Modern Indian History

No. Question Year Marks Words

Discuss the major regulations enacted by the British 2
1 rulers to curb the freedom of Press in India. 1*30 250
004
Form a critical assessment of the Non-cooperation 2
2 Movement 1*30 250
004
What led to the partition of Bengal in 1905? 2
3 2*15 150
004
Write a note on Theosophical Society 2
4 2*15 150
004
Discuss the main findings of the Hartog Committee 2
5 2*15 150
(1929) 004
The reforms in 1909 introduced a Cardinal problem
& ground of controversy at every revision of the 2
6 1*30 250
Indian Electoral system. Discuss 003

Discuss the problems that impeded the integration of 2

7 princely states into the Indian Union. How were 1*30 250
003
these problems tackled?
The mainstay of Mahatma Gandhi's movement was 2
8 2*15 150
the rural India. Elucidate. 003
Discuss the character of major tribal uprising in 2
9 2*15 150
British India in the 19th century. 003
Bring out the ideological basis of the Moderate- 2
10 2*15 150
Extremist divide in the Indian National Congress. 003
What was the Butler Committee Report? Discuss the 2
11 1*30 250
reactions on the Report in India. 002
2
12 1*30 250
Why did Jinnah reject the C.R. Formula? 002
Trace the Growth of Home-rule movement in 2
13 2*15 150
Britain. 002
Evaluate the attitude of the different political parties 2
14 2*15 150
towards Quit India Movement 002
2
15 2*15 150
Review the 'Dickie Bird Plan'. 002
Discuss the main objective of Indian National
2
16 Movement upto 1905. What were its basic 1*30 250
001
weaknesses during this period?
What administrative changes were introduced in
2
17 India after 1858? What were objectives of these 1*30 250
001
changes?
 How did the movement for the liberation of women 2
18 achieve a great stimulus from the rise & growth of 2*15 150
001
national movement in India?
Discuss the aim & objectives of Khilafat movement. 2
19 2*15 150
To what extent was it successful? 001
Why did Gandhi launch the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 2
20 2*15 150
& with what results? 001
Trace the origin of Swadesh movement. How did it 2
21 1*30 250
involve the masses? 000
What was the Mountbatten Plan? Discuss the 2
22 1*30 250
reactions of Gandhi & Azad to the Plan. 000
2
23 2*15 150
Who established the Arya Samaj? What was it goal? 000
How did the terrorist movement gather strength in 2
24 2*15 150
countries other than India? 000
Was Nehru justified in adopting the principle of
2
25 non-alignment as the corner stone of India's foreign 2*15 150
000
policy?
How did communalism manifest in Indian Political 1
26 scene? Explain the background of the passing of the 1*35 250
999
momentous Pakistan Resolution.
What were the proposals of Cabinet mission?
1
27 Analyse the reactions of Congress & the League to 1*35 250
999
the proposals.
Trace the formation of the Swaraj party. What were 1
28 2*15 150
its demands? 999
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 & 1
29 2*15 150
restore the old order of which the King of Delhi was 999
the rightful representative'. Do you support this
viewpoint?
How far Curzon's policy towards Tibet was 1
30 2*15 150
influenced strategic consideration? 999
Assess the contribution of Ishwarchandra 1
31 3*10 75
Vidyasagar to the making of modern India. 999
In what way did Ramkrishna infuse a new vigour & 1
32 3*10 75
dynamism into Hinduism? 999
Tagore's poetry is a written record of his religious 1
33 3*10 75
expression'. Elucidate 999
How did Nehru's Plan for modernisation make rapid 1
34 3*10 75
stride during the decade 1951-61? 999
 Did Jawaharlal Nehru really 'speak' the language of 1
35 Congress? Locate the points of their agreements & 1*35 250
998
departures.
How did economic nationalism mirror the work of 1
36 1*35 250
early nationalist leadership in India? 998
Why did the moderates lose appeal with the Indians 1
37 2*15 150
& failed to elicit desired response from the British? 998
How did the policy of free trade hurt Indian textile
1
38 industry & crafts in the latter half of the 19th 2*15 150
998
century?
Trace the origins of R.I.N. Mutiny & evaluate its 1
39 2*15 150
impact on the political situation in India. 998
Examine the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore on 1
40 3*10 75
democracy. 998
How did Swadeshi movement in Bengal influence 1
41 3*10 75
the nationalist politics? 998
What was the significance of the Prajamandal 1
42 movements in the Indian States in the decade 3*10 75
998
preceding India's independence?
Assess the role of C. Rajagopalachari during the 1
