History Optional · PYQ Master Pack
History Optional PYQ Master Pack
Topic-wise model answers to every History Optional question UPSC has asked since 1985: Ancient, Medieval, Modern and Post-Independence India, and World History. Each answer integrates historiography, sources and map references, and is filed under its syllabus unit so a whole theme can be revised in one sitting.
1,390+
Model answers
51
Syllabus units
1985–2025
Years covered
Topic-wise
Not year-wise
Jump to a unit — Paper I · Ancient India
Sources: Archaeological, Literary, Foreign Accounts Pre-history and Proto-history Indus Valley Civilization Megalithic Cultures Aryans and Vedic Period Period of Mahajanapadas Mauryan Empire Post-Mauryan Period Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas Regional States during Gupta Era Themes in Early Indian Cultural History
Paper I · Medieval India
Early Medieval India, 750-1200 Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200 The Thirteenth Century The Fourteenth Century Society, Culture and Economy in the 13th and 14th Centuries The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Political History The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Society and Culture Akbar Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century Economy and Society in the 16th and 17th Centuries Culture during Mughal Empire The Eighteenth Century
Paper II · Modern India
European Penetration into India British Expansion in India Early Structure of the British Raj Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule Social and Cultural Developments Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas Indian Response to British Rule Early Indian Nationalism Rise of Gandhi and the Gandhian Era Other Strands in the National Movement Politics of Separatism Constitutional Developments in Colonial India, 1858-1935
Paper II · Post-Independence India
Consolidation as a Nation Caste and Ethnicity after 1947 Economic Development and Political Change
Paper II · World History
Enlightenment and Modern Ideas Origins of Modern Politics Industrialization Nation-State System Imperialism and Colonialism Revolution and Counter-Revolution World Wars The World after World War II Liberation from Colonial Rule Decolonization and Underdevelopment Unification of Europe Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
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Just added
Recent History Optional model answers.
New answers are added through the year. The latest nine are here; every unit below lists its full set.
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Discuss critically the salient features of Mikhail Gorbachev’s domestic reforms.
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“The supremacy of USA after the end of Cold War had its challenges as well.” Critically examine.
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Discuss, how the policies adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev were responsible for the disintegration of the USSR?
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“The impact of the end of the Cold War and the emergence of the US as the lone superpower has been both, good and bad.” Discuss.
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A new configuration of power emerged in world politics after the end of the cold war. Analyse how USA managed to become the sole superpower.
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Review the policy of Glasnost adopted by Gorbachev.
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“By 1980s, the Communist System of Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Substantiate.
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In what way did the political changes in Soviet Union influence the events in Eastern Europe during the closing decades of the 20th Century?
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What factors contributed to the emergence of a unipolar world?
Syllabus map
Paper I · Ancient India
Sources: Archaeological, Literary, Foreign Accounts, Pre-history and Proto-history, Indus Valley Civilization, Megalithic Cultures, Aryans and Vedic Period, Period of Mahajanapadas, Mauryan Empire, Post-Mauryan Period, Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India, Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas, Regional States during Gupta Era, Themes in Early Indian Cultural History.
Unit 01
Sources: Archaeological, Literary, Foreign Accounts
PYQ Solutions
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“Ancient Indians had no taste for historiography; their scholars cared more for religious, spiritual and philosophical studies. Indian historiography is essentially an Islamic heritage.” Comment upon this statement with special reference to the contemporary writers and their works which help us in the reconstruction of history of the early Medieval period of Indian history.
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Assess the pattern of settlement, economy, social organisation and religion of India during 2000 to 500 BC from archaeological evidences.
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Discuss the changing approaches to the study of early Indian History.
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“Reconstruction of Early Indian history is hardly possible without the help of inscriptions and coins.” Discuss.
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In what ways are the accounts of the Graeco-Romans and the Chinese helpful in reconstructing the social history of India? How far is their information corroborated by other contemporary sources?
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What light do early inscriptions and literature throw on the status of women in politico-socio-economic spheres?
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On the basis of contemporary sources assess the nature of banking and usuary in ancient India.
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Evaluate the ownership of land in ancient India on the basis of literary and epigraphic sources.
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Evaluate the contribution of the Puranas in disseminating secular knowledge among the masses in ancient India.
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“While using the accounts of foreign writers, historians must distinguish between statements based on hearsay and those grounded in perceptive observations.” Elaborate with examples.
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How far can the ancient Indian Sruti literature be used as historical sources?
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“The copious references to the preservation of Varnashrama system by the kings eulogized in inscriptions are mere reflection of the Smriti tradition.” Discuss.
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“Art and culture are reflected to a far greater extent than political history in the epigraphic sources.” Comment.
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How did the early Indian historical tradition, as reflected in Itihasa-Purana, emerge? What are the distinctive features of this genre?
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Do you agree that archaeological evidence often helps in better understanding of literary sources? Comment.
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Foreign accounts as a source of ancient Indian history may have some advantages also have a few shortcomings. Citing appropriate examples, examine the statement.
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How do the comparative study of languages, archaeological sources and vast corpus of Vedic literature help to determine the Aryan problem in Indian history? Discuss.
Unit 02
Pre-history and Proto-history
PYQ Solutions
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To what extent archaeological materials are useful in understanding the progress of neolithic man in India?
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In the absence of a written script Chalcolithic pottery gives us a fascinating insight into the culture and life styles of the people of those times. Comment critically.
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Delineate and account for the regional characteristics the Neolithic Period in India.
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The emergence of Non-Harappan Chalcolithic cultures in Central India and the Deccan mark a change not only in the subsistence pattern of people but an overall transition from pre to proto historic period. Critically analyze.
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“The Neolithic Age represents a revolution due to significant changes that took place during this period.” Examine.
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“The Chalcolithic people were experts in microliths and were also skilful workers in stone.” Elucidate.
Unit 03
Indus Valley Civilization
PYQ Solutions
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‘On circumstantial evidence Indra stands convicted.’ Explain, and discuss briefly different views about a sudden end of the Indus Valley civilization. How would you explain the presence of those elements in Indian culture and civilization which are found to have existed in the Indus Valley period?
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“The Indus Civilization had an abrupt end.” Discuss the statement and explain how the Indus Civilization could influence Indian culture in its later history.
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Write brief essay on External trade of the Harappans.
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Write brief essay: The burial customs in the Indus Civilization.
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Discuss the pattern of trade during the Indus Valley civilization. How far did it affect the nature of contemporary settlements in the Indian sub-continent?
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Write brief essay on: The Religion of the Indus Civilization.
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“The continuity of the Indus Civilization into later ages was not confined to the religious and spiritual fields alone.” Analyse the statement.
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Discuss salient features of the Indus Valley Civilization. Mention important places from where relics of civilization have been recovered so far. Examine causes of its decline.
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Analyse the elements of urban civilization in the Harappan Culture. What factors were responsible for its decline?
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Discuss the distribution and significance of farming cultures outside the Indus system.
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Evaluate the significance of seals and sealings in the reconstruction of socio-economic and religious life of the Harappan people.
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Discuss the water management and its conservation planning in the Harappan (Indus-Saraswati) cities.
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Do you think the Harappan civilization had a diversity of subsistence base?
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The decline of Harappan civilization was caused by ecological degradation rather than external invasion. Discuss.
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Explain why the majority of the known Harappan settlements are located in the semi-arid areas with saline groundwater.
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“Archaeological evidence does not give direct access to the possible social and political dimensions of the decline of the Harappan civilization. What it does indicate very clearly is that the Harappan culture underwent a gradual process of deurbanization.” Comment.
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Did the mastery over agriculture act as a leverage for the rise of Harappan towns and cities? Discuss.
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Do you agree that ecological factors influenced the flow and ebb of the Harappan Civilization? Comment.
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The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was a result of neither of any outside influence nor a sudden act but a gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors. Comment.
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The Indus-Saraswati cultural zone exhibited both homogeneity and diversity. Discuss.
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“The Harappans were not an artistic people.” Comment.
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Harappan art contributes to our understanding of their aesthetic sensibilities in addition to spiritual and ritualistic life. Comment.
Unit 04
Megalithic Cultures
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the extent, settlement pattern and subsistence economy of the megalithic cultures.
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In what ways can the Megalithic culture be considered a foundational phase of the history of peninsular India?
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Will it be proper to consider the megaliths to represent a single, homogeneous or contemporaneous culture? What kind of material life and cultural system is revealed in the megalithic cultures?
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Discuss different types of Megalithic burial practices in India. How far does the archaeological evidence from it help us to know the religious beliefs and cultural practices?
Unit 05
Aryans and Vedic Period
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the geographical area known to the Rigvedic people. Were they familiar with the sea?
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on: Democratic elements in the political system of the early Vedic period.
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Compare the economic, social and religious life of the Indus Valley (Harappan) people with that of the early Vedic people and discuss the relative chronology of the Indus and the early Vedic cultures.
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on: Position of women in the Rigvedic society.
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Discuss briefly the development of religious ideas and rituals in the Vedic age. Do they show any parallelism with the religion of the Indus Civilization?
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on: The formulation of social system in the later Vedic period.
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‘The Indus civilization did not have an abrupt appearance.’ Discuss the statement. How does the Indus civilization stand, in view of its geographical expansion and chronology, in relations to the Vedic civilization?
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Analyse the differences and similarities between Indus Valley and Vedic Cultures.
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Write brief essay on: The Vedic Gods of the terrestrial region.
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Bring out the elements of change and continuity between the Early Vedic and Later Vedic Cultures.
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Describe the distinguishing features of important archaeological cultures of the Indian subcontinent datable between c. 2000 B.C. and c. 500 B.C.
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Write brief essay on Vedic literature.
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Write brief essay on Vedic rituals.
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Give a brief account of the social and economic conditions of the Later Vedic Aryans. What role did iron play in changing their political and economic life?
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Describe the social life of the later Vedic people. How was it different from the Rigvedic life?
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Evaluate the various approaches to the understanding of Vedic religion.
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Examine the view that the sacrifice was a ritual and a form of social exchange in Vedic India.
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Evaluate the conceptual basis of the Vedic deities.
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Evaluate various views regarding human settlements as gleaned from the Vedic sources.
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“The varna concept may always have been largely a theoretical model and never an actual description of society.” Comment in the context of Ancient India.
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“The Upanishadic principles embody the epitome of the Vedic thought.” Discuss.
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“Archaeology knows of no Aryans; only literature knows of Aryans.” Examine critically.
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In what way was the egalitarian character of the early vedic society changed during the later vedic period?
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Critically examine various views regarding the Vedic-Harappan relationship in light of the latest discoveries.
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Examine how the transformation of the Varna System from the Rigvedic to the Later-Vedic period affected the position of women.
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“There are no literary sources for the Harappan culture and no archaeological evidence for the Vedic period.” Explain the phenomenon.
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Puranas were the innovative genre of literature to popularise and revive Vedic religion. Elaborate with examples.
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Throw light on the nature of religion and classification of gods mentioned in the Rigveda.
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Do you consider that the Upanishadic principles embody the high point of Vedic religious thought? Comment.
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How do the comparative study of languages, archaeological sources and vast corpus of Vedic literature helps to determine the Aryan problem in Indian history. Discuss.
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Discuss the evolution of the State institution and taxation system from the Rigvedic period to the later Vedic period.
Unit 06
Period of Mahajanapadas
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the social & economic factors for the rise of Buddhism. How far was it influenced by Upanisadic thought?
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Write short essays of not more than 200 words on: The intellectual revolution in the Sixth Century B.C.
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Trace the rise of Magadhan imperialism up to the times of the Nandas with particular reference to its policy towards the non-monarchical state. Discuss the factors that contributed to its success.
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Give an account of the republics in the preMaurya period. Discuss the factors which contributed to their decline.
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Write brief essay on Essence of Early Jainism.
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Write brief essay on Social and economic conditions of North India during the PreMauryan period (600-325 B.C.)
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Analyse the causes of the success of the Magadhan imperialism upto the reign of Ashoka the Great.
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“The Sixth century B.C. was a period of religious and economic unrest in India.” Comment.
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Explain the social aspects of Buddhism and account for its decline in India.
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Write what you know of the rise and spread of Buddhism before the first century A.D.
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Assess the importance of Jain tenets and their relevance to humanity.
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Evaluate the introduction of iron technology in the development of human history of ancient India.
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Explain as to how the early Buddhist Stupa art, while using folk motifs and narratives and common cultural symbols, succeeded in transforming these themes for expounding the Buddhist ideals.
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How far is it correct to say that changes in the post-Vedic economy gave birth to new religious movement in India?
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Examine the relationship among the economic growth, ‘urbanization and state formation from c. 7th century BCE to 3rd century BCE.
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Buddhism and Jainism were social movements under the umbrella of religion. Comment.
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Give an account of gana-sanghas (non-monarchical state systems)? Why did they decline?
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The concept of Shramanic religions, with particular reference to Buddhism, had their roots in Upanisadic ideas. Discuss.
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Discuss the factors that played an important role in the process of urbanisation after the Later-Vedic period.
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A number of scholars considered Alexander as ‘The Great’, although long term impacts of Alexander’s invasion on India need to be re-evaluated. Comment.
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“The political and economic needs of rulers, combined with economic and status needs of the merchant class, together provided the receptive cultural milieu in which Buddhism flourished.” Comment.
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Though some of the ideas of Buddhism may have had their origin in Vedic-Upanishadic traditions but it was an altogether new religion with its own specific principles and institutions. Discuss.
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Symbiotic relationships between Buddhist establishments, traders, artisan guilds, and royal support led to a close proximity of religion, economy, and polity in the Mauryan and post-Mauryan periods. Examine the statement.
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“The ideological challenge posed by Jainism and Buddhism was deeply rooted in the socio-economic transformations brought about by the expansion of agrarian settlements in eastern India.” Explain.
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“The origin of the territorial republics has been traced to the reaction against the pattern of life that evolved in the later Vedic period.” Analyse.
Unit 07
Mauryan Empire
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss critically the relative importance of the different sources for the history of the Mauryan period.
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on: Mauryan court art as an alien grafting.
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Discuss the comparative merit of the Arthasastra, the Indica and Asoka Inscriptions as sources for the administration, socio-economic conditions and religious life in the Mauryan period.
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words: The Maurya policy of regulating and controlling economic activities.
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Write brief essay on Contents of Asoka’s dhamma and reasons for Asoka’s keenness to propagate dhamma.
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Write brief essay on Similarities and differences between the Maurya columns and Achaemenian pillars.
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Examine the importance of Ashoka’s Rock Edit XIII for determining the extent of the Maurya Empire. Did Ashoka’s policies and reforms contribute to the fall of the empire?
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Determine the veracity of Megasthenes’ descriptions of Indian society & economy with the help of other contemporary evidences.
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Write brief essay on Inscriptions of Asoka.
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Write brief essay on Mauryan municipal administration.
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Write brief essay on architectural & artistic features of the great stupa at Sanchi.
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Examine sources of information for Mauryan dynasty. Throw light on historical significance of Ashoka’s inscriptions.
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How did Ashoka contribute to the moral and administrative welfare of his people?
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Examine the nature of the Mauryan State. Bring out the features of their administrative system.
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Determine the extent of the Mauryan empire.
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Examine the role of adhyaksa in the Mauryan administration.
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Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasastra tradition were framed in accordance with the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically.
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Discuss different interpretations of historians about the nature of Asoka’s ‘Dhamma’. Did his principle of ‘Dhamma-vijaya’ render the Mauryan Empire militaristically weak?
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Delineate the nature and impact of India’s contact with Western Asia and the Mediterranean world during the Mauryan period.
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“The concept of Ashoka’s Dhamma as found through his inscriptions had its roots in Vedic-Upanishadic literature.” Discuss.
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Do you agree with the popular view that Mauryas established a unitary and highly centralized if not monolithic state system?
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Explain how Ashoka used religion as a tool of political aggrandizement?
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How would you characterize the nature of Mauryan state on the basis of Kautilya’s Arthashastra?
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Ashoka’s Dhamma was propagated not just for moral upliftment and social harmony but also for the extension of the state’s authority. Analyse the statement.
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Analyze the contours of imperial ideology as exhibited during the Mauryan period.
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Discuss the role of Buddhism in shaping the socio-religious landscape of the Mauryan empire.
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How far did the Mauryans facilitate the diffusion of the material culture of the Gangetic plains? Explain.
Unit 08
Post-Mauryan Period
PYQ Solutions
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on; The role of guilds in the economic life of India from c. 200 B. C. to c. A. D. 300.
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Bring out the salient features of the religious developments in the Post-Maurya period. How was contemporary art influenced by it?
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words on: Indian participation in the silk trade through Central Asia.
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Write brief essay on Origins, chronology, characteristics and geographical spread of Gandhara art.
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Write brief essay on Buddhist writing in Sanskrit in the post – Maurya period.
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“The centuries between c. 200 B.C. and c. A.D. 300 constitute a landmark in the socioreligious history of India.” Analyse the proposition.
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Furnish a critical and comparative account of various schools of art in the Post-Mauryan period (c. 200 B.C.-c. 300 A.D.)
