Medieval India: Previous Years’ Questions with Solutions
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| 1. Early Medieval India, 750-1200 |
| (i) Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs
(ii) The Cholas: administration, village economy and society (iii) Indian Feudalism; Agrarian economy and urban settlements; Trade and commerce (iv) Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order; Condition of women (v) Indian science and technology
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Polity: Major political developments in Northern India and the Peninsula, origin and the rise of Rajputs
Q.. Internal strife and conflict beset with personal ambitions was enough of an invitation for the Ghurids to invade India. Discuss.
Q. Bring out the salient features of the polity & social structure of the Rajputs. To what extent were they responsible for the weakness of the Rajputs to the foreign invaders?
“The inferior cavalry of the Rajputs was not the only cause of their defeat at the hands of Turko-Afghans and Mughal.” Comment.
The Cholas: administration, village economy and society
Q.. “The Chola rulers were not only mighty conquerors, efficient administrators but also builders of fine temples.” Comment. [UPSC- 2021]
Q. Analyze the significance of the Uttaramerur inscriptions of the Chola King Parantaka I.
Assess the importance of the Cholas in the history of South India.
OR
Critically evaluate the achievements of the Cholas.
OR
Critically assess the period of the Cholas in the history of South India.
Were the Chola village assemblies democratic in nature? Give reasons for your answer.
OR
Write a short essay on: “Local self-government under the Cholas.”
OR
Describe the village administration of the Chola period as known from the Uttaramerur inscriptions.
The Cholas are said to have established a strong and well organized administration with an element of self-government at the local level. Do you agree? Give reasons.
OR
What were the salient features of the bureaucratic machinery of the Cholas?
Show that the administrative system in India reached a very high level during the Chola period.
How far can the village assemblies or communities under the Cholas be really called democratic?
Assess the contribution of the Cholas in the expansion of Indian culture outside India.
Evaluate the role of nadu and nagaram in the growth of urbanisation under the Cholas.
Evaluating various theories regarding the Chola State, throw light on its village assemblies.
Extra Question and Answers
Give an account of development of Art and Architecture during Chola rule.
Indian Feudalism; Agrarian economy and urban settlements; Trade and commerce
Q.. Large number of land grants in hitherto non-arable tracts invariably meant expansion of agriculture in early medieval India. How did the management of hydraulic resources (different types of irrigation works) facilitate expansion of agriculture in this period? [UPSC- 2021]
Write a short essay on: “Applicability of the term ‘Indian Feudalism’ to early Medieval Society.”
OR
What kind of changes were visualized by historians on Indian feudalism? Examine critically.
To what extent ‘monetary anaemia’ afflicted the erstwhile commercial economy during the early medieval period?
Q. Critically analyse the agricultural economy from 750 to 1200 CE.
Extra Questions and Answers
“Land grant was at its height in early medieval period.” Throw light on land grant types and its ideological background.
Society: the status of the Brahman and the new social order; Condition of women
Q. Explain the ingredients of the transitory nature of the early medieval India.
Give an account of the society in Northern and Central India since the death of Harsha to the Muslim conquest of North India.
Write a short essay on: “Social structure of the Rajputs.”
Extra Questions and Answers
“Indian society in early medieval India was not static but extremely vibrant and responsive to changes taking place at that time.” Comment.
Trace the technological development in the early medieval India with special reference to agriculture technology.
| 2. Cultural Traditions in India, 750- 1200 |
| (i) Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma Mimansa
(ii) Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism (iii) Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India (iv) Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting |
Q. The 11th-12th centuries C.E. saw eventful progression in the cultural history of India. Discuss.
Philosophy: Skankaracharya and Vedanta, Ramanuja and Vishishtadvaita, Madhva and Brahma Mimansa
Q. Assess the statement that ‘the philosophy of Shankaracharya revolutionised religious thoughts in India’.
How did Sankaracharya seek to integrate the different religions cults in India?
OR
Write a short essay on: “Shankaracharya’s philosophy and its impact.”
