@SergioRamos I also use the same book+ selfstudyhistory maps. I club both their content theme wise and make my own notes. Ab isse zyada yar aur kar bhi nai sakte hai.
@Freakhoto Great idea. But I don't know anyone bhai.
I don't think resources is an issue. Every serious candidate knows it. The challenge is to consolidate itna sara gyan in a presentable manner.
That is what I was saying. No point in sharing resources and all.
Here is my plan. Selfstudyhistory(SSH)has just copy pasted sites and info(both incomplete) from Upinder Singh. The book has better coverage, more sites and broader info.I think we should make the book as our base resource and keep adding content from SSH. Like for example first theme in book is Hominid fossils. It is not given in SSH at all. Less info so use google here.
Then next theme is paleolithic sites.In case of common sites just prioritise and make content (5-6 points).Thats enough.
Content has 2 parts. Unique feature of the site+general features of that phase(paleo,meso etc). First make notes only on the unique features. Like Attirampakkam has India's oldest stone age tools.
My Standard format for every site is 1:- Unique feature(This gives highest marks).
2:- Geography:-nearest river, dist(If we can remember it)or state.
3:- General features:- common things of all themes.
Ideally it has to be in this order.I intend to make notes only on unique feature+geography first. Once we have completed one theme ( say temple sites) then on one page just write general features of that theme( almost common for all sites of that theme). In exam hall I will try to write unique feature and geography first. If I am not able to recall it or due to simple lack of info on that site, I will simply write general features( This is easy to remember).
Likewise, just keep making notes for all themes. I think by end of feb we can complete all this(daily 2hrs). Once our notes is ready just crosscheck our content from new NCERTS. Bas itna kafi hoga. After all this just keep revising and practicing from PYQs(most impt).
@SergioRamos you revise ancient from directly upinder Singh or you have made notes?
Bhai actually I was referring to that GKP Publication mapping book to be the base book.
This approach of going for ancient and mapping together is actually very good and will definitely help in understanding things. But yar from day one itself,my approach has been to practice things that will actually help in those 3 hours. If in the exam hall I have to identify and write content based solely on memory (good understanding won't be of much help here, unlike the question answer part) then mera practice bhi waise hi hona chahiye.
That is why when I was making notes for ancient by clubbing the content of upinder Singh+ Ignou+ sharmaji I did not bother about mapping part. In upinder singh every chapter has a separate section for sites. I ignored that part of the chapters.
Now for revision I solely rely on my own notes. Very rarely I open upinder Singh. I may be overthinking here but I think we differ in the very fundamental way we have approached the subject. I take revision and mapping as two separate things. I think we should stick to our own ways.
Can anyone help me in world history. I am getting clueless in this. I have collected basic sources like selfstudy material, L Mukherjee book and Norman Lowe. Ofcourse I cannot read them all. I have not started anything. I was just looking at PYQs..got some idea, but kisi ne subject padha hua hai toh bhai guide kar do thoda. It would be very kind of you people.@SergioRamos@Freakhoto
@Freakhoto Thanks bhai. Soch raha hu bas PYQs aur SSH pe rely karu.Ab koi naya book ya ignou wagera uthane ka patience bacha nai hai😄
@Devanapiyam Thank you bhai. Actually a few days back I asked Chitra Mishra mam. She was kind enough to respond personally. She told me if you believe you are thorough with other parts of syllabus then you can afford to take risk of taking one section lightly, depending upon your priorities of GS and optional. You will anyway attempt only 2 questions in world history section. Agar kuch bhi samajh na aye toh bas PYQs se major themes bana lena aur koi bhi standard source se uspe content ready kar lena. That will be enough.
Also I was feeling a bit exhausted after continuous note making of paper1 and section A of second paper. After a few days break from optional I will pick up Jain and mathur. Dekhte hai mujhse ho bhi pata hai ya nai. Thanks for the info😊
@SergioRamos Thanks bhai. I didn't know about these videos. Doing some ground work to get a broader framework first will definitely help.I will try them.
I am majorly focussing on GS consolidation now.
For optional, I am completely banking on my notes for ancient, medieval and modern.I have left some portions of world completely to be completed after prelims. I will write mocks after prelims. Next two months for revision+ value addition. Let's see how it goes.
This year mains appearing candidates can share their learnings.
I tried making notes from Upinder Singh on Evernote. Do not know if I am doing it correctly or not. Take a lookRevival kara jaye iska?@Devanapiyam @Duryodhan @Luffy @Freakhoto @Usain_bolt
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
An intensive NOTE MAKING spree. Starting with Upinder singh. The beauty of the book is such that no question, whether GS or optional, escapes this book. I get irritated when I able to faintly recall the topic but cannot reproduce it. Hence the notes.
Yar mujhse toh ye online notemaking kabhi samajh hi nai aya. I am not that tech savvy. Hum toh pen paper pe hi ghiste hain.
What are the broad things you keep in mind while making notes?
