Embedded Files
NEP 2020 Based Syllabus from 2023-24 onwards
UNDERSTANDING INDIA
Course Overview:
The course aims at enabling the students to acquire and demonstrate the knowledge and understanding of contemporary India with its historical perspective, the basic framework of the goals and policies of national development, and the constitutional obligations with special emphasis on constitutional values and fundamental rights and duties. The course would also focus on developing an understanding among students of Indian society, Indian knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
Course Objective and Outcome:
The course aims at making the students understand India from global, national and local perspectives. A student would be able to understand India in geographical, historical, social, cultural and political settings. At the end of the semester, the students will be able to appreciate the multicultural and multifaceted nature of India.
Unit I: Geography of IndiaIndia on the map of the world and its neighbouring countries - Geographical diversities
Unit II: History of IndiaIndia's freedom struggle, An introduction to Indian knowledge systems
Unit III: Communicating CultureOral narratives: Myths, tales and folklore Introduction to the Tribal Cultures of India
Unit IV: Indian Social StructureContinuity and change of the Indian Social Structure: Caste, Community, Class and Gender
Unit V: Understanding Indian PolityThe evolution of State in India: Nature and origin Interpretating India: Traditional, Modern and Contemporary Constitution as a living document
Reading List
Unit I: Geography of India
Dikshit R.D. (2020), Political Geography: Politics of Place and Spatiality of Politics, Mac Millan Education.
Deshpande C. D. (1992) India: A Regional Interpretation, ICSSR, New Delhi.
Johnson B. L. C. ed. (2001). Geographical Dictionary of India. Vision Books, New Delhi.
Mandal R. B. (ed.), (1990) Patterns of Regional Geography – An International Perspective. Vol. 3 - Indian perspective
Ranjit T. (2002) Geography of India, Rawat Publs., Jaipur & New Delhi.
Pathak C. R. (2003) Spatial Structure and Processes of Development in India. Regional Science Assoc., Kolkata
Tiwari R.C. (2007) Geography of India. Prayag Pustak Bhawan, Allahabad
Sharma T.C. (2013) Economic Geography of India. Rawat Publication, Jaipur
Unit II: History of India
Ministry of Education, Indian Knowledge Systems Division
Bose D. M., Sen S.N. and B. V. Subbarayappa B.V. Ed. (1971) A Concise History of Science in India, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
Chandra, Bipan, Amales Tripathi & Barun De (1972) Freedom Struggle, National Book Trust, New Delhi.
Husain, S. Abid. (2003). The National Culture of India, National Book Trust, New Delhi.
Kapoor, Kapil and Avadesh Kumar Singh ed. (2005), Indian Knowledge Systems, 2 Volumes, DK Printworld, New Delhi.
Mohanta B.K. and Singh V.K. Ed. (2012), Traditional Knowledge System and Technology in India, Pratibha Prakashan
History of Technology in India, 3 Volumes (1997-2012), Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi.
The Cultural Heritage of India Series, 8 Volumes (2002), Ramakrishna Mission Institute, Calcutta.
Unit III: Communicating Culture:
Kanak Mital, A Santhal Myth, and M.D. Subash Chandran () Five Elements”, “Peasant Perception of Bhutas, Uttara Kannada” in Prakrti, The Integral Vision, Vol. 1 (Primal Elements – The Oral Tradition, edited by Baidyanath Saraswati), pp. 119-125; 151-166.
Ramanujan A.K. (1997) A Flowering Tree’: A Woman’s Tale, Oral Tradition, 12/1:226-243
Blackburn, S.H. (1978) The Folk Hero and Class Interests in Tamil Heroic Ballads, Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 131-149.
Beatrix Hauser (2002) From Oral Tradition to "Folk Art": Reevaluating Bengali Scroll Paintings, in Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 61, No. 1 , pp. 105-122.
Komal Kothari, “Myths, Tales and Folklore: Exploring the Substratum of Cinema” pdf .
