Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Lets start with 2 questions now.

Question 13:
Describe the idea of the composite culture in India as developed during the era of the Delhi Sultanate. (15 marks)

Question 14:
Identify the different categories of Persian literature which emerged during the Delhi Sultanate. (10 marks, 2021)

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

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Delhisultanate #medieval
@nikhilhistoryoptional

One more topic you should look carefully at. It is anyway an important topic that we have to read, not only because of current relevance.

#world #USSR #Coldwar
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Many aspirants are doing self-preparation and are looking for definite sources of world history. I have also seen that not all Foundation courses cover all aspects of World History comprehensively and focus more on European History than other parts of the syllabus.

Here is one note prepared by me a few years ago which will help identify correct source for every chapter of the World History Syllabus.

#worldhistory #syllabus #sources
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Mikhail Gorbachev
1 Article-1
2 Article-2
3 Article-3
4 Article-4
5 Article-5
6 India and Mikhail Gorbachev

@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Question 15:
Examine the causes of Babur's success against Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. (10m, 2021)

Question 16:
Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India. (15m)

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

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Medieval #MughalEmpire #Afghan #SherShah
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice
Paper I: Medieval India

Question 17:
Do you think that the reign of Krishnadevaraya inaugurated a new epoch in the history of Vijayanagar? Justify. (10 marks)


Question 18:
Amuktamalyada stands out not only for its poetic beauty but also for its unique religious and political themes embedded within it. Discuss. (15 marks)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 8th September.
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

#AnswerWritingPractice
#Medieval #Vijayangara
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Daily Answer Writing and Mentoring (DAMP) by Nikhil Sheth

Features:
▪️Comprehensive and thematic coverage of the entire syllabus in 4 months
▪️Daily Answer Writing Practice
▪️Evaluation within 24 hours
▪️Daily detailed thematic discussion video
▪️Four Sectional Tests
▪️Personalised handholding through regular zoom sessions

To download the schedule and Microsyllabus:
https://www.levelupias.com/course/upsc-damp-history-optional/

Why should you join this?
▪️To hone answer writing skills
▪️Guided revision of the complete optional in four months
▪️Content enrichment with special focus on historiographical debates
▪️To tune preparation to UPSC Mains requirement

@nikhilhistoryoptional

I was thinking of modifying the structure of our Answer Writing initiative a little bit.. I received feedback and it seems that some students who are willing to write answers are not able to do so because they are presently studying some other part of the syllabus, and not Medieval.

How about posting four questions, one each from Ancient, Medieval, Modern and World? The questions would be of easy-to-medium level and try to cover the basic syllabus well which will be of immense help to the beginners. You can write either all four or any one or two from the portion which you are preparing presently.

I want this activity to be as inclusive as possible where maximum number of students can participate. If you think this is a better idea, let me know with the thumbs up here.
------------------------------------
This ongoing initiative of answer writing is different from DAMP program which is starting from 3rd October.

DAMP is a paid program and comes with syllabus-wise Daily UPSC level questions, daily evaluation, four full length papers, and most importantly, Daily detailed discussion videos with historiographical analysis as well as topical surveys. There is also a provision for personal hand holding. This program intends to take you from beginner to advanced level.

Even after DAMP resumes, our present initiative on the channel will continue. I will not discontinue it. However, the frequency of questions, coverage of topics, in depth analytical videos and other stuff will be more in DAMP and limited in the open initiative.

@nikhilhistoryoptional

Answer Writing Practice

Question 19: Ancient India
The early centuries of Christian era witnessed profound changes in the field of religion in India. Examine. (15m)

Question 20: Medieval India
In what ways were Aurangzeb's Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him? (2004) (15m)

Question 21: Modern India
Analyze the social composition of the early Congress leadership. (10m)

Question 22: World History
The second world war gave a great stimulus to the process of decolonisation. Analyse critically. (10m)

PS1: Submit your answers by the end of 14th September.
PS2: Reply here in the comment section with your answer for evaluation.

#AnswerWritingPractice
@nikhilhistoryoptional

#decolonization
@nikhilhistoryculture

https://m.thewire.in/article/politics/archaeologist-padma-vibhushan-awardee-b-b-lal-passes-away

His work included: (topics which are related to our exam)

1. Excavation at Delhi, Mathura etc cities - Epic Archaeology during Second Urbanization?
2. Vedic People as Indigenous People? - Archaeological evidences for locating the origin of Aryans
3. Calling Harappa as Sindhu Saraswati civilization?

#archaeology #historyinnews
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Last day reminder for answer submission.

This year, I feel the topic of decolonization is very important. For two reasons - the Queen is now dead, she was the head of Commonwealth for so long. More importantly, the prime minister has given the call for Pancha-Prana during his 15th August speech which included "Get rid of any signs of slavery" by which he meant mental and cultural decolonization.

Moreover, disintegration of USSR was nothing but the final phase of political decolonization in the previous century and recently its architect, Gorbachev, has passed away.

Decolonization as a topic is important everywhere, in Essay, in GS and also in Optional. Questions could be thematic, cause-consequence type or specific to individual nations.

Prepare that thoroughly. The best source for this is still Arjun Dev NCERT. Revise it from there. Additionally, I am attaching a short PDF for value addition. These 5-6 pages will definitely provide you rich content and requisite depth of analysis.

#decolonization
@nikhilhistoryoptional

Daily Answer Writing and Mentorship Program - Micro Schedule and Study Plan

Would it be okay that instead of writing, I give audio comments to everyone? It will reduce some pressure on my side. As the total number of answers to evaluate is much more than earlier, it would take much longer for me to type.