Just writing it in points, making proper headings, sub-headings. Focus yahi h ki last k 1-2 hours exam se pehle m sirf woh sub-heading hi padh le taki flow m sab recall ho sake. Yet to highlight imp sub-headings.I tried making notes from Upinder Singh on Evernote. Do not know if I am doing it correctly or not. Take a lookRevival kara jaye iska?@Devanapiyam @Duryodhan @Luffy @Freakhoto @Usain_bolt
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
An intensive NOTE MAKING spree. Starting with Upinder singh. The beauty of the book is such that no question, whether GS or optional, escapes this book. I get irritated when I able to faintly recall the topic but cannot reproduce it. Hence the notes.
Yar mujhse toh ye online notemaking kabhi samajh hi nai aya. I am not that tech savvy. Hum toh pen paper pe hi ghiste hain.
What are the broad things you keep in mind while making notes?
Okay.
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
i have started medieval from ignou BA material. (did satish chandra +baliyan = my short notes for last 2 mains ) . will further enrich my content now.
I don't know how many of u guys face this problem. But i feel History optional(paper 1 in particular) qs are super vague at times.
for example- critically analyze the muslim nobility of tughlaqs -- bahut vague lga mujhe.
I mean what to analyse here - their role in consolidation of sultanat ,racial outlook, secular approach ,efficiency, corruption ,stability of kingdom or what? Also gst , mbt & fst k time change ho rha tha ye sab . so i found itextremely difficult to write it in 1.5 pages only.
Similarly in the qs- Evaluate the contribution of shershah towards trade & commerce ,admin and agri reforms. simply uske reforms likhna h or uske impact ko analyze bhi krna h. I just mentioned his reforms in these areas nd concluded by writing -because of these reforms ,he is termed as Akbar's forerunner by many historians.
some people say there is no difference bw evaluate and critically evaluate . what u guys wrote for this, if attempted there?
For ancient - Map section thik se krna h. sites in news recently and ignou ba material sites add karunga. abhi tak bas ssh material cover kr rha tha.
Bhai these questions look vague at first but actually they are very specific. In paper one quoting sources+ succinct articulation is the key.
In these questions following things could have been done.
1. How nobility was an impediment throughout medieval history and how different rulers used different tactics to counterweight them? Quote the steps by iltutmish, razia, balban and then tughluqs in that order succinctly.
How was succession an issue throughout Islamic history?
Evolution of composite ruling class till tughluqs and how it became the cause of decline of Delhi sultanate.
UPSC has asked questions on each one of these separately. In this question one has to just add all. Yes it can be done in 1.5 pages if you represent all this in flow chart forma and link them all.
Likh nai paoge itna sab.
2. In the sher shah(SS) question, one can draw two tables and analyse. Sher shah was in between Allauddin and akbar, not only in time scale but also in terms of development. Just draw two tables and show how SS updated Allauddin measures and then Akbar updated SS measures.
All of this can ONLY be done if one has made thematic consolidated notes....recalling from the books wont work I guess
This 
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
i have started medieval from ignou BA material. (did satish chandra +baliyan = my short notes for last 2 mains ) . will further enrich my content now.
I don't know how many of u guys face this problem. But i feel History optional(paper 1 in particular) qs are super vague at times.
for example- critically analyze the muslim nobility of tughlaqs -- bahut vague lga mujhe.
I mean what to analyse here - their role in consolidation of sultanat ,racial outlook, secular approach ,efficiency, corruption ,stability of kingdom or what? Also gst , mbt & fst k time change ho rha tha ye sab . so i found itextremely difficult to write it in 1.5 pages only.
Similarly in the qs- Evaluate the contribution of shershah towards trade & commerce ,admin and agri reforms. simply uske reforms likhna h or uske impact ko analyze bhi krna h. I just mentioned his reforms in these areas nd concluded by writing -because of these reforms ,he is termed as Akbar's forerunner by many historians.
some people say there is no difference bw evaluate and critically evaluate . what u guys wrote for this, if attempted there?
For ancient - Map section thik se krna h. sites in news recently and ignou ba material sites add karunga. abhi tak bas ssh material cover kr rha tha.
Bhai these questions look vague at first but actually they are very specific. In paper one quoting sources+ succinct articulation is the key.
In these questions following things could have been done.
1. How nobility was an impediment throughout medieval history and how different rulers used different tactics to counterweight them? Quote the steps by iltutmish, razia, balban and then tughluqs in that order succinctly.
How was succession an issue throughout Islamic history?
Evolution of composite ruling class till tughluqs and how it became the cause of decline of Delhi sultanate.
UPSC has asked questions on each one of these separately. In this question one has to just add all. Yes it can be done in 1.5 pages if you represent all this in flow chart forma and link them all.
Likh nai paoge itna sab.
2. In the sher shah(SS) question, one can draw two tables and analyse. Sher shah was in between Allauddin and akbar, not only in time scale but also in terms of development. Just draw two tables and show how SS updated Allauddin measures and then Akbar updated SS measures.
All of this can ONLY be done if one has made thematic consolidated notes....recalling from the books wont work I guess
Did you make pyq solution?
I have not made standard answers on PYQs till now but I will make it in next few months. But yes, I have analysed PYQs deeply and I can say there is a pattern.
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
i have started medieval from ignou BA material. (did satish chandra +baliyan = my short notes for last 2 mains ) . will further enrich my content now.
