UPSC IAS Mains History Optional Solved Exam Paper - 2011

 

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UPSC IAS Mains History Optional Solved Exam Paper - 2011

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:: Paper - I ::

Section A

1. Mark the following places on the map supplied to you and write short descriptive notes on them.

(i) Chirand
(ii) Kargil
(iii) Basohli
(iv) Lalitgiri
(v) Mandu
(vi) Penukonda
(vii) Samugarh
(viii) Vilinam
(ix) Sigiria
(x) Vikramashila
(xi) Mukhalingam
(xii) Halebid
(xiii) Sanghol
(xiv) Kumbharia
(xv) Sirpur
(xvi) Pangudaria
(xvii) Amarkantak
(xviii) Kibbanhalli
(xix) Jorwe
(xx) Badaun

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Answer.

(i) Chirand: Chirand lies on the bank of River Ghagra, 11 km to the east of Chapra in the state of Bihar. Excavations reveal that it was an important site from the neolithic period to the third century AD, and later during the early medieval period. The neolithic period was marked by the use of stone axes, blades, considerable bow implements, and antler implements. The discovery of rice, wheat, barley, mung and masur in charred condition, and paddy husk impressions on some burnt clay pieces bear testimony to the practice of agriculture. The radiocarbon date suggests that this period was contemporary with post­Harappa, but the relation between the two is not known. In the NBPW phase people used iron tools and weapons.

(ii) Kargil: Kargil is located in Jammu and Kashmir. It is famous as a tourist centre for the Suru valley, Sanphoo and Tangole village. A very ancient temple of Shiva here provides evidence that it might have been a centre of Saivism in Kashmir-famously known as Kashmir Saivism or Traika Saivism. The Buddhist settlement at Rangdum and the rock carvings at Mulbek and Fekar corroborate the place’s importance as a Buddhist centre. Kargil was recently in the news because of the incursion of Pakistani-based infiltrators into the region. India launched ‘Operation Vijay’ to clear the incursion, and thus foiled the attempts of Pakistan to occupy Kargil.

(iii) Basohli: Basohli is a town and a Notified Area Committe in Kathua district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated on right bank of the river Ravi. It was founded by Raja Bhupat Pal in 1635. It was known for magnificent palaces which are now in ruins and miniature paintings (Basohli Paintings).

(iv) Lalitgiri: Lalitagiri, located in the state of Orissa, dates back to the first century AD. Recent excavations here have brought to light significant archaeological material that upholds Lalitagiri as a great centre of Buddhism. The majestic ruins of the huge brick monastery, the remains of a chaitya hall, a number of votive stupas and a renovated stone stupa at the apex of a small rugged sandstone hill are among the finds.

(v) Mandu: Mandu, the ruined city also known as Mandava and Mandogarh, is located in southwestern Madhya Pradesh. Mandu was fortified during the rule of the Parmars of Malwa region. The famous Parmar ruler, Munja, built the Munja Sagar Lake here. During the medieval period, Mandu came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate. Later, it was ruled by the sultans of three Pathan dynasties. Dilawar Khan Ghur established a dynasty here in 1401. His son and successor, Hoshang Shah, built Mandu as his capital. Hoshang Shah died in 1435, and was entombed in a splendid mausoleum which still ‘exists at Mandu. On Hoshang’s death, his son, Ghazni Khan, ordered his capital Mandu to be called Shadiabad (City of Joy).

(vi) Penukonda: It is a small town situ­ated to the south-east of Puttaparthi in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It was the strategic Citadel for the Vijayanagar emperors from the 14th to the 16th century. It also served as the chief headquarters of the Aravidu rulers after the collapse of Vijayanagar empire.

(vii) Samugarh: Samugarh is located near Agra in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It is historically important because of the Battle of Samugarh, fought between Aurangzeb and his brother Dara for the Mughal throne after emperor Shah Jahan. It was here that Aurangzeb inflicted a crushing defeat on his brother.

(viii): Vilinam : Vilinam was a port situated in Kerala under Pandya Kings. Rajarajan began his career by the conquest of the Chera country. He defeated Chera King Bhaskara Ravivarman, whose fleet he destroyed in the port of Kandalur. He also seized Pandya Amara Bhujanga and captured the port of Vilinam.

(ix) Sigiria: Sigiria is located in Sri Lanka and its history dates back to over 7,000 years to prehistoric times. A rock shelter mountain, it had a monastery from about third century BC with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Sangha. The garden city and the palace were built by the Ceylonese King, Kashyapa (477-495 AD) at Sigiria to escape from the armies of Moylena. Kashyapa is said to have built his palace on the summit of Sigiria.

