SELF STUDY HISTORY

Q. In course of the 19th century, the agenda of social reform was gradually replaced by revivalism. Critically examine. [UPSC- 2024] Ans: In the early phase 19th century reforms, the dominant concern among many reformers was social reform: abolition of social evils, women’s education, widow remarriage, critique of caste, opposition to sati, and rational reinterpretation […]

Q. How did the factionalised Dalit leadership in Hyderabad undergo a period of intense re-organization between 1948 and 1953? [UPSC- 2023] Ans: The period between 1948 and 1953 was a crucial transitional phase in the history of Dalit politics in Hyderabad. The princely state of Hyderabad was integrated into the Indian Union after the Police […]

Q. Discuss the relationship between emergence of literature in vernacular languages and formation of regional identities in early medieval India. [UPSC- 2021] Ans: The early medieval period in India, roughly from the 6th to the 13th century CE, witnessed the rise of powerful regional kingdoms, temple-centred societies, agrarian expansion and new religious movements such as […]

Q. “Not until independence, when economic development became a conscious and pursued policy, did the Railways begin to realize their potential for assisting in the transformation of the Indian economy.” Critically examine. [UPSC- 2019] Ans: Railways were one of the most important modern infrastructural developments introduced in colonial India. The first railway line was opened […]

Q. “Under the forceful thrust of British colonialism, Indian economy was transformed into a colonial one, the structure of which was determined by the requirements of Britain’s fast developing industrial economy.” Examine. [UPSC- 2015] Ans: British colonialism did not merely politically conquer India; it fundamentally reorganised the Indian economy according to the needs of Britain’s […]

Q. The pace of commercialisation of agriculture increased as a result of British revenue policies in India. Critically examine. [UPSC- 2024] Ans: Commercialisation of agriculture means the production of crops primarily for sale in the market rather than for local consumption or subsistence. In colonial India, this involved the growing cultivation of cash crops such […]

Q. Political extremism in colonial India often converged with cultural nationalism, but not always. Comment. [UPSC- 2024] Ans: Political extremism in colonial India generally refers to the assertive nationalist politics associated with leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghosh. Political extremism emerged as a reaction against the limited […]

Q. Critically assess how the Battle of Plassey transformed mercenary forces into kingmakers in Indian politics. [10 Marks] NOTE: All those enrolled can send their answers for evaluation in PDF format after scanning (you can use any app) on selfstudyhistory@gmail.com Name your file as your name and day. For example, if your name is Ashok […]

Q. Critically assess how the Battle of Plassey transformed mercenary forces into kingmakers in Indian politics. [10 Marks] Ans: The Battle of Plassey was fought on June 23, 1757, between the forces of Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, and the British East India Company led by Robert Clive. It was a pivotal moment in Indian […]

Q. Critically examine how the Swadeshi Movement of 1905 foreshadowed the tactics of the Gandhian mass movements. [20 Marks] Ans: The Swadeshi Movement of 1905 arose in response to Lord Curzon’s partition of Bengal. Though officially justified on administrative grounds, the partition was widely seen as an attempt to divide Bengali nationalism on communal lines. […]