I don't know how many of u guys face this problem. But i feel History optional(paper 1 in particular) qs are super vague at times.
for example- critically analyze the muslim nobility of tughlaqs -- bahut vague lga mujhe.
I mean what to analyse here - their role in consolidation of sultanat ,racial outlook, secular approach ,efficiency, corruption ,stability of kingdom or what? Also gst , mbt & fst k time change ho rha tha ye sab . so i found itextremely difficult to write it in 1.5 pages only.
Similarly in the qs- Evaluate the contribution of shershah towards trade & commerce ,admin and agri reforms. simply uske reforms likhna h or uske impact ko analyze bhi krna h. I just mentioned his reforms in these areas nd concluded by writing -because of these reforms ,he is termed as Akbar's forerunner by many historians.
some people say there is no difference bw evaluate and critically evaluate . what u guys wrote for this, if attempted there?
For ancient - Map section thik se krna h. sites in news recently and ignou ba material sites add karunga. abhi tak bas ssh material cover kr rha tha.
You talking about Paper 1? You need to look paper 2 they are super vague!!
This question are more or less sab ek hi likhnge..!! Aur kaha se impact of such reform ka notes laye bhai.. Abhi Persian aur arabic sources thodi na baith k padhenge..!!
I feel it's futile to keep banging our head. Even net pe nahi milta..
If you have a solution do let me know..!!
You dont have to go for primary sources bro. If you have time, just go through Satish Chandra+ Ignou. Ye sare points wahi se hai.
What is your plan? I am currently studying medieval India from Satish Chandra. Plan is to go through the complete syllabus at least once before June.
i have started medieval from ignou BA material. (did satish chandra +baliyan = my short notes for last 2 mains ) . will further enrich my content now.
I don't know how many of u guys face this problem. But i feel History optional(paper 1 in particular) qs are super vague at times.
for example- critically analyze the muslim nobility of tughlaqs -- bahut vague lga mujhe.
I mean what to analyse here - their role in consolidation of sultanat ,racial outlook, secular approach ,efficiency, corruption ,stability of kingdom or what? Also gst , mbt & fst k time change ho rha tha ye sab . so i found itextremely difficult to write it in 1.5 pages only.
Similarly in the qs- Evaluate the contribution of shershah towards trade & commerce ,admin and agri reforms. simply uske reforms likhna h or uske impact ko analyze bhi krna h. I just mentioned his reforms in these areas nd concluded by writing -because of these reforms ,he is termed as Akbar's forerunner by many historians.
some people say there is no difference bw evaluate and critically evaluate . what u guys wrote for this, if attempted there?
For ancient - Map section thik se krna h. sites in news recently and ignou ba material sites add karunga. abhi tak bas ssh material cover kr rha tha.
You talking about Paper 1? You need to look paper 2 they are super vague!!
This question are more or less sab ek hi likhnge..!! Aur kaha se impact of such reform ka notes laye bhai.. Abhi Persian aur arabic sources thodi na baith k padhenge..!!
I feel it's futile to keep banging our head. Even net pe nahi milta..
If you have a solution do let me know..!!
You dont have to go for primary sources bro. If you have time, just go through Satish Chandra+ Ignou. Ye sare points wahi se hai.
I feel satish is a bit outdated
Sabke apne apne opinions hain.
Bhai in my humble opinion when "contribution of XYZ" is asked it has to be analysed on a wider scale rather than mentioning just specific details. SSS was the anvil on which medieval polity and economy was swinging between Delhi sultanate and Mughals. By drawing these comparative tables I believe one can show that transaction in a more presentable manner. It shows that you have appreciated the real "contribution "of that individual (SSS in this case) rather than just listing details which everybody is writing.
But anyways, everybody is entitled to their opinion.
In the nobility question I accept its my fault that I couldn't express my views properly. I was just saying one can start with flow chart showing different issues of nobility. It will cover hardly 20% space of 10 marker question and then write specific points on relationship between nobility and tughluqs which Devanapiyam has stated.
how is hemant jha sir's classes? he has started his online classes recently. there are few others also- piyush sir and balyan, need some insights
I haven't taken coaching anywhere but let me tell you certain things based on my experience.
Coaching or no coaching is completely personal call. Ideally I wouldn't suggest anyone to go for coaching for a subject like history.But if you have already decided to take coaching keep these things in mind
1. Remember that NO coaching wala will complete your syllabus. You will realise this after spending 5 months and 50k bucks that you have to re- read the syllabus yourself AGAIN.
2. Don't be overdependent on their classroom dictations and handouts. In class a teacher teaches just to give a overview of topics, but questions in exam are application oriented and need brainstorming of multiple concepts and facts. Just use those notes as indicators of topic and understanding the issue.
3. Don't ignore the standard suggested books. There is high probability that even after taking coaching you have to prepare your own notes froms these books.
4.Unlike other optionals history is not a subject that can be completed in 5 months. Plan accordingly.
5. I am presuming that you are a fresher. So if you have to choose any one coaching from these I would suggest go for piyush sir. Remember that here the choice is not between good and bad, the choice is between bad and less bad. Piyush sir is less bad as compared to others( okay teaching+ personal guidance).
