Chitra Mishra Rank 20, CSE 2018 IASBABA

Strategy, Sources and Sites for Map Section- History Optional Paper I

This section is a very grey-area in case of our Optional paper. I have had interaction with many of my
peer aspirants. So, if you are an engineer by academic background - this section might seem a cake
walk for you. In perplexing contrast, you may be an MPhil graduate in History background from say
Delhi University or JNU chances are you still may detest this section.

Difficulty of Map-Section:

- It begins your paper presentation of the Paper 1 of the optional paper. It justifies the
epithet- “You Know you know- You don’t know-you don’t ‘know’’
- Map Section in many ways forms the first impression upon the evaluator and your level of
interest, knowledge about the historical events, sites and depth of preparation.
- So while you marking 18 out of 20 sites accurately becomes an assumed requirement for the
Part B to be evaluated with a good impression, the reverse can be a disaster; implying- if you
choose to ignore/skip/underperform Map section and simply choose to go by focussing or
devoting all your preparation time upon the improving standard and quality of Question and
Answer section- it might not be very advisable- in case you target to score 300+ in History
Optional or to see your name in the top 100 of CSE final merit list. Such is the significance.

What are the most useful sources so far?

In case of Map we must understand it doesn’t come as an isolated entity or a table of enlisted sites
which needs to be info-photographed in our memory in last 100 odd days gap between Prelims and
Mains.

If one were to follow carefully UPSC Ancient India syllabus and trace major sites which form crucial
points of historical evolution, be it of religious progress, trade and commerce outgrowth,
educational centre, a site of political expansion, etc, (as elucidated in IGNOU Map sites- attached) a
lot of sites become a part of your muscle memory and organic usage of its significance can be
extremely useful and scoring even while writing answers.

The following sources can be used for preparing map sites: –

- Previous year question paper(s). (Link for 2012-18). In the below post I have analysed the
sites in varied manner for simplification. To practice it on a outline map, just google them or
use selfstudyhistory.com website to locate/view/study the site.
- Links to maps in NCERT Text books(attached) and few maps (attached) for general
understanding of the period under study; NCERT here includes OLD NCERT by Makkhan Lal,
R.S Sharma as well as New NCERT (VI to XII)

In addition, the illustrated maps of four most important books of this period as follows:

- Early India by Romila Thapar (attached)

- Upinder Singh’s Ancient and Early Medieval India(attached)
- R S Sharma’s India’s Past(attached) and
- IGNOU BA Level compilation Maps (attached).

Selectively- (Spectrum Publication Atlas and a newly released GK publication. Please do not solely
rely on these ready reckoner books;

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- Compiled Map by Gaurav Agarwal, AIR 1, CSE 2013, (attached PDF)

- My notes of Map making to some extent would help provide this perspective. Also see- Link
2

How best to approach Map Section?

A note on marking the Map:

- All places on the coast should be shown along the coast. Example sites likes Mahabalipuram,
Puri, Prabhas Patan, Korkai, Tamralipti, Kaveripatnam, Muziris, Dwarka; They should not
be plotted incorrectly.
- Similarly, if we are plotting two nearby places their marking should be accurate vis-à-vis near
prominent site with respect to one another e.g. We should be exactly sure while plotting
Inamgaon-Daimabad-Nevasa-Jorwe; Badami-Aihole-Pattdakal; Ujjain-Vidisha-Eran as to
which is to the north/south/east/west of the other.

To sum it up the idea is to have a list of historical sites- important (through reading and historical
significance) and convincing (through previous year paper analysis) as far as possible. The idea then
must be to locate these sites under specific headings/sub-divisions as we read the chapters as we
come across during preparation. Finally, as it is often said- keep practicing and revising on sample
map (attached).

Ways of Simplification:

Usually be it Spectrum Atlas History Map book and even the prominent websites such as selfstudy
history.com have already outlined very effectively alphabetically all the sites. However, as a student
one may not be very interested right away to memorise in alphabetical order. Also, how much can
one memorise that way? One can certainly feel secure of having a repository of all the possible sites
from say Alphabet S or V but one of the better ways is to do the following:

- Analyse the most prominent sites across the UPSC syllabus in Ancient India
- Analyse and co-relate it with the last 30 years of Map question asked(analysed below)
- Finally divide the sites under the key sub-headings from the UPSC paper itself such as Fort
city, Educational Sites, Buddhist Site, Neolithic Site, and note down while preparing notes
as well as revising as one comes across all along the preparation;
- In my notes- I also learnt it by dividing the sites State wise (example attached in notes).

Section II:
In this section, the aim is to divide the section of Map into specific categories and relate it with
previous year UPSC paper sites; Taking note from table and analysis below, the attempt is to
deconstruct the possible areas of significance and sites which remains potentially important for
future CSE aspirants. As per previous five years of UPSC paper analysis, following key sub-parts can
be classified for Map portion:

Part- I

- A prehistoric site (2014)

- Palaeolithic Site
- Mesolithic Site
- A Palaeolithic and Mesolithic site (2013) Eg: Sundergarh
- Neolithic Site

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- Chalcolithic Site (2018) (2017) (2014) (2013) (2012)

- Megalithic Site (2018) (2016) (2015) (2014)
- Neolithic-Chalcolithic Site (2017) Eg. (Hallur)
- Megalithic -Chalcolithic Site (2016) Eg: Adichanallur
- A Neolithic Megalithic and Chalcolithic site (2013) Eg- Brahmagiri

Part -II

- Pre-Harappan Site (2013)/ Early Harappan Site (2017) (2018)

- Harappan Site
- A late Harappan site

Part-III

- A Painted grey ware site (2015)

- Mahajanapada
- Buddhist centre (2015) (2016)
- A Jaina centre
- A site of Ashokan inscriptions/ Ashokan Rock Edicts
- Post Mauryan
- Gupta
- Post Gupta

Part-IV (very important***)

