History Subjects List: Year-wise Syllabus, Semesters, Specializations & Books
Vidhi JainContent Writer
- Introduction to History
- Syllabus - Important Facts for History
- List of Subjects in History
- 3.1 Typical Core Subjects for History
- Typical Elective Subjects for History
- Detailed Syllabus for History
- Specialisations Offered in History
- Books and Authors Related to History
- Entrance Exams for History
- Syllabus for Distance Program in History
- Top Colleges for History
- FAQs on History Syllabus
Introduction to History
A bachelor's in History is a three-year undergraduate program, and a master's in History is a two-year post-graduate program. This course deals with the economic, social, cultural, political, and ideological aspects of History, enabling students to understand the concepts. This course offers jobs in fields like Civil Services, teaching, museology, archaeology, public relations managing, genealogist, geographer, political scientist, paralegal, etc. Students looking forward to taking up a profession in all the above areas can take this course. This course is well suited for students interested in learning the History and heritage of the ancient world and its evolution in all aspects.
Syllabus - Important Facts for History
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This three-year bachelor’s course is divided into six semesters. The two-year master's course is divided into four semesters. Each semester has the required number of subjects and projects, and the students are assessed based on their performances, and the respective credits are awarded.
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The subjects such as History of India, Cultural Transformation in Early Modern Europe, Capitalism and Colonialism, Issues in World History, Women in Indian History, Gender in the Modern World, Cultural Diversity in India, Environmental Issues in India, Inequality and Difference, Introduction to Indian Art, History and Tourism, etc., form part of this course.
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These subjects enable the students to gain insights into the concepts of History and its aspects in all areas and its evolution.
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This course offers Generic Electives, Discipline Specific Electives, Skill Enhancement Courses and Core Courses. The students must complete any four Skill Enhancement Courses and any two Discipline Specific Electives and Generic Electives each. Each of these courses carries a minimum credit.
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These courses are spread across the semesters. The course structure is designed in a way that all the areas of focus in History are covered in the duration of this course.
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The electives offered by each college differ accordingly. The students can choose the elective subjects based on their preferred specialisation. These elective subjects enable the students to pursue their profession in a particular or specialised channel.
List of Subjects in History
The subjects are listed below:
Typical Core Subjects for History
The core subjects of History are:
Subject Title |
Subject Details |
---|---|
History of India from earliest times up to c. 300 CE |
This course provides an in-depth analysis of interpreting ancient India by surveying various sources. It also provides an overview of the Vedic Culture, polity, economy, society and religion. The changes and evolution in the political structures of the Cholas, Arabs, etc., the foundation of art and architecture and mediaeval India and the integrated patterns of exchange are covered in this subject. |
History of India, c. 300 to 1200 |
This subject provides an insight into the state and administration, economy, religion, art, society and literature of the Guptas and Vakatakas. Topics like the evolution of the political structures of the Rashtrakutas, Palas and Prathiharas and their economic, cultural and religious developments are also covered in this subject. |
Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World |
This subject provides an overview of the evolution of humankind, the palaeolithic and Mesolithic cultures, food production, agriculture and animal husbandry. The topics like slave society in ancient Greece, nomadic groups in Central and West Asia and the Bronze Age Civilizations are covered in this subject. |
Typical Elective Subjects for History
The elective subjects for History are given below:
Subject Title |
Subject Details |
---|---|
Capitalism and Colonialism |
This subject provides an insight into the concepts of capitalism in the United States, both pre and post Civil War and the Capitalist form of development in Japan. The Russian experiment on Imperialism and socialism and the scramble of Colonies in India, China and Africa are also covered. |
Issues in World History |
This subject provides an in-depth analysis of Colonialism and Nationalism and the social transformations after the Second World War, The Cold War and the character of the Communist states. Social movements like ecological, feminist, human rights issues, modernity and cultural transformation, and media and consumption are also covered in this subject. |
Gender in the Modern World |
This subject provides an introduction to the topics like historicizing gender in History like patriarchy, masculinity and femininity, the gender value in French Revolution, iconography, women's suffragette movements in Europe, Socialist movements in Russia, Socialist Feminism, women and the anti-apartheid campaign in Africa, etc. |
Introducing Indian Art |
This subject provides an overview of the appreciation of art, craft, sculptures, iconography, etc. It provides an overview of Architecture in Temples like Nagara, Dravida and Vesara, in Mosques like Qutb Complex, Humanyun's tomb, Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, etc., and Colonial Architecture along with modern and contemporary architecture. |