Hope this helps!
hello guys ,, this will be a long query post ,, if you can spare a few mins ,please do...
I am totally new to preparation and right now a working professional (will resign once this chaos is over). I have taken Baliyans optional course ( going on right now) as i needed to have overview/basics since i hv engg in grad. Please help me with my few queries:
1. I am watching video lessons and making class notes from them. Trying to simultaneously cover those topics from standard books.
how to make the final notes ? i am leaving pages and spaces in bw the class notes which I will fill after reading the standard books twice. is this correct or shall i make a separate notebook for class notes and my notes?
2. How to find the correct ignou material to read? ignou material is so exhaustive and me being new,,I am unable to find relevant topics to study. if you have link or pdfs of precise ignou notes,please share.
3. i have strategised as following:
Complete coaching along with standard books.
then, read ncert, standard books and ignou material again. then make notes... revise notes...
is this good or would you suggest something to it ?
4. books: Ncerts+ IGNOU + Upinder singh+ Shekhar Bandhopadhyay+ Ranjan Chakraborty ( pre WW) + Norman Lowe(post WW). are these good enough?
Any other suggestions are more than welcome..
Thanks!!
1. YES most probably you will have to make your own separate notes. If you have already started doing something, you can continue with that.
Notemaking is cumbersome process and no one method is perfect. Just keep few things in mind
a) Make notes on loose sheets so that you can add/subtract later.
b) Make sure everything is at one place. Helps in revision.
c) Emphasise on highlighting sources( archaeological, texts, travellers) in paper 1.
For paper 2, try to have good conceptual clarity of developments. Paper 2 is more analytical and less about quoting scholars.
2. IGNOU material is easy to find. If you are in Delhi just go to ORN or Mukherjee nagar bookshops and ask them.
If you are not in Delhi. Just google their numbers( Atul Photostate, Kumar bookstore, Imagerunner). They will courier all over India.
If you want to read online, just download IGNOU booklets from their official website or get it from telegram.
3. Strategy is personal thing. Do whatever works for you. Just keep in mind that the end goal is retention of everything in those 3 hours of exam hall.
The best strategy is the one which you will develop yourself in the course of your preparation. Don't believe anybody.
4. Arre bhai medieval padna hai ki nai? You can add Satish Chandra in that list.
Most importantly, keep an eye on PYQs. Try to extract major themes of each unit of syllabus from its PYQs. Every aspect of preparation( note making, ans writing, revision) is to be looked from prism of PYQs .
Hope this helps!
Bhai there is nothing new in this. It is a typical way of asking question these days. They just pick up 2-3 topics or sub- topics, club them together and form one question. As you read further, you will be able to connect the dots better. Don't worry.
History is a study of continuity and change. While framing questions they are not bothered about specific timelines or contents of any book. Their questions try to check the conceptual clarity of the candidate on THAT issue as a whole.
For example in this question they have linked Russian revolution and emergence of USSR, two different parts of syllabus linked by common thread lenin and stalin.Although the revolution ended in 1921 but its impact didn't end there, it continued and continued till emergence of USSR as super power. This is what they are asking indirectly, how Russian revolution contributed to emergence of USSR? Their emphasis is more on later part.
@SergioRamos True!
How is optional going on guys?World history chal raha bhai.
What about you?
Ancient. Upinder Singh. Saath me mapping.
Btw, what was your map score and you think 45+ possible hai?My scores are not out yet so I have no idea. plus is baar acha ni hua tha! :/
Exact scores toh pata nai yar but I got 16 correct.
Considering they might be giving 2 marks to the absolute best and 1.5 to avg ones , I think 45+ is thoda zyada ambitious.
40+ is doable I guess. But for that also your points have to be top notch
How is optional going on guys?World history chal raha bhai.
What about you?
Ancient. Upinder Singh. Saath me mapping.
Btw, what was your map score and you think 45+ possible hai?My scores are not out yet so I have no idea. plus is baar acha ni hua tha! :/
Exact scores toh pata nai yar but I got 16 correct.
Considering they might be giving 2 marks to the absolute best and 1.5 to avg ones , I think 45+ is thoda zyada ambitious.
40+ is doable I guess. But for that also your points have to be top notch
There is this book called Map Practice for History Optional. Doing that. Will add self-study history material over the top. I think it will be sufficient. Thoughts?
That GKP publication book na? Sahi hai woh.
Han isse zyada toh kar bhi nai sakte. Mai bhi yehi karunga
Ye baki history wale kaha mare pade rehte hai
@Luffy @Freakhoto zinda ho bhi ki nai?
@Usain_bolt not to spoil party . Can you share your map solution and whom have you referred for solution??
@Usain_bolt bhai ye banda mujhe pata ni kyu Optional change waali vibe bahot strong deta hai. Aisa kyu@Luffy ? :(
Ye toh mujhe bhi almost convince kar hi liya tha optional change karne k liye.
