UNIVERSITY OF PUNE
Ganeshkhind, Pune-411007
Maharashtra State Eligibility Test (SET) for Lectureship
Conducted by University of Pune
(AS THE STATE AGENCY)
SYLLABUS AND SAMPLE QUESTIONS- History
Subject Subject Code No. 10 HistoryNOTE : STRUCTURE OF PAPER II AND REVISED STRUCTURE OF PAPER III PLEASE
SEE PAGE NUMBER ONE.
PAPER—II
1. CONCEPTS, IDEAS AND TERMS
Bharatvarsha Kara/Vishti
Sabha and Samiti Stridhana
Varnasrama Memorial stones
Purusharthas Agraharas
Rina Khilafat
Samskaras Sulh-i-kul
Yajna Maharashtra-dharma
Doctrine of Karma Turkan-i-Chahlghani
Dandaniti/Arthasastra Watan
Saptanga Baluta
Dharmavijaya Iqta
Stupa/Chaitya Jizyah
Nagara/Dravida/Vesara Madad -i-maash
Bodhisattva/Tirthankara Amaram
Alvars/Nayanars Raya-Rekho
Sreni Jangama
Chauth Dyarchy
Hundi (Bills of Exchange) Federalism
Sarraf Utilitarianism
Polygars Filtration Theory
Jagir Forward Policy
Dastur Doctrine of Lapse
Mansab (Rank) Satyagraha
Deshmukh Swadeshi
Nadu Revivalism
Pargana Communalism
Bengal Vaishnavism Orientalism
Alt magha De-industrialization
Shahna-i-Mandi Subsidiary Alliance
SET (History) / 4
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Mercantilism Evangelicalism
Economic Nationalism Bhudan
Indian Renaissance Panchsheel
Economic Drain Mixed Economy
Colonialism Indian Left
Paramountcy Hindu Code Bill
2. ANCIENT INDIAN HISTORY
Sources :
Archaeological Sources
Exploration, excavation epigraphy, numismatics, monuments.
Literary Sources
Indigenous : Primary and Secondary-problems of dating, myths, legends, poetry, scientific
literature, literature in regional languages, religious literature.
Foreign accounts : Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.
Pre-history and Proto-history
Man and Environment-geographical factors. Hunting and gathering (Paleolithic and
Mesolithic); Beginning of agriculture (Neolithic and Chalcolithic).
Indus Valley Civilization-origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and
significance.
Iron age, Second urbanization.
Vedic Period :
Migrations and settlements; dating the Vedic, literary and archaeological evidences,
evolution of social and political institutions religious and philosophical ideas, rituals and
practices.
Period of Mahajanapadas
Formation of States (Mahajanapadas) : 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
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta, Kautilya and Arthashastra; Ashoka;
Concept of Dharma; Edicts; Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts.
Administration economy; architecture and sculpture, external contacts. Disintegration of the
empire; Sungas and Kanvas.
Post-Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas)
Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres, economy, coinage, development of
religions Mahayana, social conditions, art and architecture, literature and science.
SET (History) / 5
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Early state and society-in Eastern India, Deccan and South India
Kharavela, The Satavahanas. Tamil States of the Sangam Age. Administration; economy.
land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres. Buddhist centres, Sangam literature
and culture; art and architecture.
Imperial Guptas and Regional States of India
Guptas and Vakatakas, Harsha. Administration, economic conditions. coinage of the Guptas,
land grants, decline of urban centres. Indian feudalism, caste system, position of women,
education and educational institutions-Nalanda. Vikramshila and Vallabhi, contact with
neighbouring countries-Central Asia, South-East Asia and China. Sanskrit literature,
scientific literature, art and architecture.
The Kadambas. Gangas, Pallavas and Chalukyas of Badami-Administration trade guilds,
Sanskrit literature and growth of regional languages and scripts; growth of Vaishnava and
Saiva religions. Tamil Bhakti Movement. Shankaracharya-Vedanta; Institutions of temple
and temple architecture.
Varmanas of Kamrup; Palas and Senas, Rashtrakutas, Prathiharas Kalachuri-Chedis;
Paramaras; Chalukyas of Gujarat; Arab contacts-Ghaznavi Conquest alberuni.
The Chalukyas of Kaiyana, Cholas, Cheras, Hoysalas, Pandyas-Administration and local
Government, growth of art and architecture, religious sects, Institution of temple and
Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society, contact with Sri Lanka
and South-East Asia.
3. MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY
Sources :
Archaeological, epigraphic and numismatic materials and monuments.
Chronicles.
Literary sources-Persian, Sanskrit and Regional languages.
Archival materials.
Foreign traveller’s accounts.
Political Developments
The Sultanate-the Ghorids, the Turks, the Khaljis, the Tughluqs, the Sayyids and the
Lodis.
Foundation of the Mughal Empire-Babur, Humayun and the Suris; expansion from Akbar
to Aurangzeb.
Decline of the Mughal empire-political, administrative and economic causes.
Later Mughals and disintegration of the Mughal empire.
The Vijayanagara and the Bahmanis-rise, expansion and disintegration.
The Maratha movement, the foundation of Swaraj by Shivaji; its expansion under the
Peshwas; Maratha Confederacy-causes of decline.
SET (History) / 6
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Administration
Administration under the Sultanate-civil, judicial, revenue, fiscal and military.
Sher Shah’s administrative reforms; Mughal administration-land revenue and other sources
of income; Mansabdari and Jagirdari.
Administrative system in the Deccan-the Vijayanagara. The Bahmanis and the Marathas.
Economic Aspects
Agricultural production-village economy; peasantry.
Urban centres and population.
Industries-cotton textiles, handicrafts, agro-based industries, organisation, karkhanas,
technology.
Trade and commerce-State policies, internal and external trade; European trade, trade
centres and ports, transport and communication. Financing trade, commerce and industries;
Hundi (Bills of Exchange) and Insurance.
Currency.
Socio-religious Movements
The Sufis-their orders, beliefs and practices, the leading Sufi saints. Bhakti cult-Shaivism
and its branches : Vaishnavism and its branches. The Saints of the medieval period-north
and south-their impact on socio-political and religious life.
The Sikh movement-Guru Nanak Dev and his teachings and practices. Adi Granth; the
Khalsa.
Society
Classification-ruling class, major religious groups, the mercantile and professional classes.
Rural society-petty chieftains, village officials, cultivators and non-cultivating classes,
artisans.
Position of women
Cultural Life
System of Educational and its motivations.
Literature-Persian, Sanskrit and Regional languages.
Fine Arts-major schools of painting; music.
Architectural developments of the North and South India; Indo-Islamic architecture.
4. MODERN INDIAN HISTORY
Sources and Historiography :
Archival materials, biographies and memories, newspapers.
Oral evidence, creative literature and painting.
Concerns in Modern Indian Historiography-Imperialist, Nationalist.
Marxist and Subaltern.
SET (History) / 7
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Rise of British Power
European traders in India in the 17th and 18th centuries-Portuguese, Dutch, French and
the British.
The establishment and expansion of British dominion in India.
British relations with and subjugation of the principal Indian Powers-Bengal. Oudh,
Hyderabad, Mysore, Marathas and the Sikhs.
Administration of the Company and Crown
Evolution of central and provincial structure under the East India Company, 1773-1853.
Paramountacy, Civil Service, Judiciary, Police and the Army under the Company and
Crown.
Local self-Government.
Constitutional changes, 1909-1935.
Economic History
Changing composition, volume and direction of trade : ‘The Tribute’.
Expansion and commercialisation of agriculture, land rights, land settlements, rural
indebtdness, landless labour.
Decline of industries-changing socio-economic conditions of artisans; De-urbanisation.
British Industrial Policy : major modern industries; nature of factory legislation; labour
and trade union movements.
Monetary policy; banking currency and exchange. Railways and Road Transport.
Growth of new urban centres; new features of town planning and architecture.
Famines and epidemics and the government policy.
Economic Thought-English utilitarians; Indian economic historians; the Drain theory.
Indian Society in Transition
Contact with Christianity-the Missions; critique of Indian social and economic practices
and religious beliefs; educational and other activities.
The New Education-government policy; levels and contents; English language; modern science;
Indian initiatives in education.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy : socio-religious reforms; emergence of middle class; caste
associations and caste mobility.
Women’s Question-Nationalist Discourse : Women’s Organisations; British legislation
concerning women : Constitutional position.
The Printing Press-journalistic activity and the public opinion.
Modernisation of Indian languages and literary forms-reorientation in painting music and
performing arts.
National Movement
Rise of Indian nationalism, social and economic bases of nationalism.
Revolt of 1857 and different social classes.
Tribal and peasant movements.
SET (History) / 8
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Ideologies and programmes of the Indian National Congress, 1885-1920.
