Ancient History Syllabus for UPSC:
Ancient History is one of the main topic in the UPSC CSE Prelims and Mains Examination. Every year, approximately 3 to 4 questions on Ancient History are asked in Prelims General Studies Paper I. Before diving into the subject, take a look at the Ancient History Syllabus for UPSC.
1.Stone Ages
- Focus on different Stone Ages such as, Paleolithic Age, Middle Stone Age, Neolithic and Chalcolithic Age.
2.Civilisation
- Indus Valley Civilization- Sites and Archaeological Discoveries, religion, Society and Culture, Reasons for Decline of Indus Valley Civilization
3.Vedic Period
- Early Vedic Age (1500-900 BCE)- Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and Culture, Geography of the Rig Vedic Period – Area of Settlement Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy, Social Organization, Economy, Religious Practices and Culture
- Later Vedic Age (900 -600 BCE)- Geography of the later Vedic Phases – Area of Settlement, Political System, Social Organisation and Varna System, Economy, Religious Practices and Culture
4.Buddhism and Jainism
- Jainism: Birth and Life of Mahavira (540- 468 B.C.), Teachings of Mahavira, Organisation and Sects of Jainism,Literature of Jainism, Councils, Spread and Royal Patrons
- Buddhism: Birth and Life of Buddha (563-483 BC), Teachings of Buddha, Organisation and Sects of Buddhism, Literature of Buddhism, Councils, Spread of and Royal Patronage, Causes for the Decline
5.Mahajanapadas Period
- Republics and Monarchies, 16 Mahajanapadas, Magadha, Key Dynasties (Haryanka dynasty,Shishunaga Dynasty, Nanda Dynasty), Persian Invasions, Alexander’s Invasion, Society and Rise of urban centres and Economy
6.Mauryan period
- Sources: Inscriptions and Sites, Literary Sources (The Arthasastra), Rulers and Political History of the Mauryas, Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites, Asoka and Buddhism, Decline of the Mauryas
7.Post Mauryan Period
- Society: Evolution of Jatis, Satavahanas, Sungas and Kanvas, Sakas, Kushanas, Kanishka
8.Gupta Period
- Sources of Gupta Rule, Rulers and Political history of Guptas Chronology, Foreign Travellers Visit – Fahien’s Visit, Gupta Administration, Other Important Dynasties, Society Religion and Culture, Urban centres in Gupta period, Economy, Science and Technology, Literature,Later Guptas, Other Important Dynasties
9. Harshavardhana Period
- Harsha Military Conquests, Harsha and Buddhism, Administration, Society and Culture, Economy
10. Sangam Period
- Sangam Literature, South Indian Dynasties (Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas)Sangam Polity, Society and Culture, Economy of Sangam Period, Foreign Dynasties, Commercial Contacts with the Outside World, Schools of Art