History Optional English Strategy
If the prelim’s is to be compared with one day match, mains could be described as test match. The temperament and technique to play it is different than prelims. Prelim is mainly factual study, many times without knowing how or why. On the other hand, main’s is analytical study, knowing the essence of the story. With variety in marking scheme like 10,15,20 marks questions, candidate is supposed to know the essence of many stories.
Who can take history?
Students from any discipline can choose and master this subject with systematic efforts. Apart from that it enables candidates to write their essay paper with a historical perspective. History is the human story, more real than real.
History is the only subject that can be experienced. It is full of plots and counter plots, desires and detachments, kaleidoscope of shifting locations. Studying history is as good as sitting in a time machine and visiting our ‘wonderful’ past. (But all this is true only if you are ‘interested’ in the subject. Without interest, proper understanding of the subject can’t be developed. In that case history will seem like a subject with vast syllabus, full of unrelated events and mere description of dead past. But interest, either natural or created will make your past talk with you.) Indeed in the words of E.H.Carr “history is a continuous dialogue between past and present”
Moving reality
As it is rightly said that, ‘history is not a study of facts, but interpretation of facts’ Facts are just raw material with which interpretation is done. Answers in the main’s are about your interpretation of History. In other words history is nothing to do with dates and chronology as such, that is the way we study it in school, but in UPSC history is like any other optional subject like Political Science or Sociology.
Candidates are exempted if facts go wrong, but analysis is correct, but the other way round will not do. Unlike other humanities subjects, history does not have a theory part, all the 4 parts i.e. Ancient, Medieval, Modern and World are applied in nature.
The angle of focus on history has constantly shifted. From Political to Cultural to Economic to now Subaltern. (“Awakened political consciousness of Indian masses, bound with dishonourable and cowardly insults of the British led to the movement of Non-Cooperation.” (10) (2023 mains)
Lengthy syllabus?
Some get afraid of length of syllabus and give it up at face value. Is measuring syllabus by scale a right thing? On the opposite one may argue that nothing is kept by UPSC vague in the subject. Once you get command of syllabus you command the subject. It gives direct output to the input of efforts. What is interesting is that syllabus of mains is clearly defined, and examiners largely remain stick to it.
How much scoring history is?
History is one of the most popular optional subjects in UPSC examination. It consistently produces toppers. In 2021 Shruti Sharma secured All India Rank 1 with history optional. Her score in optional was 306 out of 500. In 2024 result Nausheen has secured AIR 9th with impressive score 308 in history optional.
Synergy with GS Prelim
In prelim history occupies frontline (12 (Ant-2, Med-1, Mod-1, Culture-8) questions out of 100 in prelim 2023) Question are from medium to hard in difficulty level. (somewhere easy too) Hard Que: Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on: (a) Prajnaparamita Sutra (b) Visuddhimagga (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya (d) Lalitavistara Medium Que: Who of the following rulers of medieval India gave permission to the Portuguese to build a fort at Bhatkal? (a) Krishnadevaraya (b) Narasimha Saluva (c) Muhammad Shah III (d) Yusuf Adil Shah
Mains
In mains its important component in GS paper I. 75 marks questions of history and culture get covered by optional history (As per mains 2023 G.S. paper) In GS syllabus coverage of history has gone up, from culture of India to world history to post independence developments. Those with history as an optional subject will get a natural advantage and edge over others. It is also useful in writing essays. Since generally one socio-cultural issue comes as a topic, historic vision gives depth to the arguments. (for e.g. related to History, “History is a series of victories won by the scientific man over the romantic man.” is asked in mains 2022)
We done it
History is a scoring subject. One of my students, Sonal Sonkavde made a fortune with 396 marks. Shrikesh B. Lathkar who scored 365 in history in 2010 mains in his 2nd attempt to get the 57th rank says, “History (365) has done it for me sir. Biggest thanks to you.” Many of my students are able to get top rank with history optional. To note few of them, Kunal Chavan, IAS, Gayatri Hylinge, IAS, Mudhulika Deogoji, Dr. Navnath Gavhane, Shraddha Pandey, Kautubh Jog, Pavan Badhe, Pooja Tillu, Kshipra Agre, Tejaswini Satpute, Mrunmai Joshi, Prateek Thube, Prajakta Thakur, Pushkaraj Patil, Saily Dhole, Monika Pandey, Snehal Karle, Abhishek Tharwal, Prashant Sumbe, Chetan Kalamkar, Chinmaya Aurangabadkar, Balaji Manjule, Sajjansingh Chavhan, Shrikant Suse, Sudhir Kohkade, Samir Wankhede, Chinmay Pandit, Prasanna Datar, Pradnya Khandare, Dr Uddipan Mukharjee etc
Any scoring questions in mains?
1) Yes, Map question it is. The compulsory map question should be solved first and prepared first. 20 sites are given on the map (each for 2.5 marks so all for 50 marks) and a description is provided about it (for e.g. A Rock-cut cave site) You are supposed to identify the site and write short notes on it in 30 words.
2) By daily practice this question can turn into scoring one. For tackling it, a list could be made of sites according to era like Vedic sites, Megalithic sites etc.
3) In the examination biggest confusion students face is that location pointed on map can have more than one site. The solution is to write both in short, or even if you think three sites could be written then write all the three. After all negative marking is not there in the mains.
4) Sites from Ancient and medieval India is asked. Especially focus is now a day shifted to chalcolithic, megalithic sites, which are recently excavated. Spectrum has published the book about Ancient Indian places. We at our academy provide adequate reference material for sites.