Itna negative kahe ho rahe ho tum@Luffy
@Usain_bolt I have ordered this book for World History. Idk it just appealed to me. :P
Publication toh yehi hai but mai dusra wala liya hu. Woh isse kam thick hai
@Usain_bolt not to spoil party . Can you share your map solution and whom have you referred for solution??
Selfstudyhistory+GKP publication. This one
Ye baki history wale kaha mare pade rehte hai
@Luffy @Freakhoto zinda ho bhi ki nai?
Arey Hum yehi hai.. Aap nahi aate ho..!! Actually I am reading Italian unification..! I need some discussion give me your Telegram id in DM..! Will discuss some previous years that's it..
After all democracy discussion helps everywhere even in studies also 😉
Uss discussion ka yad mat dilao 😃 gussa agaya tha bas.
Yehi pe discuss karte hain
Okay so my turn.
I have given 2 attempts. Got okay score in optional in 2019 but horrible in GS( two 70's score in 2 GS Papers). Since I was fresh out of college I anyway didn't have much expectations.
This year I have flunked prelims itself. I was totally devastated after this, to the extent that I completely forgot I have anything to do with UPSC. Went back home for a month and came back with mindset to begin things from scratch. Threw away all my Old notes. That was also the time I came to know about forum. I used to DM some of the great guys here like whatonly qoqo and azandhindfauz and ask them everything as if this is my first attempt.
Coming to optional, SergioRamos is right. The only reason I got decent score in my first mains was because I had handmade notes ready for most part of syllabus. This time since I had enough time, I have made my optional notes again( 3rd time).
Most of the questions are very predictable if you have read standard books well+ analysed PYQs. I believe optional is my strong area. Let's see kya hota hai.
Okay so my turn.
I have given 2 attempts. Got okay score in optional in 2019 but horrible in GS( two 70's score in 2 GS Papers). Since I was fresh out of college I anyway didn't have much expectations.
This year I have flunked prelims itself. I was totally devastated after this, to the extent that I completely forgot I have anything to do with UPSC. Went back home for a month and came back with mindset to begin things from scratch. Threw away all my Old notes. That was also the time I came to know about forum. I used to DM some of the great guys here like whatonly qoqo and azandhindfauz and ask them everything as if this is my first attempt.
Coming to optional, SergioRamos is right. The only reason I got decent score in my first mains was because I had handmade notes ready for most part of syllabus. This time since I had enough time, I have made my optional notes again( 3rd time).
Most of the questions are very predictable if you have read standard books well+ analysed PYQs. I believe optional is my strong area. Let's see kya hota hai.
Yes. Adding to that predictability part, in the last 7 years, if you analyse Medieval History questions- 3 common areas where questions are asked( If not regular, then every alternative year) are
Mughal Painting
18th Century India
Vijaynagara Empire
Similar is the pattern for all parts of History.
Eggzactly!!
Topics are fixed, syllabus fixed aur puchenge bhi kaha se.
@SergioRamos @Freakhoto @Usain_bolt Map technique please
These are my earlier comments on this thread regarding maps. Yehi plan hai ab bhi.
@Usain_bolt Aapke notes kitne pages ke hain approx ???
This is medieval only.My notes are unitwise.
Simmilarly for ancient, modern and world. I don't think number of pages is any criteria, ultimately revision matter karta hai. 
Okay so my turn.
I have given 2 attempts. Got okay score in optional in 2019 but horrible in GS( two 70's score in 2 GS Papers). Since I was fresh out of college I anyway didn't have much expectations.
This year I have flunked prelims itself. I was totally devastated after this, to the extent that I completely forgot I have anything to do with UPSC. Went back home for a month and came back with mindset to begin things from scratch. Threw away all my Old notes. That was also the time I came to know about forum. I used to DM some of the great guys here like whatonly qoqo and azandhindfauz and ask them everything as if this is my first attempt.
Coming to optional, SergioRamos is right. The only reason I got decent score in my first mains was because I had handmade notes ready for most part of syllabus. This time since I had enough time, I have made my optional notes again( 3rd time).
Most of the questions are very predictable if you have read standard books well+ analysed PYQs. I believe optional is my strong area. Let's see kya hota hai.
Yes. Adding to that predictability part, in the last 7 years, if you analyse Medieval History questions- 3 common areas where questions are asked( If not regular, then every alternative year) are
Mughal Painting
18th Century India
Vijaynagara Empire
Similar is the pattern for all parts of History.
Eggzactly!!
Topics are fixed, syllabus fixed aur puchenge bhi kaha se.
The problem in history is connecting the Dot and giving proper explanation.. Or justification to be precise.. What people do is mere stating of facts especially in paper 2 both in modern and world.. And if you see paper 2 marks people have huge variation and see paper 1 marks almost sab ke same or at least in range.. And another thing which optional guys should take care of is GS history and Optional different ball game
My opinion is
Interlinking topics+ data backing+ articulation. This is what gives you marks.
1.Interlinking topics:- To do this some preconditions are there
a) You should have notes. Exam mei books se recall nai kar paoge.
b) Conceptual clarity. Wihout this connecting the dots is not possible.eg. if you don't understand properly what is capitalism, you won't be able to understand the potential of capitalism in mughal era.
c) Sufficient revision of notes. Dimag mei pages ke pictures bane hone chahiye, tabhi interlink kar paenge.
