

B-A in History at Haridwar Bhatt Smarak Mahavidyalaya, Rajpur, Gagaha, Gorakhpur


Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
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About the Specialization
What is History at Haridwar Bhatt Smarak Mahavidyalaya, Rajpur, Gagaha, Gorakhpur Gorakhpur?
This History program at Haridwar Bhatt Smarak Mahavidyalaya focuses on a comprehensive understanding of human societies across ancient, medieval, and modern periods, with a strong emphasis on Indian history. The curriculum, aligned with NEP 2020 guidelines, delves into political, socio-economic, and cultural evolutions, offering a critical perspective on historical events and processes. It prepares students for diverse roles in India''''s growing heritage, education, and public service sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for high school graduates with a keen interest in historical inquiry, social sciences, and cultural heritage. It suits individuals aspiring for careers in academics, archaeology, archival management, journalism, or civil services. Students seeking to develop analytical thinking, research skills, and a deep understanding of India''''s past and its global connections will find this specialization particularly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue various career paths in India, including roles as historians, archivists, museum curators, content writers, journalists, and educators. Opportunities exist in government organizations like the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and various state archives. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4.5 LPA, with significant growth potential in academic and public sector roles. It also serves as a strong foundation for postgraduate studies and civil services examinations.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Develop Foundational Research Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in library orientation sessions and workshops on primary and secondary source analysis. Utilize the college library''''s resources and reputable online archives to build a strong base for academic writing.
Tools & Resources
College Library, JSTOR (accessible via institutional login), National Archives of India (online portal)
Career Connection
Strong research skills are fundamental for any career in history, academics, journalism, or civil services, enabling fact-based analysis and informed decision-making.
Cultivate Critical Thinking through Debates- (Semester 1-2)
Engage in classroom discussions and departmental history clubs. Actively prepare for debates on historical interpretations, challenging conventional narratives and developing analytical arguments.
Tools & Resources
History Department Club, Online academic forums
Career Connection
Enhances analytical and communication skills, crucial for competitive examinations like UPSC and for roles requiring persuasive articulation of ideas.
Master Academic Writing and Referencing- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on structured essay writing, adhering to academic integrity and proper citation methods (e.g., Chicago style). Seek feedback from professors on assignments to refine writing clarity and historical argumentation.
Tools & Resources
Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab), Grammarly, Turnitin (if provided by institution)
Career Connection
Essential for producing publishable academic work, securing research grants, and excelling in roles requiring formal report writing and documentation.
Intermediate Stage
Gain Experiential Learning through Site Visits- (Semester 3-4)
Organize or participate in educational tours to historical sites, museums, and archives in and around Gorakhpur or Uttar Pradesh. Document observations and relate them to textbook knowledge.
Tools & Resources
Regional Museums, Archaeological Survey of India sites, Local Archives
Career Connection
Provides practical context to theoretical knowledge, invaluable for careers in archaeology, museum studies, heritage management, and historical tourism.
Develop Interdisciplinary Perspectives- (Semester 3-4)
Explore connections between History and other disciplines like Political Science, Sociology, or Economics through elective courses or independent reading. Understand how historical events influence contemporary society.
Tools & Resources
Cross-listed courses, Open access journals in social sciences
Career Connection
Fosters a holistic understanding crucial for civil services, public policy analysis, and diverse roles requiring broad societal insights.
Participate in Academic Conferences and Workshops- (Semester 3-5)
Attend seminars, workshops, and student conferences organized by the university or other institutions. Consider presenting a research paper to hone presentation skills and network with scholars.
Tools & Resources
University Academic Calendar, Call for Papers (CFP) alerts from historical societies
Career Connection
Builds academic networks, enhances public speaking abilities, and adds significant value to CVs for higher studies and research-oriented careers.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Research Project or Dissertation- (Semester 5-6)
Collaborate with a faculty mentor to identify a specific research area, collect data, and write a comprehensive dissertation on a chosen historical topic. This develops in-depth expertise and project management skills.
Tools & Resources
Faculty advisors, Institutional research guidelines, Online scholarly databases
Career Connection
Showcases specialized knowledge and research capability, highly beneficial for postgraduate admissions, academic positions, and roles requiring independent analysis.
Prepare for Civil Services and Competitive Exams- (Semester 5-6)
Regularly study current affairs, practice essay writing, and engage in mock tests relevant to UPSC, PSC, or other government examinations where history is a key component.
