Indian History, particularly the major battles and wars that shaped its course, is an important topic for the General Knowledge paper in the CDS (Combined Defence Services) 2 2025 examination. Questions often test your knowledge of key conflicts, their dates, involved parties, and significant outcomes. This article highlights some of the most important battles and wars you should focus on.
Key Battles and Wars in Indian History:
- Ancient History:
- Battle of Hydaspes (326 BC): Between Alexander the Great and King Porus.
- Kalinga War (c. 261 BC): Between Emperor Ashoka and the state of Kalinga. Significance of Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism.
- First Battle of Tarain (1191 AD): Between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.
- Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD): Between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori. Crucial for the establishment of Turkish rule in India.
- Medieval History:
- First Battle of Panipat (1526): Between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. Led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
- Battle of Khanwa (1527): Between Babur and Rana Sanga. Consolidated Mughal power.
- Battle of Ghagra (1529): Between Babur and the Afghan chieftains.
- Battle of Chausa (1539): Between Sher Shah Suri and Humayun.
- Battle of Kannauj (1540): Between Sher Shah Suri and Humayun. Led to Humayun’s exile.
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556): Between Akbar and Hemu. Re-established Mughal authority.
- Battle of Talikota (1565): Between the Deccan Sultanates and the Vijayanagara Empire. Led to the decline of Vijayanagara.
- Battle of Haldighati (1576): Between Mughal forces (led by Man Singh I) and Maharana Pratap.
- Battle of Plassey (1757): Between the British East India Company (led by Robert Clive) and Siraj-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Bengal). Marked the beginning of British political dominance in India.
- Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Between the Durrani Empire (Afghans) and the Maratha Confederacy. Significant for the decline of Maratha power and opening the way for British expansion.
- Battle of Buxar (1764): Between the British East India Company and the combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II. Solidified British power in Bengal.
- Modern History (Pre-Independence):
- Anglo-Mysore Wars (Late 18th Century): Series of wars between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore (Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan).
- Anglo-Maratha Wars (Late 18th – Early 19th Century): Series of conflicts between the British East India Company and the Maratha Confederacy.
- Sikh Wars (Mid 19th Century): Conflicts between the British East India Company and the Sikh Empire.
- Sepoy Mutiny / First War of Indian Independence (1857): Though not a single battle, important events and figures from this uprising are crucial.
Key Information to Note for Each Battle:
- Date (Year is sufficient for most).
- Involved Parties / Combatants.
- Winner.
- Significant Outcome / Impact on Indian History.
Preparation Tips:
- Create a Timeline: Organize battles chronologically to understand the flow of history.
- Focus on Cause and Effect: Understand why a battle occurred and its long-term consequences.
- Use Maps: Visualize the geographical locations of these battles.
- Practice Fact-Based Questions: Many questions will test direct recall of dates and participants.
Focusing on these major battles and their historical context can strengthen your knowledge of Indian History for the CDS 2 2025 GK paper.
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