Course Description

M. A. Previous:

Paper I: Philosophy of History and Historiography
Unit I Concepts and Traditions of Historical Writing

(i)                  History: meaning, types, use and scope

(ii)                Interdisciplinarity in historical studies

(iii)               Major traditions in ancient historiography: Indian, Chinese and Greco-Roman.

(iv)              Major traditions in medieval historiography: Western, Islamic (Arabic, Persian), and Indian

Unit II Major Trends in Modern Historiography

(i)                  Positivist historiography and the Whig interpretation of history

(ii)                Marxist historiography

(iii)               World System Theory

(iv)              Structuralism and Annales School

(v)                Post-colonial and Post-modern perspectives in history

Unit III Indian Historiography in Modern Times

(i)                  British administrative school and Nationalist reaction

(ii)                Rationalist school

(iii)               Marxist school

(iv)              Cambridge school

(v)                Subaltern school and History from Below

(vi)              Communalism and Indian historiography

(vii)             Themes in Indian history/historiography

Unit IV Views on History

(i)                  Arnold Toynbee

(ii)                Collingwood

(iii)               Sri Aurobindo

(iv)              Mahatma Gandhi

(v)                M. Iqbal

(vi)              J. L. Nehru

Paper II: Ancient Societies

Unit I

(i)                  Problem of the origin of Homo: earliest vestiges, and various theories

(ii)                Hominid behaviour: tool making and scavenging. Palaeolithic cultures: an overview

(iii)               Mesolithic and hunting-gathering mode of life

(iv)              The Neolithic Revolution: domestication of plants and animals: the concept of “core area”

(v)                Emergence of agriculture and self sufficing economies

(vi)              Socio-economic dimensions of agriculture: permanent settlements, surplus, division of labour, gender issues, crafts specialisation, and emergence of art

Unit II

(i)                  The Urban Revolution and the advent of civilisation: theories and empirical data, main traits, causes and effects

(ii)                Civilisations: Any two of the following:

·         Egypt (Old Kingdom)

·         Mesopotamia (up to the Aqqadian Empire)

·         China (Shang)

·         Eastern Mediterranean (Minoan and Mycenaean)

(iii)               Nomadic groups in Central and West Asia

Unit III

(i)                  The Iron-Age civilisations: Greece and West Asia

(ii)                Agrarian economy trade and urbanisation in Greco-Roman world

(iii)               Origin and growth of Athenian democracy

(iv)              Roman Republic

(v)                Roman Empire

(vi)              Greco-Roman culture: main features

Unit IV

(i)                  Disappearance of Latifundia and emergence of colonate and patrochinium systems

(ii)                Invasion of the Huns and its impact

(iii)               Decline and disintegration of the Roman Empire

(iv)              Germanic social formations up to 406 C.E.

(v)                Germanic invasions – first and second phase

(vi)              Origins of feudalism

Paper III: Twentieth Century World

Unit I

(i)                  Climax of capitalism and imperialism at the beginning of 20^th century and conflicting interests of the imperialist powers

(ii)                Forces of nationalism, liberalism and socialism as the determinants of the 20^th century world

(iii)               First world war – origin, nature, and impact

(iv)              Paris Peace Settlement of 1919 and restructuring the world order

(v)                Russian revolution – origin, nature, and its impact on world history

Unit II

(i)                  Efforts for Collective Security and role of League of Nations in it

(ii)                Policy and achievements of Socialist State in USSR up to 1939

(iii)               Crisis in capitalism; Great Depression and its impact on world history

(iv)              Rise of totalitarianism between the two wars: forces, general trends and impact

(v)                Intellectual and cultural trends between the two wars

(vi)              Second world war: origin, nature and impact

Unit III

(i)                  Nationalist movements and process of decolonisation

(ii)                Communist Revolution in China and its impact on world history

(iii)               Cold War in historical perspective

(iv)              Non-Aligned Movement and the Third World

(v)                Role of UN in world peace

(vi)              Regional tensions and challenges before the peaceful world order with special reference to Palestine, Kashmir, Vietnam

Unit IV

(i)                  Collapse of the Socialist State-System and disintegration of USSR

(ii)                Growth of science and technology and its impact on economy and society

(iii)               Intellectual and cultural trends in the Post-colonial era

(iv)              Process of globalisation and capitalist hegemony

(v)                Challenges before the world civilisation: population explosion and ecological crisis; widening economic disparity and poverty; fundamentalism and international terrorism.

