Programme at a glance: a thematic MA in Indian and world history
MAHI is IGNOU's Master of Arts (History) programme, offered in ODL mode through the School of Social Sciences. It is organised around themes such as social, economic and political developments rather than a strict ancient–medieval–modern split.
Programme overview
According to IGNOU, the programme equips learners to be researchers, teachers, writers and socially aware professionals. It traces continuity and change in Indian history from the earliest times to post-independent India, and elective courses bring in interdisciplinary perspectives. IGNOU notes it is useful for UPSC and state service commission examinations.
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💬 GET NOTES ON WHATSAPPEligibility, duration and fees
- Eligibility: Bachelor's degree or a higher degree from a recognised university (any discipline).
- Duration: minimum 24 months, maximum 48 months.
- Medium: English and Hindi.
- Not offered to international students, as per the official page.
Course structure and syllabus
The course list below follows IGNOU's official MAHI page. Each semester carries 20 credits.
Semester 1
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MHI-101 | Ancient and Medieval Societies | 6 |
| MHI-104 | Political Structures in India through the Ages | 8 |
| MHI-105 | History of Indian Economy-1: From Earliest Times to c.1700 | 6 |
| Total | 20 | |
Semester 2
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MHI-102 | Modern World | 6 |
| MHI-106 | Social Structures in India through the Ages | 8 |
| MHI-107 | History of Indian Economy-2: c.1700 to 2000 | 6 |
| Total | 20 | |
Semester 3
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MHI-103 | Historiography and Research Methods | 8 |
| MHI-109 | Indian National Movement | 8 |
| MPSE-004 or MGP-004 | Social and Political Thought in Modern India, or Gandhi's Political Thought (one course) | 4 |
| Total | 20 | |
Semester 4
| Course code | Course title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MHI-108 | Environmental Histories of the Indian Subcontinent | 8 |
| MHI-110 | Urbanization in India-1 | 6 |
| MHI-111 | Urbanization in India-2 | 6 |
| Total | 20 | |
Assignments, exams and passing requirements
- Evaluation at IGNOU combines continuous assessment through assignments with a Term-End Examination (TEE). Assignment submission rules and last dates are announced by IGNOU each session, so always check the latest notice.
- Under the commonly followed IGNOU pattern, assignments carry about 30% weightage and the TEE about 70%, and a minimum of 40% is generally required in each. Confirm the exact scheme in your Programme Guide before relying on it.
- Assignments must be your own handwritten work, submitted to your Study Centre as per the current instructions.
- Exam fees are not included in the programme fee and are paid separately as decided by the university.
Study tips for students
- Download the study blocks from eGyanKosh early and read the unit objectives first.
- Match each course code with the latest programme structure; older codes are no longer used for fresh admissions.
- Plan assignment writing course by course instead of leaving it for the last week.
- Revise using short notes and previous question papers for the course code you are appearing for.
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💬 GET NOTES ON WHATSAPPCareer and future prospects
IGNOU mentions work in government research organisations, NGOs addressing social issues, self-employment in human-issue domains and applying for government services. The programme is also relevant for those preparing for UPSC and state civil service examinations.
Useful official resources
- Official IGNOU programme page (MAHI)
- IGNOU admission portal (Samarth)
- eGyanKosh – IGNOU study material
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of MAHI at IGNOU?
MAHI is the programme code for Master of Arts (History) offered by IGNOU in ODL mode.
How many credits is MAHI?
MAHI is an 80-credit programme spread across four semesters of 20 credits each.
What is the eligibility for MAHI?
A Bachelor's degree or higher from a recognised university. IGNOU's page does not restrict it to a particular discipline.
What is the duration of MAHI?
Minimum 24 months and maximum 48 months.
Which medium is available?
English and Hindi.
📚 Need Notes for MAHI – Master of Arts (History)?
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WhatsApp: +91 9009368238
💬 GET NOTES ON WHATSAPPThis is an independent educational support website and is not the official website of IGNOU. Students should verify important academic information through official IGNOU sources.