- An Ancient Capital Site (2014-18) – every year this is asked ***

- A cultural centre (2014)/ Political and Cultural centre (2018) (2014) – Sirpur is one of the
major example; Hampi
- An archaeological temple site (2015)/ A Rock-cut temple site/ An ancient temple site
- A seaport/ A lost port (2014)/Ancient Sea- Port (2015)
- Rock-cave art centre (2014)/ A Prehistoric cave-painting’s site (2017)/ A rock-cut cave site
(2016)/ Cave paintings (2018)/ A site of ancient cave-paintings (2015)/ Historical Rock-cut
Caves (2013)

Part -V

Miscellaneous Categories:

- An educational centre (2016) (2015) – eg: Vikramashila;

- Early agricultural centre (2018)- eg: Koldihwa
- Terracotta centre (2018) / A terra-cotta art centre (2016)- eg: Chandraketugarh;
- Brahmadeya village (2015)- Eg: Uttarmerur, Tamil Nadu
- An ancient town (2014)- eg: Mathura
- A historical site (2014)- eg: Maski
- An important ancient city (2015)- eg: Vidisha
- An early fortified city (2017)- eg: Sisupalgarh
- Vaishnava cultural site (2018) eg: Besnagar
- An inscriptional site (2015) eg: Junagarh
- An important halting place (2013) Eg: Laghman
- Site of important fossils (2013) Eg: Hathnora

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- Site related to a famous Indian Philosopher (2013) Eg: Kaladi,Kerala related to Adi
Shankaracharya
- Famous Fort (2013)- Fort St George
- A religious centre (2012)
- A post Mauryan town (2012)

Last 100 days between Prelims and Mains- ways to revise:

One of the best ways to revise in the last 3 months when one has to consolidate optional notes,
write test series, prepare GS simultaneously, is to have a list of Map sites with clear classified basis
such as following:

List of Most Important Sites

Fossil Site
 Hathnora, M.P
 Odai, Tamil Nadu

Palaeolithic Site
Part A

 Lingsugur, Karnataka – First Palaeolithic site,

 Bhimbetka, M.P, -most famous site;
 Adamgarh, M.P – prehistoric rock shelter painting; earliest evidence of domestication,

Part B

 Attirampakkam, Tamil Nadu -lower-middle-upper Paleolithic culture,

 Ajmer, Rajasthan; lower-middle-upper Paleolithic culture,
 Gudiyam Cave, Tamil Nadu- Lower-Middle-Upper Paleolithic tools,

Part C

 Didwana, Rajasthan -Lower to middle Paleolithic age,

 Hiran Valley, Gujarat -Lower and middle Paleolithic tools,
 Luni Valley, Rajasthan- Lower to middle Paleolithic age,
 Dari-Dungari, Odisha – Lower and Middle Paleolithic ,

Part D

 Paisra, Munger, Bihar – Lower Palaeolithic,

 Nasik, Maharashtra -Lower Palaeolithic Site,
 Palghat, Kerala- Lower Palaeolithic Site,
 Hunsgi, Karnataka- Lower Palaeolithic tools; factory site cum habitation site,

Part E

 Kalpi, U.P – Middle Paleolithic age,

 Nevasa, Maharashtra – Middle Paleolithic and factory site
 Patne/Chalisgaon, Maharashtra -Middle and Upper Paleolithic

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 Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh- Upper Paleolithic site,

 Renigunta, Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh- upper Paleolithic site,
 Chopani Mando- Belan Valley, U.P – Upper Paleolithic to Neolithic Age,

Mesolithic Site:
Part I:

- Chopani Mando – Paleolithic and Mesolithic – wild rice, animal bones, handmade pottery
- Sarai Nahar Rai, U.P – Microlith, shells, animal bones
- Mahadaha, U.P – grave goods; microlith, animal bones
- Damdama, U.P -domesticated rice
- Lekhakia, U.P – Burials, microlith

Part II:

- Paisra, Bihar
- Birbhanpur, West Bengal – factory site and habitation site; microlith made of quartz
- Renigunta, Chittoor, A.P
- Sebalgiril, Meghalaya
- Sanganakallu, Karnataka- Mesolithic and Neolithic

Part III:

- Adamgarh, M.P – prehistoric rock shelters; geometric microlith, pottery;

- Bhimbetka, M.P -Mesolithic rock painting site;

Part IV

- Langhnaj, Gujarat
- Loteshwar, Gujarat
- Ratanpura, Gujarat

Part V

- Bagor, Rajasthan -Largest Mesolithic site in India,

- Tilwara, Rajasthan

Part VI

- Kuchai, Odisha- Mesolithic and Neolithic

- Sundargarh, Odisha- Mesolithic cave painting

Neolithic Sites
Part A:

J&K

 Burzahom, J&K – bone industry, burial practice, cultivation of wheat, barley, lentil;
 Gufkral, Srinagar, J&K- pit dwelling, domesticated sheep’/goat;

Odisha:

 Kuchai, Odisha- Mesolithic and Neolithic; Reddish Brown Pottery

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 Golbai Sasan, Odisha

Bihar:

 Chirand, Bihar – bone industry, apart from Burzhom;

 Senuwar- Neolithic and Chalcolithic – Wattle and Daub houses; Pottery ; semi-precious
beads; domesticated animals

U.P

 Koldihwa, UP – Neolithic to Iron Age; Domesticated as well as wild rice; handmade pottery;
 Mahagara, Allahabad – Post holes, Pottery, Cattle pen;
 Sohaguara, U.P

Assam:

 Sarutaru, Assam- Handmade pottery- buff and greyware;

 Daojali Hading, Assam

Karnataka:

 Sangankallu/ Kupgal, Karnataka- Neolithic and Chalcolithic- Wattle and Daub huts with ash
mounds
 Brahmagiri,Karnataka-Wattle and Daub huts, urns burial
 Piklihal,Karnataka- Ash mound site, cattle rearing; circular as well as wattle and daub
rectangular huts; carnelian beads; animal bones
 Maski, Karnataka- Neolithic-Chalcolithic site – Carnelian beads, animal bones
 Hallur, Karnataka- Ash mound, animal rearing, round wattle and daub hut, double urn
burial, animal bones

