How this paper is set and answered
From the notes printed under FPSC's own Revised Scheme tables.
- Ratio of MCQs in compulsory papers for CE-2016 will be 20 MCQs in each paper except in the paper of Essay. Similarly there will be 20 MCQs from each optional paper except Pure Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
Complete History of Pakistan & India Syllabus
The full official FPSC syllabus, reproduced section by section from the source document.
1Muslim Rule and Heritage in India (712-1857): Political History Arrival, foundation
1 point
- and consolidation of Muslim rule in India, important rulers of the Slave Dynasty and the Mughals. The Spirit and legacy of Muslim civilization, Art, Architecture and literature, Public Administration under Muslim Rules. Sultans, Kings, Economic, Social, Judicial, Civil and Military system during the Muslim rule, Industry, trade and commerce under the Muslim patronage, Financial Administration.
2British Rule in India: 1857-1947: British Imperialism, origin and growth of the East
1 point
- India Company, Causes and effects of downfall of the Mughal Empire in India, War of Independence in 1857:Causes and effects.
3Constitutional and Political Reforms of the British Government (1858-1947)
1 point
- and growth of the Political Parties –Indian Congress
4Muslim Struggle for Independence: Role of Shah Wali Ullah, Syed Ahmad
2 points
- Shaheed and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan towards regeneration of the Muslim of South Asia, All India Muslim League, Partition of Bengal, Simla Deputation, Lucknow pact;
- Khilafat movement. Nahru Report Quaid-i- Azam’s Fourteen Points.
5Pakistan Movement: Allama Iqal’s Allahabad Address 1930, and Round Table
1 point
- Conference. The Congress Rule in the provinces-1937-1939, Lahore Resolution 1940, various Missions and Plans for the partition of the South Asia. Founders of Pakistan: Quaid-i-Azam, Mohsin-ul-Mulk, Syed Amir Ali, Ali Brothes. Sir Agha Khan, Chaudhry Rahmat Ali, etc.
6History of Pakistan (1947- Todate): Pakistan’s early Challenges—Quaid-i-Azam as
1 point
- Governor-General, various attempts at constitution making.
7Military in Politics: Ayub Khan, Yahya, Zia–ul–Haq and Pervaiz Musharaf regimes,
1 point
- Civil Military Relationship in Pakistan,
8Separation of East Pakistan: Causes and Effects,
9Working of Democracy in Pakistan: Liaquat Ali Khan to Firoz Khan Noon (1947-
1 point
- 1958), Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Period,(1971-1977),Benazir, Nawaz Sharif ,Revival of Democracy: 1988-1999, Restoration of Democracy (2008 to date), Role of Major Political Parties and Pressure Groups in the history of Pakistan.
10Foreign Policy of Pakistan (1947-1999)
Preparation Strategy for Indo-Pak History
History of Pakistan & India tests a candidate's comprehensive understanding of the subcontinent's historical trajectory, from the advent of Muslim rule to the contemporary political landscape of Pakistan. The paper is structured chronologically and thematically, requiring both factual recall and analytical insight. A strong script distinguishes itself through precise chronological sequencing, a nuanced understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, and the ability to critically evaluate historical events and their long-term implications, rather than merely narrating facts.
History of Pakistan and India (100 marks) is an excellent choice as its Paper II completely overlaps with mandatory Pakistan Affairs.
1. Muslim Rule in India (712-1857): Focus on the administrative, cultural, and political policies of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. Evaluate the causes of their eventual decline objectively.
2. British Colonialism and Independence: Understand the socio-political awakening of Muslims, the role of key reformist leaders (Sir Syed, Iqbal, Jinnah), and the complex constitutional negotiations leading up to 1947.
3. Post-Partition Challenges: Frame Pakistan's post-1947 history through an analytical lens concerning constitutional delays, civil-military dynamics, and foreign policy shifts.
Paper by paper
Approach Paper I by first establishing a strong chronological framework for all periods. Prioritise understanding the evolution of political and constitutional reforms, the motivations behind key movements like the Muslim Struggle for Independence, and the foundational challenges faced by Pakistan. Focus on connecting events across different sections of the syllabus to build a coherent narrative, rather than treating each section in isolation.
A six-month plan
- 1Foundational LearningWeeks 1-6
Begin with 'Muslim Rule and Heritage in India (712-1857)', focusing on political history, administration, and cultural legacy. Transition to 'British Rule in India: 1857-1947', understanding the East India Company's growth and the 'War of Independence in 1857:Causes and effects'.
