HISTORY

GS 1 – HISTORY Background: Date: 12 March – 6 April 1930 Leader: Mahatma Gandhi Part of: Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) Reason: Protest against the British monopoly over salt production and sale, and the Salt Tax, which affected every Indian, especially the poor. Causes: Unjust Salt Law: British prohibited Indians …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context: The Vachana Mantapa project was launched in Kalaburagi during Basava Jayanti in 2025. Biography: Basaveshwara, also referred to as Bhakti Bhandari (treasurer of devotion), was an Indian philosopher, poet, and social reformer. Birth and Early Life: He was born in 1131 AD in Bagevadi, now …

GS 1 The Taliban’s evolving stance on cultural heritage sites in Afghanistan has attracted international attention, especially concerning the Bamiyan Buddhas. About the Bamiyan Buddhas Carved into the sandstone cliffs of Bamiyan Valley in central Afghanistan during the 6th century CE, the Bamiyan Buddhas were two monumental statues of standing …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian History & Culture – Historical narratives GS-2: Polity & Society – Communal harmony, constitutional values GS-4: Ethics – Integrity in interpreting history Key Highlights Rising Concerns March 2025 saw politically driven revisionism in textbooks and public narratives. Certain rulers are glorified, while others, like Aurangzeb and …

UPSC Relevance GS-1: Indian Society & Modern History – Social Reformers, Caste Inequality, Education for Marginalized GS-2: Governance & Social Justice – Welfare for SCs/STs/OBCs, Educational Equity, Secularism GS-4: Ethics & Integrity – Social Reform, Humanism, Moral Leadership Key Points: Life & Context Jyotiba Phule, born April 11, 1827, into …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context: Recently, a collection of copper plates from the early 15th century was unveiled in Bengaluru. Details: These plates were issued during the coronation of Devaraya I from the Sangama Dynasty. The inscriptions are written in Sanskrit, Kannada, and Nagari scripts. The records indicate that Devaraya …

GS I-History About Hampi Located in Karnataka’s Bellary District, Hampi lies along the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It served as the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of South India’s most prominent Hindu empires, thriving between the 14th and 16th centuries. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in …

GS1 (Medieval Indian History) Causes of the Uprising Colonial Revenue System: Following the Battle of Plassey (1757), the East India Company (EIC) enforced taxation and administrative policies to strengthen its control over India. Permanent Settlement Act (1793): Introduced by Lord Cornwallis in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, this system granted landlords …

GS I-History Karsandas Mulji has recently gained attention due to the release of the biopic Maharaj. Early Life and Education Born in 1832 in Bombay, into a Gujarati Vaishnav family. A prominent member of the Gujarati Gnan-prasarak Mandali (Gujarati Society for the Spread of Knowledge), established by students of Elphinstone …

GS I-History Historical Significance Poompuhar, historically recognized as Kaveripattinam, functioned as a crucial maritime center during the Chola period. Situated in present-day Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, at the confluence of the Kaveri River, it played a vital role in trade and commerce. Cultural and Commercial Hub Sangam-era Tamil literature and the …

GS1 – Medieval Indian History Context: The Patharughat Uprising of 1894 has recently been highlighted in the news for its historical significance. Overview of the Patharughat Uprising Also Known As: The Patharughat Peasant Revolt, this event remains one of the lesser-known struggles in India’s freedom movement. Date & Location: Took …

GS1 – Medieval Indian History Context: Observed annually on March 19, the Muzhara Movement was a significant agrarian struggle in Punjab, where tenant farmers fought for land rights, a movement that traces back to the 1930s. Background of the Muzhara Movement Biswedari System (1870s): The Maharaja of Patiala established a …

GS1 – Modern History Context: Maharashtra’s first temple dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was officially inaugurated in Bhiwandi. Significance and Architectural Highlights This temple is the first of its kind in Maharashtra and the second in India, with the first being in Srisailam, Telangana. Main Statue: A 6.5-foot idol of …

GS II-History Context: Ramkrishna Gopal Bhandarkar has been in the news recently. Early Life & Education Born on July 6, 1837, in Malvan, Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra. Among the first graduates of Bombay University in 1862. Political & Academic Contributions Served as a non-official member of the Imperial Legislative Council in …

GS I-History Context The Mudumal megalithic menhirs in Telangana have been included in UNESCO’s tentative list for World Heritage Sites in 2025. If approved, this will be the second site from the state to receive this recognition. Understanding Megaliths Megaliths are large stone structures constructed in ancient times, primarily for …

GS-I-History Background: Recently, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Chino Hills, California, was subjected to vandalism. About BAPS: Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a sect within Hinduism that follows Vaishnavism. It belongs to the Swaminarayan Sampradaya. Establishment: BAPS was founded in 1907 by Shastriji Maharaj (1865–1951), who propagated …

GS-1-History and Culture Context: The Jalanatheswarar Temple, an architectural and religious landmark from the Chola era, is facing serious structural damage. The temple has not undergone Kumbhabhishekam (a vital Hindu temple consecration ritual) for over 15 years, raising concerns about its preservation. Significance of Kumbhabhishekam Kumbhabhishekam is a ritual performed …

GS 1-History and Culture Context: Recent debates have intensified regarding the selection of the next Dalai Lama. The primary issue revolves around whether the Dalai Lama has the sole authority to choose his successor or if China has a role in this process. Reincarnation in Buddhism Concept of Reincarnation: In …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context: The Gandhi-Irwin Pact’s inability to secure a reduction in Bhagat Singh’s death sentence remains a significant point of criticism. Bhagat Singh’s Trial Lahore Conspiracy Case: Bhagat Singh, along with Shivram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar, was found guilty in the Lahore Conspiracy Case for the assassination …

GS 1 – HISTORY Context The Battle of Karnal, fought on February 24, 1739, was a decisive conflict between Nadir Shah, the Persian ruler, and Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah, also known as Rangila. This battle marked a significant turning point in the decline of the Mughal Empire. Background By the …