THE FREEDOM STRUGGLE - ITS VARIOUS STAGES AND IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS OR CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
Early Phase of Freedom Struggle
Discuss briefly the basic aims with which the Indian National Congress was founded. When and under what circumstances did it decide to have Purna Swaraj from the British rule as its goal? (200 words) (85/35)
What were the attitudes of the Moderates and the Extremists towards the Freedom Movement in India? What led to their show-down in Surat? (86/35)
Analyse briefly the contribution of religious reform movements to the growth of extremist nationalist movement. (89/10)
“The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was signed without regard for its consequences.” Elucidate. (93/10)
What were the contributions of the Moderates in the formative stage of the Indian National Congress? (94/10)
Trace the emergence of Indian nationalism till the foundation of the Indian National Congress. (95/15)
Examine the causes and nature of extremism in Indian politics in the early part of the present century. (250 words) (97/35)
Why did the moderates lose appeal with the Indians and failed to elicit desired response from the British? (93/15)
Discuss the main objectives of the Indian national movement up to 1905. What were its basic weaknesses during this period? (01/30)
Bring out the ideological basis of the Moderate, Extremist divide in Indian National Congress. (03/15)
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? (2017/10)
To what extent did the role of the Moderates prepare a base for the wider freedom movement? Comment. (250 words) (2021/15)
Partition of Bengal, Swadeshi Movement, and Rise of Revolutionary Terrorism
Who wrote our National Anthem? When, where and on what occasion was it sung for the first time? When was it accepted as our National Anthem? (87/10)
What were the motives which led to the partition of Bengal? What were its consequences? Why was it annulled? (About 250 words) (88/35)
Discuss the growth of revolutionary terrorism with special reference to its ramifications in Maharashtra, Bengal and Punjab till the first decade of the twentieth century. (250 words) (91/35)
How far was the Swadeshi Movement linked with Boycott? Analyse the nature of mass participation in the Movement. (About 250 words) (92/35)
Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? How did it lead to the growth of extremist and terrorist schools of nationalism? Why was it annulled and with what consequences? (93/35)
Bengal was partitioned in 1905 not for administrative reasons but for political purposes. Elucidate. (96/15)
How did the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal influence the nationalist politics? (98/10)
Trace the origin of the Swadeshi Movement. How did it involve the masses? (00/30)
How did the terrorist movement gather strength in countries other than India? (00/15)
What led to the partition of Bengal in 1905? (04/15)
Nationalism during World War-I
Describe briefly the impact of the following on India: The Great War of 1914-18. (about 40 words) (79/4)
Explain briefly the importance of the Ghadar Party. (87/5)
Explain the role played by Annie Besant in the Home Rule Movement. (94/10)
Write short notes: Ghadar Party. (01/2)
Trace the growth of the Indian Home Rule Movement in Britain. (02/15)
Non-Cooperation Movement and Related Events
“Mahatma Gandhi’s succession, 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. (250 words) (93/35)
Trace the emergence of Gandhiji in Indian political scene till the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917. What was the basic philosophy of Satyagraha enunciated by him? (94/35)
What do you know about Rowlatt Act? (97/2)
What were the effects of the Non-violent Non-cooperation Movement in India? When was the Movement suspended and why? (About 200 words) (86/35)
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. (89/30)
Trace the origin of the Swaraj Party. What was the manifesto of the Swaraj Party? What were the Swarajists demands and the reactions of the British? (90/35)
What do you know about the Swadeshi Movement? (91/3)
What do you know about the Khilafat Movement? (91/3)
What do you know about the Khilafat Movement? (94/2)
What were the reasons that changed Gandhiji’s attitude of responsive cooperation to Non-Cooperation in 1920? What were its consequences? (96/35)
Trace the formation of the Swaraj Party. What were its demands? (99/15)
Discuss the aims and objects of the Khilafat Movement. To what extent was it successful? (01/15)
Form a critical assessment of the Non-Cooperation Movement. (04/30)
