7 Best History Books for IAS Prelims and Mains Exam
During the journey of preparation for Civil Services we can’t ignore History subject. History books are helpful as an Optional subject and for General Studies paper in the Prelims as well as in Mains exam. We are providing the list of 7 best History books for IAS Prelims and Mains Exam in the article which will ease your preparation.
The syllabus of History subject is divided into ancient history, medieval history, modern history, and world history.
List of 7 best History Books for IAS Prelims and Mains Exam
1.India’s Ancient Past by R.S. Sharma
This book gives you the glimpse and description of the history of early India.
Following topics are covered:
– At the very starting it discuss about the significance of Ancient Indian History, origin, and growth of civilisations, empire, and religions.
– It also deals with specific cultures of the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, Vedic and Harappan civilisation.
– Geographical, ecological and linguistic backgrounds are also covered.
– Rise of empires like Magadha etc. are covered.
– Rise of Jainism and Buddhism
– Period of Mauryas, Satvahanas, Guptas, Harshavardhana, Central Asian countries are also analysed.
– Also, focus on Varna system, trade, developments in science and most important also covered the process of transition from ancient to medieval India with the Aryan culture.
– History in chronological order with Facts and Figures is covered.
Key features of the book
- The language used in the book is simple and easy to understand.
- Quality of paper is fine.
- Paperback: 387 pages
- Helpful for UPSC Mains exam and also gives conceptual clarity for prelims exam.
2.The Wonder that was India by A.L Basham for Ancient History
This book covers comprehensive Indian history that includes culture, religion, governance, social evolution, tradition, languages, philosophy and science. It also gives you the glimpse of how Indian history and culture is connected with the roots.
Following topics are covered:
– Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation, decline of the Harappan civilisation and settlements. Also book gives you an idea about the possibility of Harappans moved towards south and settled in peninsular region.
*Helpful in mains as well as in prelims.
– Aryan invasion theory, evolution of Hindu religion and impact of Jainism and Buddhism.
– Society and Culture is briefly explained in the book which is useful in Mains and Prelims both.
– Book also explored the significant role of the Hindu religion played on the lives of the people.
– Interesting facts about Indian History and Culture which will help in Mains as well as in Prelims Exam.
Key features of the book
- The language used in the book is lucid and easy to understand.
- Visualisation picture for all the Pre-Historic and Vedic society.
- Pages quality of the book is average.
- Paperback: 572 pages
3.Medieval India by Satish Chandra
This book gives you great knowledge about medieval period and covers the historical landscape of the Indian subcontinent over a period of a thousand years, between the eighth and eighteenth century AD. It will help more in UPSC mains preparation.
Following topics are covered:
– Political situation in Medieval India.
– The book covers the beginning, growth and fall of several dynasty including Cholas, Rajputs, Vijayanagra kings, Bahmanids, Marathas etc.
– Reason of fall of dynasties is also covered.
– Culture, internal revolution that happened in that period is discussed.
– Intense research of archived documents, coins, monuments, books, traveller’s accounts and other sources are covered.
Key features of the book
- The text of the book is easy to understand.
- Printing of the book is average.
- Quality of page is average.
- Paperback: 392 pages
4.Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India all the three volumes by J.L Mehta
This book consists of three volumes and covered all the aspects of early-medieval and medieval period. First volume covers 1000- 1526, second volume covers Mughal empire from 1526-1707 and third volume focuses on Medieval Indian Society and Culture. Book also gives a descriptive, analytical and critical survey of the Mughal Empire. Useful for UPSC mains exam and also gives conceptual clarity.
Following topics are covered:
– The travelogues, Indigenous Literature.
– Ghaznavid empire, evaluation of political condition.
– Foundation of Delhi Sultanate.
– Turkish power politics
– Khilji imperialism
– The travelogues, Indigenous Literature.
– Ghaznavid empire, evaluation of political condition.