OR
“Sankaracharya brought about a synthesis of ideas and philosophies.” Discuss the statement and analyse the historical significance of his life and thought.
Write a short essay on: “The Vedanta of Sankaracharya”
Extra Questions and Answers
“Adi Shankara was not an ivory tower philosopher; he was political sage, engaging with and responding to the historical context of his time.” Elucidate.
Religion: Forms and features of religion, Tamil devotional cult, growth of Bhakti, Islam and its arrival in India, Sufism
Q.. “Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Islamic/Hindu societies to any appreciable extent.” Comment for/against. [UPSC- 2015]
Q.. Discuss the attitude of Chishti saints towards the state. How were the Suhrawardi saints different in their attitude towards the government? [UPSC- 2021]
How the establishment of Delhi Sultanate played a role in the rise of Bhakti Movement in North India?
Evaluate the impact of the Sufi and Bhakti Movements on vernacular languages and life and thought of the common people.
Write a short essay on: “Origin of the Bhakti Movement”
Write a short essay on: “The Sufi Movement and its role in promoting communal harmony”
OR
Write a short essay on: “Sufi Movements”
OR
Write a short essay on: “Sufism in North India”
“The tenets of Hindu and Muslim mystics were similar enough that the ground was ripe for syncretic movements involving adherents of both religious.” Elucidate.
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Assess the contribution of the Acharyas in the development of the ideological basis of Bhakti.
Bhakti and mysticism of Lal Ded emerged as a social force in Kashmir. Comment.
Extra Questions and Answers
Describe the main elements of Philosophy of “Tasawwuf”.
Literature: Literature in Sanskrit, growth of Tamil literature, literature in the newly developing languages, Kalhan’s Rajtarangini, Alberuni’s India
Q. Comment on the veracity of Alberuni’s account of the Indian society.
Discuss the salient features of Indian society on the eve of the campaigns of Mahmud of Ghazni, with particular reference to the observations made by Al-Biruni.
Write a short essay on: “AI- Biruni’s India”
Write a short essay on: “Alberuni on science in India”
Evaluate the ‘Kitab al-Hind’ of Alberuni as a source of history of India.
Q. Do you consider the Rajatarangini of Kalhana to be a reliable source of the political history of Kashmir? Why?
Write a short essay on: “Kalhan as a historian”
Assess Kalhana’s views on History.
Evaluate Rajtarangini as a source of history.
Art and Architecture: Temple architecture, sculpture, painting
Critically evaluate the contribution of Rashtrakutas to art and culture.
How far do you agree with the view that temples in early medieval period were catalysts in spreading education?
Discuss the Caurapancashika and Jain styles of paintings. Can the Caurapancashika style truly be called the precursor of pothi format?
Give a brief account of the early medieval temple architecture of Kashmir.
Why is Mamallapuram famous?
Extra Questions and Answers
“The temple in medieval north India was not just a religious institution.” Elaborate.
Give an account of regional architecture developed in Eastern India in medieval period.
| 3. The Thirteenth Century |
| (i) Establishment of the Delhi Sultanate: The Ghurian invasions – factors behind Ghurian success – Economic, social and cultural consequences
(ii) Foundation of Delhi Sultanate and early Turkish Sultans – Consolidation: The rule of Iltutmish and Balban |
Q.. How did international trade support urbanisation in North India during the 13-14th century CE. [UPSC- 2020]
Q. To what extent was the Caliphate the source and sanction to the legal authority of the Sultans of Delhi?
Q. Assess the causes of the defeat of Northern Indian States against the Turkish invasion. [UPSC, 2020]
Critically examine the different views on reasons behind success of Turks in conquering India.
Q. Evaluate the contents of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri as a source of medieval history.
Q. Do you consider Sultan lItutmish to be the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate? Discuss. [UPSC-2021]
Comment on “Balban’s theory of kingship.”
Give an estimate of Ghiasuddin Balban.
Write a short essay on: “The ‘Corps of Forty’ and its relations with the Sultans.”