Do you think Mahatma Gandhi’s support to Khilafat Movement had diluted his secular credentials? Give your argument based on the assessment of events. (07/15)
Evaluate the contribution of revolutionary terrorism represented by Bhagat Singh to the cause of India’s struggle for independence. (150 words) (07/15)
“Non-Cooperation Movement gave new direction and energy to the National Movement.” Explain. (in about 150 words) (08/15)
Write short notes: Bharat Naujawan Sabha and Babbar Akali movement. (11/10)
Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since twenties of the last century. (2017/15)
Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss. (250 words) (2020/15)
Bring out the constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement and Civil Disobedience Movement. (250 words) (2021/15)
Civil Disobedience Movement and Related Events
Analyse Mahatma Gandhi’s main demands presented to Irwin. How did Salt emerge as the central issue for launching the Satyagraha? (About 100 words) (88/15)
What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? Why was it signed and what were its consequences? (150 words) (88/20)
Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch Civil Disobedience Movement? Analyse the intensity of the movement in different parts of India. (92/15)
What was the Macdonald Award? How was it modified and with what results? (93/15)
In what way did the Civil Disobedience Movement affect the different provinces of India? How did it foster peasant movement in India? (About 250 words) (95/30)
What was the Macdonald Award? How was it modified? (About 150 words each) (96/15)
Write the salient features of Gandhi-Irwin Pact? (97/15)
Write short notes: Communal Award. (98/2)
Why did Gandhi launch the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and with what results? (01/15)
Write short notes: Dandi March and Satyagraha. (02/4)
Quit India Movement
What was Cripps’ Mission? Why did its failure result into Quit India Movement? Mention briefly the major developments after this movement leading to Independence in 1947. (200 words) (84/35)
What do you know about the Quit India Movement. (92/2)
Evaluate the attitudes of different political parties towards Quit India Movement. (02/15)
What were the events that led to the Quit India Movement? Point out its results. (2024/10)
INA and RIN Mutiny
Explain briefly the importance of the INA. (84/5)
“The trial of the INA officers did more harm than good to the British Rule in India.’ Explain. (89/10)
When and 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 and Patel towards the movement? (50 words each) (90/10)
Trace the origins of the R.I.N. Mutiny and evaluate its impact on the political situation in India. (98/15)
Trace the salient sequence of events in popular revolt that took place in February 1946 in the then ‘Royal Indian Navy’ and bring out its significance in the freedom struggle. Do you agree with the view that the sailors who took part in this revolt were some of the unsung heroes of the freedom struggle? (11/20)
In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India? (14/10)
Communalism and Partition of India
What are the main factors, which led eventually to the partition of India in 1947? To what extent was Shri Jawaharlal Nehru justified in writing in 1946 as follows: ‘It (Communalism) is our fault, of course and 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.’ (82/35)
Despite the fact that Muslims and Hindus 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 this statement, review briefly the origin and development of Muslim Separatist Movement culminating into the creation of Pakistan in 1947. (87/35)
Narrate the last phase of the India’s freedom movement especially from the beginning of 1947 till the attainment of Independence. (91/35)
Write short notes: Sikander-Jinnah Pact. (93/2)
Do you think that the Partition of India was inevitable? Discuss the attitudes of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Maulana Azad towards the crucial question of Partition. (95/35)
What were the circumstances that led to the partition of India in 1947? (97/30)
How did Communalism manifest in Indian political scene? Explain the background of the passing of the momentous Pakistan Resolution. (250 words) (99/35)
Why and how did the Congress come to accept the partition of the country? (05/15)
Role of Masses and Women
“The Indian independence movement was a mass-based movement that encompassed various sections of society. It also underwent the process of constant ideological evolution.” Critically examine. (12/5)
Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. (200 words) (13/10)
