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British Expansion in India

History Optional PYQPs History Optional

British Expansion in India: History Optional PYQs
ByLotusArise August 31, 2026September 13, 2026
British Expansion in India

“The seeds of domestic dissensions were thickly and deeply sown in the Maratha system under the Peshwas.”

Read article “The seeds of domestic dissensions were thickly and deeply sown in the Maratha system under the Peshwas.”
British Expansion in India

“The Sikh monarchy was Napoleonic in the suddenness of its rise, the brilliancy of its success and the completeness of its overthrow.” Critically examine.

Read article “The Sikh monarchy was Napoleonic in the suddenness of its rise, the brilliancy of its success and the completeness of its overthrow.” Critically examine.
British Expansion in India

Twenty years of peace secured by the treaty of Salbai proved very costly to the Marathas in strategic terms. Elucidate.

Read article Twenty years of peace secured by the treaty of Salbai proved very costly to the Marathas in strategic terms. Elucidate.
British Expansion in India

“Haidar Ali was born to build an empire, and Tipu Sultan to lose one”. Comment.

Read article “Haidar Ali was born to build an empire, and Tipu Sultan to lose one”. Comment.
British Expansion in India

‘The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects’. Critically examine.

Read article ‘The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects’. Critically examine.
British Expansion in India

‘The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war’. Critically examine.

Read article ‘The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war’. Critically examine.
British Expansion in India

While individually the Marathas were clever and brave, they lacked the corporate spirit so essential for national independence. Discuss with reasons.

Read article While individually the Marathas were clever and brave, they lacked the corporate spirit so essential for national independence. Discuss with reasons.
British Expansion in India

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.

Read article 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.
British Expansion in India

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.

Read article 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.
British Expansion in India

Critically examine: “Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was the signal for an outburst of anarchy all over the Punjab.”

Read article Critically examine: “Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was the signal for an outburst of anarchy all over the Punjab.”
British Expansion in India

Do you subscribe to the view that the Anglo-French tussle in Carnatic demonstrated the internal decay of the provincial chieftains of South India?

Read article Do you subscribe to the view that the Anglo-French tussle in Carnatic demonstrated the internal decay of the provincial chieftains of South India?
British Expansion in India

“Tipu Sultan was trying to build in Mysore a strong centralised and militarised state, with ambitious territorial designs.” Critically examine.

Read article “Tipu Sultan was trying to build in Mysore a strong centralised and militarised state, with ambitious territorial designs.” Critically examine.
British Expansion in India

Underline the major considerations of the British imperial power that led to the annexation of Punjab.

Read article Underline the major considerations of the British imperial power that led to the annexation of Punjab.
British Expansion in India

“The Maratha polity disintegrated through internal stress.” Critically comment in 150 words.

Read article “The Maratha polity disintegrated through internal stress.” Critically comment in 150 words.
British Expansion in India

‘Annexation of Punjab was part of a broad north-west frontier policy set in motion after the exit of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.’ Critically examine.

Read article ‘Annexation of Punjab was part of a broad north-west frontier policy set in motion after the exit of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.’ Critically examine.
British Expansion in India

“Punjab’s fate after Ranjit Singh was foredoomed as the impulse of neo-Victorian Imperialism was bound to overwhelm it.” Elucidate.

Read article “Punjab’s fate after Ranjit Singh was foredoomed as the impulse of neo-Victorian Imperialism was bound to overwhelm it.” Elucidate.
British Expansion in India

How did the East India Company become the de jure power in India?

Read article How did the East India Company become the de jure power in India?
British Expansion in India

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?

Read article 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?
British Expansion in India

Examine the circumstances which led to the Third Mysore War. Could Cornwallis have avoided it?

Read article Examine the circumstances which led to the Third Mysore War. Could Cornwallis have avoided it?
British Expansion in India

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?

Read article 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?
British Expansion in India

‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment.

Read article ‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment.
British Expansion in India

‘The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honourable to the English nor advantageous to their interests.’ Comment.

Read article ‘The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honourable to the English nor advantageous to their interests.’ Comment.
British Expansion in India

“The rise and expansion of British empire was an accident rather than the result of a deliberate policy and design.” Critically examine this statement.

Read article “The rise and expansion of British empire was an accident rather than the result of a deliberate policy and design.” Critically examine this statement.
British Expansion in India

“The verdict at Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.

Read article “The verdict at Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.
British Expansion in India

‘Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and thoroughness no campaign could equal.’ Comment.

Read article ‘Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and thoroughness no campaign could equal.’ Comment.
British Expansion in India

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.

Read article 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.
British Expansion in India

The British “fought the First Maratha War in a period when their fortunes were at the lowest ebb”. Comment.

Read article The British “fought the First Maratha War in a period when their fortunes were at the lowest ebb”. Comment.
British Expansion in India

The British conquered India “in a fit of absent mindedness.” Comment.

Read article The British conquered India “in a fit of absent mindedness.” Comment.
British Expansion in India

The British policy towards Indian States in 1818-1858 was one of “isolation and noninterference tempered by annexation.” Comment.

Read article The British policy towards Indian States in 1818-1858 was one of “isolation and noninterference tempered by annexation.” Comment.
British Expansion in India

‘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.

Read article ‘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.
British Expansion in India

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?

Read article 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?
British Expansion in India

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?

Read article 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?
British Expansion in India

‘The treaty of Bassein, by its direct and indirect operations, gave the Company the Empire of India.’ Comment.

Read article ‘The treaty of Bassein, by its direct and indirect operations, gave the Company the Empire of India.’ Comment.
British Expansion in India

“The verdict of Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.

Read article “The verdict of Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar.” Comment.
British Expansion in India

The British conquest of Sind was both a political and moral sequel to the first Afghan War. Comment.

Read article The British conquest of Sind was both a political and moral sequel to the first Afghan War. Comment.
British Expansion in India

‘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

Read article ‘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
British Expansion in India

“…the hunt of the Pindaris became merged in the Third Maratha War.” Comment

Read article “…the hunt of the Pindaris became merged in the Third Maratha War.” Comment
British Expansion in India

‘The revolution of 1760 (Bengal) was really no revolution.’ Comment

Read article ‘The revolution of 1760 (Bengal) was really no revolution.’ Comment
British Expansion in India

‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment

Read article ‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure.’ Comment
British Expansion in India

“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

Read article “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
History Optional Modern Indian History

British Paramountcy over the Princely States
ByLotusArise July 27, 2026July 27, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

British Expansion in India: The Punjab
ByLotusArise July 27, 2026July 27, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

British Expansion in India: The Marathas
ByLotusArise July 27, 2026September 6, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

British Expansion in India: Mysore
ByLotusArise July 27, 2026July 27, 2026
History Optional Modern Indian History

British Expansion in India: Bengal
ByLotusArise July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

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