History and Culture of India Syllabus for APPSC

History and Culture of India

Pre-Historic Cultures in India:

Indus Valley Civilization- Vedic Culture- Mahajanapadas- Emergence of New Religions-Jainism, Buddhism- Rise of the Magadha and Age of the Mauryas- Ashoka Dharma- Foreign Invasions on India- The Kushans.

The Satavahanas, the Sangam Age in South India:

The Sungas- the Guptas- the Kanauj and their Contributions- Historical Accounts of Foreign travelers- Early Educational Institutions.

The Pallavas, the Badami Chalukyas, the Eastern Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Kalyani Chalukyas and the Cholas- Socio Cultural Contributions, Language, Literature Art and Architecture- Delhi Sultanates- Advent of Islam and its Impact- Religious Movements like Bhakti and Sufi and Its Influence. Growth of Vernacular Languages, Scripts, Literature, Fine Arts- Socio Cultural Conditions of the Kakatiyas, the Vijayanagaras, the Bahmanis, the Qutubsahis and their cotemporary South Indian kingdoms.

The Mughals Administration, Socio-Religious life and Cultural developments- Shivaji and Rise of Maratha Empire- Advent of Europeans in India.

Trade practices:

Rise of East India Company its Hegemony- Changes in Administration, Social and Cultural spheres- Role of Christian Missionaries.

Rise of British rule in India from 1757 to 1856:

Land Revenue Settlement, Permanent Settlement, Ryothvari and Mahalvari-1857 Revolt and its Impact-Education, Press, Cultural changes- Rise of National Consciousness and Changes- Socio-Religious Reform Movements in 19th century- Rajaram Mohan Roy, Dayananda Saraswathi, Swamy Vivekananda, Annie Besant, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and others.

Rise of Indian Nationalism:

Activities of Indian National Congress- Vandemataram, Home Rule Movements- Self Respect Movement- Jyothiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Periyar Ramaswamy Naicker- Role of Mahatma Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose, Vallabai Patel- Satyagraha- Quit India Movement- Dr B.R. Ambedkar and his Contributions.

Indian Nationalism in three phases:

Freedom Struggle 1885-1905, 1905-1920 and Gandhi Phase 1920-1947- Peasant, Women, Tribal and Workers Movements- Role of Different parties in Freedom Struggle- Local and Regional Movements- Inter Religious Unity and Communalism.

Independence and Partition of India:

India after Independence- Rehabilitation after partition- Linguistic Re-organization of States- Integration of the Indian States- Indian Constitution- Economic policies- Foreign Policy Initiatives.

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