(x) Vikramshila: Vikramashila is situated on the banks of River Ganga in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. It has been identified with the place called Anti Chak. Vikramashila attained fame as a university sustaining it for over 400 years from the eighth century AD to the 12th century AD. The university was founded by the Pala king, Dharmpala of Bengal. Subjects like grammar, logic, metaphysics, and rituals were taught here. Vikramashila was also an important centre of Tantrism or the Vajrayana sect of Buddhism which was given patronage by the Pales of Bengal. However, the University of Vikramashila was completely destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji’s attack.

(xi) Mukhalingam: Mukhalingam is situated in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as Dakshin Kasi for its religious environs. It was the capital of the Eastern Gangas of Orissa during the 10"’ C AD. The temple of Sri Mukhalingam was built in the Eighth century AD by kamarnava II of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

(xii) Halebid: Halebid is also known as Dwarasamudra, is situated 27 km to the north-west of Hassan and 17 kin to the east of Belur in modern Karnataka. It flourished as a capital of the Hoysala Empire during the 12’h and 13" century. Halebid is famous for its star like temple built by the Hoysala rulers. Other famous temples at Halebid are Hoyasalesvara temple and Kedareshvara temple.

(xiii) Sanghol: Sanghol is situated 40 km from Chandigarh, and is now part of Fatehgarh Sahib District of Punjab. It is one of the most important Buddhist sites. The site is known for its relics dating from late Harappan civilisation (2300-1750 BC to sixth century AD). This place finds mention in a Buddhist text of the second century AD and the Chinese pilgrim, Hsuan­Tsang is believed to have visited this place, where he saw about 10 monasteries. The remains of the stupa laid bare at Sanghol reveal the novelty of the architectural plan and the imposing size of the monument in earlier times. Gold coins of the Kushanas and Samudra Gupta have also been discovered. A copper coin discovered from this place discloses the name of Chandra Gupta l.

(xiv) Kumbharia: Kumbharia is a village in Kutch distinct of Gujarat. It is situated at a distance of 14 km from Anjar town and taluka headquarter. Kumbharia is one of the 19 villages founded by Kutch Gurjar Kshatriyas or Mistris. These Mistri community first moved into Saurashtra from Rajasthan in early 7th century and later a major group entered Kutch in 12th C. AD and established themselves at Dhantei.

(xv) Sirpur: Sirpur is a town in Adilabad distirct in Andhra Pradesh. Sirpur is a thousand year old village famous for the Sirpur paper mills. In 1724 AD Nizm-e­Mulk defeated Mubariz Khan and took possession of the Deccan and began to rule.

(xvi) Pangudaria: A few years ago a new minor edict has been discovered at a site called Pangudaria in Sehore District of Madhya Pradesh. In this edict the region south of Vidisha is mentioned as Majhema Desa. According to the inscription, a Buddhist monastery was set up at the site was called Upanitha Vihara. The site of Pangudaria was on the route going from Vidisha to South India after crossing the river Narmada.

(xvii) Amarkantak: Amarkantak means the one with the voice of the God. Amarkantak is a pilgrim town in Anuppur distirct of Madhya-Pradesh. Amarkantak was given in dowry to the Kalachuri king by the Chedi King (10-11 “‘ C. AD). The Kalachuri Maharaja Kamadeva (1042-1072) had constructed temples at Surajkund. In 1808, Amarkantak was ruled by the king of Nagpur and later came tinder the British rule. The Machhendranath temple is one of the famous temples of Amarkantak.

(xviii) Kibbanahalli: Kibbanahalli is situated in Tumkur district of Kamataka. Kibbanahalli is an impor­tant pre-historic site which belongs to the lower palaeolithic period. The ragi grain is found commonly in pre-historic sites of Africa and Karataka. Later around 30 BC to 230 AD, the Satavahnas of Paithar oiled the area.

(xix) Jorwe: Jorwe is a village and an archaeologi­cal site located on Pravara. a tributary of the Godavari river in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The site was excavated by HD Sankalia and SB Dco in 1950-51. In the middle of the 2"d millenium BC, the Jorwe culture, a deccan chalcolithic culture, derived its name from this village and flourished in the whole of Maharashtra, except in the Konkan and certain parts of Vidharbha. It was characterised by the distinct type of painted pot­tery, a blade-flake industry of chalcedony, as well as tools and ornaments of copper.

