, INDIAN HISTORY
SECOND EDITION
for Civil Services Main Examinations
, INDIAN HISTORY
SECOND EDITION
for Civil Services Main Examinations
K. Krishna Reddy
Former Director, Hyderabad Study Circle
, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
Published by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited,
444/1, Sri Ekambara Naicker Industrial Estate, Alapakkam, Porur,
Chennai - 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
Indian History, 2/e
Copyright © 2017 by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
No Part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise or stored in a database or retrieval system without
the prior written permission of the publishers. The program listings (if any) may be entered, stored and
executed in a computer system, but they may not be reproduced for publication.
This edition can be exported from India only by the publishers.
McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
ISBN (13): 978-93-87067-66-0
ISBN (10): 93-87067-66-1
Information contained in this work has been obtained McGraw Hill
Education (India), from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither,
McGraw Hill nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of
any information published herein, and neither McGraw Hill Education
(India) nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or
damages arising out of use of this information. This work is published
with the understanding that McGraw Hill Education (India) and its authors
are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or
other professional services. If such services are required, the assistance of
an appropriate professional should be sought.
Ebook Created at Aura Technology and Software Services, India.
Cover Design: Rajesh Pandey
Visit us at: www.mheducation.co.in
, To
Late Dr Y Gopal Reddy
who has been a constant source
of inspiration throughout
my teaching career
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Preface to the Second Edition
istory is not a mere collection of facts in the form of dates and names.
H Interpretations and explanations of events and theories surrounding it,
form the pillars of proper understanding of history. Facts can be effectively
marshalled into the interpretations to imbibe conceptual clarity of the subject.
Any student, be it from a science, commerce, or arts background, can get a
reasonable command over this subject in a specified time.
In this new edition, a lot of care has been taken to present History as per
the requirements of the latest trends in UPSC, and state civil services
examinations. Apart from adding a very elaborate separate chapter on Culture
in the ancient section, special emphasis is given to highlighting socio-
religious and cultural developments and concepts throughout the book.
Moreover, the book has incorporated more maps, photographs, diagrams,
flowcharts, etc., to make it easily comprehendible.
This book will be useful for aspirants appearing for UPSC examinations,
state civil services examinations and other competitive examinations where
History is an important subject. It will also enable the aspirants to write their
essay paper with historical perspective which is an invaluable approach
during essay writing.
Finally, I would like to thank McGraw Hill Education in general, and
Tanmoy Roychowdhury and Shukti Mukherjee in particular, for their
constant support and encouragement in bringing out this book in record time.
—K. Krishna Reddy
Former Director, Hyderabad Study Circle
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Preface to the First Edition
istory is not a mere collection of facts in the form of dates and names—
H interpretations and explanations are the main pillars of a proper
understanding of history. Factual information can be effectively marshaled to
imbibe conceptual clarity. History is such a subject that a graduate from any
discipline—be it arts or sciences—can get a reasonable command of the
subject in a reasonable time.
This book will be useful for aspirants appearing in various state civil
services examinations and other competitive examinations where History is
an important topic.
It will also be extremely useful for civil services main examination. It will
also enable the aspirants to write their Essay paper with a historical
perspective which is an invaluable approach in essay writing.
—K Krishna Reddy
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Content
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Section-A Ancient India
• Chronology of Events – Ancient India
1. PREHISTORIC CULTURES IN INDIA
Periodisation of Indian Prehistory
Early Iron Age: Beginning of Historical Phase
Pastoral and Farming
Geographical Distribution and Characteristics of Pastoral and Farming
Communities (2000-500 bc)
Contacts With Indus Civilisation
Glossary of Archaeological Terms
Questions-I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers-II
2. INDUS CIVILISATION
Place of Indus Civilisation in History
Origins
Mature Phase
Economy
Culture and Society
Problems of Decline
Questions
Answers
3. VEDIC SOCIETY
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, General Survey
Original Home of Aryans
Features of Aryan Culture
Vedic Texts
Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and Culture
Transformations from Rig Vedic Phase to Later Vedic Phase
Economic Conditions
Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy
Social Organisation and Varna System
Religion and Upanishadic Thought
Questions
Answers
4. PRE-MAURYA PERIOD
Early Historical Phase
State Formation and Urbanisation
Political History
Religious movements
Jainism
Bhagavatism
Brahmanical Literature
Questions
Answers
5. THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Political History
Megasthenes
Asoka and His Successors
Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites
Asoka’s Dhamma
Mauryan administration, economy, society and art
Economy
Society
The Arthasastra
Questions
Answers
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, 6. POST-MAURYAN INDIA (BC 200–AD 300)
General Survey
Sangam Texts and Society
Satavahanas and Other Indigenous Dynasties
Foreign Dynasties
Commercial Contacts with The Outside World
Schools of Art
Questions-I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers-II
Questions-III
Answers - III
7. THE GUPTAS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS (AD 300–750)
General Survey
Gupta Empire
Economic Conditions
Culture
Political and Cultural History of Their Successors
Socio-Economic History of Their Successors
Questions - I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers - II
8. SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Society: Evolution of Jatis
Varna System
Asramas
Samskaras
Marriage Forms and Practices
Marriage Practices
Position of Women
Ancient Indian Languages And Literature
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
SECOND EDITION
for Civil Services Main Examinations
, INDIAN HISTORY
SECOND EDITION
for Civil Services Main Examinations
K. Krishna Reddy
Former Director, Hyderabad Study Circle
, McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
Published by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited,
444/1, Sri Ekambara Naicker Industrial Estate, Alapakkam, Porur,
Chennai - 600 116, Tamil Nadu, India
Indian History, 2/e
Copyright © 2017 by McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
No Part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise or stored in a database or retrieval system without
the prior written permission of the publishers. The program listings (if any) may be entered, stored and
executed in a computer system, but they may not be reproduced for publication.