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How justified are we in characterizing the post-Mauryan five centuries as the “Dark Period” of Indian History? Give reasons in support of your answer.
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Examine the significance of the deities depicted on the coins of the Kushanas.
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Justify Pliny’s statement that Rome was being drained out of its gold by India during the first century of the Christian era.
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Review critically the evolution of different schools of art in the Indian subcontinent between the second century BCE and the third century CE, and evaluate the socio-religious factors responsible for it.
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How does the numismatic evidence of the period reflect the political and economic outlook of the Kushanas and the Satavahanas?
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The period of Indian History from 3rd century B.C.E. to 5th century C.E. was the period of innovation and interaction. How will you react?
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What was the impact of trans-regional and trans-continental trade in the post Mauryan period on social and cultural life of India?
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“The development of art and architecture during the Sunga period belies the belief that they were anti-Buddhist.” Discuss.
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Examine the nature and impact of India’s contacts with Central Asia during the 1st to 3rd century CE. How did these interactions influence India’s political, cultural and economic spheres?
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The flourishing international trade during the Kushana period gave tremendous impetus to the development of art. Discuss.
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Evaluate the significant political features of the Post Mauryan Northern India. What are the main sources of it?
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Analyze the significance of external influences and indigenous development on post-Mauryan art.
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Western Kshatrapas are known for their socio-economic contribution, particularly in trade, agriculture, and urbanization. Examine the statement.
Unit 09
Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the military activities of Kharavela of Kalinga. Do you think that his reign is significant for military expeditions alone? (1993)
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How do recent archaeological findings and Sangam literary texts enlighten us about the early state and society in South India?
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Trace the role of guilds and trade organizations in the development of early Indian economy.
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“Not only does ancient Tamil literature furnish an accurate picture of widely disparate classes, it also describes the social condition of Tamil country as it was.” Discuss.
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The accurate picture of the complex sociocultural milieu of Peninsular India is presented in the early Sangam literature. Delineate.
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The discovery of monsoons by Hippalus gave a new direction to Indo-Roman trade during the Satavahana period. Comment.
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Discuss the salient features of cultural traditions of South India as reflected in Sangam Literature.
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How far the Sangam literature acts as a window into the social and cultural traditions of ancient South India?
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Sangam literature reflects a society with its distinctive cultural traditions, one which celebrated war and love. Explain.
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On the basis of literary sources, give an account of religious belief and rituals of Sangam age.
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With the help of contemporary sources, discuss the political and economic development in Sangam age.
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Justify Pliny’s statement that the Rome was being drained out of its gold by India during the first century of the Christian era.
Unit 10
Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas
PYQ Solutions
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‘The Gupta period stands at the centre of Indian history. Discuss the development of arts and literature in that Gupta period in the light of this statement.
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The significance of the policy of matrimonial alliances for the expansion and consolidation of the Gupta empire
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Harsha is described as ‘the lord of the whole of north India’. Determine the extent of his empire and discuss his political relations with Sasanka, Bhaskaravarman and Pulakesin II
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‘Harsha owes his greatness largely not to any real achievements but to formulate descriptions by two famous men.’ Discuss
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The Maukharis paving the way for the glory of Harshavardhana
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Discuss critically the role Harsha played in the history of his times
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The economic prosperity in the Gupta period.
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Origins and meaning of the samanta system.
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Analyse the characteristic features of the Gupta art and compare them with those of the Mauryan art.
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In what ways does religion as reflected in the Vedic texts differ from the religion of the Gupta period?
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Factors that led to the Rise and Fall of the Gupta Empire.
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Of all the events that had a singular being on the history of India, Harsha’s death in 647 A.D. is significant. Why? Explain.
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Write a short essay on: “Skandagupta’s war with the Hunas”
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Write a short essay on: “Nalanda Mahavihara”
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How did Indian culture spread in the South-east Asiatic countries during the Gupta Age?
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Highlight the achievements of the Gupta period in the field of literature, science and technology.
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‘Harshvardhan was himself great, but he has been made greater by Ban and Yuan Chiang.’ Critically examine the statement
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Who were the Maukharis? Discuss their political relations with the Later Guptas of Magadha.
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Examine the information of Fahien about the political, religious, social and economic conditions of India. Make a comparative study of his account with that of Yuan Chwang.
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Assess the status of women in India from 4th century BC to AD 6th century.
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What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas?
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Describe the expansion of the Gupta empire under Samudragupta.
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Throw light on the condition of common man in the Gupta period.
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Give an account of the use of gold coins by commoners in the Gupta Period.
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Trace the development of urbanization from the third millennium B.C.E. to 6th century B.C.E.
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Assess Ellora as a unique art centre of the different cultural streams.
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Assess the educational system in early India and identify important educational institutions of the period.
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Discuss the provincial and district administrative units of the Gupta Empire with the designations and functions of the officers.
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What were the privileges granted to the donees in land-grant charters of early India? How far were these charters responsible for integration or disintegration of socio-political milieu?
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Critically evaluate the theory and practice of land revenue system in ancient India.
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The second urbanization gave rise to the organized corporate activities that reached their zenith during the Gupta period. Discuss.
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Discuss the experimentations with art and architecture during the Gupta-Vakataka period.
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“Do you agree that the system of land grants from the Gupta-Vakataka period was connected with the decentralization of state in any way?”
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‘Sanskrit literature of classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India’. Evaluate the statement with representative examples.
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The economic achievements of the Guptas were the culmination of a process which began during the Kushanas. Comment.
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Evaluate the status of women in the Gupta period as compared to the pre-Gupta era.
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Highlight the contributions of Aryabhatta, Varahamihira, and Brahmagupta in the fields of Astronomy and Mathematics.
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How did the Varnashrama Dharma manifest the increasing social complexities in the Gupta and post-Gupta period arising from social and economic developments?
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On the basis of contemporary sources, give an account of Royal land grant in ancient India.
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Give an account of the Society in Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India.
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Throw light on the condition of women during the Gupta period with the help of contemporary sources.
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How foreign elements had influences on Gupta’s coins? Discuss with examples.
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With the help of literary and archaeological sources, critically evaluate the hypothesis that there was urban decay during c. 300-600 CE.
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How far do the coins of the Gupta’s provide clues regarding trends in economy, polity, religion and arts? Discuss them in the light of corroborating evidence from archaeology and literature?
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Examine the development of religion, literature and fine arts under the Guptas.
Unit 11
Regional States during Gupta Era
PYQ Solutions
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Trace briefly the history of the struggle between the Chalukyas and the Pallavas. Analyse its causes and bring out its importance.
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The contributions of the Pallavas to Indian architecture.
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Evaluate the importance of the contributions of the Pallavas in the history of the development of art and administration in South India.
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Make a comparative study of the administrative system and development of art under the Pallavas of Kanchi and the Chalukyas of Vatapi
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In what ways would the period of the Pallavas of the Kanchi and that of the Chalukyas of Badami mark the beginning of a new historical phase in peninsular India
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How far is it true to say that the strength and vigour of Indian history during c. A.D. 500-750 lay in the south of the Vindhyas
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Write brief essay on Historical significance of the advent of Arabs in India
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Assess the achievements of the Pallavas in administration and art.
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Give an account of the struggle for supremacy in South India between the Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas.
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Did the triangular conflict between the Rashtrakutas, Gujara Pratiharas and Palas create a political vacuum in northern India which facilitated the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni?
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Give an account of the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their struggle with other rulers. Write a note on their patronage of arts.
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Bring out the regional variations in the early South Indian temples’ architectural styles.
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Assess the role of guilds and trade organizations in the development of early Indian economy.
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Analyse the vibrant cultural activities in peninsular India during 550-750 CE. Compare and contrast it with the situation in contemporary North India
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Trace the role of guilds and trade organisations in the development of early Indian economy.
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Trace the origin and development of temple architecture in India with reference to regional styles and variations.
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Describe the evolution and development of regional temple architecture of South India with special reference to Pallavas.
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Large number of land grants in hitherto non-arable tracts invariably meant expansion of agriculture in early medieval India. How did the management of hydraulic resources (different types of irrigation works) facilitate expansion of agriculture in this period?
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How did the Varnashrama Dharma manifest the increasing social complexities in the Gupta and post-Gupta period arising from social and economic developments?
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Discuss the relationship between emergence of literature in vernacular languages and formation of regional identities in early medieval India.
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Throw light on the chief characteristics of Tamil Bhakti Movement during the early medieval period.
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Analyze the tenets, spread and impact of the Bhakti Movement.
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Is it correct to say that the post-Gupta period was remarkable for expansion of religious cults in India?
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Examine the course of Pallava-Chalukya conflicts between the sixth and eighth century CE.
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Discuss the circumstances which led to the conflict between the Pallavas and the Chalukyas and mention how this rivalry shaped the power dynamics in South India.
Unit 12
Themes in Early Indian Cultural History
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the scientific and technological developments in ancient India.
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Trace the scientific & technological developments in India up to c. A.D. 750.
-
Examine the proficiency of the ancient Indians in various crafts, science and mathematics.
-
Discuss the major stages in the evolution of architecture during the ancient period.
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Discuss the types of lands and the science of agriculture mentioned in the literature and epigraphs of ancient India.
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Kailasa temple built at Ellora marks the culmination of rock-cut architecture in India. Elucidate.
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“The changes in the field of art from the Kushana period to early medieval period are mere reflection of changing outlook” Comment.
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Trace and identify the changing pattern of Tantrism in Ancient India with examples.
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With the help of representative examples, delineate the main differences between the Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture.
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Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is the best example of history writing tradition in early India. Discuss.
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Critically evaluate the major stages in the development of art and literature in early medieval India and explain how these stages reflected the broader changes in society and patterns of patronage during the period.
Syllabus map
Paper I · Medieval India
Early Medieval India, 750-1200, Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200, The Thirteenth Century, The Fourteenth Century, Society, Culture and Economy in the 13th and 14th Centuries, The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Political History, The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Society and Culture, Akbar, Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century, Economy and Society in the 16th and 17th Centuries, Culture during Mughal Empire, The Eighteenth Century.
Unit 13
Early Medieval India, 750-1200
PYQ Solutions
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What were the salient features of the bureaucratic machinery of the Cholas?
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Main sources of information for the history of the 13th century
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Bring out the salient features of the polity & social structure of the Rajputs. To what extent were they responsible for the weakness of the Rajput resistance to foreign invaders
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Critically assess the period of the Cholas in the history of South India.
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Write brief essay on Local self-government under the Cholas.
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Discuss the contribution of Rajaraja I and Rajendra I for the expansion of the Chola empire. Analyse the causes and impact of the naval expeditions of the Cholas.
-
Write a brief note on Land charters of north India (c. A-D. 750-1200).
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Assess the importance of the Cholas in the history of South India.
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Give an account of the Society in Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India
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“Achieving dominance in south of the Vindhyas did not satisfy the ambitions of the Rashtrakutas, they also wanted to achieve dominance over the Gangetic Plains.” Elaborate and comment
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Write brief essay on Social structure of the Rajputs
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Critically evaluate the achievements of the Cholas.
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Were the Chola village assemblies democratic in nature? Give reasons for your answer.
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The Cholas are said to have established a strong and well organised administration with an element of self-government at the local level. Do you agree? Give reasons.
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Write brief essay on the Samanta system.
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Show that the administrative system in India reached a very high level during the Chola period.
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Write short essay on Applicability of the term ‘Indian Feudalism’ to early Medieval society.
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How far can the village assemblies or communities under the Cholas be really called democratic?
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To what extent ‘monetary anaemia’ afflicted the erstwhile commercial economy during the early medieval period?
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Evaluate the socio-economic conditions from the Gupta Period to 1200 C.E. as gleaned from the various types of grants or danashasana.
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Assess the contribution of Cholas in the expansion of Indian culture outside India.
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What kind of changes were visualised by historians on Indian feudalism? Examine critically.
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Evaluate the role of nadu and nagaram in the growth of urbanisation under the Cholas.
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Evaluating various theories regarding the Chola State, throw light on its village assemblies.
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Do the evidences of land ownership at our disposal support the theory of the prevalence of feudalism in early medieval India?
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How could the local self-government under the Cholas adjust with their centralised administrative structure?
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Analyze the significance of the Uttaramerur inscriptions of the Chola king Parantaka I.
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Explain the ingredients of the transitory nature of the early medieval India
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“Doubtless it was not a free state; it was any rate a state” (KAN Sastri). Reflect upon the nature of local self-government institutions in the Chola country.
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Critically analyze the changing nature of caste and gender relations during the early medieval period
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Large number of land grants in hitherto non-arable tracts invariably meant expansion of agriculture in early medieval India. How did the management of hydraulic resources (different types of irrigation works) facilitate expansion of agriculture in this period?
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Discuss the different stages of India feudalism and analyze its impact on Indian political system, (in about 150 words).
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Evaluate the importance of tripartite struggle for the domination over north India during the eighth and ninth centuries
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Chola maritime expansion was driven largely by the concerns of overseas commerce. Elucidate.
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What were ‘Brahmdeya’ grants? How do you account for the large number of such grants in the early medieval period?
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Discuss the various proponents of Indian feudalism.
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“The dynamics of social mobility in early medieval India were shaped by a complex interplay of caste hierarchies, religious legitimation, economic transformation and political patronage.” Critically assess how these factors collectively reconfigured the structure of early medieval Indian society
Unit 14
Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200
PYQ Solutions
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Shankaracharya’s philosophy and its impact. Write short answer of not more than 200 words.
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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 Al-Biruni.
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“Sankaracharya brought about a synthesis of ideas and philosophies.” Discuss the statement and analyse the historical significance of his life and thought.
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Discuss the role of the Rashtrakutas for the mastery of Kanauj and assess their contribution to art and culture.
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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?
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Write brief essay on Al-Biruni’s India.
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Trace influence of Islam on Indian culture and civilization
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Critically evaluate the contribution of Rashtrakutas to art and culture
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Write brief essay: The Vedanta of Sankaracharya
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Write brief essay: Origin of the Bhakti Movement
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Write brief essay on Kalhan as a historian
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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?
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Write brief essay on Alberuni on science in India
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What are the manifestations of Tamil devotional cults? How do you account for their growth between C. 750 and C. 1200 CE?
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Assess Kalhana’s views on history
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How far do you agree with the view that the temples in the early medieval period were catalysts in spreading education?
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Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history
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Assess the contribution of the Acharyas in the development of the ideological basis of bhakti
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Evaluate the ‘Kitab al-Hind’ of Alberuni as a source of history of India.
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Give a brief account of the early medieval temple architecture of Kashmir.
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Why is Mamallapuram famous?
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Comment on the veracity of Alberuni’s account of Indian society.
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‘The Advaita doctrine of Shankara cut at the very root of Bhaktivada.’ Do you agree?
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How did the temples of South India, as financial institutions, have deep impact on the social institutions of early medieval period? Critically examine.
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The 11th – 12th centuries C.E. saw eventful progression in the cultural history of India. Discuss.
-
Discuss the Caurapancashika and Jain styles of paintings. Can the Caurapancashika style truly be called the precursor of pothi format?
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Do you consider the Rajatarangini of Kalhana to be a reliable source of the political history of Kashmir? Why?
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Assess the statement that ‘the philosophy of Shankaracharya revolutionized religious thoughts in India.’
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Discuss the relationship between emergence of literature in vernacular languages and formation of regional identities in early medieval India.
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Discuss the attitude of Chishti saints towards the state. How were the Suhrawardi saints different in their attitude towards the government?
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“The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors, efficient administrators but also builders of fine temples.” Comment.
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The Virashaiva Movement of Southern Deccan in the twelfth century was essentially an attempt at social reform. Discuss.
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Examine the defects in Alberuni’s assessment of the Indian society.
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Illustrate the main features of Vesara style temple architecture.
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Analyze the contributions of Acharya Triumvirate to Indian Vedanta.
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Evaluate the contribution of Qalandariyyah to medieval Indian culture.
Unit 15
The Thirteenth Century
PYQ Solutions
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What were the problems Balban faced? How far did he succeed in solving them? Was he a trend-setter in his theory of kingship?
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Comment in about 200 words: Balban’s theory of kingship
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Give an estimate of Ghiasuddin Balban
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“The inferior cavalry of the Rajputs was not the only cause of their defeat at the hands of Turko-Afghans and Mughals.” Comment.
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Write brief essay on The “Corps of Forty” and its relations with the Sultans
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Write short essay on The “Corps of Forty” and its relations with the Sultan
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Assess the contribution of Iltutmish for the expansion and consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate
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Analyze the steps taken by Razia Sultan to strengthen her position as an independent ruler despite the various obstacles
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What measures did Balban adopt to combat the Mongol menace
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Critically examine the “blood and iron” policy of Balban
Unit 16
The Fourteenth Century
PYQ Solutions
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Examine the responsibility of Firoz Tughluq for the fall of his dynasty
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Critically examine the price control measures of Alauddin Khilji. What was the main objective behind them and how far was he able to put them into effect?
