Detailed History Notes for SSC, RRB NTPC, and CSIR JSA

Exams

Indian History: General Awareness

1. Ancient Indian History
1.1 Prehistoric Period
• Paleolithic Age: Use of stone tools, hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Sites: Bhimbetka (Madhya
Pradesh, rock paintings), Soan Valley.
• Mesolithic Age: Transition to semi-sedentary life, microliths. Sites: Bagor (Rajasthan),
Langhnaj (Gujarat).
• Neolithic Age: Agriculture, domestication of animals, pottery. Sites: Mehrgarh (Balochis-
tan), Burzahom (Kashmir).
• Chalcolithic Age: Use of copper and stone tools. Sites: Ahar-Banas (Rajasthan), Jorwe
(Maharashtra).

1.2 Indus Valley Civilization (26001900 BCE)

• Major Sites: Harappa (Punjab, Pakistan), Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh), Dholavira (Gujarat),
Lothal (Gujarat, dockyard), Kalibangan (Rajasthan, ploughed field).
• Features:
– Urban planning: Grid system, drainage, Great Bath (Mohenjo-Daro).
– Economy: Agriculture (wheat, barley), trade with Mesopotamia (seals, beads).
– Society: No evidence of large-scale warfare, possible matriarchal elements.
– Script: Undeciphered, pictographic.
– Artifacts: Dancing Girl (bronze), Pashupati seal, terracotta figurines.
• Decline: Theories include Aryan invasion (discredited), climate change, river shifts
(Saraswati drying).
• Exam Note: Focus on site-specific features (e.g., Lothals dockyard, Dholaviras water
management).

1.3 Vedic Period (1500500 BCE)

• Early Vedic Period (Rigvedic, 15001000 BCE):
– Sources: Rigveda (10 mandalas, hymns to Indra, Agni, Varuna).
– Society: Tribal, pastoral, semi-nomadic. Sabha and Samiti (tribal assemblies).
– Economy: Cattle rearing (gavishti: cattle raids), barter system.
– Religion: Nature worship, yajnas (sacrifices).

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 • Later Vedic Period (1000500 BCE):
– Sources: Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Upanishads, Brahmanas.
– Society: Emergence of varna system (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra), patri-
archal society.
– Economy: Shift to agriculture, iron tools (PGW culture).
– Polity: Formation of janapadas, monarchies (e.g., Kuru, Panchala).
• Key Texts: Upanishads (philosophy), Mahabharata and Ramayana (oral traditions).

1.4 Mahajanapadas (600300 BCE)

• 16 Major Kingdoms: Magadha (strongest), Kosala, Vatsa, Avanti, Anga.
• Capitals: Rajgir (Magadha), Shravasti (Kosala), Ujjain (Avanti).
• Administration: Centralized monarchies, taxation systems.
• Rise of Magadha: Bimbisara (expanded through alliances), Ajatashatru (fortified Raj-
gir).

1.5 Religious Movements (6th Century BCE)

• Buddhism:
– Founder: Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha, born 563 BCE, Lumbini).
– Teachings: Four Noble Truths (suffering, cause, cessation, path), Eightfold Path,
Middle Path.
– Sangha: Monastic order for monks and nuns.
– Councils: First (Rajgir, 483 BCE), Second (Vaishali), Third (Pataliputra, Ashokas
time).
– Spread: Ashokas missionaries, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia.
• Jainism:
– Founder: Rishabhanatha (1st Tirthankara), Mahavira (24th Tirthankara, born 599
BCE).
– Principles: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya.
– Sects: Digambara (sky-clad), Svetambara (white-clad).
• Exam Note: Compare Buddhism and Jainism (e.g., both reject Vedas, differ in asceti-
cism).

1.6 Mauryan Empire (321185 BCE)

• Founders: Chandragupta Maurya (defeated Nandas, mentor: Chanakya).
• Ashoka (268232 BCE): Kalinga War (261 BCE) led to Buddhism adoption. Edicts:
Rock (Major/Minor), Pillar (Sarnath Lion Capital).

