Tips & Strategies


Strategy for History mains
                              - By Bhushan Deshmukh

If the prelim’s is to be compared with one day match, mains could be described as test match. The temperament and technique to play it is different than prelims.

Prelim is mainly factual study, many times without knowing how or why. On the other hand main’s is analytical study, knowing the essence of the story.

With introduction of first 30 marks questions last year and now 20 marks one,  instead of regular 60 marks, you are suppose to know the essence of many more stories.

Who can take history?

Student from any discipline can choose and master this subject with systematic efforts. Apart from that it enables candidate to write their essay paper with a historical perspective which gives depth to the arguments.

History is the only subject that can be lived. It is full of plots and counter plots, desires and detachments, wars and peace missions, giant triumphs and utter failures, a moving kaleidoscope of people, events and locations. Studying history is as good as sitting into time machine and visiting our ‘wonderful’ past. But all this is true only if you are ‘interested’ in the subject. Without interest, proper understanding of the subject can’t be developed. In that case history will seem like subject with vast syllabus, full of unrelated events and mere description of dead past. But interest either natural or created will make your past talk with you. Indeed in the words of E.H.Carr “history is a continuous dialogue between past and present”

As it is rightly said that history is not a study of facts, but interpretation of facts. Facts are just raw material with which interpretation is done. Answers in the main’s are about your interpretation of History. The angle of focus on history has constantly changed. From Political to Cultural to Economic Candidates are exempted if facts go wrong, but analysis is correct, but other way round will not do. Unlike other humanities subject, history does not have a theory part, all the 4 part i.e. Ancient, Medieval, Modern and World are applied.

How much scoring history is?
History is one of the most popular option is U.P.S.C. examination for obvious reasons. It has synergy with General studies. In prelim history occupies frontline (14 questions out of 100 in prelim 2011) In mains 82 marks questions of history and culture get covered by optional history (As per mains 2011G.S. paper) It is also useful in writing essay. Since at least one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments. (for e.g. related to culture ‘Does Indian Cinema shape our popular culture or merely reflect it’ asked in mains 2011)
History complements with any combination of optional, but goes best with political science, next best with Public Administration.

In the mains examination History is directly compared with other subjects.

History is highly subjective subject. Suppose the question was given ‘Evaluate the Gandhi’, then all candidates will write different answers. Which of them is right or wrong? None. It depends on how arguments are pushed. This makes the subject safe. Generally it is not possible that you don’t know anything about the answer. Ultimately you fetch some minimum marks in each question. That way no body goes below 200 in history.

But going by same logic history also does not give very high marks. There is nothing called perfect answer. Because of this phenomenon marks do not go above 390. But then to get into IAS one need to get 55-60% marks in the subject and that makes this subject an attractive proposition.

History is scoring subject. One of my student Sonal Sonkavde made a fortune with 390 markes. Shrikesh B. Lathkar who scored 365 in history in 2010 mains in his second attempt to got the 57th rank says, "History (365) has done it for me sir. Biggest thanks to you." 

We can refer to the data of those written mains 2009. This is the larges sample group of 9026 (excluding only those handful who are chosen for interview). We can observe that History is third most popular optional taken (2777), just after Public Administration (3067) and Geography (3190) But if we the average marks secured by the candidates then History (242) is better then Public Administration (232) and Geography (221)

History is the scientific subject and can be studied scientifically. It is as scientific as physics or mathematics, only since it is from humanities side, things are open ended.

With optional scraped in prelim, now there is no differentiation between those having history as first optional and those having it second, all are now equally placed.

Resource material?

The compulsory map question should be solved first and prepared first. Twenty sites are given & you have to mark them all on the given map and describe its importance in four lines. (Probably) one mark for marking site and two for description. Sites given are of specific importance in history (for e.g. Kumbharia, Sirpur, Pangudaria in mains 2011) By daily practice this question can turn into scoring one.

They give blank map with only India’s international boundaries.(As in 2011 mains) It is safer to make blocks and practice. Sites from Ancient and medieval India are asked. Spectrum has published the book about Ancient Indian places. Ensemble has come out with ‘History Through Maps’, a well researched and royally presented work.

In paper II world history is to be targeted. On modern India now so much research is available that there is no end of interpretation. Comparatively world history is straight and neutral. There are controversies in France about how the fall of Napoleon took place, but there are no such controversies in India.  As it is, if world history questions are difficult you can switch to modern India at the last moment but reverse is not true.