What efforts have been made for the upliftment of women in India from the middle of the nineteenth century to the present day? (85/25)
How did the movement for the liberation of women receive a great stimulus from the rise and growth of the nationalist movement in India? (01/15)
Evaluate the influence of the three important women’s organizations of the early twentieth century in India on the country’s society and politics. To what extent do you think were the social objectives of these organizations constrained by their political objectives? (11/20)
Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torchbearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. (13/10)
Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase. (2016/12.5)
Social Movements during Freedom Struggle
The Caste system and the practice of untouchability were major targets of attack from the social reform movement, which grew in strength after the revolt of 1857. Indicate main factors which gradually undermined the caste system and brought into sharp focus the evils of untouchability. What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi in eradicating it and to what extent did he influence the framers of the constitution and Government policy in this regard? What further steps should be taken to wipe out untouchability? (200 words) (81/25)
What was Harijan Movement? Why and with what effect did Gandhi launch individual Satyagraha? (91/15)
What was the significance of the Praja-mandal movements in the Indian States in the decade preceding India’s independence? (98/10)
Write about: Vaikhom Satyagraha. (08/2)
Write about: ‘Egmore Faction’. (09/2)
SOCIO - RELIGIOUS REFORMS
Socio - Religious Reforms
The second half of the nineteenth century witnessed in India a strong wave of reformation in the spheres of religion and society. What part was played in this directly or indirectly by Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen and Justice M.G. Ranade? (80/25)
The nineteenth century is generally called a period of Indian Renaissance. Which were the major social reform movements of this period and what changes did they bring about? (84/35)
Discuss the major social reform movements of the second half of the 19th century. In what way did they contribute to the rise and growth of Indian National Movement? (Not more than 200 words) (84/35)
Explain briefly the nature and activities of either Theosophical Society of India or Servants of Indian Society. (85/10)
Explain significance of following movements: (i) Suddhi Movement (ii) Self-Respect Movement (iii) SNDP-Yojana (iv) The Deoband Movement. (86/2)
Give an account of the legislative measures passed during 1856-1956 for the uplift of Women. Why was a new Act prohibiting Sati passed recently? (88/15)
Explain briefly the importance of the Deccan Education Society. (87/5)
What do you know about following: (i) Rahnumai Mazdayasnan (ii) The Wahabi Movement. (89/4)
Give a critical account of the Ramakrishna Mission with special reference to the role played by Swami Vivekananda. (90/10)
What do you know about the following movements? (i) Farazi Movement (ii) Suddhi Movement (iii) The Young Bengal Movement. (90/6)
Discuss the role of the Theosophical Society in the history of religious movement in India. (91/10)
What do you know about the following movements? (i) Wahabi Movement. (92/2)
What were the contributions of the Arya Samaj to social and religious movements of India? (92/10)
Chief features of Wahabi Movement. (93/2)
Write short note: Temple Entry Programme. (93/2)
Satyashodhak Samaj. (94/2)
Discuss the various aspects of social legislation introduced by the East India Company in the first half of the nineteenth century. (95/15)
“Swami Vivekananda might well be called the father of Indian nationalism.’ Elucidate. (95/10)
Write about the chief features of the following: Ahmadiya Movement. (96/2)
Theosophical Society of India. (96/2)
What do you know about Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. (97/2)
Name of Raja Ram Mohan Roy stands foremost in the field of religious and social reforms. Elucidate. (97/10)
Assess the contributions of Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar to the making of modern India. (99/10)
In what way did Ramakrishna infuse a new vigor and dynamism into Hinduism? (99/10)
Write short note: Sarda Act. (99/2)
Who established the Arya Samaj? What was its goal? (00/15)
Prarthana Samaj. (01/2)
Satyashodhak Samaj. (01/2)
Dharma Sabha. (02/2)
Darul-Uloom. (05/2)
Write a note on the Theosophical Society. (04/15)
Characterize the main features of Indian Renaissance. (06/15)
What was the character of socio-religious reforms in the 19th Century and how did they contribute to the national awakening in India? (250 words) (07/30)