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 • Administration: Centralized, Arthashastra (Kautilya), espionage, taxation.
• Economy: Agriculture, trade (Pataliputra, Taxila), punch-marked coins.
• Art and Architecture: Stupas (Sanchi, Bharhut), Ashokan pillars.
• Decline: Weak successors, Shunga dynasty (Pushyamitra).

1.7 Post-Mauryan Period (185 BCE300 CE)

• Shungas: Pushyamitra Shunga, patronized Brahmanism.
• Kushanas: Kanishka (Buddhism patron, 4th Buddhist Council in Kashmir). Gandhara
and Mathura art schools.
• Satavahanas: South India, Amravati stupa, Prakrit language.
• Indo-Greeks: Menander (Milindapanho), Greco-Buddhist art.

1.8 Gupta Empire (320550 CE)

• Rulers: Chandragupta I (founder), Samudragupta (Napoleon of India, Allahabad Pillar),
Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
• Golden Age: Advancements in science (Aryabhata: zero, heliocentrism), literature (Kali-
dasa: Shakuntala, Meghaduta), art (Ajanta paintings).
• Administration: Decentralized, land grants, feudalism.
• Religion: Hinduism revival, Vaishnavism, temple architecture (Dashavatara Temple).
• Decline: Huna invasions, weak successors.

2. Medieval Indian History

2.1 Early Medieval Period (6001200 CE)
• North India:
– Tripartite Struggle: Pratiharas (Gurjara), Palas (Bengal), Rashtrakutas (Deccan)
for Kanauj.
– Rajputs: Chauhans (Prithviraj), Solankis, Paramaras. Chandelas (Khajuraho tem-
ples).
• South India:
– Cholas (9th13th century): Rajaraja I (Brihadeswara Temple), Rajendra I (Gan-
gaikonda Cholapuram, naval conquests to Southeast Asia).
– Chalukyas: Pulakeshin II (defeated Harsha), Aihole inscriptions.
– Pallavas: Mahendravarman I, Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram).
• Cultural Contributions: Temple architecture (Dravidian, Nagara), Bhakti movement
beginnings.

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2.2 Delhi Sultanate (12061526)
• Dynasties:
– Slave Dynasty (12061290): Qutubuddin Aibak (Qutub Minar), Iltutmish (Sultan
title), Razia Sultan (first female ruler).
– Khilji Dynasty (12901320): Alauddin Khilji (market reforms, Siri Fort, conquests).
– Tughlaq Dynasty (13201414): Muhammad bin Tughlaq (token currency, Daulatabad
shift), Firoz Shah (canals, Firozabad).
– Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties: Ibrahim Lodi defeated by Babur (1526, Panipat).
• Administration: Iqta system, Diwan-i-Wizarat (finance), Diwan-i-Arz (military).
• Architecture: Indo-Islamic style (Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza).
• Economy: Land revenue, market controls (Alauddin).

2.3 Mughal Empire (15261857)

• Rulers:
– Babur (15261530): First Battle of Panipat (1526), introduced gunpowder.
– Humayun (15301556): Lost to Sher Shah Suri, regained with Persian help.
– Akbar (15561605): Second Battle of Panipat, Rajput alliances, Mansabdari sys-
tem, Din-i-Ilahi, Navratnas (Birbal, Tansen).
– Jahangir (16051627): Nur Jahans influence, justice chain.
– Shah Jahan (16281658): Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Peacock Throne.
– Aurangzeb (16581707): Deccan campaigns, reimposed Jizya, Maratha conflicts.
• Administration: Zabt system (land revenue, Todar Mal), jagirdari system.
• Architecture: Mughal style (Humayuns Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, Jama Masjid).
• Decline: Weak successors (Bahadur Shah I), Nadir Shahs invasion (1739), Maratha and
British rise.