Tools & Resources
UPSC/PSC previous year papers, Current affairs magazines and newspapers, Online coaching platforms
Career Connection
Directly targets high-demand government jobs in India, offering prestigious and impactful career paths in public administration.
Build a Professional Portfolio and Network- (Semester 5-6)
Curate a portfolio of academic papers, projects, and fieldwork experiences. Attend alumni meets and industry interaction events to build professional connections and explore mentorship opportunities.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Professional history associations (e.g., Indian History Congress), Alumni network portal
Career Connection
Facilitates job search, opens doors to internship and employment opportunities, and provides valuable career guidance from experienced professionals in the field.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- 10+2 (Intermediate) examination passed from a recognized board or equivalent.
Duration: 3 years / 6 semesters
Credits: Approximately 132-140 (variable based on elective and other courses as per NEP 2020) Credits
Assessment: Internal: 25%, External: 75%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS101 | History of Ancient India (From Beginning to 6th Century B.C.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Sources of Ancient Indian History, Pre-historic cultures: Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Indus Valley Civilization: Origin, extent, decline, Vedic Civilization: Early and Later Vedic period, Rise of Janapadas and Mahajanapadas, Religious movements: Jainism and Buddhism |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS102 | History of Ancient India (6th Century B.C. to 1206 A.D.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Rise of Magadha and Alexander''''s Invasion, Mauryan Empire: Chandragupta Maurya, Ashoka''''s Dhamma, Post-Mauryan Dynasties: Sungas, Satavahanas, Gupta Empire: Golden Age, administration, Post-Gupta period: Harshavardhana, Early Medieval Dynasties: Pallavas, Chalukyas, Cholas |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS201 | History of Medieval India (1206 A.D. to 1526 A.D.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Establishment of Delhi Sultanate, Khalji Dynasty: Alauddin Khalji''''s reforms, Tughlaq Dynasty: Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firuz Shah Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties, Bhakti and Sufi movements, Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS202 | History of Medieval India (1526 A.D. to 1764 A.D.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Establishment of Mughal Empire: Babur, Humayun, Sher Shah Suri: Administration and reforms, Akbar: Administration, religious policy, Jahangir and Shah Jahan: Art, architecture, Aurangzeb: Religious and Deccan policy, decline of Mughals, Decline of Mughals and rise of regional powers |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS301 | History of Modern India (1764 A.D. to 1947 A.D.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | British Expansion: Subsidiary Alliance, Doctrine of Lapse, Economic impact of British rule: Land revenue systems, Socio-religious reform movements, Revolt of 1857: Causes, nature, consequences, Indian National Movement: Gandhian era, constitutional developments, Partition of India and Independence |
| HIS302 | History of Modern World (1453 A.D. to 1945 A.D.) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Renaissance, Reformation, Enlightenment, American and French Revolutions, Industrial Revolution and Imperialism, World War I: Causes, course, consequences, Russian Revolution, Rise of Fascism and Nazism, World War II: Causes, course, consequences |
| HIS303E | Elective: Cultural History of India | Discipline Specific Elective (Major) | 3 | Indian Philosophy: Major schools and traditions, Art and Architecture: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Literature and Education in India, Science and Technology in ancient and medieval India, Religious pluralism and syncretic traditions, Evolution of Indian dress and food habits |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HIS304 | Contemporary India (1947 A.D. to Present) | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Challenges of nation-building: Partition, integration of princely states, Nehruvian era: Foreign policy, economic planning, Political developments: Emergency, coalition politics, Economic reforms and liberalization, Social movements and identity politics, India''''s role in international relations |
| HIS305 | Historiography, Theory and Method | Discipline Specific Core (Major) | 4 | Meaning and Scope of History, Sources of History: Literary, Archaeological, Oral, Historical Research: Methods and tools, Schools of Historiography: Imperialist, Nationalist, Marxist, Subaltern Studies and Postmodernism, Objectivity and Bias in History |
| HIS306E | Elective: History of Indian Freedom Movement | Discipline Specific Elective (Major) | 3 | Early resistance to British rule, Rise of nationalism and Indian National Congress, Moderate and Extremist phases, Revolutionary movements, Mahatma Gandhi''''s leadership and movements, Towards independence and partition |




