Modern Indian History

No. Question Year Marks Words

1Discuss the major regulations enacted by the British rulers to curb the freedom of Press in India. 2004 1*30 250

2Form a critical assessment of the Non-cooperation Movement 2004 1*30 250

3 What led to the partition of Bengal in 1905? 2004 2*15 1504 Write a note on Theosophical Society 2004 2*15 150

5 Discuss the main findings of the Hartog Committee (1929) 2004 2*15 150

6The reforms in 1909 introduced a Cardinal problem & ground of controversy at every revision of the Indian Electoral system. Discuss

2003 1*30 250

7Discuss the problems that impeded the integration of princely states into the Indian Union. How were these problems tackled?

2003 1*30 250

8 The mainstay of Mahatma Gandhi's movement was the rural India. Elucidate.

2003 2*15 150

9 Discuss the character of major tribal uprising in British India in the 19th century.

2003 2*15 150

10 Bring out the ideological basis of the Moderate-Extremist divide in the Indian National Congress.

2003 2*15 150

11 What was the Butler Committee Report? Discuss the reactions on the Report in India.

2002 1*30 250

12 Why did Jinnah reject the C.R. Formula? 2002 1*30 250

13 Trace the Growth of Home-rule movement in Britain. 2002 2*15 150

14 Evaluate the attitude of the different political parties towards Quit India Movement

2002 2*15 150

15 Review the 'Dickie Bird Plan'. 2002 2*15 150

16Discuss the main objective of Indian National Movement upto 1905. What were its basic weaknesses during this period?

2001 1*30 250

17What administrative changes were introduced in India after 1858? What were objectives of these changes?

2001 1*30 250

18How did the movement for the liberation of women achieve a great stimulus from the rise & growth of national movement in India?

2001 2*15 150

19 Discuss the aim & objectives of Khilafat movement. To what extent was it successful?

2001 2*15 150

20 Why did Gandhi launch the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 & with what results?

2001 2*15 150

21 Trace the origin of Swadesh movement. How did it involve the masses?

2000 1*30 250

22 What was the Mountbatten Plan? Discuss the reactions of Gandhi & Azad to the Plan.

2000 1*30 250

23 Who established the Arya Samaj? What was it goal? 2000 2*15 150

24 How did the terrorist movement gather strength in countries other than India?

2000 2*15 150

25Was Nehru justified in adopting the principle of non-alignment as the corner stone of India's foreign policy?

2000 2*15 150

26How did communalism manifest in Indian Political scene? Explain the background of the passing of the momentous Pakistan Resolution.

1999 1*35 250

27What were the proposals of Cabinet mission? Analyse the reactions of Congress & the League to the proposals.

1999 1*35 250

28 Trace the formation of the Swaraj party. What were its demands?

1999 2*15 150

29

What began as a fight for religion ended as a war of independence, for there is no slightest doubt that the rebels wanted to get rid of the alien government & restore the old order of which the King of Delhi was the rightful representative'. Do you support this viewpoint?

1999 2*15 150

30 How far Curzon's policy towards Tibet was influenced strategic consideration?

1999 2*15 150

31 Assess the contribution of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar to the making of modern India.

1999 3*10 75

32 In what way did Ramkrishna infuse a new vigour & dynamism into Hinduism?

1999 3*10 75

33 Tagore's poetry is a written record of his religious expression'. Elucidate

1999 3*10 75

34 How did Nehru's Plan for modernisation make rapid stride during the decade 1951-61?

1999 3*10 75

35Did Jawaharlal Nehru really 'speak' the language of Congress? Locate the points of their agreements & departures.

1998 1*35 250

36 How did economic nationalism mirror the work of early nationalist leadership in India?

1998 1*35 250

37 Why did the moderates lose appeal with the Indians & failed to elicit desired response from the British?

1998 2*15 150

38How did the policy of free trade hurt Indian textile industry & crafts in the latter half of the 19th century?

