SELF STUDY HISTORY

Q. “Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s token currency scheme was an innovative economic experiment in medieval India, but its failure exposed the limitations of State control over the medieval economy.” Evaluate. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351) is one of the most debated rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He was highly educated and interested in philosophy, mathematics and administration, […]

Q. How far can the Qutub Complex at Mehrauli be considered as an ideal specimen for the study on the development of architecture under the Delhi Sultanate? Analyze. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: The Qutb Complex at Mehrauli in Delhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1993), is the earliest major group of Islamic monuments in north India. […]

Q. “The success of the Cholas as an imperial power rested not only on the administrative efficiency, but also on a well-organized army and a formidable navy.” Evaluate. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: The imperial Cholas (c. 850–1279 CE), founded by Vijayalaya’s capture of Thanjavur around 850, became the most powerful dynasty of medieval south India. Under […]

Q. “With the Reform Act of 1832 began an activity in reconstructing legislation to which there had been no parallel in British history.” Critically examine. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: The Reform Act of 1832, passed by Earl Grey’s Whig ministry after a prolonged constitutional crisis, is often treated as the starting point of Britain’s “Age of […]

Q. “Aurangzeb’s religious policy was a reflection of the changed political realities of the Mughal Empire. Elucidate.” [UPSC- 2025] Ans: Aurangzeb (r. 1658–1707) is often remembered as an orthodox Sunni ruler who reversed Akbar’s policy of tolerance. He reimposed jizya, ordered the destruction of some temples, enforced Islamic law, and dropped several court practices seen […]

Q. Akbar’s Rajput policy was shaped by considerations of factional politics in the Mughal court. Discuss. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: Akbar’s policy toward the Rajputs was one of the most significant features of his reign. Beginning with his marriage to the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amber in 1562, he brought most Rajput states into the […]

Q. The emergence of Gandhi signified the Indianization of the national movement.” Analyze with reference to his early movements between 1917–1922. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: Before Gandhi, the Indian national movement was largely led by an English-educated elite. The Moderates used constitutional methods, petitions and speeches in English, and their audience was mainly the British government […]

Q. “The pre-Marxian socialist thinkers envisioned socialist societies without fully considering the practical mechanisms for achieving or maintaining them.” Critically examine. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: The term “pre-Marxian socialism” refers to the socialist thinkers of the late 18th and early 19th centuries who responded to the inequalities of early industrial capitalism and the unfulfilled promises of […]

Q. “In the Soviet Union, as also in China, there was a strong belief that anti-imperial movements in the colonies would result in their moving into the socialist orbit.” Critically examine. [UPSC- 2025] Ans: From the Bolshevik Revolution onward, Soviet and later Chinese leaders believed that imperialism was the “weakest link” of world capitalism. In […]

Q. The Vienna Settlement of 1815 was based on three principles, restoration, legitimacy and compensation. Elucidate. [UPSC- 2026] Ans: The Congress of Vienna (September 1814 – June 1815) was convened after the defeat of Napoleon to redraw the map of Europe. It was dominated by the great powers: Austria (Metternich), Britain (Castlereagh), Russia (Tsar Alexander […]