(xx) Badaun: Badaun, now in Uttar Pradesh, was a province during the Delhi Sultanate period. Iltutmish was iqtadar of Badaun before becoming the sultan. After that, the iqta (province) of Badaun became a prestigious one. The famous Muslim writer in the court of Akbar, Abdul Qadir Badayuni was born here. He wrote Muntkhwab-ul-twarikh which throws light on Mughal rule and Emperor Akbar’s deeds Badaun remained a centre of activities during the later periods as well. It was a part of the Oudh state and later came under British control.

Q2. Trace the development of urbanization form the third millennium B.C.E. to 6th century B.C (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q3. (a) Evaluate the conceptual basis of the Vedic deities. Q3 (b) Assess the importance of Jain tenets and their relevance to humanity.  (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

4. (a) Evaluate the introduction of iron technology in the development of human history of ancient India. (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q4 (b). Discuss the types of lands and the science of agriculture mentioned in the literature and epi­graphs of ancient India.

Answer:

Land was divided into many types in ancient times according to contemporary literature and epi­graphs. The land was divided according to their use, utility and location. Various types of land in ancient India were:­

(i) Krishta: Cultivated Land
(ii) Akrishta: Uncultivated Land
(iii) Sthala: High And Dry Ground
(iv) Kedara: Fields Having Crops
(v) Arama: Grooves of Trees
(vi) Shanda: Plantation of Fruit Trees
(vii) Mula-vapa: Fields and Farms Growing Gin­ger and Other Roots.
(viii) VATA: Plantation of Sugarcane

Earlier agriculture was practiced with the help of wooden ploughshare. It had its inherent limitation that it cannot dig deep thus limiting the production. Refer­ences from the contemporary texts suggest that the iron technology increased during 60OBC-300BC. Now people knew the art of maintaining high temperature. Due to the movement towards east, the Aryans came in the proxim­ity of iron sources. The availability of abundant iron ores plus the technology of manufacturing and use of iron tools and implements increased. With the help of iron ploughshare and iron axes, farmers can now dig deeper and clear the jungle with more ease. All these factors increased in agricultural production and laid to the expan­sion of economic base.

Contemporary texts and epigraphs also corroborate the fact that wet paddy cultivation replaced the conven­tional method of paddy cultivation. With the large scale clearance of the extremely fertile middle Gangetic plain and the introduction of new farming techniques like wet paddy cultivation, the production per hectare doubled. Thus the agricultural production increased which fur­ther widened the economic base.

Q4 (c). Assess Ellora as a unique art centre of the dif­ferent cultural streams.

Answer.

Situated at a distance of 30 km from Aurangabad, Ellora is a world heritage site. It was built by the Rashtrakuta Kings. It represents the epitome of Indian rock cut architecture. The 34 caves actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Chandragiri hills. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples and Viharas and Mathas were built between the 5th century and 10th century. The 12 Buddhist (caves 1-12), 17 Hindu (caves 13-29) and 5 Jain (caves 30-34) caves built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony preva­lent during this period of Indian history.

Cave no. 6 is the earliest Buddhist cave followed by 5, 2, 3, (right wing) 4. 7, 8, 10 and 9, Caves 11 and 12 were the last. All the Bud­dhist caves were constructed between 630-700 AD. Most famous of the Buddhist cave is cave 10, a Chaitya hall (chandrashala) or Vishvakarma cave popu­larly known as the “Carpenter’s Cave”. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a Cathedral like hall also known as Chaitya, which ceiling has been carved to give the impression of wooden beams. At the heart of this cave is a 15 foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose. Amongst other Buddhist caves, all of the first nine (caves 1-9) are monasteries. The last two caves Do Tal (cave II) and Tin Tal (cave 12) have three storeys.

Hindu Caves were constructed between the middle of sixth century to the end of the eighth century. The early caves 17-29 were constructed during the Kalachuri period. These were followed by two most impressive caves- 29 and 21 during the Rashtrakuta period. Cave 16 also known as the Kailasanatha is unrivalled centerpiece of Ellora. This is designed to recall Mount Kailash- abode of lord Shiva, looks like a free standing multi storeyed temple com­plex, but carved out of one single rock and covers the area double the size of Parthenon in Athens.

