History Books for UPSC IAS Exam

Physics Wallah Academic Expert
October 31, 2023

When it comes to studying history books for UPSC IAS exam, it's important to be well-prepared. These books are key to gaining knowledge about historical events, civilizations, and their impact on society. In this blog, we have handpicked a collection of history books that are highly recommended for UPSC aspirants. They cover various topics, from ancient times to recent revolutions, providing a thorough understanding, detailed explanations, and valuable insights.  Read on to get comprehensive details on History books for the UPSC IAS exam.


Table of Content


  • History Books for UPSC Syllabus
  • History Books for UPSC Ancient History
  • History Books for UPSC Medieval History
  • History Books for UPSC Modern History
  • History Books for UPSC World History
  • History Books for UPSC Prelims
  • History Books for UPSC Mains
  • History Books for UPSC Optional
  • History Books for UPSC: Previous Year’s Solved Question Papers
  • History Books for UPSC Study Tips
  • PW Study materials for History UPSC exam
  • History books for UPSC Frequently Asked Questions



History Books for UPSC Syllabus


Candidates willing to take part in UPSC IAS exam should consult the history books for UPSC after getting a thorough knowledge of the UPSC history syllabus. It would help them arrange the best history books for UPSC to make their study preparation the most effective. The UPSC history syllabus consists of the following parts:

  • Ancient History
  •  Medieval History
  • Modern History
  •  World History


History Books for UPSC Ancient History


Candidates studying History Books for UPSC should consult some good ancient history books for UPSC which are significant resources for studying the history section of the UPSC IAS exam. Questions related to ancient Indian history appear in the UPSC prelims and main exams. 

Some of the important chapters covered in ancient history UPSC books are Indus Valley Civilization, Megalithic Culture, Aryans and Vedic Period, Mauryan Empire, and Issues in Early Indian Cultural History, etc.


History Books for UPSC Medieval History


Candidates looking for History books for UPSC must include books of medieval history in their list of history books for UPSC exam. The history of medieval India covers the major dynasties that reigned India between 13th to 18th century including the Cholas, the Rajputs, the Delhi Sultanate, and the Mughal Empire. There are detailed discussions on various aspects of Indian culture and society, 


History Books for UPSC Modern History


Modern history is an important part of history books for UPSC as different types of questions come in the UPSC exam from this section. Modern history describes the history of the world after the middle ages. It gives a comprehensive idea of Indian history covering the period from the mid-19th century to 1947. It mainly covers topics that help develop the concepts of political history and knowledge of cultural and social scenarios in India as well as in the world. 


Best History UPSC Book For Modern History


       UPSC Sampoorna Modern Indian History


History Books for UPSC World History


The History books for UPSC must cover world history so candidates need to arrange good books on world history. Students can learn about significant events in world history such as the unification of Europe, World War, Liberation from Colonial Rule, and more from the world history books for UPSC. It also gives an account of the major political, social, economic, and cultural developments taking place in different parts of the world. 


Best History UPSC Book For World History


UPSC Sampoorna World History 



History Books for UPSC Prelims


Candidates appearing for UPSC prelims must study some best history books for UPSC prelims. The history syllabus for UPSC prelims covers modern history, ancient history, and medieval history. 


History Books for UPSC Mains


When it comes to the History books for UPSC Mains Syllabus, aspirants need to read some advanced UPSC history books. Questions in the Mains are a bit tough and require an in-depth understanding of the history topics.  The following history topics are covered in the UPSC IAS Mains exam.

  • Modern history
  • Modern world history
  • Modern Indian history
  • Medieval history
  • Ancient Indian history


Best History UPSC Book For Modern History



History Books for UPSC Optional


Some candidates who have opted for history as an optional subject for UPSC exam also have to pick the best History Books optional books for UPSC. The difficulty level of history optional is moderate as per previous question paper trend.  There are several reference books available for candidates for the history optional that can give a thorough knowledge of history topics as required.


History Books for UPSC Previous Year’s Solved Question Papers


History books for UPSC are significant resources for preparation for UPSC IAS Exam. Aspiring candidates should go through these books to get a thorough knowledge of the different aspects of Indian history as required for the UPSC exam. 

Apart from that, there is a collection of solved questions from the UPSC IAS exam's previous year’s question papers. The answers are written by subject experts and previous toppers of UPSC exam. 

This is a very important resource for candidates preparing for the UPSC IAS exam because it will guide them to get a better understanding of the question pattern and types of answers to be written to score good marks.


History Books for UPSC Study Tips


The study of history books for UPSC requires some systematic approach to make the learning most effective. A subject like history requires a deep understanding of topics so candidates should read widely, practice writing, and remain updated with current events. The following tips will help candidates read history books to get effective results.


  • ·Start with NCERT books for a basic understanding of the history topics.
  •  After that, you can consult other reference books and make notes.
  • Avoid consulting multiple books at a time on a single topic.
  • Sole UPSC previous years’ question papers on history topics.


PW Study Materials for History UPSC Exam


UPSC aspirants need to cover various parts of history starting from ancient to modern and refer to different study materials pertaining to the subjects. Candidates look for reliable resources to conveniently access the study materials. PW provides candidates with study references on history for UPSC to help them prepare for the exam. 

Preparing for the UPSC IAS examination to score good marks in the history section requires a broader knowledge base and awareness of Indian and world history. The recommended books can help develop an excellent foundation on history topics relevant to the UPSC exam. 

Apart from the History Books For the UPSC exam discussed above, PhysicsWallah offers the following books to help candidates prepare for the upcoming UPSC exam:


Best UPSC History Books



History books for UPSC Frequently Asked Questions


1.  What should be the highlights of studying history for the UPSC exam?


Ans. Memorizing the dates, names, events, and other details along with practice and making notes are important aspects of studying history for the UPSC exam.

 

2. Are NCERT History books sufficient for the UPSC exam?


Ans. Experts and toppers recommend NCERT History textbooks preparation as a good resource for UPSC prelims and mains.

 

3.  What are the best Ancient History Books for UPSC?


Ans. The best books for ancient history for UPSC preparation are as follows:

  • India’s Ancient Past- R. S. Sharma
  • NCERT Class XI Ancient India
  • NCERT Class XI An Introduction to Indian Art 

4. What time period is covered in medieval history for the UPSC exam?


Ans. The period from the 13th to the 18th century is covered under the medieval history of India. 


5. Can I rely solely on online resources for history preparation? 


Ans. While online resources can be useful, it is recommended to refer to standard history books for UPSC preparation to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy.


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