– Foundation of Delhi Sultanate.
– Turkish power politics
– Khilji imperialism
– Rise and fall of Empires
– Akbar and Religion
– Provincial and Local Administration
– Chronicle of Jahangir Reign
– Shahjahan, Aurangzeb
– Marathas and decline of the Empire
Key features of the book
- Good quality in packaging and content.
- Updated and revised edition.
- Language used is simple.
- Quality of paper is good.
- Volume 1 Paperback: 326 pages, Volume II Paperback: 624 pages and Volume III Paperback: 324 pages.
5.History of Modern India by Bipan Chandra
This book covers the journey of colonial India from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. It gives social insight about the factors that led Britishers to rule in India. It throws light on the nationalist movement and colonialism. It will be helpful for UPSC Mains as well as Prelims exam.
Following topics are covered:
– Indian States and Society in the Eighteenth Century.
– Religious and Social Reform after 1858
– The Struggle for Sawaraj
– The Nationalist Movement
– European Penetration and the British Conquest
– Social and Cultural Awakening in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century
– The Decline of the Mughal Empire
– The Revolt Of 1857
– The Nationalist Movement: 1858-1905
– Administrative changes after 1858 and Administrative Organisation and Society and Cultural Policy.
The book also deals with the economic, religious, and social history of India and helpful for both mains as well as prelim examination for UPSC.
Key features of the book
- Language of the book is simple and easy to understand.
- Pages of the book are average.
- Printing quality is fine.
- Paperback: 360 pages
6.India’s Struggle for Independence: 1857-1947 by Bipan Chandra
This book will give you detail, in-depth overview on Independence movement. It gives an insight of India’s freedom struggle against British rule. No doubt, book has covered all the Indian National struggle chapters. It will be helpful for mains and prelims UPSC examination. It will also help in answer writing for mains exam.
Following topics are covered:
– Rise of organised movements
– Rise of Indian nationalism (1885-1905)
– All India Muslim league
– First World War
– Gandhi arrive India and movements like non-cooperation movement, civil disobedience movement, etc.
– Revolutionary movement
– Final process of India self-rule movement
– Impact of World War 2
– Sovereignty and partition of India
Key features of the book
- The book is in the form of novel.
- Page quality is good.
- Printing of the book is good.
- Used simple language, easy to read and understand.
- Paperback: 600 pages
7.History of the World by Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev
It is helpful in paper II for IAS Mains exam. The book covers late nineteenth to the early twenty-first century and based on contemporary history. It consists of detailed account of all the events and individuals who shaped the last 100 hundred years.
Following topics are covered:
– American civil Right movements
– Events are covered in chronological form
– Black people’s struggle for equality in the US
– The anti-imperialist and nationalist movements in Asia and Africa.
– The formation of the United Nation
– The Cold War and the construction of the unipolar world etc.
Key features of the book
- Simple language and easy to understand.
- Printing is good.
- Page quality is average.
- Content of the book is good.
- Paperback: 288 pages
Additional books for reference are as follows:
– Art and Culture by Nitin Singhania – For Prelims
– A Brief history of Modern India – Spectrum
– From Plassey to Partition: A History of Modern India – For Prelims
– History of Modern India by Ramchandra Guha – for Mains and Concepts
– A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India by Upinder Singh – for Mains
– IGNOU material for concepts
– Facets of Indian Culture – Spectrum for Prelims, etc.
| 7 Best History Books for IAS Prelims and Mains Exam | ||
| S. No. | Name of Books | Author Name |
| 1. | India’s Ancient Past | R.S. Sharma |
| 2. | The Wonder that was India | A.L Basham |
| 3. | Medieval India | Satish Chandra |
| 4. | Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India all the three volumes | J.L Mehta |
| 5. | History of Modern India | Bipan Chandra |
| 6. | India’s Struggle for Independence 1857-1947 | Bipan Chandra |
| 7. | History of the World | Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev |