Introduction
History is a crucial part of SSC CGL General Awareness. It covers Ancient, Medieval, Modern India, and Indian National Movement. This short revision note focuses on key facts, dates, and personalities frequently asked in the exam.
Ancient and Medieval India
Ancient India includes Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Age, Mahajanapadas, Mauryas, Guptas, and Sangam Age. Medieval India covers Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, and Marathas. Key exam areas: important rulers, their contributions, art, architecture, and administration.
Key Points
- Indus Valley Civilization: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira; known for town planning, drainage system, Great Bath.
- Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya (founder), Ashoka (Kalinga war, Dhamma), Chanakya (Arthashastra).
- Gupta Empire: Samudragupta, Chandragupta II; golden age of Indian culture, Aryabhata, Kalidasa.
- Delhi Sultanate: Five dynasties – Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi. Alauddin Khilji’s market reforms, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s token currency.
- Mughal Empire: Babur (founder), Akbar (Din-i-Ilahi, Mansabdari), Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal), Aurangzeb.
Solved Example 1
Question: Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?
Solution: Chandragupta Maurya
Explanation: Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire in 321 BCE with the help of Chanakya, overthrowing the Nanda dynasty.
Solved Example 2
Question: Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
Solution: Shah Jahan
Explanation: Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal at Agra.
Modern India and Indian National Movement
Modern India starts with the advent of Europeans, British rule, and the freedom struggle. Key events: Battle of Plassey (1757), Revolt of 1857, formation of INC (1885), Gandhian era, and independence (1947). Focus on Governor-Generals, social reformers, and important sessions of INC.
Key Points
- Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, establishing British political power in Bengal.
- Revolt of 1857: Started at Meerut, led by Mangal Pandey (Barrackpore), Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Tantia Tope.
- Indian National Congress (1885): Founded by A.O. Hume; first session in Bombay, first president W.C. Bonnerjee.
- Gandhian Era: Champaran (1917), Non-Cooperation (1920), Dandi March (1930), Quit India (1942).
- Social Reformers: Raja Ram Mohan Roy (Brahmo Samaj), Swami Dayanand Saraswati (Arya Samaj), Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (women’s education).
Solved Example 1
Question: Who founded the Indian National Congress?
Solution: A.O. Hume
Explanation: Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British civil servant, founded the INC in 1885 to provide a platform for Indian political dialogue.
Solved Example 2
Question: When did the Dandi March take place?
Solution: 1930
Explanation: Gandhi led the Dandi March in 1930 to protest the British salt tax, starting the Civil Disobedience Movement.
Practice Questions
Q1. Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
Answer: Lord Mountbatten
Explanation: Lord Mountbatten served as the first Governor-General of independent India from 1947 to 1948.
Q2. The Harappan site of Lothal is located in which modern Indian state?
Answer: Gujarat
Explanation: Lothal, known for its dockyard, is in Gujarat.
Q3. Who wrote the book 'Indica'?
Answer: Megasthenes
Explanation: Megasthenes, a Greek ambassador in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, wrote 'Indica'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing Chandragupta Maurya with Chandragupta I of the Gupta dynasty. Remember: Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire; Gupta I founded the Gupta Empire.
- Mixing up the years of INC formation (1885) with the first session (also 1885, but in Bombay).
- Forgetting that the Revolt of 1857 started at Meerut, not Barrackpore (where Mangal Pandey’s initial action occurred).
Quick Revision
- Indus Valley Civilization: Harappa, Mohenjo-daro, Dholavira, Lothal; town planning, Great Bath.
- Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta (321 BCE), Ashoka (Kalinga, Dhamma), Chanakya (Arthashastra).
- Gupta Empire: Golden Age; Samudragupta, Chandragupta II; Aryabhata, Kalidasa.
- Delhi Sultanate: Slave (Qutb-ud-din Aibak), Khilji (Alauddin), Tughlaq (Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq), Sayyid, Lodi.
- Mughals: Babur (1526), Akbar (Din-i-Ilahi), Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal), Aurangzeb.
- Modern India: Plassey (1757), Revolt of 1857, INC (1885), Gandhian movements (Champaran, Dandi, Quit India).