Modern History Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exams

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Modern History Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exams

1. Advent of Europeans and Expansion

• Portuguese (1498): Vasco da Gama’s arrival, Portuguese trade monopoly, decline.
• Dutch (1602): Dutch East India Company, major settlements, decline.
• English (1600): Establishment of East India Company (EIC), key settlements, expansion.
• French (1664): French East India Company, Carnatic Wars, defeat by the British.
• Anglo-French Rivalry: Carnatic Wars (1746-1763), Battle of Wandiwash (1760).

2. British Conquest of India

• Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive’s victory, Mir Jafar as puppet Nawab.
• Battle of Buxar (1764): British control over Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
• Dual System of Government (1765-72): British control over revenue, Nawab’s administrative role.
• Anglo-Mysore Wars (1767-1799): Tipu Sultan’s resistance, British victory.
• Anglo-Maratha Wars (1775-1818): Defeat of Marathas, British dominance.
• Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-1849): Defeat of the Sikhs, annexation of Punjab.

3. British Economic Policies and Impact

• Drain of Wealth Theory: Dadabhai Naoroji’s analysis of British economic exploitation.
• Land Revenue Systems: Permanent Settlement (1793), Ryotwari System, Mahalwari System.
• Impact on Agriculture: Commercialization, famines, indigo crisis.
• Development of Railways and Infrastructure: British motives, impact on Indian economy.
• Deindustrialization: Decline of Indian handicrafts and traditional industries.

4. Social and Cultural Reforms in British India

• Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1772-1833): Abolition of Sati, Brahmo Samaj.
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar (1820-1891): Widow remarriage, women’s education.
• Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883): Arya Samaj, Vedic reforms.
• Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902): Ramakrishna Mission, Hindu revivalism.
• Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule: Dalit and women’s education reforms.
• Aligarh Movement (Sir Syed Ahmed Khan): Muslim educational reforms.

5. Revolt of 1857

• Causes: Political, economic, military, social, and religious factors.
• Course of the Revolt: Major centers (Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Bareilly).
• Leaders: Rani Lakshmibai, Nana Saheb, Kunwar Singh, Bahadur Shah II.
• Reasons for Failure: Lack of unity, limited resources, British military superiority.
• Impact: End of Mughal rule, Crown Rule, Government of India Act 1858.

6. Rise of Indian Nationalism

• Factors Leading to Nationalism: Economic exploitation, Western education, political unity.
• Early Nationalists (Moderates): Dadabhai Naoroji, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Surendranath Banerjee.
• Extremists (Radicals): Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai.
• Formation of Indian National Congress (1885): Role of A.O. Hume, first session at Bombay.

7. Partition of Bengal (1905) and Swadeshi Movement

• Reasons for Partition: Divide and rule policy, communal divisions.
• Swadeshi and Boycott Movement: Use of indigenous goods, protests against British rule.
• Role of Leaders: Rabindranath Tagore, Aurobindo Ghosh, Tilak.
• Impact: Nationalist unity, economic self-reliance, annulment in 1911.

8. Revolutionary Movements (1905-1935)

• Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar: Secret societies, bomb attacks on British officials.
• Ghadar Movement (1913-1915): Role of Lala Hardayal, attempt to incite revolt.
• Hindustan Republican Association (HRA): Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan.
• Bhagat Singh and HSRA (1928-1931): Lahore Conspiracy, Assembly Bomb Case.

9. Gandhian Era (1915-1947)

• Champaran Satyagraha (1917): First major mass movement.
• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Peasant resistance against taxation.
• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Boycott of foreign goods, surrender of titles.
• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934): Salt Satyagraha, Dandi March.
• Quit India Movement (1942): Call for immediate British withdrawal.

10. Constitutional Developments (1909-1947)

• Morley-Minto Reforms (1909): Separate electorates for Muslims.
• Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919): Dyarchy in provinces.
• Government of India Act 1935: Provincial autonomy, federal structure.
• Cripps Mission (1942): Failed proposal for Indian self-rule.
• Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): Proposal for Indian federation.

11. Indian Independence and Partition (1947)

• Mountbatten Plan (1947): Proposal for partition.
• Indian Independence Act (1947): Creation of India and Pakistan.
• Role of Leaders: Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Jinnah.
• Impact of Partition: Communal violence, refugee crisis, political challenges.

12. Post-Independence Developments (1947-1950)

• Integration of Princely States: Role of Sardar Patel, Hyderabad and Kashmir.
• Constituent Assembly and Drafting of the Constitution: Role of B.R. Ambedkar.
• Adoption of the Indian Constitution (1950): Key features and impact.