UPSC Prelims Crash Course

UPSC Prelims Crash Course Overview

• A free, three-month crash runs to June 20th.
• The course began on March 17th..
• The course offers comprehensive coverage of the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims syllabus.
• There are 5 high-quality full-length mock tests available.
• Teaching is conducted by experienced faculty who have cleared the Prelims and Mains exams.
• The curriculum includes static portions and dynamic current affairs focused on the IAS (UPSC CSE) Prelims exam.
• Study materials and notes are available on a Telegram channel.
• Doubt-clearing sessions occur every Sunday.
• CSAT is included in this course.

Faculty Details for UPSC Prelims Course

• Sourabh Jain (History Faculty) achieved the highest score in prelims with UPSC interviews in 2018 and 2019.
• Mohit Agarwal (Economics Faculty) has been interviewed by UPSC in 2018 and 2019, and given the Mains exam in 2020.
• Sumant Kumar (Geography and Environment) has given the UPSC Mains exam in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020.
• Siddhartha Kumar (Polity Faculty) was interviewed by UPSC in 2019 and gave the UPSC Mains exam in 2014, 2016, and 2017, twice scoring over 130 marks in Prelims.
• Rajni Jha (Science and Tech) has 5 years of experience teaching GS for UPSC.
• Himanshu Gajendra (CSAT) has 5 years of experience teaching CSAT.

Territorial States and the First Magadhan Empire

• Around the 6th century B.C., iron use became widespread in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar.
• Large territorial states began to form.
• Iron weapons led to the warrior class playing a more vital role.
• New agricultural tools resulted in surplus production and the rise of towns.
• Princes collected resources to meet military and administrative needs.
• People were enabled to stay in one place.
• Large states rose, using towns as the base for operations..
• People displayed strong allegiance to the Janapada or territory.
• The sixteen Mahajanapadas covered an area from Bihar in the east to Afghanistan in the west, and from the Hindukush in the north to the Godavari River in the south.
• Extensive areas of Bengal, eastern India, and most of south India are left out of this coverage.

The Mahajanapadas

• The Mahajanapadas included Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka/Asmaka, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kamboja.
• Magadha encompassed modern districts of Patna, Gaya, and parts of Shahabad, which was the leading state.
• Kosala was associated with Ayodhya where excavations confirm settlement only after the sixth century BC.
• Avanti (MP) had two capitals which were Ujjain and Mahishmati.
• There was large-scale ironworking and strong fortification in the region.
• From the sixth Century B.C. onward a struggle between these states for supremacy led to the Kingdom of Magadha, and eventually its Empire.
• Most states were monarchies, while some were republics known as Ganas or Sanghas, which were oligarchies where the king was elected and ruled with a council.
• The founders of Jainism and Buddhism came from these republican states.
• Regular armies were maintained.
• Vajji was a confederacy of eight republican clans, and Malla was also a republican confederacy.

Rise and Growth of the Magadhan Empire

• Bimbisara (544 BC to 492 BC), of the Haryanka Dynasty, led the Magadhan Empire and was a contemporary of Buddha.
• He followed a policy of conquests and aggrandizement.
• Marriage alliances with his three wives paved the way for expansion.
• Avanti, led by Chanda Pradyota Mahasena, was the most serious rival.
• The earliest capital was Rajgir, also named Girivraja as it was surrounded by 5 hills.
• Ajatasatru marked the high watermark of the Bimbisara Dynasty.
• An aggressive policy of expansion was employed.
• Modern arms, including stone-throwing catapults (war engines) and chariots attached with maces, was used for Fortification of Rajgir.
• Udayin (460-444 BC) succeeded Ajatasatru and built a fort at the confluence of the Ganga and Son rivers at Patna.
• Udayin was succeeded by the Sisunaga Dynasty.
• The capital was temporarily shifted to Vaisali.
• The dynasty destroyed the power of Avanti, annexing it into the Magadh empire.
• Kalasoka, son and successor of Sisunaga, was succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda, who was named a barber.
• As the most powerful ruler, Mahapadma Nanda, conquered Kalinga which earned him the title of Ekarat, sole sovereign who destroyed all other ruling princes.
• The army was huge, including elephants, and there was an effective taxation system.
• The later Nandas grew weak and their dynasty was succeeded by the Mauryas, who brought the empire to new heights.
• Alexander's invasion occurred during the reign of Dhana Nanda, the last ruler of the Nanda Dynasty.

Causes of Magadha's Success

• Success was due to ambitious rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatasatru and Nanda.
• it Held an advantageous geographical position with richest iron deposits near Ragir which were used to manufacture weapons.
• Madhya Pradesh and Avanti were sources of iron ore.
• Rajgir and Pataliputra were strategic capitals.
• Rajgir was surrounded by a group of five hills.
• The capital was shifted from Rajgir to Pataliputra in the 5th century.
• Pataliputra was situated at the confluence of the Ganga, Gandak, and Son rivers; the Sarayu joined the Ganga near Pataliputra.
• Patna was surrounded by rivers on almost all sides.
• Patalputra acted as a watar-fort (Jaladurga).
• Magadha had a middle Gangetic plain with fertile land, heavy rainfall and productive, even without irrigation; and a surplus production with established taxation system.
• The rise of towns and use of coins allowed it to levy tolls on commodities and accumulate wealth to pay its army.
• A special advantage in military organization, the use of elephants for battle on an enlarged scale assisted the military.
• Magadha had an unorthodox society and recently aryanised, and thus was perceived in low regard by orthodox Brahmans thus there was more enthusiasm for expansion.