Other prominent sites:

 Pandu Rajar Dhibi, West Bengal- grey ware painted red pottery; stone tools, microlith, bone
tools
 Barudih, Jharkhand
 Napchik, Manipur
 Utnur, Telangana – Cattle pen; cattle rearing; earliest Neolithic site of South India; Neolithic
and Chalcolithic
 Paiyampalli- Tamil Nadu - Neolithic and Megalithic Site – ash mound and habitation site

Part B:

 Mehrgarh, Baluchistan – earliest evidence of agriculture based on wheat, barley, cattle,

sheep and goat. Neolithic and Harappan Site. Granary; Mud brick house; Domesticated
cattle sheep; Pottery; Terracotta human figurines;
 Kili Gul Mohammad, Baluchistan- Wattle and Daub houses; handmade pottery; Animal
remains of cattle; microlith
 Amri, Sind- Pre-Harappan Site. Mud brick house; Domestication of cattle; Pottery;
Terracotta figurines;
 Rana Gundai, Pakistan – Pottery; stone and bone tools; domestication of animals;
 Gumla, Gomal Valley- Domestication of animal; pottery

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 Rehmandheri (Also Pre-Harappan Site) – Neolithic to Indus Civilisation; A large site with
fortification; Remains of wheat, barley; Domestication of sheep, cattle; Pottery
 Mundigak, Afghanistan- Wheel made pottery; Lapis lazuli beads; humped bull terracotta
figurine; houses made of sun-baked bricks; wells inside the house.

Other Stone age Sites (in tabular mode)

Pahalgam Ahar Jogadha Singhbhum Singrauli Belan Valley

Sohan Valley T.Narsipur Tekkalkota Bori Nagarjunkonda Puskar

Chalcolithic period

Ahar, Rajasthan Gilund,Rajasthan Kayatha, M.P Eran, M.P

Jorwe, Maharashtra Inamgaon,Maharashtra Nevassa, Daimabad,Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Navdatoli, M.P Nasik, Maharashtra Pandu Rajar Dhibi, Mahisdal, W.B
W.B
Ganeshwar, M.P Koldihwa, U.P Mahagara Chopani–Mando
Chirand, Bihar Balathal, Rajasthan Atranjikhera, U.P Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
Rangpur,Gujarat, Narhan, U.P Senaur – Bihar – Golbai Sasan, Odisha
Neolithic-Chalcolithic

Sohgaura, U.P

Megalithic Site:
Burzahom - J&K
Junapani- Maharashtra
Brahmagiri – Karnataka
Maski – Karnataka
Hallur – Karnataka
Nagarjunakonda – A.P
Adichanallur – Tamil Nadu

Indus Valley Civilisation Sites:

Dholvira, Alamgirpur, U.P- Balakot,Pakistan- Amri, Sind- Early Banawali,

Gujarat- Early, Eastern most Early Harappan and Mature Haryana
Mature and Late limit of IVC; Harappan
Harappan Harappan
pottery with
beads;
Gumla,Pakistan- Bhiranna, Chanhudaro, Daimabad, Desalpur,
Early and Mature Haryana- Mature Sindh- Bead Maharashtra- late Gujarat- Mature

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Harappan Harappan making factory; Harappan site; Harappan phase;

Kalibangan, Mohanjodaro, Kot Diji, Harappa, Pakistan- Lothal, Gujarat-
Rajasthan- Early Sind- Great Bath, Pakistan- Early Early and Mature artificial brick
Harappan, great and Mature Harappan; H type dockyard;
Harappan and granary;bronze Harappan cemetery; cultivation of rice
Mature dancing girl;
Harappan Early & Mature
Harappan
Rehman Dheri, Rakhigarhi, Shortugai, Sutkagendor, Ropar, Punjab-
Pakistan- Early Haryana- Early Afghanistan- Baluchistan- Burial system;
Harappan Harappan Lapis Lazuli fortification wall; pottery
bead; pottery.

Other prominent sites:

Part-I

- Allahadino, Rana Ghundai, Mehargarh, Killi Gul Mohammad, Nal(Balochistan), Soktakoh

(Balochistan), Dabar Kot(Balochistan)- Pakistan
- Jhukar- Sindh- (Late Harappan Site)
- Mundigak- Afghanistan

Part II

- Rangpur, Somnath, Rojdi, Surkotada, Bhagatrav- Gujarat

- Badgaon, Balathal- Rajasthan
- Akhnoor- Jammu and Kashmir
- Bahawalpur- Punjab
- Kunal, Bhagwanpura- Haryana

Painted Grey Ware Sites:

Adichannallur Ahar Amri Ahichhatra- U.P; Alamgirpur

Largest PGW site;
Atranjikhera Gilund Bahawalpur- Bhagwanpura Lal Qila
Pakistan (Haryana)
Hastinapur- U.P Jakhera Kampilya- Kausambi- U.P Mathura- U.P
U.P
Ropar (Punjab) Sanghol Sravasti- U.P Noh (Rajasthan) Pandu–Rajar
(Punjab) Dhibi, W.B

Northern Black Polished Ware Sites

Taxila,Pakistan- Sravasti, U.P Kaushambi, U.P Pataliputra, Vaishali, Bihar-
capital of (NBPW & PGW)- (also important Bihar(capital of Capital of
Gandhara capital of North halting place) Mauryas, Lichchhavis and
kingdom; major Kosala; Shungas and Vajji
trade centre and fortification; Guptas); Trade confederacy) in

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part of copper and iron and commerce 6th century BCE;

