Punjab Public Service Commission
SYLLABI FOR THE EXAMINATION
PARTB MAIN EXAM
HISTORY
PART I
1. Sources:
Archaeological sources:
Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments
Literary sources:
Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature, literature,
literature in
regional languages, religious literature.
Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.
2. Prehistory and Protohistory:
Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic);
Beginning of
agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic).
3. Indus Valley Civilization:
Origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and significance, art
and
architecture.
4. Megalithic Cultures:
Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus, Development of
community life, Settlements, Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and
Iron
industry.
5. Aryans and Vedic Period:
Expansions of Aryans in India.
Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig
Vedic
period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life;
Significance of the
Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system.
6. Period of Mahajanapadas:
Formation of States (Mahajanapada) : Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban
centres;
Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and
Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas.
Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact.
7. Mauryan Empire:
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra;
Ashoka;
Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture
and
sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature.
Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.
8. Post Mauryan Period (IndoGreeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage,
development of
religions, Mahayana, social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature
and science.
9. Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South
India:
Kharavela, The Satavahanas, Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration,
economy,
land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Buddhist centres; Sangam
literature
and culture; Art and architecture.
10. Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas:
Polity and administration, Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land
grants,
Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women,
Education
and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature,
scientific
literature, art and architecture.
11. Regional States during Gupta Era:
The Kadambas, Pallavas, Chalukyas of Badami; Polity and Administration, Trade
guilds,
Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti movement,
Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture; Palas,
Senas,
Rashtrakutas, Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects. Arab
conquest of
Sind; Alberuni, The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and
Administration; local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious
sects,
Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy
and
society.
12. Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:
Languages and texts, major stages in the evolution of art and architecture,
major
philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics.
13. Early Medieval India, 750—1200:
Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula,
origin and
the rise of Rajputs
The Cholas: administration, village economy and society
“Indian Feudalism”
Agrarian economy and urban settlements
Trade and commerce
Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order
Condition of women
Indian science and technology
14. Cultural Traditions in India, 750—1200:
Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva
and Brahma Mimansa
Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti,
Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism
Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in
the newly
developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India
Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting
15. The
Thirteenth Century:
Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind
Ghurian success
Economic, social and cultural consequences
Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans
Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban
16. The Fourteenth Century:
“The Khalji Revolution”
Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic
measures
Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad
Tughluq
Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public
works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account
17. Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:
Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women,
religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate, Bhakti movement, Sufi
movement
Culture: Persian literature, literature in the regional languages of North
India,
literature in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new
structural
forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture
Economy: Agricultural production, rise of urban economy and nonagricultural
production, trade and commerce