2. Data backing.
To do this you have to hunt content from standard books and jot them in notes. I try to substante all my points with something (archaeological, literay, traveller or simply a scholar). This requires max revision.
3 Articulation.
I use flow charts, maps etc as much as I can.
Could you share any of the written question using flow chart
I don't have such Q/A. I believe consolidated notes+ repeated revision is far better way of internalising things.
Just for a reference let me share one flow chart from notes.
This is related to monetization of Indian economy in Mughal era.
@Usain_bolt Bhai yeh topic kaha se Mika??
Mughal wala ya post Maurya?
@Usain_bolt Bhai yeh topic kaha se Mika??
Mughal wala Satish Chandra+IGNOU
Post Maurya wala Upinder Singh+IGNOU
Okay so my turn.
I have given 2 attempts. Got okay score in optional in 2019 but horrible in GS( two 70's score in 2 GS Papers). Since I was fresh out of college I anyway didn't have much expectations.
This year I have flunked prelims itself. I was totally devastated after this, to the extent that I completely forgot I have anything to do with UPSC. Went back home for a month and came back with mindset to begin things from scratch. Threw away all my Old notes. That was also the time I came to know about forum. I used to DM some of the great guys here like whatonly qoqo and azandhindfauz and ask them everything as if this is my first attempt.
Coming to optional, SergioRamos is right. The only reason I got decent score in my first mains was because I had handmade notes ready for most part of syllabus. This time since I had enough time, I have made my optional notes again( 3rd time).
Most of the questions are very predictable if you have read standard books well+ analysed PYQs. I believe optional is my strong area. Let's see kya hota hai.
Final year se prepration start ki thi kya ???
Han. Last 5 months of final year to be precise.
Okay so my turn.
I have given 2 attempts. Got okay score in optional in 2019 but horrible in GS( two 70's score in 2 GS Papers). Since I was fresh out of college I anyway didn't have much expectations.
This year I have flunked prelims itself. I was totally devastated after this, to the extent that I completely forgot I have anything to do with UPSC. Went back home for a month and came back with mindset to begin things from scratch. Threw away all my Old notes. That was also the time I came to know about forum. I used to DM some of the great guys here like whatonly qoqo and azandhindfauz and ask them everything as if this is my first attempt.
Coming to optional, SergioRamos is right. The only reason I got decent score in my first mains was because I had handmade notes ready for most part of syllabus. This time since I had enough time, I have made my optional notes again( 3rd time).
Most of the questions are very predictable if you have read standard books well+ analysed PYQs. I believe optional is my strong area. Let's see kya hota hai.
Final year se prepration start ki thi kya ???
Han. Last 5 months of final year to be precise.
Optional and gs dono usi time ready kiye the ??
Start optional se kiya tha jab prelims paas aya to GS pe shift kiya. But I was doing all by myself. There was no one to guide isliye mains k level ka GS prepare nai ho paya.
@Devanapiyam bhai how are you now?
Hey! I am doing well brother. Already into preparation mode. Revising history again. I have started with Modern India. Planning to glance over Ancient and Medieval portion soon.@Devanapiyam bhai how are you now?
Zabardast bhai😊Keep going. You can do it. Please let us know if we can be of any help
This community has provided me a lot of support in this difficult time. If I have picked myself up again with enthusiasm then it is due to the kind words of support and encouragement from you people. Thank you for keeping this community alive and full of enthusiasm. It motivates me to pick myself up. :)Hey! I am doing well brother. Already into preparation mode. Revising history again. I have started with Modern India. Planning to glance over Ancient and Medieval portion soon.@Devanapiyam bhai how are you now?
Zabardast bhai😊Keep going. You can do it. Please let us know if we can be of any help
Bhai this is the least that we can do. Acha waqt bura waqt jo bhi ho juzar hi jata hai, yeh bhi guzar jaega.
You motivate us to push harder. I don't know how you are doing it, if I was in your position I wouldn't have been able to do it.
Keep that conviction going.
@Devanapiyam Welcome back:)
Did you guys answer devanamapiyam q in prelims? I mean, do you guys read such material in optional? Or u guys at par with other students( with other optional, who read only ncert)
Ye sawal tha ya beizzati?😂
Obviously optional mei log thoda zyada hi padenge na bhai
Ye sawal tha ya beizzati?😂
Obviously optional mei log thoda zyada hi padenge na bhai
:D
My bad. Forgot the Q exactly. It's related to Ranyo Ashoka. Felt like a trivial fact not useful in analytical Qs that come in optional. So, asked :)
Where are the other places where ashoka name is found? Ncert gave number but not names of sites as far as i remeber. I couldnt even remember the Q exactly that came in prelims, something like Ranyo Ashoka not devanamapiyam on edicts?
I don't remember that question in NCERT. It was given in one of the boxes of upinder Singh. From last 2-3 years they have constantly asked atleast 2 questions from boxes of upinder Singh.
@whatonly Hey! you guys answered RPA from your optional knowledge or with Gs prep?