Iranian Invasion

• Smaller principalities and republics merged with the Magadhan Empire in N-E India.
• Small principalities like Kambojas, Gandharas, and Madra fought among themselves in N-W India.
• The area lacked a wealthy or powerful state which allowed easy access to the passes in the Hindukush.
• The Achaemenan rulers of Iran Took advantage of the political disunity on the north-west frontier.
• Cyrus, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, Invaded the North-Western front of India in 550 BCE.
• Bimbisara of the Haryanka Dynasty was ruling over Magadha.
• Cyrus brought all the Indian tribes west of the Indus, like Gandhara, under Persian control.
• Darius I, Cyrus's grandson, Penetrated into north-west India in 516 B.C. and annexed Punjab, west of the Indus and Sindh.
• The invaded 20th Province or Satrapy of the Iranian Empire was the most fertile and wealthy area in a total of 28 provinces.
• A tribute of 360 talents of gold was exacted.
• Indian subjects were enrolled in the Iranian Army.
• Xerxes, successor of Darius, Employed Indians in long wars against Greeks.
• India remained part of the Iranian Empire until Alexander’s invasion.
• This contact resulted in an impetus to Indo-Iranian trade and commerce for years.
• Iranian Scribes Formed the Iranian Kharosthi Script used to write.
• Found coins in the N-W frontier region, showing no punch mark.
• There was a noticeable Mauryan Sculpture.
• There was an influence on Ashokan edicts preamble or Dipi/Lipi.
• From Iran, the Greeks became knowledgeable about Indian Wealth.

Alexander's Invasion

• The greeks fought the Iranians for the supremacy of the world in 4th Century B.C.
• Alexander of Macedonia overtook the Persian King Darius III in the Battle of Arbela (330 BC). He annexed Persian land along his path to India.
• From Iran he marched to India to quench his Strong passion for geographical inquiry and natural history.
• He was inspired by the mythical exploits of past conquerors who believed that it was on the eastern side of India, was the continuation of the Caspian Sea.
• In India there were many independent monarchies and tribal republics which were easily conquered one by one.
• The Prince of Taxila, Ambhi as well as Porus, whose kingdom lay between the Jhelum and the Chenab were Well known monarchs.
• Ambhi Submitted to Alexander, while Porus was the first and strongest resistance.
• Although Alexander defeated Porus he was Impressed of the bravery, and thus made him his ally.
• The army of Alexander refused to continue past the Beas River.
• It was because Greek soldiers they were weary of the war and sick from the climate and the homesickness.
• According to the Greek historian Arrian "In The art of war, Indians were far superior to the other nations.
• Alexander's army retreated from the formidable power on the Ganga, known as the Kingdom of Magadha which was then ruled by the Nandas.
• Remained in India for 19 Months (326-325 BC).
• Conquered Most states Restored to their Rulers who submitted
• In terms of his own Alexander’s own Territorial possessions Placed 03 parts under 03 Governors.

Effects of Alexander’s Invasion

• Ancient Europe Came in contact with Ancient India
• The Greeks soon lost Possession in India,
• Direct contact was Established between Indian and Greece.
• There was an Opening of 04 distinct routes-three by land and one by sea
• Leading to Greek Settlements in the region
• Cities like Alexandria were made in the Kabul or Boukephala on the Jhelum / Alexandria in Sindh.
• Even though the areas became conquered by the Mauryas Eventually, there was still evidence of Greeks that were Left to live in the area under CDM and Ashoka
• Alexander’s invasion brought valuable geographical accounts for the records.
• There became some clearly dated records from Alexander’s campaign
• Additionally there was information about general social and economic conditions.
• Aspects such as the Sati system, including the sale of females by poor parents as well as the north- western fine breed of oxen in north-west India became known to other areas..
• Greece Influenced, the art of carpentry.
• This helped built chariots, boats and ships.
• There was an evident impact on the Indian art that Influenced the Grecian art found in the Gandhara school of art due to Alexander’s invasion..
• By the act to Destroying the power of petty states Paved the way for the expansion of the Maurya empire/
• Chandragupta made way to learn that he must utilize the new working style of the military .
• It Acquired some knowledge Which Helped Him in Destroying the Power of the Nandas.

