History Optional Question Paper – 2016: Paper-1
SECTION – A
Q1. Identify the following place marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-answer booklet locational hints for each of the place marked on the map are given blow. (2.5×20=50 Marks)
- (i) A mesolithic site
- (ii) A Neolithic site
(iii) A Mesolithic-Chalcolithic site - (iv) A Neolithic site
- (v) A Neolithic site
- (vi) A Megalithic site
- (vii) A site known for Buddhist remains
- (viii) A Harappan site
- (ix) A Harappan site
- (x) A Harappan site
- (xi) A Neolithic site
- (xii) A Harappan site
- (xiii) A Capital city
- (xiv) A Rock-cut cave site
- (xv) A Late Harappan site
- (xvi) An Educational center
- (xvii) A Terra-cotta are center
- (xviii) A Seaport
- (xix) A capital city
- (xx) A capital city
Q2 (a) Delineate and account for the regional characteristics of the Neolithic period in India.
(b) Explain why the majority of the known Harappan settlements are located in the semi-and areas with saline groundwater
(c) In what way was the egalitarian character of the early Vedic society changed during the later Vedic period?
Q3 (a) Examine the relationship among economic growth, urbanization and State formation from c. 7th century SCE to 3rd century BCE.
(b) How does the numismatic evidence of the period reflect the political and economic outlook of the Kushanas and the Satay.anas?
(c) “The changes in the field of art from the Kushana period to early medieval period are mere reflection of changing outlook.” Comment.
Q4. (a) Critically evaluate the theory and practice of land revenue system in ancient india.
(b) “The copious references to the preservation of Varnashrama system by the kings eulogized in inscriptions are mere reflection of the Smriti tradition.” Discuss.
(c) How did the temples of South India, as financial institutions, have deep impact on the social institutions of early medieval period? Critically examine
SECTION – B
Q5(a) Evaluate the contents of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri as a source of medieval History
(b) Analyze the significance of the uttaramerur inscriptions of the Chola King Parantaka I.
(c) Evaluate Jonaraja’s account of the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin
(d) Comment on the veracity of Alberuni’s account of the Indian society.
(e) Delineate the development of the Mughal painting during the reign of Jahangir.
Q6 (a) Explain the ingredients of the transitory nature of the early medieval India.
(b) What measures were initiated by the Sultans for the consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate? Discuss.
(c) Identify the broad contours of the Mughal foreign policy and their impacts on the Mughal empire.
Q7 (a) “The Advaita doctrine of Shankara cut at the very root of Bhaktivada.” Do you agree ?
(b) Do you think that the economic measures introduced by the Sultanate rules were beneficial to the common people as well? Illustrate with examples.
(c) Assess the contribution of Firoz Shah Bahmani and Mahmud Gawan in the field of education.
Q8 (a) Do you think that the agrarian crisis of the 17th century led to the disintegration of the Mughal empire? Discuss.
(b) Was it the weakening of the Mughal empire or the rise of the region. powers that led to the British conquest of India? Discuss
(c) Is it true that the court intrigues and weak revenue system led to the collapse i5 of the Maratha empire? Comment.
History Optional Question Paper – 2016: Paper-2
(SECTION – A)
Q1 Answer the following in about 150 words each:
a) Comment on the French ambition of building a territorial empire. In India.
b) After the Battle of Plassey, how did India transit from the medieval to the modern age?
c) Do you agree with the view that the growth of vernacular literature in the 19th and 20th centuries paved the way for social reform and cultural revival in India?
d) “The Mutiny of 1857 was much moiré than a Mutiny of Sepoys and much less than a National Rebellion,” Comment.
e) Explain “Constructive Swadeshi” Characterised by atmashakti (self-reliance), which propelled the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
Q2 a)How far is it correct to say that if Clive was the founder of the British Empire in India, Warren Hastings was its administrative organizer?
b) “Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.” Examine this statement with reference to Lord William Bentinck.
c) “India’s need for a federal system was more imperative than a political choice.” Do you agree?
Q3 a)Critically examine the causes responsible for the phenomenon called ‘de-industrialization’ in India during the nineteenth century.
b) How far is it correct to say that the 19th Tribal uprisings are a part of subaltern nationalism?
c) How did Dr. B.R. Ambedkar try to seek a political solution to the Problem of caste in India?
Q4 a)“The need to impose greater parliamentary control over the Company’s affairs increased during the decades (1773 – 1853) after Plassey.” Elucidate.
b) What significant role did women play in the Indian National Movement?
c) Critically examine the nature and scope of environmental movements in independent India.
SECTION – B
Q5 Answer the following in about 150 words each:
a) “Karl” Marx applied his critical intelligence to Wealth of Nations…. Where Smith had seen only the sunlight, Marx saw only the shadows thrown upon the human scene by the unimpeded exercise of individual liberty. (Elucidate.)
b) What is Metternich system? Assess its impact on Europe.
c) “League of Nations is a League of Nations.” Comment.
d) Explain the main features of the US Federal Constitution.
e) What factors contributed to the emergence of a unipolar world?
Q6 a) Critically examine the statement that the French Revolution was not caused by the French philosophers but by the conditions of national life and by the mistakes of the government.
b) “A house divided against itself cannot stand, I believe this government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free” Explain Abraham Lincoln’s perspective.
c) Trace the significant role played by Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam’s struggle for freedom.
Q7 a) How did Lenin achieve an abrupt transition from a Monarchical autocratic to a Socialist State?
b) Do you agree with the view that the Treaty of Versailles was a bad compromise between a treaty based upon force and a treaty based on ideas?
c) Trace the growth of British imperialism in South Africa from 1800 to 1907.
Q8 a) Trace the growth of Arab nationalism after the First World War. How far was it a reaction to Oil Imperialism?
b) In what way did the political changes in Soviet Union influence the events in Eastern Europe during the closing decades of the 20th Century?
c) Outline the circumstances Leading to détente.