Modern Indian History for UPSC Prelims
I. The Decline of the Mughal Empire (1707–1761)
- Aurangzeb’s Legacy and Succession Crisis
- Rise of Regional Powers: Marathas, Sikhs, Nawabs
- Invasions of Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali
- Fragmentation of Authority
- Economic and Political Impact of Decline
II. Rise of the East India Company (1600–1765)
- European Rivalry in India
- Establishment of Trading Posts
- Battle of Plassey (1757) and Its Significance
- Battle of Buxar (1764)
- Grant of Diwani (1765)
III. Consolidation of British Power (1765–1813)
- Dual Government in Bengal
- Warren Hastings and Administrative Reforms
- Regulating Act and Pitt’s India Act
- Anglo-Maratha and Anglo-Mysore Wars
- Permanent Settlement and Land Revenue Policies
IV. Expansion through Diplomacy and Wars (1813–1856)
- Subsidiary Alliance and Doctrine of Lapse
- Lord Wellesley and Lord Dalhousie’s Policies
- Conquest of Punjab and Sindh
- British Relations with Princely States
- Military, Legal, and Civil Administration
V. Economic Impact of British Rule
- Colonial Economy: Exploitation and Drain of Wealth
- Land Revenue Systems: Ryotwari and Mahalwari
- Decline of Handicrafts and Artisan Class
- Commercialization of Agriculture
- Railways, Roads, and Infrastructure: A Double-Edged Sword
VI. Social and Religious Reforms in British India
- Raja Ram Mohan Roy and the Brahmo Samaj
- Arya Samaj and Reformist Movements
- Aligarh Movement and Muslim Reform
- Role of Christian Missionaries
- Social Legislation under the British
VII. Uprisings Before 1857
- Sanyasi and Fakir Rebellions
- Revolts in South India
- Peasant and Tribal Uprisings
- Military Discontent
- Pattern of Early Resistance
VIII. Revolt of 1857
- Causes: Political, Economic, Military, Religious
- Course of the Revolt: Major Centers and Leaders
- Role of Different Social Groups
- Suppression and Failure
- Consequences and Historical Interpretations
IX. Transfer of Power to the Crown (1858)
- Government of India Act 1858
- Role of the Secretary of State and Viceroy
- Changes in Army and Civil Services
- British Attitudes Towards Indians Post-1857
- Policy of Divide and Rule Begins
X. British Administrative Structure (1858–1905)
- Provincial and Central Administration
- Civil Services and Indianization
- Judicial Reforms and Codification of Laws
- Education Policy and Macaulay's Minute
- Census, Surveys, and Control
XI. Early Political Awakening
- Role of Press and Vernacular Publications
- Socio-Religious Reform and Political Consciousness
- Formation of the Indian National Congress (1885)
- Moderates and Their Methods
- Role of Dadabhai Naoroji, Gokhale, and others
XII. Economic Nationalism and Critique of British Policies
- Dadabhai Naoroji’s ‘Drain Theory’
- Role of Nationalist Newspapers
- Swadeshi and Economic Boycott Movements
- Industrial and Banking Efforts
- Growth of Indian Capitalism
XIII. Growth of Extremism and Revolutionary Activities
- Partition of Bengal (1905)
- Swadeshi Movement and Boycott
- Rise of Extremists: Tilak, Bipin Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai
- Revolutionary Activities in India and Abroad
- Surat Split and Repression
XIV. The Gandhian Era Begins
- Arrival of Gandhi and His Early Movements
- Champaran, Kheda, and Ahmedabad
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
- Khilafat Movement and Hindu-Muslim Unity
- Withdrawal and Aftermath
XV. National Movement in the 1930s
- Simon Commission and Nehru Report
- Civil Disobedience Movement (1930–34)
- Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha
- Round Table Conferences
- Gandhi-Irwin Pact and Poona Pact
XVI. Revolutionary and Leftist Movements
- HSRA and Bhagat Singh
- Chittagong Armoury Raid
- Role of Subhas Chandra Bose
- Rise of Communist and Socialist Ideas
- Trade Unions and Peasant Movements
XVII. India and World Wars
- India in World War I
- Impact on Economy and Society
- India in World War II
- Cripps Mission and Indian Response
- British War Strategy and Indian Troops
XVIII. The Final Phase of the Freedom Struggle
- Quit India Movement (1942)
- INA and Subhas Bose
- Role of Princely States and Minorities
- Cabinet Mission Plan
- Royal Indian Navy Mutiny and Peasant Unrest
XIX. Path to Independence and Partition
- Elections of 1946
- Direct Action Day and Communal Violence
- Mountbatten Plan and Partition
- Role of Congress, Muslim League, and British
- Independence Act of 1947