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Was the state in the Sultanate period a theocracy? Discuss the new orientation of state policies and administrative principles under Muhammad bin Tughluq
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The significance of Alauddin Khilji economic regulations for his imperialism
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‘Firuz Tugluq has been overshadowed by Muhammad Tughluq.’ In the light of this statement evaluate the significance of the policies and actions of Firuz Tughluq
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What, in your opinion, was the significance of the extensive military expeditions undertaken during the time of Alauddin Khalji? Do you think his reign is considered significant in terms of such expeditions alone?
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Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s contradictory qualities were beyond the grasp knowledge and common sense. Evaluate the significance of his administrative measures and policies in the light of this statement
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Examine the significance of Alauddin Khalji’s administrative reforms. Was he really successful in implementing these measures?
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Write brief essay on Ziauddin Barani as a historian
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Discuss the implications of Khilji with reference to administration and economic regulations on the State and people of India
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Write brief essay – Alauddin Khilji was a typical despot
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Form an estimate of the personality of Firoz Shah Tughlaq with special reference to his religious policy and public works
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Assess the impact of the market reforms of Alauddin Khilji on contemporary economy and society
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Discuss Balban’s concept of kingship. How was it modified by Alauddin Khalji?
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Write brief essay: Experiments of Mohammad Tughluq
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Write brief essay: The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughlaq
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Write brief essay: The Khilji Revolution
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Bring out the main features of the administrative system under Delhi Sultanate during Turko-Afghan period
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Write short essay: Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator
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Examine critically the agrarian and economic reforms of Alauddin Khalji. How did it strengthen the Sultanate?
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How did the Mongol invasions affect the Delhi Sultanate and the north-western frontier policy of the Delhi Sultans?
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What is your assessment of Ibn Batutah’s Rehla as an important source of Indian history
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Analyse the ordinances mentioned by Barani which Alauddin Khalji promulgated for market control
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Evaluating the theory of kingship of the Sultanate, discuss the deviations seen in the reigns of different Sultans
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What measures were initiated by the Sultans for the consolidation of Delhi Sultanate? Discuss
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Do you think that the economic measures introduced by the Sultanate rulers beneficial to the common people as well? Illustrate with examples.
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Do you agree that the schemes of Muhammad bin Tughluq were correctly conceived, badly executed and disastrously abandoned? Discuss.
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To what extent was the Caliphate the source and sanction to the legal authority of the Sultans of Delhi?
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‘The policy of creating heterogeneous nobility by Muhammad Tughluq started the process of disintegration of Delhi Sultanate’. Explain
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‘The economic measures of Alauddin Khalji were aimed at greater political control’. Discuss
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Elaborate upon the agrarian reforms of Alauddin Khilji.
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Why is the reign of the Khaljis known as the ‘Khalji Revolution’?
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The market regulations of Ala-ud-din Khilji were useful for the Sultan’s military might but harmful for the economy of the Sultanate. Comment.
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The motive of Alauddin Khilji’s agrarian policy was to curb the powers of the intermediaries. Examine the measures which he adopted to achieve his objective.
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Evaluate Firuz Shah Tughluq’s economic policies.
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‘Alauddin Khilji’s economic measures aimed at centralising political authority in the Delhi Sultanate.’ Elucidate.
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Barani’s “Fatwa-i-Jahandari” was not a proper account of the Delhi Sultanate, rather a lament. Elucidate.
Unit 17
Society, Culture and Economy in the 13th and 14th Centuries
PYQ Solutions
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Where, when and how did Urdu originate? Write a short answer of not more than 200 words. (1985)
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‘The period of Delhi Sultans witnessed the emergence of Indo-Persian culture.’ Discuss the statement with reference to developments in the fields of language, literature, art and social life.
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Write brief essay: Indo – Islamic architecture during the Khalji and Tughluq period.
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Write brief essay on Meaning and features of the Maharashtra Dharma.
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Growth of regional languages and literature during the medieval period.
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Throw light on the Land Revenue System of Sultanate period.
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Write brief essay- Amir Khusro was an eminent poet not a historian.
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Give a critical assessment of the contributions of Amir Khusrau and Barani to Indo-Persian literature.
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Identify the main factors that sustained the expansion of urban economy in the Delhi Sultanate.
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Examine the increasing importance of maritime trade of India during thirteenth to fifteenth centuries.
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Analyse the racial composition and the role of nobility under the successors of Iltutmish. How did it affect the contemporary politics?
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Bhakti and mysticism of Lai Ded emerged as a social force in Kashmir. Comment.
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Evaluate the Malfuzat texts as sources of medieval history.
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Evaluate the conditions of industries in India from 1200-1500 CE.
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Critically evaluate the educational development during the Sultanate period.
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Evaluate critically the conditions of labour from 1200 – 1500 CE on the basis of historical sources.
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Assess the Lekhapaddhati as an important source for evaluating the society and economy of the thirteenth century CE with special reference to Gujarat.
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Evaluate the contribution of Vaishnava saints to the growth of medieval Bhakti literature. (150 words)
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Trace the technological and stylistic development in the architecture of the Sultanate period.
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“Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Islamic / Hindu societies to any appreciable extent.” Comment for / against.
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Discuss in brief the land – revenue system and judicial administration of the Delhi Sultanate.
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Evaluate the contents of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri as a source of medieval history.
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Delineate non-agricultural production and urban economy in the 13th and 14th centuries C.E.
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Discuss evidence on slavery provided by Ibn Batuta with special reference to female slaves.
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Discuss the advancement made in Textile Technology under the Delhi Sultans.
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Describe the new architectural features added by successive Sultans in the construction of Tombs in India.
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Delineate the state of agriculture during the Sultanate period.
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Critically evaluate the Muslim Nobility during the period of Tughlaq dynasty, (in 150 words)
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How did international trade support urbanisation in North India during the 13-14th century CE. (in 150 words)
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Some new crafts production were introduced by the Turks. Comment.
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Identify the different categories of Persian Literature which emerged during the Delhi Sultanate, (in about 150 words)
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The establishment of large number of urban settlements in North India in the thirteenth century was principally owing to the deployment of Turkish garrisons across the lands. Comment.
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Compare and contrast the position of Hindu and Muslim women in 13th and 14th century India.
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“Religious themes inspired a large section of literature in provincial languages in late medieval India.” Comment.
Unit 18
The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Political History
PYQ Solutions
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Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India.
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Write short essay of not more than 200 words: The empire-builder in North India of the sixteenth century.
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Write brief essay on Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean and its impact.
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Make a comparative review of the agrarian reforms of Alau-ud-Din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri.
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Write brief essay – Sher Shah combined in himself qualities of lion and fox.
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Write brief essay on Hemu Vikramaditya.
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Write brief essay: The Bahmani kingdom.
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The Bahamani Kingdom: Administration
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Write a short essay on: “Significance of the arrival of the Portuguese in India.”
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Comment on the Turco-Mongol theory of sovereignty. To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun?
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Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources
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On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijayanagar kingdom.
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How was the cartaz system used by the Portuguese to maintain their control over the oceanic trade?
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To what extent is ‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine.
-
Mention the salient features of the polity of Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya.
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Evaluate Jonaraja’s account of the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin.
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Assess the contribution of Firoz Shah Bahamani and Mahmud Gawan in the field of education
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Do you agree that convergence of political vacuum and impact of Islamicate culture and polity in peninsular India has much to do with the growth of Vijayanagara kingdom?
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Assess the rule of Zainul Abedin in Kashmir.
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Describe in detail about the foreign travellers accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom.
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Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of fort, Brahmanas and dispersed tribal groups. Comment.
-
Describe village polity and economy of medieval Deccan.
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Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and agricultural reforms.
-
Examine the causes of Babur’s success against the Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat.
-
Give your assessment of Bahlul Lodi’s relation with his nobility.
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The prolonged conflict between the Vijayanagara Kingdom and the Bahmani successor states was influenced less by cultural factors, and more by strategic and economic considerations. Comment
-
Highlight the features of the Portuguese colonial enterprise.
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Portuguese maritime power disrupted the character of trade in the Indian Ocean in the 16th century. Review.
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Discuss briefly the causes that contributed to the religious movements of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Analyse their approach to the realities of contemporary life.
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Write short answer of not more than 200 words: Significance of the Bhakti Movement.
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Write brief essay: The Sufi Movement & its role in promoting communal harmony.
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Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages & life and thought of the common people
-
Write brief essay on Sufi Movements.
-
What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture?
-
Discuss the growth of the Nirguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasising the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it
-
Write brief essay on Chaitanyadeva and Vaishnavism
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“The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religions.” Elucidate.
-
Write brief essay on Sufism in North India.
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“The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religions.” Elucidate.
-
Discuss and evaluate critically various trends in the historiography of Bhakti.
-
“Tantrism, if not in practice, at least on conceptual level challenged patriarchy.” Examine Tantrism specially keeping in mind the above context.
-
“Bhakti and Sufi movements served the same social purpose.” Discuss.
-
What was the role of Sufi Folk literature in the diffusion of Islam in India in general and in Deccan in particular
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Sufi and Bhakti thoughts ennobled Indian psyche amidst the vagaries of time. Elucidate.
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The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain
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The Vaishnava Bhakti tradition of the fifteenth century contributed to the flourishing of provincial literature. Discuss with appropriate examples.
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Discuss the importance of Sufi literature as an important source of history.
-
Evaluate the contribution of Qalandariyyah to medieval Indian culture.
Unit 19
The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century: Society and Culture
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the development of art and culture under the Vijayanagar Empire.
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“Art, literature and culture reached a high level of development in the Vijayanagar Empire.” Discuss.
-
What light do inscriptions and accounts of European travellers throw on the antecedents and legacy of the administrative structure of the Vijayanagar Empire?
-
Write brief essay on Architecture of the Vijayanagara empire.
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Discuss social dynamics in the Vijayanagara empire.
-
Make an estimate of Rana Kumbha as a patron of literature and art
-
Why should the sixteenth century be regarded as the period of Indian Renaissance
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Evaluate the accounts of foreign travellers about the Vijayanagar Empire.
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Discuss how Vijayanagar empire became the cultural capital of the south?
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Discuss the contributions of Bahmani Sultans to the development of Indo-Islamic architecture
Unit 20
Akbar
PYQ Solutions
Unit 21
Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century
PYQ Solutions
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Analyse the religious policy of the Mughal emperors from Akbar to Aurangzeb. How did it affect the stability of the Mughal empire?
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What were the major features of the administrative system of the Mughal State? To what extent did other Indian powers model their administration on this system in the late medieval period?
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“Aurangzeb is a much maligned monarch.” Argue the case for and against the proposition.
-
Changes in the composition of nobility from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Comment.
-
Write brief essay on Nurjahan.
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Write brief essay – Spanish ulcer ruined Napolean Bonaparte, the Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzeb.
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Describe the Rajput policy of the Mughal emperors. Do you agree with the view that the reversal of Akbar’s Rajput policy by Aurangzeb was responsible for the disintegration of the Mughal empire?
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‘Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.’ Do you agree?
-
In what ways were Aurangzeb’s Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him?
-
Write brief essay on Dara Shikoh.
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“Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.” Discuss critically.
-
“The major causes of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century were economic, rather than religious.” Discuss.
-
How was Iqta system of the Sultans different from the Jagir system under the Mughals?
-
Identify the broad contours of the Mughal foreign policy and their impact on the Mughal empire.
-
Discuss the working of Zamindari System under the Mughal rulers. Also describe the role played by the Zamindars in the agrarian economy of Mughal India.
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The late seventeenth century Mughal India is considered to be a period of Jagirdari crisis. Discuss.
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Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss.
-
Discuss the role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal court politics during the reign of Jahangir.
-
Discuss the nature of the Mughal State under Akbar.
-
Examine the causes and consequences of peasant uprisings during the reign of Aurangzeb.
-
“Aurangzeb’s religious policy was a reflection of the changed political realities of the Mughal Empire.” Elucidate.
-
Write short essay on The Ahom Kingdom
-
Give a brief account of resistance offered by Ahom State against the Mughal rule
-
Was Shivaji a nationalist leader
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Shivaji was a great organizer and builder of civil institutions, examine this statement in the light of the difficulties of administration and the extent of success achieved by him
-
Shivaji’s rise to power cannot be treated as an isolated phenomenon in Maratha history. It was as much the result of his personal daring and heroism as of the peculiar geographical situation of the Deccan country and the unifying religious influences that were animating the people with new hopes and aspirations in the 15th and 16th centuries. Explain
-
Examine circumstances leading to rise of Shivaji. Throw light on his legacy.
-
How did Shivaji organise his administration and finances to consolidate his power?
-
Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century.
-
Shivaji was not merely a military conqueror but also was an enlighened ruler. Discuss.
-
Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar. (in 150 words)
Unit 22
Economy and Society in the 16th and 17th Centuries
PYQ Solutions
-
The Mughals and the European trading companies
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Analyse the distinguishing features of the land revenue system under the Mughals and point out its influence on the strength of the Mughal State
-
Write a brief essay on Mughals and the British East India Company
-
Do you agree with the view that the advent of the Turks and the Mughals in India heralded many changes in the means of production? Give reasons in support of your answer
-
Give your opinion on the urban development in India during the Mughal times
-
Examine the factors which were responsible for opening and development of European trade in India during the 16th and 17th centuries.
-
Delineate the striking features of agricultural and craft production during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in India. How did they impact the social fabric of the country?
-
Write short essay: Estimates of population of Mughal India.
-
Critically evaluate various approaches to study medieval Indian towns.
-
Discuss different types of Karkhanas in Mughal India. How was the production organized in the Karkhanas?
-
State the structure of medieval village society in Northern India. What were the passive forms of resistance of the peasants in the medieval period?
-
Medieval Indian towns were merely an extension of villages. Comment.
-
Give a sketch of Indian trade with Europe during the Mughal period.
-
On the basis of the accounts of Europeans bring out the agrarian crisis of the 17th century CE India.
-
Analyse the Mughal monetary system and examine their policy of minting of coins.
-
Will it not be correct to say that the rural economy in Mughal India was relatively self-sufficient?
-
“India had been for hundreds of years the Lancashire of the Eastern world.” Critically examine this view.
-
Assess the condition of peasantry during 13th to 17th centuries C.E.
-
“An important feature of agriculture in Mughal India has been the large number of crops raised by the peasants.” Illustrate by giving examples.
-
The emergence of early capitalism in the Mughal period was primarily due to urbanisation and commercialisation. Comment.
-
Trade and commerce in the Mughal Empire brought about the integration of the Indian subcontinent into a single market. Comment.
-
Highlight the features of the Portuguese colonial enterprise.
-
Examine the process of urbanization caused by the establishment of European trading companies in India.
-
Critically assess the role of imperial Karkhanas in Mughal India. How did they reflect the ideological and functional imperatives of the Mughal State?
-
Evaluate the impact of Mughal revenue administration on the agrarian structure of North India. To what extent did it bring continuity and change in the rural socio-economic fabric?
-
Gunpowder changed the character of warfare in India during the Mughal era. Elucidate.
-
Write short essay on Evolution of the Khalsa Panth.
-
The religion of the Sikhs was the main force of their unity. Comment.
-
Discuss the transformation of Sikh community from a Nirguna Bhakti sect into a politico-military organization.
-
Analyze the rise of the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh.
-
“The principles of Sikhism represented a harmonious blend of Islamic and Indic religious beliefs and practices.” Comment.
Unit 23
Culture during Mughal Empire
PYQ Solutions
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The emergence of composite culture during the period 16th to 18th centuries
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Write brief essay: Mughal official histories and autobiographical works.
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Write brief essay: Narrative paintings under Jahangir and Akbar
-
Trace the development of art and architecture under the Mughals and point out mingling of Hindu elements in them.
-
Write brief essay – During the reign of Jahangir Mughal painting reached its zenith
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Write brief essay: The zenith of Mughal architecture under Shahjehan.
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Write brief essay on Babarnama as a source of History.
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Explain the principal features of architecture during Akbar’s rule. What changes were made in them by Shahjahan?
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Write brief essay on Mughal painting
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Write a short essay on the development of literature during the Mughal period.
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Write brief essay on Mughal painting
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Provide a comparative analysis of the development of Arabic and Persian historiography.
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What was Indian response to European Technology?
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Mughal paintings reflect the contemporary socio-political conditions. Discuss
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Assess the development of Science and Technology in the Mughal period.
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How does Tuzuk-i-Babri testify that Babar had been a cultured man?
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“Mughal paintings reflect social harmony in contemporary society.” Discuss
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Discuss the literature written in Hindi in Mughal India
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‘The art of building was carried to highest degree of perfection under Shahjahan’. Illustrate by giving architectural details of two of his most celebrated buildings.
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Examine the status of Sanskrit in Mughal India
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Examine the European impact of Mughal Paintings.
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The Mughals built like Titans and embellished like jewellers. Comment.
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Evaluate the aim and impact of the translation of Sanskrit scriptures into Persian language during Mughal period
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Make an estimate of the development of paintings under Mughal rulers with special reference to colours, technique, themes and influences on them.
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Examine the basic features of Mughal tomb architecture with special reference to the Taj Mahal.
