This post is a compilation of our most viewed notes on Indian History, which we think our readers should not miss.
Readers can download each of the notes as PDF for free using the ‘print-pdf’ option.
Check Indian History notes category, if you want to read the complete archives.
Learn Indian History: Must Read Articles
Ancient India
- Indian History: Ancient India to Modern India Chronology
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Important Indus Valley Sites and Archaeological Discoveries
- Ancient India: Customs and Practices (NCERT)
- Ancient India: Early Cities and Republics (NCERT)
- Ancient India: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism (NCERT)
- Ancient India: Maurya and Post-Maurya Rulers (NCERT)
- Ancient India: Gupta and Post-Gupta (NCERT)
Medieval India
- Medieval India: Tripartite Struggle and Cholas (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Mughal Dynasty (NCERT)
- Mansabdari System – Explained in Layman’s Terms
- Medieval India: Rulers and Buildings (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Towns, Traders, and Craftspersons (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Tribes, Nomads, and Settled Communities (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Bhaktism, Sufism, and Sikhism (NCERT)
- Medieval India: Regional Cultures (NCERT)
- Medieval India: 18th Century Political Formations (NCERT)
Modern India
- How to Study Modern Indian History for UPSC?
- India in 1750 – Decline of the Mughal Empire, Rule of Later Mughals, and Emergence of Successor States
- The British Expansion in India – East India Company, Presidencies, Governor-generals, and Battles
- The Changes introduced by the British in India
- Popular Uprisings and Revolts against the British
- Land Revenue Systems in British India: Zamindari, Ryotwari, and Mahalwari
- Historical Background of Indian Constitution
- Trade Unions – The history of labour unions in India
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel – Biography, Facts, Life, and Contributions to Modern India
- Kashmir Issue – Understand the multiple dimensions
India Since Independence
- The Prime Ministers of India and their tenure
- Crossroads 1945-1960: Learn History by Inter-Linking
- Crossroads 1960-1970: Learn History by Inter-Linking
Culture
- Prehistoric Era Art – Rock Paintings (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Arts of Indus Valley Civilization (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Arts of the Mauryan Period (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Post-Mauryan Trends in Indian Art and Architecture (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Later Mural Traditions (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Temple Architecture and Sculpture – Hindu, Buddhist and Jain (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Indian Bronze Sculpture (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Indo-Islamic Architecture (Indian Culture Series – NCERT)
- Indian Philosophy: Orthodox and Heterodox Schools
- Bodhisattva: Enlightened beings who delay entering paradise to help others
- Buddhist Councils: Everything you need to know!
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Pallava
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Cholas
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Chalukyas
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Hoysala
- Classical Dances of India: Everything you need to know about
- Coinage of India: Coins used in Ancient India
Tip: Every note published in ClearIAS.com has a print-pdf button attached at the post-bottom and at the left-margin. Alternatively, you can use the website ‘printfriendly.com’ to enter the URL of any posts in ClearIAS.com to download a clean, reader-friendly PDF.
Books to learn Indian History and Culture
- Indian Art and Culture – by Nitin Singhania (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Ancient and Medieval India – by Poonam Dalal Dahiya (Click to buy from Amazon)
- Modern Indian History – by Sonali Bansal and Snehil Tripathi (Click to buy from Amazon)
Additional Reference Books
- Ancient India: India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma (Click to buy)
- Ancient India: History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh (Click to buy)
- Medieval India: History Of Medieval India by Satish Chandra (Click to buy)
- Modern India: History Of Modern India by Bipan Chandra. (Click to buy)
- Modern India: India’s Struggle For Independence by Bipan Chandra (Click to buy)
- Ancient India and Culture: The Wonder That Was India by A.L. Bhasham (Click to buy)
- Modern India: A Brief History of Modern India by Rajiv Ahir (Click to buy)
NB: World History is a topic only for IAS Mains. For Mains topics like Ancient India and Medieval India are not explicitly mentioned in the syllabus, but culture is included (which covers many aspects of ancient and medieval periods).
Indian History in brief: Topics to Cover
History and Culture are very related topics, particularly with respect to ancient and medieval India. Asoka and Buddhism are deeply bonded, the same way we cannot study Shah Jahan without commenting on Taj Mahal. So our approach to studying Indian History should never be limited to Political History where we study the names and wars of Kings but should be very broad to cover other aspects of Social and Economic History too.
Listing out some important topics to study from Ancient, Medieval and Modern India. Priority areas from culture are also identified.
Ancient India
- Prehistoric India, Historic India, Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic India, Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Period, Gupta Period.
Medieval India
- The Classical Age, Pala Empire, Rashtrakuta Empire, Islam in India, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, Guru Nanak, Mughals, Arrival of Europeans.