- 2Struggle and ReformsWeeks 7-12
Delve into 'Constitutional and Political Reforms of the British Government (1858-1947)' and the 'Muslim Struggle for Independence'. Pay close attention to the roles of key figures like Shah Wali Ullah, Syed Ahmad Shaheed, and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, and movements such as the Khilafat movement.
- 3Pakistan Movement & Early YearsWeeks 13-18
Concentrate on the 'Pakistan Movement', including Allama Iqbal's Allahabad Address, the Lahore Resolution, and various missions for partition. Follow this with 'History of Pakistan (1947- Todate)', focusing on 'Pakistan’s early Challenges' and initial attempts at constitution making.
- 4Modern Pakistan & Thematic StudiesWeeks 19-24
Address 'Military in Politics', 'Separation of East Pakistan', 'Working of Democracy in Pakistan' across different eras, and 'Foreign Policy of Pakistan (1947-1999)'. Understand the causes, effects, and key actors in these periods.
- 5Revision and PracticeWeeks 25-26
Systematic revision of all syllabus sections. Focus on interlinking topics, practicing essay writing, and refining objective knowledge. Identify and strengthen weak areas through targeted study and practice.
Using CSSPrep.AI for History of Pakistan & India
Only the tools that genuinely support this subject are listed.
Use the Essay Writer to structure comprehensive answers for potential exam questions. It helps in developing a clear thesis, outline, and well-supported arguments.
Try: Discuss the causes and effects of the downfall of the Mughal Empire in India.
Utilise Topic Explorer to break down syllabus topics into structured maps, identifying timelines, cause-and-effect chains, key actors, and arguments. This aids in holistic understanding.
Try: Explore the Muslim Struggle for Independence.
Engage with the MPT Trainer for diagnostic and adaptive MCQ practice. This helps in solidifying factual knowledge, identifying areas of weakness for objective questions, and improving recall speed.
Submit your written answers to the Evaluator to receive detailed feedback on structure, content, evidence, and language. This helps in understanding how to improve your answer presentation and argumentation against the CSS rubric.
High-yield topics
Each one is traced back to the section of the official syllabus it comes from.
This topic is foundational, covering the cultural, administrative, and economic contributions of Muslim rule, which often appear in questions assessing the broader impact of this era.
Syllabus section: Muslim Rule and Heritage in India (712-1857): Political History Arrival, foundation
The 1857 War is a pivotal event marking a significant turning point in British-Indian relations and the subsequent constitutional developments. Its causes and effects are frequently examined.
Syllabus section: British Rule in India: 1857-1947: British Imperialism, origin and growth of the East
Understanding the gradual introduction of reforms is crucial for grasping the political evolution leading to partition. Questions often focus on the impact and limitations of these reforms.
Syllabus section: Constitutional and Political Reforms of the British Government (1858-1947)
The contributions of leaders like Shah Wali Ullah, Syed Ahmad Shaheed, and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan are central to the narrative of Muslim regeneration and political awakening, making them high-yield for analytical questions.
Syllabus section: Muslim Struggle for Independence: Role of Shah Wali Ullah, Syed Ahmad
The Lahore Resolution is a cornerstone of the Pakistan Movement. Questions frequently explore its significance and the various proposals and plans that ultimately led to the partition of the subcontinent.
Syllabus section: Pakistan Movement: Allama Iqal’s Allahabad Address 1930, and Round Table
The initial years of Pakistan were fraught with challenges in nation-building and constitution-making. This period is critical for understanding the roots of many contemporary issues.
Syllabus section: History of Pakistan (1947- Todate): Pakistan’s early Challenges—Quaid-i-Azam as
The role of the military in Pakistan's political history is a recurring and significant theme, often appearing in questions that require analysis of governance and power dynamics.
Syllabus section: Military in Politics: Ayub Khan, Yahya, Zia–ul–Haq and Pervaiz Musharaf regimes,
This topic covers major democratic and non-democratic phases in Pakistan's history, requiring an understanding of political leadership, party roles, and the challenges to democratic consolidation.
Syllabus section: Working of Democracy in Pakistan: Liaquat Ali Khan to Firoz Khan Noon (1947-
Common mistakes in History of Pakistan & India answers
- Failing to maintain chronological accuracy, leading to a jumbled narrative of events.
- Providing general statements without specific dates, names of figures, or relevant acts/reforms, which weakens the evidence score.
- Presenting a biased or overly emotional account of historical events, rather than a balanced, evidence-based analysis.
- Not drawing clear connections between different historical periods or events, treating each syllabus section as an isolated topic.
- Confusing causes with effects, or misattributing the impact of certain policies or movements.