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The various Gharanas of Hindustani classical music were outcomes of patronage by regional princely courts, rather than central imperial ones. Discuss.
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The Rajput school of painting was Mughal in style and Rajput in its content. Comment.
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Mughal architecture was syncretic in character. Comment.
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What features of European paintings were incorporated in the Mughal Miniature painting?
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Discuss the main features of the Malwa school of painting with examples.
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Discuss the development of Hindi literature under Mughal patronage. How did the Bhakti and Sufi Movements influence it?
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Define the rise of distinct provincial architectural styles under the Mughal Empire in light of structural diversity, cultural interaction and the nature of provincial power dynamics.
Unit 24
The Eighteenth Century
PYQ Solutions
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Account for the rise of the Marathas as a political power. How did they influence the course of history?
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Write short answer of not more than 200 words: Structure and role of the Maratha Confederacy.
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The expansion of Mughal empire in Deccan brought about its decline. Discuss.
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Write brief essay: Third Battle of Panipat.
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Were the Marathas restricted by their geopolitical limitations from becoming the paramount power of India?
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Write brief essay on Savai Jai Singh the astronomer.
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Write brief essay on Chauth and Sardeshmukhi.
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Write brief essay on the system of the collection of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by the Maratha rulers.
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How would you like to characterize the eighteenth century in Indian history?
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Write brief essay on Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Maratha rulers.
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What are the distinguishing components of the debate on “The Eighteenth Century”?
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Discuss the causes of the rise and growth of regional kingdoms with special reference to the Deccan in the 18th century.
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How was the Afghan nobility responsible for the decline of the Afghan empires? Discuss.
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Compare the Peshwas’ bureaucratic management with that of the Imperial Mughal administration.
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Do you think that the agrarian crisis of the 17th century led to the disintegration of the Mughal empire? Discuss.
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Was it the weakening of the Mughal empire or the rise of regional power that led to British conquest of India? Discuss.
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Is it true that the court intrigues and weak revenue system led to the collapse of the Maratha empire? Comment.
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“The political disintegration was responsible for the socio-economic decline in India during the 18th century.” Comment.
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How will you view the Maratha policy of expansion? Delineate.
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“The Afghan invasions in the Eighteenth Century not only signified the military irrelevance of the Mughal Empire but also hastened its decline”. Explain.
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It was as much the court intrigues as also the defiance of the provincial powers that hastened the decline of the Mughals in the 18th Century. Comment.
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Critically evaluate history of the Eighteenth century India with reference to culture and economy.
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How far is it justified to consider the states like Bengal, Awadh and Hyderabad as ‘successor states’ of the Mughal state?
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Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss.
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Account for the rise of the Maratha power in the eighteenth century.
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The Marathas posed a significant threat to the integrity of the Mughal Empire. Discuss.
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“Haidar Ali was born to build an empire, and Tipu Sultan to lose one”. Comment.
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Analyze the rise of the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh.
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The economy of India was not stagnant in the eighteenth century. Discuss.
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How did the Maratha guerilla warfare tactics contribute to their military successes against larger and more established armies?
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Examine the role of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty in the political transformation of the State of Hyderabad.
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Evaluate the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat on the political economy of 18th-century India.
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Critically examine the political, military and administrative factors that led to the transformation of the Maratha character in the 18th century. How did these changes influence its rise and eventual decline?
Syllabus map
Paper II · Modern India
European Penetration into India, British Expansion in India, Early Structure of the British Raj, Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule, Social and Cultural Developments, Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas, Indian Response to British Rule, Early Indian Nationalism, Rise of Gandhi and the Gandhian Era, Other Strands in the National Movement, Politics of Separatism, Constitutional Developments in Colonial India, 1858-1935.
Unit 25
European Penetration into India
PYQ Solutions
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‘On 23 June 1757, the middle-ages of India ended, and her modern age began.’ Comment.
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“By certain of his actions Clive has marred both the glory and usefulness of his work.” Comment.
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How did the British conquer Bengal in the 18th century? What circumstances helped them?
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After 1757 there grew up a State of Bengal which was a “sponsored state” as well as a “plundered state”. Comment.
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The battle of Plassey was “not a great battle but a great betrayal.” Comment.
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“Neither Alexander the Great nor Napoleon could have won the empire of India by starting from Pondicherry as a base and contending with a power which held Bengal and the command of the Sea.” Comment.
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“Compared to their English counterpart, the French East India Company enjoyed little discretionary power and had to always look up to Paris for all major decisions. This partly explains the failure of the French in India.” Critically examine in 150 words.
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“Dupleix made a cardinal blunder in looking for the key of India in Madras: Clive sought and found it in Bengal.” Critically examine in 150 words.
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“Plassey did not complete the British conquest of India. Had the English been convincingly defeated in any subsequent battle in India, then (the battle of) Plassey would have remained as a minor episode in the history of India.” Critically examine in 150 words.
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“The Battle of Plassey that decided the fate of Bengal was won by Clive through intrigues.” Explain.
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Comment on the French ambition of building a territorial empire in India.
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After the Battle of Plassey, how did India transit from the medieval to the modern age?
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Critically examine: “The Battle of Plassey (1757) thus marked the beginning of political supremacy of the English East India Company in India.”
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“It was Dupleix who had first showed the way of intervening in disputes of the Indian rulers and thereby acquiring political control over vast territories- a technique which was later perfected by the English East India Company.” Elaborate.
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“The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war.” Critically examine.
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The Carnatic Wars, the Anglo-Mysore Wars and the Anglo-Maratha Wars had virtually eliminated the French front the contest of supremacy in South India. Discuss.
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After the battle of Plassey, the mercenary became the Kingmaker.
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“During the Carnatic Wars, the French position, which at one time dazzled the Indian world by its political successes, was destined to end in humiliation and failure.” Explain.
Unit 26
British Expansion in India
PYQ Solutions
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“Thus ended the famous battle of Buxar, on which depended the fate of India and which was as gallantly disputed as was important in its results.” Comment
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‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment
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‘The revolution of 1760 (Bengal) was really no revolution.’ Comment
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“…the hunt of the Pindaris became merged in the Third Maratha War.” Comment
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‘We have no right to seize Sind, yet we shall do so, and a very advantageous, useful and human piece of rascality it will be.’ Comment
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The British conquest of Sind was both a political and moral sequel to the first Afghan War. Comment.
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“The verdict of Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.
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‘The treaty of Bassein, by its direct and indirect operations, gave the Company the Empire of India.’ Comment.
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How did the British establish their control over Maharashtra in the first two decades of the 19th century? Why did the Maratha challenge ultimately collapse?
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Explain the British policy of ‘Subordinate union’ of Indian States with British India from 1858 to 1905. How did the Government of India implement this policy during this period?
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‘This Anglo-Maratha War covering nearly nine years from the murder of Narayan Rao to the Treaty of Salbye emphatically discloses the vitality of the Maratha nation which had not been exhausted either by the disaster of Panipat or the death of their great Peshwa Madhavrao.’ Comment.
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The British policy towards Indian States in 1818-1858 was one of “isolation and noninterference tempered by annexation.” Comment.
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The British conquered India “in a fit of absent mindedness.” Comment.
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The British “fought the First Maratha War in a period when their fortunes were at the lowest ebb”. Comment.
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Sir Charles Napier said, “We have no right to seize Sind, yet we shall do so, and a very advantageous, useful, human piece of rascality it will be”. Comment.
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‘Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and thoroughness no campaign could equal.’ Comment.
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“The verdict at Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.
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“The rise and expansion of British empire was an accident rather than the result of a deliberate policy and design.” Critically examine this statement.
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‘The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honourable to the English nor advantageous to their interests.’ Comment.
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‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment.
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Examine the essential principles of the Subsidiary Alliance system. How far did it contribute in making the British Company the supreme sovereign authority in India?
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Examine the circumstances which led to the Third Mysore War. Could Cornwallis have avoided it?
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Why was Mysore considered a threat by the British to their possessions and mercantile interests in the south? Do you think that Tipu Sultan’s posturing became his undoing?
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How did the East India Company become the de jure power in India?
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“Punjab’s fate after Ranjit Singh was foredoomed as the impulse of neo-Victorian Imperialism was bound to overwhelm it.” Elucidate.
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‘Annexation of Punjab was part of a broad north-west frontier policy set in motion after the exit of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.’ Critically examine.
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“The Maratha polity disintegrated through internal stress.” Critically comment in 150 words.
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Underline the major considerations of the British imperial power that led to the annexation of Punjab.
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“Tipu Sultan was trying to build in Mysore a strong centralised and militarised state, with ambitious territorial designs.” Critically examine.
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Do you subscribe to the view that the Anglo-French tussle in Carnatic demonstrated the internal decay of the provincial chieftains of South India?
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Critically examine: “Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was the signal for an outburst of anarchy all over the Punjab.”
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Critically examine: Tipu Sultan had little success in setting forth a course of change significantly different from the general experience of the 18th century crisis of Indian politics and society where public life tended over and over to become a system of plundering.
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The East India Company had thought that they had found an ideal puppet in Mir Kasim. Mir Kasim, however, belied the expectation of the company. Examine critically.
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While individually the Marathas were clever and brave, they lacked the corporate spirit so essential for national independence. Discuss with reasons.
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‘The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war’. Critically examine.
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‘The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects’. Critically examine.
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“Haidar Ali was born to build an empire, and Tipu Sultan to lose one”. Comment.
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Twenty years of peace secured by the treaty of Salbai proved very costly to the Marathas in strategic terms. Elucidate.
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“The Sikh monarchy was Napoleonic in the suddenness of its rise, the brilliancy of its success and the completeness of its overthrow.” Critically examine.
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“The seeds of domestic dissensions were thickly and deeply sown in the Maratha system under the Peshwas.”
Unit 27
Early Structure of the British Raj
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the basic features of the judicial administration under the East India Company. Did the British introduce the modem concept of the rule of law in India?
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‘The national democratic awakening of the Indian people found expression of white racism.’ Comment in about 200 words.
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Assess the impact of the utilitarian ideas in moulding the British attitude towards India. How did the utilitarian try to solve the problem of land revenue?
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What kind of administrative change were introduced in India under the East India Company?
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The British Indian State experienced the wind of change with the arrival of Lord William Bentinck. Comment.
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“The object of the Act (Regulating) was good, but system that it established was imperfect.” Comment.
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“Sprung from paternalism, the English Utilitarian philosophy as introduced in India rejected its human warmth between rulers and the ruled.” Comment.
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“The Charter Act of 1833 rung down the curtain on the Company’s trade and introduced a new concept of government in India.” Substantiate.
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“The Dual System of Government was a complete failure from the outset. In the first place, the abuse of the private trade reached a greater height than ever. In the second place, the demands of the Company for the increase led to gross oppression of the peasantry.” Examine.
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“The Regulating Act (1773), the Pitt’s India Act (1784) and eventually the Charter Act of 1833 left the East India Company as a mere shadow of its earlier political and economic power in India.” Critically examine.
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“James Mill, the apostle of utilitarian philosophy, proposed a revolution of Indian society through the ‘weapon of law’ solely. But in actual policy framing, other influences and considerations weighed much more than the colonial State.” Elucidate.
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“Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war.” Examine this statement with reference to Lord William Bentinck.
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How far is it correct to say that if Clive was the founder of the British Empire in India, Warren Hastings was its administrative organiser?
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“The need to impose greater parliamentary control over the Company’s affairs increased during the decades (1773-1853) after Plassey.” Elucidate.
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How did the English utilitarian thinking impact India in the British era?
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Can you explain how, after acquiring Diwani, the government of the East India Company functioned like ‘an Indian ruler’?
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The values of utilitarianism prompted the Company administration to attempt reform of Indian society.
Unit 28
Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule
PYQ Solutions
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“Our system acts very much like a sponge, drawing up all the good things from the banks of the Ganges, and squeezing them down on the banks of the Thames.” Comment.
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Show how British rule led to the spread of land-lordism in certain parts of India, and how the peasant was progressively impoverished under this rule.
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Bring out the pattern of commercialization of agriculture in the 19th century. Was it a forced process for the vast majority of poorer peasants?
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Trace the gradual decline of the Indian town handicrafts between 1757 and 1880. In what way did it contribute to the economic unification of India?
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“The impact of government on the people meant essentially the impact of government on the village.” Comment.
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Identify the main features of industrial development in India from 1914 to 1947 with special reference to the emergence of a class of factory labourers.
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“The hey-day of the British power in India was also the high noon of ‘Laissez faire’ economic doctrine.” Comment.
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“The role of the East India Company proved disastrous to the handicraft industry in India for a number of reasons.” Comment.
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Identify the distinct stages of colonialism in India. How did these stages affect the Indian economy?
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“The permanent settlement of Bengal though initiated with best of intentions, was a sadly blundering affairs.” Comment.
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“The British Raj had a deeply racist aspect and it ultimately existed to protect colonial exploitation.” Comment.
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How do you account for the rise and growth of the Business enterprise in India during the first half of the 20th century?
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Economic changes in India from the late 1920s influenced the course of the country’s politics. Elucidate.
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The changing life in Indian village marked best the impact of the British administration on the Indian people. Explain, identifying the process and the extent of the change.
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The Permanent Settlement was a “bold, brave and wise measure.” Comment.
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The Indian Middle Class firmly believed that “Britain had imposed a colonial economy on India which had impoverished the country.” Comment.
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Discuss the view that the British rule brought about economic changes in India to serve the needs of the imperial economy and establish a dependent form of underdevelopment in this country.
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‘The British industrial policy in the nineteenth century ruined the Indian handicrafts.’ Comment.
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Discuss the main features of the ‘Raiyatwari Settlement’ in South India. Did it satisfy the aspirations of the peasantry?
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“The recurring famines in the 19th century were the inevitable consequence of the British policy and expose the real character of the paternal solicitude for the peasantry on the part of the British administration.” Examine this statement critically.
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‘Absentee landlordism was a consequential feature of Bengal’s Permanent land settlement.’ Comment.
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‘India underwent suffering and mortality in the wake of recurring famines’ in the later half of the 19th century. Comment.
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What was the impact of early British land policy on the ‘village communities’ of North India?
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‘Permanent Settlement disappointed many expectations and introduced the results that were not anticipated.’ Comment.
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Discuss the causes that led to the ‘economic drain’ in Bengal following the Battle of Plassey.
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In British India “the impact of the government on the people meant essentially the impact of government on the village.” Comment.
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Trace the development of the famine policy of the British in India between 1876 and 1921. Did it provide relief to the people?
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“A self-sufficient village, based on agriculture carried on with the primitive plough and bullock-power, and handicrafts by means of simple instruments, was a basic feature of Pre-British Indian economy.” Comment.
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What do you mean by the commercialization of Indian agriculture? Discuss its results.
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Examine the major factors shaping the British land-revenue policy in India. How did it affect Indian society?
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Critically examine the impact of the famine policy on rural India. Describe the official remedial measures undertaken.
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Write a critique on the impact of the Drain Theory of Dadabhai Nauroji in the growth of economic nationalism.
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“Though the Permanent Settlement had serious defects, it gave tranquillity to the countryside and stability to the government.” Comment.
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Critically evaluate: “Railway development in India provides an interesting instance of private enterprise at public risk.”
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What role did the economic ideas plays in the early phase of the British rule in the shaping of land tenure policy?
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To what extent did the process of commercialization of agriculture affect the rural scene in India?
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“The need for a unilateral transfer of funds to Britain was a constant factor and in fact, progressively increased over time.” Critically evaluate.
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“Plantations and mines, jute mills, banking, insurance, shipping and export-import concerns in India were run through a system of interlocking managing agencies.” Critically examine.
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“The forces of free trade and the British determination to create a political and administrative environment conducive to trade and investment had shaped the British policy towards India in the first half of the nineteenth century.” Elucidate.
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“The railways, instead of serving as the catalyst of an industrial revolution as in Western Europe and the USA, acted in India as ‘the catalyst of complete colonization’.” Examine.
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“Ryotwari falls into three stages – early, middle and late, and the only description common to all is that it is a mode of settlement with small farmers, so small, indeed, that their average holding is, on recent figures, only about 6½ acres”. Critically examine.
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“Weaving”, says R.C. Dutt, “was the national industry of the people and spinning was the pursuit of millions of women.” Indian textiles went to England and other parts of Europe, to China and Japan and Burma and Arabia and Persia and parts of Africa. Elucidate.
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“Under the forceful thrust of British colonialism, Indian economy was transformed into a colonial one, the structure of which was determined by the requirements of Britain’s fast developing industrial economy.” Examine.
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Critically examine the causes responsible for the phenomenon called ‘deindustrialisation’ in India during the nineteenth century.
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Critically comment in 150 words: “The British railway construction policy in India benefitted British economy in the nineteenth century.”
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Explain the factors responsible for the recurrence of famines in the nineteenth century. What remedial measures were adopted by the British Indian Government?
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Critically examine:”The passing of the land from the hands of the peasant proprietors into the hands of non-cultivating landlords brought about increasing polarization of classes in agrarian areas.”
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Critically examine: “Not until independence, when economic development became a conscious and pursued policy, did the Railways begin to realize their potential for assisting in the transformation of the Indian economy.”