Unit IV: Indian Social Structure
Singh, Y. (1968). Caste and Class : Some Aspects of Continuity and Change. Sociological Bulletin, 17(2), 165–186. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038022919680205
Singh, Y. (1986). Modernization of Indian Tradition: A Systemic Study of Social Change. India: Rawat Publications.
Gupta, D. (2000). Interrogating caste: understanding hierarchy and difference in Indian society. India: Penguin Books.
Rege, S. (1996). Caste and Gender: The Violence Against Women in India. Italy: European University Institute.
Xaxa, V. (2008). State, Society, and Tribes: Issues in Post-colonial India. India: Dorling Kindersley (India), licensees of Pearson Education in South Asia.
Uberoi, P. (1994). Family, Kinship and Marriage in India. India: Oxford University Press.
Robinson, R. (2004). Sociology of Religion in India. India: SAGE Publications.
Srinivas, M. N. (2000). Caste: Its 20Th Century Avatar. India: Penguin Books Limited.
Jamil, G. (2021). Women in Social Change. SAGE Publishing India.
Bhasin, K. (2000). Understanding Gender.
Unit V: Understanding Indian Polity
Khosla M. (2012). The Indian Constitution. New Delhi, Oxford University Press.
Ramachandra Guha R. (2013). Makers of Modern India. Cambridge, Mass., The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Romila T.(2021) Indian Cultures as Heritage: Contemporary Pasts. London, Seagull Books.
Srinivasan V.S. (2021). The Origin Story of India’s States. Penguin Random. House India Private Limited.
Deepak. J.S. (2021) India That Is Bharat : Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution. New Delhi, Bloomsbury.
Customized syllabus covering books:
Anuradha K. (2024) Understanding India (as per NEP Syllabus), Shanlax Publications, p.129. - This book adheres to or is customized to the Pondicherry University syllabus.
De S. (2024) Understanding India (English version) paper back, Techno World publication, p.155.
Ghosh S. and Chandra B. (2024) Understanding India, paper back, Global Net Publications, p. 190.
Jain P. and Sharma R. (2023) Understanding India, Mahaveer Publications, p. 264.
Lochan K. (2025) Understanding India semester I for FYUGP students - NEP 2020, S chand and Company Ltd.,
Raychaudhury B.(2023) Understanding India - A value added course, Notion Press, p.274.
Sen S. (2023) Understanding India: A text and reference book for all streams (Arts, Science & Commerce) under Dibrugarh University as per NEP Syllabus: for four year undergraduate programme (FYUGP): Semester I (VAC), Ashok Publications, p.348.
Sharma R.K. and Sharma A.K. (2022) Vinesh's Understanding India (Value added course) Sem. I /II Jammu Univ., Cluster University, Srinagar, S. Vinesh & Co, p. 126.
Term End Semester Examination (Model Question paper)
Time 3 hrs Max. Marks 75
Section A (10 x 2 = 20 marks)
Mention the countries share land boundaries with India.
What are the geographical variation of India?
Explain about any one freedom fight.
What is the value of Indian knowledge system?
List the four features of oral narratives.
Mention the types of folktales.
Define community
What is meant by the class system?
What is modern and contemprorary art?
Define Constitution?
Section B (10 x 5 = 25 marks)
Briefly explain the integrated checkposts in India
Point out the objectives of indigenous knowledge system
Bring out the linguistic features of oral narratives.
Outline the features of Indian caste system.
Briefly explain the conept of Indian modernism.
Elucidate the features of regional geography of India.
"Constitution as a Living Document" - Explain.
Section C (15 x 2 = 30 marks)
(a) Elaborate the geographical advantage of India.
(b) Narrate the advantages of indigenous knowledge system.
(a) Discuss in detail of the cultural rights of tribals in India
(b) Describe the structure and features of Indian constitution.
3. TO Download two marks questions & answers CLICK HERE
3. TO Download two marks questions & answers CLICK HERE
Page updated
Report abuse