Assess the contribution of Iltutmish for the expansion and consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate.
Analyze the steps taken by Razia Sultan to strengthen her position as an independent ruler despite various obstacles.
What measures did Balban adopt to combat the Mongol menace?
Extra Questions and Answer
“Consolidation and decline of the Sultanate were largely the result of constructive and destructive activities of nobles.” Elucidate.
Delineate the trade and commerce in the 13th and 14th century.
Evaluate the contribution of Razia Sultan in Delhi Sultanate.
“The Sultanate policy for tackling Mongol menace had elements of aloofness, appeasement and resistance.” Elucidate.
| 4. The Fourteenth Century |
| (i) “The Khalji Revolution” – Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures
(ii) Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq (iii) Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate (iv) Foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account |
Q.. Discuss the importance of Iqta system. How did it help in centralization of administration of the Delhi Sultanate. [UPSC- 2021]
“The Khalji Revolution”- Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures
Q. Elaborate upon the agrarian reforms of Alauddin Khilji. [UPSC, 2020]
Q. The economic measures of Alauddin Khalji were aimed at greater political control. Discuss.
Critically examine the views of Balban, Ala-ud-din Khalji and the Tughluq on the nature of Kingship under the Delhi Sultanate.
What were the aims of Alauddin Khalji behind his market regulations, and how far were they achieved?
OR
Critically examine the price control measures of Alauddin Khilji. What was the main objective behind them and how for was he able to put them into effect?
OR
Critically examine the economic regulations of Ala-ud-din Khalji.
Bring out the essential features of the administration of Ala-ud-din Khalji.
OR
Examine the significance of Alauddin Khalji’s administrative reforms. Was he really successful in implementing these measures?
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Assess the impact of the market reforms of Alauddin Khilji on contemporary economy and society.
Write a short essay on: “The Khalji Revolution”
Q.. Why is the reign of the Khaljis known as the ‘Khalji Revolution’? [UPSC-2021]
Analyse the ordinances mentioned by Barani which Alauddin Khalji promulgated for market control.
Q. Evaluating the theory of kingship of the Sultanate, discuss the deviations seen in the reigns of different Sultans.
Extra Questions and Answers
Critically evaluate Barani’s account as a source of history of Medieval India.
“The extensive military expeditions undertaken during the reign of Alauddin Khalji was significant but his reign cannot be considered significant in terms of only such expedition.” Elucidate.
“Economic regulations of Alauddin Khalji succeeded in preserving cheapness in the market of Delhi even during the years of drought but at the cost of infinite oppression. All his fantastic regulations died with him.” Explain.
Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq
Do you agree with the view that Muhammad Tughluq was ‘transcendent failure’? Why did he fail to achieve the ideals he had set for himself?
OR
Write a short essay on: “Experiments of Muhammad Tughluq”.
Write a short essay on: “The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughluq.”
Write a short essay on: “Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator.”
Extra Questions and Answers
“With the best intentions, excellent ideas, but no balance or patience, no sense of proportion, Muhammad Tughluq was a transcendent failure”. Elaborate.
Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate
Examine the responsibility of Firuz Tughluq for the fall of his dynasty.
Why was Firuz Tughluq regarded as an ideal Muslim king of medieval times?
Form an estimate of the personality of Firoz Shah Tughlaq with special reference to his religious policy and public works.
Extra Questions and Answers
Discuss the agrarian measures and public work activities undertaken by Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account
Discuss evidence on slavery provided by Ibn Batuta with special reference to female slaves.
What is your assessment of Ibn Batutah’s Rehla as an important source of Indian history.
Extra Questions and Answers
What do you know about the Tughlaq ruler in Delhi Sultanate from the account of Ibn Battuta?
| 5. Society, Culture and Economy in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries |
| (i) Society: composition of rural society, ruling classes, town dwellers, women, religious classes, caste and slavery under the Sultanate
(ii) Culture: Persian literature, 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 (iii) Economy: Agricultural production, rise of urban economy and non-agricultural production, trade and commerce
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Society
Q. Critically evaluate the Muslim Nobility during the period of Tughlaq dynasty. [UPSC, 2020]
Q. “The policy of creating heterogeneous nobility by Muhammad Tughlaq started the process of disintegration of Delhi Sultanate”. Explain.
