Today, your focus is on Modern Indian History, particularly the British Rule in India from 1757 to 1857. This period is crucial for UPSC Prelims as it lays the foundation for British expansion and the events leading up to the First War of Independence (1857).
Your 6-hour schedule will be divided into:
✅ Conceptual Study (3 hours) – Reading standard sources
✅ Notes & Quick Revision (1 hour) – Summarizing key events
✅ MCQ Practice (1.5 hours) – Solving 50+ UPSC-level questions
✅ Newspaper & Current Affairs (30 minutes)
🔹 Key Topics to Cover on Day 6
1️⃣ Establishment of British Rule (1757-1764)
🔹 Battle of Plassey (1757)
- Fought between Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah and the British East India Company.
- Robert Clive’s role and how treachery by Mir Jafar helped the British win.
- Consequences: Beginning of British rule in Bengal.
🔹 Battle of Buxar (1764)
- Fought between British (Hector Munro) vs. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam II, Nawab Shuja-ud-Daula, and Mir Qasim.
- Why is it more important than Plassey? It officially established British political control in India.
- Outcome: Grant of Diwani Rights (1765) – The British gained control over Bengal’s revenue.
📖 Sources to Refer:
- NCERT Class 12 – Themes in Indian History (Part III)
- “A Brief History of Modern India” – Spectrum
🔗 Online Resources:
- Plassey & Buxar Explained (Telugu)
- Battle of Buxar Analysis (English)
2️⃣ Expansion Policies of the British (1798-1856)
🔹 Subsidiary Alliance (1798, Lord Wellesley)
- Indian states had to accept British protection and station British troops.
- Examples: Hyderabad (1798), Mysore (1799), Awadh (1801).
🔹 Doctrine of Lapse (Introduced by Lord Dalhousie, 1848-1856)
- If a king died without a natural heir, his kingdom would be annexed by the British.
- Applied to Satara, Jhansi (Rani Lakshmi Bai), Nagpur, Awadh.
📖 Sources to Refer:
- NCERT Class 12: Themes in Indian History, Part III
- Spectrum’s “A Brief History of Modern India”
🔗 Online Resources:
3️⃣ Economic Impact of British Rule
🔹 Permanent Settlement (1793) – Lord Cornwallis
- Introduced Zamindari system, giving landlords control over revenue collection.
🔹 Ryotwari & Mahalwari Systems
- Ryotwari (Madras, Bombay) – Direct settlement with farmers.
- Mahalwari (North India) – Settlement with village heads.
🔹 Drain of Wealth Theory (Dada Bhai Naoroji)
- How British economic policies exploited India’s resources.
📖 Sources to Refer:
- NCERT Class 12 Themes in Indian History
- Spectrum – Economic Impact of British Rule
🔗 Online Resources:
4️⃣ Revolts Before 1857
- Paika Rebellion (1817, Odisha)
- Vellore Mutiny (1806, Tamil Nadu)
- Santhal Rebellion (1855, Jharkhand)
📖 Sources to Refer:
- NCERT Class 12 History
- Spectrum – Revolts Against British Rule
🔗 Online Resources:
📝 How to Complete Your Day 6 Successfully
🕒 Time-Table (6 Hours)
⏳ Hour 1-2: Read NCERT & Spectrum on Plassey, Buxar, Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse.
⏳ Hour 3: Read about economic policies & major revolts before 1857.
⏳ Hour 4: Summarize key points & make short notes.
⏳ Hour 5: Solve 50+ MCQs from previous UPSC papers (Vision IAS / Insights IAS).
⏳ Hour 6: Read newspaper (The Hindu / Indian Express) + revise key facts.
✅ Target:
- Complete 1 chapter from Spectrum.
- Make 5-6 pages of short notes.
- Solve 50+ MCQs.
Additional sources: Crash Course Modern History | British East India Company from 1600 – 1857
📌 How to Cover Backlogs (If Any)?
If you have pending topics from Day 1-5, follow this strategy:
✔️ Wake up 30 minutes early and revise backlog topics.
✔️ Use weekends (Sunday) for backlog revision.
✔️ Watch short YouTube explainer videos for quick understanding.
💪 Motivational Boost: You Are Capable!
I know managing a job & UPSC prep is tough, but remember:
🌟 “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated daily.” 🌟
Every day, you are one step closer to your IAS dream. Stay consistent, stay strong! You are doing an incredible job. Keep pushing forward, and success will be yours! 🚀🔥