The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century ‐ Political Developments and Economy

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 [1985-2024]

1. Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India. (1986)
2. Write short essay of not more than 200 words: The empire – builder in North India of the sixteenth century. (1989)
3. Write brief essay on Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean and its impact. (1992)
4. Make a comparative review of the agrarian reforms of Alau-ud-Din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri. (1995)
5. Write brief essay-Sher Shah combined in himself qualities of lion and fox. (1999)
6. Write brief essay on Hemu Vikramaditya. (2001)
7. Write brief essay: The Bahmani kingdom. (2005)
8. Write brief essay: The Bahamani Kingdom. (2007)
9. Write short essay on Significance of the arrival of the Portuguese in India. (2008)
10. Comment on the Turco – Mongol theory of sovereignty.To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun? (2010)
11. Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources. (2013)
12. On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijayanagar kingdom. (2013)
13. How was cartaz system used by the Portuguese to maintain their control over the oceanic trade? (150 words) (2014)
14. To what extent is‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine. (2014)
15. Mention the salient features of the polity of Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya. (2015)
16. Evaluate Jonaraja’s account of the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin. (2016)
17. Assess the contribution of Firoz Shah Bahamani and Mahmud Gawan in the field of education. (2016)
18. Do you agree that convergence of political vacuum and impact of Islamicate culture
19. and polity in peninsular India has much to do with the growth of Vijayanagara kingdom? (2018)
20. Assess the rule of Zainul Abedin in Kashmir. (2019)
21. Describe in detail about the foreign travellers accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom, (in 150 words) (2020)
22. Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of fort, Brahmanas and dispersed tribal groups. Comment. (2020)
23. Describe village polity and economy of medieval Deccan. (2020)
24. Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and agricultural reforms. (2020)
25. Examine the causes of Babur’s success against Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. (in about 150 words) (2021)
26. Give your assessment of Bahlul Lodi’s relation with his nobility. (2021)
27. 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. (2022)
28. Highlight the features of the Portuguese colonial enterprise. (2024)

Bhakti & Sufi Movements

1. 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. (1985)
2. Write short answer of not more than 200 words: Significance of the Bhakti Movement. (1987)
3. Write brief essay: The Sufi Movement & its role in promoting communal harmony. (2000)
4. Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages & life and thought of the common people. (2001)
5. Write brief essay on Sufi Movements. (2003)
6. What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture? (2003)
7. Discuss the growth of the Nirguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasising the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it. (2004)
8. Write brief essay on Chaitanyadeva and Vaishnavism. (2005)
9. “The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religions.” Elucidate. (2005)
10. Write brief essay on Sufism in North India. (2006)
11. “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. (2007)
12. Discuss and evaluate critically various trends in the historiography of bhakti. (2013)
13. “Tantrism, if not in practice, at least on conceptual level challenged patriarchy.” Examine Tantrism specially keeping in mind the above context. (2015)
14. “Bhakti and Sufi movements served the same social purpose.” Discuss. (2017)
15. What was the role of Sufi Folk literature in the diffusion of Islam in India in general and in Deccan in particular. (2018)
16. Sufi and Bhakti thoughts ennobled Indian psyche amidst the vagaries of time. Elucidate. (2019)
17. The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain. (2020)
18. The Vaishnava Bhakti tradition of the fifteenth century contributed to the flourishing of provincial literature. Discuss with appropriate examples. (2022)
19. Discuss the importance of Sufi literature as an important source of history. (2023)
20. Evaluate the contribution of Qalandariyyah to medieval Indian culture. (2024)