History

BA(hons) and BA(programme)- Delhi University

History Faculty

On this page, we are providing the B.A. History (Hons) Syllabus 2024, covering important topics such as ancient, medieval, and modern history, historical research methods, and world civilizations. This syllabus offers a clear outline of the course structure, helping students prepare for careers in fields like archaeology, academia, public history, and civil services.

Syllabus of History (Hons.)

Here we provide the syllabus for B.A. (Hons) History, which explores major historical events, civilizations, and cultural movements. Students will study key periods from ancient to modern times, with a focus on critical analysis and interpretation of historical sources. The curriculum fosters a deep understanding of global history, preparing students for careers in research, education, and public service.

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 1

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of india 1	Introducing early Indian History; Sourse(upto 750CE) and Historiographycal trends Pre-historic Hunters Gathrers and early food Producing Societies Paleolithic Culture: Sequence and distribution; tools typology and technology, subsistance patterns Mesolithic culture: regional distribution; typology and subsistance patterns early food producing communities: regional and chronological distribution of neolithic and chalcolithic culture; subsistance; patterns of interaction and exchange The harappan civilization origin settlement patterns and town planning Agrarian base pyrotechonology and water management Craft poroduction and trade social and political organization Religious beliefs and practices art Late/post harappan evidence Social and cultural transitions (upto 400 BCE) Archeological Culture: PGW, NBPW, Megalithic, Metallic coins, role of iron technology Litratry and textual traditions: Vedical and Brahmanical; Shramanical The Aryan Quetion Emergence of social and political institutions; Urbanization; social stratification and state formation
(DSC-2): social formation and cultural pattern of the ancient world 1	Evolution of Humans and hunting gathering cultures Understanding Prehistory biological and cultural evolution of humans: lithic and other technologies changing subsistance patterns; funerary practices and art transition to food poroduction Mesolithic cultures: west asia and europe Origins of food production: Debates features of neolithic Base on sites from west asia, Europe and Mesoamerica/China The Bronze Age Any one Case study: Ancient mesopotamia(sumarian and akkadian period)/ Egypt (old kingdom)/ China (shang Dynasty) Concepts: 'Bronze Age', 'civilization', 'urban revolution' and 'state' Ecological context of early civilizations kingship, religion and state; social and economic complexity: class, gender Nomadic culture in transition Nomadic Pastoralism in west asia in the third and second millennium BCE Iron technology and it's spread
(DSC-3): History of the USA: independence to civilwar	a new world: Contribution of indigenous tribes, Indentured servants and slave labour in the growth and expansion of american colonies American revolution: Sourse, Historiographycal Limits of american democracy: marginalization anddisplacement of indigenous tribes (Shawnee and cherokee) Policies of thomas jeffeson and andrew jeckson thet placed the original peoples (Indigenous tribes) beshind 'reserves' United States Quest for dominance: Imperialism and changing Diplomacy: menifest destiny war of 1812 monroe doctrine slavery and the civil war: the economics of slavery: south vs north Debates slave culture and slave resistances (including the nature of female slavery and resistance) Issues of civil war and the interpretation

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 2

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of india 2	Development of Political Structures (c. 4th century BCE to c. 300 CE) The Mauryan empire; the nature of dhamma Post-Mauryan polities with special reference to the Kushanas and the Satavahanas Tamilakam Economy and society (c. 4th century BCE to c. 300 CE) Expansion of agrarian economy and production relations Urban growth: north India, central India, the Deccan and south India; craft production; trade interactions across the Indian sub-continent and beyond Social stratification: varna; jati; untouchability; gender; marriage and property relations Polity, Economy and Society (c. 4th century to 750 CE) The nature of polities Agrarian developments, land grants and peasantry Urban patterns; trade and currency Society: the proliferation of jatis: changing norms of marriage and inheritance Religion and Cultural developments (c. 4th century BCE – 750 CE) Theistic Traditions Art and architecture; forms of patronage (Sculptures, Stupas, Rock Cut Caves, and Temples)
(DSC-2): Social Formations and Cultural Patterns of the Medieval World – II	Ancient Greece and Rome Evolution of the ‘polis’ and changing political formations in Ancient Greece: Athens and Sparta Rome from the Republic to Principate (c. 500 BCE- 200 CE) a. Conflict of the Orders: Imperial expansion and social tensions in the Republic Slavery in Ancient Greece and Rome Crisis of the Roman Empire Feudal societies in medieval Europe (8th – 14 centuries) The emergence of Feudal states: Church, State and Society Growth of the Medieval economy- Patterns and Processes: 8th - 11th centuries Transition in the feudal economy from 11th – 14th centuries– (i) Agriculture: changes in serfdom and seigneurie (ii) Growth of towns and trade and their impact (iii) Onset of 'feudal crisis' in 13th and 14th centuries Early Islamic Societies in West Asia: Transition from tribe to state Pre-Islamic tribal society in Arabia and Rise of Islam State formation: The Caliphate – Rashidun, Ummayads and early Abbasids (c.632CE to c. 800CE)
(DSC-3): History of the USA: Reconstruction to New Age Politics	Reconstruction The Makings of Radical Reconstruction; Rise of New Social Groups in the South, Carpetbaggers, Scalawags, Ku Klux Klan and Free Blacks The Gilded Age - Economic, Social Divide and Reform Growth of Capitalism – Big Business; Competition, Consolidation, Monopolism The Populist Challenge: Agrarian Crisis and Discontent The Politics of Progressivism: Movement, Manifestations under Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson Gender Roles and the Rise of African-American Movement Cult of Womanhood in the nineteenth century: The White (Case study of Lowell Textile Mill Women Workers), Black and Indigenous Women The Emergence of Black Leadership: Booker T. Washington; W.E.B. DuBois, NAACP The Rise of the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. USA in the World Politics Imperialistic Ambition and Power: The Spanish-American War; Role of USA in East Asia and Latin America USA in the First and Second World Wars

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 3

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of india 3 (750- 1200)	Studying early medieval India Sources: texts; inscriptions; coins Perspectives on the early medieval Political structures and processes Evolution of political structures: Rajput polities; Chola state; Odisha Symbols of political power: Brahmanas and temples; courtly cultures Issue of ‘Foreign and Indian’: Arabs and Ghazanavids in the north-west, Cholas in Southeast Asia Social and economic processes Agricultural expansion and social changes Trade and urbanization Religious and visual cultures Bhakti, Puranic Hinduism; Tantra; Buddhism and Jainism Art and architecture: temples – regional styles
(DSC-2): Rise of the Modern West – I	Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism Issues and debates Question of Eurocentricism Early colonial Expansion Trade and Empire-Mines and Plantations Labour Systems-Indigenous populations and African Slaves Renaissance Origins Humanism in Italy and its spread in Europe, Art Origins, course and results of the European Reformation Economic development of the sixteenth century Shift of economic balance from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Price Revolution European State Systems: with any two case studies-Spain, France, England and Russia
(DSC-3): History of Modern China ( 1840 – 1950s)	Late Imperial China and Western Imperialism Confucian Value System; Society, Economy, Polity Opium Wars and the Unequal Treaty System Popular Movements and Reforms in the 19th century Taiping and Boxer Movements – Genesis, Ideology, Nature Self-Strengthening Movement; Hundred Days Reforms of 1898 Emergence of Nationalism The Revolution of 1911: Nature and Significance The May Fourth Movement of 1919 Communist Movement in China 1921-1927: Formation of the CCP and the First United Front 1928-1949: Evolution of Maoist Strategy and Revolutionary Measuresin Kiangsi and Yenan ; Communist victory

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 4

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of India – IV: c.1200 – 1500	Survey of sources Persian ta’rīkh traditions Malfuzat and premakhyans Inscriptions and regional identity: Kakatiyas Political structures Sultanates of Delhi: transitions in ruling elites, service cultures, iqtas Articulating political authority: monuments and rituals Political cultures: Vijayanagara and 'Surāṣṭrān' Society and economy Agricultural production Technology and changes in society Monetization; market regulations; urban centres; trade and craft Religion, society and cultures Sufi silsilas: Chishtis and Suhrawardis; doctrines and practices; social roles Bhakti; Sant tradition: Kabir and Nanak, Jnanaeshwar. and Namdev cults: Jagannath and Warkari Gender roles: women bhaktas and rulers
(DSC-2): Rise of the Modern West – II	The 17th century European crisis: economic, social, and political dimensions. The English Revolution (1603-1688): major issues, strands and implications. Mercantilism and European economies: Trade and Empire - 17th - 18thcenturies. Scientific Revolution. Enlightenment: political, economic and social ideas. Origins of the Industrial Revolution and the Divergence debate
(DSC-3): History of Modern Japan (c. 1868 – 1950s)	Transition from Feudalism to Capitalism Crisis of the Tokugawa Bakuhan System The Meiji Restoration: Nature and Significance; Early Meiji Reforms Economic Development in the Meiji Era Democracy and Militarism Meiji Constitution Failure of Parliamentary Democracy; Militarism and Fascism Imperialistic Expansion Korea Manchuria China American Occupation, post-War Reconstruction

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 5

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of India – V: c. 1500 – 1600	Sources and Historiography An overview of Persian Literary Traditions Vernacular Literature- Brajbhasha and Telugu/Tamil Political Formations and Institutions Mughal state- Role of Military tactics and technology; Changing notions ofKingship ; Institutions (Evolution of Mansab, Jagir and land revenue system) Rajput and Ahom Political culture Formation of Nayaka states of Madurai, Thanjavur and Jinji' Political and Religious Ideas Sulh-i-kul and Akhlaqi tradition; Ideological challenges Vaishnava Bhakti Traditions of North India Shaivite traditions Visual culture and articulation of Authority Fatehpur Sikri. Chittor Fort. Temples and Gopurams of the Nayakas: Meenakshi temple
(DSC-2): History of India – VI: c. 1750 – 1857	India in the mid-18th Century: society, economy, polity and culture Issues and Debates Continuity and change Colonial expansion: policies and methods with reference to any two of the following Bengal, Mysore, Marathas, Awadh, Punjab and the North- East Colonial state and ideology Imperial ideologies: Orientalism, Utilitarianism, and Evangelicalism Indigenous and colonial education Economy and Society Land revenue systems and its impact Commercialization of agriculture De-industrialization 19th Century: Reforms and Revival Young Bengal, Brahmo Samaj, Prathana Samaj, Faraizis and Wahabis, AryaSamaj Discourse on Gender and Caste in Reform and revival movement Popular resistance The Uprising of 1857 Peasant resistance to colonial rule: Santhal Uprising (1856); Indigo Rebellion(1860). Kol Uprising (1830-32)
(DSC-3): History of Modern Europe – I	The French Revolution The Enlightenment, political and economic crisis of the Ancien Regime A new political culture and transformations: Democratisation of polity and academies, changing social relations Historiographical Perspectives on the French Revolution Continuity and change in the early nineteenth century First French empire and monarchical consolidation Revolutions 1830s-1850s Industrial Revolution and Social Transformation (the 19th century) Experience of Industrialisation France, Germany and Eastern / SouthernEurope Impact of the Industrial Revolution: Work, Family and Gender Political movements in the 19th century Parliamentary and institutional reforms in Britain, chartists & suffragettes Industrial unrest, development of socialism: Utopians, Marxism, the International working class movement and social democracy Culture and Society: 1789-1850s Popular Consumption of Culture: Neo Classical Art, Romanticism and Realism in art and literature The City in the age of Industrialization

Syllabus of History (Hons.) Semester 6

Course	Units
(DSC-1): History of India – VII: 1600 – 1750s	Sources Sanskrit Sources Travelogues- Bernier and Manucci Vernacular Literary Traditions- Mangal Kavya Political Developments and State Formation Rajput State Formation and Negotiations Mughal State- Changes and Crises Maratha State under Shivaji and Peshwas Religious Ideas and Visual Culture Religious ideas of Dara Shikoh; Aurangzeb’s policy towards Jizya, Temples and Music Articulation of Imperial Ideology: Mughals and Nayakas Art- Allegory and Symbolism in the Paintings of Rajput and Mughal Paintings Architecture- Shahjahanabad Economy and Society Rural Society- Village Community; Role of Zamindars Merchant Communities Pattern of India’s Oceanic Trade and its impact on the Indian Economy
(DSC-2): History of India – VIII: c. 1857 – 1950	Colonial Economy Economic critique of colonial rule with special reference to Drain of Wealth Rise of modern industry and capitalist class Early Nationalism Emergence of Indian National Congress (INC) ‘Moderates’ and ‘Extremists’ Nationalist Swadeshi and early Revolutionary Movements Emergence and social base of Gandhian Nationalism Foundations of Gandhian Nationalism Gandhi and National Movements Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad Rowlatt, Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements Civil Disobedience Movement Quit India Movement Alternative trends in National Movement Ambedkar and the Dalit Movement, Dravidian movements Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and Revolutionary Movements Gadhar, Singh Sabha and the Akali Movement Peasants, Workers and Tribal movements; Emergence of the Left Subhas Chandra Bose and Indian National Army; Royal Indian Navy Mutiny Towards Independence and after Independence and Partition The Making of the Constitution Formation of Identities Caste Community Nation
(DSC-3): History of Modern Europe – II	Nations and Nationalism in the nineteenth century Theories of Nationalism Nationalist aspirations in Germany, Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire / Ottoman Empire State and Politics in post-unification Germany / Italy The First World War and Revolutions Theories of Imperialism Causes and Impact of the War: Historiographical debates Revolutions: Russia 1905 and 1917 Europe Between the World Wars Fascism: Historiographical debates Nature of the State in Fascist Italy / Nazi Germany Origins of the Second World War Cultural Transformation of Europe (1850-1939) Choose any two sub themes for study (1) or (2) or (3) Trends in Painting, Architecture and National Art Galleries Emerging Forms of Expression: Photography, Radio and Cinema Institutions of Knowledge: Exhibitions, Museums / Archives and History as a discipline

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