#worldhistory #africa #decolonisation #commonwealth
@nikhilhistoryculture

This is Akbar season this time. Three new books have been published in last few months exclusively on Akbar. All three books bring out different facets of Akbar's era.

High chances of some question related to Akbar this year in the exam.

#mughal #akbar #bookreview
@nikhilhistoryculture

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200

Pointers for Answer 3
Part I
Introduce 12 Alwar, 63 Nayanar saints
Fused element of love and devotion reflected in sangam with bhakti based on Puranas in north India

Part II - Significance
🔺Organized popular movement - not only religious equality but also social equality
🔺Tamil language and literature
🔺Temples
🔺Revitalized North
🔺Strengthening Brahmanism (Vaishnava Acharya)
🔺Strengthening monarchy (eg Cholas)

#EarlyMedieval #bhakti #religion #south #dravida #tamil #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200

Question 4
Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history. [2012, 10m]

#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE1XxK_Ddl0

#buddhism
@nikhilhistoryculture

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 14. Early Medieval India, 750-1200

Pointers for Answer 4
Comment - In this answer, do not focus much on the content of Rajtarangini. What it tells about Kashmir is less relevant. What is more important is the approach of Kalhana to history writing. Assessment of his idea of history and also the sources he assessed and utilized, the way he provided information, all these are more relevant to this answer.
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Rajatarangini Basic Facts
Chronicle of Kashmir region, written in Sanskrit
Consists of eight books/tarangas composed in verse
First three tarangas deal with the history of the region till the 7th century CE
Tarangas 4 to 6 carry the story forward till the 11th century
Last two tarangas (which are also the longest) deal with the 12th century
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Rajtarangini = Only one History book from ancient India?
• Since the time of William Jones, it has been repeatedly said that there was only one text from early India that could be regarded as historical writing: the Rajatarangini, a history of Kashmir written by Kalhan in 1148. Kalhan describes it as a kavya.
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Kalhana is aware of representing the past “as it was”, as itihasa.
• Unlike many other chronicles, Kalhana takes care to mention the sources that he has consulted. The work shows a familiarity not only with the Epics and Puranas, but with more historically-oriented writing, such as the historical biographies written by Bana, by Bilhana, an important local Purana (Nilamata Purana), and Ksemendra’s Nrpavali. Various local inscriptions, coin legends were consulted, and oral tradition preserved in popular legends were also utilized.

• Kalhana was familiar with court circles (his father Champaka was the minister in the court of the earlier king), even if not serving at the court himself. This distancing probably enabled him to make independent judgements on various rulers. Kalhana was not writing to pamper any particular patron.

• He is also concerned with understanding the inexplicable behaviour of kings just prior to the current dynasty. Hence, his criticism of the actions of kings who were his close contemporaries. His narrative is peppered with severe judgements on various groups who exploited Kashmir.

• The text narrates the history of Kashmir and incorporates into the narration legends, chronology based on written records, and details of events closer to the author’s time which are more authentic. He claims that he is correcting the chronology of his predecessors and giving a connected account of the past by partly filling in gaps and removing fictitious genealogies.
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#EarlyMedieval #Literature #Kashmir #Historiography #Sources #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 15. The Thirteenth Century:

Question 5
Assess the causes of the defeat of Northern Indian States against the Turkish invasion. [20 Marks]

#Medieval #TurkishInvasion #Ghori #Ghazni #Rajput #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 15. The Thirteenth Century:

Answer 5

Some absurd/outdated/illogical points: (Don’t use them in the answer)

1. Invaders came from cold mountainous ranges and were hardy people while Indians living in semi-tropical sweltering climate and in the plains were no match for them.
2. Invaders ate non-veg, had more proteins and thus were powerful while Indians were largely vegetarian and thus weaker.
3. Rajputs were follower of Dharmic code of warfare, and used to think of war as chivalrous sport.
4. Indians were pacifist with not much training in military while the invaders were war-like.
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Historiography of the causes
(Points to be used in the answer)

1. Jadunath Sarkar – Turkish people had zeal of new converts which gave them Ghazi spirit in the name of Allah. They had a sense of Islamic brotherhood, and they didn’t drink alcohol. All of this provided strong bond of unity and sense of mission.

2. Muhammad Habib – Hindus were backward, caste-ridden, internally divided, and socially fragmented. It all impaired their military effectiveness. (caste division in 10-11th c – cite Al Beruni). Hindus were insular from the developments in the world at that time.

3. Tactical reasons
a. Turkish military tactics and technology were superior. Eg. Iron-stirrup, crossbow, good breed of horses
b. Greater emphasis on mobility on part of Turks

4. Lack of strategic perspective of Rajputs
a. Not thinking of scientific border of India at Kabul-Kandahar but limiting to Ganga valley or Punjab plains
b. Internal disunity against the foreign invader. No all India common front formed.

5. Satish Chandra – Socio-political system of Rajputs was not upto the mark. Rajputs didn’t lack number or training or weapons or intent but they lacked proper organization and leadership. Feudal irregular and poorly organized levies of Rajputs were no match for centralized and iqta based loyal military organization of Sultans. Also, there was better scope for upward social mobility for talent and merit in Turks (eg slave generals).
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PS
You can add many more scholars like Peter Jackson and Andre Wink. Their viewpoints are really interesting. However, you have to be cautious about the word limit as well. Therefore, try to learn the skill of answer writing. If you are preparing for 2023, write one or two answers everyday till December/January. It helps immensely.