1998 2*15 150

39 Trace the origins of R.I.N. Mutiny & evaluate its impact on the political situation in India.

1998 2*15 150

40 Examine the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on democracy. 1998 3*10 75

41 How did Swadeshi movement in Bengal influence the nationalist politics?

1998 3*10 75

42What was the significance of the Prajamandal movements in the Indian States in the decade preceding India's independence?

1998 3*10 75

43 Assess the role of C. Rajagopalachari during the pre-partition years of Indian public life.

1998 3*10 75

44

How did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeed in avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of lapses of paramountcy & in integrating the Indian States?

1997 1*35 250

45 Examine the causes & nature of extremist in Indian politics in the early part if the present century.

1997 1*35 250

46 What were the salient features of Gandhi-Irwin Pact? 1997 2*15 150

47Discuss Gandhi's concept of 'Basic education'. How far was it a departure from conventional system of education?

1997 2*15 150

48 What were the circumstances that led to the partition of India in 1947?

1997 2*15 150

49What do you understand about 'Drain of wealth during British rule'? Examine its effect on Indian Economy.

1997 3*10 75

50 The name of RajaRam Mohan Roy stands foremost in the field of religious & social reforms. Elucidate.

1997 3*10 75

51What were the reasons that changes Gandhiji's attitude of responsive cooperation to non-cooperation in 1920? What were its consequences?

1996 1*35 250

52The politics of British Indian Government during 1858-1905 were aimed at preventing another revolt of the masses. Elucidate.

1996 1*35 250

53 Bengal was partitioned in 1905 not for 1996 2*15 150

administrative reasons but for political purposes. Elucidate.

54 What was the Masterly Inactivity Policy? Why was it abandoned?

1996 2*15 150

55 What was the Macdonald Award? How was it modified? 1996 2*15 150

56 What was Tilak's contribution towards shaping the course of the nationalist movement in India?

1996 3*10 75

57 Why has Nehru in his autobiography been so critical of liberals?

1996 3*10 75

58 What was the role of State's people's movement in the integration of Indian states?

1996 3*10 75

59 Tagore's emphasis on internationalism & humanism was ahead of his times. Explain.

1996 3*10 75

60Do you think the partition of India was inevitable? Discuss the attitudes of Gandhi, Nehru & Azad towards the crucial question of Partition.

1995 1*35 250

61In what way did the Civil Disobedience Movement affect the different provinces of India? How did it foster peasant movement in India

1995 1*35 250

62When was the system of open competitive examination in the Indian Civil Services introduced? Analyse the growth of the Indian Civil Services till passing the Government of Indian Act, 1919.

1995 2*15 150

63Discuss the various aspects of social legislation introduced by the East India Company in the first half of the 19th century.

1995 2*15 150

64 Trace the emergence of Indian nationalism till the foundation of the Indian National Congress.

1995 2*15 150

65How did the British illustrate Lord Canning's policy in treating the Indian Princes as 'Breakwaters in the storm'?

1995 3*10 75

66 Assess the growth & development of Technical Education during the British rule.

1995 3*10 75

67 Swami Vivekanand might well be called the father of Indian nationalism. Elucidate.

1995 3*10 75

68 How far was Gurudev Tagore's concept of religion wedded to his love of nature?

1995 3*10 75

69How did the outbreak of World War II affect India's political sense? Did the Cripps Mission resolve the political crisis in India?

1994 1*35 250

70 Trace the emergence of Gandhiji in Indian political 1994 1*35 250

scene till the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917. What was the basic philosophy of Satyagraha enunciated by him?

71 Discuss the outstanding Tribal uprisings against the British rule during the 19th century?

1994 2*15 150

72What is meant by 'un-British' rule in India? How did role of Dadabhai Naoroji in exposing the evils of British rule in India

1994 2*15 150

73Discuss the British policy towards Tibet from the end of 19th century to the Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon.

