Top Books for History Preparation in UPSC Exam

Preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, particularly for the General Studies Paper IV ( GS Paper IV), requires a solid understanding of history. This article is designed to guide you through the best books that offer a comprehensive knowledge base to excel in your preparation.

Foundational Knowledge: NCERT Textbooks (Classes 6-12)

NCERT books are a critical foundation for UPSC history preparation. They offer a broad range of topics and provide detailed information that is essential for your understanding of both Indian and world history.

Class 6: Our Past Class 7: Our Past - II Class 8: Our Past - III Class 9: India and the Contemporary World – I Class 10: India and the Contemporary World – II Class 11: Themes in World History Class 12: Themes in Indian History – I, II, III

These books are excellent for building a strong foundation and understanding the basics of Indian and world history.

Detailed Reference Books for Additional Depth

While NCERTs provide a solid base, additional reference books are needed for a deeper understanding and to cover specific topics comprehensively.

Ancient Indian History

R.S. Sharma: India’s Ancient Past - Published by Oxford University Press Upinder Singh: A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India - Ideal for in-depth analysis

Medieval Indian History

Satish Chandra: Medieval India - Comprehensive coverage useful for both Prelims and Mains

Modern Indian History

Bipin Chandra: India’s Struggle for Independence - Detailed analysis of the Indian freedom movement Bipin Chandra: History of Modern India - Covers the period from the decline of the Mughal Empire to India’s independence Spectrum’s Rajiv Ahir: A Brief History of Modern India - Concise for quick revision, especially for Prelims

World History for Mains

Norman Lowe: Mastering Modern World History - Covers key events like the French Revolution, World Wars, and the Cold War Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev: A History of the World - Detailed account of global history

Art and Culture

Nitin Singhania: Indian Art and Culture - Covers all aspects of Indian art, culture, architecture, and music (Prelims and Mains) C. Radhakrishnan: Facets of Indian Culture - Various aspects of Indian culture (Prelims and Mains)

Useful Additional Resources

NCERT Class 11: An Introduction to Indian Art - Concise and well-explained content Tamil Nadu Board Textbooks - Concise and well-explained content, especially on Indian history IGNOU Notes - Recommended for Modern Indian History, helps in understanding concepts clearly E-Book Links - Many of these books are available online for free (e.g., NCERTs for free, Spectrum’s A Brief History of Modern India PDFs available, other standard books on Amazon, Google Books, and Flipkart)

Preparation Tips

To effectively prepare for the UPSC exam, use the following tips:

Start with NCERTs: Build a strong foundation by reading through the NCERTs from Class 6 to 12. These cover all the basics needed for the UPSC syllabus. Regular Revision: History requires frequent revision due to its factual nature. Summarize key points, especially important dates, events, and personalities. Practice Answer Writing: For Mains, practice writing answers to history questions to improve clarity and depth. Solve Previous Year Papers: This helps you understand the type of questions UPSC asks in both Prelims and Mains.

By following this structured approach, you can ensure a solid preparation for your UPSC history exam and achieve success.