43 3*10 75
pre-partition years of Indian public life. 998
How did Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel succeed in
avoiding the evil consequences of the doctrine of 1
44 1*35 250
lapses of paramountcy & in integrating the Indian 997
States?
Examine the causes & nature of extremist in Indian 1
45 1*35 250
politics in the early part if the present century. 997
What were the salient features of Gandhi-Irwin 1
46 2*15 150
Pact? 997
Discuss Gandhi's concept of 'Basic education'. How
1
47 far was it a departure from conventional system of 2*15 150
997
education?
What were the circumstances that led to the partition 1
48 2*15 150
of India in 1947? 997
What do you understand about 'Drain of wealth
1
49 during British rule'? Examine its effect on Indian 3*10 75
997
Economy.
The name of RajaRam Mohan Roy stands foremost 1
50 3*10 75
in the field of religious & social reforms. Elucidate. 997
What were the reasons that changes Gandhiji's 1
51 attitude of responsive cooperation to non- 1*35 250
996
cooperation in 1920? What were its consequences?
 The politics of British Indian Government during 1
52 1858-1905 were aimed at preventing another revolt 1*35 250
996
of the masses. Elucidate.
Bengal was partitioned in 1905 not for
1
53 administrative reasons but for political purposes. 2*15 150
996
Elucidate.
What was the Masterly Inactivity Policy? Why was 1
54 2*15 150
it abandoned? 996
What was the Macdonald Award? How was it 1
55 2*15 150
modified? 996
What was Tilak's contribution towards shaping the 1
56 3*10 75
course of the nationalist movement in India? 996
Why has Nehru in his autobiography been so critical 1
57 3*10 75
of liberals? 996
What was the role of State's people's movement in 1
58 3*10 75
the integration of Indian states? 996
Tagore's emphasis on internationalism & humanism 1
59 3*10 75
was ahead of his times. Explain. 996
Do you think the partition of India was inevitable? 1
60 Discuss the attitudes of Gandhi, Nehru & Azad 1*35 250
995
towards the crucial question of Partition.
In what way did the Civil Disobedience Movement 1
61 affect the different provinces of India? How did it 1*35 250
995
foster peasant movement in India
When was the system of open competitive
examination in the Indian Civil Services introduced? 1
62 2*15 150
Analyse the growth of the Indian Civil Services till 995
passing the Government of Indian Act, 1919.
Discuss the various aspects of social legislation
1
63 introduced by the East India Company in the first 2*15 150
995
half of the 19th century.
Trace the emergence of Indian nationalism till the 1
64 2*15 150
foundation of the Indian National Congress. 995
How did the British illustrate Lord Canning's policy
1
65 in treating the Indian Princes as 'Breakwaters in the 3*10 75
995
storm'?
Assess the growth & development of Technical 1
66 3*10 75
Education during the British rule. 995
Swami Vivekanand might well be called the father 1
67 3*10 75
of Indian nationalism. Elucidate. 995
How far was Gurudev Tagore's concept of religion 1
68 3*10 75
wedded to his love of nature? 995
 How did the outbreak of World War II affect India's 1
69 political sense? Did the Cripps Mission resolve the 1*35 250
994
political crisis in India?
Trace the emergence of Gandhiji in Indian political
scene till the Champaran Satyagraha of 1917. What 1
70 1*35 250
was the basic philosophy of Satyagraha enunciated 994
by him?
Discuss the outstanding Tribal uprisings against the 1
71 2*15 150
British rule during the 19th century? 994
What is meant by 'un-British' rule in India? How did
1
72 role of Dadabhai Naoroji in exposing the evils of 2*15 150
994
British rule in India
Discuss the British policy towards Tibet from the
1
73 end of 19th century to the Viceroyalty of Lord 2*15 150
994
Curzon.
What were the contributions of moderates in the 1
74 3*10 75
formative stage of the Indian National Congress? 994
Explain the part played by Annie Besant in the 1
75 3*10 75
Home Rule Movement. 994
In what way did the international events in the late
1
76 20s of the present century influence Nehru's radical 3*10 75
994
views?
Why did Tagore emphasize on the primacy of the 1
77 3*10 75
social over the political order? 994
Mahatma Gandhi's success, during 1916-20, in
getting the technique of non-violent satyagraha 1
78 1*35 250
accepted by the nation as a weapon of struggle 993
against the British was phenomenal. Elucidate.
Why was Bengal partitioned in 1905? How did it
lead to the growth of extremist & terrorist schools of 1
