History -how to prepare -UPSC

Indian History Books
- Ancient Indian History
- Medieval Indian History
- Modern Indian History
- World History (only in UPSC Mains)
List of Indian History Books for IAS Prelims exam:
UPSC History books for the prelims stage
List of History Books | Category |
A Brief History of Modern India | Modern History |
NCERT Class XI Modern India- Bipan Chandra | Modern History |
NCERT Class XI Medieval India – Satish Chandra | Medieval History |
NCERT Class XI Ancient India | Ancient History |
NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History- I | Ancient Indian History |
NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History- II | Medieval Indian History |
NCERT Class XII Theme in Indian History- III | Medieval & Modern Indian History |
NCERT Class XI an Introduction to Indian Art | Ancient Indian History |
NCERT Class XI Living Crafts Traditions of India | Indian History |
NCERT Class XI Crafts Tradition of India | Indian History |
List of Indian History Books for IAS Mains exam:
The History portion in UPSC Mains – GS Paper 1
Syllabus | Description |
Indian Culture | Art Forms, Literature, Architecture from ancient to modern era |
Modern Indian history | Important personalities, events, problems during the mid of the 18th century till post-Independence |
The Freedom Struggle | Different phases & main contributors and contributions from various parts of the nation |
India post-independence | Post-independence consolidation & reorganization inside the country |
World History | events, colonization, the industrial revolution, world wars, redrawing of national boundaries, decolonization and political philosophies |
Best History Books for IAS Mains exam are as follows:
List of History Books | Category |
History of Modern World – Jain and Mathur | Modern History |
Mastering Modern World History-Norman Lowe | Modern World History |
India After Gandhi – Ramchandra Guha | Modern Indian History |
India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra | Modern Indian History |
History Of Modern India – Bipan Chandra | Modern Indian History |
Indian Art and Culture – Nitin Singhania | Modern Indian History |
India’s Ancient Past- RS Sharma | Ancient Indian History |
The Wonder That Was India – A.L. Basham | Ancient Indian History |
From Plassey to Partition | Modern Indian History |