1Medium10 marks
Engels did much more than Marx himself to popularise the ideas of Marxism.
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69 questions from the UPSC 2022 examination.
69 questions
Engels did much more than Marx himself to popularise the ideas of Marxism.
Foreign accounts as a source of ancient Indian history may have some advantages but also have a few shortcomings. Citing appropriate examples, examine the statement.
The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects.
Q8 (Paper 2). (a) Describe the launching of the Non-Alignment Movement. Why did the small nations want to remain aloof from the powerful nations? (20 marks) (b) Why was the apartheid policy introduced in South Africa? What were its main features? (20 marks) (c) How far did Latin American countries overcome centuries of subjugation and foreign intervention? (10 marks)
In the light of contentions over the McMahon Line, analyse the India-China relations in the 1950s and 1960s.
Q2 (Paper 1). (a) "The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was neither external nor sudden but a gradual evolution." (20 marks) (b) Foreign accounts as historical sources: advantages and limitations, with examples. (15 marks) (c) Buddhism as a distinct new religion versus Vedic-Upanishadic continuities. (15 marks)
Within a limited scope the Indian Scientists could pursue original scientific research in colonial India.
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.
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.
Q4 (Paper 1). (a) The importance of the tripartite struggle for North Indian dominance (8th-9th centuries). (20 marks) (b) Chief characteristics of the Tamil Bhakti Movement. (15 marks) (c) Kalhana's Rajatarangini as an exemplar of history-writing. (15 marks)
Chola maritime expansion was driven largely by concerns of overseas commerce. Elucidate.
Q7 (Paper 2). (a) Do you understand that the lack of statesmanship in London during the 1760's and 1770's was an important contributory factor in precipitating the American Revolution. Analyse. (20 marks) (b) Discuss how the policies adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev were responsible for the disintegration of the USSR. (20 marks) (c) What happened to Malaya after it was liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945? Discuss. (10 marks)
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.
Q8 (Paper 1). (a) Mughal trade and commerce's integration into a single market. (15 marks) (b) Aurangzeb's Deccan policy and its role in Mughal decline. (15 marks) (c) The 15th century Vaishnava Bhakti movement's contribution to provincial literature. (20 marks)
Q5 (Paper 1). Answer five questions, about 150 words each: (a) Define Brahmadeya grants and explain their prevalence in the early medieval period. (b) Urban settlements in 13th century North India resulted from Turkish garrison deployment. (c) Post-Iltutmish political instability caused by the Chahalgan. (d) Rajput painting school: Mughal style, Rajput content. (e) Account for the 18th century rise of Maratha power.
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.
The various Gharanas of Hindustani classical music were outcomes of patronage by regional princely courts, rather than central imperial ones. Discuss.
What happened to Malaya after it was liberated from Japanese occupation in 1945? Discuss.
The Vaishnava Bhakti tradition of the fifteenth century contributed to the flourishing of provincial literature. Discuss with appropriate examples.
The urban character of the Harappan Civilization was a result neither of any outside influence nor a sudden act but a gradual evolution of regional socio-economic factors. Comment.
Why was the apartheid policy introduced in South Africa? What were its main features?
Q7 (Paper 1). (a) The 12th century Virashaiva Movement as a social reform attempt. (15 marks) (b) Hindustani classical music Gharanas: regional versus imperial court patronage. (15 marks) (c) The Vijayanagara-Bahmani conflict: strategic/economic over cultural factors. (20 marks)
The British rule had differential impact on the Indian Society. Describe in what ways, the Indians responded to the Revolt of 1857.
Kalhana's Rajatarangini is the best example of history writing tradition in early India. Discuss.
The Rajput School of painting was Mughal in style and Rajput in its content. Comment.
Q3 (Paper 2). (a) 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. (20 marks) (b) The British rule had differential impact on the Indian Society. Describe in what ways the Indians responded to the Revolt of 1857. (20 marks) (c) Analyse how the revolutionaries taught people self confidence and widened the social base of the freedom movement. (10 marks)
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.
What were 'Brahmadeya' grants? How do you account for the large number of such grants in the early medieval period?
Trade and commerce in the Mughal Empire brought about the integration of the Indian subcontinent into a single market. Comment.
Evaluate the importance of tripartite struggle for the domination over North India during the eighth and ninth centuries.
Q6 (Paper 2). (a) Do you agree that 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 on the other? Elucidate. (20 marks) (b) 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. (20 marks) (c) Do you feel that the Vietnamese fought the 20th century's longest and bloodiest war for their liberation and integration of their country? Analyse. (10 marks)
The economic achievements of the Guptas were the culmination of a process which began during the Kushanas. Comment.
Analyse how the revolutionaries taught people self confidence and widened the social base of the freedom movement.
Throw light on the chief characteristics of Tamil Bhakti Movement during the early medieval period.
Can you explain how, after acquiring Diwani, the government of the East India Company functioned like 'an Indian ruler'?
Aurangzeb's Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss.
