Cultural Traditions in India, 750‐1200: History Optional PYQs

Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vlshishtadvalta, Madhva and Brahma-Mlmansa; Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhaktl, Islam and Its arrival In India, Sufism; Literature: Literature In Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature In the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtaranglnl, Alberunl’s India; Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting

PYQs: Cultural Traditions in India, 750‐1200 [1985-2024]

1. Shankaracharya’s philosophy and its impact. Write short answer of not more than 200 words. (1987)
2. Discuss the salient features of Indian society on the eve of the campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni, with particular reference to the observations made by AlBiruni. (1989)
3. ‘Sankaracharya brought about a synthesis of ideas and philosophies.’ Discuss the statement and analyse the historical significance of his life and thought. (1990)
4. Discuss the role of the Rashtrakutas for the mastery of Kanauj and assess their contribution to art and culture. (1992)
5. Do_you agree with the view that the form and content of temple architecture in South India between c. A.D. 750 and 1200 were products of a specific economic and political milieu? (1994)
6. Write brief essay on Al-Biruni’s India. (1998)
7. Trace influence of Islam on Indian culture and civilization. (1999)
8. Critically evaluate the contribution of Rashtrakutas to art and culture. (1999)
9. Write brief essay : The Vedanta of Sankaracharya. (2001)
10. Write brief essay : Origin of the Bhakti Movement. (2002)
11. Write brief essay on Kalhan as a historian. (2003)
12. Attempt a critical essay on the Indian Science and Civilisation in the light of Alberuni’s writings. What merits and drawbacks, do you find in his account? (2003)
13. Write brief essay on Alberuni on science in India. (2007)
14. What are the manifestations of Tamil devotional cults ? How do you account for their growth between C. 750 and C. 1200 CE? (2008)
15. Assess Kalhana’s views on history. (2009)
16. How far do you agree with the view that the temples in the early medieval period were catalysts in spreading education? (2010)
17. Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history. (2012)
18. Assess the contribution of the Acharyas in the development of the ideological basis of bhakti. (2012)
19. Evaluate the ‘Kitab al-Hind’ of Alberuni as a source of history of India. (2014)
20. Give a brief account of the early medieval temple architecture of Kashmir. (2015)
21. Why is Mamallapuram famous? (2015)
22. Comment on the veracity of Alberuni’s account of Indian society. (2016)
23. “The Advaita doctrine of Shankara cut at the very root of Bhaktivada.” Do you agree? (2016)
24. How did the temples of South India, as financial institutions, have deep impact on the social institutions of early medieval period? Critically examine. (2016)
25. The 11th – 12th centuries C.E. saw eventful progression in the cultural history of India. Discuss. (150 words) (2017)
26. Discuss the Caurapancashika andJain styles of paintings. Can the Caurapancashika style truly be called the precursor of pothi format? (2017)
27. Do you consider the Rajatarangini of Kalhana to be a reliable source of the political history of Kashmir? Why? (150 words) (2017)
28. Assess the statement that ‘the philosophy of Shankaracharya revolutionized religious thoughts in India.’ (2019)
29. Discuss the relationship between emergence of literature in vernacular languages and formation of regional identities in early medieval India. (2021)
30. Discuss the attitude of Chishti saints towards the state. How were the Suhrawardi saints different in their attitude towards the government? (in about 150 words) (2021)
31. “The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors, efficient administrators but also builders of fine temples.” Comment. (2021)
32. The Virashaiva Movement of Southern Deccan in the twelfth century was essentially an attempt at social reform. Discuss. (2022)
33. Examine the defects in Alberuni’s assessment of Indian society. (2023)
34. Illustrate the main features of Vesara style temple architecture. (2024)
35. Analyze the contributions of Acharya Triumvirate to Indian Vedanta. (2024)
36. Evaluate the contribution of Qalandariyyah to medieval Indian culture. (2024)