Indian History
Indian History for the 10th level paper spans the Indus Valley to the modern period, but it tests broad sequence and turning points rather than deep historiography. Expect questions on dynasties, rulers, reforms, literature and art.
Ancient and medieval
- Indus Valley sites: Harappa and Mohenjo-daro (now Pakistan), Lothal (Gujarat) and Kalibangan (Rajasthan); the script remains undeciphered.
- Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta, Bindusara and Ashoka; the Kalinga war (261 BCE) turned Ashoka to Buddhism; his edicts use Prakrit and Brahmi.
- The Gupta period is called the “Golden Age” for Sanskrit literature, science and temple architecture.
- Delhi Sultanate: five dynasties from 1206; Alauddin Khalji’s market reforms and Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s experiments are frequent questions.
- Mughal Empire: Babur (1526, First Battle of Panipat), Akbar’s mansabdari and Din-i-Ilahi, and Shah Jahan’s architecture.
Worked example
Question: “Where did Buddha deliver his first sermon?” After enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, he preached at Sarnath near Varanasi; this is called the Dhammachakka-pravartana. Answer: Sarnath.
Traps
- Mixing Buddha’s birth (Lumbini), enlightenment (Bodh Gaya) and first sermon (Sarnath).
- Placing the Mauryas after the Guptas.
- Confusing the First Battle of Panipat (1526) with the Third (1761).
- Forgetting that Ashoka’s edicts were in Prakrit, not Sanskrit.