MOMENTUM IAS
2025/26
MAP BATCH
by: PIYUSH KUMAR
I G I TAL
D E S
N O T
3 Weeks
Duration course
FEATURES
Crisp
3 Classes
Information
Per Week
on Sites
02 nd
JULY 2024
10 Classes
RECENT SITES
INCLUDED
Fees: 4,000
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2
MAP BATCH 2025 MOMENTUM IAS
About The Course
Identifying and writing precisely about the sites asked in Paper 1 of History Optional is an
exercise that is like a battle so that one can prepare for the war. And, this war is the UPSC CSE
Mains Examination where every word written, along with its flow, matters the most as it will
decide where you stand in the final list with the tag “RECOMMENDED”. This program is one
of the finest ways to ensure that your arsenal can rightfully tackle the exposure of questions
and grab a handsome amount of marks. Join this initiative with Momentum IAS, and allow
yourself the detailed coverage of sites and witness the difference when you will fight for 500
Marks.
The importance of the Map question in Paper 1 and overall in History optional needs no
brainer. It not only covers solely 20% Weightage of Paper 1 but also, contributes to 10%
of the Overall History Optional as a subject. And this precisely has led to a better Input-
Output Ratio than any other portion of the paper.
Practice the art of Map work in a highly efficient manner under the guidance of Piyush Kumar
Sir. This course covers the exact Marking of the Sites, Detailed Discussion of them, and also
the practice of sites through the Weekly Tests. Join the course and level up your preparation,
so that you can get an edge over others in this competition.
Rakhigarhi (Haryana)
è Location: It is an archaeological site
located in Hisar district, Haryana.
DEVARLABANDA MULA è A cylindrical seal with ve Harappan Keeladi (Tamil Nadu)
characterson one side and a symbol of an
alligator on the other is an important nd è Keeladi is a tiny hamlet
è It was found at place
from this site. in the Sivaganga
called Ooragutta near
district in south Tamil
Bandala village,
Nadu.
Telangana.
è Urban civilization
è ‘Dolmenoid cist’ has a
existed in Tamil Nadu
unique shape as
in the Sangam age on
dictated by the cap-
the banks of the Vaigai
stone.
river.
Dholavira (Gujarat) Sinauli (UP)
è It is located in the è It is Asia’s largest
Kutch district, Gujarat. burial site excavated as
è The site is an of now.
exceptional example of è It provided the rst
a proto-historic Bronze ever ancient chariot
Age urban settlement discovered
pertaining to the in Bharatavarsa.
Harappan Civilization Khirsara (Gujarat) è Dr. Sanjay Manjul
(early, mature, and late excavated Sinauli in
Harappan phases). è This site is located in Nakhatrana Taluka of 2018. He discovered
è 40th UNESCO world Kutch district in the western Indian state of 116 burials there.
heritage site. Gujarat. It is located on the bank of Khari
river.
è This double-fortied settlement with corner
bastions and salients at regular intervals
measures roughly about 310 x 230m and
consists of a citadel, warehouse, factory area
and habitation annexes.
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MOMENTUM IAS
MAP BATCH 2025
Keeladi (Tamil Nadu)
In the eight rounds of excavations, including the first three by the ASI, over 18,000
artefacts have been unearthed from the site and the unique artefacts will be on display
at the museum to be opened soon.
Unearthing of heaps of pottery suggest the existence of a pottery making industry, mostly
made of locally available raw materials. Over 120 potsherds containing Tamil Brahmi
inscriptions have been found.
Over a thousand inscribed potsherds, found at Keeladi and other sites clearly suggest the
long survival of the script.
Spindle whorls, copper needles, terracotta seal, hanging stones of the yarn, terracotta
spheres and earthen vessels to hold liquid suggest various stages of a weaving industry.
There also existed a dyeing industry and a glass bead industry.
Gold ornaments, copper articles, semi-precious stones, shell bangles, ivory bangles and
ivory combs reflect the artistic, culturally rich and prosperous lifestyle of the Keeladi
people.
Agate and carnelian beads suggest import through commercial networks while terracotta
and ivory dice, gamesmen and evidence of hopscotch have been unearthed revealing
their pastime hobbies.
Sinauli (UP)
Asi founded a horse drawn chariots which were almost 5000 years old. The chariots
found have a fixed ankle linked through a long pole to a small yoke. This ankle, chassis
and wheel shows similarity to the modern chariots. These chariots are thought to have
been drawn by animals, preferably horses.
This discovery is really significant since it is the oldest known evidence of a chariot found
in the Indian subcontinent.
This also doubts the statement that horses were “brought” to the Indian subcontinent.
Even though there is a debate whether it was actually drawn by a horse or a Ox, but from
the evidences we have, it is probably Horse driven. Let me explain..
From the structure of the chariot, it is most likely a horse driven
There are a certian number of people who is trying to associate the chariot found in
Sinauli to the bullock cart found near IVC
However its not exactly correct, (credit Krishnan Raghavan)
No Harappan bullock cart has ever been found with four wheels (not even modern
ones), which is present in Sinauli chariots
Bullock carts don’t require a flagstaff
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MAP BATCH 2025 MOMENTUM IAS
There has been no “bullock cart” burials at any Harappan site, especially with
weapons. However, chariot / wagon burials with weapons, similar to the Sinauli
burials, were a common feature of the Sinthasta-Arkaim complex from where Indo-
Iranians are said to have migrated (and in general, of Indo-European cultures). Also
to note that they were heavily involved in copper metallurgy, and exported copper
and chariots to markets in the BMAC (Central Asia) and Middle East. Finally, the
Sintashta complex corresponds to roughly the same timeframe (2200 - 1700 B.C.) as
the Sinauli burials.
Khirsara (Gujarat)
Archaeobotanical samples too have been collected from the site for further identification
of plant exploitation and to understand agricultural practices.
Few years ago, archeologists had unearthed a mass burial site with 500 graves on the
outskirts of Khatiya village in Gujarat’s Kutch district.
Crucial Insights of the Recent Excavation On Harappan Settlement
Discovered: Archaeologists discovered the presence of the skeleton, along with pottery
artefacts, animal bones, semi-precious stone beads made of carnelian and agate,
terracotta spindle whorls, copper, lithic tools, cores and debitage, grinding stones and
hammer stones.
CONTENT
Palaeolithic and Mesolithic sites
Neolithic, Chalcolithic sites and Megalithic sites
IVC sites
IVC sites
Vedic Period and Mahajanapadas
Maryan Period
Guptas and Post-Gupta
Ports, Ancient towns, Ancient caves and Inscriptions
Buddhist sites, Jain sites and Ancient Universities
Miscellaneous
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MOMENTUM IAS
Momentum IAS
CSE All India Ranking HISTORY OPTIONAL Result
Success Is Where Preparation And Opportunity Meet
AIR
28 34 35 40 44 51 53
09
68 83 86 137 150 184 187
AIR
375
211 240 245 247 252 298 322
AIR
548
378 381 406 458 551 763 773
Testimonials
NAUSHEEN UDIT KADIAN
(308/500) (263/500)
In my preparation Test Series My strategy for clearing this exam
and one to one guidance by was based on getting correct
Piyush Kumar Sir helped me a feedback from my practice test
lot to understand my mistakes papers. For this Piyush Kumar
and perform better in my SIR provided me correct guidance
Optional. which helped me to fetch good
marks in Optional and crack this
exam with flying colours.
CHANDRA JYOTI ISHWAR KANDOO
(290/500) (316/500)
I thank Piyush Kumar SIR who This was my 4th attempt and I was
provided me his time and efforts lucky enough to give the best of my
for my preparation in History abilities and for that I am
Optional which not only helped extremely thankful to Piyush
me in my Optionals but also in Kumar SIR for providing me
GS-1 and Essay. guidance during my preparation as
reflected in my Optional Marks.
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