This topic is going to be important in 2023 exam - prepare all its dimensions well.

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Contribution of KP Jayaswal on the issue of democratic elements in India's ancient past.

The topic is back into limelight this year due to the latest UGC circular and we be better prepared for all dimensions on this, which is posted above.

We recently covered it in two detailed questions in our ongoing Daily Answer Writing Program.

Mughal and Ahoms, a topic to be prepared in Medieval India.

@nikhilhistoryculture

Answer Writing Practice

Question 37: Medieval India
To what extent is ‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine. (15)

Question 38: Medieval India
What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture? (15)

Question 39: Medieval India
Describe the role of Sufi saints in influencing the social milieu of Medieval India. (10)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 26th November.
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answers (scanned image) for evaluation. Or join the discussion group @nikhilhistorydiscussion for commenting and posting.

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#ancient #debate

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https://open.spotify.com/album/1r7y6jEmdNHzJIkmdiwfjf?si=g4u90EC9SMeuSFKd-5bUbA

This is one of the best music albums I have come across in 2022. The fills the very definition of classic-yet-new.

These compositions are by Muthuswami Dikshitar (18th c.), who is celebrated as one among the Trinity of Carnatic music.

According to one popular account, the violin was introduced into Carnatic music by Baluswami Dikshitar (1786–1858), the younger brother of Muthuswami Dikshitar. He encountered the instrument being played by British bands in colonial Madras, and decided to learn it. The music was mostly Irish and Scottish fiddling, rather than Western classical music. After three years of lessons, he adapted the violin to Carnatic music. It is believed that Muthuswami Dikshitar composed these lyrics to aid his brother master the plain notes on the violin.

#music
@nikhilhistoryculture

https://theprint.in/pageturner/book-scene/the-right-is-writing-now-sanjeev-sanyal-at-vikram-sampaths-bravehearts-of-bharat-launch/1236870/

From this news, there are some PYQs related topics which have been asked by UPSC:

1. Chand Bibi, Deccan Policy of Akbar.
2. Lachit Borfukan, Ahom-Mughal conflict
3. Cholas and Indian cultural influences in south east Asia.

I have ordered one copy of the book. Will report later if more PYQs related topics are important from the viewpoint of 2023 Main examination.

Note:
Don't go into ideological issues. They won't help us in the exam. Stay close the exam requirement as much as possible.

Stay tuned for updates
@nikhilhistoryOptional

Answer Writing Practice
Some important dimensions of Mughal Era are covered here. Even if you need to do some digging, do that. It will be immensely helpful in your preparation.

Question 40: Medieval India
Mughal paintings reflect the contemporary socio-political conditions. Discuss. (15m)

Question 41: Medieval India
Give your opinion on the urban development in India during the Mughal times. (20m)

Question 42: Medieval India
Write a short essay on: “The Mughals and the European trading companies.” (15m)

Question 42: Medieval India
Will it be correct to say that the rural economy in Mughal India was relatively self-sufficient? (10m)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 4th December. (1 week from today)
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answers (scanned image) for evaluation. Or join the discussion group @nikhilhistorydiscussion for commenting and posting.

#AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtHFAJ5ZH78

If you can understand Hindi, this is a good discussion. With a lot of interesting points.

Faizan Mustafa has been known to conduct interesting discussions and this time the guest is from the other side. Two people from two different sides coming together. However, Faizan Mustafa has conducted a very rational role of an interviewer and did not interrupt the guest with the intentions of foisting his own views. It is difficult to find such interviewer nowadays.

The focus of this discussion is on analytical approach, going into the mind of people at that historical juncture and types of personalities who shaped the histories. These are the issues we don't generally write in our answers in CSE Main examination. However, it is a small step in the direction of understanding the issue.

#partition #modern #colonization #communalism
@nikhilhistoryoptional

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZNKAOl5wZk

#Ahom #Mughal #bhakti #northeast #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
This time, let me up the game and see how many of you are able give satisfactory answers to the following questions. The facts you are already in possession of, but applying them properly in the context of what is asked requires conceptual clarity.