This edition can be exported from India only by the publishers.
McGraw Hill Education (India) Private Limited
ISBN (13): 978-93-87067-66-0
ISBN (10): 93-87067-66-1
Information contained in this work has been obtained McGraw Hill
Education (India), from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither,
McGraw Hill nor its authors guarantee the accuracy or completeness of
any information published herein, and neither McGraw Hill Education
(India) nor its authors shall be responsible for any errors, omissions, or
damages arising out of use of this information. This work is published
with the understanding that McGraw Hill Education (India) and its authors
are supplying information but are not attempting to render engineering or
other professional services. If such services are required, the assistance of
an appropriate professional should be sought.
Ebook Created at Aura Technology and Software Services, India.
Cover Design: Rajesh Pandey
Visit us at: www.mheducation.co.in
, To
Late Dr Y Gopal Reddy
who has been a constant source
of inspiration throughout
my teaching career
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Preface to the Second Edition
istory is not a mere collection of facts in the form of dates and names.
H Interpretations and explanations of events and theories surrounding it,
form the pillars of proper understanding of history. Facts can be effectively
marshalled into the interpretations to imbibe conceptual clarity of the subject.
Any student, be it from a science, commerce, or arts background, can get a
reasonable command over this subject in a specified time.
In this new edition, a lot of care has been taken to present History as per
the requirements of the latest trends in UPSC, and state civil services
examinations. Apart from adding a very elaborate separate chapter on Culture
in the ancient section, special emphasis is given to highlighting socio-
religious and cultural developments and concepts throughout the book.
Moreover, the book has incorporated more maps, photographs, diagrams,
flowcharts, etc., to make it easily comprehendible.
This book will be useful for aspirants appearing for UPSC examinations,
state civil services examinations and other competitive examinations where
History is an important subject. It will also enable the aspirants to write their
essay paper with historical perspective which is an invaluable approach
during essay writing.
Finally, I would like to thank McGraw Hill Education in general, and
Tanmoy Roychowdhury and Shukti Mukherjee in particular, for their
constant support and encouragement in bringing out this book in record time.
—K. Krishna Reddy
Former Director, Hyderabad Study Circle
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Preface to the First Edition
istory is not a mere collection of facts in the form of dates and names—
H interpretations and explanations are the main pillars of a proper
understanding of history. Factual information can be effectively marshaled to
imbibe conceptual clarity. History is such a subject that a graduate from any
discipline—be it arts or sciences—can get a reasonable command of the
subject in a reasonable time.
This book will be useful for aspirants appearing in various state civil
services examinations and other competitive examinations where History is
an important topic.
It will also be extremely useful for civil services main examination. It will
also enable the aspirants to write their Essay paper with a historical
perspective which is an invaluable approach in essay writing.
—K Krishna Reddy
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, Content
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the First Edition
Section-A Ancient India
• Chronology of Events – Ancient India
1. PREHISTORIC CULTURES IN INDIA
Periodisation of Indian Prehistory
Early Iron Age: Beginning of Historical Phase
Pastoral and Farming
Geographical Distribution and Characteristics of Pastoral and Farming
Communities (2000-500 bc)
Contacts With Indus Civilisation
Glossary of Archaeological Terms
Questions-I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers-II
2. INDUS CIVILISATION
Place of Indus Civilisation in History
Origins
Mature Phase
Economy
Culture and Society
Problems of Decline
Questions
Answers
3. VEDIC SOCIETY
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, General Survey
Original Home of Aryans
Features of Aryan Culture
Vedic Texts
Sources for Reconstructing Vedic Society and Culture
Transformations from Rig Vedic Phase to Later Vedic Phase
Economic Conditions
Political Organisation and Evolution of Monarchy
Social Organisation and Varna System
Religion and Upanishadic Thought
Questions
Answers
4. PRE-MAURYA PERIOD
Early Historical Phase
State Formation and Urbanisation
Political History
Religious movements
Jainism
Bhagavatism
Brahmanical Literature
Questions
Answers
5. THE MAURYAN EMPIRE
Political History
Megasthenes
Asoka and His Successors
Asoka’s Inscriptions and Sites
Asoka’s Dhamma
Mauryan administration, economy, society and art
Economy
Society
The Arthasastra
Questions
Answers
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
, 6. POST-MAURYAN INDIA (BC 200–AD 300)
General Survey
Sangam Texts and Society
Satavahanas and Other Indigenous Dynasties
Foreign Dynasties
Commercial Contacts with The Outside World
Schools of Art
Questions-I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers-II
Questions-III
Answers - III
7. THE GUPTAS AND THEIR SUCCESSORS (AD 300–750)
General Survey
Gupta Empire
Economic Conditions
Culture
Political and Cultural History of Their Successors
Socio-Economic History of Their Successors
Questions - I
Answers-I
Questions-II
Answers - II
8. SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Society: Evolution of Jatis
Varna System
Asramas
Samskaras
Marriage Forms and Practices
Marriage Practices
Position of Women
Ancient Indian Languages And Literature
https://t.me/TheHindu_Zone_official