Paper IV: Modern India: India under Company Rule (1757-1857)

Unit I Evolution of British Paramountcy in India

(i)                  Disintegration of the Mughal system and its impact upon Indian society

(ii)                Foundation of British rule in India: from Karnataka Wars to Baxar

(iii)               British ideology, policy and programmes for expansion: a theoretical overview

(iv)              British relations with Mysore up to 1799

(v)                Anglo-Maratha relations up to 1818

(vi)              Achievements of Ranjitsinh in Panjab and his relations with the British

Unit II Expansion of the Empire in the Subcontinent

(i)                  British policy towards Afghanistan and Sindh

(ii)                Anglo-Burmese relations

(iii)               Anglo-Sikh relations (1839-1849)

(iv)              Imperialism under Lord Dalhousie

(v)                Popular resistance to British rule before 1857

(vi)              The upheaval of 1857: causes, nature and impact

Unit III Evolution of Colonial Institutions

(i)                  Constitutional developments: Regulating Act; Pitt’s India Act, and the Charter Acts: an overview

(ii)                Growth of general administration at central and provincial level

(iii)               Growth of civil services

(iv)              The British revenue system (1757-1857)

(v)                Judicial administration in India under Company rule

(vi)              Evolution of British paramountcy over the Princely states in India up to 1857

Unit IV Impact of Colonial Control on Indian Economy and Society

(i)                  Impact of British rule on Indian agriculture

(ii)                Trade, commerce and banking in India during Company rule

(iii)               Decline of Indian handicraft industry and the economic drain

(iv)              Ideological dimensions of British socio-economic policy in India: Orientalist, Evangelical, and Utilitarian

(v)                Growth of education in India under British rule up to 1857

(vi)              Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Brahmo Samaj and the reform movements in Hindu society

(vii)             Wahabi movement and the Islamic revivalism

Paper V: Modern India: India under the British Crown (1858-1947)

Unit I Emergence of Indian Nationalism: Pre-Gandhian Phase

(i)                  Political awakening in India, rise of nationalism and early associations

(ii)                Founding of the Indian National Congress and the moderate leadership

(iii)               The extremist challenge and Swadeshi Movement

(iv)              The Home Rule Movement

(v)                Revolutionary movements before Gandhi

(vi)              Rise of communalism: founding of All India Muslim League: its policy up to 1916

Unit II India’s Politics during Gandhian Era

(i)                  Emergence of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian politics, his ideology of Swaraj and Satyagraha

(ii)                Non-cooperation and Khilafat Movement (1920-22)

(iii)               Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

(iv)              Quit India Movement (1942)

(v)                Revolutionary movements (1920-47), Subhashchandra Bose and the Indian National Army

(vi)              The Leftists in Indian politics and resistance from below: peasant and tribal movements

(vii)             Communalism (1916-1947) and partition of India

Unit III The Imperial Institutions at Work

(i)                  Relations between Home Government and Indian administration under Crown

(ii)                Growth of Administration in India (1858-1947)

(iii)               Growth of the institutions of popular representation (1858-1919)

(iv)              Expansion of popular representation (1919-1947)

(v)                Policy towards the Indian states

(vi)              Foreign policy of the Colonial state of India: a brief survey

Unit IV Socio-economic Condition under the Crown

(i)                  Indian agriculture; irrigation and famine policy of British administration

(ii)                Rise of modern industries: scope and problems

(iii)               Impact of colonialism on village society and traditional institutions

(iv)              Urbanisation and new middle class

(v)                Growth of education and press

(vi)              Patterns of socio-religious movements before Gandhi

(vii)             Social movements during the Gandhian era: main features

M. A. Final:

Paper V: Modern India: India under the British Crown (1858-1947)

Unit I Emergence of Indian Nationalism: Pre-Gandhian Phase

(vii)             Political awakening in India, rise of nationalism and early associations

(viii)           Founding of the Indian National Congress and the moderate leadership

(ix)              The extremist challenge and Swadeshi Movement

(x)                The Home Rule Movement

(xi)              Revolutionary movements before Gandhi

(xii)             Rise of communalism: founding of All India Muslim League: its policy up to 1916

Unit II India’s Politics during Gandhian Era

(viii)           Emergence of Mahatma Gandhi in Indian politics, his ideology of Swaraj and Satyagraha

(ix)              Non-cooperation and Khilafat Movement (1920-22)

(x)                Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934)

(xi)              Quit India Movement (1942)

(xii)             Revolutionary movements (1920-47), Subhashchandra Bose and the Indian National Army

(xiii)           The Leftists in Indian politics and resistance from below: peasant and tribal movements

(xiv)           Communalism (1916-1947) and partition of India

Unit III The Imperial Institutions at Work

(vii)             Relations between Home Government and Indian administration under Crown

(viii)           Growth of Administration in India (1858-1947)

(ix)              Growth of the institutions of popular representation (1858-1919)

(x)                Expansion of popular representation (1919-1947)

(xi)              Policy towards the Indian states

(xii)             Foreign policy of the Colonial state of India: a brief survey

Unit IV Socio-economic Condition under the Crown

(viii)           Indian agriculture; irrigation and famine policy of British administration