Discuss the policies and programmes of the early nationalists (moderates). To what extent they were able to fulfil the aspirations of the people?
The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war.
How did the popular movements help us to understand the nature of environmental crisis in post-colonial India?
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.
'The first Reformation Act (1832) occupies a significant place in the constitutional development of Britain'.
Q3 (Paper 1). (a) Gupta economic achievements as culmination of Kushana-period processes. (20 marks) (b) Ashoka's Dhamma: moral upliftment versus extension of state authority. (15 marks) (c) Differences between Nagara and Dravida temple architecture styles. (15 marks)
Describe the launching of Non-Alignment Movement. Why the small nations wanted to remain aloof from the powerful nations?
Was the Western education a harbinger of cultural awakening or an instrument of colonial hegemony? Discuss.
The prolonged conflict between the Vijayanagara Kingdom and the Bahmani successor states was influenced by cultural factors, and more by strategic and economic considerations. Comment.
The codification of French Law was perhaps the most enduring of Napoleon's achievements.
'Roaring Twenties' in Europe and America had many positive points. It helped women to uplift themselves in the region.
Rousseau kindled a hope which became the spirit of the Enlightenment.
Q1 (Paper 2). Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each: (a) "The Battle of Plassey (1757) was a skirmish while the Battle of Buxar (1764) was a real war". (b) "The Treaty of Amritsar (1809) was significant for its immediate as well as potential effects". (c) "Famines were not just because of foodgrain scarcity, but were a direct result of colonial economic policies". (d) "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". (e) "Within a limited scope the Indian Scientists could pursue original scientific research in colonial India".
Do you feel that the Vietnamese fought the 20th century's longest and bloodiest war for their liberation and integration of their country? Analyse.
How far did Latin American countries overcome centuries of subjugation and foreign intervention?
Q4 (Paper 2). (a) Discuss the policies and programmes of the early nationalists (moderates). To what extent were they able to fulfil the aspirations of the people? (20 marks) (b) In the light of contentions over the McMahon Line, analyse the India-China relations in the 1950s and 1960s. (20 marks) (c) How did the popular movements help us to understand the nature of environmental crisis in post-colonial India? (10 marks)
Examine the nature of the Mansabdari system during the reign of Akbar.
According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct? A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master the son was entitled to the legal status of the master’s son. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Famines were not just because of foodgrain scarcity, but were a direct result of colonial economic policies.
The Virashaiva Movement of Southern Deccan in the twelfth century was essentially an attempt at social reform. Discuss.
Account for the rise of the Maratha power in the eighteenth century.
Identify the following places marked on the map supplied to you and write a short note of about 30 words on each of them in your Question-cum-Answer Booklet. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below serially : (i) Palaeolithic site (ii) Mesolithic site with burials (iii) Neolithic pit-dwelling (iv) Early village settlement (v) Neolithic site (vi) Neolithic-Chalcolithic site (vii) Harappan UNESCO site (viii) Megalithic burial site (ix) Place of Second Sangam (x) Earliest Satavahana capital (xi) Place of inscribed statue of Ashoka (xii) First Gupta hoard of coins (xiii) Hoard of metal sculptures (xiv) Ancient port (xv) Oldest Jesuit church (xvi) Centre of Gandhara art (xvii) Buddhist monastery (xviii) Place of earliest Vishnu temple (xix) Shiva and Buddhist temple complex (xx) Earliest Chaiitya Griha
Q2 (Paper 2). (a) Explain how the Permanent Settlement initiated a rule of property in Bengal and what were its consequences? (20 marks) (b) Was the Western education a harbinger of cultural awakening or an instrument of colonial hegemony? Discuss. (20 marks) (c) Can you explain how, after acquiring Diwani, the government of the East India Company functioned like 'an Indian ruler'? (10 marks)
Discuss, how the policies adopted by Mikhail Gorbachev were responsible for the disintegration of the USSR?
Q6 (Paper 1). (a) Ala-ud-din Khilji's market regulations: military utility versus economic harm. (15 marks) (b) Examine the nature of the Mansabdari system under Akbar. (15 marks) (c) Chola maritime expansion driven by overseas commerce concerns. (20 marks)
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts: Nettipakarana Parishishta Parvan Avadanasataka Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana Which of the above are Jaina texts?
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?
Explain how the Permanent Settlement initiated a rule of property in Bengal and what were its consequences?
With the help of representative examples, delineate the main differences between the Nagara and Dravida styles of temple architecture.
Q5 (Paper 2). Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each: (a) "Rousseau kindled a hope which became the spirit of the Enlightenment". (b) Engels did much more than Marx himself to popularise the ideas of Marxism. (c) "The codification of French Law was perhaps the most enduring of Napoleon's achievements". (d) "'Roaring Twenties' in Europe and America had many positive points. It helped women to uplift themselves in the region". (e) "The first Reformation Act (1832) occupies a significant place in the constitutional development of Britain".
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.
Much of the political instability after the death of Iltutmish was the doing of the Chahalgan. Elucidate.
Do you agree that 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.