The Dashavatara (cave 15) has an open court with a free-standing monolithic mandapa at the middle and a two storeyed excavated temple at the rear. The finest relief of this cave is the one depicting the death of Hiranyakashipu. Other notable Hindu caves are the Rameshvara (cave 21) which had the figurines of river goddesses Ganga and Yamuna and Dhumar Lena (cave 29) which is similar to the Elephanta cave. Two other caves, the Ravan Ki Khai (cave 14) and the Nilkantha (cave 22) also have several sculptures. The rest of the Hindu caves, which include the Kumbharvada (cave 25) and the Gopilena (cave 27) have no significant sculptures. The five Jain caves at Ellora belong to the ninth and the tenth centuries. They all belong to the Digambara sect. They reflect special dimensions of the Jain Philosophy and Tradition. They reflect a strict sense of asceticism and are not relatively large as compared to others. The most remarkable of the Jain shrines are the Chhota Kailash (cave 30), the Indra Sabha (cave 32) and the Jagannath Sabha (cave 33), Cave 31 is an unfinished four-pillared hall and shrine. Cave 34 is a small cave, which can be approached through an opening on the left side of cave 33.

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Section B

5. Write short notes in not more than 200 words on the following:
(a) Assess the contribution of Iltutmish for the ex­pansion and consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer.

lltutmish was the real founder of Delhi sul­tanate. He made Delhi his capital instead of Lahore by defeating his two main rivals Nasiruddin Qubacha (Gov­ernor of Uch) and Tajuddin Yaldoz (Sultan of Gazni) by diplomatically declining the request of Jalaluddin Mangbarani (son of Khwarizmi Shah), of a refuge, he saved India from the wrath of Chengez Khan’s army. He completed the construction of Qutub Minar which was started by Aibak. He also introduced Silver Tanka (175 gms) and Copper Jital coins, thus monetizing economy. Further, he got a letter of investiture from Caliph of Baghdad in 1229. Thus he became the first legal sover­eign and founder of the sultanate. In the field of educa­tion, he founded the Nasiriya College in Delhi in the memory of his son Nasiruddin Mahmud.

He created Turkan-i-Chahalagami or Chalisa. This was the body of Shamsi nobles who assumed the role of king makers, Thus giving Delhi sultanate a strong administra­tion initially. It was the other matter that these nobles as­sumed the usurper role when the king became weak. He also introduced the Iqta system in India for the first time. An Iqta was a piece of land given to any sultanate official in lieu of services. It was the revenue that was given and not the land itself. From the money generated from the land, he can keep one part for his own expenses and the other part for the maintenance of troops. He had to con­tinuously visit the royal durbar as a mark of honour and submission for the Emperor. By this arrangement, Iltutmish created a body of trusted slaves (Iqtadars were mostly slaves) who could be summoned at any time. All this led to the expansion and consolidation of Delhi sultanate.

Q5 (b). Examine critically the agrarian and economic reforms of Alauddin Khalji. How did it strengthen the Sultanate?

Answer.

The agrarian and economic reforms done by Alauddin was for strengthening the state. But it left a big question mark on the utilitarian aspect.

The tax collectors were instructed to extract money from every kind of pretext and with regard to Hindu chiefs and revenue collectors, special economic pressure (banned Kismat-i-Khote) was applied so as to grind them down to abject poverty. He ordered strict enquiry, audit and control on the accounts of the Iqtadars and they were put under constant surveillance. He also levied Kharaj, Jazia, and Karai-Gharia-Charai on peasants, which in itself was a harsh measure on already suffering peasants. He asked the peasants to sell the surplus on the thrashing itself. The merchants were forced to settle on the banks of river Yamuna and they were to buy from the peasants at a fixed price and sell them to the state mandi at a fixed price. He also introduced measurement of land (Zabita) as the basis for the assessment and Biswa was the standard unit of measurement. Alauddin maintained a large army. But how would he pay such a large army? One way was to increase the salary, which was not pos­sible. Hence he pursued with his market reforms.

To make his soldiers happy, he administered the price of all market goods. He created a new ministry­Diwan-i-Riyasat to overview reforms and Malik Kalur was made its head. He issued three set of regulations ­grain market (Sahna-i-mandi), cloth and groceries market (sarai adl) and horses, cattle and slave market. His poli­cies were highly successful as no revolt took place against them. But there is other side of the coin too. It was an artificial policy which interfered in the production of goods and manipulated the market forces. By administering the prices, he mitigated the dividends of every strata of the society viz peasantry, artisans, nobles, merchants. By affecting their purchasing power, it made them weak and powerless, so that they never think of revolting. By pro­viding cash salaries to the soldiers he monetized the economy to a lesser extent but it also put the masses in a state of deprivation, as the granaries were full, but they could not buy the food. All this impoverished the peas­ants so much that there is doubt, even soldiers would have benefitted from his policies, as most of them had an agrarian link.

