Modern History Syllabus & Subjects 2023: Semester-wise List, Top Colleges Syllabus PDF

Indian Independence Movement

The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 was the first one of India's wars for independence. Along with creating a sense of solidarity among Indians, it led to the dissolution of East India Company rule, which gave up its power to the British King.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Lucknow Pact of 1916

• Non-Cooperation Movement

• Return of Subhash Chandra Bose to India

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• 1915: Return of Mahatma Gandhi to India

• Revolt of 1857

• 1917: The Champaran Satyagraha

Indian National Congress

The first Indian National Congress was founded in 1885, but the idea to overthrow British rule had been around since the 1850s. In the first few decades of the Congress Party's existence, their resolutions were moderately reformative, though they increased in radicalism due to the increase in poverty brought on by British Imperialism at that time. During the early 1900s, some members of Congress advocated for an Indian-first policy that is called swadeshi. This policy encouraged Indians not to buy imported goods and, instead, buy Indian-made goods. By 1917, the Home Rule Movement's 'extremist' nationalists had started to showcase big influence by appealing to people of different social classes.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Formation of INC

• Gandhi’s contribution

• India first policy

• Swadeshi

The Partition of India and Pakistan

Nationalist activities happened primarily through the INC. It was known for empowering various leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, prior to the 1940s, it advocated for a single state with a strict centre. Although INC was typically secular in its purposes, organisations representing the interests of the minorities, among others, viewed this as worrisome and believed it would put the power of Hindus in politics, who comprised almost 80% of the total population.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Reason of partition

• Conflict

• Gandhi’s contribution

• Britain’s stand on partition

• Effect of partition

The Cold War and India's foreign policy

India’s policy regarding international affairs has evolved significantly over time. Its experience in negotiating between the Soviet Union and the USA during the Cold War continues to shape contemporary debating on the subject in India. Zorawar Daulet, in his recent publication, Power and Diplomacy: India’s Foreign Policies During the Cold War, concludes that Indian policymakers had a dynamic worldview during the Cold War. He also establishes that their foreign policy underwent various transformations depending on the political situation.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Reasons for the Cold War

• India’s stand on the Cold War

• Countries involved in the Cold War

India's foreign relations with the United States, China, and Russia

One of the most intriguing aspects of the current global situation is how China and Russia have shifted from being enemies to friends. The path of their relationship started with enmity and has now grown into entente, largely due to their estrangement with the West and the US in particular.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Why are foreign relations important?

• What is India’s stand with each of the foreign countries?

• Conflicts

India's Foreign Relations with Nepal, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka.

The SAARC region includes 8 neighbouring countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Geographically, the region has many diverse landscapes & cultures. It's definitely a complex place to live, but it also offers some great opportunities. The individual countries in AU and AU collectively - share many commonalities, shared histories, and different regional distinctions. These are all represented in the ethnic makeup of the country's populace (irrespective of religion or language). The other countries with which China shares a border are just as complex.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Countries under SAARC

• India’s contribution to SAARC

• India’s relation with SAARC countries

India's relations with the Middle East.

India is a powerful nation in its own way. It doesn't really depend on the Middle East, mostly apart from a few commodities. India’s growth in recent years is as close as the countries in the Middle East. India has a diplomatic relationship with the Middle East.

Some parts of the syllabus are:

• Countries in the Middle East

• How does India relate to the Middle East?

• Conflict with the Middle East

Kashmir issue

Kashmir and its neighbouring areas, including Gilgit, Jammu, and Ladakh (among others), were under the control of different empires at various times. This includes Hindu rulers, Muslim emperors, Sikhs and Afghans, and British rulers.

The important factors are

• Kashmir and its neighbouring areas

• Reason of conflict

• Origin of conflict

Internal insurgencies in India.

The Northeast has always been a state of stable anarchy: The rule of law and other institutions of governance are subverted directly or through collusive arrangements, serving personal interests over the public good.

Some important topics are:

• What are Internal insurgencies?

• How does India relate?

• What is India’s approach?

1

Indian History (Ancient up to 600 AD)

Ancient Indian History

Students learn about Cave Architecture Polity, Age of the Guptas, Harappan Civilisation, and Reconstructing Ancient Indian History.

3

Indian History ( 600 AD to 1500 AD)

Transformation 1 era

The subject aims to provide the basic knowledge of Sanskrit Literature Temple, Institutional Structure (Varna System).

4

Indian History ( 1500 AD to 1800 AD)

Transformation 1 era

Students will learn about the Society, Religion and Culture in Mughal India, the Crisis of the Mughal Empire, Ideology and State in Mughal India.

4

Indian History ( 1800 AD to Modern Times)

Recent History

Students will learn the Colonial Intervention and Growth of Modern Education, Rural Economy & Society, East India Company - Theory of Rent.

Specialised in the Indian Independence Movement

• British Economic Policies

• Revolt of 1857

• Social and Religious reforms in India

• Foundation of Indian National Congress

• Revolutionary Terrorism and Home Rule Movement

• Foundation of the British empire

• Peasant and Tribal Movements

• The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi.

Students interested in India's movement for independence often choose this specialisation. You will be studying the Revolt of 1857, the Foundation of the British Empire, and other national movements.

India's foreign Relationship Expert

• Pakistan Issue

• Crude Oil Relations

• Foreign Policy with the USA

• Basic understanding of foreign communication and culture

• Five pillar Methods

Specialisation in India's foreign relationships allows students to learn in detail about relationships with neighbours and other EU countries, and the US. Students will learn the gradual relationship trends with other important nations.

Internal Insurgencies Specialist

• Security breaches

• Reasons for insurgency

• Analyse and prepare trend data

• Regional insurgency

The specialisation offers a deep insight into the insurgency across states and nations. Students can also learn about security breaches and prepare trend data for analysis.

Indian History after Gandhi's arrival

India After Gandhi

Ramachandra Guha

This book provides extensive knowledge of India’s political history in the later half of the 20th century, a great addition to what you already know about it. It can help you better understand and face India’s current economic and social climate.

India’s economic development under democracy

India — The Emerging Giant

Arvind Panagiriya

This book gives a thorough account of one of the most significant experiments in economic development under democracy. It goes over the economic path taken by Nehru to Manmohan Singh that has resulted in many successes and relatively few failures.

Lasting damage committed by British rule in India

An Era of Darkness: The British Empire in India

Shashi Tharoor

Tharoor explores the lasting damage committed by British rule in India and how it created a series of different issues that still exist today. He says this with an undertone of comedy, making the book not only informative but enjoyable to read.

Partition

The Great Partition

Yasmin Khan

The Great Partition is the best book about today's India if you're looking to understand both the execution and aftermath of when India and Pakistan split.

General History

The Argumentative Indian

Amartya Sen

This book is a compilation of essays on Indian History by Nobel Prize-winner Amartya Sen. Anyone interested in understanding the foundations of Indian polity must read it.

Lucknow University

Panjab University

Jamia Millia Islamia

Savitribai Phule Pune University