Modern India
- First War of Independence, Formation of Indian National Congress, Moderates and Extremists, Muslim League, Gandhian Phase, Non-Co-operation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement, Cripps Mission, Cabinet Mission, Mount Batten Plan, Partition of India and Indian Constitution.
- PS: Also never miss topics like Peasants movements, Tribal movements, Trade-unions, militant movements etc. related to Indian History which are often side-lined by Nationalist Historians.
Culture
Visual Arts (Paintings, Architecture, Sculpture), Performing Arts (Music, Dance, Drama etc), Religions (Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism), Society etc.
How to learn Indian History fast: The study plan
Indian History, as almost all aspirants know, is an important area from which a major share of questions come in UPSC prelims and mains.
Indian History is a very vast subject, and it is important to prioritize certain areas for UPSC Civil Services Prelims and Mains.
This article is written with a view of providing an overall guidance/study plan for Indian History for IAS exam. We have also listed some important sub-topics inside Ancient India, Medieval India and Modern India. Also, don’t forget to check out the recommended books for Indian History for Preliminary and Mains Exam.
Be it for Prelims or Mains, it is important to identify the topics of priority for IAS Exam. Analyzing previous years questions papers, one can reach a conclusion that UPSC asks a major chunk of questions from Modern India, followed by Ancient India. Questions from Medieval India are limited. Even if they come, they mostly touch areas of culture like Mughal art/architecture.
No, we are not advising to leave any particular section from Indian History. Never leave any topic completely. But you just need to prioritize things. That’s all. And it that priority list, Modern India should rank first.
Back to the study plan: Indian History being very vast, the first thing every serious aspirant should try to build is a basic understanding of the chronology of events related to Indian History.
We suggest our previous post, “Indian History: Ancient India to Modern India Chronology“, as a starting point for your preparation.
Once you build a foundation, the next strategy should be identifying the main topics of importance; for this, you can use good textbooks in the market. And there is no dearth of materials for Indian History today 🙂
Mesolithic period extended from 12,000 to 10,000 years ago. Climate changes which had led to the Mesolithic period also started 12,000 years ago. -NCERT History, 6th
P.S.: Site really nice and clean. Good Work!!
Thanks Jyoti for the comment…And regarding the chronology, what we mentioned does not contradict with NCERT. We just used BC/AD conventions. ‘12000 years ago’ is same as 10000 BC, considering the present time-frame as around 2000 AD.
Oh… I am sorry for my mistake. Thanks for clarification!!
Yes u r ryt sir
SIR WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “NATIONAL ANTHEM & NATIONAL SONG” ?.
what is the answer
National anthem is officially adopted by the countries but national song may or may not be so. However both are patriotic songs depicting the culture and pride of our country.
National anthem is ” bande mataram.. ”
National song is ” jan gan man.. “
@shipra sahu your are wrong
Nationalsong was composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay to invoke nationality and patriotism but National anthem composed by RNTagore is sung during unfurling of Tricolour.
Sir thanks to provide this matter really help us
Plz modern India k aur bhi chapter cover kijiye
Plz plz
I WANT TO JOINT WITH YOU
i too wanna join with you all in the preprations
have done a great job and a big favour for upsc aspirants
respected sir
i don~t understand English story very well,so please help me and send me a link which is include the all materiel in Hindi language.
please sir
please help me any haw
will it be sufficient to read out these history notes (ancient+medieval) and keep revising the same for upsc prelims 17 ??
kindly reply
PLEASE coach me
how to download these notes.Kindly reply
just open the link nd do crtl +P then save as pdf .. it will save at ur desired location
Price less and mind blowing
Please provide a gist of Important inscriptions both, rock cut and pillar and also books describing life of kings and the political life of kingdom (for eg, Vishakaduttas’ Mudra Rakshasa) given in various NCERT and other Important standard books
Good collection of posts, great work!!!
i cant able to download any file…i want to download it in pdf so it will be more helpfull to study…wat to do sir plsss give ur best opinion..
please post latest update
I want to join with u
How can I download notes from it??
Sir ,is this pdf note for both prelims as well as for maiins coz i have started now
Hello sir gm.. modern history not complete In this notes clear Ias pls adding deeply
pls download add PDF with all subjects….
Really helpful
Hello…Actually I’m planning to write UPSC examination in 2020. I’ll complete my graduation in 2019, then I’ll join in institution.
So my question is I have 2 years of time, so what should I read this year without attending institution
Is this notes sufficient for entire preparation.. Hope there will be a reply
If you have 2 years time, in addition to our notes, we suggest you go through NCERT Books and books mentioned in the list – http://www.clearias.com/ias-books/
Please update step by step topics details on clear ias or pdf file send on my email id of modern history and Gandhi ji era.