Write about Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. (08/2)
Write about: Gurudwara Reform Movement. (09/2)
The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period? (2017/15)
Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity. (19/10)
Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. (150 words) (2021/10)
Mahatma Jotirao Phule’s writings and efforts of social reforms touched issues of almost all subaltern classes. Discuss. (2025/15)
BRITISH POLICIES
British Policies and Divide and Rule
The policies of the British Indian Government during 1858-1905 were aimed at preventing another revolt of the masses. Elucidate. (250 words) (96/35)
Write short notes: Divide et impera. (02/2)
What in your opinion were the positive steps taken by the British to modernize India? (05/30)
The crisis of the colonial order during 1919 and 1939 was directly linked to the constitutional reforms, disillusionment and militant anti-colonial struggles. Elucidate. (250 words) (07/30)
The emergence of new social classes in British India was the direct consequence of the establishment of new social economy, new state system, administrative machinery and Western education. Discuss. (08/15)
“British vision of India had no single coherent set of ideas. On the contrary, the ideas were shot through with contradictions and inconsistencies.” Discuss. (08/15)
“Many Englishmen honestly consider themselves the trustees for India and yet to what a condition they have reduced our country.” Critically analyse. (09/15)
Assess the role of British imperial power in complicating the process of transfer of power during the 1940s. (19/15)
Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons. (22/10)
Police and Army System in British India
Why did the armies of the British East India Company — mostly comprising of Indian soldiers — win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers? Give reasons. (22/10)
Judicial System in British India
Write short notes: Ilbert Bill. (99/2)
Write about Ilbert Bill in 20 words. (08/2)
Princely States in British India
Write short notes: Butler Committee Report. (96/2)
What was the Butler Committee Report? Discuss the reactions on the Report in India. (02/30)
Write short notes: Chamber of Princes. (02/2)
Examine the policy of Subordinate Union towards Princely States. Account for the shift from the policy of Subordinate Isolation. (05/30)
Constitutional Development in British India
What was the Cabinet Mission Plan? How was the “grouping clause’ fundamental to it? What was its impact on the attitude of the Congress and the League? (About 250 words) (89/30)
What were the main features of the Act of 1935? What was Jawaharlal Nehru’s reaction to the Act? Why did he contest the elections of 1937 and with what effect? (90/15)
What was the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the Second World War? What was the August Offer? What were the factors that led the British to change its negative policy and send Cripps to India? (90/35)
“The Minto-Morley Reforms did not and could not provide an answer to Indian problems.” Explain. (93/15)
“From August Offer to Mountbatten Plan was a logical Revolution.” Discuss. (93/15)
“In the Montagu-Chelmsford Report communal representation and reservations were not only retained but considerably extended.” Comment. (93/15)
How did the outbreak of the Second World War affect India’s political scene? Did the Cripps Mission resolve the political crisis in India? (250 words) (94/35)
Short notes on August Offer, 1940. (96/2)
Write about August Declaration, 1917. (97/2)
Assess role of C. Rajagopalachari during the Pre-partition Years of Indian public life. (98/10)
What were the proposals of the Cabinet Mission? Analyse the reactions of the Congress and the League to the Proposals. (99/35)
What was Mountbatten Plan? Discuss the reactions of Gandhi and Azad to the Plan. (00/30)
What administrative changes were introduced in India after 1858? What were the objectives of these changes? (01/30)
Why did Jinnah reject the C. R. Formula? (02/30)
Review the “Dickie Bird Plan’. (02/15)
“The reforms of 1909 introduced a cardinal problem and ground of controversy at every revision of the Indian electoral system.” Comment. (03/30)
How did the Government of India Act, 1935 mark a point of no return in the history of constitutional development in India? (06/30)
What are the salient features of the Government of India Acts of 1858 and 1909? (07/15)
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. (2015/12.5)
Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss. (2016/12.5)
Local Self Government in British India