#Medieval #TurkishInvasion #Ghori #Ghazni #Rajput #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 15. The Thirteenth Century:

Question 6
If Iltutmish was the first organizer of the Delhi Sultanate, Balban was its real consolidator. Comment. [15 marks]

#Medieval #Delhisultanate #AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

This is a very interesting outlook. I personally think that Ancient is easier and more interesting because it's more theoretical in nature (we don't have enough data anyway). If you have a good grasp over the sources and a general idea of various historiographical debates, you can almost tackle anything in this section. Even if you lack some idea of the specific issue, you can still create a good answer on the spot.

On the contrary, in Modern and World, we get relatively less opportunity of go into historiographical issues (at least for Civil Services Exam) and thus we have to know a lot of issue-specific arguments in order to be able to write a good answer. As this era is closer to us, we have more data, it makes things tangible, more relevant, definitely, but it also makes the subject vast.

Anyway. For the students writing the exam in 2022 and in need of any guidance, assistance (like evaluation of answers or need of additional material or discussing strategy), you are all most welcome to meet me. I will be in the office everyday from 12 to 2 for such discussions. You can also drop me a personal message at @nikhil4history

#announcement
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century:

Question 7
Briefly discuss the impact of Mongol Invasions on Delhi Sultanate. [10 marks]

According to scholars like KA Nizami as well as Pater Hardy, Mongol invasion left a deep impact on polity of Delhi sultanate with larger consequences for society, economy and culture too.

▪️Initial sultans remained occupied with the Mongol question and couldn't undertake agressive imperial policy. Eg, Balban never left Delhi except for Bengal expedition.

▪️ Weak Centralisation: To consolidate the power, initial Delhi sultans didn't take any controlling measures against Muqtis, who started to enjoy wider provincial autonomy.

▪️Need for a strong standing army required huge resources. Thus, Alauddin Khilji took steps for land revenue reforms. (Increased land revenue to 50%, developed direct relation between the state and the peasantry). He also introduced the market control policy so that salary bill of the army comes down with the cheaper supply of essential commodities to soldiers.

▪️Cultural impact: A havoc caused by the Mongol invasions in Islamic world led to flocking of scholars, Sufi saints and adventurous people towards Delhi for a safe haven. Thus, Delhi emerged as a nerve center for Islamic cultural world.


#Medieval #Delhisultanate #AnswerWritingPractice #Mongol
@nikhilhistoryoptional

14 August is the Partition Horrors Remembrance Day. This is the official document published by the Government of India.

#partition #communalism #modern
@nikhilhistoryculture

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century

Question 8:
Discuss the theory of kingship of Balban and compare it with that of Alauddin Khilji. (15 marks)

PS: Answer Writing is the most crucial thing for scoring well in the optional. Now students can submit their answers here as a comment (either in text or scanned image/PDF). I would personally give feedback to those students who submit their answers before the next question is posted, generally after one day. (Answers of only the latest questions will get a feedback.)

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Delhisultanate #Political #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Announcement

Daily answer writing practice is the only key to scoring well. So, if you take efforts to write your answers, it is really worth it. For Q 8, I received a couple of answers in the group and a handful of answers were sent personally. I have replied in detail to all of them.

Students can submit their answers here as a comment (either in text or scanned image/PDF). I would personally give feedback to those students who submit their answers before the next question is posted, generally after one day. (Answers to only the latest questions will get a feedback.)

Also, I request you all to not send the answers personally but to just upload them here in the comment section. It makes things easier for me.

#AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 16. The Fourteenth Century

Question 9:
To what extent the term "Rural Revolution" is justifiable for consequences of the land revenue reforms under Alauddin Khalji? (15 marks)

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Delhisultanate #Political #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional

https://youtu.be/oUmmwpt7tLo

Three great living Historians of our time talking about their views and personal experiences of independence and partition. All of them were young in 1947 and have some memories of their childhood which they are sharing...

Now we have this last decade when the remaining of the pre Independence generation will pass away. These people are our link to our past, fading away very quickly. It's always exhilarating to listen to them who have seen 1940s and 1950s.

We may not agree with all their perspectives and arguments, and yet we can try to listen to their views.

#historian
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Announcement

We have created an associated group for answer submission, asking questions and discussion where all the members can participate.

The link is:
@nikhilhistorydiscussion

Answer Writing Practice
Question 9

For Question no 9, students were quite prepared with both facts and analysis. However, some fine-tuning is still required as far as latest historiography is concerned.

I am attaching a photo from a book for reference which will make the topic amply clear. This paragraph amply makes clear the difference and similarity between the father-son on the issue of Rural Revolution.

Also, I suggest more of you should try answer writing on regular basis. Just waiting for better preparation, more revisions, better notes and then starting to write answers is never going to happen.

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Delhisultanate #Economy #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: 17.Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:

Question 10:
Evaluate the conditions of industries in India from 1200 to 1500 CE. [UPSC 2013, 20 marks]

Hint: Don't focus only on names/places of various prevalent industries. Question is less factual and more analytical in nature. So, try to bring out analytical perspective. It takes some efforts. Otherwise, the question would be very easy.

PS: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Delhisultanate #Economy #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional