Books, Syllabus & Previous Years Questions Paper

Books for History and Culture

1. NCERT books
2. India’s Struggle for Independence – Bipan Chandra
3. India’s Struggle for Independence: 1857-1947
4. India Since Independence
5. A Brief History of Modern India 
6. India After Gandhi

Syllabus

• Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
• The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country.
• Post-independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the country.

Previous Years Questions Paper

Freedom Struggle

2019

1. The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule.
2. Many voices had strengthened and enriched the nationalist movement during the Gandhian phase. Elaborate.

2018

1. Why indentured labour was taken by the British from India to other colonies? Have they been able to preserve their cultural identity over there?

2017

1. Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.

2016

1. Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India.
2. Discuss the role of women in the freedom struggle especially during the Gandhian phase.
3. Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom.

2015

1. How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss.
2. It would have been difficult for the Constituent Assembly to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India in just three years but for the experience gained with the Government of India Act, 1935. Discuss.

2014

1. The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat?
2. Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.
3. In what ways did the naval mutiny prove to be the last nail in the coffin of British colonial aspirations in India?

2013

1. Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss.
2. Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom.
3. In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.

Post-Independence 

2019

1. Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s “Indian Renaissance” and the emergence of national identity.

2018

1. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi in the present times.
2. Discuss whether the formation of new states in recent times is beneficial or not for the economy of India.

2017

1. Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian Independence since the twenties of the last century.
2. The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What are the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?
3. Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.

2013

1. Critically discuss the objectives of Bhoodan and Gramdan movements initiated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave and their success.
2. Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawana Jai Kisan”.
3. Discuss the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to pre-and post-independent India.
4. Analyze the circumstances that led to Tashkent Agreement in 1966. Discuss the highlights of the agreement.
5. Critically examine the compulsions which prompted India to play a decisive roles in the emergence of Bangladesh.