- Overlooking the socio-economic, cultural, and administrative aspects of historical periods, focusing solely on political events.
FPSC recommended books
The 20 books FPSC lists for History of Pakistan & India in the official syllabus.
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| 1. POLITICAL PARTIES IN PAKISTAN: 1947-1958 | AFZAL, M. RAFIQUE, 1986 |
| 2. GOVERNMENT & POLITICS IN PAKISTAN | AHMAD, MUSHTAQ, 1970 |
| 3. PARTY POLITICS IN PAKISTAN: 1947-58 | AZIZ, K.K. 1976 |
| 4. INDIA’S STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE | CHANDRE BIPIN, 1989 |
| 5. CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN | CHAUDHARY, G.W. 1959 |
| 6. WAVELL AND THE DAYS OF THE RAJ: BRITAIN’S PENULTIMATE VICEROY IN INDIA, | CHAWLA, MUHAMMAD IQBAL, 2011 |
| 7. NATIONALISM AND COMMUNAL POLITICS IN INDIA. | HASSAN, MUSHIRUL 1991 |
| 8. THE CHARISMATIC LEADER: JINNAH AND THE CREATION OF PAKISTAN | HAYAT, SIKANDAR, 2007 |
| 9. THE CULTURE OF POWER AND GOVERNANCE OF PAKISTAN 1947-2008 | ILHAN NIAZ, 2011 |
| 10. MUSLIM CIVILIZATION OF INDO-PAKISTAN. | IKRAM, SHAIKH MUHAMMAD, 1966 |
| 11. PAKISTAN’S FAILURE IN NATIONAL INTEGRATION | JAHAN, ROUNAQ, 1972 |
| 12. CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF PAKISTAN | KHAN, HAMID, 2005 |
| 13. THE MUSLIM POLITICS IN PUNJAB | QALB-I-ABID ,S, 1992 |
| 14. THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF THE INDO-PAK | QURESHI ISHTIAQ HUSAIN, 1962 |
| 15. THE STRUGGLE FOR PAKISTAN | QURESHI, ISHTIAQ HUSAIN, 1965 |
| 16. PAKISTAN: THE FORMATIVE PHASE | SAYEED, KHALID BIN, 1968 |
| 17. THE MILITARY AND POLITICS IN PAKISTAN 1947-86 | RIZVI, HASSAN ASKARI |
| 18. PAKISTAN: A NEW HISTORY | TALBOT, LAN, 1999 |
| 19. POLITICS AND THE STATE IN PAKISTAN | WASEEM, MOHAMMAD, 1989 |
| 20. JINNAH OF PAKISTAN | WOLPERT, STANLEY, 1984 |
Frequently asked questions
How important is memorizing exact dates in History of Pakistan & India?
While understanding the sequence of events is paramount, exact dates for major events, reforms, and tenures of key figures are important for factual accuracy. However, rote memorization without contextual understanding is less effective than grasping the chronological flow and significance of events.
Should I focus more on pre-1947 or post-1947 history?
The syllabus gives substantial weight to both periods. Pre-1947 history provides the foundation for understanding the creation of Pakistan, while post-1947 history covers the nation's development and challenges. A balanced approach covering all sections thoroughly is recommended for optimal preparation.
How can I cover such a vast syllabus effectively within a limited timeframe?
Break down the syllabus into manageable chronological and thematic units. Utilise tools like Topic Explorer to map out complex topics and Essay Writer to practice structured answers. Consistent daily study, focusing on understanding rather than just memorizing, is key.
Are the FPSC recommended books mandatory to read for this subject?
The recommended books offer in-depth perspectives and can significantly enhance your understanding and analytical abilities. While not strictly mandatory to read every single book cover-to-cover, consulting them for specific topics can provide valuable insights and evidence for your answers.
How do I ensure my answers are not biased, especially on sensitive historical topics?
To avoid bias, focus on presenting historical facts accurately, citing multiple perspectives where appropriate, and maintaining an objective tone. Base your arguments on evidence and analysis, rather than personal opinions or emotional language. The goal is academic rigour, not advocacy.
What is the typical weightage of different sections in the exam?
The FPSC syllabus does not specify the weightage of individual sections. Therefore, it is prudent to assume that all sections are equally important and prepare each thoroughly. Neglecting any part of the syllabus could result in missed opportunities in the exam.
Syllabus text reproduced from Revised Syllabi for CSS Competitive Examination, CE-2016 (updated 7 July 2015), pages 90-91. Marks and grouping are from the same document's Revised Scheme tables. Verify against the official PDF before relying on it.