Write a short history of the Local Self-Government till the Reforms of 1919. (92/10)
Education Policies in British India
Trace the progress of the women’s education from the early days of the British rule to the year 1947. (90/15)
Trace the growth and development of University education till 1919. (About 150 words) (91/15)
Write about W. W. Hunter. (93/2)
Write short note on Education Despatch of 1854. (99/2)
Calcutta Madrasa. (05/2)
Assess the growth and development of Technical Education during the British rule. (95/10)
Write what you know about the Hunter Commission. (98/2)
“Satan cannot enter till he finds a flaw… A great ocean separates us educated few from the millions in our country.” Critically analyse. (150 words) (09/15)
Press in British India
State the various regulations imposed by the British Government to curtail the freedom of the press. (91/10)
Discuss the major regulations enacted by the British rulers to curb the freedom of Press in India. (04/30)
Discuss the main findings of the Hartog Committee (1929). (04/15)
Foreign Policy of the British India
Discuss the British policy towards Tibet from the end of the nineteenth century to the Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon. (150 words each) (94/15)
What was the Masterly Inactivity Policy? Why was it abandoned? (96/15)
How far Curzon’s policy towards Tibet was influenced by strategic consideration? (99/15)
Civil Services in British India
“The recruitment of Indians to Civil Services was the most important question in the last quarter of the nineteenth century.” Explain. (89/15)
When was the system of open competitive examination in the Indian Civil Service introduced? Analyse the growth of the Indian Civil Service till the passing of the Government of India Act, 1919. (95/15)
Haileybury College. (09/2)
Fort William College. (00/2)
British Economic Policies
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 agricultural rural employment and development of our industries. (83/35)
‘The railways did in India what they did elsewhere: they hastened the transition from handicraft to mechanical industry by transforming the transport situation.’ Discuss. (150 words) (92/15)
What is meant by ‘un-British’ rule in India? How Did the Indian nationalists react against it? Evaluate the role of Dadabhai Naoroji in exposing the evils of British rule in India. (94/15)
What do you understand about ‘Drain of wealth’ during British rule? Examine its effects on Indian Economy. (97/10)
How did economic nationalism mirror the work of the early nationalist leadership in India? (98/35)
How did the policy of free trade hurt Indian textile industry and crafts in the latter half of the 19th century? (98/15)
Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence. (14/10)
Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy. (2017/15)
Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there? (2018/15)
How far was the Industrial Revolution in England responsible for the decline of handicrafts and cottage industries in India? (2024/15)
Viceroy and Governor General
‘The Viceroyalties of Lord Lytton and Lord Ripon formed an important landmark in the history of the Indian National Movement.’ Examine the truth of the statement. (92/35)
What were the basic differences between the conservative and the liberal schools of administrators in the latter half of the 19th century? (93/10)
Discuss the British policy towards Tibet from the end of the nineteenth century to the Viceroyalty of Lord Curzon. (150 words each) (94/15)
How did the British illustrate Lord Canning’s policy in treating the Indian Princes as ‘Breakwaters in the storm’? (95/10)
How far Curzon’s policy towards Tibet was influenced by strategic consideration? (99/15)
Regardless of distance in time, there were lots of similarities between Lord Curzon and Jawaharlal Nehru. Discuss. (06/30)
“Dalhousie’s predecessors had acted on the general principles of avoiding annexations, if these could be avoided. Dalhousie acted on the principles of annexation, if he could do so legitimately. His annexations were both of war and peace.” Analyse. (150 words) (10/24)
“In many ways Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.” Elaborate. (200 words) (13/10)
Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movements. (150 words) (2020/10)
INDIAN RESPONSES TO BRITISH POLICIES
Revolt of 1857
“What began as a fight for religion ended as a war of independence, for there is not the slightest doubt that the rebels wanted to get rid of the alien government and restore the old order of which the king of Delhi was the rightful representative.” Do you support this viewpoint? (99/15)
Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. (2016/12.5)