IGNOU books are useful for mains too. It could be used selectively. Brilliant Tutorials has published the material on mains history which is update and refined.

Some internet sites are rich in content and photography in history For e.g. www.indhistory.com, www.historywiz.com/India.htm Wikipedia can prove a magic wand for getting answers.
Publication division has done grand job of publishing material which prove very helpful for the mains. They are
1)    India – Art & Architecture in Ancient & Medieval Period
2)    India – Early History
3)    India – Government & Economic life in Ancient and Medieval periods

For world History good work is done by Jain & Mathur. Their book for world History mains is excellent. It has covered our syllabus topic wise, but it is also true that it is not edited properly. Recently a book is published by Krishna Reddy by the name ‘Modern World’ overcomes this issue. It has avoided the bulkiness and is updated with recent changes in syllabus.  World History by L.Mukherjee is lucid and will make answers readable. It can be used as complementary with Jain & Mathur or Krishna Reddy.
Tracking syllabus is a fruitful exercise, for mains. The vast syllabus cannot be covered without the pointers. What is interesting is that syllabus of mains is clearly defined and examiners remain stick to it. (For e.g. in 2011 mains question asked word to word from lines of syllabus, Ibn Batutah's Rehla (20), Mughal paintings (30), Independent foreign policy post-1947(30), Industrial Revolution(20), Nazi aggrandizement (30)


Ancient India

Topic
Sub-topic
Brief Description
30 Marks
60 Marks
1

Sources



i)
Archeological sources

2003

ii)
Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments

2007/09
2

Pre-history and Proto-history
2010

3

Indus Valley Civilization

2002
4

Megalithic Cultures

2008
5

Aryans and Vedic Period
2009/10
2004
6

Period of Mahajanapadas



i)
Economic growth; Introduction of coinage

2003

ii)
Spread of Jainism and Buddhism

2007

iii)
Rise of Magadha and Nandas

2001
7

Mauryan Empire



i)
Polity, Administration

2005

ii)
Religion; Spread of religion; Literature

2004
8

Post - Mauryan Period
2010
2008
9

Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India
2010
2008
10

Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas



i)
Polity and administration
2009
2006/05

ii)
Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women

2007/05/10

iii)
Education and educational institutions

2003
11

Regional States during Gupta Era



i)
Chalukyas of Badami



ii)
Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas


12

Themes in Early Indian Cultural History



i)
major stages in the evolution of art and architecture

2004/2009

ii)
ideas in Science and Mathematics

2001

Medieval India

Topic
Brief Description
20 Marks
30 Marks
60 Marks
13
Early Medieval India, 750-1200