You are asking me GS2 and PSIR related question on history thread 😂
GS knowledge only, nothing directly related in optional
We people shamelessly spam your thread. You can return the favours. We don't mind.
Acha mitron, Map which came in the exam was political. So shall we practice mapping on a political map this time?
When they change the pattern, in any form, they usually stick to it for next few years atleast. I don't think they will return to the older maps. So yes political maps are the way forward for us.
It is easy to identify places in political map that geographical. This question got me thinking that kahin issi easiness ko compensate karne k liye toh nai unhone iss saal map ki difficulty badhai?
@Luffy kitna time lagega notes banane mei depends on your starting point. You have read the syllabus, given exam so you know what to put in notes. That will save a lot of time. Abhi kitna banaye ho?
@SergioRamos I am doing this for govt schemes. I want use them extensively this time.
@SergioRamos I am doing this for govt schemes. I want use them extensively this time.
Sme pinch! Doing this also for Govt. Schemes. Btw, which document you are using? I'm using insights ka kyunki 2021 ka bas unhi ka tha.
Mai toh last vision wala 2020 hi kar raha. Actually last year due to covid govt announced that no more new schemes will be launched so most coachings didn't come with updated stuff. 2020 wala hi kafi tha.
Vision wale mei ache se table bana k diya hai..easy to read+ more comprehensive. Mujhe insights ka koi bhi material acha nai lagta.
@lokiAsgard how has been your experience with the optional?
You can start with saying that the 2nd CW(1749-54) was an extension of political complexities arising from dynastic feuds of south India.
The body can be in two parts.
In the first part just draw one line in between, and write Hyderabad (H) and Arcot(A) in both sides. Now briefly summarise political happenings in both sides, like in H side just write Nasir Jung(English support) Vs. Muzaffar Jung(French support).
Reason:- Civil war after death of Nizam ul mulk(1748).
Do the same thing in A side. Do this thing in succinct points, if you try writing paragraphs you will loose both time and space(Remember it's 10 marker).
In the 2nd part of body you can write broad causes of internal decay in south dynasties and Europeans using them ,like lack of succession principle in India since ancient times; increasing greed of Dupleix after win of 1st CW; disunity among kingdoms etc etc( normal textbook stuff)
Possibly you can also draw a small diagram/map locating important places in CW like this
I don't remember from where I have copied this map( B L Grover or Shekhar Babu or Sumit Sarkar?) but one can put this map in all CW questions.
In the conclusion you can write about broad impact of Europeans interference in domestic squabbles of India and how it fostered the British penetration and expansion in India(just 2-3 lines).
Thank you for asking and sorry for the late reply. Keep writing.
@Usain_bolt Thank you for responding sir. But I already have a book,having the papers solved till 2017. I just wanted to check the solutions of mains 2018 and 2019. Self study history has put those behind payroll☹️
Nobody is 'Sir' here.
I think this book has 2018, 2019 papers also in the revised editions, if there any. I purchased this book in 2020 and it had papers upto 2018. By now they would have updated I guess.
Can anybody suggest the source for covering the topic "Significance of the Vedic age"?
PS: I've looked in Baliyan's notes,Rau's blue books and Upinder Singh
Bhai if you have read even 2 of these 3 sources then you will be able to write content of 250 words by yourself easily.
Har topic directly kitab mei mentioned ho aisa zaruri nai hai. Specially in ancient and medieval you will find many topics not mentioned explicitly in any book.
You have use your cumulative knowledge of the topic to generate your own points.
@97Utkarsh there has been extensive discussion on mapping in this thread. If you have time, you can scroll back previous comments. People have mentioned sources as well as approach.
Agar fir bhi na samajh aye toh puch lena.
I have gone through the discussion on this thread for maps which was really helpful, so thank you for the suggestion@Usain_bolt . I am looking to keep using GK Publications book as base ,supplement it with Nandini Maharaj's notes and PYQs. Iss strategy mein koi dikkat ho toh any suggestions are welcome especially if I really need to include Selfstudyhistory or not.
Sahi hai bhai. All the best.
Kya haal hai bhailog? Optional kaisa chal raha hai?Although not from history 😜 but chla rhe h :p
Tumhara Anthro hai na?
Can you tell me some important laws/theories/concepts /case studies etc which I can use in GS or Essay?
If you explain them then nothing like it, but even if you just name those things I will try understanding them myself. I just want those names.
Kya haal hai bhailog? Optional kaisa chal raha hai?Although not from history 😜 but chla rhe h :p
Tumhara Anthro hai na?
Can you tell me some important laws/theories/concepts /case studies etc which I can use in GS or Essay?
If you explain them then nothing like it, but even if you just name those things I will try understanding them myself. I just want those names.
Bhai I really wanted to help you but I have just started the optional I mean in initial time so haven't read whole syllabus once but I will try to help as much as I can
There is a rstv show called mai bhi bharat it tells about various tribes on YouTube you can get go through it if needed on these lines
You can also see the chapters like marriage family kinship society and culture ( haven't read all. So can't go specific but these will help ) see the syllabus of these chapter they will help ( although we study from books I guess you can google them it will suffice )
For further updates@sjerngal @Rashmirathi these guys can tell ...... :)
Koi baat nai bhai😊
Thank you for the reply.