Question 43: Modern India
To what extent was there a continuity between pre-colonial forms of political and social organization and those of the East India Company? (15)

Question 44: Medieval India
Why is Kabir so central in the context of monotheistic thought in India? (10)
(Hint: the question is primarily asking why amongst all other monotheistic saints, Kabir is more central comparatively)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 11th December. (1 week from today)
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answers (scanned image) for evaluation. Or join the discussion group @nikhilhistorydiscussion for commenting and posting.

#AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Before shifting to Prelims, these are the last two months to be Mains-ready.

History Optional DAMP 3.0 (Daily answer writing and mentorship program) is starting from 5th December.

Features:
▪️Time bound revision
▪️Daily answer writing practice
▪️Upgrade historiography
▪️4 Sectional tests
▪️2 comprehensive tests

For details, visit: https://www.levelupias.com/course/upsc-damp-history-optional/

@nikhilhistoryoptional

The acclaimed French writer and Padma Bhushan awardee passed away.... He was the author of the bestselling Freedom at Midnight...

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/dominique-lapierre-and-his-deep-bond-with-india-8307050/

Prepare for the exam the topic on Freedom with Partition - who/why etc of Partition this year. Special focus is to be given to the role of Mountbatten in partition.

#bookreview #news
@nikhilhistoryoptional

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-culture/mahaparinirvan-diwas-ambedkar-buddhism-marxism-8307875/

#buddhism #ambedkar #caste #religion #left #marx
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice (A Free Initiative)

These are four questions from the Topic Impact of Colonial Economy. Try to write good answers, with some views and some facts. The questions are not difficult to understand, and the approach is also conceptually easy. However, when you start writing them, it seems difficult to write 4 pages (20 markers). And therein lies your real challenge. Try to think, do some homework properly, and may be then write the answers.

Question 45: Modern India
In British India “the impact of the government on the people meant essentially the impact of government on the village.” (20)

Question 46: Modern India
“A self-sufficient village, based on agriculture carried on with the primitive plough and bullock power, and handicraft by means of simple instruments, was a basic feature of pre-British Indian economy.” Comment. (20)

Question 47: Modern India
“The hey-day of the British power in India was also the high noon of laissez faire’ economic doctrine.” Comment. (20)

Question 48: Modern India
The Indian Middle Class firmly believed that "Britain had imposed a colonial economy on India which had impoverished the country." Comment. (20)


PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 15th December. (1 week from today)
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answers (scanned image) for evaluation. Or join the discussion group @nikhilhistorydiscussion for commenting, posting, and evaluation.

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Parent Channel: @nikhilhistoryoptional

Partition

One the hand, Domonique Lapierre has passed away recently, the author of the very famous book Freedom at Midnight. On the other hand, Ram Madhav has authored a newly published book on Partition of Indian. India's independence is also now 75 years old.

All these things make, the topic of Partition very important for the exam. Try to prepare all the dimensions of the topic thoroughly.

#examtip
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice (A Free Initiative)

These are four questions from the topic: Socio-Religious Reform Movements. Try to write analytical answers with a dash of historiography to get good marks.

Question 49: Modern India
Discuss the extent to which the Indian Renaissance movement contributed towards the rise of nationalist consciousness. (20)

Question 50: Modern India
Do you agree with the view that the growth of vernacular literature in the 19th and the 20th centuries paved the way for social reform and cultural revival in India? (15)

Question 51: Modern India
“The religious reform movements of the 19th century were endeavours to recast the old religion (Hinduism) into a new form suited to meet the needs of the new society.” Comment. (20)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 22nd December. (1 week from today)
PS2: To submit the answers, reply here in the comment section with your answers (scanned image) for evaluation. Or join the discussion group @nikhilhistorydiscussion for commenting, posting, and evaluation.

#AnswerWritingPractice
Parent Channel: @nikhilhistoryoptional