UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) General Knowledge: History and Polity (Paper II) Syllabus

General Knowledge: History and Polity (Paper II) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Knowledge: History and Polity (Paper II) in UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Ancient and Medieval India

   5 topics

   • Indus Valley Civilisation and Vedic Age
   • Mauryan and Gupta Empires
   • Religious Movements: Buddhism and Jainism
   • Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire
     • Administration and architecture
     • Bhakti and Sufi movements
   • Vijayanagara and Regional Kingdoms
2. 2

   Modern India and Freedom Struggle

   5 topics

   • Advent of Europeans and British Expansion
   • Revolt of 1857 and Its Aftermath
   • Socio-Religious Reform Movements
   • Indian National Movement
     • Formation of the Indian National Congress
     • Gandhian mass movements
     • Revolutionary nationalism
   • Partition and Independence of India
3. 3

   Indian Constitution

   5 topics

   • Making of the Constitution and Its Sources
   • Preamble, Fundamental Rights and Duties
   • Directive Principles of State Policy
   • Federal Structure and Centre-State Relations
   • Amendment Procedure and Basic Structure
4. 4

   Indian Polity and Governance

   5 topics

   • Union Executive: President, PM and Council of Ministers
   • Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
   • Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts
   • State Government and Local Self-Government
     • Panchayati Raj institutions
     • Urban local bodies
   • Constitutional and Statutory Bodies

General Knowledge: History and Polity (Paper II) flashcards for UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services)

23 of 51 cards from the General Knowledge: History and Polity (Paper II) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Indus Valley site is famous for the Great Bath, and what was its likely purpose?

   Mohenjo-daro. The Great Bath was a large watertight tank (made of burnt bricks sealed with gypsum and bitumen), likely used for ritual bathing or religious ceremonies.

2. Name the four Vedas in order of composition.

   Rigveda (oldest), Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda (latest).

3. What metal was NOT known to the Indus Valley Civilisation, distinguishing it as a Bronze Age culture?

   Iron. The Harappans knew copper, bronze, gold, and silver, but not iron — making it a Chalcolithic/Bronze Age civilisation.

4. During which Vedic period did the varna (caste) system become rigid and the institution of monarchy strengthen?

   The Later Vedic Period (c. 1000–600 BCE), as opposed to the more egalitarian Early/Rigvedic Period.

5. Who founded the Mauryan Empire and in which year did he overthrow the Nandas?

   Chandragupta Maurya founded it around 321 BCE, defeating the Nanda dynasty with the guidance of Chanakya (Kautilya).

6. What is the Arthashastra and who authored it?

   A treatise on statecraft, economics, and military strategy authored by Kautilya (Chanakya), prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya.

7. After which war did Ashoka embrace Buddhism, and in what year was it fought?

   The Kalinga War, fought around 261 BCE. The bloodshed led Ashoka to adopt Buddhism and the policy of Dhamma.

8. Why is the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE) called the 'Golden Age of India'?

   For remarkable achievements in art, literature, science, and mathematics — including Aryabhata's work, the concept of zero, Kalidasa's poetry, and fine sculpture/temple architecture.

9. Which Gupta ruler adopted the title 'Vikramaditya' and during whose reign did the Chinese pilgrim Fa-Hien visit India?

   Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya). Fa-Hien (Faxian) visited India during his reign (c. 380–415 CE).

10. Who was the founder of Buddhism and what are his common epithets?

    Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha ('the Enlightened One'), Tathagata, and Sakyamuni. He lived c. 563–483 BCE.

11. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

    1) Life is suffering (dukkha); 2) Suffering is caused by desire/craving; 3) Suffering can be ended; 4) The way to end it is the Eightfold Path.

12. Who was the 24th and last Tirthankara of Jainism, and who is considered the 23rd?

    Mahavira (Vardhamana) was the 24th Tirthankara; Parshvanatha was the 23rd.

13. What are the three jewels (Triratna) of Jainism?

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

14. Into which two sects did Jainism split, and over what main issue?

    Digambara ('sky-clad,' who practised nudity) and Svetambara ('white-clad,' who wore white robes). The split was chiefly over the wearing of clothes by monks.

15. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate and which dynasty did he establish in 1206?

    Qutb-ud-din Aibak founded the Delhi Sultanate, establishing the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty in 1206.

16. Name the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in chronological order.

    Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties (1206–1526).

17. Which Tughlaq ruler is known for transferring his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introducing token currency?

    Muhammad bin Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351), whose ambitious but failed schemes earned him a reputation for eccentric policies.

18. Who founded the Mughal Empire and in which battle in 1526?

    Babur founded the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

19. What was Akbar's religious policy called, and what tax did he abolish?

    Din-i-Ilahi (a syncretic faith). He abolished the jizya (tax on non-Muslims) and promoted the policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal tolerance).

20. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal, and in whose memory?

    Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

21. Who founded the Vijayanagara Empire and in which year?

    Harihara and Bukka (the Sangama brothers) founded the Vijayanagara Empire in 1336 CE on the banks of the Tungabhadra river.

22. Which battle in 1565 led to the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire?

    The Battle of Talikota (1565), where a confederacy of Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara, sacking its capital Hampi.

23. Who was the greatest ruler of Vijayanagara, known as a patron of literature and the arts?

    Krishnadevaraya (r. 1509–1529) of the Tuluva dynasty, author of 'Amuktamalyada' and patron of the Telugu 'Ashtadiggajas'.

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