The History syllabus for the SSC CGL (Staff Selection Commission – Combined Graduate Level) exam primarily focuses on the following topics, which are part of the General Awareness section tested in Tier I of the examination:
SSC CGL History Syllabus:
Ancient History:
- Indus Valley Civilization:
- Origin, extent, cities, economy, society, art, and architecture.
- Vedic Age:
- Rigvedic period, social and religious life, later Vedic period.
- Mahajanapadas and Magadha Empire:
- Rise of Mahajanapadas, Magadha as the dominant power.
- Maurya Dynasty:
- Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka and his inscriptions, Mauryan administration, society, and economy.
- Post-Mauryan Period:
- Sunga, Kushan, and Satavahana dynasties.
- Gupta Dynasty:
- Achievements in science, art, literature, and administration.
Medieval History:
- Early Medieval Period:
- Arab invasion and establishment of Muslim rule, Delhi Sultanate, Slave dynasty, Khilji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty.
- Mughal Empire:
- Babur, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, administration, revenue system, art, architecture, and decline.
- Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms:
- Rise and fall of Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms.
- Sultanate of Deccan:
- Ahmadnagar, Bijapur, Golconda, and Bidar.
Modern History:
- European Penetration and British Conquest of India:
- Arrival of Europeans, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, British expansion, Battle of Plassey, Battle of Buxar.
- British Administration in India:
- Regulating Act of 1773, Pitt’s India Act, Charter Acts, administrative policies of British India.
- Revolt of 1857:
- Causes, nature, leaders, consequences.
- Social and Religious Reform Movements:
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Swami Vivekananda, Dayananda Saraswati, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, etc.
- Indian National Movement:
- Formation of Indian National Congress, Moderates, Extremists, Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Quit India Movement.
- Constitutional Development:
- Government of India Acts, Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, Simon Commission, Round Table Conferences, Poona Pact, Government of India Act 1935.
- Partition of India and Independence:
- Partition of India, Independence, Integration of princely states.
Recommended Books for History Preparation:
- “History of Modern India” by Bipin Chandra – Comprehensive coverage of modern Indian history.
- “Ancient and Medieval India” by Poonam Dalal Dahiya – Detailed explanation of ancient and medieval Indian history.
- “India’s Struggle for Independence” by Bipin Chandra – Covers the Indian national movement and the struggle for independence.
- NCERT Books: Class 6 to 12 history textbooks provide a good foundation for ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history.
Preparation Tips:
- Understand Concepts: Focus on understanding key events, dates, and personalities in Indian history.
- Memorize Important Dates: Memorize important dates and events to recall them during the exam.
- Analyze Causes and Consequences: Understand the causes and consequences of major historical events.
- Regular Revision: Revise history topics regularly to retain information.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve previous year question papers to understand the exam pattern and types of questions asked.
By following these tips and utilizing the recommended books, candidates can effectively prepare for the history section of the SSC CGL General Awareness exam.
