{"id":34394,"date":"2024-03-16T11:53:34","date_gmt":"2024-03-16T11:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/?p=34394"},"modified":"2024-03-18T07:41:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-18T07:41:30","slug":"make-no-mistake-history-in-upsc-is-conceptual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/make-no-mistake-history-in-upsc-is-conceptual\/","title":{"rendered":"Make no mistake &#8211; History in UPSC is NOT just FACTS!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It is a common misconception that <strong>History in UPSC is all about mugging up<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You must memorize dates, facts, kings, capitals, edits, and places &#8211; a lot of places which doesn\u2019t uplift your intellect &#8211; rather only push rote learning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what if I tell you, that <strong><em>History is about conceptual understanding?<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Make no mistake &#8211; you will attempt the country&#8217;s toughest exam. When looking for Civil Servants, the country is focusing on <strong>solid thinkers<\/strong>, rather than ones who can work around things mechanically!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is there any example that we can quote to make you understand this?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In UPSC Mains 2013, the following question was asked from History Section:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/the-third-battle-of-panipat-was-fought-in-1761-why-were-so-many-empire-shaking-battles-fought-at-panipat-10-marks-150-words\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?<\/strong><\/a><strong> (10 marks, 150 words)<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we read History, we tend to read:&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>1. When were Battle of Panipats fought?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Who fought these Battles?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Who won\/lost the battle leading to what?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But do we ever wonder &#8211; <strong>WHY <\/strong>were these Battles being fought in Panipat?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The WHY is where the country is seeking thought leaders. This <strong>PYQ<\/strong> validates why <strong>History for UPSC is to read with concepts<\/strong>, rather than mere dates.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s look at another example, where we seek the<strong> difference between the Rig Vedic and the Later Vedic Period<\/strong>.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>In the Early\/Rig Vedic times, the population was majorly dependent on pastoral, &amp; they led a nomadic life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Why then, do we see settled agriculture in Later Vedic Age?<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>The <strong>use of iron<\/strong> started, which meant people could now <strong>make plough<\/strong> &#8211; meaning <strong>agriculture expanded<\/strong>, and with the <strong>use of iron<\/strong>, they could <strong>increase geographical expansion<\/strong> by cutting through the forests in the Gangetic Plains.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Furthermore, <strong>technological advancements<\/strong>, such as the <strong>use of iron tools<\/strong> and irrigation systems, improved agricultural productivity, making cultivation more sustainable and productive.&nbsp;<\/li><li>Additionally, <strong>changes in environmental conditions<\/strong> and the need for surplus production to support non-agricultural activities, such as trade and crafts, further incentivized communities to transition from pastoralism to agriculture.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Similarly, why was there a rise in the state? Why was more allegiance to land rather than cow? Why was there an emergence of a powerful king?<\/em><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While reading for UPSC &#8211; you must focus on <strong>WHY of everything<\/strong>. The same goes for History &#8211; where you are not just reading <strong>WHAT <\/strong>&#8211; but rather <strong>WHYs<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>That\u2019s why, if you read History for UPSC, it becomes so interesting \ud83d\ude42<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a list of differences with the reasons&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><div class=\"pcrstb-wrap\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Aspect<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Rig Vedic Period<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Later Vedic Period<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Reasons Behind the Change<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transition from Pastoralism to Agriculture&nbsp;<\/td><td>During the <strong>Rig Vedic Period<\/strong>, society relied heavily on <strong>cattle rearing<\/strong> and a <strong>semi-nomadic lifestyle<\/strong> due to the abundance of grazing lands.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Mobility was essential for accessing these resources.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The Later Vedic Period witnessed a transition to <strong>settled agriculture<\/strong> and <strong>urbanization<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The transition from pastoralism to agriculture and urbanization occurred due to several interconnected factors. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>1.<strong> Population growth<\/strong> placed pressure on existing resources, necessitating more efficient food production methods to sustain larger populations.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>2. Furthermore, <strong>technological advancements<\/strong>, such as the use of <strong>iron <\/strong>tools and irrigation systems, improved agricultural productivity, making cultivation more sustainable and productive. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>3. Additionally, <strong>changes in environmental conditions<\/strong> and the <strong>need for surplus production<\/strong> to support non-agricultural activities, such as trade and crafts, further incentivized communities to transition from pastoralism to agriculture.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Emergence of Urban Centers&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Urbanization was limited<\/strong> during the Rig Vedic Period, with society primarily organized into tribal units.&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Urban centers<\/strong> <strong>began to emerge<\/strong> during the Later Vedic Period.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The emergence of urban centers during the Later Vedic Period was driven by several converging factors.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>1. <strong>Economic growth<\/strong>, fueled by surplus agricultural production and increased trade, led to the development of urban centers as hubs for commerce and administration. &nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>2. Additionally, <strong>political centralization<\/strong>, driven by the rise of powerful kingdoms (<strong>Mahajanapadas<\/strong>), necessitated the establishment of administrative centers in urban areas.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>3. Furthermore, <strong>cultural exchange<\/strong> facilitated by urbanization fostered interactions between diverse communities, contributing to intellectual and artistic developments.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Shift in Religious and Philosophical Focus&nbsp;<\/td><td>Religious practices during the Rig Vedic Period focused on <strong>nature worship and rituals<\/strong> performed by priests.&nbsp;<\/td><td>In the Later Vedic Period, there was a shift towards more <strong>introspective<\/strong> and <strong>philosophical pursuits<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The shift in religious and philosophical focus during the Later Vedic Period was influenced by multiple factors.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>1. <strong>Cultural evolution<\/strong>, prompted by <strong>societal complexity,<\/strong> led to an interest in deeper philosophical inquiries about the nature of existence and reality.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>2. <strong>Contact with other cultures<\/strong> introduced new ideas and philosophies, prompting a reevaluation of traditional religious beliefs and practices.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>3. Additionally, <strong>intellectual development <\/strong>encouraged questioning of established norms, leading to a shift in focus towards philosophical inquiry and introspection.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Development of Philosophical Texts&nbsp;<\/td><td>The Rig Vedic Period was characterized by an <strong>emphasis on hymns and rituals<\/strong>, as seen in the Rigveda.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The Later Vedic Period saw the <strong>composition of philosophical texts<\/strong> such as the <strong>Upanishads<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/td><td>The development of philosophical texts during the Later Vedic Period was spurred by several interconnected factors.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>1. <strong>Increasing intellectual curiosity<\/strong> and sophistication prompted scholars to explore deeper philosophical questions about the nature of existence, reality, and the self.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>2. Additionally, <strong>cultural exchange<\/strong> facilitated the development of new intellectual currents, as contact with other civilizations introduced new ideas and philosophies.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>3. Furthermore, social changes, including <strong>urbanization <\/strong>and the <strong>rise of powerful kingdoms<\/strong>, created new contexts for philosophical inquiry and introspection.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We have our <a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-cse-gs-integrated-course?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Blog-%20GSI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UPSC GS Integrated Course<\/a> starting from 28th March with <a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-history?type=online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">History<\/a> &#8211; covering History with concepts for both Prelims and Mains. You may check it out and enroll for the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/upsc\/upsc-cse-gs-integrated-course?utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Banner&amp;utm_campaign=GS+Integrated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8.png 1280w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-1170x274.png 1170w, https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/8-585x137.png 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Join our <a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/WithEdukemy4IAS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Telegram Group<\/a> for Daily UPSC Quizzes!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>History in UPSC is conceptual. While it might seem we need a lot of mugging up of facts in History for the exam, it is not the case. Read more in our blog!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":34397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[285,4,289,290],"tags":[2660,213,140],"class_list":["post-34394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ancient-history-general-studies","category-blogs","category-medieval-history-general-studies","category-modern-history-general-studies","tag-history-in-upsc","tag-upsc-notes","tag-upsc_preparation_strategy"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34394"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34437,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34394\/revisions\/34437"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edukemy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}