Syllabus for Optional Mains
| Sources | Sources of Prehistory, Proto History and History |
| Pre-History and Early Cultures | Geographical factors; Hunting and gathering (Paleolithic and Mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (Neolithic). Copper Age and Artistic development in Pottery (Chalcolithic Cultures) Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry (Megalithic Cultures) |
| Indus Valley Civilization | Origin, date, extent, characteristics, Decline, survival and significance, Art and architecture. |
| Aryans and Vedic Period, Early Vedic Period to Later Vedic Period | Expansions of Aryans in India. Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature; Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economic life; Significance of the Vedic Age; Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system. |
| Mahajanapadas, Magadha, Jainism, Buddhism | Formation of States (Mahajanapada): Republics and monarchies; Rise of urban centres; Trade routes; Economic growth; Introduction of coinage; Spread of Jainism and Buddhism; Rise of Magadha and Nandas. Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact. |
| Mauryan Empire, ASHOKA, Sungas, Kanvas | Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Polity, Administration; Economy; Art, architecture and sculpture; External contacts; Religion; Spread of religion; Literature. Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas. |
| Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Kshatrapas | Contact with outside world; Growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, Development of religions, Mahayana, Social conditions; Art, architecture, culture, literature and science. |
| East, West, Deccan | Early State and Society in Kharavela, Satavahanas, Art and architecture. Buddhist centres; Administration, economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres; Polity of Rashtrakutas, Palas, Gurjara Pratihara Kadambas, Senas, Paramaras |
| Guptas and Vardhanas | The Guptas – Samudragupta; Skandagupta; Polity and administration; Classical Age; Decline of Gupta; Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land Grants, Feudalism; Major philosophical thinkers and schools, Ideas in Science and Mathematics, Caste system; Position of Women Fa hien, Yuan Chawang; Buddhist Monks and Travelers; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi Maukharis, Vardhanas |
| Southern Polity | The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Sangam literature and culture; Chalukyas of Badami and Pallavas; The Cholas: Rajaraja, Rajendra I – Naval Expeditions; Administration, Local Self Government, village economy and society |