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India has been the world leader in the field of hand spun and hand woven yarn and cloth for many centuries. Many nationalist and Marxist critiques considered that the British dominion deliberately shattered the traditional and world famous handicrafts of India. Comment.
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Explain how the Permanent Settlement initiated a rule of property in Bengal and what were its consequences?
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‘Famines were not just because of foodgrain scarcity, but were a direct result of colonial economic policies’. Critically examine.
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“Colonialism had a twisted logic of its own for commercialization. It emerges on analysis to have been often an artificial and forced process.” Critically examine.
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Do you agree that ‘the decline of traditional Indian artisan production was a fact, sad but inevitable’? Discuss.
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The pace of commercialisation of agriculture increased as a result of British revenue policies in India. Critically examine.
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Do you agree that the idea of permanent fixation of land revenue of 1793 in Bengal was highly influenced by the Physiocratic school of thinking? Discuss.
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“The colonial rule opened the Indian markets for British-manufactured goods and led to ‘deindustrialization’ or destruction of indigenous handicraft industries.”
Unit 29
Social and Cultural Developments
PYQ Solutions
Unit 30
Social and Religious Reform Movements in Bengal and Other Areas
PYQ Solutions
Unit 31
Indian Response to British Rule
PYQ Solutions
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“On the whole, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the so-called First National War of Independence was neither First, nor National, nor a War of Independence.”
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‘The roots of Moplah discontent were clearly agrarian….’
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‘It is sometimes asked by Ruling Chiefs, as well as by the public in India and in Europe what our policy towards Native States is. I can tell you that the basis of the policy was laid in Queen Victoria’s Proclamation of 1858 and repeated in the Coronation message of His Majesty the King Emperor.’
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‘The British endeavoured as far as possible to live within a Ring-Fence and beyond that they avoided intercourse with the chiefs.’
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Identify the various forms of rural protest in India in the second half of the nineteenth century. Were they expressions of anti-landlord or anti-foreign discontent?
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“Whatever might have been its original character, it (Rebellion of 1857) soon became a symbol of challenge to the mighty British power in India.”
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Discuss briefly the tribal revolts in Eastern India from 1817 to 1857. Were they directed against land lordism and colonialism?
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‘If the paramount power cast its imperial cloak over the princes, it was also entitled to see that what was sheltered was in the main creditable.’ Comment in about 200 words.
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The roots of the Moplah uprising (1921) were clearly agrarian. Do you agree?
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Discuss the origins and character of major peasant and tribal uprisings in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Were these protest movements backward-looking?
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“The new attitude of caution and conservatism can [be] detected in almost every sphere of British activity in India after the Revolt of 1857.” Comment.
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Tribal movements should be viewed as “History from below”. Discuss the objectives and nature of the movements in 19th century India.
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Examine the nature of the Revolt of 1857 and indicate the manifold changes in British civil and military administration of India after 1857.
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Do you believe that the uprising in 1857 was nationalist in nature? If not, what was its character?
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The 1921 Moplah rebellion was “in essence an expression of long-standing agrarian discontent which was intensified by the religious and ethnic identity”. Comment.
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Towards the Princes, Canning adopted a policy of “punishing resistance and rewarding obedience”. Comment.
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‘The tribal and peasant rebellion laid the foundation of the revolt of 1857.’ Comment.
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‘Whatever might have been its original character, it (Rebellion of 1857) soon became a symbol of challenge to the mighty British power in India.’
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“The Revolt of 1857 seemed to call the very presence of the British into question. What it did not do was reverse these changes.” Comment.
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“The annexation of Awadh shook the loyalty of the Sepoys, as it was for them an ultimate proof of untrustworthiness of the British.” Comment.
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“In 1857, the rebel sepoys showed a remarkable centripetal tendency to congregate at Delhi.” Do you agree? Substantiate.
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“Tribals revolted more often and far more violently than any other community including peasants [in] India.” Elaborate.
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“The peasant movements of the second half of the nineteenth century lacked a positive conception of an alternative society – a conception which would unite the people in a common struggle on a wide regional and all-India plane and help develop long-term political developments.” Critically examine in 150 words.
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“The Santhal hool began in July 1855. The core of the movement was economic, the basic cause of the uprising was agrarian discontent.” Elucidate.
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“The military, feudal and traditional overtones of the Revolt of 1857 were overshadowed by its nationalist or proto-nationalist character.” Critically examine.
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“The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 holds a very significant place in our history of national liberation movement. For the first time in the history of our anti-colonial struggle, its two independent currents – spontaneous peasant resistance and constitutional agitation in defence of the peasantry – came into mutual contact.” Critically examine.
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Analyze the nature of peasant movements during the nationalist phase and bring out their shortcomings.
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“The Mutiny of 1857 was much more than a Mutiny of Sepoys and much less than a National Rebellion.” Comment.
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How far is it correct to say that the 19th century tribal uprisings are a part of subaltern nationalism?
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Discuss the nature of peasant movements under the Kisan Sabhas during 1920-1940.
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Was the Moplah Rebellion in Malabar an expression of anti-landlord and anti-foreign discontent? Discuss.
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Critically examine: “the Kol Insurrection was mainly a war of the tribal inhabitants of Chotanagpur against the non-tribal settlers and service-holders.”
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For long, the Revolt of 1857, has been mistaken to be a mere mutiny of the Indian sepoys in the Bengal army. However, its causes need to be searched for not only in the dissatisfaction of the army, but in a long drawn process of fundamental social and economic change that upset the peasant communities. Discuss.
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Do you feel that the Santhal Hool (rebellion) 1855-56, was the most effective tribal movement in pre-1857 India?
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‘Penetration of outsiders – called dikus by the Santhals – completely destroyed their familiar world, and forced them into action to take possession of their lost territory’. Critically examine.
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The British rule had differential impact on the Indian society. Describe in what ways the Indians responded to the Revolt of 1857.
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The historical significance of tribal and peasant uprisings in India ‘lies in that they established strong and valuable traditions of resistance to British rule’. Discuss.
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The root of the whole question behind the Indigo Revolt ‘is the struggle to make the raiyats grow indigo plants without paying them the price of it’. Analyse.
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After 1857, “the peasants emerged as the main force in agrarian movements.” Critically examine.
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Why was the Great Revolt of 1857 confined only to North India? How did it change the character of British rule in the subcontinent? Explain.
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In what ways did the tribal and peasant uprisings of the 19th century contribute to the rise and growth of nationalism in India? Examine.
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‘The tragedy of Curzon lay in that, with such abundance of trained talent; he was denied the crowning qualities. He was never an administrator of the first rank.’ Comment
Unit 32
Early Indian Nationalism
PYQ Solutions
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‘The Ilbert Bill was the most extreme but by no means isolated expression of white racism.’ Comment
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‘Curzon was an unconscious catalyst who did not understand, let alone desire, what the new century was about to bring forth, but who helped it to be born.’ Comment
-
Discuss ‘the safety valve’ theory. Does it satisfactorily explain the foundation of the Indian National Congress?
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‘It was in this almost unrecognizable form that the Ilbert Bill was finally enacted… it was primarily a failure of the Viceroy’. Comment
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“India after 1905 had new interests and objectives and compelled new lines of policy.” Comment.
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“Curzon’s partition of Bengal gave the unwitting initiative to events of magnitude and returned many years later to port with the cargo of freedom.” Comment.
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To what extent was the emergence of the Congress in 1885 the culmination of a process of political awakening that had its beginning in the 1870s?
-
Examine the economic and social factors which led to the rise of Indian nationalism in the second half of the nineteenth century.
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‘Rabindranath Tagore’s nationalism was based on a Catholic internationalism.’ Comment.
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Analyse the social composition of the early Congress leadership.
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“At the dawn of the twentieth century Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was full of hostility towards the Indian National Congress and he confidentially reported to the Secretary of State in November 1900: My own belief is that the Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of my greatest ambitions while in India is to’ assist it to a peaceful demise.” Examine.
-
“The ‘safety-valve thesis’ does not adequately explain the birth of the Indian National Congress in 1885.” Critically examine.
-
“Politics remained for the bulk of the Moderates very much a part-time affair. The Congress was not a political party, but an annual three-day show…” Elucidate.
-
“The Anti-Partition Agitation (1909) had an economic character in Bengal unlike the Extremist Agitation in Maharashtra which had a religious character.” Examine.
-
Explain “Constructive Swadeshi” characterised by Atmashakti (self-reliance), which propelled the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.
-
Can methods and policies of the moderates be referred to as ‘political mendicancy’?
-
How far was the drain theory a focal point of nationalist critique of colonialism?
-
How would you explain the major trends of the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal?
-
In its political behaviour the Indian National Congress in its early career was never a radical organisation, besides the founders of the Congress involved A.O. Hume in their project. Do these facts verify that the Congress was founded as a ‘Safety valve’? Explain.
-
Critically examine the following statement: In the first decade of the 20th century, the atmosphere was ripe for the emergence of revolutionary groups to fill up the vacant space in the political map of the country.
-
What were the various ways in which nationalism manifested itself in India during colonial rule?
-
Discuss the policies and programmes of the early nationalists (moderates). To what extent they were able to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
-
The Swadeshi movement of 1905 anticipated many of the tactics that were later developed during the Gandhian mass movement. – Critically examine.
-
“The significant feature of the Indian Councils Act of 1892 was the principle of election which it introduced, though the word ‘election’ was very carefully avoided in it.”
-
Why has the ‘safety valve theory’ related to the foundation of the Indian National Congress been thoroughly discredited by recent researchers? Analyze.
Unit 33
Rise of Gandhi and the Gandhian Era
PYQ Solutions
-
Identify the main strands in the Civil Disobedience Movement with particular reference to the changing role of ‘business pressures’ in the country.
-
How would you explain Gandhiji’s ‘rise to power’ or ‘capture’ of national leadership in the course of 1919-20? Was it a very skillful top-level political game?
-
“The Simla Conference (1945) afforded the last opportunity of the forces of nationalism to fight a reargued action to preserve the integrity of the country and when the battle was lost, the waves of communalism quickly engulfed it.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
At different periods and at various levels, the National Movement assumed social, cultural and economic dimensions. Amplify.
-
What led to the Caste Movements in Western and Southern India? How did they affect the local socio-political life?
-
Analyse the main contours of Non-Brahmin Movements in Western and South India in the nineteenth and first half of the twentieth centuries.
-
Show how the Civil Disobedience was marked by much scattered potentially radical manifestations. Was the Karachi Congress an indication of certain basic weakness of the entire movement?
-
‘The nationalist political movements for liberation such as the non-cooperation and civil disobedience movements and their leadership depended heavily on the peasantry.’ Comment.
-
Gandhi restrained mass-movements yet he retained his popularity among the masses. How do you explain this paradox?
-
Trace the course and comment on the character of caste movements in south India in the 20th century. How far were their object achieved?
-
Trace the course of the people’s movement in Indian States after 1937. How did the Congress leadership react to it?
-
“Gandhi’s mystique consisted of a union of original ideas with a remarkable flair for tactics and an uncanny insight in the mass mind.” Elucidate.
-
‘The Quit India Movement was a spontaneous revolt of the people against British rule.’ Comment.
-
“Gandhi restrained mass movements, yet he retained his popularity among the masses.” Comment.
-
‘In the summer of 1942, Gandhi was in a strange and uniquely militant mood.’ Comment.
-
Trace the factors which led to a split in the INC in 1907. What was its impact on the course of the nationalist movement?
-
Analyse the factors responsible for the Civil Disobedience movement (1930-31). How far were its aims realised in the Government of India Act of 1935?
-
“At Karachi in 1931, the Congress defined what Swaraj would mean for the masses.” Comment.
-
Explain the circumstances leading to the alliance between the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements. Was it a politically wise step on the part of the Congress?
-
“Is moral law, the law of conscience, higher than the law of the state, which is oppressive?” (Gandhi, 1922). Comment.
-
Do you think that the Quit India movement was a Spontaneous Revolution?
-
Critically evaluate: ‘The active participation of Aruna Asaf Ali in 1942 movement symbolized the role of women in India’s freedom struggle.’
-
“Many of us who worked for the Congress programme lived in a kind of intoxication during the year 1921. We were full of excitement and optimism… We had a sense of freedom and a pride in that freedom.” Critically examine.
-
“Gandhi’s body is in jail but his soul is with you, India’s prestige is in your hands, you must not use any violence under any circumstances. You will be beaten but you must not resist; you must not raise a hand to ward off blows.” Critically examine.
-
“M.K Gandhi made a gross mistake in championing the Khilafat cause, an extraterritorial issue which cut at the very roots of Indian nationality.” Critically examine.
-
“…instead of rejecting the plan (Cabinet Mission Plan), they (the Congress Leadership) resorted to a half-baked legalistic stratagem to reserve their position on its long-term arrangements and accepted its short-term provisions.” Critically examine.
-
To what extent did the Freedom Movement in India influence the Liberation Movement in Africa?
-
“This retention of Rowlatt legislation in the teeth of universal opposition is an affront to the nation. Its repeal is necessary to appease national honour.” Critically examine.
-
“The Royal Indian Navy Revolt was seen as an event which marked the end of the British rule almost as finally as Independence Day.” Explain.
-
“To characterize the Quit India Movement as ‘Spontaneous Revolution’ would be partial interpretation, so also would be to look up at it as the culmination of Gandhian Satyagraha movements.” Elucidate.
-
What significant role did women play in the Indian National Movement?
-
How did Dr. B. R. Ambedkar try to seek a political solution to the problem of caste in India?
-
Explain why the efforts at finding solution to India’s constitutional impasse failed during 1942-1946.
-
Discuss how the Satyagrahas of Gandhi removed the spell of fear among Indians and thus knocked off an important pillar of imperialism.
-
Critically comment: “Sri Narayana Guru’s was a major intervention in the social reform movement from a subaltern perspective.”
-
Do you consider the suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement a “national calamity”?
-
“The Cripps Mission was plagued throughout, and ultimately torpedoed.” Critically examine.
-
Why is the Quit India Movement characterised as a ‘Spontaneous Revolution’? Did it accelerate the process of Indian independence?
-
Critically examine the following statement: “In the early twentieth century, there came into existence a number of women’s organisations, which operated more actively in the public arena and focused more directly on women’s political and legal rights.”
-
Do you agree with the fact that the virtual failure of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the gloom that descended on the nationalist scene, created conditions for revolutionary activities? Discuss.
-
“In the divided and contestable space of Indian politics, Gandhiji could claim for himself a centrist position because he alienated neither and tactically combined the goal of the moderates with the means of the extremists.” Discuss.
-
The same Gandhiji who withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement on the issue of violence at Chauri-Chaura, refused to condemn people’s violence during the Quit India Movement. Do you think that he was losing faith in the efficacy of non-violence and was willing to deviate from this path? Elucidate.
-
Do you think that the Indian National Movement was a ‘multi class movement’ which represented the anti-imperialist interests of all classes and strata? Give reasons in support of your answer.
-
“Awakened political consciousness of Indian masses, bound with dishonourable and cowardly insults of the British led to the movement of Non-Cooperation.” Critically examine.
-
When Gandhiji launched the Civil Disobedience Movement he was “desperately in search of an effective formula.” Critically examine.
-
Political extremism in colonial India often converged with cultural nationalism but not always. – Comment.
-
The trade union movement joined forces with the mainstream of nationalist politics to strengthen each other in their struggle against colonial rule. – Comment.
-
“The emergence of Gandhi signified the Indianization of the national movement.” Analyze with reference to his early movements between 1917-1922.
Unit 34
Other Strands in the National Movement
PYQ Solutions
-
Account for the rise and growth of Leftwing within the Congress. Did Jawaharlal Nehru believe in a socialistic approach to Indian and world problems and if so why?
-
‘The National Movement has shown concern for problems other than the constitutional one.’ Discuss the factors that helped the rise of a left wing in the Indian National Congress.
-
Account for the rise and growth of leftism in the Congress movement. What impact did it have on contemporary Indian politics?
-
“The ideology of Subhash Chandra Bose was a combination of nationalism, fascism and communism.” Comment.
-
Discuss the nature of the leadership and programme of the Congress Socialist Party.
-
Examine the causes of the rise and progress of revolutionary movements in India from 1905 to 1931.
-
Account for the emergence of the left-wing within the Congress. How far did it influence the programme and Policy of Congress?
-
Describe the changing nature of revolutionary activities in India between 1905-1946.
-
“The emergence of left-wing group in the Congress radicalized the social and economic agenda.” Critically evaluate.
-
“The very idea of the bomb and the secret society, and of propaganda through action and sacrifice were import from the West.” Critically examine.
-
“A powerful left-wing group developed in India in the late 1920s and 1930s, contributing to the radicalization of national movement.” Critically examine.
-
Trace the origin of the Ghadar movement and discuss its impact on the in India.
-
Underline the growth of various forms of Socialist ideologies in the Indian National Movement between World Wars I and II.
-
Assess the roles of Subhas Chandra Bose in India’s struggle for independence.
