History for UPSC — 155 Topics

History for UPSC — 155 Topics

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History for UPSC spans Ancient India, Medieval India, Modern India, and the Indian Freedom Struggle. It is one of the highest-scoring subjects in Prelims and forms the backbone of GS Paper 1 in Mains. Questions test understanding of dynasties, socio-cultural movements, colonial policies, and significant personalities. Art, architecture, and literature are frequently tested alongside political history.

What is History in UPSC Syllabus?

History is a core UPSC Civil Services subject with 155 topics covering Prelims and Mains GS patterns. It appears in both the Preliminary examination (objective) and Mains GS Papers (descriptive answers).

Which History Topics Are Most Important for UPSC Prelims?

Freedom Struggle
Ancient Dynasties
Medieval India
Socio-Religious Movements
Revolt of 1857

Explore other subjects:

100 Years of Discovery of IVC

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100 years of the Belgaum Congress Session

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100 Years of Vaikom Satyagraha

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100 Years of Vaikom Satyagraha

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450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Sri Guru Amardas

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53rd Anniversary of Vijay Diwas

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76th Anniversary of Accession of Hyderabad

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80-Pillar Assembly Hall of Kumharr and Mauryan Architecture

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900-Year-Old Chalukyan Inscription

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99% of human history

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Acharya J. B. Kripalani

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Aihole Inscription: Pulakesin II, Ravikirti, and Chalukya History

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Antyodaya Diwas 2024

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Archaeological Discoveries

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Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

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Arunachal Pradesh: From NEFA to Statehood - A Historical Overview

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Bhakti Saints of Medieval India

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Birth Anniversary of C. Rajagopalachari

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Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

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Chalukya Architecture: Cave, Aihole, Badami & Pattadakal Temples

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Copper Plates Discovered From Vijaynagara Kingdom

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Dadabhai Naoroji

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Deciphering the Indus Valley Script

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Decline of Kalyani Chalukyas & Rise of Successor Kingdoms

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Dr. Rajendra Prasad

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Eastern Ganga Dynasty

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Evolution of the Indian National Flag: From Swaraj Flag to Tricolour

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Former PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Punya Tithi

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Geographical Distribution

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Guru Gobind Singh Ji

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Hampi Stone Chariot: History, Significance, and Krishnadevaraya's Role

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Harappan Civilization: Religious Beliefs and Practices

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Harappan Crafts: Bronze, Textiles, Pottery, and Jewellery

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Harappan Economy: Trade, Barter System, and External Commerce

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How did the French and Portuguese Territories Merge with India Differently?

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How did the Government Respond to the Spread of QIM?

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Ikshvaku Period Coins Found in Telangana

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Inauguration of Nalanda University

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Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

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Key Sessions of the Indian National Congress

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Lala Lajpat Rai

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Lal Bahadur Shastri

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Legacy of SC Bose

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Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan

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Mahavir Jayanti

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Maratha Administration: Central & Revenue Systems (Chauth & Sardeshmukhi)

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Maratha Administration under Shivaji: Central & Revenue Systems

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Maritime Activity Under the Chola Rule

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Mauryan Art: Yaksha-Yakshi Sculptures & NBPW Pottery

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Mauryan Dynasty

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Mauryan Pillars: Features, Structure, and Significance

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Megalithic Footprints and Human Figure

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Mizoram: Formation, Statehood, and Constitutional Status

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Muradabad ki Pahadi

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Muslim League and Rise of Communal Politics in India

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Nalanda Mahavihara: Huna & Gauda Attacks and Restoration

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Nalanda University: Revival after Destruction & Modern Re-establishment

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NCERT Chapter on Veer Abdul Hameed

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Pingali Venkayya: Life, Contributions, and Legacy

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Pingali Venkayya, the Man Behind Tricolour

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Preservation Challenges

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Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

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Pulakesin II: The Pinnacle of Chalukya Power

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Quit India Movement: An Overview

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Quit India Movement: Causes - Failure of Cripps Mission

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Racial Bias in Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Compensation

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Raja Raja I and Chola Administration

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Rani Chennamma: Rebellion Against British & "Naanoo Rani Chennamma" Campaign

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Rashtrakutas: Military, Religious Tolerance, and Cultural Contributions

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Read More: Sikhism

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Recent Initiatives Related to IVC Sites

