How to prepare History for BPSC Mains exam
Introduction
In this article I am going to deliberate upon preparation strategy of history (General Studies) for for bpsc mains exam. In succeeding paragraphs i will discuss about books, notes etc with appropriate example.
History books for BPSC Mains Exam
First of all, you must understand the fact that preparation of bpsc exam is of integrated nature and separate books for pre and mains exam can’t be suggested. In this paragraph let’s see some books which we should follow for preparing history for bpsc exam. These books are important for both bpsc pre and for bpsc mains exam. Please note that the reading style of these books’ changes with bpsc pre and with bpsc mains exam.
BPSC pre-exam is objective in nature and factual questions are being asked. Hence you must focus on facts, data, dates, important names etc while reading and revising history books for bpsc pre-exam. Opposite to that, bpsc mains exam is selective and subjective in nature and analytical questions are being asked. Hence you must do selective study while reading and revising history books for bpsc mains exam.
BOOK LIST: NCERT BOOKS
- Class 6 :- History: Our Past – I
- Class 7 :- History: Our Past – II
- Class 8 :- History: Our Past – III
- Class 10 :- History: India and the Contemporary World – II
- Class 12 :- Themes in Indian History Part-I
- Class 12 :- Themes in Indian History Part II
- Class 12 :- Themes in Indian History Part III
- Class 11 :- History: Ancient India (Old), History: Medieval India (Old)
- Class 12 :- History: Modern India (Old)
Old NCERT history book is to be studied for class 11. Old and new both NCERT books are to be studied for class 12. If you are unable to get old NCERT books for history, then alternative books as mentioned below can be read.
- India’s Ancient Past – RS Sharma (In lieu of class 11 Ancient India)
- History of Medieval India – Satish Chandra (In lieu of class 11 Medieval India)
- History of Modern India – Bipin Chandra (In lieu of class 12 Modern India)
All books mentioned in above para are available in both Hindi and English medium.
REFERENCE BOOKS
- Arihant Publication History Magbook.
- A brief history of modern India by Rahiv Ahir: Spectrum publication.
- History of Indian Independence Bipin Chandra.
- History section of Imtiaz Ahmad Bihar special.
History for BPSC Mains exam
As per the latest syllabus of bpsc mains, history and culture of Bihar and India is to be studied. The nature of bpsc mains exam is subjective. History and culture is section-I of general studies paper-I. A candidate is supposed to answer only 3 questions out of 5 questions being asked in history. Question No. 01 of the part-1 i.e Indian history and culture is a compulsory short answer question and the same is divided into 5 sub questions of 8/7 Marks each totaling 38 Marks.
Question No. 02 & Question No. 03 of the part-1 i.e Indian history and culture is long answer question. Further Question No. 02 & Question No. 03 each have two questions and a candidate is required to choose one question each from Question No. 02 & Question No. 03. Question No. 02 & Question No. 03 also carry 38 marks thus making total marks 114 for Indian history and culture.
Preparation of History for BPSC Mains exam
It is advised not to read any special book in respect of history for bpsc mains exam. Just check syllabus meticulously and select topic mentioned thereof. Here is the list of all topics you must cover to prepare history for bpsc mains exam. You must abstain reading anything apart from these topics.
- Santhal Revolt.
- Munda Revolt.
- Tribal revolt in Indian freedom struggle.
- Important tribal revolts of Bihar.
- Patna Kalam Painting.
- Mauryan Art.
- Pal Art.
- Effect of religion on Pal art and Mauryan Art.
- Nagara, Dravida and Vesara style of temple architecture.
- Thoughts of Gandhi.
- Thoughts of Nehru.
- Thoughts of Rabindra.
- Causes of Sepoy mutiny of 1857.
- Rise of Nationalism in India.
- Economic impact of British rule in India.
- Concept of drain of wealth.
- Orientalist-Anglicist controversy.
- Downward Filtration Theory.
- Land revenue system of British India.
- Mahalwari system.
- Ryotwari system.
- Permanent settlement.
- Lord Dalhousie.
- Lord Curzon.
- Boycott and Swadeshi movement.
- Rise and progress of revolutionary movements in India.
- Role of Subash Chandra Bose in India struggle for freedom.
- Khilafat movement.
- Rowlatt Act.
- Communal Award and Poona Pact.
- The Cripps Mission.
- Cabinet Mission.
- Wood Despatch.
- Government of India Act 1858.
- Government of India Act 1892.
- Morley-Minto Act 1909.
- Government of India Act 1919.
- Government of India Act 1935.
- Mutiny of 1857 and Bihar.
- Kunwar Singh and Mutiny of 1857.
- Champaran Satyagrah and Bihar.
- Non-Cooperation Movement and Bihar.
- Civil Disobedience Movement and Bihar.
- Quit India Movement and Bihar.
- Quit India Movement and Jai Prakash Narayan.
- Role of women of Bihar in Indian freedom struggle.
- Role of Peasants of Bihar in Indian freedom struggle post Champaran Satyagrah.
- Kisan Sabha and Swami Sahzanand Saraswati.
- Thoughts of Jai Prakash Narayan.
- Development of Western & Technical education in India.
- Development of Western & Technical Education in Bihar.
History notes for BPSC Mains exam
Notes in respect of topics mention above must be prepared. These notes must be own hand written. It is advised to use books, Wikipedia, YouTube etc for the purpose of notes preparation. Prepare notes in point wise format for easy understanding and for quick revision. Use as simple language as you can for preparing notes. Revise your notes every now and then.
Conclusion
History plays an important role in selection process at bpsc pre level and at bpsc mains level. Follow above mentioned strategy and books for better preparation.
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