79 1*35 250
nationalism? Why was it annulled & with what 993
consequences?
From August Offer of Mountbatten Plan was a 1
80 2*15 150
logical evolution. Discuss. 993
What was the Macdonald Award? How differences 1
81 between the approaches of Tilak & Gokhale on 2*15 150
993
social & political issues.
Analyse the main differences between the
1
82 approaches of Tilak & Gokhale on social & political 2*15 150
993
issues.
What were the basic differences between the 1
83 conservative & the liberal schools of administrators 3*10 75
993
in the latter half of the 19th century?
 The Minto-Morley Reforms did not & could not 1
84 3*10 75
provide an answer to Indian problems. Explain. 993
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 was signed without 1
85 3*10 75
regard for its consequences. Elucidate. 993
Explain Rabindranath Tagore's Plan of village 1
86 3*10 75
construction. 993
The Viceroyalties of Lord Litton & Lord Ripon
formed an important landmark in the history of the 1
87 1*35 250
Indian National Movement. Examine the truth of the 992
sentence.
How far was the Swadeshi Movement linked with
1
88 Boycott? Analyse the nature of mass participation in 1*35 250
992
the movement.
Analyse Nehru's views on independence & 1
89 Dominion Status. How far were these reflected in 2*15 150
992
the policy enunciated by the Lahore Congress?
Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch Civil 1
90 Disobedience Movement? Analyse the intensity of 2*15 150
992
the movement in different parts of India.
The railways did in India what they did elsewhere,
they hastened the transition from handicraft to 1
91 2*15 150
mechanical industry by transforming the transport 992
situation. Discuss.
Write a short history of local self-government till the 1
92 3*10 75
reforms of 1919. 992
How far the labour legislation of the British 1
93 Government were meant to ameliorate the condition 3*10 75
992
of the working class?
What were the contributions of the Arya Samaj to 1
94 3*10 75
social & religious movement in India? 992
Discuss Tagore's concept on education. How far was
1
95 it a departure from conventional system of 3*10 75
992
education?
Narrate the last phase of the India's freedom 1
96 movement specially from the beginning of 1947 till 1*35 250
991
the attainment of independence.
Discuss the growth of revolutionary terrorism with
special reference to its ramifications in Maharashtra, 1
97 1*35 250
Bengal & Punjab till the 1st decade of the 20th 991
century.
What was Harijan Movement? Why & with what 1
98 2*15 150
effect did Gandhi launch individual Satyagraha? 991
 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 1
99 2*15 150
vast unemployment, the degradation & subjection of 991
Indian people except through socialism'. In what did
Nehru succeed in achieving the objective through
national planning?
Trace the growth & development of University 1
100 2*15 150
Education till 1919. 991
Dr. Ambedkar's versatile career went through
1
101 various phases. State briefly the various facets of his 3*10 75
991
life.
How far was Rabindranath Tagore a poet of 1
102 3*10 75
mankind? 991
Discuss the role of Theosophical Society in the 1
103 3*10 75
history of religious movement in India. 991
State the various regulations imposed by the British 1
104 3*10 75
Government to curtail the freedom of press. 991
Trace the origin of the Swaraj Party. What was the 1
105 manifesto of the Swaraj Party? What were the 1*35 250
990
Swarjists' demands & reactions of the British?
What was the attitude of the Indian National
Congress towards the 2nf World War? What was the
1
106 August Offer? What were the factors that led the 1*35 250
990
British to change its negative policy & send Cripps
to India?
What was Gandhi's concept of Socialism? How did 1
107 2*15 150
it differ from Marxian socialism? 990
What were the main features of the Act of 1935? 1
108 What was Nehru's reaction to the Act? Why did he 2*15 150
990
contest the elections of 1937 & with what effect?
Trace the progress of the women's education from 1
109 2*15 150
early days of the British rule to the year 1947. 990
How did Lala Lajpat Rai & Bal Gangadhar Tilak 1
110 3*10 75
champion the cause of militant nationalism in India? 990
If Aurobindo was the high priest, Rabindranath, was 1
111 3*10 75
the great poet of Swadeshi Movement'. Elucidate. 990
Give a critical account of Ramkrishna Mission with
1
112 special reference to role played by Swami 3*10 75
990
Vivekanand.
 When & why did the revolt of the ratings of the