Analyse the social composition and the role of mobility under the successors of Iltutmish. How did it affect the contemporary politics?
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Culture
Q.. Identify the different categories of Persian literature which emerged during the Delhi Sultanate. [UPSC- 2021]
Q. Describe the new architecture features added by successive Sultans in the construction of Tombs in India.
Where, when and how did Urdu originate?
Q. “The period of Delhi Sultans witnessed the emergence of Indo-Persian culture.” Discuss the statement with reference to developments in the fields of language.
Write a short essay on: “Indo-Islamic architecture during the Khalji and Tughluq period.”
Write a short essay on: “Ziauddin Barani as a historian.”
Write a short essay on: “Amir Khusrau was an eminent poet not a historian.”
Critically evaluate the educational development during Sultanate period.
Trace the technological and stylistic development in the architecture of the Sultanate period.
Discuss the advancement made in textile technology under the Delhi Sultans.
Economy
Q. Some new crafts production were introduced by the Turks. Comment. [UPSC, 2020]
Q.. Evaluate critically the conditions of labour from 1200 to 1500 CE on the basis of historical sources. [UPSC- 2013]
Q. Delineate the state of agriculture during Sultanate period.
Q. Evaluate the conditions of industries in India from 1200 to 1500 CE.
Identify the main factors that sustained the expansion of urban economy in the Delhi Sultanate.
Examine the increasing importance of maritime trade of India during thirteenth to fifteenth centuries.
Throw light on the Land Revenue System of Sultanate period.
OR
Discuss in brief the land-revenue system and judicial administration of the Delhi Sultanate.
Delineate non—agricultural production and urban economy in the 13th and 14th centuries C.E.
Extra Questions and Answers
Give an account of major craft and technology introduced in India during Sultanate period.
How Amir Khusrau contributed to the poetry, literature, language and history during the Sultanate period? Can he be considered as a historian?
| 6. The Fifteenth and Early Sixteenth Century |
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(i) Political Developments and Economy: – Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids (ii) The Vijayanagra Empire (iii) Lodis (iv) Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun (v) The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration (vi) Portuguese Colonial enterprise (vii) Bhakti and Sufi |
Political Developments and Economy: – Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Bengal, Kashmir (Zainul Abedin), Gujarat, Malwa, Bahmanids
Assess the rule of Zainul Abedin in Kashmir.
Assess the contribution of Firoz Shah Bahamani and Mahmud Gawan in the field of education.
Write a short essay on: “The Bahmani kingdom”
Assess the Lekhapaddhati as an important source for evaluating the society and economy of the thirteenth century CE with special reference to Gujarat.
Discuss the state of society and economy of the Bahmani kingdom as gleaned from historical sources.
Evaluate Jonaraja’s account of the reign of Zain-ul-Abidin.
Extra Questions and Answers
“Mahmud Gawan was a competent general, effective administrator and a patron of art and education.” Comment.
Q.. Give a brief description of the features of the Bahmani Administrative System.
The Vijayanagra Empire
Q.. The prolonged conflict between the Vijayanagara Kingdom and the Bahmani successor states was influenced less by cultural factors, and more by strategic and economic considerations. Comment. [UPSC- 2022]
Q. Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of fort, Brahmanas and dispersed tribal groups. Comment. [UPSC, 2020]
Q. Describe in details about the foreign travellers’ accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom. [UPSC, 2020]
OR
Evaluate the accounts of foreign travellers about the Vijayanagar Empire. [UPSC, 2017]
Give an account of the polity and society of Vijayanagara empire under Krishnadevaraya.
OR
Mention the salient features of the polity of Vijayanagara Empire under Krishnadevaraya.