Thanks for sharing this informative data with us. Keep updating with such more posts.
Really super app..I loved it
Sir, there are notes available for each chapters for class 6-7 history NCERT books ….but what about other classes,is it available are not sir.The notes were very helpful
Hello…. I am in b. Tech 1st yera i want to prepare for upsc cse. I am beginner so how should start my journey. What should i read?
i want to prepering uppsc,,
can you help me..?
I can’t find the freedom struggle of India.
Sir kya study material hindi me available hoga pls reply pls sir ..hindi me available hota to bahut help ho jati hmari
I recommend focus on engineering first! But during this time, focus on NCERT books as they are priceless and form base, develop the habit of reading news paper ( preferably Hindu, Editorial Analysis, Science magazines and Business or economic magazines and try to analyze good, bad and uses, develop art of making crisp notes). After B.tech, Prepare full time continue reading the above sources and practice the same plus add test series to your preparation along with answer writing practice. This will help you reach your goal.
Is it necessary for me to read old ncerts than new or what if when I learn tamilnadu textbook what are its advantages
Hello, I am your new subscribers who prepare for Upsc with the help of your free study material ,sir I had completed my graduation last year and also appeared Upsc prelims 2018 without any guidance but now I am your new subscribers so hoping that you’re institution Will guide me in my journey .Thanks
SIR ,MY D.O.B JUNE 1986 CAN I APPLY IAS EXAM PLZ RPL ME …
Was very confused about History preparation but after reading this feeling so much confident about History. All thanks to ClearIAS
It is very helpful …but how to download this…
My graduation will be completed by June 2020 . Can I sit for upsc in 2020 ? And if so which books should I follow ? I am currently going through a syllabus book by arihant general knowledge 2018
Sir, Thanku for your efforts your ncert notes have really helped in revision. It would be great if you could also include the 12th ncert series.
सर, मैं हिंदी भाषा में आई.ए.एस. परीक्षा हेतू अभ्यास करना चाहती हूं। इसिलीए मुझे हिंदी भाषा में नोट्स चाहीए। कृपया लिंक्स भेजीए।
I want to be an ias officer
Sir I’m planning to write UPSC exam in 2024,But sir i don’t want to join any institute, will you prefer me some sufficient books.I’m confused by seeing a vast portion. Sir please give me some guidance.Hope there will be a reply
Is this content enough? If i learn only this much thay is given? Will indian history be covered?
respected sir i,m preparing for upsc exams . so please give me some guidance
Sir please give all modern India. Chapter
I really liked a content of blog sir, its awesome even i am a blogger and your blog motivates me to write more.
Thanks
Thanks for providing indian history it will not only help upsc addition to this it helps to gain more knowledge about India and its culture
Sir i am a student of hindi mediam so i request to you provide study material in hindi or english please sir
Sir, instead of reading NCERT text ; is the understanding of this article helpful???????please reply and comment on my English . Is it very poor????
Sir ,
Kya aap bta skte hi ki I.A.S ka exam only English main hi aate hi ya fir ye Hindi main bhi aata hii please sir give me answer very soon.
Thanks,
Pushpa devi (h.p).
I want practice bits on ncert political science.
Hello, Sir
I am very happy to study your notes and it is very helpful for notes competitive exams.
Sir i want some notes for ncert books but I cannot find them anywhere so can you please help!!
My ques. Is that..
Ancient history me..
Sbse phle chapter me.coins ar gupta dynesty include krne ka kyaa mtb hn…
Thank you sir. I am going to prepare for BPSC exams this year. So your notes are very very helpful and precious for me. Because I am not finding English notes. Thanks a lot sir. Mindblowing 👍👍👍👍👍
Sir l want to be a IFoS officer, is this app helpful for me? How to prepare for the same? plzz reply
dose all these books help in the UPSC examination or are there only chances for the ideas from the books come as the question.if question comes from,which part it concentrates more in which we should give much more importance ?
Please all aspirants create a Telegram group and add me – 8943732195 or message me to create a group
Is this notes are meanful for optional also plz reply
please sir provide the prelims and mains all syllabus and study material in PDF
will this be enough for prelims 2020.
sir i am under graduate student and i have medievel period book of Lakshmi narayin agarwal ……is it good book for cover the topic of medievel age?plzzz answer
And also suggest me books for ancient and modern period….
good information sir
History notes
Hello sir/maam as i searched on various sites ancient history is startin with 6million years ago and in your notes its 2 million yrs so im confused with this can you help to clear my concept…
Thank you a million………. Proud to be an Indian…………