Trends in Swadeshi movement.
Ideologies and programmes of Indian revolutionaries in India and abroad.
Gandhian Mass Movement.
Ideology and programme of the Justice Party.
Left Wing Politics.
Movement of the Depressed classes.
Communal politics and genesis of Pakistan.
Towards Independence and Partition.
India after independence (1947-1964)
Rehabilitation after Partition.
Integration of the Indian States; The Kashmir Question.
The making of the Indian Constitution.
The structure of Bureaucracy and the Police.
The demographic trends.
Economic policies and the planning process.
Linguistic reorganisation of States.
Foreign policy initiatives.
World History : Concepts, Ideas and Terms
Pre-history Humanism
Burial Practices Enlightened Despotism
Mother-Goddess Divine Right
Law codes Supremacy of Church
Athenian Democracy Holy Roman Empire
Imperial Rome Social Contract and General Will
Slavery Nation States
Aristocracy Renaissance
Confucianism Reformation
Manorial system Darwinism
Black Death Great Depression (1929)
Feudalism Feminism
Non-alignment
Parliamentary Democracy
Nazism
Commonwealth
Imperialism
Socialism
Balance of Power
Apartheid
Rights of Man
Cold War
Post-modernism
SET (History) / 9
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Research in History
Scope and value of History
Objectivity and Bias in History
History and its auxiliary sciences
Area of research-proposed
Sources-Primary/secondary in the proposed area of research
Modern Historical Writing in the researcher’s area of research
PAPER—III (A)
(CORE GROUP)
Unit—I
From the Indus Valley Civilization to the Mahajanapadas
Age, extent and characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Vedic culture-Early and Late-Geography : Social and Political institutions, Economic
conditions, Religious and Philosophical ideas.
Mahajanapadas, Republics, Economic growth-Emergence of Jainism and Buddhism-Rise
of Magadha-Macedonian invasion and its effects.
Unit—II
History of India from 4th century BC to 3rd century AD
Foundation of the Mauryan Empire-Chandragupta, Ashoka and his Dharma. Mauryan
administration, Economy, Art and Architecture, Disintegration of the Mauryan empire.
Sangam Age.
Sungas, Satavahanas and Kushanas : Administration, religion, society, economy, trade
and commerce, culture-Art and Architecture, Literature.
Unit—III
India from the 4th century AD to 12th century AD
Gupta-Vakataka age-Harsh Pallavas-Early. Chalukyas-Rashtrakutas.
Cholas-Pratiharas Palas-A brief survey of the history of the Paramaras, Kalachuris,
Gahadavalas and Chauhans-Administration.
Feudalism, Society, Position of Women, Educational centres, Economy.
Religious trends, styles of temple architecture, art, Literature, An outline of scientific and
technological developments.
India’s contacts with the outside world.
Unit—IV
India from 1206 to 1526
Expansion and Consolidation-The Ghorids. The Turks, The Khaljis.
The Tughlaqs, The Sayyids and the Lodis.
Vijayanagar and Bahamani Kingdoms.
State and Religion-Concept of sovereignty, religious movements and Sufism.
SET (History) / 10
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Economic Aspects-Urban Centres, Industries, Trade and Commerce, Land Revenue and
Prices.
Mongol problem and its impact.
Administrative structure.
Art. Architecture and literature.
Sources-Archaeological, Persian and non Persian literature, Foreign travellers account.
Unit
—VIndia from 1526 onward
Sources of Mughal period.
Mughal Expansion and Consolidation-Babur’s establishment of Mughal rule in India :
Humayun and Surs : Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.
Mughal relations with the nobility and the Rajputs.
Jahangir-the period of stability and expansion 1611-1621; the period of crises 1622-1627-
The Nurjahan Junta.
Decline of Mughal Empire : Political, administrative and economic causes.
The Maratha Movement, the foundation of Swarajya by Shivaji its expansion and
administration, Maratha Confederacy and causes of decline.
Administration : Sher Shah’s administrative reforms, Mughal administration, land revenue
and other sources of income, Mansabdari and Jagirdari.
Unit
—VISocio-economic and cultural life under the Mughals
Village society and economy.
Art, architecture and literature.
Trade and Commerce.
Religious policy from Akbar to Aurangzeb.
Urban centres and Industries.
Currency.
Position of women.
Unit—VII
Foundation of the British Rule
Rise of European powers-Expansion and Consolidation of the British rule.