1994 2*15 150

74 What were the contributions of moderates in the formative stage of the Indian National Congress?

1994 3*10 75

75 Explain the part played by Annie Besant in the Home Rule Movement.

1994 3*10 75

76In what way did the international events in the late 20s of the present century influence Nehru's radical views?

1994 3*10 75

77 Why did Tagore emphasize on the primacy of the social over the political order?

1994 3*10 75

78Mahatma Gandhi's success, during 1916-20, in getting the technique of non-violent satyagraha accepted by the nation as a weapon of struggle against the British was phenomenal. Elucidate.

1993 1*35 250

79

Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? How did it lead to the growth of extremist & terrorist schools of nationalism? Why was it annulled & with what consequences?

1993 1*35 250

80 From August Offer of Mountbatten Plan was a logical evolution. Discuss.

1993 2*15 150

81What was the Macdonald Award? How differences between the approaches of Tilak & Gokhale on social & political issues.

1993 2*15 150

82Analyse the main differences between the approaches of Tilak & Gokhale on social & political issues.

1993 2*15 150

83What were the basic differences between the conservative & the liberal schools of administrators in the latter half of the 19th century?

1993 3*10 75

84 The Minto-Morley Reforms did not & could not provide an answer to Indian problems. Explain.

1993 3*10 75

85 The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was signed without regard for its consequences. Elucidate.

1993 3*10 75

86 Explain Rabindranath Tagore's Plan of village construction. 1993 3*10 75

87

The Viceroyalties of Lord Litton & Lord Ripon formed an important landmark in the history of the Indian National Movement. Examine the truth of the sentence.

1992 1*35 250

88How far was the Swadeshi Movement linked with Boycott? Analyse the nature of mass participation in the movement.

1992 1*35 250

89Analyse Nehru's views on independence & Dominion Status. How far were these reflected in the policy enunciated by the Lahore Congress?

1992 2*15 150

90Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch Civil Disobedience Movement? Analyse the intensity of the movement in different parts of India.

1992 2*15 150

91

The railways did in India what they did elsewhere, they hastened the transition from handicraft to mechanical industry by transforming the transport situation. Discuss.

1992 2*15 150

92 Write a short history of local self-government till the reforms of 1919.

1992 3*10 75

93How far the labour legislation of the British Government were meant to ameliorate the condition of the working class?

1992 3*10 75

94 What were the contributions of the Arya Samaj to social & religious movement in India?

1992 3*10 75

95Discuss Tagore's concept on education. How far was it a departure from conventional system of education?

1992 3*10 75

96Narrate the last phase of the India's freedom movement specially from the beginning of 1947 till the attainment of independence.

1991 1*35 250

97

Discuss the growth of revolutionary terrorism with special reference to its ramifications in Maharashtra, Bengal & Punjab till the 1st decade of the 20th century.

1991 1*35 250

98 What was Harijan Movement? Why & with what effect did Gandhi launch individual Satyagraha?

1991 2*15 150

99

I am convinced that the only key to the solution of the world's problems & of India's problems lies in socialism…I see mo way of ending the poverty, the vast unemployment, the degradation & subjection of Indian people except through socialism'. In what did Nehru succeed in achieving the objective through national planning?

1991 2*15 150

100 Trace the growth & development of University Education till 1919.

1991 2*15 150

101Dr. Ambedkar's versatile career went through various phases. State briefly the various facets of his life.

1991 3*10 75

102 How far was Rabindranath Tagore a poet of mankind? 1991 3*10 75

103 Discuss the role of Theosophical Society in the history of religious movement in India.

1991 3*10 75

104 State the various regulations imposed by the British Government to curtail the freedom of press.

1991 3*10 75

105Trace the origin of the Swaraj Party. What was the manifesto of the Swaraj Party? What were the Swarjists' demands & reactions of the British?

1990 1*35 250

106

What was the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the 2nf World War? What was the August Offer? What were the factors that led the British to change its negative policy & send Cripps to India?

