History Optional : PYQs

Administration, Economy, land grants, coinage, trade guilds and urban centres

1. The discovery of monsoons by Hippalus gave a new direction to Indo- Roman trade during the Satavahana period. Comment. [2019, 15 Marks]

2. Trace the role of guilds and trade organizations in the development of early Indian economy. [2015, 15m]

3. Justify Pliny’s statement the Rome was being drained out of its gold by India during the fi rst century of the Christian era. [2012, 30m]

4. Assess the role of guilds and trade organizations in the development of early Indian economy. [2010, 30m]

Buddhist Centres

1. Explain the social aspects of Buddhism and account for its decline in India. [2004, 60m]

Sangam Literature and Culture

1. The accurate picture of the complex socio-cultural milieu of Peninsular India is presented in the early Sangam literature. Delineate. [2017, 15 Marks]

2. “Not only does ancient Tamil literature furnish an accurate picture of widely disparate classes; it also describes the social condition of Tamil country as it was.” Discuss. [2015, 10m]

3. How do recent archaeological fi ndings and Sangam literary texts enlighten us about the early state and society in South India? [2008, 60m]

Polity and Administration

1. Discuss the provincial and district administrative units of the Gupta Empire with the designations and functions of the offi cers. [2014, 15m]

2. Describe the expansion of the Gupta Empire under Samudragupta. [2006, 30m]

3. What are the salient features of the administrative system of the Guptas? [2005, 60m]

4. Examine the information of FaHien about the political, religious, social and economic conditions of India. Make a comparative study of his account with that of Yuan Chawang. [2003, 60m]

5. Who were the Maukharis? Discuss their political relations with the Later Guptas of Magadha. [2000, 60m]

Economic conditions, Coinage of the Guptas, Land grants, Decline of urban centres, Indian feudalism, Caste system, Position of women

1. How did the Varnashram Dharma manifest the increasing social complexities in the Gupta and Post- Gupta period arising from social and economic developments? [2021,15 marks]

2. Do you agree that the system of land grants from the Gupta-Vakataka period was connected with the decentralisation of state in any way? [2019, 20 Marks]

3. The second urbanization gave rise to the organized corporate activities that reached their zenith during the Gupta period. Discuss. [2017, 20 Marks]

4. What were the privileges granted to the donees in land-grant charters of early India? How far were these charters responsible for integration or disintegration socio-political milieu? [2014, 20m]

5. Give an account of the use of gold coins by commoners in the Gupta Period. [2009, 30m]

6. Throw light on the condition of common man in the Gupta period. [2007, 60m]

7. Assess the status of women in India from c. 4th century BC to c. 6th century AD. [2005, 60m]

Education and educational institutions; Nalanda, Vikramshila and Vallabhi, Literature, scientific literature, art and architecture

1. ‘Sanskrit literature of classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India’. Evaluate the statement with representative examples. [2020, 15 Marks]

2. Discuss the experimentations with art and architecture during the Gupta- Vakataka period. [2018, 15 Marks]