Study Approach for Ancient and Medieval History for UPSC Prelims
History is a huge subject that spans many centuries. To develop knowledge and insight about the subject in general, the events related with the periods must be well comprehended. Apart from that following are certain guideline which one should follow while preparing UPSC CSE.
Understand the Syllabus: Start by thoroughly reviewing the UPSC syllabus for Ancient and Medieval History. It will give you a clear idea of the topics you need to cover and help you prioritize your study materials.
Collect Study Materials: Restrict your resources first. Start your preparation by reading NCERTS, NIOS materials, and the TNSB History Book for Classes XI and XII.
Make a Study Plan: Create a study schedule that allows you to allocate sufficient time to each topic. Break down the syllabus into smaller sections and assign specific study periods for each. This will help you stay organized and ensure you cover all the important areas.
• Take Notes: While studying, make concise notes to summarize the key points. This will aid in quick revisions closer to the exam date. Highlight important dates, events, and person- alities in your notes.
Understand Concepts: Ancient and Medieval History is more than just rote memoriza- tion. Focus on understanding the concepts, historical significance, and connections be- tween events. Analyse the causes, effects, and implications of major historical events to gain a deeper understanding.
Terminology:
Learn the terminology, names of ancient and medieval officials, books, au- thors, and customs of the historical period.
Pictorial and visual understanding: Use visual aids like maps, timelines, and images to enhance your understanding of the subject and long-term retention.
Practice with Previous Years' Question
Papers:
Solving previous years' question papers familiarise yourself with the exam pattern, types and nature of questions. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and adjust your study plan accordingly. Try to solve MCQs of other UPSC exams such as CDS, CAPF, NDA etc.
Revision:
Allocate sufficient time for revision. Review your notes, important dates, and events regularly to reinforce your understanding. Focus on weak areas and revise them more frequently.
Stay Updated: Stay updated with recent developments and discoveries related to Ancient and Medieval History. Read newspapers, magazines, and online articles to keep yourself informed about any significant findings or reinterpretations of historical events. Often UPSC ask questions related to recent ancient and medieval sites which are in news.
Good luck with your UPSC prelims!