Resource Material
History has ample good resource material available. Indeed, it’s a problem of plenty. It may sound absurd, but NCERT books on History (Class XI & XII), both old and new (themes in history) versions are useful in writing the mains answers. They present the clue about direction and the structure of the answer. Especially new NCERTs are gold mines for subaltern ideas.
To get understanding of Ancient India one can start from small book ‘Outline of Ancient India’ by D.N.Zha. Main study could be done from book by Upinder Singh. Though exhaustive, it’s like one stop solution. For medieval India Satishchandra who wrote in two volumes is a good choice. Wikipedia can prove a magic wand for getting answers. And off course ChatGPT.
Code Mantra
1) In paper II world history is to be targeted. On modern India by now so much research is available that there is no end of interpretation. Comparatively world history is straight and neutral. France has controversies about mistakes done by Napoleon, India we have none. As it is, if world history questions are difficult you can switch to modern India at the last moment, but reverse is not possible. For e.g. most strait questions in 2022 mains are asked from world history part. World History is also most compact among four parts.
2) For World History good work is done by Jain & Mathur. Our notes will make studying easy. One of the useful book is written by none other than my student turned into officer Dr. Uddipan Mukherjee. His book for World History for mains reading feast.
3) Modern India could be covered from ‘A Look at Modern Indian History’ by Grower & Grower. For more advance and updated views better will be ‘Plassy to Partition’ by Shekhar Bandopadyay, for post-independence developments Ramchandra Guha’s ‘India after Gandhi’ can serve the purpose.
4) My notes (@Lokayan IAS Academy) are customized to the UPSC pattern and balance between search and research. They are the result of years of insight into subject. Topics are covered directly from syllabus and past questions are linked to discussion.
Hint
Above is the analysis of past papers from 2001 onwards. You will be surprised to find that most of the questions are repeated from the last ten-year papers for e.g. Indian Feudalism, Bhakti & Sufi Movement. Economic impact of British rule on India is asked record number of times. Most of the themes get repeated.
For preparing mains one must be focused on relevant areas. Guesswork has to be done about what may come and what may not. (And be mentally prepared to face anything in paper).
Jackpot If you make notes in question-answer format, then nothing like that. If you get ready with say 150-200 questions with an outline of answers then you can strike a jackpot.
Imp of writing
It is very common to say that one has to do writing practice. I repeat it is necessary. Candidates dream that as soon as study is over, they will take tests. That’s ideal, seldom did it happen. Studies may never get over. Just make a timetable of tests, follow it strictly, and get it checked from us and discuss them out. Handwriting, speed, fluency, and structure of answers play a main role in fetching marks.
One should give full attention to the direction of the question like Analyse, Discuss, Examine, Elucidate, Explain, Explore, Evaluate, Describe, Trace, Compare, Substantiate etc. Each of them connotes a different meaning.
Wherever possible the answer should be substantiated with tables, diagrams and flowcharts. Group study can do wonders in the study of history. Every member in the group can give different insight into the subject. You can shoot questions to each other and comprehend the facts. But make sure that the group is no larger than 3-4 friends and all damn serious. So take a long breath and strings tight in your hand. Now with a full vision of future turn your eyes towards past. May the goddess of history bless you with success.
Suggested Booklist
For Mains (History Optional) (Most imp highlighted)
Ancient
1) A history of ancient and early medieval India – Upinder Singh
2) Wonder that was India – A.L.Basham
3) India – Early History, National Book Trust
4) Outline of Ancient Indian History – D.N.Jha
Medieval
1) Medieval India – Satishchandra Vol I, Vol II
2) India – Art & Architecture in Ancient & Medieval Period, NBT
3) India – Government; Economic life in Ancient and Medieval periods, NBT
Modern
1) A new Look at Modern Indian History – Grower & Grower
2) From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India – Shekhar Bandopadhyay
3) India after Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha
World
1) Cronicle book of question-answers of Mains
2) A History of the Modern World – Ranjan Chakraborty
3) Modern World History – Norman Lowe
4) Modern World History – Dr. Uddipan Mukharjee
OUR NOTES
1) World History for Mains – Jain & Mathur
2) GPT publication Book on ‘Antient Indian Maps and Places’
3) Bharat Ek Khoj series
4) Pradhanmantri series on youtube has well covered partition details and also aftermath.
Do you like to watch history related films?
1) Mohenjodaro of Ashutosh Gowarikar, interesting to watch once.
2) Utsav, by Girish Karnad, based on Gupta period story of Mrucchakatik
3) PS 1&2, Rise of mighty imperial Cholas.
4) Padmavat, highlights the relationship between Sultans and Rajputs
5) The Empire. OTT series that captures the Babur and his times.
6) Jodha Akbar, tried to capture the essence of what Akbar was.
7) Tanhaji, the rise of Maratha
8) Bajirao Mastani, Heroic and same time tragic life of Bajirao I
9) Junun, by Shahi Kapoor, story on the background of the revolt of 1857
10) Khele Hum Ji Jaan Se, Capturing the heroic contribution of Master Suryasen
11) Gandhi by Richard Attenborough is the masterpiece
12) Sardar, the iron man is captured without compromising history.
13) Netaji, the legend of Subhashchandra Bose will make you sit in time-machine.
14) Forgotten Army, Amezon prime series on contribution of Indian National Army
15) Tamas, the darkness of partition by Govind Nihlani