@Usain_bolt Good Evening Bhaiya. Trying to give one revision of optional before going back to prelims. But covid Vaccine took away 2days😬
I also got vaccinated yesterday. Mujhe toh kuch bhi nai hua😃
Great going. If you manage to do that it will help you in prelims as well. 2-4 questions toh history ke pakka bouncer ayenge. Keep an eye on standard books, wahin se prelims ke bhi questions utha rahe hain.
@Usain_bolt Gazab bored hu history padh padh ke, but padhna to padega. Thinking of going optional only till 10th July. What about you?
Han yar after a point of time one tends to get saturated. I also switch subjects in that case.
These days I am working more on GS. Optional mei coachings ke purane questions kar raha hu.
Btw do you know any historical fiction type movies? Consider me as complete nibba in Hollywood stuff
@Usain_bolt bhai concepts like cultural relativism,historical particularism ,participant obeservation,Holistic study ,functionalism and Emic and Etic view ,cultural ecology ( environment topics) can be used in GS and essay( and I will Dm u their explanation also )Hope it helps
Thank you so much bhai. But mujhe ek din ka time do thoda, mai pehle khudse ye topics ko samajhne ki koshish karta hu. I will DM you the things that I don't understand or for some better clarity.
Kya haal hai bhailog? Optional kaisa chal raha hai?Although not from history 😜 but chla rhe h :p
Tumhara Anthro hai na?
Can you tell me some important laws/theories/concepts /case studies etc which I can use in GS or Essay?
If you explain them then nothing like it, but even if you just name those things I will try understanding them myself. I just want those names.
Btw yrrrrrrr concept shi h different optional apne input dekr ( generalist) sbka gs ka content improve ho skta h baki tum log btao
Exactly! Every optional has some extra things that people use in their GS. Iss tarah se ek dusre se kafi seekh sakte hain.
I also asked this because there are certain things common in history and anthro- both talk about human evolution. The only difference is their manifestation of that evolution. History describes evolution as a study of continuity and change in socio-economic and political aspect. I don't know if I am completely right on this, but Anthro describes evolution as more of biological phenomenon.
These are just two ways of looking at the same world.
@Usain_bolt no bhai anthro studies evolution as cultural + biological process both
Acha😀 tab toh aur bhi zyada overlap hoga. I am not that interested in bio but culture sahi hai. Look at Noval Harari, a historian who used anthropology to describe world in common language
@Usain_bolt Gazab bored hu history padh padh ke, but padhna to padega. Thinking of going optional only till 10th July. What about you?
Han yar after a point of time one tends to get saturated. I also switch subjects in that case.
These days I am working more on GS. Optional mei coachings ke purane questions kar raha hu.
Btw do you know any historical fiction type movies? Consider me as complete nibba in Hollywood stuff
Dum Dum digga digga,
Historical fiction me, main bhi nibba-nibba! :P
Hahaha bhai tumne mera guilt kam kar diya. I thought I am only weirdo left in this species.
Good Afternoon all,
As the discussion is about maps,Can you share your experiences,what do you do when a site is confusing. Say for instance a temple site in coastal Odisha. It can be Konark/Puri/Lingaraj. Even geographically in real they are very near. Or for instance Attirampakkam/Gudiyam Caves. Hungsi/Lingsugur. Rehmandheri/Gumla. Do you write both your options?
Hello
It is not that difficult as it sounds. You can do following things
1-Minute observations of the sites and creating references in your head.
While locating sites you can keep references of other geographical areas.Eg- In Odisha sites observe that a kind of lagoon/inside hollow is there for chilika lake. You just have identify places w.r.t distance from this lake. Like Lingaraj temple is in Bhubaneshwar which is some interior city but Jagannatha and Konark temple are in puri which is a coastal city. So Lingaraj will be away from lake and vice versa.
2. For interior states you can use your prelims gyan of National parks , wildlife sanctuary etc to keep as reference points.
3. As now they are giving political maps it's comparatively easier to identify sites and differentiate sites in same region. So have thorough understanding of political maps .eg I keep a scale with me in exam hall to compare bulges and other features on territories of map.
4. Do a bit of googling when you find two sites in same area. Mostly you will see every site has one BIG unique aspect. Try to get that nerve of the site. This additional knowledge will help you to differentiate sites better.
5. Most importantly do frequent revisions. Revision hi Ram baan hai bhai. The more you revise the more clarity you develop of concept and facts.
145808089-Shivaji-and-His-Times-1920.pdf
This is a book on Shivaji by Judanath Sarkar(One of the prominent historians on this subject) . It's very engaging and informative. One can read it like a novel.
Edit:- In case this pdf is not getting downloaded just google this book. It's easily available online.
While going through PYQs of SSH I saw some out of syllabus(now) but important questions, mostly in world history.
Are you guys preparing these out of syllabus but important questions?
Bhai, do watch Crash Course world history and crash course European History.
Its fun and fills all the gaps!
Han along with that I watch BBC documentaries. Interestingly ek bhi acha Indian history documentary nai mila mujhe
