History Optional : PYQs

Late Seventeenth century crisis and the revolts

1. The late seventeenth century Mughal India is considered to be a period of Jagirdari crisis. Discuss. [ 2021, 20 marks]

2. On the basis of the accounts of Europeans bring out the agrarian crisis of the 17th century CE India. [2013, 20 marks]

3. “The major cause of revolts against the Mughal Empire during the latter half of the 17th century was economic, rather than religious.” Discuss. [2009, 30 marks]

The Ahom Kingdom

1. Give a brief account of resistance offered by Ahom State against the Mughal rule. [2014, 10 marks]

2. Write a short essay on: “The Ahom Kingdom” [2008, 20 marks]

Shivaji and the early Maratha Kingdom

1. Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar. [2020, 10 marks]

2. Shivaji was not merely a military conqueror but also was an enlightened ruler. Discuss. [2019, 15 marks]

3. Give social background to the rice of the Maratha movement during the seventeenth century. [2012, 10 marks]

4. How did Shivaji organize his administration and finances to consolidate his power? [2010, 30 marks]

5. Were the Marathas restricted by their geopolitical limitations from becoming the paramount power of India? [2001, 60 marks]

Miscellaneous

1. 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. [2018, 20 marks]

2. Identify the broad contours of the Mughal foreign policy and their impacts on the Mughal empire. [2016, 15 marks]

3. Write a short essay on: “Dara Shikoh” [2006, 20 marks]

4. In what ways were Aurangzeb’s Rajput and religious policies different from those of his predecessors? What were the consequences of the changes made by him? [2004, 60 marks]

Population, agricultural production, craft production

1. “An important feature of agriculture in Mughal India has been the large number of crops raised by the peasants”. Illustrate by giving examples. [2018, 15 marks]

2. Will it be correct to say that the rural economy in Mughal India was relatively selfsuffcient? [2015, 10 marks]

3. State the structure of medieval village society in Northern India. What were the passive forms of resistance of the peasants in the medieval period? [2012, 30 marks]

4. Discuss the different types of Karkhanas in Mughal India. How was the production organized in the different Karkhanas? [2010, 30 marks]

5. Write a short essay on: “Estimates of population of Mughal India.” [2009, 20 marks]

6. Delineate the striking features of agricultural and craft production during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries in India. How did they impact the social fabric of the country? [2008, 60 marks]

Towns, commerce with Europe through Dutch, English and French companies: a trade revolution. Indian mercantile classes, banking, insurance and credit systems

1. The emergence of early capitalism in the Mughal period was primarily due to urbanisation and commercialisation. Comment. [2019, 20 marks]

2. “India had been for hundreds of years the Lancashire of the Eastern world.” Critically examine this view. [2014, 15 marks]

3. Analyse the Mughal monetary system and examine their policy of minting of coins. [2014, 20 marks]

4. Give a sketch of Indian trade with Europe during the Mughal period. [2013, 10 marks]

5. Medieval Indian towns were merely as extension of villages. Comment. [2012, 10 marks]

6. Critically evaluate various approaches to study medieval Indian towns. [2010, 20 marks]

7. Give your opinion on the urban development in India during the Mughal times. [2005, 60 marks]

Condition of peasants, condition of women

1. Assess the condition of peasantry during 13th to 17th centuries CE. [2017, 15 marks]

Evolution of the Sikh community and the KhalsaPanth

1. Discuss the transformation of Sikhs community from a Nirguna Bhakti sect into Politicomilitary organization. [ 2021, 15 marks]

2. The religion of the Sikhs was the main force of their unity. Comment. [2017, 10 marks]

3. Write a short essay on: “Evolution of the Khalsa Panth” Comment. [2008, 20 marks]