Tribal Movement
What do you know about the Bhagat Movement? (89/2)
Discuss the outstanding Tribal uprisings against the British rule during the nineteenth century. (94/15)
Write about the chief features of Munda Movement. (99/2)
Explain the significance of the Faraizi Movement in the socio-religious context. (88/5)
Tana Bhagat Movement. (94/2)
Discuss the character of major tribal uprisings in British India in the nineteenth Century. (03/15)
How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? (2023/15)
Civil Uprisings
Explain the significance of the Kuka Movement in the socio-religious context. (88/5)
What do you know about Namdhari movement? (91/3)
The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. (19/10)
Trade Union Movement
How far the labour legislations of the British Government were meant to ameliorate the condition of the working class? (92/10)
What was the attitude of Indian Industrialists towards the Indian National Congress in the pre-independent era? (06/15)
Write on Girni Kamgar Union in about 20 words. (09/2)
Peasant Movement
Explain the significance of the Faraizi Movement in the socio-religious context. (88/5)
What do you know about the Indigo Movement? (92/2)
Significance of Patharughat in freedom struggle. (12/2)
KEY PERSONALITIES IN HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA
Personalities: Gandhi
Explain briefly the main contribution of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore & Jawaharlal Nehru to the making of modern India. (250 words) (79/30)
Mahatma Gandhi wrote in 1928 to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru: “the differences between you and me appear to be so vast and radical that there seems to be no meeting ground between us.” State briefly the difference in approach of Gandhiji and Pandit Nehru to the following two issues and indicate the impact of their views on our Constitution and Government Policy: (a) Socialism as a goal of National Policy; (b) Place of Industries in Indian Economy. (150 words) (80/25)
Explain briefly Mahatma Gandhi’s views on religion and its relation to politics. Were these views shared by Shri Jawaharlal Nehru? (about 150 words) (82/35)
Explain briefly how the ideas and experiments of the Soviet Government in USSR influenced Poet Rabindranath Tagore, Mahatma Gandhi and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru. (Not more than 200 words) (83/35)
Point out clearly the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore to the social and cultural life of India. (Not more than 150 words) (84/25)
Both Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal 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. (About 200 words) (85/35)
Relation between Religion and Politics has been a subject of controversy since long. What are the views of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru on this issue? (Not more than 130 words) (87/25)
What was Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Socialism? How did it differ from Marxian socialism? (90/15)
“The mainstay of Mahatma Gandhi’s movements was the rural India.’ Elucidate. (03/15)
“The foreign power will be withdrawn but for me real freedom will come only when we free ourselves of the dominance of western education, western culture and the western way of living which have been ingrained in us.” Critically analyse. (150 words) (99/15)
How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss. (2015/12.5)
Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times. (2018/10)
Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate. (19/15)
Gandhi on Education
Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Basic Education. How did Tagore differ from it? (150 words) (88/20)
Discuss Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of ‘Basic Education’. How far was it a departure from conventional system of education? (97/15)
What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? (150 words) (2023/10)
Personalities: Nehru
Explain Nehru’s main theme in his Discovery of India. (About 100 words) (88/10)
Describe Nehru’s attitude towards Russia in the pre-1947 period. (About 50 words) (88/5)
How was Jawaharlal Nehru influenced by socialist ideas? How did the Socialist thinking of Nehru and other leaders influence the Congress before 1942? (89/15)
Analyse Jawaharlal Nehru’s views on Independence and Dominion Status. How far were these reflected in the policy enunciated by the Lahore Congress? (92/15)
Short Notes: Mass Contact Programme of Nehru. (93/2)
In what way did the international events in the late twenties of the present century influence Jawaharlal Nehru’s radical views? (94/10)