1990 1*35 250

107 What was Gandhi's concept of Socialism? How did it differ from Marxian socialism?

1990 2*15 150

108What were the main features of the Act of 1935? What was Nehru's reaction to the Act? Why did he contest the elections of 1937 & with what effect?

1990 2*15 150

109 Trace the progress of the women's education from early days of the British rule to the year 1947.

1990 2*15 150

110 How did Lala Lajpat Rai & Bal Gangadhar Tilak champion the cause of militant nationalism in India?

1990 3*10 75

111 If Aurobindo was the high priest, Rabindranath, was the great poet of Swadeshi Movement'. Elucidate.

1990 3*10 75

112Give a critical account of Ramkrishna Mission with special reference to role played by Swami Vivekanand.

1990 3*10 75

113When & why did the revolt of the ratings of the Royal Indian Navy take place? Why did they suspend the movement? What were the attitudes of Gandhi & Patel towards the movement?

1990 3*10 75

114

Why did Gandhiji launch the non-violent, non-cooperation movement on the Khilafat question? How were other issues joined to it later on? Discuss the constructive programme of the non-cooperation movement.

1989 1*30 250

115What was the Cabinet Mission Plan? How was the grouping clause' fundamental to it? What was its impact on the attitude of the congress & the League?

1989 1*30 250

116The recruitment of Indians to Civil Services was the most important question in the last quarter of the 19th century. Explain.

1989 2*15 150

117How was Nehru influenced by socialist ideas? How did the socialist thinking of Nehru & other leaders influence the Congress before 1942?

1989 2*15 150

118How did Patel succeed in avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of lapse of paramountcy & in integrating Indian States?

1989 2*15 150

119Analyse briefly the contribution of religious reform movements to the growth of extremist nationalist movement.

1989 3*10 50

120 The trial of the INA officers did more harm than good to the British Rule in India'. Explain.

1989 3*10 50

121 Tagore's humanism is a blending of his faith in god & man. Comment.

1989 3*10 50

122Describe the main features of the Panchayati Raj Bill. Does it, in your opinion, modify its federal character?

1989 3*10 50

123What were the motives that led to the partition of Bengal? What were its consequences? Why was it annulled?

1988 1*35 250

124Analyse Mahatma Gandhi's main demands presented to Irwin. How did Salt emerge as the central issue for launching the Satyagraha?

1988 1*15 100

125 What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? Why was it signed and what were its consequences?

1988 1*20 150

126 Discuss Gandhi's concept of Basic Education. How did Tagore differ from it?

1988 1*20 150

127 Explain Nehru's main theme in 'Discovery of India'. 1988 1*10 100

128 Describe Nehru's attitude towards Russia in the pre-1947 period.

1988 1*5 50

129Give an account of legislative measures passed during 1856-1956 for the uplift of women. Why was a new Act prohibiting Sati passed recently?

1988 1*15 150

130

Discuss the major social reform movements of the 2nd half of the 19th century. In what way did they contribute to the rise & growth of Indian National Movement?

1987 1*35 200

131

Despite the fact that Muslims & Hindu fought together against the British in the revolt of 1857, a separatist movement started soon after, resulting into the partition of India'. In the light of the statement, review briefly the origin & development of Muslim Separatist Movement culminating into the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

1987 1*35 200

132Relation between Religion & Politics has been a subject of controversy since long. What are the views of Mahatma Gandhi & Nehru on this issue?

1987 1*25 130

133What were the attitudes of the Moderates & Extremist towards the Freedom Movement in India? What led to their show-down in Surat (1907)?

1986 1*35 200

134What were the effects of non-violent, non-cooperation movement in India? When was the movement suspended & why?

1986 1*35 200

135What were basic differences between Nehru's internationalism & Tagore's internationalism? Why Tagore was called a Spiritual Ambassador?

1986 1*25 150

136Discuss briefly the basic aims with which the Indian National Congress was founded. When & under what circumstances did it decide to have complete independence from British Rule as its goal?

