CUET History Syllabus 2024: Key Topics and Preparation Tips

Overview: Delving into the CUET History Syllabus 2024? Understand its syllabus in depth and prepare effectively with this guide. 

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) stands as one of India's most respected entrance examinations for UG admissions across 250+ universities.

While it encompasses various subjects, history remains an important domain subject, particularly for those aspiring to pursue humanities at the undergraduate level.

As history is vast, encompassing myriad eras, cultures, and events, it's crucial to have a structured syllabus to guide one's preparations. 

This article offers not just the CUET History Syllabus 2024 but also invaluable preparation tips, ensuring you're well-prepared for the CUET exam!

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CUET History Syllabus 2024

Let's understand the number of questions and attempts for the CUET History Paper.

CUET History Syllabus 2024: CUET Paper Pattern 

There will be one Question Paper, which will have 50 questions, out of which 40 questions need to be attempted. This information can also be found on the CUET history syllabus pdf download on the official website of CUET UG 2024 or click on the link below - 

Click here: Download CUET History Syllabus 2024 PDF

You can visit the official website and download the CUET history syllabus in Hindi pdf or click on the links below. 

Unit I: The Story of the First Cities Harappan Archaeology 

• Broad overview: Early urban centres. Story of discovery: Harappan civilization. 
• Excerpt: Archaeological report on a major site.
• Discussion: how it has been utilized by archaeologists/ historians. 

Check: CUET Cut Off Trends

Unit II: Political and Economic History: How Inscriptions tell a story 

• Broad overview: Political and economic history from the Mauryan to the Gupta period. 
• Story of discovery: Inscriptions and the decipherment of the script. Shifts in the understanding of political and economic history. 
• Excerpt: Asokan inscription and Gupta period land grant. 
• Discussion: Interpretation of inscriptions by historians. 

Check: CUET Economics Syllabus

Unit III: Social Histories using the Mahabharata 

• Broad overview: Issues in social history, including caste, class, kinship and gender. 
• Story of discovery: Transmission and publications of the Mahabharata. 
• Excerpt: From the Mahabharata, illustrating how it has been used by historians. 

Check: CUET Political Science Syllabus

Unit IV: A History of Buddhism: Sanchi Stupa 

Broad overview: 

• (a) A brief review of religious histories of Vedic religion, Jainism, Vaisnavism, and Saivism. 
• (b) Focus on Buddhism. 

Story of discovery: Sanchi stupa 

Excerpt: Reproduction of sculptures from Sanchi. Discussion: Ways in which sculpture has been interpreted by historians and other sources for reconstructing the history of Buddhism. 

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Unit V: Medieval Society Through Travellers’ Accounts 

• Broad Overview: Outline of social and cultural life as they appear in travellers’ accounts. 
• Story of their writings: A discussion of where they travelled, why they travelled, what they wrote, and for whom they wrote. 
• Excerpts: from Alberuni, Ibn Battuta, Bernier. 
• Discussion: What these travel accounts can tell us, and how have they been interpreted by historians? 

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Unit VI: Religious Histories: The Bhakti-Sufi Tradition 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) Outline of religious developments during this period. 
• (b) Ideas and practices of the Bhakti-Sufi saints. 

Story of Transmission: How Bhakti-Sufi compositions have been preserved. 

Excerpt: Extracts from selected Bhakti Sufi works. 

Discussion: Ways in which these have been interpreted by historians. 

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Unit VII: New Architecture: Hampi (HISTORY-314) 

Broad Overview: 

• (a)Outline of new buildings during the Vijayanagar period — temples, forts, irrigation facilities. 
• (b)Relationship between architecture and the political system. 

Story of Discovery: Account of how Hampi was found. 

Excerpt: Visuals of buildings at Hampi 

Discussion: Ways in which historians have analysed and interpreted these structures. 

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Unit VIII: Agrarian Relations: The Ain-i-Akbari 

Broad overview: 

• (a) Structure of agrarian relations in the 16th and 17th centuries. 
• (b) Patterns of change over the period. 

Story of Discovery: Account of the compilation and translation of Ain-i-Akbari. 

Excerpt: From the Ain-i-Akbari 

Discussion: Ways in which historians have used the text to reconstruct history. 

Check: CUET English Syllabus 2024

Unit IX: The Mughal Court: Reconstructing Histories through Chronicles 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) Outline of political history c. 15th-17th centuries. 
• (b) Discussion of the Mughal court and politics. 

Story of Discovery: Account of the production of court chronicles and their subsequent translation and transmission. 