Q5 (c). What is your assessment of Ibn Batuta’s Rehla as an important source of Indian history?

Answer.

Ibn Batuta was one of the greatest travelers who visited India and left the useful account of the con­ditions prevailing in India during the reign of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq who appointed him as the Qazi of Delhi. During his stay of fourteen years, he collected a lot of information and compiled them in Kitab-ul-Rehla. In Rehla, he gives first hand information about Geography, social conditions and day to day life of the people. He specially deals with Indian trade, industry, transport, ag­riculture, weights and measures, shipping, etc. He de­scribed the qualities of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, role of Ulemas and courtiers, military and provincial administra­tion. He also dealt with the different revolts that took place during the sultan’s reign and how he tackled them. But his work suffered from a number of setbacks. Firstly, being a foreigner he could not converse to collect first hand information. Secondly, he did not bother about the chronological sequences. Lastly, he mixed certain gos­sips and rumors with the facts which raised certain doubts about the credibitity of his accounts. But despite these shortcomings, Rehla is a valuable contemporary source of Tughlaq’s regime. It provided the first hand informa­tion about the conditions prevailing in the fourteenth century India.

Q6. Evaluate the socio-economic conditions from the Gupta Period of 1200 C.E. as gleaned from the various types of grants of Dana Shasana. (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

7. (a). Mughal paintings reflect the contemporary socio-political conditions.-Discuss. (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q7 (b). Examine the Mansab and Jagir system by Akbar and its subsequent failure in the 18th century. (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

8. (a) Discuss the causes of the rise and growth of regional kingdoms with special reference to the Deccan in the 18th century.

Answer:

Nizam-ul-Mulk appointed as the Wazir of the Mughal Empire (1772-24) by Mohammed Shah resulted in his disgust with Mughal court poli­tics and his march to the Deccan without waiting for the Emperor’s permission. The reforms initiated by Nizam include the establishment of peace and secu­rity by suppressing all disaffected nobles and putting down theft and robbery, efforts to stop the plundering raids of the Marathas (though partially successful) and revival of agriculture and industry by giving in­centives to farmers and craftsmen. Hyderabad gained its ascendency dur­ing the days of Nizam-ul-Mulk.

The first Peshwa (Balaji Vishwanath) concluded an agreement with the Sayyed brothers (1719) by which the Mughal Emperor recognized Sahu as the king of the Swarajya. During the 18th century in Deccan, there was the growth and rise of Peshwaship which provided solidarity to the Maratha rule. During the days of Baji Rao-I, there was rise of Maratha confederacy which facilitated the expansion of Maratha domination in north as well as in south. He defeated and expelled the Siddis of Janjira from the mainland (1722), conquered Bassein and Salsette from the Portuguese in 1733 and defeated Nizam near Bhopal and concluded the treaty of Durai Saran, by which he got Malwa and Bundelkhand. During the Peshwaship of Balaji Baji Rao an agreement was signed between the Mughal Emperor and Pashwa (1752) by which the latter would protect the Mughal Empire from internal and external enemies in return of the chauth and sardesmukhi of the north-western provinces and the total revenue of Agra and Ajmer provinces.

There was also the rise of the autonomous state of Carnatic with Arcot as its capital by Saadutullah Khan in the 18th century. Under the leadership of Hyder Ali Mysore rose. He conquered several territories -Coorg Malabar, Bellary, Goofy, Cuddapah, etc. His administrative reforms also made Mysore one of the leading Indian powers. He was succeeded by Tipu Sultan. Tipu was the only Indian to have understood the importance of economic strength as the foundation of military strength. His other reforms include attempts to introduce modern industries by importing foreign experts and extending state support to many industries. He also sent ambassador to France, Turkey, Iran and Pegu to develop foreign trade, attempted to set up a trading company on European lines and introduced a new system of coinage, new scales of weights and measures and a new calendar. The revenue reforms of Tipu include abolition of the Jagir system and also by reducing the hereditary possessions of the Potigars. He also planted a tree of liberty at Sringapatnam and became a member of Jacobian club. Mysore reached its zenith during his reign.