1985 1*35 200

137Both Gandhi & Nehru were interested in India's economic development, but there were some basic differences in their approach to this problem. Point out clearly those basic differences.

1985 1*35 200

138Explain briefly the nature & activities of either Theosophical Society of India or Servants of India Society.

1985 1*10 50

139

The 19th century is generally called a period of Indian Renaissance. Which were the major special reform movements of this period & what changes they bring about?

1984 1*35 200

140What was Cripps Mission? Why did its failure result into Quit India Movement? Mention briefly the major developments after this movement leading to the independence in 1947.

1984 1*35 200

141 Point out clearly the contributions of Gandhi & Tagore to the social & cultural life of India.

1984 1*25 150

142Explain briefly how the ideas & experiments of the Soviet Government in USSR influenced poet Tagore, Gandhi & Nehru.

1983 1*35 200

143

The economic policies followed by the British led to the transformation of India's economy into a colonial economy. They disrupted the traditional structure of the Indian Economy. Explain how this happened with special reference to agriculture, rural employment & development of our industries.

1983 1*35 200

144Explain briefly Gandhi's views on religion & its relation to politics. Were these views shared by Nehru?

1982 1*35 150

145

What are the main factors which led eventually to the partition of India in 1947? To what extent was Nehru justified in writing in 1946 as follows -'it (communalism) is our fault, of course & we must suffer for our failings. But I cannot excuse or forgive the British authorities for the deliberate part they have played in creating disruption in India'.

1982 1*35 150

146

What was the role of Gandhiji in eradication of untouchability & to what extent did he influence the framers of the Constitution & government policy in this regard? What further steps should be taken to wipe out untouchability?

1981 1*25 200

147How the integration of Princely States into independent India was achieved? What important forces/factors helped the unification of India?

1981 1*25 200

148

The 2nd half of the 19th century witnessed in India a strong wave of reformation in the spheres of religion & society. What part was played in this directly or indirectly by RajaRam Mohan Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen & Justice M.G.Ranade?

1980 1*25 200

149What were the main reasons for the decision of the British Government to leave India after transferring power to the people of 'British India' & the 'Ruler's

1980 1*25 200

of Indian States?

150 Describe the main contribution of Jai Prakash Narayan to the Indian society & politics.

1979 1*30 200

We may divide the syllabus in following parts – 1. Revolt of 1857 & its after-effects2. Cultural Awakening 3. Indian National Congress (1885-1905)4. Partition of Bengal5. Moderates, Extremists, Revolutionaries6. Gandhi Era7. Constitutional Activities, non cooperation & Civil disobedience8. Towards Partition9. After independence

The recent trend suggests (this is just my reading, there is no certainty about UPSC as to what would happen in future)–

More & more emphasis on later part of freedom struggle (1905-1947). The Gazetteer of India (Vol. II) becomes a must.

Weightage to various Committees/Commissions/Plans – reactions of various political elements to these plans. Again here the gazetteer is helpful.

Lesser & lesser importance to Tagore. Observe how questions on Tagore were extremely frequent in earlier papers (almost 1 every paper). Even questions regarding Nehru, his socialistic philosophy seem to be finding lesser & lesser weightage, however they haven’t exactly disappeared.

Gandhi, Nehru’s thoughts on various aspects, their present day relevance remain important. For this purpose, small (also inexpensive) books on Gandhi , Nehru, Ambedkar & their thoughts on various aspects like education, economy etc. published by Government’s publication division might be useful.

Integration of princely states & work of Vallabhbhai Patel also find some (not much) frequency. So do questions as to entry of communalism.

Partition of Bengal, reasons & the aftermath remains very important. Odd question seems to appear as regards to cultural awakening. Not much importance to early armed uprising or making of Constitution in recent

papers. Division of marks –

o One question of 30 marks out of two (250 words)o Two questions of 15 marks out of three (150 words)