Uttarapatha; objects; centre; Ashokan Pillar
with single lion
Rajgir, Bihar- first Amravati, A.P- Chandraketugarh, Tamralipti, W.B- Ropar,
capital of NBPW, BRW W.B- NBPW, most important Punjab(PGW and
Magadha terracotta beads sea port and NBPW site);
Mahajanapada; and punched emporium of punch marked
first Buddist marked coins and trade in Eastern coins and cast
council; it is terracotta India; Roulette copper coins;
important centre manufacturing ware and Red houses made of
for Buddhists, site. Polished Ware; burnt bricks;
Jains and Hindus-
NBPW;
Hastinapur, U.P- Prabhas-Patan, Sisupalgarh, Ahichchhatra Atranjikhera
BRW, PGW and Gujarat & Noh, Odisha – fortified (BRW, PGW and (BRW, PGW and
NBPW- Capital of Rajasthan centre; NBPW, NBPW site); BPW site); use of
Kuru; elaborate Rouletted ware, discovery of burnt bricks;
drainage; punch BRW; Terracotta coins
marked coins; and stone beads;
terracotta
figurines

Buddhist Sites:
Lumbini Bodhgaya Sarnath Kushinagar Sravasti
Rajgir Sankissa Amravati Nagarjunakonda Bharhut
Lalitgiri(Orrisa) Sanchi Vikramshila Sanghol Kanganahalli
(Karnataka)
Ajanta Ellora

Jaina Sites
Shravan Dilwara Palitana (Gujarat) Shikarji
Belagola(Karnataka) Temple(Rajasthan) Temple(Parasnath)
Kumbharia(Gujarat) Sitanavassal(Tamil
Nadu)

Mahajanapada

Ahhichhatra Anga Avanti Ayodhaya

Banaras Asmaka Champa Chedi
Girivraja Indraprastha Kamboja Gandhara
Kashi Kausambi Kosala Kampilya
Kushinagar Magadha Mahismati Kuru
Matsya Panchala Pavapuri Malla
Sarnath Sravasti Rajgir Pratishthana(modern Paithan)
Purushapura(Peshawar) Sahet-Mahet Ujjain Vaishali

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Viratanagara(modern Bairat) Vajji Surasena Taxila

Alexandria Vatsa

Ashoka Sites

Major Rock Edicts of Ashoka

Mansehra and Shahbazgarhi (Pakistan)- written in Prakrit language and Kharosthi script,-
Northern extent of Mauryan empire.
Kandahar/Shar-i-kuna (Afghanistan)- Only Rock edict XII and XIII,
Kalsi (Uttarakhand)- Presence of Royal Elephant; All 14 rock edict;Major trading centre,
Girnar (Gujarat)- Mentions principles of Dhamma; Also Rudradaman and Skandagupta,
Sopara (Maharashtra) -also seaport and town; Only Rock edict VIII and IX,
Dhauli (Odisha)- Seprate Rock edict I and II replace major rock edicts 11-13,
Jaugada(Odisha)- also a trade centre,
Yerraguddi (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)- Both Major and Minor edicts of Ashoka,
Sannati(Karnataka) – It also has special rock edicts I and II- like Dhauli,

Minor Rock Edicts of Ashoka

Bairat -Rajasthan(along with Bhabru edict)

Sasaram- Bihar
Rupnath- M.P
Maski-Karnataka
Gavimath- Karnataka
Brahmagiri- Karnataka
Nittur -Karnataka
Udegolam- Karnataka
Laghman- Afghanistan

Pillar Edicts of Ashoka

Allahabad-Kaushambi (Pillar Edict I-VI)

Delhi-Topra (Pillar Edict I-VII)
Delhi-Meerut
Lauriya Nandangarh, West Champaran, Bihar –
Monolithic
Lauriya Araraj, East Champaran, Bihar
Rampurva (Pillar Edict I-VII)
Kandahar, Afghanistan (Edict XII and XIII)
Nigali-Sagar, Nepal

Other important Ashoka inscriptions for famine relief

 Sohguara- Gorakhpur – Uttar Pradesh

 Mahasthan - Bangladesh

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Ujjain Jatinga Palkigundu - Mysore Chandraketugarh

Rameshwar(Karnataka) (Karnataka)
Patliputra/Kumrahar Sankisa Sanchi(UP) Taxila
Sarnath(UP) Siddapura(Karnataka)

Post Mauryan Site:

Mathura, U.P Sialkot (Sakala), Pakistan

Gupta Period Site:

Deogarh Tigwa Udaigiri Sarnath

Bhittari Nalanda Bhitargaon

Ancient Capitals
Agra Ahmadnagar Ajmer- Chauhans Berar Bidar
Bijapur Bundelkhand Delhi Devagiri Golkunda
Gulbarga Bidar Khandesh Malwa Jaunpur
Uraiyur- Vallabhi- Halebid/Dwarsam Kannauj- Thanesar-
Early Cholas Maitraka udra-Hoyasala Harshvardhan(Pushyab Pushyabhuti
huti dynasty)
Manyakheta Kapilvastu- Pataliputra- Rajgir/Girivraj- Hampi-
Rashtrakutas Sakya Magadha Magadha Vijayanagara

Champa- Paithan- Ujjain- Avanti Vatapi/Badami- Vengi- Eastern

Anga Satavahana Chalukyas Chalukyas
Thanjavur/ Vijayanti- Kanchipuram- Sialkot/Sakala – Varanasi- Kashi
Tanjore- Kadambas Pallavas Bactrian-Indo-Greek Mahajanpada
Cholas
Shravasti- Peshawar/Pur Vaishali- Kushinagar- Malla Kaushambi-
North Kosala ushpura- Shishunaga Vatsa
Kushans
Indraprastha Ahichchhatra- Kampilya – Viratnagara- Matsya Mathura-
- Kuru North Dakshin Panchala Shurasenas
Panchala
Mahismati- Taxila- Amravati/Dharni Korkai- Pandyas Madurai-
Avanti Gandhara kota- Satavahanas Pandyas

Inscription Sites:
Junagarh(Gujarat)- Rudradaman and Mehrauli Inscription/Garuda Pillar-
Skandagupta Chandragupta Vikramaditya
Allahabad Pillar /Prayag Prasasti – Nasik Inscription- Gautamiputra Satakarni
Samudragupta/Harisena

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Nanaghat Inscription -Pune(Maharashtra) Aihole(Karnataka) – Pulakeshin II/Ravikirti

