy

2001/4

14

Caste and Ethnicity after 1947

2008

15

Economic development and political change



World History

Topic

Sub-topic

Brief Description

Short Note

Long Ans

16

Enlightenment and Modern ideas

(i)

Major Ideas of Enlightenment

2004

2008

(ii)

Spread of Enlightenment

(iii)

Rise of socialist ideas

2001/8

17

Origins of Modern Politics

(i)

European States System

(ii)

American Revolution and the Constitution.

2006

2005

(iii)

French revolution and after math, 1789-1815.

2002/3/4/5/6/7

2001

(iv)

American Civil War

(v)

British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850;

2005

2004

18

Industrialization

(i)

English Industrial Revolution:

(ii)

Industrialization in other countries:

(iii)

Industrialization and Globalization.

19

Nation-State System

(i)

Rise of Nationalism in 19th century

(ii)

Nationalism : state-building

2001/4/5

2002/3

(iii)

Disintegration of Empires

2001/6

20

Imperialism and Colonialism

(i)

South and South-East Asia

(ii)

Latin America and South Africa

2001

(iii)

Australia

(iv)

Imperialism and free trade:

2007

21

Revolution and Counter-Revolution :

(i)

19th Century European revolutions

2008

(ii)

The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921

2005

2003

(iii)

Fascist Counter-Revolution

2005

2004/7

(iv)

The Chinese Revolution of 1949

2002/5/6

22

World Wars

(i)

1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars:

2007

(ii)

World War I : Causes and Consequences

2001/3/4/6

(iii)

World War II : Causes and consequence

2002/8

23

The World after World War II:

(i)

Emergence of two power blocs

2008

2005

(ii)

Emergence of Third World and Non-Alignment

(iii)

UNO and the global disputes

2003

24

Liberation from Colonial Rule:

(i)

Latin America-Bolivar

(ii)

Arab World-Egypt

2001

(iii)

Africa-Apartheid to Democracy

2006

(iv)

South-East Asia-Vietnam

25

Decolonization and Underdevelopment

(i)

Factors constraining Development :

26

Unification of Europe

(i)

Post War Foundations :

2003/7

(ii)

Consolidation of European Community

(iii)

European Union.

27

Disintegration of Soviet Union

(i)

Collapse of Soviet communism

2002/4/7

(ii)

Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001

2008

(iii)

End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy

2003/8



Study for mains cannot be general like prelims. Reading generally will not do. One has to focus on relevant areas. Guesswork has to be done to what will come and what will not. Nothing likes that if the notes are prepared in question-answer format. If you get ready with say 200-250 questions with outline of answers then you can stuck a jackpot. Chronicle Book and Brilliant Tutorials are such format and will prove useful for reference.


It may sound absurd, but NCERT books on History, both old and new versions are highly useful in writing the mains answers. They present the clue the direction and the structure of the answer.


It is advisable to make notes in question-answer format for mains.
It is very common to say that one has to do writing practice. I repeat it is necessary. Candidates dream that as soon as study is over they will give tests. That's ideal, seldom has this happened. Studies may never get over. Just make a timetable of tests, follow it strictly, and get it checked from competent authority. Handwriting, speed, fluency and structure of answer play a main role in marks.
One should give full attention to the direction of the question like Discuss, Explain, Evaluate, Describe, Compare etc. Each of them connotes different meaning.
Where ever possible the answer should be substantiated with tables, diagrams and flowcharts.

The Changed Syllabus & 2008 Mains

The new syllabus declared in 2007 advertisement is the extension of previous one. It has elaborated on the earlier heads and became more specific.
Sections are removed from the paper. That is has made the paper open ended. Earlier total components were 24, now they are 27.At least in 2008 mains they have followed the old format and equal weightage is given to all the four components.

Sources of history now detailed as indigenous and foreign. Earlier one major question was asked on this section and more could be expected.
Now Megalithic culture is selected as separate head. So one can expect the major question on it. Since sources and histrography is already asked, lithic cultures in general and megalithic culture in particular can become the next choice of examiners. IGNOU can be useful to tackle this part.
Iranian and Macedonian invasions are specified. This indicates towards the broader view taken of the term ‘Indian History'.


‘Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India' is made into separate head. It signals towards shifting focus from main dynasties to regional one.


‘Themes in Early Indian Cultural History' is another new head. It involves dynamic understanding of the people and the time. Answering the question on this part is going to be challenging as well as rewarding in terms of marks. Bhakti and Sufimovement continue to be important themes of Indian history.


2008 mains bypassed the regular mainstream history, and entered into corner areas. Like farming communities and Sangam age. Many students caught by surprise. More of it will be expected.


In the Medieval India , the focus has shifted from general history of sultanat to core rules of Alauddin Khalji, Muhammad Tughlaq and Firuz Tughlaq.
‘Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century' is another new head added. It has drawn attention towards nature of state, relation with Zamindars, crisis and revolts.


Economy, Society and Culture of Mughal Period is divided into two separate heads. It's a common guess work then that major question is expected on this topics.


2008 mains put totally unexpected topics like Tamil devotional cult and agriculture and craft production in Mughal times. But it has to be admitted that they have not deviated from syllabus. Syllabus is scruplessly followed.



In Paper II, Modern India is as it is broad and strategy will remain more or less the same.


Constitutional development should be given attention as separate head is dedicated to it.


Until now maximum questions were asked on economic impact of British rule on India and drain of wealth. Continuing the trend even in 2008 mains two major questions appeared on the same.


In World History very few visible changes are made. Renaissance is omitted from the syllabus. But its importance shifted to enlightenment. (asked immediately in 2008 mains) American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery is totally new addition.

The word ‘cold war' is omitted, instead they have used the phrase ‘The World after WW II'.


In imperialism South and South-East Asia, Australia and Neo-imperialism is added. Political changes in Eastern Europe are now extended up to 2001. (Appeared immediately in 2008 mains)



Finally, the changed syllabus has made history more contemporary and interesting.

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