(ix)              Rise of modern industries: scope and problems

(x)                Impact of colonialism on village society and traditional institutions

(xi)              Urbanisation and new middle class

(xii)             Growth of education and press

(xiii)           Patterns of socio-religious movements before Gandhi

(xiv)           Social movements during the Gandhian era: main features

Paper VI: India since Independence (1947-1990): An Historical Overview

Unit I

(i)                  Legacy of the colonial state

(ii)                Process of political integration: role played by Sardar Patel

(iii)               The constitution of India: main features and challenges

(iv)              India’s experience with parliamentary democracy: a review

(v)                The central cabinet: patterns of relations between its different constituents

(vi)              The role of bureaucracy and judiciary in independent India

Unit II

(i)                  Growth of party politics: Congress, Non-Congress and regional parties

(ii)                Pattern of state level politics and centre state relations

(iii)               Growth of local self-government

(iv)              The challenges before national unity: separatist movements in Kashmir, Panjab and N. E. states

(v)                Socio-cultural issues: communalism, castism, and language

Unit III

(i)                  Determinants of India’s foreign policy and the policy of Non-alignment

(ii)                India in the post-cold war politics: a summary

(iii)               India’s relation with China

(iv)              An historical analysis of India’s management of her South Asian regional relations

(v)                India’s experiment with Mixed Economy Model: planning from above

(vi)              Green revolution, major problems in agricultural sector, peasant movements

(vii)             Growth of industrial sector, main issues and labour movements

Unit IV

(i)                  Pattern of urbanisation: major trends and challenges

(ii)                Programmes for rural development

(iii)               Policy and programmes for the development of weaker sections: tribals, dalits, and women

(iv)              Growth of education: major issues and trends

(v)                India’s achievement in the field of science and technology

(vi)              Challenges from globalisation, ecological and environmental issues

Paper VI: India since Independence (1947-1990): An Historical Overview

Unit I

(vii)             Legacy of the colonial state

(viii)           Process of political integration: role played by Sardar Patel

(ix)              The constitution of India: main features and challenges

(x)                India’s experience with parliamentary democracy: a review

(xi)              The central cabinet: patterns of relations between its different constituents

(xii)             The role of bureaucracy and judiciary in independent India

Unit II

(vi)              Growth of party politics: Congress, Non-Congress and regional parties

(vii)             Pattern of state level politics and centre state relations

(viii)           Growth of local self-government

(ix)              The challenges before national unity: separatist movements in Kashmir, Panjab and N. E. states

(x)                Socio-cultural issues: communalism, castism, and language

Unit III

(viii)           Determinants of India’s foreign policy and the policy of Non-alignment

(ix)              India in the post-cold war politics: a summary

(x)                India’s relation with China

(xi)              An historical analysis of India’s management of her South Asian regional relations

(xii)             India’s experiment with Mixed Economy Model: planning from above

(xiii)           Green revolution, major problems in agricultural sector, peasant movements

(xiv)           Growth of industrial sector, main issues and labour movements

Unit IV

(vii)             Pattern of urbanisation: major trends and challenges

(viii)           Programmes for rural development

(ix)              Policy and programmes for the development of weaker sections: tribals, dalits, and women

(x)                Growth of education: major issues and trends

(xi)              India’s achievement in the field of science and technology

(xii)             Challenges from globalisation, ecological and environmental issues

Paper VII A (Optional): Agrarian and Village History of Colonial India (1757-1947)

Unit I

(i)                  Introduction: theories and approaches

(ii)                The agrarian economy in India during the late pre-colonial period

(iii)               The notion of “village community” and “village self-sufficiency” in context of traditional Indian society

(iv)              The ideological dimensions of British revenue and agrarian policy

(v)                Permanent settlement and the working of the Jamindari system

(vi)              Introduction of Ryotwari system and its impact

(vii)             The Mahalwari system: main features and impact

Unit II

(i)                  Commercialisation of agriculture and its organisation

(ii)                Decline of the indigenous village industries

(iii)               Growth of agro-based industries and its impact on village society

(iv)              Trends of the agricultural prices and the response of the peasantry

(v)                Rural credit in colonial India

Unit III

(i)                  Famines in India during the colonial period and its impact on the village society

(ii)                The famine policy of the colonial state

(iii)               Development of irrigation and its impact on agriculture and rural society

(iv)              Cooperative movements in agricultural and rural sectors

Unit IV

(i)                  Impact of the new agrarian policy on tenurial hierarchy and proprietary groups in village society

(ii)                Growth of agricultural labour in colonial India and the agrestic serfdom

(iii)               The process of Westernisation, Sanskritisation, and social mobility in rural India

(iv)              Agrarian unrest and tribal revolts during 19^th century

(v)                Peasantry in nationalist politics

Paper VII B (Optional): Women in Indian History

Unit I Approaches and Sources for the Study of Indian Women

Approaches:

• Liberal
• Marxist
• Psychoanalytical
• Socialist
• Existentialist
• Radical
• Post-modern

Sources:

• Conventional
• Non-conventional

Unit II Women in Indian Religious Traditions

(i)

• Brahmanical
• Jainism and Buddhism
• Islam
• Sikhism
• Christianity

(ii)

• Bhakti Movement and Women

(iii)

• 19^th century socio-religious reform movement and women

Unit III Roles and Rights of Women in Historical Perspective

(i) Roles

• Household
• Extra-household

(ii) Rights

• Customary and legal
• Proprietary
• Educational

Unit IV Women in Public Life (Modern Times)

(i)                  Women’s organisations: Colonial and Post-colonial

(ii)                Political participation: Pre-Independence and Post-Independence

(iii)               Activities and programmes for uplift of the tribal women

(iv)              Women’s contribution to cultural activities

Paper VIII A (Optional): History of Gujarat (1800 to 1914)

Unit I

(i)                  Sources for the history of modern Gujarat

(ii)                Gujarat on the eve of the establishment of the British rule

(iii)               Rise of British power in Gujarat: major events leading to its paramountcy in 1818

(iv)              Major political trends in British Gujarat during 1818-1857

(v)                Princely states in Gujarat during 1818-1857

(vi)              Gujarat in 1857

Unit II

(i)                  Major political trends in British Gujarat from 1858-1914

(ii)                Growth of British administration in Gujarat

(iii)               Main features of administration in Princely states of Gujarat

(iv)              The relationship between the British and the Princely states of Gujarat up to 1914: a summary

(v)                Forces leading to the rise of nationalism in Gujarat: role played by the Gujarat Sabha

(vi)              Revolutionary activities, Swadeshi Movement and activities of Congress in Gujarat before Gandhi

Unit III

(i)                  Impact of British rule on rural and urban society of Gujarat

(ii)                Trade, commerce, and ports in Gujarat up to 1914

(iii)               Growth of modern industries up to World War I: scope and challenges

(iv)              Growth of education, press and journalism in Gujarat up to 1914: a brief survey

(v)                Major intellectual trends in Gujarat and their impact upon the cultural life of Gujarat up to 1914

(vi)              The socio-religious reform movements in Gujarat: role played by the voluntary organisations

Unit IV Prominent Gujaratis and their Activities

(i)                  Sahajananda Swami

(ii)                Dalpatram

(iii)               Narmad

(iv)              Swami Dayanand Sarasvati

(v)                Mahipatram Rupram

(vi)              Shyamji Krushna Varma

(vii)             Ranchhodlal Chhotalal

Paper VIII B (Optional): Constructive Activities, Institutions, and Workers in Gujarat

during the 20^th Century (with special emphasis on Kheda District)

Unit I

(i)                  Introduction: the meaning of constructive work, its importance in historical and present context; historical background before Gandhi: the legacy of the age of social reforms

(ii)                Growth of Gandhi’s ideas about the constructive work: impact of the Western and Indian traditions, his ideology and style

(iii)               Satyagrah Ashram (Sabarmati): the pioneer institute

(iv)              Bhil Seva Mandal (Dahod) and Vedchhi Ashram: their role as the institution for tribal welfare

(v)                Gujarat Harijan Sevak Sangh and its activities

(vi)              Majur Mahajan Sangh: as an institution for labour welfare

(vii)             Jyoti Sangh and SEWA as the organisations for women’s uplift

Unit II

(i)                  Gujarat Vidyapeeth: as the Gandhian institute of education

(ii)                Lok Bharati Gram Vidyapeeth (Sanosara): a grass roots level institute for education

(iii)               Saurashtra Rachanatmak Samiti: its role in promoting constructive work in Saurashtra

(iv)              Gujarat Sarvodaya Mandal (Vadodara)

(v)                Constructive activities in Kheda district: a summary

(vi)              Vallabh Vidyalay (Bochasan) and Viththal Kanya Vidyalay (Nadiad): their role in education development of Kheda district

Unit III Constructive Workers of Gujarat

(i)                  Amrutlal Thakkar (Thakkarbapa)

(ii)                Parikshitlal Majmudar

(iii)               Jugatram Dave

(iv)              Fulchandbhai Shah (Wadhvan)

(v)                Ansuyaben Sarabhai

(vi)              Kantiprasad Antani (Kutch)

Unit IV Constructive Workers from/in Kheda District

(i)                  Motibhai Amin

(ii)                Ravishankar Maharaj

(iii)               Babalbhai Mehta

(iv)              Bhailalbhai Patel (Bhaikaka)

(v)                Tribhuvandas Patel

(vi)              Bhaktiba Desai