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Recommended reading

A curated shelf for exam preparation and for curious readers — from NCERT basics to the standard references and the best popular histories. Every note is our own.

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Preparing for
Any NCERT basicsUPSC PrelimsUPSC MainsSSCState PSCGeneral reading
Era
All Prehistory & HarappanAncient IndiaMedieval IndiaModern IndiaWorld historyNeighbouring countriesArt & culture
Type
All TextbookReferencePopular historyPrimary source / classic

Prehistory & Harappan 1

Textbook

Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)

NCERT · NCERT

Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims UPSC Mains SSC State PSC
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Ancient India 1

Textbook

Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)

NCERT · NCERT

The simplest possible start: short, illustrated and the base of countless exam questions.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims SSC State PSC
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Modern India 1

Textbook

India and the Contemporary World I & II (Classes 9–10)

NCERT · NCERT

Nationalism in Europe and India, the French Revolution and the making of a global world.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims SSC State PSC
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World history 2

Textbook

Themes in World History (Class 11)

NCERT · NCERT

A readable bridge into world history: empires, nomads, industrialisation and colonisation.

NCERT basics UPSC Mains State PSC
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Textbook

The Story of Civilization, Vols 1 & 2

Arjun Dev · NCERT

Old-NCERT world history from early civilisations to the modern world.

NCERT basics UPSC Mains State PSC
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Art & culture 1

Textbook

An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)

NCERT · NCERT

The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.

NCERT basics UPSC Prelims State PSC
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