An entrance examination is organized by Kashmir University as part of the selection process for M.A (History) course. Syllabus for the exam consists of topics related to History of Kashmir and History of India. Administration of Karkota Empire, Mughal Conquest of Kashmir, British Policy towards Kashmir, Vedic Culture, India between 200 B.C - 300A.D, Indian Polity and Independence and Partition are some other topics included under this entrance examination.

Detailed Syllabus for M.A (History) Entrance Exam in Kashmir University

History of Kashmir

Unit I

• Administration of Karkota Empire
• Art and Architecture with special reference to Avantivarman
• Art and Architecture with special reference to Lalitaditya
• Early History up-to 620 A.D
• Economic Development
• Extent of Karkota Empire
• Karkota Empire
• Origin of Kashmir
• Paleolithic and Neolithic Cultures
• Prehistoric Kashmir
• Utpalas

Unit II

• Buddhism
• Damaras
• Foundation of Lohara Dynasty
• Harsha’s Administration and Policy
• Kashmiri Saivism
• Kota Rani—Role
• Loharas
• Naga Worship
• Religious Developments
• Role of Didda
• Tantricism
• The Decline of Lohara Dynasty

Unit III

• Achievements of Zain-ul Abidin
• Contribution of Shah Mir and Sultan Shihab’ud Din
• Contribution of Sufis
• Foundation of the Sultanate-Causes
• Rise and fall of Chaks
• Spread of Islam
• Sultanate at Zenith

Unit IV

• Kashmir under Afghans
• Kashmir under Mughals
• Kashmir under Sikhs
• Mughal Conquest of Kashmir

Unit V

• Treaty of Amritsar
• Nature of Dogra State-Polity
• Foundation of Jammu and Kashmir State
• European Impact - Education, Technology, Land Reforms
• Economy
• British Policy towards Kashmir

Unit VI

Role of Muslim Conference and National Conference

Political and Economic Developments

• Partition and Kashmir
• Kashmir between 1947 and 1953
• Ideological scenario of Kashmir on the eve of Partition Kashmir
• Glancy Commission
• Formation of Muslim Conference
• Emergence of Political Consciousness – Causes
• 1931 Event

History of India

Unit VII

• Vedic Culture
• Society and Religion of Early and Later Vedic Period
• Significance and Decline of Buddhism and Jainism
• Religious Movements
• Pre-History
• Paleolithic Culture
• Neolithic Culture
• Mesolithic Culture
• Janapadas and Mahajanapadas - Rise of Maghdha
• Harappan Civilization - Origin, Features and Decline

Unit VIII

• The Mauryan Empire
• Sources-Literary and Archaeological
• India between 200 B.C - 300 A.D (Sungas, Indo Greeks, Scythians and Khushans)
• Downfall of the Empire
• Ashoka’s Dhamma

Unit IX

• The Gupta Empire
• Post –Gupta Period – Harshvardhana
• India on the eve of Turkish Conquest (Invasions, Causes of Turkish Success)
• Decline of the Empire
• Arab Conquest of Sind and its Impact

Unit X

• Sufism
• Significance of the Turkish Conquest
• Internal and External problems and the Response of the State
• Ghaznavid and Ghurid
• Foundation of the Sultanate
• Expansion of the Sultanate under Khaljis and Tughluqs
• Challenge and Response
• Bhakti Movement—Emergence and Role
• Administrative Institutions - Kingship, Nobility and Iqta

Unit XI

• Administrative Institutions - Kingship, Jagir and Manasabdari System
• Aurangzeb - Deccan Policy, Internal Revolts
• Consolidation of Mughal Empire
• Contribution of Sher Shah
• Downfall of the Mughal Empire-Debate
• Foundation of the Mughal Empire
• Jahangir and Shah Jahan - Political and Administrative Developments
• The Second Afghan Empire

Unit XII

• Drain of wealth
• Economic changes
• Expansion and consolidation of British Empire
• Ideologies and Tools of Expansion
• Movements
• Rise of Modern Industries
• Social changes-Spread of Western Education, Growth of Press; Socio-Religious

Unit XIII

• Foundation of Muslim League-Causes
• Moderates, Extremists
• National Movement-Indian National Congress
• Resistance to Company’s Rule with Special Reference to the Revolt of 1857

Unit XIV

• The Nature of Gandhian Movements
• Rise of Gandhi
• Indian Polity (1939-1947)
• Constitutional Development (with special reference to 1909 and 1919)
• Act of 1935

Unit XV

• Quit India Movement
• Mountbatten Plan
• Independence and Partition
• Impact of the Second World War
• Cabinet Mission

For every single unit in the syllabus, a weight age of 4 marks is allotted. It is essential for candidate to become thorough with the topics related to history covered under graduate level course.