Royal Indian Navy take place? Why did they 1
113 3*10 75
suspend the movement? What were the attitudes of 990
Gandhi & Patel towards the movement?
Why did Gandhiji launch the non-violent, non-
cooperation movement on the Khilafat question?
1
114 How were other issues joined to it later on? Discuss 1*30 250
989
the constructive programme of the non-cooperation
movement.
What was the Cabinet Mission Plan? How was the 1
115 grouping clause' fundamental to it? What was its 1*30 250
989
impact on the attitude of the congress & the League?
The recruitment of Indians to Civil Services was the 1
116 most important question in the last quarter of the 2*15 150
989
19th century. Explain.
How was Nehru influenced by socialist ideas? How 1
117 did the socialist thinking of Nehru & other leaders 2*15 150
989
influence the Congress before 1942?
How did Patel succeed in avoiding the evil 1
118 consequences of the doctrine of lapse of 2*15 150
989
paramountcy & in integrating Indian States?
Analyse briefly the contribution of religious reform
1
119 movements to the growth of extremist nationalist 3*10 50
989
movement.
The trial of the INA officers did more harm than 1
120 3*10 50
good to the British Rule in India'. Explain. 989
Tagore's humanism is a blending of his faith in god 1
121 3*10 50
& man. Comment. 989
Describe the main features of the Panchayati Raj
1
122 Bill. Does it, in your opinion, modify its federal 3*10 50
989
character?
What were the motives that led to the partition of
1
123 Bengal? What were its consequences? Why was it 1*35 250
988
annulled?
Analyse Mahatma Gandhi's main demands 1
124 presented to Irwin. How did Salt emerge as the 1*15 100
988
central issue for launching the Satyagraha?
What was the Gandhi-Irwin Pact? Why was it 1
125 1*20 150
signed and what were its consequences? 988
Discuss Gandhi's concept of Basic Education. How 1
126 1*20 150
did Tagore differ from it? 988
127 Explain Nehru's main theme in 'Discovery of India'. 1 1*10 100
 988
Describe Nehru's attitude towards Russia in the pre- 1
128 1*5 50
1947 period. 988
Give an account of legislative measures passed 1
129 during 1856-1956 for the uplift of women. Why was 1*15 150
988
a new Act prohibiting Sati passed recently?
Discuss the major social reform movements of the
2nd half of the 19th century. In what way did they 1
130 1*35 200
contribute to the rise & growth of Indian National 987
Movement?
Despite the fact that Muslims & Hindu fought
together against the British in the revolt of 1857, a
separatist movement started soon after, resulting into
1
131 the partition of India'. In the light of the statement, 1*35 200
987
review briefly the origin & development of Muslim
Separatist Movement culminating into the creation
of Pakistan in 1947.
Relation between Religion & Politics has been a 1
132 subject of controversy since long. What are the 1*25 130
987
views of Mahatma Gandhi & Nehru on this issue?
What were the attitudes of the Moderates & 1
133 Extremist towards the Freedom Movement in India? 1*35 200
986
What led to their show-down in Surat (1907)?
What were the effects of non-violent, non- 1
134 cooperation movement in India? When was the 1*35 200
986
movement suspended & why?
What were basic differences between Nehru's 1
135 internationalism & Tagore's internationalism? Why 1*25 150
986
Tagore was called a Spiritual Ambassador?
Discuss briefly the basic aims with which the Indian
National Congress was founded. When & under 1
136 1*35 200
what circumstances did it decide to have complete 985
independence from British Rule as its goal?
Both Gandhi & Nehru were interested in India's
economic development, but there were some basic 1
137 1*35 200
differences in their approach to this problem. Point 985
out clearly those basic differences.
Explain briefly the nature & activities of either
1
138 Theosophical Society of India or Servants of India 1*10 50
985
Society.
 The 19th century is generally called a period of
Indian Renaissance. Which were the major special 1
139 1*35 200
reform movements of this period & what changes 984
they bring about?
What was Cripps Mission? Why did its failure result
into Quit India Movement? Mention briefly the 1
140 1*35 200
major developments after this movement leading to 984
the independence in 1947.
Point out clearly the contributions of Gandhi & 1
141 1*25 150
Tagore to the social & cultural life of India. 984
Explain briefly how the ideas & experiments of the 1
142 Soviet Government in USSR influenced poet 1*35 200
983
Tagore, Gandhi & Nehru.

