History CUET UG Notes These notes are designed exactly as per CUET History Syllabus for 2026 Chapter 1: Bricks, Beads and Bones The Harappan Civilisation Chapter 2: Kings, Farmers and Towns Chapter 3: Kinship, Caste and Class Chapter 4: Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Chapter 5: Through the Eyes of Travellers Chapter 6: Bhakti- Sufi Traditions Chapter 7: An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara Chapter 8: Peasants, Zamindars and the State Chapter 9: Colonialism and the Countryside Ch

The Making of the Constitution [Theme - XII] Historical Context and the Making of the Constituent Assembly The Constitution of India, which came into effect on 26 January 1950, has often been described as the longest and one of the most detailed constitutions in the world. Its length and complexity were not accidental; rather, they reflected the enormous diversity and deep social divisions of the country at the time of Independence. India was not merely a vast landmass inha

Mahatma Gandhi and National Movements [Theme - XI] Gandhi’s Emergence and Transformation of Indian Nationalism (1915–1922) In the history of nationalism, it is often tempting to associate the making of a nation with the work of a single individual. In the case of India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi has frequently been regarded as the “Father of the Nation.” Yet, as the chapter makes clear, while Gandhi profoundly shaped the nationalist movement, his ideas and methods were equa

Rebels and the Raj NATURE, PATTERN AND SPREAD OF THE UPRISING The revolt of 1857 began dramatically on 10 May 1857 at Meerut , when sepoys in the cantonment broke out in mutiny, seized arms, attacked British officers, and destroyed government institutions. What is significant is not merely the outbreak itself, but the speed and manner in which it spread. The rebels moved swiftly to Delhi, where they declared the ageing Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah, as their leader. This act

Colonialism and the Countryside Colonial Rule, Zamindars, and Agrarian Restructuring in Bengal Colonial rule in India brought about profound transformations in the countryside, particularly through the introduction of new laws and revenue systems that restructured rural society. These laws determined not only patterns of land ownership and agricultural production but also shaped social hierarchies and economic relationships. However, rural society was not merely a passive r

Peasants, Zamindars and the State AGRARIAN STRUCTURE AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION The agrarian structure of Mughal India during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries formed the backbone of the economy, with nearly 85 per cent of the population residing in villages and directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Rural society was not homogeneous but consisted of multiple groups—peasants, zamindars, and state officials—whose interactions were characterised by cooperation

An Imperial Capital Vijayanagara POLITICAL FORMATION, DISCOVERY AND ECONOMIC FOUNDATIONS Vijayanagara: An Imperial City and Empire Vijayanagara, literally meaning the “city of victory,” represented both a magnificent urban centre and a powerful empire that flourished between the fourteenth and sixteenth centuries. At its height, the empire extended from the river Krishna in the north to the southern extremities of the peninsula , embodying a vast and diverse political format

Bhakti- Sufi Traditions Mosaic of Religious Beliefs and the Emergence of Bhakti The period between the eighth and eighteenth centuries witnessed significant transformations in the religious landscape of the Indian subcontinent. Earlier, the subcontinent had been characterised by visible religious structures such as stupas, monasteries and temples, each reflecting distinct religious beliefs and practices. However, during this phase, new forms of religious expression began to

Through the Eyes of Travellers Travel Accounts as Historical Sources & Al-Biruni’s Method The movement of people across regions has been a constant feature of human history. Individuals travelled for a variety of reasons—economic necessity, trade, administrative duties, pilgrimage, or even sheer curiosity and adventure. Such journeys brought travellers into contact with unfamiliar environments, where they encountered new landscapes, languages, social customs, religious practi

Thinkers, Beliefs and Buildings Intellectual Background, Debates, and Early Traditions The period between c. 600 BCE and 600 CE marks a significant phase in the cultural and intellectual history of the Indian subcontinent. It was a time when thinkers attempted to understand the world they inhabited, raising fundamental questions about existence, the nature of reality, and human life. These ideas were not only preserved in oral and written texts but were also expressed throug

Kinship, Caste and Class TEXTUAL TRADITIONS, THE MAHABHARATA AND KINSHIP The reconstruction of early social histories (c. 600 BCE–600 CE) depends significantly on textual traditions and inscriptions , which provide valuable insights into both normative ideals and lived practices . Historians utilise texts that either prescribe norms of social behaviour or describe a range of social situations. However, these sources cannot be read uncritically, as they were composed from the

Kings, Farmers and Towns SOURCES, STATE FORMATION AND MAHAJANAPADAS The period following the decline of the Harappan civilisation witnessed a wide range of developments across the Indian subcontinent over nearly 1,500 years. During this time, significant transformations took place in patterns of settlement, modes of subsistence, and socio-political organisation. Agricultural settlements emerged in several regions, including north India, the Deccan Plateau and parts of Karna

Bricks, Beads and Bones Introduction: Nature of Archaeological Knowledge The Harappan civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley Civilisation, is primarily reconstructed through archaeological evidence rather than written records. Objects such as houses, tools, ornaments, pottery, and seals provide valuable insights into the lives of the people. The Harappan script, though found on seals and other objects, remains undeciphered , which limits our direct understanding of th