Excerpts: from the Akbarnama and Padshahnama. 

Discussion: Ways in which historians have used the texts to reconstruct political histories. 

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Unit X: Colonialism and Rural Society: Evidence from Official Reports 

Broad overview: 

• (a) Life of zamindars, peasants and artisans in the late 18th century. 
• (b) East India Company, revenue settlements and surveys.
• (c) Changes over the nineteenth century. 

Story of official records: An account of why official investigations into rural societies were undertaken and the types of records and reports produced. 

Excerpts: From Firminger’s Fifth Report, Accounts of Francis Buchanan-Hamilton, and Deccan Riots Report.

Discussion: What do the official records tell and do not tell, and how they have been used by historians? 

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Unit XI: Representations of 1857 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) The events of 1857-58. 
• (b) How these events were recorded and narrated. 

Focus: Lucknow 

Excerpts: Pictures of 1857. Extracts from contemporary accounts.

Discussion: How the pictures of 1857 shaped British opinion of what had happened. 

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Unit XII: Colonialism and Indian Towns: Town Plans and Municipal Reports 

Broad Overview: The growth of Mumbai, Chennai, hill stations and cantonments in the 18th and 19th centuries. 

Excerpts: Photographs and paintings. Plans of cities. Extract from town plan reports. Focus on Kolkata town planning. 

Discussion: How the above sources can be used to reconstruct the history of towns? What these sources do not reveal. 

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Unit XIII: Mahatma Gandhi Through Contemporary Eyes 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) The nationalist movement 1918-48 
• (b) The nature of Gandhian politics and leadership 

Focus: Mahatma Gandhi in 1931.

Excerpts: Reports from English and Indian language newspapers and other contemporary writings. 

Discussion: How newspapers can be a source of history 

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Unit XIV: Partition through Oral Sources 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) The history of the 1940s 
• (b) Nationalism, Communalism and Partition 

Focus: Punjab and Bengal.

Excerpts: Oral testimonies of those who experienced partition.

Discussion: Ways in which these have been analyzed to construct the history of the event. 

Check: CUET Psychology Syllabus

Unit XV: The Making of the Constitution 

Broad Overview: 

• (a) Independence and the new nation-state.
• (b) The making of the Constitution. 

Focus: The Constitutional Assembly debates.

Excerpts: From the debates.

Discussion: What do such debates reveal, and how can they be analyzed? 

Check: CUET General Test Syllabus

Tips to Prepare for CUET History Syllabus 2024

Cover the CUET History Syllabus 2024 with the help of the following prep tips - 

• Understand the CUET History Syllabus 2024: Before diving into preparation, familiarize yourself with the entire syllabus. Highlight key areas, noting down the major historical events, civilizations, and themes covered. 
• Prioritize Your Strengths: While it's crucial to cover the entire syllabus, focus on your strong areas first. Building on these areas can boost your confidence and provide you with the confidence to practice more challenging topics. 
• The study from NCERT Textbooks: Most questions will appear only from the NCERT textbooks/ CUET history book pdf; hence, ensure you study word by word from your History NCERT textbook.
• Practice with Previous Papers: Going through previous years' question papers can help you understand the exam pattern and the type of questions posed. It also helps with time management during the actual test. 
• Make Notes: As you progress with your preparation, jot down essential dates, events, and facts. These notes can act as quick revision guides as the exam date approaches. 
• Stay Updated with Current Historical Analyses: History is not just about the past but also about how it's interpreted in the present. Stay updated with current historical debates and perspectives, as they might be relevant to the CUET general test as well.
• Discussion Groups: Join or form study groups where you discuss and debate historical events and interpretations. This not only enhances memory but also builds a holistic understanding. 
• Regular Revision: History can be overwhelming, given its vastness. Regular revision is the key to retaining information. Dedicate the last few weeks before the exam exclusively for revision. 

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Conclusion 

With the right strategic approach, grounded in consistent effort and the NCERT textbook, aspirants can not only master the CUET History Syllabus 2024 but also develop a profound appreciation for history. Remember, every historical event you study has shaped the world in some way and understanding them provides insights into the world today. 

Refer: CUET Sample Papers

Key Takeaways:

• The CUET History Syllabus 2024 spans 15 units, covering a wide range of historical periods and topics.
• Candidates are required to attempt 40 out of 50 questions in the CUET History exam.
• NCERT textbooks should be your primary study material for CUET History preparation.
• Focus on strengths while covering the entire syllabus and practice with previous years' question papers.
• Stay updated with contemporary historical debates and discussions.