Detailed Syllabus for History
The syllabus covered in Hostory is mentioned below:
Semester |
Core/Elective |
Subject Title |
Subject Details |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Core |
History of India - I |
This subject provides an insight into topics like reconstructing Ancient Indian History, Prehistoric hunter-gatherers, The advent of food production, The Harappan Civilization, Cultures in transition settlement patterns, etc. |
|
|
Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Ancient World |
This subject provides an overview of the evolution of humankind, the palaeolithic and mesolithic cultures, the beginnings of food production that include agriculture and animal husbandry, the bronze age civilization, slave society in ancient Greece, polis in ancient Greece, etc. |
2 |
Core |
History of India - II |
This subject provides an in-depth analysis of the economy and society that includes the expansion of the agrarian economy. These changing political foundations have the empires and dynasties of that age, the concepts of religion, philosophy and society and the cultural developments. |
|
|
Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Mediaeval World |
This subject provides an insight into the Roman Empire, the Principate and Empire comprising the slave society in ancient Rome, the Religion and Culture, the Crises of Roman Empire, the Religion and Culture in Medieval Europe and the societies in Central Islamic Lands. |
3 |
Core |
Rise of Modern West - I |
This subject provides an insight into the transition from feudalism to capitalism and its problems and theories. The renaissance and origins of the course and results of the European Reformation in the 16th century and the Commercial Revolution. Topics like the Emergence of the European state system in Spain, France |
|
|
History of the United States of America |
This subject provides an overview of the background, making of the republic, evolution of American Democracy, Early Capitalism, the Agrarian South, the Ante Bellum Foreign Policy, the Civil War and the concepts of Abolitionism and Sectionalism, etc. |
4 |
Core |
History of India - IV |
This subject provides an insight into interpreting the Delhi Sultanate and its Political Structures. The Society, Religion, Culture and Economy of India are also covered in this subject. |
|
Elective |
History of the USSR |
This subject provides an insight into the Russian Revolutions, the provisional government, the new economic policy, the Comintern, the formation of the USSR, the Soviet Industrialisation, Soviet Agriculture, etc. |
5 |
Core |
History of India - V |
This subject provides an insight into the sources of historiography, the establishment of the Mughal Rule, the Consolidation of Mughal Rule under Akbar, Expansion and Integration, Rural Society and Economy, Political and Religious Ideas, etc. |
|
Elective |
History of China and Japan - I |
This subject introduces Imperialism and the Emergence of Nationalism in China and Japan. The Chinese and Japanese Feudalism, the bureaucracy and peasantry, the Confucian value system, the Agrarian and popular movements, the attempts of self-strengthening, etc. |
6 |
Core |
History of India - VII |
This subject provides an insight into the Persian and vernacular literary cultures, histories, memoirs and travelogues of India. The political culture under Jahangir and Shah Jahan and the Mughal Empire under Aurangazeb, the visual culture of paintings and architecture, the patterns of religious politics and trade and commerce are covered in this subject. |
|
Elective |
History of Modern Europe - II |
This subject provides an overview of the liberal democracy, working-class movements, the crisis of feudalism in Russia and the experiments in Socialism, Imperialism, war and crisis, the cultural and intellectual developments since circa, etc. |
Specialisations Offered in History
Tabulated below are the specialisations offered in History:
Specialisation |
Specialisation Subjects |
Subject Details |
---|---|---|
Generic Elective |
Women in Indian History |
This subject provides an in-depth analysis of the theoretical concepts of understanding gender and patriarchy and the historiography of women in ancient India. Topics like Bhramanical Patriarchy, women and property, women and work: voices from Tamilakam, Imperial Women like Razia Sultan, Nur Jahan, Jahanara and women in literary activities are also covered in this subject. |
Skill Enhancement Course |
Archives and Museums |
This subject provides an insight into Indian Museum structures and complexities. The History of setting up archives and case studies based on the National Archives of India is also seen in this subject. New kinds of museum archives that are virtual digital, in the form of craft and media, are also covered in this subject. |
Discipline-Specific Elective |
Issues in World History - II |
This subject provides an overview of the concepts of Colonialism and Nationalism. The social transformations after the Second World War and the Cold war, the perspectives of development and underdevelopment in globalisation, the social movements, etc., are covered in this subject. |
Skill Enhancement Course |
History and Tourism |
This subject provides an overview of the Heritage of art and architecture in India and understanding architectures like Stupa, Sanchi, Temple architecture, Indo-Persian architecture, forts, palaces, mosques, and colonial architecture in Delhi, tourism management and the varieties in tourism, etc. |
Books and Authors Related to History
Great scholars recommend many books for students aspiring to pursue History. These books could provide an insight into the subjects and their basic outline in an engaging way. Many of these books would be available in libraries, or any student can download and access the online versions of these books.
Subject |
Book Title |
Author |
Details |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
History of India |
An Introduction to the Study of Indian History |
D.D.Kosambi |
D.D wrote this book. Kosambi introduces the study of Indian Historiography and its classic works. The realistic and scientific approach of revolutionised Indian Historiography is also covered in this book. |
|
Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Mediaeval Age |
The Mediaeval Papacy |
J.Barraclough |
The Mediaeval Papacy by G. Barraclough talks about how an institution in itself rose through for a cause of reform but instead later turned out to be an institution of reform and in itself needed reformation. The book is refreshingly original by revealing the best-known episodes and personalities in a new refreshing light.
|
|
Rise of the Modern West |
The Lineages of the Absolutist State |
Perry Anderson |
The Lineages of the Absolutist State by Peter Anderson uses a historical-comparative and narrative approach to perceive the dynamics of late feudalism. It also traces the development of the Absolutist states in European feudalism and examines their various trajectories. |
|
Patterns of Colonialism in the World |
The Rise of the Atlantic Economies |
Ralph Davis |
The Rise of the Atlantic Economies by Ralph Davis examines and surveys the Economic histories of Spain, Netherlands, France, England and the colonies they established in North and South America, right from the start of the Portuguese exploration in the 15th century till the American Revolution. |
Entrance Exams for History
The most common national level entrance exam for History courses is the University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET). This exam is conducted for 300 marks and comprises 150 questions. The first paper has 50 questions that are compulsory and carries 100 marks. The second paper comprises 100 questions that are also compulsory and carries 200 marks. This exam is conducted twice a year. However, each college or university offers entrance exams to students to test their skill set and ability to sustain through the course.
The applications for the entrance tests are obtained from colleges or universities. Each student has to pay the required amount for the entrance test while filing the application form. Questions relating to Economics, Literature, Ancient India, Mediaeval India, Modern India, World History, etc., would form part of the entrance examination questions.
The master's level programme also has entrance exams offered by colleges or universities. The questions for the entrance exam of Masters in History are based on the bachelor's program in History. These examinations' patterns and grading structures vary from one university or college to the other. The previous year's question papers could be referred from the college or university dashboard so that the students could get an insight into the pattern and structure of the examination.
The students applying for the bachelor's program should have a minimum of 50% in their 10+2 examination from a recognised board with English as one of the core subjects. For the master's program, the students must complete the bachelor's in History and gain practical experience in the particular field while studying.
Syllabus for Distance Program in History
Not all colleges and universities offer distance programmes in History. There might be slight variations in the course structure offered for the distance programme. The minimum duration for the bachelor's course is three years, and the maximum can be up to six years to complete the course. The same pattern of credit courses, discipline-specific electives, ability enhancement and skill enhancement programs, and the general electives are offered for the distance education course.
The master's program can have a minimum duration of 2 years and a maximum of 5 years to complete this course. The master's course in History is open to all graduates of all streams. There is no entrance test for seeking admissions into the distance program in History. The credits are awarded according to the subjects. The students have to obtain a minimum credit for their courses. The subjects covered in this course are as follows:
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Modern World,
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History of Indian Economy,
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Historiography,
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Urbanisation in India,
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Social and Political Thought in Modern India,
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Political Structures in India,
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History of Ecology and Environment in India,
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Indian National Movement,
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Western Political Thought, etc.
Top Colleges for History
Many colleges excel in producing great results concerning History in India. Even if the subjects are the same, the structure and pattern of the course might be different for every college. Here is a list of the top 10 colleges in India for History as per the National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF).
College/University/Institution |
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FAQs on History Syllabus
Q. What subjects are needed for a History degree?
• Harappan Civilization
• Mauryan and Post-Mauryan Era
• Age of the Guptas
• Aspects of Society
• Outlines of the Political Theory
• Principles of Sociology
• Public Administration
• Religious Development
• Environmental Studies
• English Language
• Indian Economy
• Sociology and Philosophy
Q. What jobs can you do if you study History?
Q. Is History a hard degree?
Q. What skills do you need for a History degree?
Q. Why is studying History important?
Q. What are the sources of History?
Q. How do historians write History?
Q. Is History a fact or opinion?
Q. How do you research History?
Q. What is historical impartiality?
Q. How does bias affect the study of History?
Q. Is History subjective?
Q. What are the duties of historical students?
Q. What are the two main periods of History?
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 2 days ago
The M.A. in History program at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has specific cutoff marks for admission. Based on the latest available data, the cutoff marks for the General category are as follows:
- General Category: 103
- OBC Category: 65
- SC Category: 32
- ST Category: 17
These cutoff marks are determined by
Answered 3 days ago
SAT exam history dates back to 1926, where the exam contents evolved from an Army IQ test. It was conducted by the non-profit organisation - College Board, which is still the official adminstrator of the SAT exam. The exam was designed to test the meritocracy of the applicants applying for colleges
P
Beginner-Level 3
Answered 3 days ago
I recommend checking the following sources for the answer key to the Class 12th History Pre-Board 2024-25:
- Official School Website: Schools often post answer keys for pre-board exams on their official websites or student portals.
- Educational Platforms: Websites like Shiksha.com and more may have infor
A
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 weeks ago
Universities with good history programs and resources are generally the best options for pursuing a postgraduate degree in History. Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi and Delhi University (DU) are very good, as they have excellent history courses and faculty.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
History is one of the subjects in Bihar BET 2025 such as ancient, medieval, modern, and world history.
Its syllabus on ancient history is course-wise like Harappan civilization, Vedic age, Mauryan and Gupta empires, and early South Indian kingdoms.
It has extensive coverage of medieval history like
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Best book for history preparation for UPSC would differ in various phases of preparation.
One will recommend "India's ancient past" by R.S. Sharma regarding ancient Indian history. History of Medieval India casts a light on medieval history and for modern Indian history, "India's Struggle for Indepe
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
It is not always necessary to write the CUET-UG (Common University Entrance Test for Undergraduates) exam to pursue a History course. Whether you need to take the exam depends on the specific university you are applying to.
For Central Universities: Many central universities, such as Delhi University
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The GSEB HSC 2024 History question papers haven't been officially released yet. However, you can access the previous years' question papers and sample papers from the Gujarat Board's official platform. These can help in preparing for your exams as they provide insights into the exam format and types
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Open the official website of NTA, find the "UGC NET Cut Off" link, now select Geography and choose the session of that particular year. The UGC NET cut-off marks will be displayed to download.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
See it depends on the paper level every year as we see in 2024 particularly in CUET the cut off for most of top colleges in South campus ARSD and VENKY.it ranges from 720/800 to 730/800. So it depends on various factors how much student apply for course and how much the merit goes for best north cam
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a month ago
Look, this is something that is determined by your personal interests and situation. Both kinds of educational institutes have their positives and negatives, which you must consider carefully before making a decision:
Parameters | Government History Colleges | Private History Colleges
|
---|---|---|
Fees | Lower Fees | Higher Fees |
Infrastructure | Outdated Infrastructure | Modern Infrastructure |
Other Benefits | Scholarships, Solid Alumni Network and Recognized Brand Tag | Job Industry Connections and Placement Opportunities |
By carefully examining these important factors, you can make up your mind and come
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Well, this is a very subjective question. Some candidates would prefer Diploma in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology because the coursework perfectly aligns with their interests in literature, archaeological heritage and Indian culture. Also, it is conducted in an online mode for the du
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
The duration of certificate courses in History is usually 1 year or less. For example, the short term certificate course in History offered by the National Archives of India can be completed within 8 weeks depending upon the specialisation you choose. Also, the certificate course in History at KJ So
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Well, it is not compulsory to appear for the CUET-UG exam for admission in undergraduate History courses but all the top universities and colleges in India provide admission either through CUET or conduct their university-specific entrance exams such as IPU-CET, JMI entrance, etc. So it is better to
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Yes, of course, you can opt for an undergraduate History course or a certificate course after securing 55% marks in your Class 12th board exams. For a BA degree in History, you will have to appear for any of the national/state-level entrance exams such as CUET-UG, IPU CET, or others and score good m
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Dear aspirant, you can definitely pursue a BA in History or History Honors at Delhi University despite being a Science student. The only thing that you need to do is to get a good CUET score as the cut-off marks are quite high for some of the top colleges. Further, apart from selecting your Class 12
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
You will have to appear for the CUET-UG entrance exam in the subjects you studied in Class 12, which takes place every year for admission to various courses at top Indian universities such as Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia, etc. Also, Stephens College, DU conduct
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Well, there are many advantages to pursuing an online History course. If you have cleared class 12, many colleges will give you admission to online History courses. Even those who have any sort of educational qualification or experience, are eligible to pursue online courses in History.
To add furthe
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Absolutely yes. You may get introduced to a plethora of career opportunities for the future after completing a major degree course in History. A few popular job profiles include Historian, Archaeologist, Journalist, Civil Servant, Tour Guide, and Academic Researcher or Assistant Professor. As is evi
D
Contributor-Level 8
Answered a month ago
Here are some top history colleges in India:
Pondicherry University: A government college in Pondicherry City, Pondicherry
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University: Located in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
Maulana Azad National Urdu University: Located in Ranga Reddy, Telangana
Mangalore University: Locate
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
As part of arts faculty in IIBS Bangalore, the university provides a B.A. (Hons.) in History. The institute is approved by Bangalore Central University and is renowned for strict academic session and concern for students. But it does possess highly qualified faculty in the arts faculty although it i
K
Contributor-Level 9
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I want to know about the latest cutoff information for M.A. in History at BHU ?