How to remember dates and events effectively for UPSC history

Remembering dates and events especially for the UPSC Exam, is a difficult process. But it isn’t an impossible one to begin with. With a few subtle tricks and tips, one can effectively remember dates as well as the events that took place in history.

This article will teach you how to do so.

The candidates can read more related information from the links provided below:

Tips to Remember dates and events effectively for UPSC History

Here are some tips to remember dates and events effectively for UPSC History:

1. Breaking down the numbers

To remember certain dates, breaking down numbers can make memorization an easier task. For example, the Indian War of Independence took place in 1857. Some people find it easy to remember the numbers 18 and 57. This method is especially useful when one is learning about a specific time period. 

2. Visualising numbers as a Graph (or on it)

Another technique is visualising dates as a graph. For example when you put 1947 on a bar graph or number line It would look like the following

1. First number is very low (1)
2. Second number will be high (9)
3. Third number would again be low but greater than the lowest number (4)
4. The fourth number would be somewhere in between (7)

This can also be represented by a line connecting the different bars. Imagine it going from very low to very high and then descending just a bit. 

3. Make use of Sounds and Rhymes

Another neat trick is using sounds and rhymes. You can sing yourself a low sound followed by two high sounds or you can make your own song using the dates and its meaning and context or use a song you already know and replace them with words you are focused on.

Some examples are given below:

• Mehmet the Conqueror took Constantinople of old, ending the Roman Empire of old
• The French Revolution shook the kings and nobles to the ground, with their titles being thrown around.

4. Make connections between things you know

You can also associate the dates with something that you know really well. Maybe 17 and 76, or only 76 are the numbers of your favourite athletes or are a part of your or someone else’s birthdays or some other significant dates to you.

Or maybe the date you are working with includes another well-known date such as Christmas day (24 or 25 based on where you are from), or you may connect number 31 with New Year’s Eve, or number 4 with the 4th of July.

Candidates can find UPSC Prelims Ancient Indian History Question papers in the given link. 

To know more about other Government Exams, visit the linked article. For more preparation materials they can refer to the links given in the table below: