History Optional Topic wise Questions from previous years mains Questions

Thanks to Bhushan Deshmukh (bhushan2006@gmail.com) for compiling,

1.         Sources:

Archaeological sources:

        i.Assess the pattern of settlement, economy, social organization and religion of India during C2000 to 500 BC from archaeological evidences. (60) (2003) 

       ii. Evaluate various views regarding human settlements is gleaned from the Vedic sources (15)(2013)

Exploration, excavation, epigraphy, numismatics, monuments

       i.  “Reconstruction of Early Indian history is hardly possible without the help of inscriptions and  coins.” Discuss (60) (2007)

Literary sources:short notes

Indigenous: Primary and secondary; poetry, scientific literature,

literature,

     i.Discuss the types of lands and science of agriculture mentioned in the literature and epigraphs of ancient India. (20) (2011)

literature in regional languages, religious literature.

Foreign accounts: Greek, Chinese and Arab writers.

    i.In what ways are the accounts of the Greeco Romans and the Chinese helpful in reconstructing the social history of India ? How far is their information corroborated by other Contemporary sources. (60) (2009) 

2.         Pre-history and Proto-history:

Geographical factors; hunting and gathering (paleolithic and mesolithic);

Beginning of agriculture (neolithic and chalcolithic).

    i.In the absence of a written script, Chalcolithic pottery gives us a fascinating insight into the culture and lifestyle of the people of those times. Comment critically (15)(2013)

     ii.To what extent  archaeological materials are useful in understanding the progress of Neolithic man in India?(30)(2010)

3.         Indus Valley Civilization:

Origin, date, extent, characteristics, decline, survival and significance, art and architecture.

   i.  Analyze the elements of urban civilization in the Harappan Culture. What factors were responsible for its decline? (60) (2002) 

  ii.   Evaluate the significance of seals and sealings in the reconstruction of socio-economic and religious life of the Harappan people. (30) (2012)

  iii.  Discuss the water management and its conservation planning in the harappan (Indus-Saraswati) cities (20)(2013)

4.         Megalithic Cultures:

Distribution of pastoral and farming cultures outside the Indus,

   i. Discuss the distribution and significance of farming cultures outside the Indus system (60)(2008)

Development of community life, Settlements,

 i.  Discuss the extent, settlement patterns and subsistence economy of the megalithic cultures.  (30)(2012)

 ii.  Development of agriculture, Crafts, Pottery, and Iron industry.

iii.Evaluate the introduction of iron technology in the development of human history of ancient India. (20) (2011)

5.         Aryans and Vedic Period:

Expansions of Aryans in India.

Vedic Period: Religious and philosophic literature;

  i. Evaluate the various approaches to the understanding of vedic religion. (30)(2009)

 ii.  Evaluate the conceptual basis of the Vedic deities. (30) (2011)

Transformation from Rig Vedic period to the later Vedic period; Political, social and economical life;

    i. Describe the social life of the later Vedic people. How was it different from the Rig-Vedic life? (60) (2004)

Significance of the Vedic Age;

i. Examine the view that sacrifice was a ritual and a form of Social exchange in Vedic India.(30)(2010)

ii. Evolution of Monarchy and Varna system. 

 iii. The verna concept may always have been largely a theoretical model and never an actual description of society. Comment in context of ancient India (15)(2013)

6.         Period of Mahajanapadas:

Formation of States (Mahajanapada) : Republics and monarchies;

Rise of urban centres;

i. Trace the development of urbanization from the third millennium B.C.E. to 6^th century B.C.E. (60) (2011)

 Trade routes;

Economic growth; Introduction of coinage;

   i. “The Sixth century B.C. was a period of religious and economic unrest in India”. Comment. (60) (2003) 

Spread of Jainism and Buddhism;

    i.  Write what you know of the rise and spread of Buddhism before the first century A.D. (60) (2007)

Rise of Magadha and Nandas.

  i. Analyse the causes of the success of the Magadhan imperialism upto the reign of Ashoka the Great. (60) (2001) 

Iranian and Macedonian invasions and their impact. 

7.         Mauryan Empire:

Foundation of the Mauryan Empire, Chandragupta,

Kautilya and Arthashastra;

i. Examine the role of adhyaksha in the Mauryan administration. (30)(2012)

Ashoka; Concept of Dharma; Edicts;

Polity, Administration;

 i.   Determine the extent of the Mauryan Empire. (60) (2005)

 ii.Examine the nature of the Mauryan State. Bring out the features of their administrative system. (60) (2002)

Economy; Art, Architecture and sculpture; External contacts;

Religion; Spread of religion; Literature.

  i. Explain the social aspects of Buddhism and account for its decline in India. (60) (2004)

Disintegration of the empire; Sungas and Kanvas.

8.         Post - Mauryan Period (Indo-Greeks, Sakas, Kushanas, Western Kshatrapas):

Contact with outside world; growth of urban centres,

economy,

i.Justify Pliny's statement the Rome was being drained out of its gold by India during the first century of the Christian era. (30) (2012)

coinage,

i. Examine the significance of the Deities depicted on coins of the Kushanas. (30) (2010)

development of religions, Mahayana,

social conditions, art, architecture, culture, literature and science.

i. How justified are we in characterizing the post Mauryan five centuries as the “Dark – Period” of Indian History? Give reasons in support of your answers. (60) (2008)

ii. Explain as to how the early Buddhist stupa art, while using motifs and narratives and common cultural symbols, succeeded in transforming these themes for expounding Buddhist ideas (20)(2013)

9.         Early State and Society in Eastern India, Deccan and South India:

Kharavela, The Satavahanas,

Tamil States of the Sangam Age; Administration, economy, land grants, coinage,

trade guilds and urban centres;

i. Assess the role of guilds and trade organizations in the development of early Indian economy.(30)(2010)

Buddhist centres; Sangam literature and culture; Art and architecture.

ii.How do recent Archaeological findings and Sangam literary texts, enlightened us about the early state and society in South India. (60) (2008)

10.       Guptas, Vakatakas and Vardhanas:

Polity and administration,

       i.     Describe the expansion of the Gupta empire under Samudragupta (60) (2006)

       ii.     What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas? (60) (2005)

Economic conditions,

  i. On the basis of contemporary sources, assess the nature of banking and usuary in ancient India (15)(2013)

Coinage of the Guptas,

i. Give an account of the use of gold coins by commoners in the Gupta Period. (30)(2009)

Land grants, Decline of urban centres,

i. Evaluate the ownership of land in ancient India on the basis of literary and epigraphic sources (15)(2013)

Indian feudalism, Caste system,

        i.    Throw light on the condition of common man in the Gupta period (60) (2007)

         ii.   Assess the status of women in India from c.4^th century BC to AD 6th century. (60) (2005)

Position of women,

           

       i.     What light do early inscriptions and literature throw on the status of women in politico-socio-economic spheres? (60) (2010)

        ii.        Social norms for women in the Dharmasastra and Arthasashtra tradition where framed in accordance with the Varnashrama tradition. Evaluate critically (20)(2013)

Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi,

       i.     Examine the information of Fahien about the political, religious, social and economic condition of India. Make a comparative study of his account with that of Yuan Chwang. (60) (2003)

         ii.   Assess the educational system in early India and identify important educational institutions of the period. (30)(2012)

Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture.

i. Evaluate the contribution of Puranas in disseminating secular knowledge among the masses in ancient India(15)(2013)

11.       Regional States during Gupta Era:

The Kadambas, Pallavas,

Chalukyas of Badami;

           Give an account of the rise of the Chalukyas of Vatapi and their struggle with other rulers. write a note on their patronage of arts. (60) (2004)

Polity and Administration, Trade guilds, Literature; growth of Vaishnava and Saiva religions.

Tamil Bhakti movement, Shankaracharya; Vedanta; Institutions of temple and temple architecture;

Palas, Senas, Rashtrakutas,

            Did the triangular conflict between the Rashtrakutas, Gurjara Pratiharas and Palas create a political vacuum in northern India which facilitated the invasions of Mahmud of Ghazni? (60) (2001) 

Paramaras, Polity and administration; Cultural aspects.

Arab conquest of Sind; Alberuni,

The Chalukyas of Kalyana, Cholas, Hoysalas, Pandyas; Polity and Administration; local Government; Growth of art and architecture, religious sects,

Institution of temple and Mathas, Agraharas, education and literature, economy and society.

Analyse the vibrant cultural activities in peninsular India during 550-750 CE. Compare and contrast it with the situation in contemporary North India. (30) (2012)

12.       Themes in Early Indian Cultural History:

Languages and texts,

major stages in the evolution of art and architecture,

            Discuss the major stages in the evolution of architecture during the ancient period. (60)(2006)

           Bring out the regional variations in the early South Indian Temple’s architectural styles.(60)(2009)

Assess Ellora as a unique art centre of the different cultural streams. (20) (2011)               

       

  major philosophical thinkers and schools, ideas in Science and Mathematics. 

           Examine the proficiency of the ancient Indians in various crafts, science and mathematics. (60) (2002)

Paper-I (Medieval India) (New Syllabus)

13.       Early Medieval India, 750-1200:

-     Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs

-     The Cholas: administration,

     Show that the administrative system in India reached a very high level during the Chola period (60) (2007)

     The Cholas are said to have established a strong and well orgainsed administration with an element of self-government at the local level. Do you agree? Give reasons (60) (2004)

     How far can the village assemblies or communities under the Cholas be really called democratic. (30)(2009)

      village economy and society

      Evaluate the role of nadu and nagaram in the growth of urbanisation under the Cholas. (30) (2012)

-          “Indian Feudalism”

                   Applicability of the term ‘Indian Feudalism’ to early Medieval Society. (20)(2009)

       The Samanta system (20) (2005)

      Evaluate the socio-economic conditions from the Gupta Period to 1200 C.E. as gleaned from the various types of grants or dana shasana (60) (2011)

What kind of changes were visualised by historians on Indian feudalism? Examine critically. (30) (2012)

-     Agrarian economy and urban settlements,

       Trade and commerce

      To what extent 'monetary anemia' afflicted the erstwhile commercial economy during the early medieval period? (30)(2010)

-     Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order,

-      Condition of women

-     Indian science and technology 

14.       Cultural Traditions in India, 750-1200:

-     Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta,

                   The Vedanta of Sankaracharya (20) (2001)

       Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma-Mimansa

-          Religion: Forms and features of religion,

How far do you agree with the view that temples in early medieval period were catalysts in spreading education? (30)(2010)

Assess the contribution of the Acharyas in the development of the ideological basis of bhakti (12) (2012)

-          Tamil devotional cult,

       What are the manifestations of Tamil devotional cults? How do you account for their growth       

     between c. 750 to c. 1200 AD (60) (2008)

       Growth of Bhakti,

      Origin of the Bhakti Movement (20) (2002)

       Islam and its arrival in India,

       Sufism

      Sufi Movements (20) (2003)        

-     Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages,

       Kalhan’s Rajtarangini,

            Kalhan as a historian (20) (2003)

Assess Kalhana’s views on History. (30)(2009)

            Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history. (12) (2012)

        Alberuni’s India

Alberuni on science in India (20) (2007)

             Attempt a critical essay of the Indian Science and Civilisation in the light of Al-beruni’s    

                writing. What merits and drawbacks, do you find in his account? (60) (2003)

-     Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting   

      Assess the contribution of the Cholas in the expansion of Indian culture outside India. (30) (2011)

15.       The Thirteenth Century:

-     Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind Ghurian success

-     Economic, social and cultural consequences

-     Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans        

                      Analyze the steps taken Razia Sultan by to strengthen her position as an independent ruler despite various obstacles (10)(2013)

-     Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish

      Assess the contribution of Iltutmish for the expansion and consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate. (20) (2011)

      and Balban 

      The ‘Corps of Forty’ and its relations with the Sultans (20) (2004) (2008)

      Discuss Balban’s concept of kingship. How was it modified by Alauddin Khalji? (60) (2002)

16.       The Fourteenth Century:

-     “The Khalji Revolution”

     The Khilji Revolution (20) (2006)

      Analyse the social composition and the role of nobility under the successors of Iltutmish. How did it affect the contemporary politics? (30) (2012)

-          Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion,

How did the Mongol invasions affect the Delhi Sultanate and the north-western frontier policy of the Delhi Sultans? (30) (2012)     

-          agrarian and economic measures 

      Assess the impact of the market reforms of Alauddin Khilji on contemporary economy and society (60) (2001)

      Examine critically the agrarian and economic reforms of Alauddin Khalji. How did it strengthen the Sultanate? (20) (2011)

-     Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects,

      The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughluq (20) (2004)

     Experiments of Mohammad Tughluq (20) (2003)

     agrarian measures,

                 Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator.(20)(2009)

      bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq

-     Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate, foreign contacts and

       Ibn Battuta’s account 

      What is your assessment of Ibn Batutah’s Rehla as an important source of Indian history. (20) (2011)

17.       Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries:

-     Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes,

      State the structure of medieval village society in Northern India. What were the passive forms of resistance of the peasants in the medieval period? (30) (2012)

women, religious classes,

Bhakti movement,

Discuss and evaluate critically various types in the historiography of Bhakti (15)(2013)

caste and slavery under the Sultanate,

town dwellers

      Medieval Indian towns were merely as extension of villages. Comment (12) (2012)

       Sufi movement

                  Sufism in North India (20) (2006)

                  Evaluate the Malfuzat texts sources of medieval history (10)(2013)

-          Culture: Persian literature,

       Give a critical assessment of the contributions of Amir Khusarau and Barani to Indo – Persian Literature. (30)(2009)

      Provide a comparative analysis of the development of Arabic and Persian historiography (20)(2010)

     Critically evaluate the educational development during Sultanate period (15)(2013)

       literature in the regional languages of North India, literature in the languages of South India, Sultanate architecture and new structural forms, painting, evolution of a composite culture

-     Economy: Agricultural production,

Evaluate critically the conditions of labour from 1200 to 1500 CE on the basis of historical sources (15)(2013)

       rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production,

      Identify the main factors that sustained the expansion of urban economy in the Delhi Sultanate. (30)(2009)

     Evaluate the condition of industries in India from 1200 to 1500 CE (20)(2013)

    Assess the Lekhapaddhati as an important source for evaluating the society and economy of the 13th century CE with special reference to Gujarat (20)(2013)

     trade and commerce 

      Examine the increasing importance of maritime trade of India during 13-15 centuries. (30)(2010)

18.       The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century – Political Developments and Economy:

-     Rise of Provincial Dynasties:  Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat,   Malwa,

       Bahmanis

      The Bahamani Kingdom (20) (2005) (2007)

                  Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources (10)(2013)

-     The Vijayanagra Empire,

                       On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijaynagar kingdom (15)(2013)  

Lodis

How was the Afghan nobility responsible for the decline of the Afghan empires? Discuss. (30) (2012)

-     Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun 

      Hemu Vikramaditya (20) (2001)

     Comment on the Turko-mongol theory of sovereignty. To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun? (30)(2010)

-     The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration 

     Bring out the main features of the administrative system under Delhi Sultanate during Turko-Afghan period (60) (2006)

-     Portuguese Colonial enterprise

       Significance of arrival of Portuguese in India (20) (2008)

-     Bhakti and Sufi Movements

      “The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both the religious.” Elucidate. (60) (2007) 

      “The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religions”. Elucidate (60) (2005)

      Chaitanyadeva and Vaishnavism (20) (2005)

     Discuss the growth of the Nirguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasizing the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it. (60) (2004)

What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture? (60) (2003)

      Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages and life and thought of the common people (60) (2001)

19.       The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Century – Society and Culture: 

-     Regional cultural specificities  

     Bhakti and Mysticism of Lal Ded emerged as a social force in Kashmir. Comment (10)(2013)

-          Literary traditions

      Babarnama as a source of history (20) (2002)

-     Provincial architecture 

-     Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire.

       Discuss the social dynamics in the Vijayanagara Empire (20)(2010)

20.       Akbar:

-     Conquests and consolidation of the Empire 

-     Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems

      Mansabdari System (20) (2002)

     Examine the mansab and jagir system by Akbar and its subsequent failure in the 18^th century. (30) (2011)

-     Rajput policy

    “Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs, Aurangzeb destroyed it

    by alienating the Rajputs.” Discuss critically. (60) (2007) (2003)

                 Analyse how the political processes of state information of Mewar, from 10th to 15th century CE was challenged in the 16th century CE by imperialist policy of Akbar. (15)(2013)

-   Evolution of religious and social outlook, theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy

   Religious Tolerance of Akbar (20) (2006)

               Was Din-i-Ilahi ‘a monument of Akbar’s folly’? (20) (2004)

           

               Trace the evolution of the religious views of Akbar. Write a note on his policy of Sulh-i- 

                kul. (60) (2002)

               Implications of Akbar’s notion of Sulh-i-kul. (20)(2009)

-   Court patronage of art and technology 

               Give an estimate of Akbar as a promoter of technology. (30)(2009)

               Assess the development of science and technology in the Mughal period (15)(2013)

21.       Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century: 

-     Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb 

      In what ways were Aurangzeb’s Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him? (60) (2004)

-     The Empire and the Zamindars 

-     Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb

      Dara Shukoh (20) (2006)

-     Nature of the Mughal State 

-     Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts 

     On the basis of the accounts of Europeans being out agrarian crisis during the 17th century India(20)(2013)

-     The Ahom Kingdom

       Ahom Kingdom (20) (2008)

-     Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom. 

      How did Shivaji organize his administration and finances to consolidate his power? (30)(2010)
Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century. (12)(2012)

22. Economy and Society in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries: 

-     Population,

                 Estimates of population of Mughal India. (20)(2009)

      agricultural production, craft production

       Delineate the striking features of agriculture and crafts production during 16^th and 17^th centuries in India. How did they impact the social fabric of the country? (60) (2008)          

    Discuss the different types of Karkhanas in Mughal India. How was the production organized in the different Karkhanas? (20)(2010)

-     Towns,

      Critically evaluate various approaches to study medieval Indian towns (20) (2010)

       commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution 

      Examine the factors which were responsible for opening and development of European trade in Indiaduring the 16^th and 17^th centuries (60) (2006)

                  Give a scatch of Indian trade with Europe during Mughal period (10)(2013)

-     Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems 

      Give your opinion on the urban development in India during the Mughal times (60) (2005)

-          Condition of peasants,

                   The major cause of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century were economic, rather than religious.” Discuss. (30)(2009)

       condition of women

-     Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth 

       Evolution of Khalsa Panth (20) (2008)

23.       Culture in the Mughal Empire:

-     Persian histories and other literature

-     Hindi and other religious literature 

      Write a short essay on the development of literature during the Mughal period.            (60) (2006)

-     Mughal architecture

       Explain the principal features of architecture during Akbar’s rule. What changes were made in them by  Shahjahan? (60) (2002)

     The zenith of Mughal Architecture under Shahjehan (20) (2001)

-     Mughal painting

     Mughal painting (20) (2005) (2007)

     Mughal painting reflect the contemporary socio-political conditions. – Discuss. (30) (2011)

-     Provincial architecture and painting 

      Discuss the Cauraoancashika and Jain styles of paintings. Can the Cauraoancashika style truly be called the precursor of pothi format? (12) (2012) 

-      Classical music

-     Science and technology 

      Savai Jai Singh, the astronomer (20) (2001)

    What was the Indian response to European technology? (30)(2010)

24.       The Eighteenth Century:

-     Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire 

     How would you like to characterize the eighteenth century in Indian history? (60) (2005)

-     The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh

-     Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas

                   Were the Marathas restricted by their geopolitical limitations from becoming the paramount

                 power of India? (60) (2001)

-     The Maratha fiscal and financial system

                 The system of the collection of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by the Maratha rulers (20) (2004)

                 Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Maratha rulers (20) (2007) (2003)

-     Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761 

       Consequences of the Third Battle of Panipat (20) (2002)

-          State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest 

       What are the distinguishing components of the debate on the 18^th century? (60) (2008)

       Discuss the causes of the rise and growth of regional kingdoms with special reference to the Deccan in the 18^thcentury. (30) (2011)

Paper-II (Modern India) (New Syllabus)

1.         European Penetration into India:

The Early European Settlements; The Portuguese and the Dutch;

The English and the French East India Companies; Their struggle for supremacy; Carnatic Wars;

         “Neither Alexander the Great nor Napoleon could have won the empire of India by starting from Pondichery as a base and contending with a power which held Bengal and the command of the Sea”. (20) (2006)

Dupleix made a cardinal blunder in looking for the key to India in Madras: Clive sought and found it in Bengal. (10) (2013)

 

            "Compared to their English counterpart, the French 'East India Company enjoyed little discretionary power and had to always look up to Paris for all major decisions. This partly explains the failure of the French in India." (12) (2012)

Bengal -The conflict between the English and the Nawabs of Bengal; Siraj and the English; The Battle of Plassey; Significance of Plassey.

         ‘The verdict at Plassey was confirmed by the English victory at Buxar”. (20) (2002)

         “The rise and expansion of British empire was an accident rather than the result of a deliberate policy and design”. Critically examine this statement. (60) (2002)

2.         British Expansion in India:

Bengal – Mir Jafar and Mir Kasim; The Battle of Buxar;

Mysore;

         Examine the circumstances which led to the Third Mysore War. Could Cornwallis have avoided it? (60) (2006)

The Marathas; The three Anglo-Maratha Wars;

         ‘Upon the whole, then, I conclude that the treaty of Bassein was wise, just and a politic measure’ (20)(2005)

         ‘The Treaty of Salbai (1782) was neither honourable to the English nor advantageous to their interests’ (20) (2004)

        

         The Punjab.

‘Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and thoroughness no campaign could equal’ (20) (2001)

"Punjab's fate after Ranjit Singh was foredoomed as the impulse of Neo-Victorian Imperialism was bound to overwhelm it". Elucidate (20) (2010)

3.         Early Structure of the British Raj: 

The early administrative structure; From diarchy to direct control;

        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? (60) (2005)

The Regulating Act (1773);

         ‘The object of the Act (Regulating) was good, but system that it established was imperfect’ (20) (2004)

The Pitt’s India Act (1784);

The Charter Act (1833);

“The Charter Act of 1833 rung down the curtain on the Company’s trade and introduced a new concept of Government of India.” Substantiate. (20) (2011)

The voice of free trade and the changing character of British colonial rule

"The forces of free trade and the British determination to create a political and administrative environment conductive to trade and investment had shaped the British policy towards India in the first half of the nineteenth century". - Elucidate. (30) (2012)

The English utilitarian and India.

         Sprung from paternalism, the English utilitarian philosophy as introduced in India rejected its human warmth between the rurals and the ruled. (20) (2008)

            "The current practice of categorisation of 'Early Modern India' is based on a shift from the old imperialist periodization of 'Muslim India' - 'British India' to the more secularist one of 'Medieval India' - 'Modern India', which puts Indian history in a universalist chronological structure. (12) (2012)

4.         Economic Impact of British Colonial Rule:

(a)     Land revenue settlements in British India; The Permanent Settlement;

           What role did economic ideas play in the early phase of the British rule in the shaping of land tenure policy? (30)(2010)         Discuss the causes that led to the ‘economic drain’ in Bengal following the Battle of Plassey (60) (2004)

        ‘Permanent Settlement disappointed many expectations and introduced there results that were not anticipated’ (20) (2004)

        ‘Absentee landlordism was a consequential feature of Bengal’s Permanent land settlement.’ (20) (2003)

      “Though the Permanent Settlement had serious defects, it gave tranquility to the countryside and stability to the government”. (20)(2009)

       Ryotwari Settlement;

           Discuss the main features of the ‘Raiyatwari Settlement’ in South India. Did it satisfy the aspirations of the peasantry? (60) (2001)

            Ryotwari falls into three stages – early, middle and late, and the only description common to all is that it is a mode of settlement with small farmers, so small, indeed, that their average holding is, on recent figures, only about 6.5 acres. (10) (2013)

        Mahalwari Settlement;

        Economic impact of the revenue arrangements;

        What was the impact of early British land policy on the ‘village communities’ of North India? (60) (2003)

       ‘The impact of government on the people meant essentially the impact of government on the village’ (20) (2005)

      Examine the major factors shaping the British land-revenue policy in India. How it affected Indian society? (60) (2007)

      “The need for a unilateral transfer of funds to Britain was constant factor and, in fact, progressively increased over time.” (20) (2011)

        Commercialization of agriculture;

           What do you mean by the commercialization of Indian agriculture? Discuss its results (60) (2006)

            To what extent did the process of commercialization of agriculture affect the rural scene in India? (30)(2010)

         Rise of landless agrarian labourers;

         Impoverishment of the rural society.

          “A self-sufficient village, based on agriculture carried on with the primitive plough and bullock-power, and handicrafts by means of simple instruments, was a basic feature of Pre-British Indian economy”. (20) (2006)

(b)  Dislocation of traditional trade and commerce;

      De-industrialisation; Decline of traditional crafts;

       ‘The British industrial policy in the nineteenth century ruined the Indian handicrafts’ (20) (2001)

       “Weaving”, says R. C. Dutt, “was the national industry of the people and spinning was the pursuit of millions of women.” Indian textiles went to England and other parts of Europe, to China and Japan and Burma and Arabia and Persia and parts of Africa. Elucidate. (25) (2013)

     

       Drain of wealth;

      Write a critique on the impact of drain theory of Dadabhai Naurauji in the growth of Economic Nationalism (60) (2008)

       Economic transformation of India;

         "Plantations and mines, jute, banking, insurance, shipping and export-import concerns in India were run through a system of interlocking managing agencies." (12) (2012)

Railroad and communication network including telegraph and postal services;

"Railway development in India provides an interesting instance of private enterprise at public risk". (20)(2010)

"The railways, instead of serving as the catalyst of an industrial revolution as in Western Europe and the USA, acted in India as 'the catalyst of complete colonization'."- Examine.(30) (2012)

  

    Famine and poverty in the rural interior;

      Critically examine the impact of the Famine policy on rural India. Describe the official remedial measures undertaken (60) (2008)

Trace the development of the famine policy of the British in India between 1876 and 1921. Did it provide relief to the people? (60) (2005)

     ‘India underwent suffering and mortality in the wake of recurring famines’ in the later half of the 19th century (20) (2003)

     “The recurring famines in the 19th century were the inevitable consequence of the British policy and expose the real character of the paternal solicitude for the peasantry on the part of the British administration”. Examine this statement critically. (60) (2002)

     European  business enterprise and its limitations.

5.         Social and Cultural Developments:

The state of indigenous education, its dislocation;

The introduction of western education in India;

"The contact of the new Indian middle class with the West proved to be a catalyst. The social and religious movements launched by Rammohan or Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar have to be understood in this context." - Elucidate. (30) (2012)

Orientalist-Anglicist controversy

Orientalism produced a knowledge of the past to service the needs of the Colonial State.” Elucidate. (20) (2011)

The rise of press, literature and public opinion;

         The Vernacular Press in the 19th Century was both newspaper as well as views paper that enlightened dormant masses. (20) (2008)

          “The vernacular press in nineteenth century India served not just as newspaper but more importantly as views-papers.” Comment (20) (2011)

The rise of modern vernacular literature; Progress of science; Christian missionary activities in India.

         Examine the impact of British rule on Indian Society in the 19th Century (60) (2004)

6.         Social and Religious Reform movements in Bengal and Other Areas:

Ram Mohan Roy, The Brahmo Movement; Devendranath Tagore; Iswarchandra Vidyasagar;

The Young Bengal Movement;

“Young Bengal left little distinctive or permanent impression on the plane of religion and philosophy.” (20) (2011)

Dayanada Saraswati;

          “The Arya Samaj may quite logically be pronounced as the outcomes of conditions imported into India by the west.” ( Lala Lajpat Rai) (20)(2009)

         ‘The national democratic awakening of the Indian people found expression also in the religious sphere’ (20) (2005)

The social reform movements in India including Sati, widow remarriage, child marriage etc.;

         “Of the evils which corroded Indian society in the nineteenth century were probably those which stunted its womanhood.” (20) (2007)

The contribution of Indian renaissance to the growth of modern India;

Discuss the extent to which the Indian Renaissance movement contributed towards the rise of national consciousness. (30)(2010)

Swami Vivekananda opine that “we should give our ancient spirituality and culture and get in return Western science, technology, methods of raising the standards of life, business integrity and technique of collective effort.” (10) (2013)

“The first point to note is the continuing importance of religion and philosophy as vital ingredients in the modern Indian Renaissance. Indeed, there is as much reason for regarding it as a reformation as there is for treating it as a Renaissance.” Critically examine. (25) (2013)

Islamic revivalism – the Feraizi and Wahabi Movements.

7.         Indian Response to British Rule:

Peasant movements and tribal uprisings in the 18th and 19th centuries including the Rangpur Dhing (1783), the Kol Rebellion (1832), the Mopla Rebellion in Malabar (1841-1920), Indigo Rebellion (1859-60), Deccan Uprising (1875) and the Munda Ulgulan (1899-1900);

the Santal Hul (1855),

"The Santhal hool began in July 1855. The core of the movement was economic, the basic cause of the uprising was agrarian discontent." - Elucidate. (30) (2012)

‘The tribal and peasant rebellion laid the foundation of the revolt of 1857’ (20) (2001)

            “Tribals revolted more often and far more violently than any other community including peasants in India.” Elaborate. (30) (2011)

             "The peasant movements of the second half of the nineteenth century lacked a positive conception which would unite the people in a common struggle on a wide regional and all-India plane and help develop long-term political developments." (12) (2012)

The Great Revolt of 1857 - Origin, character, causes of failure, the consequences

‘Whatever might have been its original character, it (Rebellion of 1857) soon became a symbol of challenge to the mighty British power in India’ (20) (2005)

 “The Revolt of 1857 seemed to call the very presence of the British into question. What it did not do was reverse these changes.” (20) (2007)

            “The annexation of Awadh shook the loyalty of the Sepoy’s , as it was for them an ultimate proof of untrustworthiness of the British.”(20)(2009)

            "In terms of administrative structure, the government of India act of 1858, meant more continuation than change." do you agree? Substantiate. (20)(2010)

            “In 1857, the rebel sepoys showed a remarkable centripetal tendency to congregate at Delhi.” Do you agree? Substantiate. (30)(2011) 
         

            The shift in the character of peasant uprisings in the post-1857 period; the peasant movements of the 1920s and 1930s.

8.   Factors leading to the birth of Indian Nationalism 

    Examine the economic and social factors which led to the rise of Indian nationalism in the second half of the nineteenth century (60) (2001)

      Politics of Association; The Foundation of the Indian National Congress;

      “India broke her British fetters with Western Hammers”. (20) (2002)

      The Safety-valve thesis relating to the birth of the Congress;

      "the educated middle class in the 19th century often found the domain of reason to be oppressive, as it implied the historical necessity  of 'civilizing' colonial rule". (20)(2010)

       Programme and objectives of Early Congress;

      the social composition of early Congress leadership;

       “So long as the millions live in hunger and ignorance, I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them”. (20) (2006)

      the Moderates and Extremists;

    Trace the factors which led to a split in the Indian National Congress in 1907. What was its impact on the course of the nationalist movement? (60) (2003)

    

      The Partition of Bengal (1905);

      “At the dawn of the twentieth century Lord Curzon, the Viceroy of India, was full of hostility towards the Indian National Congress and he confidentially reported to the Secretary of State in November 1900 : My own belief is that the Congress is tottering to its fall, and one of my greatest ambitions while in India is to assist it to a peaceful demise.” Examine. (25) (2013)

The Swadeshi Movement in Bengal; the economic and political aspects of Swadeshi Movement; The beginning of revolutionary extremism in India.

9.   Rise of Gandhi; Character of Gandhian nationalism; Gandhi’s popular appeal;

       “Gandhi restrained mass movements, yet he retained his popularity among the masses”. (20) (2002)

       Gandhi’s body is in jail but his soul is with you, India’s prestige is in your hands, you must not use any violence under any circumstances. You will be beaten but you must not exist; you must not raise a hand to ward off blows. (10) (2013)

       Rowlatt Satyagraha;

        the Khilafat Movement; the Non-cooperation Movement;

             Explain the circumstances leading to the alliance between the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation Movements. Was it a politically wise step on the part of the Congress? (60) (2007)

            ‘Is moral law, the law of consciousness, higher than law of the state, which is oppressive?’ (Mahatma Gandhi – 1922) (20) (2008)

          Many of us who work for the Congress program lived in a kind of intoxication during the year 1921. We were full of excitement and optimism… We had a sense of freedom and pride in that freedom (10) (2013)

    National politics from the end of the Non-cooperation movement to the beginning of the Civil Disobedience movement;

        Analyse the factors responsible for the Civil Disobedience movement (1930-31). How far were its aims realized in the Government of India Act of 1935? (60) (2005)

         the two phases of the Civil Disobedience Movement; Simon Commission; The Nehru Report; the Round Table Conferences; Nationalism and the Peasant  Movements; Nationalism and Working class movements;

Women and Indian youth and students in Indian politics (1885-1947);

       "The active participation of Aruna Asaf Ali in 1942 movement symbolized the role of women in India's freedom struggle". (20)(2010)

 the election of 1937 and the formation of ministries;

        Cripps Mission;

        ‘In the summer of 1942 Gandhi was in a strange and uniquely militant mood’ (20) (2003)

        the Quit India Movement;

       ‘The Quit India Movement  was a spontaneous revolt of the people against British rule’ (20) (2001)

        the Wavell Plan;

        The Cabinet Mission

     ‘We are therefore unable to advise to the British Government that the power which at present resides in British hands should be handed over to two entirely separate sovereign States’ (20) (2004)

10.  Constitutional Developments in the Colonial India between 1858 and 1935 

     “At Karachi in 1931, the Congress defined what Swaraj would mean for the masses.” (20) (2007)

      “Though the Act of 1919 was superseded by that of 1935, the preamble to the former was not repealed—the preservation of the smile of the Cheshire cat after its disappearance, and the latter said nothing about Dominion Status.” Elucidate. (25) (2013)

11. Other strands of the National Movement:
      The Revolutionaries: Bengal, the Punjab, Maharashtra, U.P, the Madras Presidency, Outside India.

      Describe the changing nature of revolutionary activities in India between 1905 to 1946 (60) (2008)

     Examine the causes of the rise and progress of revolutionary movements in India from 1905 to 1931 (60) (2003)

     

 The Left; the Communist Party of India, other left parties.

The Left within the Congress: the Congress Socialist Party;

           

     Discuss the nature of the leadership and programme of the Congress Socialist Party (60) (2002)

     Account for the emergence of the left-wing, within the Congress. How far did it influence the programme and Policy of the Congress? (60) (2006)

      “The emergence of left-wing group in the Congress radicalized its social and economic agenda.” (20) (2011)

         Jawaharlal Nehru

“Notwithstanding the quest for modernity and the antagonism that guided Nehru’s attitude towards the inequalities inherent in the social structure in rural India, the Congress Party did not carry out a concerted campaign against discrimination based on caste. Nehru’s own perception was that industrial growth was bound to break the stranglehold of this feudal remnant. This, however, did not happen in India.” Examine. (25) (2013)

          Subhas Chandra Bose

       “The ideology of Subhash Chandra Bose was a combination of nationalism, fascism and communism”. (20) (2002)

12. Politics of Separatism;

      “Please remember, in granting separate electorates we are sowing the dragons’s teeth and harvest will be bitter.” (Morley) (20)(2009)

      the Muslim League; the Hindu Mahasabha;

     "The developments during 1937-39 greatly undermined the ability of the Indian National Congress to push through the agenda of National Unity." Comment. (20) (2010)

      Communalism and the politics of partition;

      “I felt that if we did not accept partition, India would be split into many bits and would be completely ruined”.(20) (2006)

      Transfer of power; Independence.

13. Consolidation as a Nation; India and her neighbours (1947-1964);

            Nehru’s Foreign Policy

      Jawaharlal Nehru was the architect of India’s policy of non-alignment. In the light of this statement discuss India’s relations with the two ‘Power Blocks’ between 1947-1964 (60) (2001)

      Analyse Indian foreign policy on Non-alignment between 1947 and 1964. (60) (2004)

      Would you agree that India’s effort to pursue an independent foreign policy was a highlight of post-1947 politics? (30)(2011)

"Nehru's policy of Non-Alignment came to symbolised the struggle of India and other newly independent nations to retain and strengthen their independence from colonialism. (12) (2012)

      The linguistic reorganisation of States

“The reorganization resulted in rationalizing the political map of India without seriously weakening its unity. If anything, its result has been functional, in as much as it removed what had been a major source of discord, and created homogeneous political units which could be administered through a medium that the vast majority of the population understood. Indeed, it can be said with the benefit of hindsight that language, rather than being a force

for division, has proved a cementing and integrating influence.” Examine (25) (2013)

      Regionalism and regional inequality;

      Integration of Princely States; Princes in electoral politics; the Question of National Language.

     “With great skill and masterful diplomacy and using both persuasion and pressure, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeeded in integrating the hundreds of princely states with the Indian Union.” Discuss. (60) (2007)

14. Caste and Ethnicity after 1947;

Dalit movements

Discuss the factors that lead to the growth of Dalit consciousness and mention the major movements aimed at their empowerment. (30)(2010)

      In exercising its exclusive power the parliament additionally inacted the untouchability (offenses) act in 1955. (20) (2008)

Backward castes and tribes in post-colonial electoral politics;

"Nehru favored the policy of integrating the tribal people in Indian society, of making them as integral part of the Indian nation even while maintaining their distinct identity and culture." -Elaborate with special reference to Northeastern India. (30) (2012)

15. Economic development and political change;

      Land reforms; the politics of planning and rural reconstruction;

     Ecology and environmental policy in post – colonial India;

     "The Chipko became famous as the first major environmental movement in post-colonial India and gave to the understanding that environment issues are often women's issues because they suffer most from its deterioration." - Explain. (30) (2012)

  

      Progress of science

      “Nehru’s ‘temple of Modern India’ consisted not only of steel and power plants, irrigation dams, but included institutions of higher learning, particularly in the scientific field.” Elaborate. (30) (2011)

World History

16. Enlightenment and Modern ideas

(i)                 Major Ideas of Enlightenment:

‘The Enlightenment represented alternative approaches to modernity, alternative habits of mind and heart, of consciousness and sensibility’. Discuss (60) (2008)

"The despotic rulers of Europe were influenced by the philosophy of Enlightenment and begun to follow a benevolent policy towards their subjects." (12) (2012)

Kant, Rousseau  

                   ‘Rousseau’s political philosophy contains the seeds of Socialism, Absolutism and Democracy.’ (20) (2004)

"..he (Voltaire ) was living in the Age of Enlightenment....The age itself was not enlightened."-E.Kant. (20)(2010)

“The promptings of the heart are more to be trusted than the logic of the mind.” – Rousseau. (20)(2011)

              “For Kant, Enlightenment is mankind’s final coming of age, the emancipation of the human consciousness from an immature state of ignorance and error.” (10) (2013)

(ii) Spread of Enlightenment outside Europe 

(iii) Rise of socialist ideas (up to Marx); spread of Marxian Socialism

           France was more fertile than Britain in producing new socialist theories and movements; though   they bore less concrete results in France than in Britain. (20) (2008)

          ‘Marxian Communism is primarily the offspring of German Hegelianism and French        Socialism’ (20) (2001)

17. Origins of Modern Politics

(i) European States System 

(ii) American Revolution and the Constitution.