(Note: For society under Vijayanagara, see next question-answer)
Discuss the social dynamics in the Vijayanagara Empire.
On the basis of contemporary sources evaluate the system of agriculture and irrigation of the Vijayanagar kingdom.
To what extent is ‘Segmentary State’ model relevant for defining the Vijayanagar State? Critically examine.
Extra Questions Answers
“Religion and religious classes played an important role in the Vijayanagar Empire.” Comment.
What light do inscriptions and accounts of European travellers throw on Nayankara and Ayagar system of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Lodis, Mughal Empire, First phase: Babur and Humayun
Q.. Examine the causes of Babur’s success against the Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. [UPSC- 2021]
Q. Give your assessment of Bahlol Lodi’s relation with his nobility. [UPSC-2021]
Comment on the Turko-Mongol theory of sovereignty. To what extent was it adopted by Babur and Humayun?
Extra Questions and Answers
Explain the development of the Mughal concept of sovereignty under Babur and Humayun? How it reached at its climax under Akbar?
“Humayun tumbled through life and tumbled out of it.” Comment.
“Babur’s advent into India contributed towards strategic and military field and establishment of the prestige of crown.” Elaborate.
“Baburmnama is not merely soldier’s chronicle of marches and countermarches…they contain the personal impressions and acute reflections of a cultured man.” Explain.
The Sur Empire: Sher Shah’s administration
Q. Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and agricultural reforms. [UPSC, 2020]
Bring out the significance of the reign of Sher Shah in the history of India?
Examine the major contributions of the Sur rulers to the administrative system.
Write a short essay on: “Sher Shah combined in himself qualities of lion and fox.”
Make a comparative review of the agrarian reforms of Alau-ud-Din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri.
Portuguese Colonial enterprise
Write a short essay on: “Significance of the arrival of the Portuguese in India.”
Write a short essay on: “Portuguese control of the Indian Ocean and its impact.”
How was cartaz system used by the Portuguese to maintain their control over the oceanic trade?
Extra Questions and Answers
How did arrival of Portuguese affect existing trade system of Indian ruler and merchants?
How did advent of Portuguese influence the Indian trade?
Bhakti and Sufi
Q. The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain. [UPSC, 2020]
Q. “Bhakti and Sufi movements served the same social purpose.” Discuss. [UPSC, 2017]
Write a short essay on: “The Sufi Movement and its role in promoting communal harmony.”
OR
Write a short essay on: “Sufi Movements”
OR
Write a short essay on: “Sufism in North India”
What was the most significant contribution of Kabir and Guru Nanakdev to Bhakti movement?
OR
What impact did Kabir and Nanak leave on Indian Society and Culture?
OR
Discuss the growth of the Nirguna School of Bhakti Movement emphasising the contribution of Kabir and Nanak to it.
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Write a short essay on: “Chaitanyadeva and Vaishnavism”
Discuss and evaluate critically various trends in the historiography of Bhakti.
Evaluate the Malfuzat texts sources of medieval history.
Evaluate the contribution of Vaishnava saints to the growth of medieval Bhakti literature.
“Tantrism, if not in practice, at last on conception level challenged patriarchy.” Examine Tantrism specially keeping in mind the above context.
Extra Questions and Answers
Describe the influence of Sufism and Bhakti Movement on each other.
“Women participation in Bhakti movements contributed in emancipation of women.” Critically Examine.
| 7. The Fifteenth and early Sixteenth Century – Society and Culture |
| (i) Regional cultural specificities -Literary traditions – Provincial architecture
(ii) Society, culture, literature and the arts in Vijayanagara Empire. |
Discuss the development of art and culture under the Vijayanagar Empire.
OR
“Art, literature and culture reached a high level of development in the Vijayanagar Empire.” Discuss.
Write a short essay on: “Architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire.”
Discuss how Vijayanagar empire became the cultural capital of the south?
