History

To pursue archaeology as a career, your choice between History and Anthropology for the CUET exam depends on the specific undergraduate programme you're targeting and your interest in various aspects of archaeology:History:Why Choose History? Most archaeology courses are offered under the umbrella of History or Ancient History departments.It provides a strong foundation in understanding historical contexts, civilizations, and cultural heritage, which are critical for archaeology.Many universities offering archaeology degrees consider History as the preferred subject in CUET.Ideal for Specialization In:Archaeological excavation and analysis of historical periods.Museums, heritage conservation, and cultural studies.Anthropology:Why Choose Anthropology? Anthropology covers the biological, cultural, and social aspects of human evolution, which aligns with studying human remains, artifacts, and ancient societies.It is ideal if you're interested in bioarchaeology, human evolution, or prehistoric studies.Ideal for Specialization In:Physical anthropology or forensic anthropology within archaeology.Studying the interplay of culture, biology, and environment in ancient populations.Recommendation:CUET for History: If your goal is to study archaeology through a historical and cultural lens or join a history-oriented program.CUET for Anthropology: If you're more inclined toward the biological and sociocultural aspects of ancient human societies.Additional Suggestions:1. Check the Program Requirements: Look at the specific universities you're interested in and their archaeology programme requirements. Many programs explicitly list History or Anthropology as preferred CUET subjects.2. Consider Combined Studies: Some universities may allow you to combine History and Anthropology in interdisciplinary courses, which can enhance your archaeology career prospects.If you share your preferred universities, I can help you find specific eligibility requirements. 

Yes, with a Master's in Indian History and a specialisation in Modern India, you are eligible to apply for the position of Assistant Archaeologist, depending on the job requirements.Government organizations like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) often consider candidates with a background in history, archaeology, or related fields. While roles in archaeology may prefer candidates with expertise in ancient history or archaeology, your specialisation in Modern India can still be valuable, especially for research, historical analysis, or archival work.Be sure to carefully check the eligibility criteria for the specific position, as some may require additional qualifications in archaeology.

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 Independence" by Bipan Chandra speaks volumes about it.NCERT History Books from classes 6 to 12, in my opinion, are a necessary ground for any type of preparation. These not only bring factual content, but also concept clarity, which is extremely important for writing analytical answers in the mains. They will really help with an excellent combination of practicing with previous year's questions improving considerably your historical understanding and writing skills with reference to the UPSC exam.