“No taxation without representation”. (20) (2006)

What were the factors that worked in the drafting of the American Constitution? Do you agree with Beard’s view of the constitution being an Economic Document? (60) (2005)

"How far is it correct to say that every feature of the American Constitution was ultimately of English Origin? (20)(2010)

"The American Revolution was essentially as economic conflict between American capitalism as British mercantilism." (12) (2012)

(iii) French revolution

“No event as encompassing as the French Revolution occurs in an intellectual vacuum.” (20) (2007)

 ‘The writings of the philosophers had a tremendous influence on the minds of the people and created a revolutionary awakening in their minds and formed the intellectual creed of the French Revolution’ (20) (2005)

"The connection between the philosophers' ideas and the outbreak of the French Revolution (1789) is somewhat remote and indirect." (12) (2012) 
 ‘The French Revolution attacked privileges and not property’ (20) (2003)

‘If monarchical misrule ignited the French Revolution, lofty ideas both inspired and sustained it”.(20) (2002)

and after math, 1789-1815.

How did Nepoleon Bonapart fuse the old France with the new ? (30) (2009)

How did Napoleon fuse the French of the ancient regime with the France of the post-revolutionary era? (30) (2012)

‘Nepoleon was the child of the Revolution, but in many ways he reversed the aims and principles of the movement from which he sprang…..’ (20) (2004)

 ‘The Napoleonic Empire was doomed because of its inherent and self-defeating contradictions’. Elucidate. (60) (2001)

To what extent did Napoleans economic war with England become his undoing? (20)(2010)

(iv) American Civil War with reference to Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery.

 “Six hundred thousand men had died. The Union was preserved, the slaves freed. A nation ‘conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal’ had survived its most terrible ordeal.” (10) (2013)

(v) British Democratic Politics, 1815-1850; Parliamentary Reformers, Free Traders.

‘Though reform was inevitable, the Act (1832) by which it was accomplished was open to grave criticism’(20) (2005)

“Change in Britain came comparatively peacefully through democratic process in the first half of the nineteenth century and a model of a functioning democracy through ballot box was successfully put in place.” Elaborate. (25) (2013)

Chartists

Review the background of the Chartist Movement. Despite its failure how had their demands been met in the succeeding years.(60) (2004)

“The roots of Chartism are partly political and partly economic.” Elaborate. (20)(2011)

18. Industrialization

(i)                 English Industrial Revolution: Causes and Impact on Society

“Whoever says Industrial Revolution, says cotton.” Comment. (20)(2011)

(ii) Industrialization in other countries: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan

What was the extent of industrialization in western Europe by the end of the nineteenth century? (30) (2009)

"The process of industrialisation in some other countries of Europe was different from that in England." (12) (2012)

(iii)  Industrialization and Globalization.  

19. Nation-State System

(i) Rise of Nationalism in 19th century

           (ii) Nationalism : state-building in Germany and Italy 

‘To Bismarck the conclusion of the Treaty of May 20,1882, was the culmination of this system.’(20) (2004)

‘Bismarck united Germany not by majority of votes and speeches but by a policy of “blood and iron”.’ In the light of this statements assess the contribution of Bismarck to the unification of Germany (60) (2003)

“Napoleon kindled the national sentiment, but German unity was achieved by Bismarck”. Discuss (60) (2002)

‘Bismarck created a new Germany with the policy of ‘blood and iron’ (20) (2001)

Was German unification achieved more by 'coal and iron' than by 'blood and iron'? (30) (2012)    

‘They have stopped me from making Italy by diplomacy from the North, I will make it by revolution from the South’(20) (2005)

(iii)  Disintegration of Empires in the face of the emergence of nationalities across the world. 

       “Colonies are like fruits which cling to the tree only till they ripen”. (20) (2006)
      ‘The decolonization led to the break-up of Empires’ (20) (2001)

20. Imperialism and Colonialism

        . “Colonialism not only deprives a society of its freedom and its wealth, but of its very character, leaving its people intellectually and morally disoriented.” (10) (2013)

(i)   South and South-East Asia

 Critically examine the Dutch colonial policy in Indonesia. (30)(2010)

(ii)   Latin America and South Africa

           Trace the various stages of European imperialism in Africa in the nineteenth century (60) (2001)

            “ In all the long annals of Imperialism, the partition of Africa is a remarkable freak.” (20)(2009)

            What do you understand by imperialism? State briefly its unique features in the case of Africa? (20)(2010)

Australia

(iv)  Imperialism and free trade: Rise of neo-imperialism.     “New imperialism was a nationalistic, not an economic phenomena.” (20) (2007), Critically examine (25) (2013)

      Discuss the emergence of neo-imperialism in the late nineteenth century. (30) (2009)

21. Revolution and Counter-Revolution :

(i) 19th Century European revolutions

            Most of the European revolutions of 1848 were nationalist as well as popular insurgence against foreign rule and repressive policy of Meternich (20) (2008)

(ii) The Russian Revolution of 1917-1921

Account for the overthrow of the Tsarist regime in Russia (30) (2009)

‘The Russian Revolution (1917) was an economic explosion hastened by the stupidities of the autocratic Government’(20) (2005)
Examine the causes of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and indicate its significance in world history (60) (2003)

"The impact of the French Revolution (1789) was initially confined the Europe, but, that of the Russia Revolution (1917) was global." - Critically review.    (30) (2012)

 (iii) Fascist Counter-Revolution, Italy and Germany.