Hathigumpha Inscription- Udayagiri(Orrisa)- Mandsaur(M.P) inscription-Kumargupta
Kharavela
Lumbini Pillar Inscription Eran(M.P) Pillar Inscription- Sati evidence-
Gupta period.
Uttaramerur Inscription, Tamil Nadu- Cholas Besnagar(M.P) Pillar Inscription-
Heliodorus(Greek ambassador) -Sunga period

Rock Cut Cave/Cave Paintings

Lakhudiyar, Uttarakhand
Piklihal, Karnataka
Tekkalakota, Karnataka
Bhimbetka, M.P
Bagh Caves, M.P
Barabar Caves, Bihar
Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra
Kondane Caves, Maharashtra
Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
Nasik/Pandavleni Caves, Maharashtra
Kanheri Caves, Maharashtra
Karle Caves, Maharashtra
Sittanavasal, Tamil Nadu
Armamalai Caves, Tamil Nadu
Edakkal caves, Kerala

Ancient Ports
Part I

- Dwarka, Gujarat
- Broach, Gujarat
- Lothal, Gujarat

Part II

- Sopara, Maharastra
- Muziris, Kerala
- Tamralipti – West Bengal
- Arikamedu- Puducherry

Part III

- Puhar (Kaveripattinam)- Tamil Nadu

- Korkai, Tamil Nadu,

Ancient Cities and Trade Sites:

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Part-I

- Taxila- Capital of Gandhara; Capital of northern province under Mauryas; Major trade centre
and part of Uttarapatha
- Mahastangarh, Bangladesh

Part II

- Vaishali- Capital of both Lichchavis and Vajji Confederacy in 6th B.C ; Republic; Second
Buddhist council; Buddha’s last sermon; Capital of Shishunaga dynasty;
- Sambhar, Rajasthan- capital of Chahamanas; coins from Kushans and Indo-Greeks; Beads
and terracotta figurines from Shunga and Gupta period have been found;
- Muziris, Kerala- ancient seaport, urban centre on Malabar coast; Finds mention in Sangam
Literature; trade relation with Persia, Egypt, Greeks, Roman empire; Important site under
Cheras.

Part III

- Vidisha, Besnagar, M.P- Western capital of Shungas – important trade centre connecting
North India with Deccan and Western ports; pillar inscription
- Tripuri, M.P- Capital of Kalchuri – 7th and 8th century AD; Mahajanapadas

Part IV

- Tamluk, West Bengal- trade contacts with Rome.

- Chandraketugarh, West Bengal – NBPW, punch marked coins, terracotta beads, coins, trade;

Part V

- Atranjikhera, U.P
- Shravasti- U.P – Capital of North Kosala; Buddhist site; also called Sahet-Mahet; Uttarapatha
Network;
- Mathura, U.P- Capital of Shurasenas; centre of Buddhism and Vaishnavism; Second capital of
Kushanas; Mathura School of Art; Part of Uttarapatha

Part VI

- Shishupalgarh- Bhubhaneshwar, Odisha- NBPW, Rouletted ware, BRW

- Jaugada- Odisha – Ashoka rock edict and Kalinga edict; town centre from Mauryan age and
bead making centre

Part VII

- Nagarjunakonda, A.P: Capital of Ikshvaku dynasty in 3rd and 4th century AD; centre of
Buddhism ; also an important economic centre
- Amaravati, A.P – second capital of Satavahanas- was a major Buddhist centre and
Mahachaitya Stupa; Sri Amaralingeswara Swamy temple;

Part VIII

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- Tagara/Ter, Maharashtra: Trade centre during Saka-Satavahana period and lay on route
connecting eastern Deccan to Broach; Both commercial and Religious centre;
- Kalyan, Maharashtra- important trading centre;

Part IX

- Madurai, Tamil Nadu- capital of Pandyas from 3rd century BCE. ; First and third Sangam held
here; Mentioned by Kautilya and Megasthenes; Meenakshi Amman temple located here;
Seat of Tamil Literature and learning;
- Korkai, Tamil Nadu- Port under Pandyas; Pearls in Sangam and Greek accounts; centre of
pearl fishing;
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu- Capital of Pallavas; Religious centre; Vaikuntha Perumal temple;
Silk industrial centre;
- Puhar, Tamil Nadu- Chief port of early Cholas, mentioned in Sangam literature; Trade links
with Romans in 1st century AD; Buddhist centre and a temple from Chola period;
- Uraiyur, Tamil Nadu- Capital of early Cholas- mentioned in Ashokan inscription and
Satavahana inscriptions;

Temple Sites:
Part -I

- Martand, Kashmir – Karakota dynasty- dedicated to Martand, the Sun -God;

- Rock Cut temple, Masrur- Himachal Pradesh- Monolithic; dedicated to Shiva
- Khajuraho Temple Complex- M.P – Chandella dynasty; Hinduism and Jainism; Chausath
Yogini temple is dedicated to Tantric Worship- Nagara Style of Temple
- Laxman Temple, Sirpur, Chattisgarh
- Pushkar, Ajmer, Rajasthan- Also mentioned in Mahabharata, Ramayana and Puranas
- Kamakhya temple – Assam
- Dashavtara Temple, Deogarh, Lalitpur, U.P- pachatantra style of temple- Vishnu temple;

Part-II

- Sun temple, Modhera, Gujarat- Raja Bhimdev I of Solanki -1026 AD

- Somnath/Prabhas patan – Gujarat- Shore temple- Bhimdev of Solanki

Part -III

- Sun temple, Konark, Odisha- Narsimhadeva-I, Ganga dynasty

- Bhubhaneshwar, Odhisha- Kalinga period- Parasuramesvar temple; Lingaraj temple;

Part-IV

- Pattadakal, Karnataka- Chalukya; blending of Rekha, Nagara, Prasada, Dravida Vimana style
of temple architecture; Sangamesvara, virupaksha and Mallikarjuna temples;
- Badami, Karnataka- Brahmanical and Jaina centre

Part-V

- Madurai, Tamil Nadu- Meenakshi temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, important cultural and
commercial centre and capital of Pandya kings;

