Maharashtra PSC: History: Revised Syllabus for State Services (Main) Examination (Optional)

History (Code No : 205) Paper - I
Standard : Degree

Total Marks : 200
Nature of Paper : Conventional Type
Duration : 3 Hours

Note:
1) Answers to this paper must be written either in English or in Marathi.
2) This paper will test the candidate’s ability to comprehend, to analyse, to interpret, to criticise and to appraise the subject matter related to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.
3) Appropriate number of questions on the topics related to history and culture of Maharashtra will be asked.
4) The candidates are expected to study the latest and recent research/ studies pertaining to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.
 

Section – A (Marks : 50)
1) Sources of ancient Indian history. Archaeological Sources; Literary Sources : (a) Indigeneous, (b) Foreign accounts.
2) Indus valley civilization : its origin, nature and decline.
3) Vedic period : Migrations and settlements, Evolution of Social and Political institutions, religious and philosophical ideas, rituals and practices.
4) Mahajanpadas; Rise of Magadha; the Mauryan empire, its nature. Jainism and Buddhism. Ashoka and his Dhamma.
 

Section - B ( Marks : 50 )
5) Post-Mauryan Period in Northern and peninsular India; Kushanas, Shakas and Satavahanas. Sangam age, Mahayana Buddhism, contacts with outside world.

6) India in the Gupta and post-Gupta period : Nature of polity under the Guptas, Vakatakas, Vardhanas, Chalukyas and Pallavas; origin and growth of samanta system, social conditions, religious developments, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Cave and Temple architecture, sculpture, paintings with focus on Maharashtra.

7) India, 750-1200 : Politico-economic structure in the North and South India; the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Pallvas, Imperial Cholas, the Rashtrakutas and their contemporaries in peninsular India; village community in the Deccan and South; Condition of women; commerce, mercantile groups and guilds; proliferation of castes. Arab conquest of Sindh-its significance.

8) India, 750-1200 - Literature : Historical and Political thought - Kalhana, Medhatithi, Somdev Suri and Vishwarup. Scientific and technical literature; System of education, Religion and Philosophy; growth of Bhakti movement. Shankaracharya and Ramanuj. Art and architecture - styles of temples and sculptures.
 

Section - C ( Marks : 50 )
9) Political Developments (13th to 18th Century) : The Sultanate; regional powers. Foundation of Mughal empire; its expansion since Akbar to Aurangzeb. Decline and disintegration of Mughal empire.

10) Political Developments in South India. The Vijayanagara and the Bahamanis - rise, expansion and disintegration. The Maratha movement, foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji, its expansion under the Peshwas, Maratha Confederacy, causes of decline of Maratha Power.

11) Administration : Administration under the Sultanate; civil, judicial, revenue, fiscal and military; Shershah’s administrative Reforms; Mughal administration, Land Revenue and other sources of income; Mansabdari and Jagirdari. Administrative system in the Deccan : the Vijayanagara, the Bahamanis and the Marathas; Malik Ambar’s Revenue system.

12) Economic Aspects : Agricultural Production, urban centres and population, trade commerce and currency.
 

Section - D (Marks : 50)
13) Socio - religious movements : Islam in India, the Sufis, the Nath Panthis, the Mahanubhavas, Bhakti movement with special reference to Warkari cult, the teachings of Saints of medieval period.

14) Society : Ruling class, the mercantile and professional classes, major religious groups. Rural Society, Position of Women.

15) Cultural Life : System of education, literature (Persian, Sanskrit, Regional Languages); Fine arts - Major schools of painting; Architectural development of North and South India. Indo-Islamic architecture.

16) Successor states of Mughal empire; advent of European powers : Portuguese, Dutch, British and French; their trade rivalry.
 

Paper - II
Standard : Degree

Total Marks : 200
Nature of Paper : Conventional Type
Duration : 3 Hours

Note:
1) Answers to this paper must be written either in English or in Marathi.
2) This paper will test the candidate’s ability to comprehend, to analyse, to interpret, to criticise and to appraise the subject matter related to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.
3) Appropriate number of questions on the topics related to history and culture of Maharashtra will be asked.
4) The candidates are expected to study the latest and recent research / studies pertaining to the topics/sub topics mentioned below.