Discuss the main characteristics of Fascism. (60) (2007)
What were the weaknesses and difficulties of the Weimer Republic? How did Hitler succeed in establishing his dictatorship? (60) (2004)

“A clever conqueror will always impose his demands on the conquered by installments”. (20) (2006)

 “Hitler did not really want a world War. His intention was only a short war with Poland.” ( A. J. P. Taylar ) (20) (2009)

(iv)             The Chinese Revolution of 1949

"all long marches begin with small steps". (20)(2010)

Critically analyze the causes and results of the Chinese Revolution of 1949 (60) (2006)

Discuss the circumstances leading to the Chinese Revolution of 1949 and analyze its significance (60) (2005)

Examine the circumstances in China in the years 1945-49. What did the United States do to resolve the conflict between the Nationalists and the Communists there? (60) (2002)

"The announcement of the creation of the Peoples' Republic of China on October1, 1959 by Mao Zedong ended the civil war between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party (KMT)." - Elaborate. (30) (2012)

            “If the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution in Russia (that resulted in the creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or Soviet Union) inaugurated an international competition for the hearts and minds of people all over the globe, the Chinese Revolution raised the stakes of that struggle.” (10) (2013)

22. World Wars

(i) 1st and 2nd World Wars as Total Wars: Societal Implications

 “The War’s (First World War’s) most permanent contribution to the spirit of the post-War years was disillusion.” (20) (2007)  

(i)                 World War I : Causes

"The eastern question has always been an international question". Elucidate (30)(2010)

“By 1914, the sick man of Europe was no longer just Turkey : it was Europe itself.” Explain. (20)(2011)

"Any single explanation for the outbreak of the First World War likely to be too simple. An amalgam of factors intellectual, social, economic as well as political and diplomatic contributed to this horrifying conflict of monumental propositions." - Explain. (30) (2012)

and Consequences
‘The most important single factor…..in the years following 1919 was the French demand for security’ (20) (2004)

 “Treaty of Versailles contained the seeds of future conflict”. (20) (2006)

‘The roots of the rise of Fascism lay in Peace Treaties’ (20) (2003)

‘There was not only a difference of principles at Paris (Peace Conference) but a clash of  personalities’ (20) (2001)

 “The peace of Versailles lacked moral validity from the start.” (20)(2011)

(iii) World War II : Causes and consequence

‘The Great Depression (1929-34) was attended by momentous consequences in the economic as well as in the political sphere’ (20) (2002)

How did the policy of appeasement escalate the problem of Nazi aggrandizement? (30)(2011)
In the long run the Locarno Treaty (Dec 1925) was destructive both of the treaty of Versaille and of the covenant.(20) (2008)

‘One of the most important consequences of the Second World War was ‘division of Europe’, eastern and western’. (20) (2002)

"Europe faced peace in 1945 politically disorganized and economically crippled." Elaborate. (30)(2010)

23. The World after World War II:

(i) Emergence of two power blocs

After World War II the strategy of the west, towards the Soviet Block crystallized as a policy of containment. (20) (2008)
Critically examine the various dimensions and phases of the cold war between 1947 and 1962 (60) (2005)

(ii)               Emergence of Third World and Non-Alignment

Explain the circumstances leading to the emergence of Third world and analyze its impact on world affairs. (30)(2010)

Would you argue that the Non-Aligned Movement played a crucial role in promoting a climate of peace? (30)(2011)

(iii) UNO and the global disputes

‘The Security Council is the heart of the United Nations’ (20) (2003)

Examine the peace keeping efforts of the United Nations Organization.(30)(2009)

“In spite of the careful framing of the Charter, the role of UNO as peacekeeper and international mediator has been somewhat lacklustre and muted and that continues to be so even after the end of Cold War.” Elucidate. (25) (2013)

24.  Liberation from Colonial Rule:

(i) Latin America-Bolivar                                            

(ii) Arab World-Egypt

Discuss the aims of the establishment of the Arab League and asses its role in safeguarding the interests of the Arab nations (60) (2001)

“Arab nationalism and oil – these were the principal Factors in complicating the relations of middle eastern countries with the outside world.” (20) (2009)

"The Arab nationalism had a peculiar character. It stood for nation independence for separate Arab States as well as for the unity of all Arabs irrespective of their state boundaries." - Examine. (30) (2012)

(iii) Africa-Apartheid to Democracy

Give a brief account of the struggle against ‘Apartheid’ in South Africa (60) (2006)

“There must be an end to white monopoly on political power, and a fundamental restructuring of our political and economic systems to ensure that the inequalities of apartheid are addressed and our society thoroughly democratized.” Discuss. (25) (2013)

(iii)             South-East Asia-Vietnam

Explain how American imperialism in Philippines differed with European imperialism in Indonesia and Indo-China. (30)(2011)

Why did Vietnam go through thirty years of war after the second world war? (30) (2009)

25. Decolonization and Underdevelopment

          

  “ The capitalism which gave the European empires their apparent solidarity and permanence also hastened their downfall.”(20)(2009)

(i)                 Factors constraining Development : Latin America, Africa

“Decolonization has finished. It definitely belongs to the past. Yet somehow it has refused to become history.” (10) (2013)

26. Unification of Europe

(i) Post War Foundations : NATO and European Community

“NATO in many ways symbolized the key role that the United States had come to play in Europe.” (20) (2007)

 ‘The Brussels Treaty of 17 March 1948 paved the way for the formation of NATO’ (20) (2003)

(ii) Consolidation and Expansion of European Community

(ii)               European Union.

“The European Union is the new sick man of Europe.” Critically evaluate. (25) (2013)

27. Disintegration of Soviet Union and the Rise of the Unipolar World:

            (i) Factors leading to the collapse of Soviet communism and the Soviet Union, 1985-1991

“By the 1980s, the Communist system of the Soviet Union was incapable of maintaining the country’s role as a Superpower.” Explain this statement. (60) (2007), Elucidate (25) (2013)

Analyze the factors for the collapse of Soviet Communism and Soviet Union during 1985-1991 (60) (2004)

Discuss the main factors leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union (60) (2002)

"The essence of Perestroika is for people to feel they are the country's master"- Gorbachev. (20)(2010)

(ii) Political Changes in Eastern Europe 1989-2001

     Asses the significance of the political development that took place in Eastern Europe during 1989-2001 (60) (2008)

     “The collapse of Berlin Wall in 1989 brought new ideas of co-operation in Europe.” (20)(2011)

     Examine the challenges confronted by the proponents of European unity after the collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe. (30)(2011)

(iii) End of the Cold War and US Ascendancy in the World as the lone superpower

    Account for the factors that brought about the end of the cold war. (60) (2008)

   Analyze the factors leading to the end of the Cold War and account for the U.S. ascendancy in the world.(60)(2003)

    "With the Cold War over and the Soviet Union gone, the face of international diplomacy has undergone a metamorphosis.” (12) (2012)