The Cholas: administration, village economy and society

2009
2004/07

“Indian Feudalism”
2005/09
2010

14
Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200




Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta
2001

2008

Growth of Bhakti
2002
2010


Sufism
2003



Kalhan’s Rajtarangini
2003
2009


Alberuni’s India
2007

2003
15
The Thirteenth Century




Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban 
2004/08
2009

16
The Fourteenth Century




“The Khalji Revolution”
2006



Alauddin Khalji


2001

Muhammad Tughluq
2003/04/09


17
Society, Culture and Economy in the 13th & 14th Centuries
2010
2010


Sufi movement
2006
2009

18
The 15th & Early 16th Century – Political Developments and Economy




Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun 
2001
2010


The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration 


2006

Bhakti and Sufi Movements
2005

2001/03/04/05/07

Portuguese Colonial Enterprise
2008


19
The 15th & Early 16th Century – Society and Culture




Literary traditions
2002/10


20
Akbar




Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems
2002



Rajput policy


2003/07

Evolution of religious and social outlook
2004/06/09

2002
21
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century




Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb


2004

Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb
2006
2009


Ahom Kingdom
2008


22
Economy and Society in the 16th & 17th  Centuries




Agriculture & craft
2010

2008

Towns, commerce with Europe
2009/10

2006

Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems 


2005

Evolution of Khalasa
2008


23
Culture in the Mughal Empire




Hindi and other religious literature 


2006

Mughal architecture
2001

2002

Mughal painting
2005/07



Science and technology 
2001
2009/10

24
The Eighteenth Century




Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire 


2005

Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas


2001

The Maratha fiscal and financial system
2003/04/07
2010


Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761 
2002

2008







Modern India

Topic
Sub-to
Brief Description
20 Marks
30 Marks
60 Marks
1

European Penetration into India
2002/6
2009
2002
2

British Expansion in India
2001/4/5/10
2009
2006
3

Early Structure of the British Raj
2004

2005

1
English Utilitarian
2008


4

Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
2001/3/4/5/6/9/10

2001/3/4/6/7

1
Famine and poverty in the rural interior
2003
2010
2002/5/8

2
Drain of wealth

2010
2008
5

Social and Cultural Developments
2008

2004
6

Social and Religious Reform movements in Bengal and Other Areas
2005/7/9
2009

7

Indian Response to British Rule
2001



1
The Great Revolt of 1857
2005/7/9/10


8

Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism
2010
2010
2001

1
National Congress
2002
2009


2
the Moderates and Extremists
2006

2003
9

Rise of Gandhi
2002



1
the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement
2008

2007

2
beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement


2005

3
Quit India Movement;
2001/3
2009


4
The Cabinet Mission
2004


10

Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India
2007


11

Other strands of the National Movement
2010



1
The Revolutionaries
2008

2003

2
The Left


2002/6

3
Subhas Chandra Bose
2002


12

Politics of Separatism
2006/09/10
2009

13

Consolidation as a Nation; Nehru’s Foreign Policy




1
Integration of Princely States


2007

2
Nehru’s Foreign Policy


2001/4
14

Caste and Ethnicity after 1947
2008
2010

15

Economic development and political change




World History

Topic
Sub-topic
Brief Description
20 Marks
30 Marks
60 Marks
16

Enlightenment and Modern ideas




(i)
Major Ideas of Enlightenment
2004/10

2008

(ii)
Spread of Enlightenment




(iii)
Rise of socialist ideas
2001/8


17

Origins of Modern Politics




(i)
European States System




(ii)
American Revolution and the Constitution.
2006/10

2005

(iii)
French revolution and after math, 1789-1815.
2002/3/4/5/6/7/10
2009
2001

(iv)
American Civil War




(v)
British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850;
2005

2004
18

Industrialization




(i)
English Industrial Revolution:




(ii)
Industrialization in other countries:

2009


(iii)
Industrialization and Globalization.  
2009


19

Nation-State System




(i)
Rise of Nationalism in 19th century




(ii)
Nationalism : state-building
2001/4/5

2002/3

(iii)
Disintegration of Empires
2001/6


20

Imperialism and Colonialism
2010



(i)
South and South-East Asia

2010


(ii)
Latin America and South Africa
2009

2001

(iii)
Australia




(iv)
Imperialism and free trade:
2007


21

Revolution and Counter-Revolution :




(i)
19th Century European revolutions
2008



(ii)
The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921
2005
2009
2003

(iii)
Fascist Counter-Revolution
2005

2004/7

(iv)
The Chinese Revolution of 1949
2010

2002/5/6
22

World Wars




(i)
1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars:
2007



(ii)
World War I : Causes and Consequences
2001/3/4/6
2010


(iii)
World War II : Causes and consequence
2002/8/9
2010

23

The World after World War II:




(i)
Emergence of two power blocs
2008

2005

(ii)
Emergence of Third World and Non-Alignment

2010


(iii)
UNO and the global disputes
2003
2009

24

Liberation from Colonial Rule:




(i)
Latin America-Bolivar




(ii)
Arab World-Egypt
2009

2001

(iii)
Africa-Apartheid to Democracy



2006

(iv)
South-East Asia-Vietnam

2009

25

Decolonization and Underdevelopment




(i)
Factors constraining Development :

2009

26

Unification of Europe




(i)
Post War Foundations :
2003/7



(ii)
Consolidation of European Community




(iii)
European Union.



27

Disintegration of Soviet Union




(i)
Collapse of Soviet communism
2010

2002/4/7

(ii)
Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001


2008

(iii)
End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy


2003/8



If you analyze the past papers you will be surprised to find that most of the questions are repeated from the last ten year papers for e.g. Indian Feudalism, Bhakti & Sufi Movement. Economic impact of British rule on India is asked record no of times. So that’s the hint. Here some analysis of past papers from 2001 onwards.

For preparing mains one has to be focused on relevant areas. Guesswork has to be done to what will come and what will not. (And be mentally prepared to face anything in paper). If you make notes in question-answer format then nothing like that. If you get ready with say 150-200 questions with outline of answers then you can stuck a jackpot. Chronicle Publication has published the book in such format and will prove useful for reference.

It may sound absurd, but NCERT books on History (Class XI & XII), both old and new versions are highly useful in writing the mains answers. They present the clue about direction and the structure of the answer.