Make an estimate of Rana Kumbha as a patron of literature and art.
| 8. Akbar |
| (i) Conquests and consolidation of the Empire
(ii) Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems (iii) Rajput policy (iv) Evolution of religious and social outlook, theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy (v) Court patronage of art and technology |
Conquests and consolidation of the Empire
Write a short essay on: “Hemu Vikramaditya”
Establishment of Jagir and Mansab systems
Q. How was lqta system of the Sultans different from the Jagir system under the Mughals?
Bring out the main features of the Mansab and Jagir systems with special reference to the reign of Akbar.
Examine the Mansab and Jagir system by Akbar and its subsequent failure in the 18th century.
OR
Analyse the merits and demerits of the Mansabdari System. How did it work under Akbar’s successors?
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Write a short essay on: “Mansabdari System”
Extra Questions and Answers
What is Mansabdari system? Throw light on its significance during Mughal period.
Rajput policy
Q.. Discuss with relevant illustrations the relations between Akbar and the Rajput states. [UPSC- 2021]
Q.. Do you think that Akbar’s Rajput policy was a conscious attempt to incorporate the Indian ruling elite with the Mughal Imperial System?
Write a short essay on: “Rana Pratap’s patriotism was his only offence.”
Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support of the Rajputs; Aurangzeb destroyed it by alienating the Rajputs.” Discuss critically.
OR
“Akbar built the Mughal Empire by enlisting the support Rajputs.” Do you agree?
Describe the Rajput policy of the Mughal emperors. Do you agree with the view that the reversal of Akbar’s Rajput policy by Aurangzeb was responsible for the disintegration of the Mughal Empire?
Evolution of religious and social outlook, theory of Sulh-i-kul and religious policy
Q.. “Akbar wished to assert his strong belief in God, but his concept of the way God is to be worshipped was independent of either orthodox Islam or Hindustan.” Comment. [UPSC, 2018]
Highlight the catholicity of Akbar’s regime with suitable examples.
OR
Write a short essay on: “Religious tolerance of Akbar.”
OR
Trace the evolution of the religious views of Akbar. Write a note on his policy of Sulh-i kul.
OR
Write a short Essay on: “Implications of Akbar’s notion of Sulh-i-kul.”
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What motivated Akbar to enunciate Din-i-Ilahi? How far did he succeed in spreading it?
Was Din-i-Ilahi ‘a monument of Akbar’s folly’?
“In medieval Indian history Akbar was unique for his religio-political ideas and policies.” Analyse this statement.
Court patronage of art and technology
Give an estimate of Akbar as a promoter of technology.
| 9. Mughal Empire in the Seventeenth Century |
| (i) Major administrative policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb
(ii) The Empire and the Zamindars (iii) Religious policies of Jahangir, Shahjahan and Aurangzeb (iv) Nature of the Mughal State (v) Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts (vi) The Ahom Kingdom (vii) Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom. |
Changes in the composition of nobility from Akbar to Aurangzeb. Comment.
Write a short essay on: “Nurjahan”
Write a short essay on: “Dara Shikoh”
Extra Questions Answers
“Dara Shikoh was not only an enlightened paragon of the harmonious coexistence of heterodox traditions but also a patron of art.” Comment.
Critically evaluate Bernier’s account of India
What was the nature of the Mughal State? Give different interpretations.
Do you think that the Mughal state was a centralised state?
Analyze the controversial religious policies of Aurangzeb. Were his policies guided only by his puritanical mind?
Q.. Discuss the working of Zamindari System under the Mughal rulers. Also describe the role played by the Zamindars in the agrarian economy of Mughal Indian. [UPSC- 2018]
Delineate the relation between agrarian classes during Mughal India. How the disturbance of the tripolar relationship between jagirdar, zamindar and peasant caused the decline of the Mughal Empire in 18th century.
Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts
Q.. The late seventeenth century Mughal India is considered to be a period of Jagirdari crisis. Discuss. [UPSC- 2021]
Analyze the cause of the agrarian crisis of the Mughal Empire and briefly discuss the agrarian aspects of the peasant revolt against the Empire.