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- Thanjavur, TamilNadu – Brihadeshwara temple, Cholas; Hindu temple dedicated to Lord

Shiva; also cultural site for paintings;
- Gangaikonda Cholapuram, Tamil Nadu
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu- Pallavas Ratha monuments, mandapas, giant open reliefs such
as famous ‘Descent of the Ganges’; also Shore temples; also trading site with South- East
Asia
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu – Centre of learning for Tamil, during Sangam age and then
Pallavas; Also religious centre for Buddhism and Jainism; Educational Centre; important
commercial centre during Satavahanas
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam- Tamil Nadu- Vaishnav temple; Dravidian
architecture

Education Centres:
Part- I

- Taxila, Pakistan- Capital of Gandhara in 600 B.C; Major trade centre and part of Uttarapatha;
Part of Silk road; University site and learning centre; Chanakya, Panini, Charaka, Jivaka were
graduates; Fahien and Hieun tsang visited it;
- Somapura University, Bangladesh- Established by Dharampala during 8th century AD; major
Buddhist learning centre; also, Jainism and Sanatana Dharma;

Part- II

- Nalanda, Bihar- University was established by Kumaragupta during 5th century AD;
destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji; had residential quarters;
- Vikramshila, Bihar- established by Dharampala of Pala dynasty in 8th century AD; training in
Tantra; also famous for teaching in Grammar, Logic and Philosophy;

Part- III

- Vallabhi, Gujarat- 600 AD. Under reign of Maitraka dynasty; centre of Buddhist learning;
Taught secular subjects like politics, administration and agriculture;
- Pushpagiri University, Odisha- established in Kalinga in 3rd century AD; prominent centres of
higher education in Ancient India. Hsien Tsang visited in 639 AD.
- Ujjain, M.P- Major centre of linguistics, astronomy, astrology, arithmetic and classical arts;
Kalidas and Ashoka learnt from this centre;
- Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu- Centre of learning for Tamil and Sanskrit; Sangam Age; Also
religious centre of advanced education for Jainism and Buddhism between 1st and 5th
century AD; Capital of Pallavas (6th-8th century AD); Very important cultural centre during
Satavahanas.

Fort Cities:
Part-I

- Chittor, Rajasthan- Capital of Mewar (till it was shifted to Udaipur)

- Kumabalgarh, Rajasthan
- Ranthambore, Rajasthan

Part-II

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- Penukonda, A.P – also Jain pilgrimage site

- Golconda, Telangana Fort St George, Chennai
- Fort St William, Kolkatta
- Mandu, M.P, capital of Malwa
- Agra, U.P

Early Medieval Sites

Konark Martand(Kashmir) Mandasor Aihole(Ladhkhan temple)

Modhera(Gujarat) Multan

Medieval Sites
Ucch Chandawar Chausa Ghagra Gadakatang Sirhind Samugarh

Khanwa Kannauj Karnal Anhilwara Ahmadnagar Asirgarh

Section III: Previous Year Paper Analysis

In this section the intent is to analyse the papers along two dimensions:

- Previous 5 years pattern after it has begun asking thematic sites under categories
aforementioned earlier; The papers can be downloaded here – (attached)
- Last 29 years of Site analysis where UPSC gave directly names of different historical sites
through which we can understand the significance and prominent areas of questions and
rationale of asking those sites repeatedly (Eg: Fatehpur Sikri, Sirpur, Kanchipuram)

Let us have a look at the exact areas which UPSC has asked questions in the last five years:

2018 2017 2016 2015 2014

Megalithic burial A Prehistoric A Mesolithic site A Neolithic site An ancient
site cave-painting’s capital
site
Chalcolithic site A Neolithic- A Neolithic site A Neolithic site A Palaeolithic site
Chalcolithic site
Cave paintings An Early A Megalithic A Harappan site A cultural centre
Harappan site Chalcolithic site
Paleolithic site A Harappan site A Neolithic site A Megalithic site An Ancient
capital.

Political and An ancient A Neolithic site A Harappan site A Palaeolithic site

Cultural centre capital site
Terracotta centre A Painted grey A Megalithic site A painted-Grey- A historical site
ware site ware site
Harappan site A Neolithic site A site known for An inscriptional A Harappan site
Buddhist remains site
Vaishnava A site of Ashokan A Harappan site An important An ancient
cultural site inscriptions ancient city capital

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Painted Grey An ancient port A Harappan site An ancient port A political and
Ware site and trade centre cultural centre

Chalcolithic site A Harappan Site A Harappan site A site of ancient Megalithic site
cave-paintings
Early agricultural A Chalcolithic site A Neolithic site A Buddhist site A Mesolithic site
centre
Early Harappan An ancient A Harappan site An educational A Chalcolithic site
site capital city centre
An ancient A Rock-cut cave A capital city Brahmadeya A prehistoric site
temple site village
Political and An early fortified A rock-cut cave An ancient A political and
Cultural centre city site capital cultural centre

An ancient sea A Rock-cut A late Harappan An ancient An ancient

port temple site site capital capital
Buddhist centre An ancient An educational A temple site A lost port
temple site centre
Inscriptional site An ancient A terra-cotta art An ancient Rock-cave art
capital city centre capital centre
An ancient An ancient A seaport An ancient sea- An ancient
capital temple site port capital
A Jaina centre A Palaeolithic site A capital city An archaeological A political and
temple site cultural centre
An ancient An ancient A capital city. Harappan site An ancient town
capital capital city

2013 2012
A Palaeolithic and Mesolithic site A prehistoric site
A Mesolithic site A Chalcolithic site
An important halting place A religious centre
A Pre-Harappan site A prehistoric site
An important Harappan site An art centre
Site of important fossils A prehistoric site
A Sea-port An art centre
A Palaeolithic site A port
A Neolithic Megalithic and Chalcolithic site A capital town
A Harappan site A prehistoric site
A Palaeolithic site A post Mauryan town
A Neolithic site An art centre
A Chalcolithic site A prehistoric site
A Chalcolithic site A Chalcolithic site
A site of Buddhist Monastery A Chalcolithic site
Painted Grey Ware site A Chalcolithic site
Site related to a famous Indian Philosopher A prehistoric site
Historical Rock-cut Caves An art centre
Famous Fort A Chalcolithic site
Capital of famous Kingdom A Chalcolithic site