Section - A (Marks : 50)
1) Establishment of British Rule in India : Wars against major Indian powers, Policy of subsidiary alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, Structure of British Raj upto 1857.

2) Resistance to colonial Rule : Early uprisings; Causes, nature and impact of the Revolt of 1857, Reorganisation of the Raj - 1858 and after.

3) Colonial Economy : British colonialism, Economic impact of British Rule, Tribute system, Drain of wealth, De-industrialisation, Revenue Settlements (Zamindari, Ryotwari, Mahalwari), Railways, Commercialisation of agriculture, Rural indebtedness, Famines, India as market for British goods, Limited growth of modern industries.

4) Socio-Cultural Changes : Contacts with Christian Missions, coming of English education and the Press, Official- social reform measures (1828 to 1857). Socio-religious reform movements : Brahmo Samaj, Prarthana Samaj, Satyashodhak Samaj, Arya Samaj, reform movements among the Sikhs and the Muslims, Depressed Classes Mission, Non-Brahmin movement and Justice Party.
 

Section –B (Marks : 50)
5) Emergence and growth of Indian nationalism : Social background, formation of National Associations, Peasant uprisings, foundation of Indian National Congress, the moderate phase, growth of extremism, Morley-Minto reforms, Home Rule movement, Lucknow pact, Mont-Ford reforms.

6) National movement in Gandhi Era : Gandhiji’s leadership and ideology of resistance, Gandhian mass movements : Khilafat and Non-cooperation, Swarajist politics, Civil Disobedience, individual Satyagraha, Quit India movement. Gandhiji and removal of untouchability. Dr. B.R.Ambedakar’s approach to problem of untouchability.

Muslim politics and Freedom movement (Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and Aligarh movement, Muslim League and Ali Brothers, Iqbal, Jinnah, Unionist Party and Krishak Praja Party). Politics of Hindu Mahasabha.

Communists and the Indian freedom struggle, Congress Socialist Party, women in the National movement, States’ Peoples' movements.

7) Towards Independence and Partition : Constitutional progress, Nehru Report, Round Table Conferences, Govt. of India Act of 1935; Congress Ministries, 1937-39.
Subhashchandra Bose and Indian National Army, Naval Mutiny, Transfer of power.

8) 1) India after Independence (1947 - 1964) : Consequences of Partition, Rehabilitation work, Integration of Princely states, Indian Constitution, Land reforms, Planning and Industrialisation, Linguistic reorganisation of states, Nehru’s Policy of Non-alignment, Relations with neighbouring countries, India’s role in International Politics.

2) India after Nehru upto 1984 : Progress in Agriculture, Industry, Education, Science and Technology. Emergence of Indira Gandhi’s Leadership, Liberation of Bangladesh, Non-Alignment under Indira Gandhi, Coalition Governments in States; Students unrest, Jayaprakash Narayan and Emergency; Janata Party rule; Terrorism in the Panjab and Assam, Indira Gandhi’s return to power, her assassination.
 

Section – C (Marks : 50)
9) Enlightenment and Modern ideas : Major Ideas of enlightenment : Kant and Rousseau, Rise and growth of Socialist ideas : Robert Owen, St. Simon, Karl Marx – Engels, Lenin, Gramsci.

10) Origins of Modern Politics : American Revolution and the Constitution ; French Revolution and its aftermath, 1789-1815; British Democratic Politics--1815-1850; Parliamentary reforms, Free Traders, Chartists.

11) Industrial revolution in England, U.S.A, Germany, Japan. Industrialisation in Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China.
12) Revolution and Counter-Revolution.
The Bolshevik revolution, 1917; Fascism and Nazism; The Chinese Revolutions of 1911 and 1949.
 

Section – D (Marks : 50)
13) World Wars : World War I, causes and consequences; World War II, causes and consequences.

14) Cold War : Origins, containment of communism, military pacts. The role of UNO in dispute resolution. Emergence and progress of the Non-aligned movement.

15) Liberation struggles :
    1) Arab World - Arab Nationalism, Arab-Israel conflict, Oil diplomacy.
    2) Africa from apartheid to democracy.
    3) Liberation struggles in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia.

16) End of Cold War :
    1) Fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and USSR.
    2) Disintegration of the Soviet Union.
    3) US ascendance in World Politics.