Political Developments and Economy: Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zalnul Abedln). Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids; The Vijayanagra Empire; Lodis; Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun; The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration; Portuguese Colonial enterprise;
Bhaktl and Sufi Movements
History Optional PYQs: The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century ‐ Political Developments and Economy [1985-2026]
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Portuguese maritime power disrupted the character of trade in the Indian Ocean in the 16th century. Review. | View answer |
| 2024 | Highlight the features of the Portuguese colonial enterprise. | View answer |
| 2022 | 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. | View answer |
| 2021 | Examine the causes of Babur’s success against Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. (in about 150 words) | View answer |
| 2021 | Give your assessment of Bahlul Lodi’s relation with his nobility. | View answer |
| 2020 | Describe in detail about the foreign travellers accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom, (in 150 words) | View answer |
| 2020 | Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of fort, Brahmanas and dispersed tribal groups. Comment. | View answer |
| 2020 | Describe village polity and economy of medieval Deccan. | View answer |
| 2020 | Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and agricultural reforms. | View answer |
| 2019 | Assess the rule of Zainul Abedin in Kashmir. | View answer |
| 2018 | and polity in peninsular India has much to do with the growth of Vijayanagara kingdom? | View answer |
| 2016 | Evaluate Jonaraja's account of the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin. | View answer |
| 2016 | Assess the contribution of Firoz Shah Bahamani and Mahmud Gawan in the field of education. | View answer |
| 2015 | Mention the salient features of the polity of Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya. | View answer |
| 2014 | How was cartaz system used by the Portuguese to maintain their control over the oceanic trade? (150 words) | View answer |
| 2014 | To what extent is‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine. | View answer |
| 2013 | Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources. | View answer |
| 2013 | On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. | View answer |
| 2010 | Comment on the Turco – Mongol theory of sovereignty.To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun? | View answer |
| 2008 | Write short essay on Significance of the arrival of the Portuguese in India. | View answer |
| 2007 | Write brief essay: The Bahamani Kingdom. | View answer |
| 2005 | Write brief essay: The Bahmani kingdom. | View answer |
| 2001 | Write brief essay on Hemu Vikramaditya. | View answer |
| 1999 | Write brief essay-Sher Shah combined in himself qualities of lion and fox. | View answer |
| 1995 | Make a comparative review of the agrarian reforms of Alau-ud-Din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri. | View answer |
| 1992 | Write brief essay on Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean and its impact. | View answer |
| 1989 | Write short essay of not more than 200 words: The empire – builder in North India of the sixteenth century. | View answer |
| 1986 | Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India. | View answer |
| Do you agree that convergence of political vacuum and impact of Islamicate culture | View answer |
Bhakti & Sufi Movements
| Year | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Why did the abdication of power by Alauddin Alam Shah in favour of Bahlol Lodi not culminate in the establishment of the Lodi Dynasty? Elucidate. | |
| 2026 | From the Portuguese merchant Domingo Paes' description of Krishnadevaraya's reign, assess the socio-economic and cultural uniqueness of the Vijayanagara Empire. | |
| 2026 | The Sufis created a climate in which people belonging to different sects and religions could live in peace and harmony." Discuss. | |
| 2024 | Evaluate the contribution of Qalandariyyah to medieval Indian culture. | View answer |
| 2023 | Discuss the importance of Sufi literature as an important source of history. | View answer |
| 2022 | The Vaishnava Bhakti tradition of the fifteenth century contributed to the flourishing of provincial literature. Discuss with appropriate examples. | View answer |
| 2020 | The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain. | View answer |
| 2019 | Sufi and Bhakti thoughts ennobled Indian psyche amidst the vagaries of time. Elucidate. | View answer |
| 2018 | What was the role of Sufi Folk literature in the diffusion of Islam in India in general and in Deccan in particular. | View answer |
| 2017 | Bhakti and Sufi movements served the same social purpose.” Discuss. | View answer |
| 2015 | Tantrism, if not in practice, at least on conceptual level challenged patriarchy.” Examine Tantrism specially keeping in mind the above context. | View answer |
| 2013 | Discuss and evaluate critically various trends in the historiography of bhakti. | View answer |
| 2007 | The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both the religions. Elucidate. | View answer |
| 2006 | Write brief essay on Sufism in North India. | View answer |
| 2005 | Write brief essay on Chaitanyadeva and Vaishnavism. | View answer |
| 2005 | The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religions." Elucidate. | View answer |
| 2004 | Discuss the growth of the Nirguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasising the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it. | View answer |
| 2003 | Write brief essay on Sufi Movements. | View answer |
| 2003 | What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture? | View answer |
| 2001 | Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages & life and thought of the common people. | View answer |
| 2000 | Write brief essay: The Sufi Movement & its role in promoting communal harmony. | View answer |
| 1987 | Write short answer of not more than 200 words: Significance of the Bhakti Movement. | View answer |
| 1985 | 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. | View answer |



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