OR
On the basis of the accounts of Europeans bring out the agrarian crisis of the 17th century CE India.
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The Ahom Kingdom
Write a short essay on: “The Ahom Kingdom”
Give a brief account of resistance offered by Ahom State against the Mughal rule.
What were the major considerations and features of Mughal’s foreign policy in Northwest? How this policy formed under different Mughal rulers.
Extra Questions and Answers
How the conflict between Ahom Kingdom and Mughal took shape under different Mughal Emperors? What was the significant role played by Lachit Barphukan in this struggle?
Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom
Q.. Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar. [UPSC- 2020]
Q. Shivaji was not merely a military conqueror but also was an enlightened ruler. Discuss.
How did Shivaji organize his administration and finances to consolidate his power?
Give social background to the rise of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century.
| 10. Economy and Society in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries |
| (i) Population, agricultural production, craft production
(ii) Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies: a trade revolution. Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems (iii) Condition of peasants, condition of women (iv) Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth
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Population, agricultural production, craft production
Q.. The emergence of early capitalism in the Mughal period was primarily due to urbanisation and commercialisation. Comment.
Q. “An important feature of agriculture in Mughal India has been the large number of crops raised by the peasants”. Illustrate by giving examples.
Write a short essay on: “Estimates of population of Mughal India.”
Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies : a trade revolution. Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems
Write a short essay on: “The Mughals and the European trading companies.”
OR
Write a short essay on: “Mughals and the British East India Company.”
Discuss the different types of Karkhanas in Mughal India. How was the production organized in the different Karkhanas?
Medieval Indian towns were merely as extension of villages. Comment.
Give a sketch of Indian trade with Europe during the Mughal period.
Analyse the Mughal monetary system and examine their policy of minting of coins.
Condition of peasants, condition of women
Q. Will it be correct to say that the rural economy in Mughal India was relatively self sufficient? [UPSC- 2015]
Extra Questions and Answers
How and why hundis became an important form of money transaction during the Mughal period?
Q.. Discuss the forest dwellers and its interaction with outside in Mughal India.
Q.. Give a brief account of Women in Agrarian Society in Mughal India.
Was there any potentiality of emergence of capitalism in Mughal India along the lines of what happened in Europe? Discuss.
“Indian merchants were no more than peddlers.” Critically comment.
Evolution of the Sikh community and the Khalsa Panth
Q.. The religion of the Sikhs was the main force of their unity. Comment.
Write a short essay on: “Evolution of the Khalsa Panth” Comment.
Extra Questions and Answers
“The evolution of the Khalsapanth had background of persecution and struggle as well as changing nature of Guruship.” Comment.
| 11. Culture in the Mughal Empire |
| (i) Persian histories and other literature. Hindi and other religious literature
(ii) Mughal architecture (iii) Mughal painting (iv) Provincial architecture and painting (v) Classical music (vi) Science and technology |
Q.. Why should the sixteenth century be regarded as the period of Indian Renaissance? [UPSC, 2015]
Persian histories and other literature. Hindi and other religious literature
Q. Examine the status of Sanskrit in Mughal India.
Discuss the literature written in Hindi in Mughal India.
Trace the development of Persian literature in Mughal India.
What was the contribution of the Mughals to the development of education and literature?
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Write a short Essay on the development of Literature during Mughal Period.
Write a short essay on: “Babarnama as a source of history.”
Q. Discuss Tuzuk-i-Babari as a source of history of Medieval India.
How does Tuzuk-i-Babri testify that Babar had been a cultured man?
Extra Questions and Answers
“Badauni possessed an analytic independent mind with different views than official line.” Comment.
Mughal architecture
Q. The Mughals built like Titans and embellished like jewellers. Comment.
Q.. Examine the basic features of Mughal tomb architecture with special reference to the Taj Mahal. [UPSC- 2021]
Trace the development of art and architecture under the Mughals and point out mingling of Hindu elements in them.
Write a short essay on: “The zenith of Mughal architecture under Shahjehan”
Q. “The art of building was carried to highest degree of perfection under Shahjahan”. Illustrate by giving architecture details of two of his most celebrated buildings.
