History is one of the most important parts of the General Awareness section in the SSC CGL exam. Many questions are asked every year from history, and they are mostly factual. If you study the right topics and revise regularly, history can help you score good marks easily. The best part is that history doesn’t change — once you learn it, you can keep it in your memory for a long time.
In this article, we will look at the most important history topics you should prepare for SSC CGL. The chapters are taken from ancient, medieval, and modern Indian history — exactly as per SSC’s pattern.
Important History Topics for SSC CGL Exam Preparation
History questions in SSC CGL come from three main sections:
- Ancient Indian History
- Medieval Indian History
- Modern Indian History
These chapters are repeated often in SSC exams, and understanding the timeline will help you link topics and remember dates, events, and personalities easily.
Also Read: SSC CGL Syllabus 2025 and Exam Pattern
Most Important History Topics for SSC CGL
Here is a chapter-wise list of the most important history topics, based on standard SSC CGL trends and the chapters in your provided images:
Ancient Indian History
| Category | Topics |
|---|---|
| Prehistoric Age | Prehistoric and Indus Valley Civilization |
| Vedic Age | Early and Later Vedic Age |
| Religious Movements | Jainism, Buddhism |
| Political Developments | Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Dynasty, Gupta Dynasty, Vardhana Dynasty |
| South Indian Kingdoms | Chola Dynasty |
| Miscellaneous | Art and Architecture, Literature, Coinage |
Medieval Indian History
| Category | Topics |
|---|---|
| Early Medieval India | Foreign Invasions, Delhi Sultanate |
| Sultanate Dynasties | Slave Dynasty, Khilji Dynasty, Tughlaq Dynasty, Sayyid Dynasty, Lodi Dynasty |
| Mughal Period | Babur, Humayun and Sher Shah Suri, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb |
| Other Empires | Vijayanagar Empire, Maratha Empire, Sikh Gurus |
| Important Events | Administration, Religious policies, Architecture |
| Miscellaneous | Important battles, Cultural contributions |
Modern Indian History
| Category | Topics |
|---|---|
| British Rule | Governors and Viceroys, British Acts and Policies, Expansion of British Rule |
| Freedom Movement | Revolt of 1857, Partition of Bengal and Swadeshi Movement, Gandhian Era, Revolutionaries, Struggle for Independence |
| Reforms | Socio-Religious Reforms, Indian National Congress and Its Sessions, Muslim League |
| Other Key Areas | Miscellaneous events, Important leaders, Treaties and Agreements |
History Syllabus for SSC CGL
Even though SSC doesn’t give a detailed syllabus, based on previous year papers, these are the areas to cover:
Ancient India
- Indus Valley Civilization
- Vedic Age
- Jainism and Buddhism
- Mauryan and Gupta Dynasties
- Post-Gupta Period (Harsha, etc.)
- South Indian Kingdoms (Chola, Chera, Pandya)
Medieval India
- Delhi Sultanate (Slave to Lodi Dynasties)
- Mughal Empire (Babur to Aurangzeb)
- Important Rulers like Akbar and Sher Shah
- Sikh Gurus
- Maratha Power and Administration
Modern India
- British Rule and Its Policies
- Revolt of 1857
- INC Sessions, Muslim League
- Gandhiji and His Movements
- Important Acts (Regulating Act, Charter Act, etc.)
- Partition and Independence
Also Read: Important Geography Topics for SSC CGL Exam Preparation
Expected Weightage of History in SSC CGL
Here is the approximate number of questions that come from history in SSC CGL:
| Section | Expected No. of Questions |
|---|---|
| Ancient History | 1–2 Questions |
| Medieval History | 1–2 Questions |
| Modern History | 3–4 Questions |
Modern Indian History has the highest weightage, so prepare it well.
Tips for SSC CGL History Preparation
To score well in history, follow these simple tips:
- Start with NCERTs (Class 6–10) – They are written in simple language and cover the basics well.
- Read Lucent’s General Knowledge Book – Best for quick facts and revision.
- Use Timelines – Helps you connect events and remember them better.
- Revise Weekly – Don’t just read once. Make short notes and revise regularly.
- Solve Previous Year Papers – SSC repeats many questions, especially in Modern History.
- Group Topics Logically – Like Revolts, Social Reforms, or Religious Movements — this helps in better understanding.
FAQs
Q1. How many questions come from history in SSC CGL?
A: Around 4–6 questions are asked every year from history, especially modern India.
Q2. Which part of history is most important for SSC CGL?
A: Modern Indian History (British Rule and Freedom Movement) is the most important.
Q3. What is the best book to study history for SSC CGL?
A: NCERT textbooks and Lucent’s GK book are the best for SSC history preparation.
Q4. Is medieval history important for SSC CGL?
A: Yes, especially Mughal rulers and Delhi Sultanate – usually 1–2 questions are asked.
Q5. How should I remember so many dates and events?
A: Use timelines, make short notes, revise weekly, and solve MCQs regularly.