Why has Nehru in his Autobiography been so critical of the liberals? (96/10)
Did Jawaharlal Nehru really ‘speak’ the ‘language’ of Gandhi? Locate the points of their agreements and departures. (98/35)
Was Jawaharlal Nehru justified in adopting the principle of non-alignment as the corner-stone of India’s foreign policy? (00/10)
Regardless of distance in time, there were lots of similarities between Lord Curzon and Jawaharlal Nehru. Discuss. (06/30)
Personalities: Tagore
What were the basic differences between Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Internationalism and Rabindranath Tagore’s Internationalism? Why was Tagore called ‘a Spiritual Ambassador’? (86/25)
“Tagore’s humanism is a blending of his faith in god and man.” Comment. (About 50 words each) (89/10)
‘If Aurobindo was the high priest, Rabindranath was the great poet of the Swadeshi Movement.’ Elucidate. (90/10)
How far was Rabindranath Tagore a poet of Mankind? (91/10)
Discuss Tagore’s concept on education. How far was it a departure from conventional system of education? (About 50 words each) (92/10)
Explain Rabindranath Tagore’s Plan of village reconstruction. (About 50 words each) (93/10)
Why did Tagore emphasize on the primacy of the social over the political order? (About 75 words each) (94/10)
How far was Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s concept of religion wedded to his love of nature? (95/10)
Tagore’s emphasis on internationalism and humanism was ahead of his times. Explain. (96/10)
Examine the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on democracy. (98/10)
“Tagore’s poetry is a written record of his religious experience.’ Elucidate. (99/10)
Personalities: Bose
Evaluate Subhas Chandra Bose’s contribution to India’s freedom. (05/15)
Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. (2016/12.5)
Personalities: Ambedkar
‘Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s versatile career went through various phases.’ State various facets of his life. (91/10)
Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. (2015/12.5)
Personalities: Others-1
How did Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak champion the cause of militant nationalism in India? (90/10)
Analyse the main differences between the approaches of Tilak and Gokhale on social and political issues. (About 150 words each) (93/15)
What was Tilak’s contribution towards shaping the course of the nationalist movement in India? (96/10)
Critically assess Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru’s views on Indian Nationalism. (05/15)
Benoy-Badal-Dinesh martyrdom. (11/5)
Discuss the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre and post-independent India. (200 words) (13/10)
Personalities: Others-2
Describe the contribution of any seven to the life and thought of modern India: (a) Vivekananda (b) Sri Aurobindo (c) Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (d) Dayanand Saraswati (e) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (f) Mirza Ghalib (g) Homi Bhabha (h) Sarojini Naidu (i) C.V. Raman (j) Lala Lajpat Rai. (40 words each) (79/28)
Describe briefly the impact of the following on India: (i) Leo Tolstoy (ii) Kemal Ataturk (iii) Karl Marx. (40 words each) (79/12)
Describe the main contributions of Jai Prakash Narayan to Indian society & politics. (200 words) (79/30)
Who are the following and what is their contribution to the life and thought of India? (i) Thyagaraja (ii) Vallathol Narayana Menon (iii) Nandalal Bose (iv) Purushottam Das Tandon (v) Sir Syed Ahmad. (82/10)
Who were the following and why were they so well known? (Not more than two sentences on each) (i) Henry Vivian Derozio (ii) Bhulabhai Desai (iii) Jyotiba Phule (iv) V. D. Savarkar (v) Rashbehari Ghose. (86/10)
What is the contribution of the following to the cultural life of India? (One sentence each) (i) Ramanuja (ii) Shaikh Moinuddin Chishti (iii) Thyagaraja (iv) Vishnu Digambar Paluskar (v) Raja Ravi Varma (vi) Amrita Shergil (vii) Ramkinkar Baij (viii) Sonal Mansingh (ix) Samyukta Panigrahi (x) Prithviraj Kapoor. (87/10)
Explain the contributions of the following to the social life of India: (One sentence for each) (i) Ela Bhatt (ii) M. G. Ranade (iii) Acharya Narendra Dev (iv) Madan Mohan Malaviya (v) Narayana Guru (vi) Birsa Munda (vii) Baba Amte (viii) Malati Devi Choudhury (ix) Dr. Zakir Hussain (x) C. N. Annadurai. (88/10)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Subramania Bharati (ii) M. A. Ansari (iii) Chapekar Brothers (iv) Panna Lal Patel (v) Khudiram Bose. (89/10)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Kunwar Singh (ii) S. H. Slocum (iii) P. Ananda Charlu (iv) K. M. Munshi (v) Muzaffar Ahmed. (90/10)