State and Varna Society in the Age of Buddha

• Material Life insights are Found on the basis of Pali Texts + Sanskrit Sutra Literature + Archaeological Evidences
• Around 6th Century BC The starting of NBPW phase- which is classified ad “Northern Black Polished ware“- the polished style of the pottery served in the table wear in a glossy serving area of richer people.
• New innovation for tools and agriculture were used
• Introducing the concept of metal money
• Middle of NBWP marked the Start to 3 Century Bc In Use where burnt brick and Ringwells Marked the Beginning of 2nd Urbanization in Ind
• Wooden palisades times which Evidenced the pre or Maurya times.
• Mud bricks were very Perishable because Climate was too moist.
• Great increase as Great Towns- Governments started to build seats and merchants and habitants.
• Many new Artisans like the Saddalaputta of Vaishali which are known to contain 500 Shop keepers
• Skilled Artisans would form a Guild- Organized Lived In
• With Vassa where the location where Lived Merchant in fixed localities.
• Specialization Increased in Crafts
• With the aid of Due to guilds and Localisation this became less costly to obtain.
• Cities began to be built on Important River Banks and Trade Routes
• Common words that was known from Coins Are The Nishka and Satmana for this form
• The First Metal known for Coins was in the Age of Buddha
• Made of Silver, and Copper, and a punch to Made the Marked Coins
• Used in 6BC of Universal forms of Money
• Trade was Starting in Couple of Centuries before it met Ashoka to Contribute from- Not On Stone- the Stone was thought to be Perished
• And the measurements of Sulvasutras Started- which helped to demarcated the fields and houses
• Town began to create a separation of who was in villages and agriculturalists which had People who Were Town and Peasants
• People began clustering their Towns together- Amidst the Villages
• Which Was First Appeared in Middle of Gangetic Basin- Where Nucleated rural

State and Varna Societal Structures

• Ancient pali texts Suggest that there are 3 types of Villages in this area

• With general Villages- Inhabited By various Castes for Example “village head mean- the “bhojaka” head of Numerous groups

• Craft Villages- Served As “Craft” markets in this new civilization where countryside began link Towns in order

• Then 3 types 3-border to connect the villages in the Limits which Merged Into Forest from life In backward communities in the area

• New Lands were Cultivated in the age that was Divided amongst the Family from wise

• Each Family Was Cultivating- As Agricultural, Labours.

• With new fields dug. Collective Families- With the aid of irrigation in the area

• With the increase in Wealth. Peasants Were Expected to produce the same amount of taxes and one-sixth amount of it will be given to the kings

• The king would collect his Taxes from Agents, and that would be a known connection with no Intermediate.

• And In the age, it became known for the new creation of trade for people to enjoy.

• The increase of helping of slaves and their Labour

• More wealthy Peasants became known as the Grihapaths

• The Rice in the East Became to be staple in Bihar Pradesh

• Wet production and Increase in yields caused for The start of Production of Barley like Millets, Sugar Cotton where began this New Advance in Increase to Culture

• New advancements in The Food Economy Spread In Order to Provide Subsistence with other farmers around.

• To start a new Urban area In Area

• Provided Subsistence who were directly producers, unlike Other farmers and artisans

• The Maintenance and Collection started happening more with conditions being easier sustain.

Administrative System in Ancient India

• Kosala and Magadha emerged as powerful hereditary monarchies
• In Jataka tales, oppressive kings and priests were expelled while new kings were installed, but such expulsions were rare.
• The king held the highest official status.
• The king gave to great significance of status within the leaders for example the statue of the Buddha.
• Officials existed as staff positions to the King Ministers would have positions and become high authorities such as military official’s or royal positions for the king.
• The King’s authority would grant higher-statused Ministers who would obtain influential powers of the position.
• King has great influence- but the brahmanas were still kept in high regard.
• Village/ Headmen would be the beginning of great Power with a great influence.
• Transformed from The- gramina of the region.
• Heads would be Assessed and Connected to the Villiagers

Ancient Army and Taxation

• Magadha Had The Greatest Elephant Unit with a strong firm arm
• Great taxation plans for a vast army like this
• Exempt Taxes- for warrior-Brahamans”
• Those Who Bare The Burden (The visha” Grahpatis “ -Bali “ Became comp for 16 th.

Ancient Society's Caste Groups and Structure

• Payment Was Made to those Who Worked in a cash kind
• Peasants with forced work became high in demand within a royal aspect
• Traders with the Skilled were Top to Pay the highest Amount.
• Known to be high toll fees of the period.
• Varna and caste became very popular for the period of India.
• However Assemblies were only known to be flourishing if in Republic, not in if was of Monarchs.

Ancient Republics

• In the old Indian societies, Gana, and Sangha
• With the not hereditary family member taking office instead
• Location in the Himalayan foothill
• And a hall Of Santhagara - the voting in the hall with Salakas
• Also there were - the -Kshatriya And the - slaves .
• This ancient system was made more toletent kingdoms for
• Mahavira made to spread its values in Kingdom.

Kingdoms

• The Kings Were all in charge in a Family
• While they Main point was to show the fertility Valley of the Ganga
• The King was everything for the kingdom, and that was their belief- But also their Priests in Sabha
• In Caste the Most Known Family Were The “Brahmins “ And They Had great Religious beliefs

Republican Experiment

• Power was always the Most with Tribal Caste
• If The Society can uphold this with Good Power and Control it will be a Good Caste