2.4 Regional Powers

• Vijayanagara Empire (13361646): Founded by Harihara and Bukka. Krishnadevaraya
(peak), Hampi architecture. Battle of Talikota (1565) led to decline.
• Marathas: Shivaji (guerrilla warfare, Raigad fort), Peshwas (Balaji Vishwanath, Baji
Rao I). Third Battle of Panipat (1761).
• Sikhs: Guru Gobind Singh (Khalsa, 1699), Ranjit Singh (Lahore kingdom).

2.5 Bhakti and Sufi Movements

• Bhakti Movement:

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 – North India: Ramananda (Ramanandi sect), Kabir (syncretism), Tulsidas (Ram-
charitmanas), Mirabai (Krishna devotion).
– South India: Alvars (Vaishnavism), Nayanars (Shaivism).
• Sufi Movement: Chisti (Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Ajmer), Suhrawardi, Naqshbandi.
Focus on love, tolerance, and mysticism.
• Impact: Promoted social harmony, influenced literature (e.g., Amir Khusros qawwalis).

3. Modern Indian History

3.1 European Arrival and Early Colonial Rule
• Portuguese (14981961): Vasco da Gama (Calicut, 1498), Goa as base.
• Dutch (16021825): Focused on spice trade, Pulicat, Negapatam.
• British (16001947): East India Company (EIC), factories at Surat, Madras, Calcutta.
• French (16641954): Pondicherry, Chandernagore.
• Key Battles:
– Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, established British
control in Bengal.
– Battle of Buxar (1764): EIC defeated Mughal-Shuja-ud-Daulah alliance, Diwani
rights (Bengal, Bihar, Orissa).
• Policies: Subsidiary Alliance (Wellesley), Doctrine of Lapse (Dalhousie).

3.2 British Administration and Reforms

• Administrative Changes: Regulating Act (1773), Pitts India Act (1784), Charter Acts
(1813, 1833).
• Reforms:
– William Bentinck (18281835): Abolition of Sati (1829), English education, sup-
pression of thuggee.
– Lord Dalhousie (18481856): Railways, telegraph, postage stamps, annexation (Jhansi,
Awadh).
• Education: Woods Dispatch (1854, Magna Carta of English education), universities
(Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, 1857).
• Economic Impact: Deindustrialization, land revenue systems (Zamindari, Ryotwari,
Mahalwari).

3.3 Revolt of 1857

• Causes:
– Political: Annexations (Doctrine of Lapse), disrespect to Mughal emperor.
– Economic: Heavy taxation, destruction of cottage industries.

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 – Social: Sati abolition, widow remarriage reforms.
– Military: Greased cartridges (Enfield rifle), low pay for sepoys.
• Leaders: Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore), Rani Laxmibai (Jhansi), Nana Saheb (Kanpur),
Bahadur Shah Zafar (Delhi), Kunwar Singh (Bihar).
• Centers: Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Arrah.
• Outcome: End of EIC, Government of India Act (1858), British Crown rule, reorgani-
zation of army.
• Exam Note: Often asked as First War of Independence vs Sepoy Mutiny debate.

3.4 Indian National Movement

Early Phase (18571905)

• Organizations: Indian National Congress (INC, 1885, A.O. Hume), first session (Bom-
bay, W.C. Bonnerjee).
• Moderates: Dadabhai Naoroji (Drain Theory), Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath
Banerjee. Demands: Civil services, education reforms.
• Events: Partition of Bengal (1905, Lord Curzon), Swadeshi Movement (boycott of for-
eign goods).

Extremist Phase (19051919)

• Leaders: Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Swaraj is my birthright), Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat
Rai (Lal-Bal-Pal).
• Events:
– Surat Split (1907): Moderates vs Extremists.
– Morley-Minto Reforms (1909): Separate electorates for Muslims.
– Home Rule Movement (1916): Tilak, Annie Besant.
• Revolutionary Activities: Anushilan Samiti, Ghadar Movement, Alipore Bomb Case
(1908, Khudiram Bose).

