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(HTTPS://WWW.INSIGHTSONINDIA.COM/CATEGORY/HISTORY/) > OPTIONAL STRATEGY: HISTORY – BY GAZAL BHARADWAJ, RANK – 40, CSE
– 2015
89 Comments (https://www.insightsonindia.com/2016/05/20/optional-strategy-history-gazal-bharadwaj-rank-40-cse-
2015/#disqus_thread)
Gazal Bharadwaj
Strategy: Most aspirants opt for history as an optional because its easy to start with and is one
subject least dependent on coaching. Also, it has bene ts in the general studies papers and in
essay. However, approaching history as an optional requires a very technical and objective
approach. All new ncerts and IGNOU BA and MA material is highly relevant.
My personal opinion is take history as an optional only if you are deeply interested in it and
have zeal to go deeper. You’ll have to focus on understanding various perspectives on
historiography, themes and archaeological and literary sources, rather than focussing on
chronological details. You will be often told that it is not ‘scoring’, or it has ‘large syllabus’. So,
take it based on interest.
BOOKS/SOURCES:
PAPER-1
ANCIENT INDIA
most important book, according to the current trend of questions being asked on socio-
economic aspects of history
2. IGNOU B.A notes- very crisply written
3. IGNOU M.A NOTES – helpful in understanding various political, economic and socio- cultural
aspects
4. Romila thapar- Early India( only a very selective reading)
5. NCERT Class 6, NCERT Class 11
MEDIEVAL INDIA
PAPER-2
MODERN INDIA
MODERN WORLD
1. IGNOU BA and MA
2. RANJAN CHAKRABARTY- A history of modern world : http://www.amazon.in/History-Modern-World-
Outline/dp/9380607504 (http://www.amazon.in/History-Modern-World-Outline/dp/9380607504)
stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0333932188&pf_rd_m=A1VBAL9TL5WCBF&pf_rd_r=1QXYDTYB9DG8C3REVANT
(http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/1137483644/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=733112647&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-
stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0333932188&pf_rd_m=A1VBAL9TL5WCBF&pf_rd_r=1QXYDTYB9DG8C3REVANT)
APPROACH PAPER 2
This is the most important part that how we integrate these various sources with our syllabus,
based on studying the past question papers. I would like to cite an example.
PART A- Modern world: In paper 2, French revolution and Russian revolution, both are
important parts of the syllabus. If one integrates IGNOU, David thomson and Ranjan
Chakraborty and prepare a list of questions in one’s mind like:
Eg questions like“The multiple contradictions that quickly undermined the new edi ce, had been
expressed even before the meeting of the Estates General in France. The internal con ict among
Estates had manifested itself.” upsc 2015
5. What were the principles of legitimacy laid down by the democratic action of the third
estate?
6. How crowd’s direct action in 1792 pushed the revolution towards a democratic
republic?
8. Role of philosophers and enlightenment in triggering the revolution? Eg. Questions like
“The connection between the philosophers’ ideas and the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789) is
somewhat remote and indirect.” UPSC 2012
9. Role of women?
10. Critical analysis of the constitution of 1791, declaration of rights of man and citizen
etc? Eg questions like “The Declaration of Rights was the death-warrant of the system of privilege,
and so of the ancient regime … Yet in the history of ideas it belonged rather to the past than to the
future.” Examine. UPSC 2014
11. Role of Napoleon and his reforms, how he reversed the principles of the revolution
1. On modern politics
2. Of ideological parties- the concept of left and right
3. On totally mobilised citizen bodies
4. On concept of total war
5. On rise of nationalism- the idea of nation changed (Nation is not just a territory that people
belonging to it inhabit or where a centralised power exercises sovereign control, but the
people themselves)
6. On origin of socialism
Eg. Questions like “The impact of the French Revolution (1789) was initially con ned the Europe, but,
that of the Russian Revolution (1917) was global.” – Critically review. UPSC 2012
I am attaching a pdf, to cite how I jotted down these points roughly, integrating various
sources.
Similarly, I’ll try to upload my strategy towards exploring and interlinking various themes like
imperialism, colonialism, world wars and total war, socialism, enlightenment etc slowly on My
blog.
PART B- Modern india: Similar strategy of integrating above mentioned books and
consolidating themes must be adopted. Eg
1. linking imperialism and colonialism (world history) with drain theory (Indian national
movement)
1. If you analyse past four year papers, you will realise the shift away from political
history towards social and economic history.(This is equally true for GS). Plus there is a
trend of asking questions based on sources.
Q1. Review critically the evolution of di erent schools of art in the Indian subcontinent
between the second century BCE and the third century CE, and evaluate the socio-religious
factors responsible for it. (UPSC 2014).
3. Historiography being asked almost directly. This includes debates among various
schools of historians EG.
Q1.To what extent is “segmentary State’ model relevant for de ning the Vijayanagar State?
Critically examine.(UPSC 2014)
Q2. Evaluating various theories regarding the Chola State, throw light on its village assemblies.
(UPSC 2014)
Q3. What kind of changes were visualised by historians on Indian feudalism? Examine critically.
(UPSC 2012)
Q4. Discuss di erent interpretations of historians about the nature of Asoka’s ‘Dhamma’. Did
his principle of `Dhamma-vijaya’ render the Mauryan Empire militaristically weak?(UPSC 2014)
Q5. discuss and evaluate critically various times in the historiography of Bhakti (UPSC 2013)
I am attaching an example as to how I approached historiography kind of questions:
Q1. “The Upanishadic principles embody the epitome of the Vedic thought.” Discuss. (UPSC
2014)
Q2. Give a brief account of the early medieval temple architecture of Katnmir. (UPSC 2015)
Q1.Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasashtra tradition where framed in
accordance with the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically. (UPSC 2013)
Q3. analyze the steps taken Razia Sultan by to strengthen our position as an independent ruler
despite various obstacles. (UPSC 2013)
Q4. Bhakti and Mysticism of Lal Ded emerged as a social force in Kashmir. Comment. (UPSC
2013)
Here’s a link on how I approached women related questions in ancient and medieval India:
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Reach For The Sky !! > Reach For The Sky !! • 3 years ago
hey can you give a idea about qualifying papers and when these paper happ
asking things apart from optional,but still can you shed some light.
Regards
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Soliloquies > Reach For The Sky !! • 3 years ago
yeah. i forgot. Bipin chandra zindabaad! its one book from where you'll find lo
picked up n quoted. and helpful for gs1 too.
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