The economic policies followed by the British led to

the transformation of India's economy into a
colonial economy. They disrupted the traditional 1
143 1*35 200
structure of the Indian Economy. Explain how this 983
happened with special reference to agriculture, rural
employment & development of our industries.
Explain briefly Gandhi's views on religion & its
1
144 relation to politics. Were these views shared by 1*35 150
982
Nehru?

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 1
145 1*35 150
(communalism) is our fault, of course & we must 982
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'.
What was the role of Gandhiji in eradication of
untouchability & to what extent did he influence the 1
146 framers of the Constitution & government policy in 1*25 200
981
this regard? What further steps should be taken to
wipe out untouchability?
How the integration of Princely States into 1
147 independent India was achieved? What important 1*25 200
981
forces/factors helped the unification of India?
 The 2nd half of the 19th century witnessed in India a
strong wave of reformation in the spheres of religion 1
148 & society. What part was played in this directly or 1*25 200
980
indirectly by RajaRam Mohan Roy, Keshab Chandra
Sen & Justice M.G.Ranade?
What were the main reasons for the decision of the
British Government to leave India after transferring 1
149 1*25 200
power to the people of 'British India' & the 'Ruler's 980
of Indian States?
Describe the main contribution of Jai Prakash 1
150 1*30 200
Narayan to the Indian society & politics. 979

We may divide the syllabus in following parts –

1. Revolt of 1857 & its after-effects
2. Cultural Awakening
3. Indian National Congress (1885-1905)
4. Partition of Bengal
5. Moderates, Extremists, Revolutionaries
6. Gandhi Era
7. Constitutional Activities, non cooperation & Civil disobedience
8. Towards Partition
9. 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)