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Indian History Notes Which You Shouldn’t Miss!

Learn Indian HistoryThis 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.

UPSC Books

Check Indian History notes category, if you want to read the complete archives.

Learn Indian History: Must Read Articles

Ancient India

Medieval India

Modern India

India Since Independence

Culture

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.

Recommended Books for Indian History for IAS Exam

Sale Modern Indian History: For Civil Services Preliminary and Main Examinations
Modern Indian History: For Civil Services...
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Ancient and Medieval India
Ancient and Medieval India
Buy on Amazon
Sale Indian Art and Culture for Civil Services and other Competitive Examinations
Indian Art and Culture for Civil Services and...
₹ 695 ₹ 617
Buy on Amazon
  1. Modern India by Sonali Bansal and Snehil Tripathi (Modern India)
  2. Ancient and Medieval India by Poonam Dalal (Ancient and Medieval India)
  3. India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma. (Ancient History)
  4. History Of Medieval India by Satish Chandra. (Medieval History)
  5. History Of Modern India by Bipan Chandra. (Modern History).
  6. India’s Struggle For Independence – Bipan Chandra. (Modern History)
  7. Indian Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania. (Culture)
  8. A Brief History of Modern India – Spectrum (Pointwise notes for faster reading).
  9. The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Bhasham. (This book is helpful for Culture, go for it if you have time)
  10. From Plassey to Partition : A History of Modern India (Reference)

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

How to study Indian history?

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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.

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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 🙂

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Comments

  1. Jyoti says

    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!!

  2. ClearIAS.com says

    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.

  5. Lots of Thanks Sir says

    Sir thanks to provide this matter really help us
    Plz modern India k aur bhi chapter cover kijiye
    Plz plz

  8. pratap says

    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

  9. anuradha says

    will it be sufficient to read out these history notes (ancient+medieval) and keep revising the same for upsc prelims 17 ??

    kindly reply

  12. Belvin Thomas says

    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

  14. rohan raj says

    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..

  22. Sravan says

    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

  23. ClearIAS.com says

    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/

  24. Rohit Sharma says

    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.

  26. dhirendra singh says

    just open the link nd do crtl +P then save as pdf .. it will save at ur desired location

  28. avrsri says

    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

  29. Seemant says

    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?

  33. Priya says

    Sir kya study material hindi me available hoga pls reply pls sir ..hindi me available hota to bahut help ho jati hmari

  34. Prasad says

    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.

  35. NAGARAJ says

    Is it necessary for me to read old ncerts than new or what if when I learn tamilnadu textbook what are its advantages

  37. Babita Rai says

    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

  39. Suraj Turha says

    Was very confused about History preparation but after reading this feeling so much confident about History. All thanks to ClearIAS

  40. Ravina says

    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.

  42. Aman Sarkar says

    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

  44. Annat siya says

    12th class history book (ncert new edition, themes In Indian history 1,2,3)it can related to art and culture?

  45. Vishnu p says

    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.

  46. poonam gavade says

    सर, मैं हिंदी भाषा में आई.ए.एस. परीक्षा हेतू अभ्यास करना चाहती हूं। इसिलीए मुझे हिंदी भाषा में नोट्स चाहीए। कृपया लिंक्स भेजीए।

  48. Md juanid says

    Sir i am student of Hindi medium so i want to prepare my IAS exam in Hindi pleas sir provide me notes in hindi because it is easy to me learn .

  50. Riddhi Pawar says

    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

  51. Mutasim says

    Is this content enough? If i learn only this much thay is given? Will indian history be covered?

  52. p. sai usha sri says

    respected sir i,m preparing for upsc exams . so please give me some guidance

  54. Rupesh Patil says

    I really liked a content of blog sir, its awesome even i am a blogger and your blog motivates me to write more.
    Thanks

  55. Lore Online says

    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

  56. Divakar Kumar says

    Sir i am a student of hindi mediam so i request to you provide study material in hindi or english please sir

  57. vismaya says

    Sir, instead of reading NCERT text ; is the understanding of this article helpful???????please reply and comment on my English . Is it very poor????

  59. Pushpa devi says

    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).

  60. ashish kumar says

    Hello, Sir
    I am very happy to study your notes and it is very helpful for notes competitive exams.

  62. Adarsh singh says

    My ques. Is that..
    Ancient history me..
    Sbse phle chapter me.coins ar gupta dynesty include krne ka kyaa mtb hn…

  63. Nilu says

    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 👍👍👍👍👍

  65. Joseph Jerome P J says

    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 ?

  66. Sanjay says

    Please all aspirants create a Telegram group and add me – 8943732195 or message me to create a group

  70. kannu priya says

    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….

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