UPSC NDA History Syllabus

History syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for History in UPSC NDA, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Ancient History

   overview

   Examined as a single unit within History — no further topic split in the official outline.

2. 2

   Medieval History

   overview

   Examined as a single unit within History — no further topic split in the official outline.

3. 3

   Modern History

   overview

   Examined as a single unit within History — no further topic split in the official outline.

4. 4

   Freedom Struggle

   overview

   Examined as a single unit within History — no further topic split in the official outline.

5. 5

   World History

   overview

   Examined as a single unit within History — no further topic split in the official outline.

History flashcards for UPSC NDA

25 of 50 cards from the History deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Indus Valley Civilization site, located on the Ravi river, is considered the first to be discovered (1921) and gave the civilization its alternative name?

   Harappa (in present-day Punjab, Pakistan); hence the civilization is also called the Harappan Civilization.

2. What was the script of the Indus Valley Civilization and what is its key undeciphered feature?

   A pictographic/logo-syllabic script, written mostly boustrophedon (right-to-left in the first line, then left-to-right); it remains undeciphered.

3. Name the four Vedas in order and identify which is the oldest.

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

4. Who founded Buddhism and Jainism, and in which century BCE did they primarily preach?

   Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) and Jainism propagated by Mahavira (24th Tirthankara); both flourished in the 6th century BCE.

5. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, in essence?

   There is suffering (dukkha); suffering has a cause (desire/craving); suffering can be ended; the way to end it is the Eightfold Path.

6. Who founded the Maurya Empire and who was his chief minister/advisor?

   Chandragupta Maurya founded it (c. 322 BCE); his advisor was Chanakya (Kautilya/Vishnugupta), author of the Arthashastra.

7. After which battle did Emperor Ashoka embrace Buddhism, and in which year?

   After the Kalinga War, fought around 261 BCE, whose bloodshed led to his conversion to Buddhism.

8. Which period is called the 'Golden Age of India' and why?

   The Gupta period (c. 320-550 CE), due to remarkable achievements in art, literature, science, and mathematics, including the concept of zero and the decimal system.

9. Name the astronomer-mathematician of the Gupta age who proposed that the Earth rotates on its axis.

   Aryabhata, author of the Aryabhatiya.

10. Who wrote the play Abhijnanasakuntalam and was a gem of the Gupta court?

    Kalidasa, considered one of the 'Navaratnas' (nine gems) of Chandragupta II's court.

11. Which dynasty built the Brihadeeswarar (Rajarajeswara) Temple at Thanjavur and was renowned for its naval power?

    The Chola dynasty; the temple was built by Rajaraja Chola I.

12. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate's first dynasty (the Slave/Mamluk dynasty) in 1206?

    Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave general of Muhammad Ghori.

13. Which Delhi Sultanate ruler shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introduced token (copper) currency?

    Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

14. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India and after which battle?

    Babur, after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

15. Which Mughal emperor introduced the Mansabdari system and the religious policy Din-i-Ilahi?

    Akbar (the Great).

16. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal and in memory of whom?

    Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

17. Who founded the Maratha Empire and was crowned at Raigad in 1674?

    Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

18. Which 1757 battle marked the beginning of British political dominance in India, and who led the British?

    The Battle of Plassey; Robert Clive led the British East India Company against Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal.

19. Which 1764 battle gave the British the Diwani (revenue rights) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa?

    The Battle of Buxar (against the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II).

20. Through which 1765 grant did the East India Company obtain the Diwani of Bengal, Bihar and Orissa?

    The Treaty/grant of Diwani by Mughal emperor Shah Alam II after the Battle of Buxar.

21. What was the Permanent Settlement of 1793, and who introduced it?

    A land revenue system introduced by Lord Cornwallis fixing land tax permanently with zamindars as landowners in Bengal.

22. What is the 'Doctrine of Lapse' and who is associated with it?

    A policy by Lord Dalhousie allowing annexation of princely states whose rulers died without a natural heir.

23. In which year did the Revolt of 1857 begin and from which town did it spark?

    1857; it sparked at Meerut on 10 May 1857 (initiated by sepoy Mangal Pandey's mutiny at Barrackpore in March 1857).

24. What was the immediate cause of the Revolt of 1857?

    The introduction of the Enfield rifle cartridges, rumored to be greased with cow and pig fat, offending both Hindu and Muslim sepoys.

25. Which Act transferred control of India from the East India Company to the British Crown in 1858?

    The Government of India Act, 1858.

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