Gandhian Era (19191947)

• Major Movements:
– Non-Cooperation Movement (192022): Triggered by Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
(1919, Amritsar, General Dyer). Boycott of schools, courts, foreign goods. Chauri
Chaura (1922) led to withdrawal.
– Civil Disobedience Movement (193034): Dandi Salt March (1930, Gandhi), vio-
lation of salt laws. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (1931), Second Round Table Conference.
– Quit India Movement (1942): Do or Die call, mass arrests, underground activities
(Aruna Asaf Ali).

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 • Other Leaders: Jawaharlal Nehru (socialism), Subhas Chandra Bose (INA, Azad Hind
Government, 1943), Sardar Patel (Bardoli Satyagraha).
• Key Events:
– Simon Commission (1928): Go back protests, Lala Lajpat Rais death.
– Round Table Conferences (193032): Gandhi attended second.
– Government of India Act (1935): Provincial autonomy.
• Partition and Independence: Cripps Mission (1942), Cabinet Mission (1946), Mount-
batten Plan (1947). Indian Independence Act (1947), India and Pakistan formed (15th
August 1947).

3.5 Post-Independence History

• Integration of Princely States: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, V.P. Menon. Hyderabad (Op-
eration Polo, 1948), Junagadh, Kashmir (Instrument of Accession).
• Constitution: Adopted 26th November 1949, enacted 26th January 1950. Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar (Drafting Committee Chairman). Features: Federal structure, fundamental
rights, directive principles.
• Major Events:
– Indo-Pak Wars: 1947 (Kashmir), 1965 (Lahore), 1971 (Bangladesh liberation).
– Indo-China War (1962): Border dispute, Aksai Chin.
– Linguistic Reorganization: States Reorganisation Act (1956), based on language.
– Green Revolution (1960s): M.S. Swaminathan, high-yield varieties, Punjab, Haryana.
• Economic Policies: Five-Year Plans (1951 onwards), Planning Commission, Liberaliza-
tion (1991, P.V. Narasimha Rao, Manmohan Singh).
• Foreign Policy: Non-Aligned Movement (Nehru, NAM Summit 1961), Panchsheel Agree-
ment (1954).

4. World History (Relevant Topics)

4.1 Renaissance and Reformation
• Renaissance (14th17th Century): Revival of art, science, literature in Europe. Key
figures: Leonardo da Vinci (Mona Lisa), Michelangelo (Sistine Chapel), Copernicus
(heliocentrism).
• Reformation (16th Century): Martin Luther (95 Theses, 1517), Protestant movement
against Catholic Church. Impact: Rise of Protestantism, Counter-Reformation.

4.2 French Revolution (17891799)

• Causes: Inequality (Estates system), financial crisis, Enlightenment ideas (Rousseau,
Voltaire).
• Events: Storming of Bastille (1789), Reign of Terror (Robespierre), fall of monarchy.

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 • Impact: Liberty, equality, fraternity; rise of Napoleon, spread of nationalism.
• Exam Note: Often asked for causes and global impact.

4.3 Industrial Revolution (18th19th Century)

• Origin: Britain, spread to Europe, USA. Key inventions: Steam engine (James Watt),
spinning jenny (Hargreaves).
• Impact: Urbanization, factory system, colonialism (resource demand).
• Social Changes: Rise of working class, labor movements.

4.4 World Wars

• World War I (19141918):
– Causes: Militarism, alliances, imperialism, nationalism (MAIN), assassination of
Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
– Alliances: Allies (Britain, France, Russia), Central Powers (Germany, Austria-
Hungary).
– Outcome: Treaty of Versailles (1919), League of Nations, German reparations.
• World War II (19391945):
– Causes: Treaty of Versailles, rise of Hitler, appeasement policy.
– Alliances: Axis (Germany, Italy, Japan), Allies (USA, USSR, Britain).
– Events: Pearl Harbor (1941), D-Day (1944), Hiroshima-Nagasaki bombings (1945).
– Outcome: United Nations (1945), Cold War beginnings.

4.5 Cold War (19451991)

• Overview: Ideological conflict between USA (capitalism) and USSR (communism).
• Key Events: Berlin Wall (19611989), Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), Space Race (Sputnik,
Apollo 11).
• Indias Role: Non-Aligned Movement (Nehru, Tito, Nasser), Bandung Conference (1955).
• End: Fall of Berlin Wall (1989), USSR dissolution (1991).

