We had earlier suggested a basic reading list for the preliminary examination in history. This list needs to be supplemented for the Mains examination. Some essential books on Indian history are: D.N.Jha, Ancient India: An Outline; the Bharatiya Vidyabhaban series on the history and culture of the Indian people; the IGNOU study material covering ancient, medieval and modern periods of Indian history (extremely useful); Nilakantha Sastri, A History of South India; The Comprehensive History of India (Vol.V) Ed. By Habib & Nizami; Medieval India (2 Vols) by Satis Chandra; U.N.Dey, Some aspects of Medieval History; Aniruddha Ray, Aspects of Mughal Administration; The Gazetteer of India, Vol. II; S.Bhattacharya, Dictionary of Indian History (useful for brief notes which the question on map requires).

The section on world history is meant only for the Mains. One may begin with Carlton Hayes, A History of Europe to 1870. Another useful book is World Civilisation by Burns and others (Vols. II & III). The period of the Renaissance and the Reformation is very well discussed in Rice & Grafton, The Foundations of Early Modern Europe. However, not many questions are asked on the earlier period. It is quite safe to concentrate on the period from the French Revolution to the end of the Second World War. For this period it is enough to read David Thomson, Europe Since Napoleon.

For the post Second World War period The End of the European Era by Felix Gilbert and David C. Large is quite useful.

For these two papers, it is important to have the basic information, but it is more important to express yourself lucidly and precisely. I should iterate that as many as nine questions must be answered within the given word limit. This aspect would require practice. There is usually a question on maps. Get hold of outline maps of India and practise locating major historical sites.

Sociology

Paper I covers general sociology, foundations of sociology and fundamentals of sociology. One begins with a study of the discipline and goes on to a variety of themes like study of social phenomena, techniques of data collection and analysis, marriage and family, social stratification and social mobility, economic, political and educational systems, religion, science and technology, social movements and social change.

The second paper addresses the study of Indian society. The broad topics are: history of Indian society, caste system, class structure, marriage, family and kinship, agrarian social structure, industry and society, religion, tribal societies, political processes, education, women, social change etc.

Suggested reading list: NCERT text books for classes XI & XII; T. Bottomore, Sociology; Abraham & Morgan, Modern Sociological Theory; Raymond Aron, Main Currents in Sociological thought (Vols I & II); McIver & Page, Sociology; Mitchell?s Dictionary of Sociology; J.H.Turner, The Structure of Sociological Theory; Alex Inkeles, What Is Sociology?; A Giddens, i)Sociology and ii) Capitalism and Modern Social Theory; L.Coser, Masters of Sociological Thought; M.N.Srinivas, i)Social Change in Modern India, ii) Caste in Modern India and Other Essays, iii) Social Structure in India.

The list appears to be formidable, but judicious use of the texts will make them easier to handle.

Sample Test Paper

History Paper II:

Short questions (3 for each section) Comment on the following (Not more than 200 words each)

• ?The Verdict of Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar?.

• ?Please remember, in granting separate electorates, we are sowing dragon?s teeth; the harvest will be bitter?.

• ?The Renaissance and the Reformation are the two springs of modern history, rival sources of the intellectual and moral freshening of life?.

• At the end of the battle of Sedan (1870), ?Europe lost a mistress and gained a master?.

Essay-type question

(Three questions to be answered, at least one from each section)

• Economic change in India from the late 1920s influenced the course of the country?s politics. Elucidate.

• Trace the course of the people?s movement in Indian states after 1937. How did the Congress leadership react to it?

• The French Revolution sought to remove both ?the religious and secular props of the existing social order.? Comment.

• Would you argue that the Turkish renaissance guided by Kemal Pasha revolutionised the Turkish life at many levels?