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: “The Trade Union Movement in India not only supported the call for national struggle at critical junctures, but also impacted its course and character in several ways.”
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: The rise of the Communist Movement in India in the 1920s lent a militant and revolutionary content to the Trade Union Movement.
-
Analyse how the revolutionaries taught people self confidence and widened the social base of the freedom movement.
-
The Congress Socialist Party agenda was not to cut off from the Congress, but ‘intended to give the Congress and the national movement a socialist direction’. Analyse.
-
The trade union movement joined forces with the mainstream of nationalist politics to strengthen each other in their struggle against colonial rule. – Comment.
-
“Bhagat Singh and his comrades significantly expanded the meaning and scope of revolution, redefining it beyond mere political upheaval to include social and ideological transformation.”
Unit 35
Politics of Separatism
PYQ Solutions
-
Examine the main aspects of Muslim League politics from 1937 to 1947. Was the partition of the country un-avoidable?
-
‘Lord Mountbatten came with an order to organise retreat, in military parlance-an operation.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘Mountbatten’s task was, therefore, merely to work out details and effect the partition, demanded by the League and accepted by both British Government and the Congress; and this the new Viceroy moved commandingly to perform.’ Comment.
-
“To glorify the strength of the Congress and deny that of the League is to be blind.” (P.C.Joshi, 1945). Comment.
-
The Pakistan movement converted a cultural and religious entity of a people into a separatist political force. Elucidate.
-
“Both freedom and partition were the work of Indian middle classes.” Comment.
-
Trace the origin and growth of the Indian Muslim League.
-
‘We are therefore unable to advise the British Government that the power which at present resides in British hands should be handed over to two entirely separate sovereign States.’
-
“I felt that if we did not accept partition, India would be split into many bits and would be completely ruined.”
-
“There is no other instance in the history of mankind of a poet and philosopher working such a miracle in shaping the destiny of his people.” (A Tribute to M. Iqbal)
-
Discuss as to why the Congress accepted the partition of India in 1947.
-
“The developments during 1937 – 1939 greatly undermined the ability of the Indian National Congress to push through the agenda of national unity.”
-
“Why did the British finally quit India on 15th August 1947? The Imperialist answer is that independence was simply the fulfilment of Britain’s self-appointed mission to assist the Indian people to self-government.” Examine.
-
Critically examine the turns and twists in the politics of partition in 1930’s and 1940’s.
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: “Based on his discussion with Indian leaders, as well as his own perception, Lord Mountbatten soon came to the conclusion that partition was the only practicable and feasible solution.”
-
“If abdication of British responsibility at the time of transfer of power was callous, the speed with which it was done made it worse.” Critically examine.
-
“The strength of the Pakistan programme was its vagueness. It meant everything to everyone.”
Unit 36
Constitutional Developments in Colonial India, 1858-1935
PYQ Solutions
-
What changes did the British attitude undergo towards the Princely states after 1858? Was the Government of India Act of 1858 intended to introduce direct relations between the Princes and the Crown?
-
“Dyarchy was introduced with high hopes and it must be said that, on a theoretical analysis and if worked under ideal conditions, it is not without merits.” Comment.
-
‘The relations of the Native States, however conducted are essentially with the British Crown and not with the Indian Government.’ Comment.
-
‘No native state should be left to exist in India which is not upheld by the British power or the political conduct of which is not under the absolute control.’ Comment.
-
‘Please remember, in granting separate electorates, we are sowing dragon’s teeth the harvest will be bitter.’ Comment.
-
The Government of India from Canning to Curzon was regarded “as a white man’s burden rather than as a call to creative effort or the preparation for a new era.” Comment.
-
The Diarchy provided by the Montford reforms “certainly created suspicion without and frictions within.” Comment.
-
The Montague Declaration (20 August 1917) was observed more closely in the “realm of imperial relations” than anything else. Comment.
-
Explain the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the constitutional changes of 1909, 1919 and 1935.
-
“Please remember, in granting separate electorates we are sowing the dragon’s teeth and the harvest will be bitter.” (Morley). Comment.
-
Though the Act of 1919 was superseded by that of 1935, the preamble to the former was not repealed- the preservation of the smile of the Cheshire cat after its disappearance, and the latter said nothing about Dominion Status. Elucidate.
-
“Montague-Chelmsford reform proposals introduced ‘dyarchy’, but blurred the lines of responsibility.” Critically examine in 150 words.
-
“Although the Government of India Act of 1935 replaced dyarchy with Provincial Autonomy, the overriding powers of the Governor diluted the spirit autonomy.” Elucidate.
-
Critically examine: “An ideology of paternalistic benevolence, occasionally combined with talk of trusteeship and training towards self-government, thinly veiled the realities of a Raj uncompromisingly white and despotic.”
-
Could Dyarchy (1919) satisfy the national sentiments of the Indians?
-
Is it justified to say that the Government of India Act of 1935 had all brakes, but no engine?
-
Discuss the major constitutional developments in India after 1858 and their impact on society and polity.
-
While introducing the Indian Councils Bill of 1861, the British thought that the only Government suitable for India ‘is a despotism controlled from home’. Comment.
-
The federal provisions of the Government of India Act of 1935 foundered on the rock of princely intransigence.
Syllabus map
Paper II · Post-Independence India
Consolidation as a Nation, Caste and Ethnicity after 1947, Economic Development and Political Change.
Unit 37
Consolidation as a Nation
PYQ Solutions
-
‘The new India was not to be built up, as late nineteenth century patriots had thought, by copious draught from the past, but rather by frequent injections from the energetic contemporary west.’ Comment
-
Jawaharlal Nehru was the architect of India’s policy of non-alignment. In the light of this statement discuss India’s relations with the two ‘Power Blocks’ between 1947-1964
-
Analyse Indian foreign policy of Nonalignment between 1947 and 1964
-
“With great skill and masterful diplomacy and using both persuasion and pressure, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeeded in integrating the hundreds of princely states with the Indian Union.” Discuss.
-
Would you agree that India’s effort to pursue an independent foreign policy was a highlight of post – 1947 politics?
-
“Nehru’s policy of Non-Alignment came to symbolize the struggle of India and other newly independent nations to retain and strengthen their independence from colonialism.” Critically examine
-
The reorganization resulted in rationalizing the political map of India without seriously weakening its unity. If anything, its result has been functional, in as much as it removed what had been a major source of discord, and created homogeneous political units which could be administered through a medium that the vast majority of the population understood. Indeed it can be said with the benefit of hindsight that language, rather than being a force for division, has proved a cementing and integrating influence. Examine.
-
“Sardar Patel accomplished a silent revolution by ensuring the absorption and assimilation of a multitude principalities without shedding even a drop of blood.” Elucidate.
-
“India’s need for a federal system was more an imperative than a political choice.” Do you agree?
-
Throw light on the nature of ‘Instrument of Accession’ and ‘Standstill Agreement’ signed by the Princely State with the Indian Union.
-
“States’ reorganization did not, of course, resolve all the problems relating to linguistic conflicts.” Critically examine.
-
“After Indian Independence India-China relations started on a high note, but during the course of the coming years India had to face a bitter experience due to the Chinese aggression.” Elaborate.
-
“The Reorganisation of the States on the basis of language was a major aspect of national consolidation and integration”. Comment.
-
How was the Princely States integrated in the Indian Union after the partition? What role did Sardar Patel play in it?
-
In the light of contentions over the McMohon Line, analyse the India-China relations in the 1950s and 1960s.
-
Regionalism in India after 1947 was occasioned by developmental imperatives as much as linguistic particularism. – Elucidate.
-
“The movement for linguistic States generated deep apprehensions among the nationalist elite. They feared it would lead to the Balkanization of India.” Examine.
Unit 38
Caste and Ethnicity after 1947
PYQ Solutions
-
“In exercising its exclusive power, the Parliament additionally enacted the Untouchability (Offences) Act in 1955.” Comment.
-
Discuss the factors that led to the growth of Dalit consciousness and mention the major movements aimed at their empowerment.
-
“Nehru favoured the policy of integrating the tribal people in Indian society, of making them an integral part of the Indian nation even while maintaining their distinct identity and culture.” Elaborate with special reference to Northeastern India.
-
“Notwithstanding the quest for modernity and the antagonism that guided Nehru’s attitude towards the inequalities inherent in the social structure in rural India, the Congress Party did not carry out a concerted campaign against discrimination based on caste. Nehru’s own perception was that industrial growth was bound to break the stranglehold of this feudal remnant. This, however, did not happen in India.” Examine.
-
“Dalit Movements for empowerment in independent India have essentially been for carving out political space through electoral politics.” Discuss.
-
Analyse various trends in Dalit Movements in various parts of post-independent India.
-
Discuss the changing nature of Dalit assertion in India in the twentieth century.
-
How did the factionalised Dalit leadership in Hyderabad undergo a period of intense reorganization between 1948 and 1953?
-
Discuss the major initiatives taken by the Government of India for the removal of caste injustice and inequality after 1947.
Unit 39
Economic Development and Political Change
PYQ Solutions
-
“Having won political freedom, India had to win economic and cultural freedom.” Comment.
-
Nehru’s “temple of Modern India” consisted not only of steel and power plants, irrigation dams, but included institutions of higher learning particularly in the scientific field. Elaborate.
-
The Chipko became famous as the first major environmental movement in post-colonial India and gave rise to the understanding that environmental issues are often women’s issues because they suffer most from its deterioration. Explain.
-
“Jawaharlal Nehru, though a declared socialist, was pragmatist enough to focus on providing building blocks to the making of a new India.” Examine.
-
Critically examine the nature and scope of environmental movements in Independent India.
-
How far the developments in science and technology in post-Independence period put India on the path of modernity?
-
Trace the development of land reforms in India between 1947 and early 1960’s.
-
How did the introduction of Community Development Programme and Panchayati Raj promote welfare of rural India?
-
Planning was seen as a powerful instrument that could be used to remove regional inequality. Examine.
-
How did the popular movements help us to understand the nature of environmental crisis in post-colonial India?
-
Why did the demand for land reform never become an agenda in national politics after 1947? Elucidate.
-
India’s developmental strategy after independence was influenced by economic imperatives, not ideological considerations. Comment.
Syllabus map
Paper II · World History
Enlightenment and Modern Ideas, Origins of Modern Politics, Industrialization, Nation-State System, Imperialism and Colonialism, Revolution and Counter-Revolution, World Wars, The World after World War II, Liberation from Colonial Rule, Decolonization and Underdevelopment, Unification of Europe, Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World.
Unit 40
Enlightenment and Modern Ideas
PYQ Solutions
-
What is meant by the ‘rediscovery of ancient civilization’? Show how the ‘New Learning’ was a major element in the beginning of Modem Europe.
-
“Attempts to put mercantilist doctrine into practice characterised the history of most of the nations of Western European in the 16th and 17th centuries.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘The discovery of the new world, coinciding with the swift diffusion of printed books, taught the Europeans that ”Truth”, in Bacon’s noble phrase, “is the daughter not of authority, but of time.’” Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘The Renaissance was the discovery of the world and of man’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘His (Martin Luther’s) rebellion was essentially popular & national.’ Comment.
-
‘The Heavenly Land system was significant in that it greatly expanded the idea of equalizing rich and poor and landowing which the peasant wars had put forward in the past.’ Comment.
-
Assess the intellectual awakening which occurred in Europe in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. How did it influence modem society and civilization.
-
“The Renaissance was not a political or religious movement. It was a state of mind.” Comment.
-
“The Renaissance and the Reformation are the two springs of modern history, rival sources of the intellectual and moral freshening of modem life.” Comment.
-
“The era of discovery and exploration was but another aspect of the Renaissance interest in the world and man.” Comment.
-
“The Peace of Westphalia ended the reign of theology over the European mind and left the road obstructed but passable for the tentative of reason.” Comment.
-
“Of all forms assumed by the Protestant Reformation, Calvinism has been the most far – reaching in its scope and the most profound in its influence.” Comment.
-
‘Marxian Communism is primarily the offspring of German Hegelianism and French Socialism.’ Comment.
-
‘The Renaissance was the discovery of the world and of man.’ Comment.
-
‘Rousseau’s political philosophy contains the seeds of Socialism, Absolutism and Democracy.’ Comment.
-
“The Renaissance scholars laid the eggs which Luther, the father of the Reformation, later on hatched.” Discuss.
-
Give reasons for the origin of the Renaissance in Italy.
-
“The Enlightenment represented alternative approaches to modernity, alternative habits of mind and heart, of conscience and sensibility.” Discuss.
-
“France was more fertile than Britain in producing new Socialist theories and movements, though they bore less concrete results in France than in Britain”. Comment.
-
Critically evaluate: “… he (Voltaire) was living in the Age of Enlightenment….The age itself was not enlightened.” – E. Kant.
-
“The promptings of the heart are more to be trusted than the logic of the mind.” – Rousseau. Critically evaluate.
-
“The despotic rulers of Europe were influences by the philosophy of Enlightenment and began to follow a benevolent policy towards their subjects.” Critically examine.
-
“For Kant, enlightenment is mankind’s final coming of age, the emancipation of the human consciousness from an immature state of ignorance and error.” Critically examine.
-
“Rousseau strove to reconcile the liberty of the individual and the institution of Government through a new vision of the Contract-Theory of Government.” Critically examine.
-
“Enlightened despots (Europe) were not necessarily politically liberal.” Critically examine.
-
“If we were to define our conception of the State, our answer would be that the State is the banker of the poor. The government would finance and supervise the purchase of productive equipments and the formation of social workshops.” In light of the above statement of Louis Blanc, throw light on the Pre-Marxist Socialist Thought in Europe.
-
“France was even more fertile than Britain in producing new socialist theories and movements, though bore less concrete results in France than in Britain.” Critically examine.
-
“The oppressive exploitation of the working class in the wake of Industrial Revolution had jolted the social conscience of England.” Elucidate.
-
“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.
-
“Kant’s redefinition of reason and his rehabilitation of conscience marked a high point in the intellectual reaction against dominant rationalism of the Enlightenment.” Critically examine.
-
Critically examine: “With the writings of Karl Marx, Socialism assumed the form of Scientific Socialism.”
-
Explain the major ideas of Enlightenment. Discuss the contribution of Rousseau in Enlightenment.
-
Critically examine: How would you explain the nature of pre-Marxian Socialism?
-
“The principles of Enlightenment were in some ways a continuation of the discoveries and theories of the Scientific Revolution.” Critically examine.
-
What was “enlightened” about the Age of Enlightenment?
-
‘Rousseau kindled a hope which became the spirit of the Enlightenment’. Critically examine.
-
Engels did much more than Marx himself to popularise the ideas of Marxism. Critically examine.
-
Enlightenment was not confined to scientific revolution alone, but humanism and ideas of progress too were its inseparable constituents. Examine.
-
Marxian socialism claims itself to be a scientific socialist theory capable of explaining the history of humankind. Discuss.
-
The ideas raised by Enlightenment thinkers were profoundly unsettling and unknowable to old regime society and political order.
-
“The American Revolution was, in many respects, a manifestation of the Enlightenment in political, civil and ecclesiastical spheres.” Explain.
-
“Anti-clericalism of the Enlightenment echoed the sentiments of the Renaissance and the Reformation. Yet it neither endorsed the paganism of the Renaissance nor did it share the faith of Reformation.” Discuss.
-
“The pre-Marxian socialist thinkers envisioned socialist societies without fully considering the practical mechanisms for achieving or maintaining them.”
Unit 41
Origins of Modern Politics
PYQ Solutions
-
“What mattered in 1789-and what made men revolutionary almost in spite of themselves- was the whole revolutionary situation’; and in producing that situation the work of the philosophers played no very important role.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘Napoleon was the child of the Revolution, but in many ways he reversed the aims and principles of the movement from which he sprang…” Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it ; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it ; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
Account for the emergence of the national monarchies in Europe in the sixteenth century. Did the monarchs build the national states less by design than by chance?
-
“At the news of the Declaration of Independence crowds gathered to cheer, fire guns and cannon and ring church bells in Philadelphia. Boston and other places, but there were many people in America who did not rejoice.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
Examine the view that the thirty years war (1618-1648) was essentially a contest between the Bourbon and Hapsburg houses for mastery of the Continent of Europe. How far did it settle the issue?
-
Louis XIV ‘was the first French sovereign to make of monarchy a serious profession.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
The French Revolution (1789) really achieved far less than what it intended to effect. Do you agree?
-
‘The American war of Independence transformed Europeans as well as America.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
What issues involved in the conflict between the King and Parliament in England in the seventeenth century? Discuss.
-
‘French political writers of the eighteenth century were influenced by Locke and also by the curious contrasts which they perceived between the government of his country and their own.’ Comment.
-
Discuss the view that Louis XIV of France was a great king-‘the grand monarch.’
-
Examine the issues involved in the American Civil War. Was it a contest between two separate nations?
-
‘The sponsors of the overseas expansion of Europe were national monarchies.’ Comment.
-
‘Napoleon was the child of the Revolution, but in many ways he reversed the aims and principles of the movement from which he sprang.’ Comment.