Explain the principal features of architecture during Akbar’s rule. What changes were made in them by Shahjahan?
Extra Questions and Answers
Delineate the development of Mughal architecture during the reign of Shahjahan.
Mughal painting
Q. Make an estimate of the development of paintings under Mughal rulers with special reference to colours, technique, themes and influences on them. [UPSC, 2020, 15 Marks]
Q. Delineate the development of the Mughal painting during the reign of Jahangir.
Q. How Mughal paintings reflect harmony in the then society during Mughal period?
Write a short essay on: “Narrative paintings under Jahangir and Akbar.”
Write a short essay on: “During the reign of Jahangir Mughal painting reached its zenith.”
Write a short Essay on: “Mughal painting”
What was the European impact on Mughal painting?
Extra Questions and Answers
Discuss the features of Mughal paintings which were adopted due to outside influence.
Q..“Mughal painting was not limited to court scenes only but encompassed all aspects of life in Mughal India.” In the light of given statement, give description of paintings in Mughal India which shows activities outside court scenes with examples.
Classical music
Q.. The various Gharanas of Hindustani classical music were outcomes of patronage by regional princely courts, rather than central imperial ones. Discuss. [UPSC-2022]
Science and technology
Write a short essay on: “Sawai jai Singh, the astronomer”
What was the Indian response to European Technology?
Assess the development of Science and Technology in the Mughal period.
| 12. The Eighteenth Century |
| (i) Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire
(ii) The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh (iii) Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas (iv) The Maratha fiscal and financial system (v) Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat:1761 (vi) State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest |
Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire
Q.. It was as much the court intrigues as also the defiance of the provincial powers that hastened the decline of the Mughals in the 15th century. Comment. [UPSC- 2019]
Q.. “The Afghan invasions in the Eighteenth Century not only signified the military irrelevance of the Mughal Empire but also hastened its decline”. Explain. [UPSC- 2018]
Q. Do you think that the agrarian crisis of the 17th century led to the disintegration of the Mughal empire? Discuss.
Q. In which respects did the policies of Aurangzeb contribute to the disintegration of the Mughal Empire?
“The expansion of Mughal Empire in Deccan brought about its decline.” Discuss.
Extra Questions and Answers
Discuss the region-centric approach of the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Discuss the Empire-centric approach, which identify the causes of the decline within the structure and functioning of the Empire, for explaining the Mughal decline.
The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh
Discuss the causes of the rise and growth of regional kingdoms with special reference to Deccan in the 18th century.
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Extra Questions Answers
“18th century India witnessed decline of centralised empire and created a political vacuum.” Critically comment.
Many regional kingdoms emerged in wake of decline of Mughals. Present classification of these kingdoms and throw light on their political system.
Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas
Why did the Marathas fail in establishing a lasting empire in India?
Compare the Peshwas’ bureaucratic management with that of the Imperial Mughal administration.
Extra Questions and Answers
How do you explain the rise of Maratha as a major power in Deccan towards the middle of the 17th century?
The Maratha fiscal and financial system
Write a short essay on: “Chauth and Sardeshmukhi”
OR
Write a short essay on: “The system of the collection of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by the Maratha rulers.”
OR
Write a short answer on: “Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Maratha rulers.”
Extra Questions Answer
Give a brief account of Maratha fiscal and financial system in 18th Century.
Emergence of Afghan Power, Battle of Panipat: 1761
Write a short essay on: “Third Battle of Panipat”
Write a short essay on: “Consequences of the Third Battle of Panipat.”
Extra Questions Answers
“The Third Battle of Panipat changed the power equation in India and left backdoor open for the English.” Explain.
State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest
Q. Critically evaluate history of the Eighteenth century India with reference to culture and economy. [UPSC, 2020]
General Studies Paper I Questions and Answers of Medieval India
The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? [UPSC, GS I, 2014]
Q. Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity? [UPSC, GS I, 2017]
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