Ancient History Syllabus for UPSC CAPF/CDS/AFCAT/NDA
1) Ancient History
Pre Historic Cultures in India
Periodization of Indian pre-history
Sources of pre-history
Stone age
Paleolithic (2 million BC - 10,000 BC)
Mesolithic (10,000 BC -8,000 BC)
Paleolithic (8000 BC-4000 BC)
Chalcolithic Age (4000 BC - 1500 BC)
Iron age (1500 BC-200 BC)
Impact of Iron
Pastoral and Farming Communities
Neolithic Phase
Chalcolithic Phase
Early Iron Phase
Geographical Distribution and Characteristics
Indus Valley Civilization
Major cities
Town Planning
Harappan Trade
Agriculture
Domestication of animals
Crafts
Religion
Harappan pottery
Weights and Measures
Script and languages
Seals and Images
Decline of Harappan Culture
Rig Vedic Society
Original Home of Aryans
Features of Aryan Culture
Vedic Texts
Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and culture
Geography of the Rig Vedic and Geography of the later Vedic Phases
Economic Conditions
Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy
Social Organisation and Varna System
Religion and Thought
Later Vedic Society
Original Home of Aryans
Features of Aryan Culture
Vedic Texts
Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and culture
Geography of the Rig Vedic
Economic Conditions
Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy
Social Organisation and Varna System
Religion and Thought
Jainism
Birth and Life of Mahavira (540-468 B.C)
Teachings of Mahavira
Organisation and sects of Jainism
Literature of Jainism
Councils, spread and Royal Patrons
Buddhism
Birth and life of Buddha(563-483BC)
Teachings of Buddha
Organisation and Sects of Buddhism
Literature of Buddhism
Councils, spread of and Royal Patronage
Causes for the Decline
MAURYAN EMPIRE
Sources: Inscriptions and Sites and
Literary Sources (The Arthasastra)
Rulers and Political History of the Mauryas
Chandragupta and Bindusara
Megasthenes
Asoka and His Successors
Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites
Asokan Reign
Asoka and Buddhism
Asoka Policy of Dhamma
Mauryan Administration
Foreign Relations
Decline of the Mauryas
POST-MAURYAN INDIA
Society: Evolution of Jatis
Satavahanas
Sungas and Kanvas
Sakas
Kushanas
Kanishka
GUPTA PERIOD
Sources of Gupta Rule
Rulers and Political history of Guptas Chronology
Foreign Travellers Visit – Fahien’s Visit
Gupta Administration
Other Important Dynasties
Society Religion and Culture
Urban centres in Gupta period
Economy
Science and Technology
Literature
Later Guptas
Other Important Dynasties
HARSHAVARDHANA PERIOD
Harsha Military Conquests
Harsha and Buddhism
Administration
Society and Culture
Economy
SANGAM PERIOD (SOUTH INDIAN DYNASTIES)
Sangam Literature
South Indian Dynasties
Cholas
Cheras
Pandyas
Sangam Polity, Society and Culture
Economy of Sangam Period
Foreign Dynasties
Commercial Contacts with the Outside World
Schools of Art