British relations with major Indian powers-Bengal, Oudh, Hyderabad, Mysore.
Marathas and Sikhs.
Administration under the East India Company and Crown. Paramountacy Civil Service,
Judiciary, Police and Army.
Local Self government, Constitutional Development from 1909 to 1935.
SET (History) / 11
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
Unit
—VIIIEconomic and Social Policies
Agrarian policy of the British, Land Revenue, Agriculture and Land Rights. Famine
policy, Rural indebtedness.
Policy towards trade and industries. Condition of Labour, Trade Union Movements, Factory
Legislation. Banking, Transport, Drain Theory.
Indian Society in transition. Christian missions, Socio-religious reform movements, Status
of women.
New educational policy, English language, Modern sciences, Press, Indian languages and
literature.
Unit
—IXNational Movement and Post-Independent India
Rise of nationalism, Revolt of 1857, Tribal and Peasant Movements, Ideologies and
Programmes of Indian National Congress, Swadeshi Movement. Indian Revolutionary
Movement in India and Abroad.
Gandhian Mass Movements, Ideologies and Programmes of the Justice Party, Left wing
politics, Movement of the depressed classes. Genesis of Pakistan, India towards
Independence and Partition.
India after independence, Rehabilitation after partition, Integration of Indian States, the Kashmir
Question.
Making of the Indian Constitution, Structure of Bureaucracy and the police. Economic
policies and the planning process. Linguisitic reorganisation of the States, foreign policy
initiatives.
Unit—X (A)
World History-Concepts, Ideas and Terms
Renaissance, Reformation
Enlightenment, Rights of Man
Apartheid
Imperialism
Socialism
Nazism
Parliamentary Democracy
Commonwealth
Efforts at World Peace, Cold War
Post-modernism.
Unit—X (B)
Research in History
Scope and Importance of History
Objectivity and Bias in History
Cousation in History
SET (History) / 12
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
History and its auxiliary sciences
Significance of Regional History
Recent trends of Indian History
Research Methodology
Area of Proposed Research
Sources-Primary/Secondary in the Proposed area of Research.
Recent Historical writings in the Proposed area of research.
PAPER—III (B)
(ELECTIVE/OPTIONAL)
Elective-I : Ancient Indian History
Stone-Age Cultures of India.
Origin, date, extent and characteristics of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Evolution of social and political institutions in the Vedic period.
Economic and religious developments in 6th century BC.
Sources of Mauryan history-Megasthenes, Kautilya, Asokan edicts and Simhalese Chronieles.
Economy and trade during 2nd century BC-3rd century AD-Schools of art-Development of
Stupa and Chaitya architecture.
Assessment of the Gupta Age.
Ancient Indian Republics-History of Local Self-government in India.
Indian feudalism.
Indian contacts with the outside world in the ancient period.
Contribution of Sankara and Ramanuja to religion and philosophy.
Elective-II : Medieval Indian History
Sources on Medieval Indian History.
North-West frontier and Deccan Policy of the Mughals.
Society and Economy during Medieval period.
Religion, Art, Architecture and Literature during Medieval period.
Urban Economy, Trade and Commerce during Medieval period.
Legacy of the Mughals.
18th Century Debate.
Significance of Regional History.
Elective-III : Modern Indian History
The Establishment and Expansion of the British Dominion in India.
Constitutional Development from 1858 to 1935.
The British Agrarian Policies.
The Relief Measures adopted by the British.
Education and Social Reforms Under the British.
Socio-religious Reforms Movements in the 19th century.
Rise of Nationalism and the Indian National Congress.
The Gandhian Era.
Towards Independence and Partition.
The Making of the Indian Constitution and its working.
SET (History) / 13
history_SET syllabus (03-09)
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
PAPER
—II1. Who among the following constructed the Moti Musjid at Agra ?
(A) Akbar
(B) Jahangir
(C) Shahjahan
(D) Aurangzeb
2. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer from the codes given below :
List-I List-II
(Authors) (Patrons)
A. Banbhatta 1. Harsha
B. Hemadri 2. Govinda Chandra
C. Lakshmidhara 3. Mahadeva
D. Rajasekhara 4. Mahendrapale
Codes :
(a) A B C D
1 2 3 4
(b) A B C D
2 1 4 3
(c) A B C D
4 2 3 1
(d) A B C D
3 4 1 2
————For details visit : http://setexam.unipune.ac.in/SubjectSyllabus.html