Why have the following become famous? (i) S. A. Dange (ii) C. Sankaran Nair (iii) Titu Mir (iv) Theodore Beck (v) Edwin Lutyens. (91/10)
Why have the following become famous? (i) M. A. Ansari (ii) P.C. Joshi (iii) Indulal Yagnik (iv) Lord Pethick-Lawrence (v) Sree Narayana Guru (vi) Nandalal Bose. (92/12)
Why have the following become famous? (i) C. Ilbert (ii) John Simon (iii) Ramsay Macdonald (iv) Wavell. (93/8)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Bhai Parmanand (ii) Dr. Satyapal (iii) Vasudeo Balwant Phadke (iv) George Yule (v) N.C. Kelkar (vi) C.F. Andrews. (95/12)
Why have the following been famous? (i) Bhartendu Harishchandra (ii) C. Rajagopalachari (iii) A.O. Hume (iv) Birsa Munda. (96/3)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Shyamji Krishnavarma (ii) Rani Gaidinliu (iii) Saifuddin Kitchlew (iv) Sister Nivedita. (97/8)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (ii) Seth Jamnalal Bajaj (iii) S. Satyamurti (iv) Udham Singh (v) Sarojini Naidu. (98/10)
Why have the following become famous? (i) Rammanohar Lohia (ii) C. Y. Chintamani (iii) Henry Cotton (iv) Tej Bahadur Sapru (v) Veeresalingam (vi) Bhulabhai Desai (vii) Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. (2 words each) (99/14)
Answer the following: (i) Brahmagupta (ii) Amir Khusro (iii) William Jones (iv) C. F. Andrews (v) Narayana Guru (vi) Tantia Tope (vii) Sayyid Ahmad (viii) Margaret Noble (ix) Lala Amarnath. (2 words each) (00/18)
Write about the following: (i) Baba Amte (ii) Ali Sardar Jafri (iii) Aruna Roy. (2 words each) (00/6)
Answer the following: (i) Aryabhatta (ii) D. K. Karve (iii) J. Krishnamurthy (iv) Jamnalal Bajaj (v) Banabhatta (vi) Gopi Krishna (vii) Pupul Jayakar (viii) Mohammad Iqbal (ix) Jayadeva (x) T. Prakasam (xi) Ali Brothers. (2 words each) (01/22)
Write about the following: (i) Bismillah Khan (ii) Chris Evert (iii) Keshab Chandra Sen (iv) Nivedita (v) Raidasa. (2 words each) (02/10)
Write about the following: (20 words each) (i) Sajjad Zaheer (ii) Har Dayal (iii) Indulal Yagnik (iv) Achyut Patwardhan (v) Sir William Jones (vi) James Wilson. (2 words each) (03/12)
Write about: (a) Nizamuddin Auliya (b) Raidas (c) Jagat Seth (d) Baba Ram Chandra (e) Pandita Ramabai (f) Sir Thomas Roe (g) Tavernier. (2 words each) (05/14)
Write about in about 20 words: (a) Lakshmi Bai, Rani of Jhansi (b) Lala Har Dayal (c) Megasthenes (d) Allasani Peddana. (2 words each) (08/8)
Write about: Kiang Nongbah and Taji Mideren. (09/4)
Write brief note on Contributions of Latika Ghosh to the freedom struggle. (10/2)
Write brief note on Bhai Maharaj Singh as a freedom fighter. (10/2)
MAPS IN HISTORY
Map In History
Explain the cultural importance of any six of the following places: (a) Amritsar, (b) Ajmer, (c) Ajanta, (d) Aligarh, (e) Patna, (f) Pune, (g) Pondicherry, (h) Goa, (i) Santiniketan, and (j) Tanjore. (30 words each) (79/18)
Where is Bongaigaon and why is it important? (79/2)
Identify and give reasons for the importance of the following: (2 Sentences each) (i) Auroville, (ii) Sabarmati, (iii) Konark, (iv) Chauri-Chaura, and (v) Kanya Kumari. (84/10)
Where are the following located and why are they so well-known? (two sentences each) (i) Nalanda, (ii) Ellora, (iii) Ajmer, (iv) Mahabalipuram, and (v) Wardha. (85/10)
Where are the following located and why are they so well known? (Not more than two sentences for each) (i) Amaravati, (ii) Halebid, (iii) Kalakshetra, (iv) Rakabganj, and (v) Namchi Bazar. (86/10)
Where are the following and why are they so well- known? (2 sentences each) (i) Pushkar, (ii) Kushinagar, (iii) Tirupati, (iv) Somnath, (v) Madurai. (87/10)
Identify and explain the significance of the following: (Two sentences for each) (i) Dakshin Gangotri, (ii) Kahuta, and (iii) Sahrawat. (87/15)
Where are the following located and why are they well-known? (Two sentences on each) (i) Dakshineswar, (ii) Bharukachchha, (iii) Pragjyotish, (iv) Deorala, and (v) Jehanabad. (88/10)
Where are the following located and in the news? (i) Cuttack, (ii) Ayodhya, and (iii) Guadalajara. (89/6)
Why did the following places become famous during the freedom struggle? (i) Dandi, (ii) Haripura, (iii) Surat, (iv) Bardoli. (93/8)
Where are the following located and what are they famous for? (i) Lothal, (ii) Lumbini, and (iii) Vailankanni. (94/6)
Where are the following located and why have they been in the news recently: (i) Thiruvananthapuram, (ii) Charar-e-Sharif, and (iii) Bara Hoti. (95/6)
With which events are the following places associated? (i) Haripura, (ii) Chauri Chaura, (iii) Bardoli, (iv) Dandi. (96/8)
What do you know about the following? (i) Bentota, (ii) Pamirs. (98/4)