-
From the Thirty Years War finally emerged the modern state system of Europe. Do you agree?
-
‘The scale, splendour and organized power of the monarchy of Louis XIV was something new in Europe.’ Comment.
-
The American Revolution “was a natural and even expected event in the history of colonial people who had come of age.” Comment.
-
The French Revolution (1789) sought to remove both “the religious and secular props of the existing social order.” Elucidate.
-
“If monarchical misrule ignited the French revolution, lofty ideas both inspired and sustained it.” Comment.
-
“The Bill of Rights (1688) set the seal on Parliamentary supremacy in England.” Comment.
-
The American War of Independence “deprived Great Britain of one empire, but it strengthened the foundations of another.”
-
To some extent, the American War of Independence inspired the French Revolution. Comment.
-
How did Napolean Bonaparte heal the wounds of France inflicted by the Revolution and corrected the errors perpetrated by its leaders?
-
‘The Napoleonic Empire was doomed because of its inherent and self-defeating contradictions.’ Elucidate.
-
‘If monarchical misrule ignited the French Revolution, lofty ideas both inspired and sustained it.’ Comment.
-
‘The French Revolution attacked privileges and not property.’ Comment.
-
‘Napoleon was the child of the Revolution, but in many ways he reversed the aims and principles of the movement from which he sprang…” Comment.
-
Review the background of the Chartist Movement. Despite its failure how had their demands been met in the succeeding years?
-
‘Though reform was inevitable, the Act (1832) by which it was accomplished was open to grave criticism.’ Comment.
-
‘The writings of the philosophers had a tremendous influence on the minds of the people and created a revolutionary awakening in their minds and formed the intellectual creed of the French Revolution.’ Comment.
-
What were the factors that worked in the drafting of the American Constitution? Do you agree with Beard’s view of the constitution being an Economic Document?
-
“No taxation without representation.” Comment.
-
“A clever conqueror will always impose his demands on the conquered by installments.” Comment.
-
“No event as encompassing as the French Revolution occurs in an intellectual vacuum.” Comment.
-
How did Napoleon Bonaparte fuse the old France with the new?
-
How far is it correct to say that every feature of American Constitution was ultimately of English origin?
-
To what extent did Napoleon’s economic war with England become his undoing?
-
“The roots of Chartism and partly political and partly economic.” Elaborate.
-
“The American Revolution was essentially an economic conflict between American capitalism and British mercantilism.” Critically examine.
-
“The connection between the philosophers’ ideas and the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789) is somewhat remote and indirect.” Critically examine.
-
How did Napoleon fuse the France of the ancient regime with the France of the postrevolutionary era?
-
“Six hundred thousand men had died. The Union was preserved, the slaves freed. A nation ‘conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal’ had survived its most terrible ordeal.” Critically examine in 150 words.
-
“Change in Britain came comparatively peacefully through democratic process in the first half of the nineteenth century and a model of a functioning democracy through ballot box was successfully put in place.” Elaborate.
-
“American Revolution seems to have come with remarkable suddenness. A roster of talented leaders emerged during 1763 to 1775 to make it happen.” Elucidate.
-
“… the passing of the ‘Reform Act’ marked the real beginning of modern party organisation in England … In a real sense, the present political system of England dates from 1832.” Critically examine.
-
“The Declaration of Rights was the death-warrant of the system of privilege, and so of the ancient regime … Yet in the history of ideas it belonged rather to the past than to the future.” Examine.
-
“The multiple contradictions that quickly undermined the new edifice, had been expressed even before the meeting of the Estates General in France. The internal conflict among Estates had manifested itself.” Critically examine.
-
Critically examine: “The Continental Blockade was a misconceived idea of economically defeating Great Britain.”
-
Explain the main features of the US federal Constitution.
-
“A house divided against itself cannot stand. I believe this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.” Explain Abraham Lincoln’s perspective.
-
Critically examine the statement that the French Revolution was not caused by the French philosophers but by the condition of national life and by the mistakes of the government.
-
Critically examine: “The spirit behind the great reforms of Napoleon’s Consulate at home was the transference of the methods of Bonaparte the general to task of Bonaparte the statesman.”
-
Critically examine: “The roots of the Chartist movement in Great Britain were partly political and partly economic.”
-
Critically examine: “The American War of Independence transformed Europe as well as America.”
-
Critically examine: “The arguments of the free traders were a curious mixture of economic hard-headedness, social benevolence, cosmopolitan idealism and class prejudice”
-
How far did the Napoleonic preferential stance to help out the French economy result in embroiling France in continental conflicts?
-
“The causes of the French Revolution of 1789 included both long term and structural factors, as well as more immediate events.” Critically examine.
-
“Napoleon was not a revolutionary but he solidified many of the revolutionary changes of 1789 – 1791 and he himself supported most of the ideas and proposals of Enlightenment philosophers.” Substantiate.
-
“Lincoln’s main thesis was that the Slavery issue had to be decided one way or the other and could no longer be evaded by compromise.” Comment in the light of his role in the American Civil War.
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: Napoleon’s continental system may be reckoned as the greatest blunder and may be described as a “monument of misdirected energy”.
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: The Chartist Movement failed to achieve its stated objectives, but succeeded in seeding the idea that a representative democracy should include all citizens.
-
In the American civil war, the victory of the North had many consequences. Some of them were direct and obvious. However, its indirect effects on American development were perhaps even more important. Comment.
-
Do you understand that the lack of statesmanship in London during the 1760’s and the 1770’s was, an important contributory factor in precipitating the American Revolution. Analyse.
-
‘The codification of French Law was perhaps the most enduring of Napoleon’s achievements’. Critically examine.
-
‘The first Reformation Act (1832) occupies a significant place in the constitutional development of Britain’. Critically examine.
-
“The American War of Independence finally ended in 1783 when Britain acknowledged the independence of the United States of America.” Critically examine.
-
The philosophers and thinkers may have laid the foundation of the French Revolution, but it was precipitated by social and economic reasons. Explain.
-
“The Chartist Movement not only fulfilled some of the demands of the middle class, but its ramifications were felt among the working class and the colonies as well.” Critically examine.
-
The American Civil War was a result of the disparity of needs of industrial north and agrarian south.
-
“The French Revolution started and led to the victory in its first phase by the aristocracy.”
-
“With the Reform Act of 1832 began an activity in reconstructing legislation to which there had been no parallel in British history.”
Unit 42
Industrialization
PYQ Solutions
-
Trace the growth of capitalism in Britain in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Why was France, as compared to Britain, late in developing the capitalist spirit and the institutional framework of capitalism?
-
‘The novelty in sixteenth-century mercantilism its extension from city to nation and the transfer of its chief agency from local guilt to national monarch.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
How did Japan develop between 1868 and 1894? Did the ‘Restoration of Meiji’ mark a sharp break with the past?
-
‘The Industrial Revolution put mobility in the place of stability.’ Comment.
-
‘Protestantism contributed substantially to the rise of capitalism.” Comment.
-
To what extent were the advances in scientific knowledge in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries a product of the needs of a changing society?
-
The Industrial Revolution “Changed England in character & culture.” Comment.
-
The Industrial Revolution brought about great changes in the social and economic life of Europe. Explain.
-
The Years 1853-1894 witnessed the transformation of Japan. Explain.
-
What was the extent of industrialization in western Europe by the end of the nineteenth century?
-
“Whoever says Industrial Revolution, says cotton.” Comment.
-
“The process of industrialization in some other countries of Europe was different from that in England.” Critically examine.
-
Explain why England became the harbinger of Industrial Revolution. Also throw light on its social consequences.
-
Critically examine: “The Industrial Revolution put mobility in the place of stability.”
-
Discuss how Japan industrialized after the Meiji Restoration. What were the consequences for its neighbours?
-
How did the policies of governments facilitate the process of industrialization in Europe?
-
“Industrial Revolution had far reaching social and political consequences with the advent of assembly line factories, urbanization and rise of the urban working class.”
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: There were many reasons why the industrial revolution first happened in England.
-
Do you agree then the economic effects of the Industrial Revolution were to add enormously to wealth and capital on the one hand and to degrade the masses to permanent poverty as the other ? Elucidate.
-
The impact of industrial revolution on the middle class world view is reflected in the views of Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus and Jeremy Bentham. Comment.
-
The course of the English industrialization was too long drawn to be considered a revolution. Comment.
-
The state was the most important factor in the industrialization of Russia. Comment.
-
Examine the impact of the links between scientific education and industrial expansion on German society in the early 20th century.
Unit 43
Nation-State System
PYQ Solutions
-
“They have stopped me from making Italy by diplomacy from the North, I will make it by revolution from the South.”
-
‘The Unification of Germany was the one thing Bismarck was determined to prevent.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘The Eastern Question has always been an international question’. Comment.
-
‘The comparion between Cavour’s and Bismark’s achievements reveals ‘striking points of resemblance and no less striking points of dissimilarity.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘Nominally the new Turkey was republican and democratic.’ Comment.
-
What were the obstacles to Italian unification till 1852? How and with what methods was the unification of Italy achieved?
-
At the end of the battle of Sedan (1870), “Europe lost a mistress and gained a master.” Comment.
-
The unification of Italy and that of Germany constituted a contrast in respect of the ways they were affected and the impact they left on later international politics. Elucidate.
-
“The unification of Italy completed the destruction of the European order.” Comment.
-
Isolation of France constituted the keystone of Bismarck’s foreign policy. Elucidate.
-
Lord Beaconsfield after his return from the Congress of Berlin (1878) boasted: “I have brought peace with honour” Comment.
-
The political unification of Germany was accomplished solely by Bismarck. Comment.
-
“The Crimean War was the most useless war ever waged.” Comment.
-
“Bismarck created a new Germany with the policy of ‘blood and iron’.” Comment.
-
“Napoleon kindled the national sentiment, but German unity was achieved by Bismarck.” Discuss.
-
‘Bismarck united Germany not by majority of votes and speeches but by a policy of “blood and iron”. In the light of this statement assess the contribution of Bismarck to the unification of Germany.
-
‘To Bismarck the conclusion of the Treaty of May 20, 1882, was the culmination of this system.’ Comment.
-
‘They have stopped me from making Italy by diplomacy from the North, I will make it by revolution from the South.’
-
“The Eastern Question has always been an international question.” Elucidate.
-
Was German unification achieved more by ‘coal and iron’ than by ‘blood and iron’?
-
“The language of narrow nationalism held at Frankfurt destroyed the German Revolution; as the fatal idea of aggrandisement of the House of Savoy destroyed the Italian Revolution.” Discuss.
-
Critically examine: “Mazzini’s conception of Italian nationality was not exclusive and his dominant ideal was the recreation of moral unity of mankind.”
-
“The Berlin Congress (1878) failed to unlock the Eastern Question. Though there was no major war in Europe for nearly three decades after the Treaty of Berlin, it contained the seeds of many future wars.” Critically evaluate.
-
What determinant factors, along with diplomatic, shaped the process of German Unification?
-
Critically examine: At the end of the Battle of Sedan (1870), “Europe lost a mistress and gained a master.”
-
Examine the role of Bismarck in state building in Germany.
-
How was Italy transformed from a ‘geographical expression’ to a nation-state?
-
Do you subscribe to the view that the Greek War of Independence was mired in contrasts of the best and the worst episodes? How did it affect the Concert of Europe.
-
“From Bismarck’s ‘Blood and Iron’ speech and his forceful actions to achieve German unification, Bismarck came to be known as the Iron Chancellor.” Critically examine.
-
The rise of nationalism across nations shattered the chains which held together the empires of modem Europe. Discuss.
-
Discuss the different stages of the unification of Italy from 1848 to the occupation of Rome in 1870.
-
The unification of Germany was as much a product of coal and iron as it was of blood and iron.
-
“Nationalism in the 19th century was a driving force for both integration and disintegration.” Illustrate with examples from Europe and other parts of the world.
Unit 44
Imperialism and Colonialism
PYQ Solutions
-
Critically examine the culture system in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) during the nineteenth century. Why was it dismantled?
-
Discuss the Self-strengthening movement in China.
-
‘By 1861, China may be said to have been fully though grudgingly opened to the Westerner.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
Why is the period from 1842 to 1900 considered as half a century of humiliations in the history of China? What was the reaction of China?
-
Write a critique on the partition of Africa from 1870 to 1914, with particular reference to Germany’s imperial designs in the Continent.
-
Show how the presence of a weak and helpless China next door brought about the rise of militarism and collapse of democracy in Japan.
-
Divided into spheres of influence by foreign powers, China in the 19th century presented a sorry spectacle. How did China react to it?
-
Trace the stages in the partition of Africa after 1870. How did it affect international relations?
-
One great effect of the geographical discoveries of the 15th century was ‘the growing belief that America, Asia and Africa were to be used extensively for the benefit of Europeans.’ Comment.
-
Portugal and Spain, the pioneers in world exploration, were also first in the race to conquer overseas countries. Comment.
-
The simultaneous expansion of European powers overseas during the last quarter of the 19th century brought them into frequent collisions at remote points all over Africa and Asia.” Comment.
-
To what extent did the Western powers bring China under their domination without annexation?
-
Trace the various stages of European imperialism in Africa in the nineteenth century.
-
“Colonies are like fruits which cling to the tree only till they ripen.” Comment.
-
“New imperialism was a nationalistic, not an economic phenomena.” Comment.
-
“In all the long annals of Imperialism, the partition of Africa is a remarkable freak.” Comment.
-
Discuss the emergence of neo-imperialism in the late nineteenth century.
-
What do you understand by Imperialism? State briefly its unique features in the case of Africa.
-
Critically examine the Dutch colonial policy in Indonesia.
-
Explain how American imperialism in Philippines differed with European imperialism in Indonesia and Indo-China.
-
“Colonialism not only deprives a society of its freedom and its wealth, but of its very character, leaving its people intellectually and morally disoriented.” Critically examine in 150 words.
-
“New imperialism was a nationalistic, not an economic-phenomena.” Critically examine.
-
To what extent did the expansion of European Powers in the late 19th century help in the modernization of Africa?
-
“The commercial and industrial interests created a veritable hothouse atmosphere in Europe for the establishment of colonies.” Critically examine in 150 words.
-
Critically examine the socio-cultural and economic impact of migration in Europe and Asia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
-
Discuss the nature of American overseas expansion in Asia and explain the consequences.
-
“History of Africa appears to be simply an extension or mere sub-theme under the broad headings of European and American history. According to this historiography, Africa seems to be without any history before the European scramble.” Elucidate.
-
Trace the growth of British imperialism in South Africa from 1800 to 1907.
-
Examine the nature of Dutch imperialism in Indonesia.
-
Which factors would you attribute to the British colonial intervention in Malaya in the 19th century? How did Malaya react to British colonial rule?
-
What happened to Malaya after it was liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945? Discuss.
-
“The British imperialism in South Africa from 1867 to 1902 was influenced to a large extent by the capitalist mining of diamonds.” Critically examine.
-
To what extent underdevelopment in Latin America is caused by neo-imperialism?
-
Did new imperialism represent a continuation of old colonial practices or did it mark a fundamental shift in global power structure? Discuss critically.
Unit 45
Revolution and Counter-Revolution
PYQ Solutions
-
“The turn of the tide against the Kuomintang, consequently, was due as much to its weakness as to Communist strength.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
Analyse the causes of the Russian Revolutions of 1917. Why was the second Revolution significant in more than one way?
-
“Extreme nationalism of the Fascist Variety has various faces in various countries, but it has everywhere certain common characteristics.” Comment.
-
“Comparison of the fascist regime in Italy with the National Socialist regime of Germany is almost inevitable. The similarities are obvious, but there is one point of difference which is worth mentioning.” Comment.
-
The Russian Revolution of 1917 was a single revolution which developed two phases. Elucidate.
-
‘For a tired and timid generation Metternich was the necessary man.’ Comment.
-
“There was an element of system in Hitler’s foreign poicy… His outlook was continental.” Comment.
-
‘Corporate State’ was Mussolini’s answer to the socio-political problems of his country. Elucidate.
-
In Russia, Lenin was ”the father of socialism, organiser of the revolution and the founder of the new Russian society.’ Examine the statement.
-
‘Stalinist Russia was a despotic regime.’ Critically examine the view.
-
With the proclamation in Nanking of a Chinese Republic with Sun-Yat-Sen as the President in 1911, “the old China wilted rapidly.” Comment.
-
Examine the circumstances in China in the years 1945-49. What did the United States do to resolve the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists there?
-
“The roots of the rise of Fascism lay in Peace Treaties.”
-
Examine the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and indicate its significance in world history.
-
What were the weaknesses and difficulties of the Weimer Republic? How did Hitler succeed in establishing his dictatorship?
-
Discuss the circumstances leading to the Chinese Revolution of 1949 and analyse its significance.
-
Critically analyse the causes and results of the Chinese Revolution of 1949.
-
Discuss the main characteristics of Fascism.
-
‘Most of the European Revolutions of 1848 were nationalist as well as popular insurrections against foreign rule and repressive policy of Metternich’. Comment.
-
“Hitler did not really want a world war. His intention was only a short war with Poland.” (A. J. P. Taylor). Comment.