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Part-II: 2011-1979
Some of the important sites asked by UPSC between 2011-1979
2011
Chirand Basohli Lalitgiri Mandu Samugarh Vikramasila

Halebid Sanghol Sirpur Kibbanhalli Jorwe Badaun

2010
Korkai Eran Rakhigarhi Birbhanpur Sannati Tripuri
Dhanyakataka Junnar Edakkal Paithan Pandu Rajar Dhibi
Karle Vatapi Multan Bairat Chanhudaro
2009
Koldihwa Kuchai Utnar Patne
Semthan Bagasra Balatha Hallur
Kandahar Ter Uchh Gyaraspur
Uttaramerur Lalkot Sittanavasal Mansura
Jaunpur Daojali Hading Machilipatnam Mahisadal
2008
Burzahom Banawali Ahar Girnar Chandraketugarh Brahmagiri Bayana Muziris
Tamralipti Modhera Devnimori Bundi Gingee(jinjee) Sasaram Mahasthamgarh
2007
Kot diji Kalibangan Ahicchatr Bhimbaitk Kanauj Siddapura Udayagiri
a a
Sisupalgar Anuradhapur Hampi Haldighati Golcond Chittagon Kaveripoompattina
h a a g m
2006
Taxila Talikota Somnath Nalanda Tanjore Amber Chanderi Arikmedu
Nagarjunakonda Kaibangan Eran Pattadakal Halebid Konark Mandu
Murshidabad Dvasamudra
2005
Mohenjodaro Burzahom Inamgaon Sannathi Kaveripattinam Sisupalgarh
Anuradhapura Chittagong Chittoor Pratishthana Vidisa Hampi
Warangal Bijapur Seringapatam Debal Fatehpur Sikri Sasaram
2004
Achichhatra Amaravati Bhimbetka Champa Kalibangan Kanauj
Kapilvastu Karle Mahabalipuram Mathura Mehrgarh Paithan
Pataliputra Sarnath Siddapura Somnath Tamralipti Taxila
Tripuri Udaigiri
2003
Kot Diji Banavali Mathura Tiruclirapalli Tamralipti Vaisali
Kundagrama Puri Ujjain Badami Sarnath Amaravati
Somnath Kolhapur Nagarjunkonda Golconda Haldighati

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2002
Ajanta Bodh Gaya Varanasi Dholavira Dwarka Girnar
Hastinapur Kanchipuram Kosambi Madurai Thaneswar Mohanjodaro
Nalanda Purushpur Ropar Sanchi Sravanbelgola Sravasti
Tanjore
2001
Ajmer Ahmednagar Allahabad Badami Bhubaneshwar Chittor
Lothal Elephanta Ellora Harappa Indraprastha Jagannathpuri
Kalyan Kaveripattanam
2000
Amritsar Arikamedu Bharukachha Bhaja Gangotri Jaugada
Jhansi Kalsi Kanchivaram Kanheri Kumrahar Konark
Mathura Madurai Nalanda Nasik Palitana Rajagriha
Udayagiri- Uchh Ujjain Valabhi Vidisha Vaishali
Khandagiri
Vatapi
1999
Amber Kanyakubj Bijapur Kundalvan Khajuraho Dwarka
Badrinath Chidamberum Bairat Jaisalmer Takshila Burhanpur
Bhitargaon Nalanda Sripur Pataliputra Fatehpur Sikri Warangal
1998
Aihole Amaravati Besnagar Bhagawanpura Bhrigukachchha Dholavira
Valabhi Daimabad Inamgaon Kalinganagar Kanheri Karle
Kausambi Kayatha Kili-Ghul Uraiyur Kot Diji Ujjayini
Mohammad
Kushinagar Mamallapuram Maski Mehargarh Prayag Pushkalava
Sarnath Tekkalakotta Topra
1997
Amarkot Asirgarh Aurangabad Belur Burhanpur
Chanderi Chandernagore Golkunda Jhansi Janjira
Jaunpur Junagarh Kanchi Kandahar Kannauj
Vatapi Kaveripattinam Konark Multan Mursidabad
Nagpur Nasik Puri Vengi Ratnagiri
Satara Talikota Tiruchirapalli
1996
Ajmer Attock Benares Uttaramerur Champaner Cutch
Daulatabad Delhi Devagiri Diu Thatta Ellora
Ghazni Ghor Gwalior Hampi Hissar Jodhpur
Kabul Thaneswar Khyber Pass Warangal Lahore Peshawar
Rameswaram Ranthambore Sialkot
1995
Ahmadnagar Anhilwara Daman Balasore Bayana Bidar
Chinsura Chittor Gaur Raichur Kishangarh Gangaikondacholapuram
Madurai Mandu Patan Orchha Pandharpur Panipat

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Sirohi Somnath Tirhut

1994
Akhnur Arikamedu Barabar Bagh Bhumra Bodh
Gaya Bhagatav Chandraketugrah Harappa Elephanta Eran
Sutkagendor Martand Maski Mehendragiri Karle Mohenjodaro
Piprahwa Tigwa Sanghol Sisupalgarh Sirpur Sonkh
1993
Chunar Gingee Golconda Janjira Kalpi Khajuraho
Konark Mandasor Modhera Pandua Pulicat Puri
Raigarh Sringeri Talikota
1992
Aihole Alamgirpur Amaravati Anuradhapura Badami Bhagwanpura
Girnar Jaugada Kausambi Khandgiri Kusinagara Kot Diji
Udayagiri
Vidisa Lumbini Mahabalipuram Nalanda Pratisthana Purushapura
Rajagriha Ratnagiri Sanathi Sittannavasal Sravasti Sravanbelgola
Sultanganj Surkotda Takshasila Valabhi
1991
Amber Anhilwara Asirgarh Bayana Bijapur Burhanpur
Cambay Champaner Chanderi Daulatabad Fathehpur Sikri Tarain
Gaur Gulbarga Halebid Hampi Jalor Kabul
Kanauj Surat Multan Murshidabad Tanjore Sirhind
1990
Ahmadnagar Badaun Bidar Chunar Gangaikonda- cholapuram
Jaunpur Junagadh kalyani Kanhwa Warangal Mandu
Masulipatam Thatta Sasaram Trichinopoly Srirangapatnam Talakad
Uttaramerur
1989
Ahichhatra Atranjikhera Ayodhya Brahmagiri Burzahom Dhauli
Dwarka Hastinapur Kalibangan Kanchipuram Kapilavastu Khajuraho
Lothal Madurai Nagaijunikonda Paithan Pragyotishpur Puskalavati
Sanchi Sarnath Vengi Tamralipti Tanjore Thaneswar
Vaisali Vatapi
1988
Amarkot Attock Bijapur Cambay Calicut Chanderi
Tanjore Rameshwaram Tarain Dvarasamudra Fatehpur Sikri Talikota
Goa Golkunda Gulbarga Hampi Jodhpur Kalpi
Kanauj Kangra Masulipatnam Multan Pondicherry Raichur
1987
Aihole Amaravati Arikmedu Bairat Banawali Bodh-Gaya
Burzahom Deogarh Daimabad Elephanta Ellora Eran
Hastinapur Kausambi Konarak Lauriya- Nandangarh Vikramasila Mahabalipuram
Maski Mathura Nalanda Nasik Navdatoli Piprahwa
Rajagriha Ropar Sankisa Sopara Tamralipti Vidisha

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1986
Agra Ahmadnagar Anhilwara Attock Bidar Cambay
Champaner Chittor Chunar Daultabad Dvarasamudra Gaur
Gwalior Jaunpur Kalinjar Warangal Madura Mandu
Panipat Rameshwaram Ranthambhor Sarhind Sasaram Sailkot
Surat Tanjore Thatta Ujjain Vijayanagara
1985
Ajanta Atranjikhera Ayodhya Bharhut Dhauli Ganjam
Gaya Gwalior Harappa Junagadh Kalibangan Kapilavastu
Kanyakubja Khajuraho Lothal Manyakheta Mathura Multan
Nagarjunikonda Prayaga Rameshwaram Sakala Sravana Belgola Vengi
Vikramsila Tanjore Taxila Ujjain Vaisali
1984
Ahmedabad Ajmer Aurangabad Bikaner Baroda Calicut
Cutch Deogiri Fatehpur Sikri Bassein Gulbarga Halebid
Hospet Tirupati Jaisalmer Jodhpur Kalyan Udaipur
Warangal Somnath Murshidabad Nasik Panjim Raichur
Rameshwaram Shravan Belgola
1983
Amaravati Arikamedu Avanti Bedsa Belur Bhrigukachha
Dwarka Elephanta Halebid Kanchipuram Kaushambi Kurukshetra
Lothal Madurai Mahabalipuram Maski Nagarjunkonda Nalanda
Nasik Pataliputra Pratishthana Rajagriha Rupar Sanchi
Sarnath Shravasti Sopar Tamralipti Varanasi Vatapi
1982
Agra Ahmednagar Ajmer Attock Bidar
Bijapur Ujjain Surat Chittor Talikota
Tanjavur Dabhol Daulatabad Fatehpur Sikri Raigarh
Gingee Golconda Gwalior Hampi Janjiar
Jaunpur Mandu Multan Panipat Pune
1981
Ahichchatra Aihole Bamiyan Bharukachcha Bodhgaya Chanhudaro

Ellora Girnar Hastinapura Kalibangan Kausambi Madurai

Mahishmati Muziris Nagarjunakonda Poompuhar Purushapura Rajgir

Shabazgarhi Sopara Sravanabelgola Sravasti Tamralipti Thanesar

Tosali Ujjain Vaisali Vatapi Vidisa

1980
Amber Ahmadnagar Badami Bassein Bidar
Chanderi Chittor Arikamedu Devagiri Gaur
Halebid Jinji Burzahom Dvarasamudra Nalanda
Nagarjunakonda Nasik Pattadakal Eran Purandar Fort

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Gulbarga Sasaram Sikandara Tanjore Kausambi

Mamallapuram Kalibangan
1979
Avanti Asirgarh Amaravati Aihole Brahmagiri
Fatehpur Sikri Warangal Golkonda Gangaikondacholapuram Hampi
Kapilavastu Kanauj Kanchipuram Takshashila Daulatabad
Paithan Panipat Ranthambhor Ropar Samugarh
Tamralipti Jaunpur Lothal Murshidabad Salsette
Talikota Somnath Kalinjar Mandu

One of the most effective ways to use the above listed sites is to understand the rationale and the
pattern as to why has been a particular site asked, the historical significance of the site, the period
associated with it, and the basis of being in the 20 prominent sites.
This brings me to end my analysis of Map section with stratified/simplified insights, analysis and
information – all at one place for the readers to not digress and be lost/confused about sources,
approach or content;

End Note:

I hope, with this post, many of the History optional beginners will now not have to unnecessarily
worry about a section which otherwise do not make us – (a group of history optional takers) happy
about preparation as a whole.

I also want to emphasise that even if this post helps you prepare 17 to 18 sites with lot of
confidence, assertion and clarity and helps concentrate only on focussing on practising /plotting/
marking on the provided outline map instead of worrying about classification, sources, arrangement
and map section as a whole.

Finally, if all our energies can be then directed towards reading and handling the remaining syllabus
which requires

- Content enrichment (ancient India and early medieval India)

- Effective answer writing and presentation
- Reading the best sources and ensuring 300+ is an interesting journey;

In my next post, the attempt is to analyse the remaining part of Paper-1, which involves

- Subjective syllabus of Ancient and Early Medieval Indian History

- Medieval India (12th century to mid-18th century)

Until, next time.

Thanks 

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