State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC) History of India and the World Syllabus

History of India and the World syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for History of India and the World in State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Ancient India

   6 topics

   • Prehistoric Cultures and the Harappan Civilization
     • Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic phases
     • Town planning, trade and decline of the Indus Valley Civilization
   • Vedic Age and Later Vedic Society
     • Rigvedic polity, economy and religion
     • Varna system and emergence of janapadas
   • Rise of Mahajanapadas, Jainism and Buddhism
     • Teachings and councils
     • Spread and royal patronage
   • Mauryan Empire
     • Chandragupta and Kautilya's Arthashastra
     • Ashoka's Dhamma and edicts
   • Post-Mauryan and Gupta Age
     • Sungas, Kushanas and Satavahanas
     • Gupta administration, art and the classical age
   • South Indian Kingdoms and Sangam Age
     • Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas
     • Sangam literature and society
2. 2

   Medieval India

   6 topics

   • Early Medieval and Regional Kingdoms
     • Rajputs, Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas
     • Chola administration and temple architecture
   • Delhi Sultanate
     • Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties
     • Administration, iqta and revenue systems
   • Bhakti and Sufi Movements
     • Nirguna and Saguna saints
     • Sufi silsilas and syncretic culture
   • Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms
   • Mughal Empire
     • Babur to Aurangzeb
     • Mansabdari, jagirdari and land revenue under Akbar
   • Rise of the Marathas and Decline of the Mughals
     • Shivaji and Maratha confederacy
     • Later Mughals and successor states
3. 3

   Modern India and the Freedom Struggle

   6 topics

   • Advent of Europeans and British Expansion
     • Battles of Plassey and Buxar
     • Subsidiary alliance and Doctrine of Lapse
   • Economic Impact of Colonial Rule
     • Drain of wealth and deindustrialization
     • Permanent, Ryotwari and Mahalwari settlements
   • Revolt of 1857 and Early Resistance
   • Socio-Religious Reform Movements
     • Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj and Aligarh Movement
     • Reformers and caste reform
   • Indian National Movement (1885-1947)
     • Moderates, Extremists and Revolutionaries
     • Gandhian mass movements: NCM, CDM, Quit India
   • Partition and Independence
     • Cabinet Mission, Mountbatten Plan and Indian Independence Act
4. 4

   World History

   5 topics

   • Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment
   • American and French Revolutions
   • Industrial Revolution and Its Consequences
   • World Wars and the Inter-War Period
     • Causes and outcomes of the two World Wars
     • Russian Revolution and rise of fascism
   • Decolonization and the Cold War

History of India and the World flashcards for State PSC (e.g. BPSC / UPPSC / MPSC)

20 of 50 cards from the History of India and the World deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Harappan site, located in Gujarat, is famous for its dockyard and is considered an important port/trade centre?

   Lothal.

2. What metal was unknown to the people of the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization?

   Iron. They used copper, bronze, gold and silver but not iron.

3. Name the system of town planning used in Harappan cities for their streets.

   The grid system, where streets crossed each other at right angles.

4. Which Harappan site is known for the Great Bath, and in which present-day country is it located?

   Mohenjo-daro, located in Pakistan (Sindh province).

5. What is the name of the earliest and most sacred Veda, and which type of literature does it contain?

   The Rigveda, a collection of hymns (mantras) addressed to gods.

6. In the later Vedic period, which assemblies of the Rigvedic age declined in importance?

   The Sabha and Samiti declined as the king's power increased.

7. What was the fourfold division of society called in the Vedic age, and what were its four classes?

   The Varna system: Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras.

8. Which river is most frequently mentioned in the Rigveda, indicating the core region of early Vedic settlement?

   The Sindhu (Indus). The Saraswati is the most praised river.

9. How many Mahajanapadas existed around the 6th century BCE according to Buddhist texts, and which one eventually became most powerful?

   Sixteen (Solasa) Mahajanapadas; Magadha became the most powerful.

10. Who founded Jainism's final form as the 24th Tirthankara, and what is the central principle of Jainism?

    Mahavira (Vardhamana), the 24th Tirthankara; the central principle is Ahimsa (non-violence).

11. What are the Four Noble Truths the foundation of in Buddhism, and where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?

    They are the foundation of Buddhist teaching; the first sermon was at Sarnath (Dharmachakra Pravartana).

12. Name the three jewels (Triratna) of Jainism.

    Right Faith (Samyak Darshana), Right Knowledge (Samyak Jnana), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra).

13. Who founded the Mauryan Empire and in which year (approx.) did he overthrow the Nanda dynasty?

    Chandragupta Maurya, around 321 BCE.

14. Which Mauryan emperor converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War, and in which year was the war fought?

    Ashoka; the Kalinga War was fought around 261 BCE.

15. What is the title of the treatise on statecraft written by Chanakya (Kautilya), advisor to Chandragupta Maurya?

    The Arthashastra.

16. In Ashoka's administration, what were the welfare officers called who were appointed to spread Dhamma?

    Dhamma Mahamatras (Mahamattas).

17. Which dynasty succeeded the Mauryas, founded by Pushyamitra Shunga?

    The Shunga dynasty.

18. Which foreign king is associated with the Milindapanho (a dialogue with monk Nagasena), and what was his Greek name?

    King Menander, an Indo-Greek ruler (Greek name Menander I).

19. Which Kushana ruler is most famous, convened the Fourth Buddhist Council, and patronized the Gandhara art school?

    Kanishka.

20. Who is regarded as the founder of the Gupta Empire's greatness with the title Maharajadhiraja, founding the dynasty's imperial line?

    Chandragupta I (Sri Gupta founded the line, but Chandragupta I began the imperial phase).

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