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Reforms in the Sati System

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Reopening of the Assembly Hall

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Saint Narahari Tirtha

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Santhal Hul of 1855

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Santhal Tribe: History, Culture, and Socio-Economic Life

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Sant Kabir Das: Life, Philosophy, and the Bhakti Movement

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Shatadhanvan (195–187 BCE)

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Shivaji Maharaj and Surat Raid

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Shivaji Maharaj: Death and Key Battles

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Shivaji's Coronation: Titles and Significance

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Simhachalam Temple

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Social Reforms: English Education Act & Suppression of Thuggee

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Statehood Day of Arunachal Pradesh

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Story of Usha Mehta and Congress Radio

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Stratigraphical and Typological Studies of Coins

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Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar

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Swami Dayanand Saraswati

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The empire frequently clashed with the Bahmani Sultanate

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The Nayakas: Military Administration and Feudal System

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Tribal Revolts in Colonial India

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites Related to Buddhism in India

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VD Savarkar: Punya Tithi, Abhinav Bharat Society & Key Facts for UPSC

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Vijayanagara Empire: Cultural and Architectural Flourishing Under Krishna Deva Raya

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Vijayanagara Empire: Decline After the Battle of Talikota, 1565

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Vijayanagara Empire: Dominance in Southern India

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Vijayanagara Empire: Foundation and Early Rulers (Harihara & Bukka)

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Vijayanagara Empire: Portuguese Relations, Trade, and Military Aid

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Vijayanagara Origins: Deccan Sultanates, Tughlaq's Policies & Mughal Context

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Vijayanagara School of Temple Architecture

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Vijayanagar Empire: Geographical Extent and Boundaries

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Virupaksha Temple, Hampi: Vijayanagara Architecture & Deva Raya II

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Vittala Temple: Vijayanagara Architecture, Stone Chariot & Musical Pillars

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Was QIM a Spontaneous Outburst, or an Organized Movement?

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What are India’s Key Initiatives Supporting Tribal Development?

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What are Key Facts about Rash Behari Bose?

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What are Key Facts About Shivaji Maharaj?

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What are Key Facts about the Chola Administration?

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What are Key Facts About the Hampi?

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What are the Contributions of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru?

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What are the Findings of the Excavation?

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What are the Journey of Marathas after Shivaji?

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What are the Key Facts About Muradabad ki Pahadi?

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What are the Key Facts About the 80-Pillar Assembly Hall of Kumharr?

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What are the Key Facts About the Ikshvaku Period?

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What are the Key Facts about the Nataraja Statue

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What are the Key Facts about the Nataraja Statue?

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What are the Key Facts about the Sindhudurg Fort?

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What are the Key Facts of the Vijayanagar Empire?

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What are the Key Facts Regarding Punishments for Offences Under Sati Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987?

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What are the Key Facts Related to Saint Narahari Tirtha?

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What are the Key Features of Lodi Architecture?

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What are the Key Features of Tughlaq Architecture?

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What are the Key Highlights of the Accession of Hyderabad to India?

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What are the Key Highlights of the Mauryan Art and Architecture?

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What are the Key Highlights of the Mauryan Art and Architecture?

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What are the Other Reforms Undertaken by William Bentinck (1828-1835)?

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What are the Other Reforms Undertaken by William Bentinck (1828-1835)?

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What are the Other Tribal Revolts in Chota Nagpur Region?

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What is Communal Politics?

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What is Jainism

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What is Jainism?

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What is Mahavir Jayanti?

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What is Megalithic Culture?

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What is the History and Revival Efforts of Nalanda University?

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What is the History and Revival Efforts of Nalanda University?

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What is the Santhal Hul of 1855?

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What is the Stone Age?

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What was Harappan Civilization?

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What was Raja Rammohan Roy’s Role in Abolition of Sati?

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What was SC Bose Role in India’s Freedom Movement?

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What was the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War?

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What was the Journey of Marathas after Shivaji?

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What was the Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Satyagraha in South Africa?

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What was the Role of Other Leaders in Integration of Princely States?

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What was the Role of Sardar Patel in Integration of Princely States?

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What was the Sati System

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What was the Sati System?

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What were Surat Raids Conducted by Shivaji?

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What were the Important Sites of Harappan Civilization?

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What were the Key Features of Harappan Civilization?