-
Account for the overthrow of the Tsarist regime in Russia.
-
Critically evaluate: “All long marches begin with small steps.”
-
“The announcement of the creation of the Peoples’ Republic of China on October 1, 1949 by Mao Zedong ended the civil war between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party (KMT).” – Elaborate.
-
‘The impact of the French Revolution (1789) was initially confined to Europe, but, that of the Russian Revolution (1917) was global.’- Critically review.
-
‘If the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (that resulted in the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Soviet Union) inaugurated an international competition for the hearts and minds of people all over the globe, the Chinese Revolution raised the stakes of that struggle.’ Critically examine in 150 words.
-
Critically examine: ‘The whole episode that is known as the July Revolution (1830) was fought and won not for the establishment of an extreme democracy but to get rid of the aristocratic and clericalist attitude of the restored Bourbons.’
-
“The failure of Kuomintang against the communist onslaught was unimaginable and it was Mao Tse-tung whose tenacity and innovative approach had accomplished the unthinkable.” Discuss.
-
What is Metternich system? Assess its impact on Europe.
-
How did Lenin achieve an abrupt transition from a Monarchical autocratic to a Socialist State?
-
Discuss how agrarian crisis accompanied by severe industrial depression triggered the Revolutions of 1848.
-
Examine the statement that ‘the danger of ‘Bolshevism’ dominated not only the history of the years immediately following the Russian Revolution of 1917 but the entire history of the world since that date.’
-
Examine the circumstances which led to the overthrow of democracy and the establishment of Fascist dictatorship in Italy.
-
In the Chinese Revolution of 1949, the elements of communism and nationalism were discernible. Explain the statement in the light of Mao’s strategy which was different from that of Lenin.
-
‘The 1848 revolutions frightened the crowned heads of Europe and caused several to abdicate. Those who remained were cognizant of the threats posed by liberalism, nationalism and socialism.’ Comment.
-
How did Stalin build on Lenin’s legacy of Bolshevik Revolution and introduce new elements of totalitarianism to transform USSR as a superpower?
-
What were the causes and consequences of the revolutionary upsurge of the 1840s in Europe?
-
Revolutions, whether in Russia (1917) or in China (1949), are a disastrous way of transforming a country. Comment.
-
Europe was at war with itself in the first half of the twentieth century with a long cease-fire. Comment.
-
Discuss how Fascism was a response to the post-war situation arising out of political instability, thwarted nationalist hopes and fears of the spread of communism?
-
‘The Revolutions of 1848 were shaped by the ideas of democracy and nationalism.’ Critically examine.
-
The revolutions of 1989 did not simply destroy governments; they also ended an ideology.
-
The new regime in China addressed the peasant question by instituting widespread land distribution, which was carried out swiftly and ruthlessly.
-
“By the time of the 1932 elections, Germany’s ruling classes began to feel that the only way to escape from a deep economic crisis was to hand over political power to a totalitarian agency.” Explain.
-
‘In the Soviet Union, as also in China, there was a strong belief that anti-imperial movements in the colonies would result in their moving into the socialist orbit.’
Unit 46
World Wars
PYQ Solutions
-
What led to the formation of the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo axis? Indicate its impact on international politics.
-
‘The international situation that confronted the peace – makers in Paris was in the brutal realities of history, the result of a temporary redistribution of the balance of power in the world.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
Critically examine the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Did he want to introduce a sort of socialism?
-
“The Anglo-Japanese Treaty (1962) marks a milestone in the development of Japan as an Asiatic power.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
The treaties made at the Paris Peace conference in 1919-20 were replete with unstable compromises, reflecting more materialism than idealism. Elucidate.
-
Show how the Spanish Civil War was a prelude to World War II.
-
“Thus the League sought to achieve the profoundest of all psychological revolutions—to transform the war mentality of man into a peace mentality.” Comment.
-
Trace the distinct phases of the Sino Japanese War. Assess its political, economic and cultural impact on China, both ‘occupied and free.’
-
‘The Treaty of Versailles was merely an armistice for twenty years.’ Comment.
-
“The Manchurian crisis decided the fate of the League of Nations.” Comment.
-
“The perpetuation of the economic malaise was the main cause of the political instability of Europe during the next two decades (1919-39).” Explain.
-
The Great Depression (1929-34) was “attended by momentous consequences in the economic as well as in the political sphere.” Comment.
-
“The Communist International and the League of Nations both announced the end of the Balance of Power.” Comment.
-
Trace the growth of militarism in Japan in the inter-war years. What international reaction did it provoke?
-
President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal “had the wit to start the political economy in a fresh, more promising direction.” Do you agree?
-
Trace the rise and growth of the New European Society in the inter-war period.
-
“Until December 1941 the battlefield of the Second World War was exclusively European and Atlantic; thereafter it became also Asiatic and Pacific.”
-
Analyse the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles of 1919 and examine the validity of Germany’s objections to the treaty.
-
‘There was not only a difference of principles at Paris (Peace Conference) but a clash of personalities.’ Comment.
-
‘The Great Depression (1929-34) was attended by momentous consequences in the economic as well as in the political sphere.’ Comment.
-
The most important single factor… in the years following 1919 was the French demand for security. Comment.
-
‘Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of future conflict.’ Comment.
-
“The War’s (First World War’s) most permanent contribution to the spirit of the post-War years was disillusion.” Comment.
-
‘In the long run, the Locarno Treaty (December 1925) was destructive both of the Treaty of Versailles and of the Covenant’. Comment.
-
“By 1914, the sick man of Europe was no longer just Turkey: it was Europe itself.” Explain.
-
How did the policy of appeasement escalate the problem of Nazi aggrandizement?
-
‘The peace of Versailies lacked moral validity from the start.’ Critically evaluate.
-
“Any single explanation for the outbreak of the First World War is likely to be too simple. An amalgam of factors intellectual, social, economic as well as political and diplomatic contributed to this horrifying conflict of monumental proportions.” – Explain.
-
“The Russo-Japanese War helped in the rise of Japan as a great power.” Critically examine in 150 words.
-
How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of the balance of power?
-
“League of Nations is a League of notions.” Comment.
-
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?
-
Critically examine in 150 words: “18 January, 1871 had been a day of triumph for the strength and pride of Germany and 28 June, 1919 was the day of chastisement.
-
Why was the First World War termed as the first ‘total’ war in modem history?
-
Critically examine: “Until December 1941, the battlefield of the Second World War was exclusively European and Atlantic; thereafter it become also Asiatic and Pacific.”
-
Critically examine: “There are many ways in which the war of 1914-18 was unprecedented, and in human history, entirely novel.”
-
Critically examine: “The ineffectiveness of the League of Nations to prevent or to check Japanese aggression against China was the first serious blow to its prestige as an agency for providing security.”
-
Was Czechoslovakia served on a dish to Hitler at Munich? What were its implications?
-
Do you agree with the statement that the Second World War was history’s most destructive war? Elaborate.
-
Europe was at war with itself in the first half of the twentieth century with a long cease-fire. Comment.
-
‘Roaring Twenties’ in Europe and America had many positive points. It helped women to uplift themselves in the region.
-
The Treaty of Versailles contained in itself the seeds of the Second World War. Examine.
-
The social and political landscape of Europe after the first world war was uniquely suited to the rise of Fascism. Discuss.
-
The second world war was a truly global conflict. Discuss.
-
“The First World War did not produce just political consequences, it also had a deep impact on the ways of thinking.”
Unit 47
The World after World War II
PYQ Solutions
-
One of the most important impacts of the Second world war was the “division of Europe”, eastern and western.
-
In the post-Second World War scenario friends in war did not remain friends in peace. Examine the truth of this view in the period of your study.
-
“One of the most important consequences of the Second World War was ‘division of Europe’, eastern & western.” Comment.
-
‘The Security Council is the heart of the United Nations.’
-
Critically examine the various dimensions and phases of the cold war between 1947 and 1962.
-
“After World War II, the strategy of the West towards Soviet bloc crystallized as a ‘policy of containment”‘. Comment.
-
Examine the peace-keeping efforts of the United Nations Organization.
-
“Europe faced peace in 1945 politically disorganized and economically crippled.” Elaborate.
-
Explain the circumstances leading to the emergence of Third World and analyze its impact on world affairs.
-
Would you agree that the Non-Aligned Movement played a crucial role in promoting a climate of peace?
-
“In spite of the careful framing of the Charter, the role of UNO as peacekeeper and international mediator has been somewhat lacklustre and muted and that continues to be so even after the end of Cold War.” Elucidate.
-
Discuss the circumstances leading to the Suez Crisis of 1956 and examine its repercussions on global politics.
-
“Europe was eclipsed through European folly due to the two world wars.” Elucidate.
-
“The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were considered by the Russian Bloc as a weapon against Russia in order to restrict her influence.” Critically examine.
-
“The UNO was created in the light of experience of the ‘League of Nations’, but in spite of the mandate contained in the UNO constitution, its effective role in maintaining world peace has lacked cohesiveness and collective approach.” Examine.
-
“The role of the Non-Alignment Movement in world affairs has suffered greatly due to the theatre of internecine conflicts among the Third World countries who spearheaded it.” Elucidate.
-
Outline the circumstances leading to Detente.
-
Outline the cirumstances leading to adoption of Marshall Plan.
-
Discuss how far the United Nations has been successful in resolving global disputes from year 1946 to 1991.
-
Critically examine: “Non-alignment came to symbolize the struggle of India and other newly independent nations to retain and strengthen their independence from colonialism and imperialism.”
-
“The multitude of newly independent countries came to be known as the ‘Third World’, belonging neither to the First World of capitalist democracies, nor the Communist Second World.”
-
Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words: During the Cold War, some important leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement wanted to keep the movement away from the military blocs.
-
Do you think that the United Nations Organisation has played a significant role in resolving international disputes and ensuring peace in the world?
-
Describe the launching of Non-Alignment Movement. Why the small nations wanted to remain aloof from the powerful nations?
-
“UNO was the necessity of the time when the World War II ended.” Critically examine its achievements and shortcomings.
-
The emergence of two power blocs not only symbolised two competing ideologies but also two alternative models of economic growth. Explain.
Unit 48
Liberation from Colonial Rule
PYQ Solutions
-
“Mohammad Ali combined ambition with perspicacity to a greater degree than any other Oriental ruler of the nineteenth century.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘Under Mustafa Kemal’s dictatorship, Turkey was rapidly nationalized.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
‘One of the last strongholds of oil imperialism and European colonialism, it (Middle East) cultivates a fiery nationalism as a weapon against foreign oppression.’ Comment in about 200 words.
-
“… the European nations in emphasizing their solidarity, their Europeanness in dealing with Asian countries inevitably gave rise to a feeling of Asianness.” Comment in about 200 words.
-
Trace the growth of Arab nationalism after the First World War. How far was it a reaction to oil imperialism?
-
How did the Japanese occupation of South East Asian countries during the Second World War give a boost to nationalise in the regions? Explain with examples.
-
Arab Nationalism and Oil-these were the principal factors complicating the relations of the West Asian countries with the outside world. Do you agree?
-
“The countries in the Middle East became, after 1919, the scene of constant effervescence and some striking changes.” Comment.
-
“Asian Nationalism is just a product of Western impact on the Asian intelligentsia in the last decades of the nineteenth century.” Comment.
-
Turkish renaissance guided by Kemal Pasha revolutionised the Turkish life at many levels. Amplify.
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Discuss the aims of the establishment of the Arab League and assess it role in safeguarding the interests of the Arab nations.
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Give a brief account of the struggle against ‘Apartheid’ in South Africa.
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“Arab nationalism and oil-there were the principal factors in complicating the relations of middle eastern countries with the outside world.” Comment.
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Why did Vietnam go through thirty years of war after the second world war?
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“The Arab nationalism had a peculiar character. It stood for national independence for separate Arab States as well as for the unity of all Arabs irrespective of their state boundaries.” – Examine.
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“There must be an end to white monopoly on political power, and a fundamental restructuring of our political and economic systems to ensure that the inequalities of apartheid are addressed and our society thoroughly democratized.” Discuss.
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Trace the significant role played by Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam’s struggle for freedom.
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Trace the growth of Arab nationalism after the First World War. How far was it a reaction to oil imperialism?
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Examine why Bolivar’s failed to fructify in bringing about united stand of the Latin Americans.
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Explain the features of Apartheid in South Africa.
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Analyse the role of Egypt after the Second World War in bringing about Arab unity.
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“The British were slated to withdraw from Palestine in May 1948, and both sides prepared for that day. Violence between Arabs and Jews, already endemic, escalated.”
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Discuss the circumstances leading to the French exit from Algeria in 1962.
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“The Arab countries looked up to Nasser as a leader who could withstand the pressure exerted by Western countries on Egypt to make peace with Israel.” Critically examine the following statement in about 150 words.
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The white-minority government of South Africa treated the natives very badly by denying them fundamental rights and made Apartheid as official policy. How were the people able to end Apartheid policy and establish a transitional rule?
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Why was the apartheid policy introduced in South Africa? What were its main features?
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Do you feel that the Vietnamese fought the 20th century’s longest and bloodiest war for their liberation and integration of their country? Analyse.
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Arab nationalism was not only a cultural movement, but also an anti-colonial struggle. Comment.
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The historical causes for the rise of anti-colonial movement in South-East Asia were cultural differences, spread of western education and the emergence of Communist ideas. Discuss.
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The nature of apartheid regime undermined South Africa’s claim of being a democratic polity.
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How did Ho Chi Minh emerge as the central figure in the Vietnamese independence movement?
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Why did the non-communist Vietnamese leaders fail to provide successful leadership for Indo-China’s anti-colonial struggle? Discuss.
Unit 49
Decolonization and Underdevelopment
PYQ Solutions
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Write a critical note on the process of decolonization accelerated by the second World War.
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‘The decolonization led to the break-up of Empires.’ Comment.
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“Decolonization has finished. It definitely belongs to the past. Yet somehow it has refused to become history.” Critically examine in 150 words.
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Discuss the factors constraining development of Africa after decolonization.
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Explain why Latin America was beset with chronic political instability and endemic military conflicts throughout most of the 19th century.
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Critically examine whether it was true that after a century of dependency on Europeans, Africans were ill prepared for the task of nation-building.
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How far did Latin American countries overcome centuries of subjugation and foreign intervention?
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To what extent underdevelopment in Latin America is caused by neo-imperialism?
Unit 50
Unification of Europe
PYQ Solutions
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‘The Brussels Treaty of 17 March, 1948 paved the way for the formation of NATO.’
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“NATO in many ways symbolized the key role that the United States had come to play in Europe.” Comment.
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“The collapse of Berlin Wall in 1989 brought new ideas of co – operation in Europe.” Critically evaluate.
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Examine the challenges confronted by the proponents of European unity after the collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe.
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“The European Union is the new sick man of Europe.” Critically evaluate.
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“Europe was eclipsed through European folly due to the two world wars.” Elucidate.
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“The European Union, a diplomatic marvel, continues to grapple with intermittent fissures arising out of economic contentious issues that pose a challenge to an effective integration of the Union.” Critically examine.
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Critically examine in 150 words: “The collapse of Berlin Wallon 9 November, 1989 brought new meaning to the imdea of cooperation in Europe.”
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Do you agree with the view that the formation of NATO marked a revolution in American attitude to world problems?
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Trace the different stages of European economic integration.
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To what extent did the concept of free trade of the European Economic Community contribute to the formation of the European Union? Examine.
Unit 51
Disintegration of the Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World
PYQ Solutions
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Discuss the main factors leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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Analyse the factors leading to the end of the Cold War and account for the U.S. ascendancy in the world.
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Analyse the factors for the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union during 1985–1991.
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“By the 1980s, the Communist system of the Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Explain this statement.
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Account for the factors that brought about the end of the Cold War.
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Assess the significance of the political developments that took place in Eastern Europe during 1989-2001.
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“The capitalism which gave the European empires their apparent solidarity and permanence also hastened their downfall.” Comment.
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“Critically evaluate: ‘The essence of Perestroika is for people to feel they are the country’s master.’- Gorbachev.”
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Examine the challenges confronted by the proponents of European unity after the collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe.
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“With the Cold War over and the Soviet Union gone, the face of international diplomacy has undergone a metamorphosis.” Critically examine.
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“By the 1980s, the Communist system of the Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Elucidate.
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What factors contributed to the emergence of a unipolar world?
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In what way did the political changes in Soviet Union influence the events in Eastern Europe during the closing decades of the 20th Century?
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“By 1980s, the Communist System of Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Substantiate.
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Review the policy of Glasnost adopted by Gorbachev.
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A new configuration of power emerged in world politics after the end of the cold war. Analyse how USA managed to become the sole superpower.
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“The impact of the end of the Cold War and the emergence of the US as the lone superpower has been both, good and bad.” Discuss.
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Discuss, how the policies adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev were responsible for the disintegration of the USSR?
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“The supremacy of USA after the end of Cold War had its challenges as well.” Critically examine.
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Discuss critically the salient features of Mikhail Gorbachev’s domestic reforms.