Ancient History PYQs
2023
Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India.
What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society?
What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence Indian society?
2022
Discuss the main contributions of the Gupta period and the Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.
Analyse the salience of ‘sect’ in Indian society vis-a-vis caste, region and religion.
2021
Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture.
2020
Persian literary sources of mediaeval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment.
2019
Highlight the Central Asian and Greco-Bactrian elements in Gandhara art.
2018
Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India.
Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss.
The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss.
2017
How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of the Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times?
2016
Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss.
Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate.
2015
Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a fine aesthetic sense comparable to modern painting. Critically evaluate this comment.
The ancient civilization in the Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment.
Modern History
2023
What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism?
How did colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression?
2022
Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly composed of Indian Soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better-equipped armies of the then-Indian rulers? Give reasons.
Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons.
2021
Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.
Assess the main administrative issues and socio-cultural problems in the integration process of Indian Princely States.
2020
Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications on a national movement.
Since the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and expanded its social base. Discuss.
2019
The Revolt of 1857 was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule.
Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.
2018
Why was indentured labour taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?
2017
Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the specter of a fragmented polity.
Why did the ‘Moderates’ fail to carry conviction with the nation about their proclaimed ideology and political goals by the end of the nineteenth century?
The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th-century social reform movement. What are the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?
2016
Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.
2015
How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.
It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.
2014
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?
Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from the mid-eighteenth century till independence.
In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?
2013
Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyse their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
Post Independence
2019
Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s “Indian Renaissance” and the emergence of national identity.
2018
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.
Discuss whether the formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.
2017
Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century.
Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism in post-independent India giving one example of how the former has transformed into the latter in independent India.
2013
Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.
Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.
Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.
Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement.
Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh.
World History
2021
“There arose a serious challenge to the Democratic State System between the two World Wars.” Evaluate the statement.
2019
Explain how the foundation of the modern world was laid by the American and French Revolutions.
2016
The anti-colonial struggles in West Africa were led by the new elite of Western-educated Africans. Examine.
2015
Why did the industrial revolution first occur in England? Discuss the quality of life of the people there during industrialization. How does it compare with that in India at present?
To what extent can Germany be held responsible for causing the two World Wars? Discuss critically.
2014
What were the major political, economic and social developments in the world which motivated the anti-colonial struggle in India?
What were the events that led to the Suez Crisis in 1956? How did it deal a final blow to Britain’s self-image as a world power?
The New Economic Policy – 1921 of Lenin had influenced the policies adopted by India soon after independence. Evaluate.
2013
“Latecomer” Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what the West had experienced.
Africa was chopped into states artificially created by accident of European competition. Analyse.
The American Revolution was an economic revolt against mercantilism. Substantiate.
What policy instruments were deployed to contain the great economic depression?