5. Historical Sites and Monuments

• Ancient: Sanchi Stupa (Mauryan), Ajanta-Ellora Caves (Buddhist, Gupta), Mohenjo-
Daro (IVC), Dholavira (water reservoirs).
• Medieval: Qutub Minar (Slave Dynasty), Taj Mahal (Mughal), Hampi (Vijayanagara),
Khajuraho (Chandela).
• Modern: Cellular Jail (Andaman, British), Jallianwala Bagh (Amritsar), Sabarmati Ashram
(Gandhi).

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 • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sanchi, Khajuraho, Hampi, Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Hu-
mayuns Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri.
• Exam Note: Memorize site-ruler associations (e.g., Taj Mahal Shah Jahan, Sanchi
Ashoka).

6. Sources of History
• Literary Sources:
– Ancient: Vedas, Upanishads, Arthashastra, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Buddhist texts
(Tripitakas), Jain texts (Agamas).
– Medieval: Ain-i-Akbari (Abul Fazl), Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Babur), Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi
(Ziauddin Barani).
– Modern: British records, newspapers (Amrita Bazar Patrika), Gandhis writings
(Hind Swaraj).
• Archaeological Sources: Inscriptions (Ashokan edicts), coins (Kushana, Gupta), monu-
ments, seals (IVC).
• Foreign Accounts: Megasthenes (Indica, Mauryan), Fa-Hien (Gupta), Al-Biruni (Delhi
Sultanate), Ibn Battuta (Tughlaq).

7. Preparation Tips
• Study Resources:
– NCERT History (Class 612): Old NCERTs by R.S. Sharma (Ancient), Satish Chan-
dra (Medieval), Bipan Chandra (Modern).
– Lucents General Knowledge: Quick revision for facts.
– Spectrums Modern India (Rajiv Ahir): Freedom struggle details.
– Indias Struggle for Independence (Bipan Chandra): In-depth modern history.
• Key Focus Areas:
– Ancient: IVC sites, Mauryan administration, Gupta contributions.
– Medieval: Delhi Sultanate reforms, Mughal architecture, Bhakti-Sufi leaders.
– Modern: Revolt of 1857, freedom movements, key leaders, British policies.
– Post-Independence: Integration, wars, economic policies.
– World History: French Revolution, World Wars, Cold War (Indias role).
• Practice: Solve previous year papers (SSC CGL 20192023, RRB NTPC 202021) and
mock tests from Testbook, Gradeup, or Oliveboard. Aim for 2030 history questions
daily.
• Revision: Use timelines (e.g., Mughal rulers: 15261707), mnemonics (e.g., Lal-Bal-Pal
for extremists), and flashcards for rulers, battles, and reforms.

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 • Map Work: Practice locating historical sites (e.g., Harappa, Sanchi, Hampi) using an
atlas (Oxford or Orient BlackSwan).
• Current Affairs: Track recent archaeological discoveries, UNESCO recognitions, and
heritage projects (e.g., Dholaviras UNESCO status, 2021) via The Hindu or PIB.
• Time Management: Allocate time proportionally (Ancient: 20

8. Exam-Relevant Notes
• Question Trends: SSC/NTPC/CSIR JSA exams focus on factual questions (e.g., Who
built Qutub Minar?), chronology (e.g., Sequence of Mughal rulers), and match-the-
following (e.g., monuments-rulers).
• Common Topics: IVC features, Ashokas edicts, Mughal administration, Revolt of 1857
causes/leaders, Gandhian movements, post-independence events.
• Tip: Memorize key dates (e.g., 1857, 1947), rulers (e.g., Akbars reign: 15561605), and
books-authors (e.g., Ain-i-Akbari Abul Fazl).
• Numerical Questions: Learn battle years (e.g., Panipat 1526, 1556, 1761), council years
(Buddhist councils), reform years (e.g., Sati abolition 1829).

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