It is very common to say that one has to do writing practice. I repeat it is necessary. Candidates dream that as soon as study is over they will give tests. That’s ideal, seldom has this happened. Studies may never get over. Just make a timetable of tests, follow it strictly, and get it checked from competent authority and discuss them out. Handwriting, speed, fluency and structure of answer play a main role in marks.

One should give full attention to the direction of the question like Discuss, Explain, Evaluate, Describe, Compare etc. Each of them connotes different meaning. 

Where ever possible the answer should be substantiated with tables, diagrams and flowcharts.
Group study can do wonders in study of history. Every member in the group can give different insight into the subject. You can shoot questions to each other and comprehend the facts. But make sure that group is no larger than 3-4 friends and all damn serious.

So take a long breath and strings tight in your hand. Now with full vision of future turn your eyes towards past. May goddess of history bless you with success.

Twist in the story continues

In last three Mains (2009/10/11) UPSC surprised (or shocked) the candidates by changing the question format. Instead of 60 marks question, they divided it into two questions of 30 marks, or three questions of 20 marks each. This was done not only in History but in all other optional’s. It’s like test match suddenly turned into 20-20.

With this examiner were able to cover far more syllabus, they are able ask the questions on such areas of syllabus that remained uncovered 60 marks pattern (for e.g. Importance of Jain tenets and their relevance to humanity)

Earlier hardly three questions are asked on Ancient, Medieval, Modern and World each. But with double the questions appearing now, much more syllabus is covered. In others words luck factor has came down.

There is one more twist. Since the old format is divided into two questions. It bought the catch-22 situation for the candidates. Suppose you know the (a) answer of question 4 and (b) answer of question (5), no use, you have to answer either 4 or 5.

Actually every mains UPSC will surely keep throwing new surprises, keep changing the pattern of questions asked so that nobody should try to make it a cake walk.

So those who accepted the changes with open heart survived. Those who were not able to and remain rigid ended up getting low score.

Not to forget that the biggest test scorer in the world Sachin Tendulkar has won the Orange Cap for the best batsman in the 20-20 format.


Book List for History Optional

G.S. (History part) – Prelim

1) NCERT Class 6th to 12th
2) Tata Mc Grewhill Manual for G.S. Prelims

G.S. (History part)- Mains

1) Modern India for mains by Spectrum
3) India’s struggle for independence – Bipin Chandra

For Mains (History Optional) 

Ancient

1) Early India – Romila Thaper
2) Ashoka and decline of Mauryas – Romila Thaper
3) Harsha – National Book Trust 

Medieval

1) Medieval India – Satishchandra Vol I & II
2) Emperor Akbar – National Book Trust
3) National Book Trust - India Series 

Modern

1) Modern India – Sumit Sarkar
2) India After Independence – Bipin Chandra

World

1) World History for Mains – Jain & Mathur
2) World History – L.N.Mukherjee
3) Modern World - K. Krishna Reddy

Overall

1) Chronicle book of question-answers of Mains
2) Brilliant Material on History Mains
3) Spectrum Book on 'Ancient Indian Maps & Places








How to choose best optional subject for Civil Services Exam


How to choose best optional subject? Which subject is scoring?...These are the common questions which we receive through email and our experience

Selecting right optional subject is an important step in your preparation. How do you go about selecting the right optional? Many aspirants say that they have selected a particular optional because it is scoring. This is perhaps the biggest myth surrounding the Civil Services exam.


When you think that an optional is scoring you are probably you are looking at the high scores some of the aspirants have got in that optional. You must ask yourself if the optional subject would be scoring for you. 


You can follow these steps while choosing optional subject: 

1. Check your interest in the subject.

2. Refer the syllabus and previous years question papers.

3. Check your aptitude and consider your educational background.
 
4. Check the availability of study material, books and guidance.


Then take a careful decision on optional subject which will work for you. Often a wrong choice can waste your attempt and some valuable years of your life without any outcome. You can attend professional guidance program like Career Quest 'i3 guidance workshop' before starting your IAS preparation. Do not copy strategy of IAS Toppers. Make your own success strategy with suggestions from experts and successful candidates.




3 comments:

  1. sir i selected tamil literature as optional ! may i have your guides to face this subject

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Friend, We are happy but, as of now we don't make any guides(books/notes). But we can guide in person through select teachers

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sir im presently doing B.E final year, How can I prepare for civil service exam during my UG studies??

    ReplyDelete