Q8 (b) Assess the contribution of the Cholas in the ex­pansion of Indian culture outside India.

Answer:

During the days of Raja Raja-l, Bay of Bengal was called the lake of Cholas. He captured Maldives, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and many other small islands like Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Malaya. The Cholas gave India a strong navy. This navy helped in the diffusion of Material Culture in the South-East Asian Countries. Trade between India and south-East Asia helped in the Indianization of south-East Asia and China. Chinese Song dynasty reports that an embassy from Chulian (Chola) reached the Chinese court in the year 1077 and that the possible king was called Ti-hua kin- to (Kulothunga Chola I). This embassy was a trading Venture and was highly profitable to the visitors, who returned with 81,800 strings of copper coins in exchange lot articles of tributes including glass articles and spices. A fragmentary Tamil inscription found in Sumatra cites the name of a merchant guild Nanadesa Tisaiyayirattu Ainnutruvat (The five hundred from the four countries and the thousand directions), a famous merchant guild in the Chola country. The inscription dated 1088 AD indicated that there was an active overseas trade during the Gupta period.

Indian languages like Sanskrit, Pali and Tamil had a considerable long term impact upon the linguistic and intellectual cultures of south east Asia during the Chola period,. There is an evidence to show that the king of Kambuja desa (Cambodia) sent on ornamental chariot to the Chola Emperor, probably to appease him so that his strategic attention does not extend further than the Malaya Peninsula. Talking of impact, after 8th centuries (from Kulothunga’s time) and Islamic conversion, Indonesia still has a high regard for their connections with the Cholas. The Indonesian museum is housed in an Old Russian whiskey-class submarine. This was named Posopoti, one of the names of the Hindu God Shiva. Still existing fact is the cultural ties spread by the Chola navies. The motto of the Indonesian navy Jalaseva Jayambe’ which is Sanskrit for “on the sea we arc glorious”. There were many surviving examples of the temples built around Dravidian architecture in Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Hindu temple complex at Prambanan in Java clearly showed Dravidian architectural influences. An early silver coin of Uttam Chola found in Srilanka also showed Tiger emblem of the Cholas. Angkor Vat in Cambodia is one of the largest Hindu-Buddhist temples in the world also shows Dravidian style of architecture. The ruin of Ayutthaya in Thailand was named after Ayodhaya. Rajendra I sent diplomatic mission in 1015 and 1033,, and the Chinese emperor recognized the Chola Kingdom as one of the great tributary states. Suryavarman II builder of Angkor Vat temple sent a precious Jewel to Kulottunga, who then donated it to the temple of Chidambaram in 1114. Even the Burmese king Kyanzitta wrote a letter on golden leaves to the Chola rulers. All this showed great diplomatic relation between the Chola and South East Asian nations which must have enabled the great merchant guilds of south India to conduct their international business undisturbed.

:: Paper - II ::

Section A

Q 1. Critically evaluate the following statements in about 200 words each:
(a) “The need for unilateral transfer of funds to Britain was a constant factor and, in fact, pro­gressively increased over time.”

Answer:

To the early rule of the company, the beginning of the economic exploita­tion can be traced. It was realized soon that wealth was flowing out to Europe and restrictions were put on Indian Goods. Britain forbade the sale and use of printed and dyed cloth to save their own mills in Lancashire and Manchester in the first quarter of the 10th century. After 1813 the company was forced by law to export every year a specific value to British manufacturers and placing some specific amount of shipping at the disposal of British exporters. It is re­vealing to know that parliamentary select committee of 1812 made efforts to discover how Indian manufacturers could be replaced by British manufacturers. Six million pounds were drained out between 1759 and 1765 from Ben­gal alone excluding the trading profits of the com­pany. Various means were adopted in taking out wealth from India like salaries, income, savings and pensions of Britishers working in India.

Con­sisting of payment of interest on the Indian public debt, on the guarantee to railways, cost of military wars and cost of secretaries of state establishment, the home charges of GOI were also a burden. The expendi­ture of Indian office was charged on India budget and also the profit of private foreign capital invested in trade or industry in India. All the capital that flowed into In­dia for railways, irrigation works and other projects was nothing but the previous outflows from India. Also the inflow of capital did not represent and genuine transfer of resources from Britain to India. Most of the public debt was political in character. With the increase in public debt, interest changes also increased. Taxation imposed to meet this burden was highly impressive. The increase in public debt was met by increasing the tax on salt. 75% of the tax revenue was derived from sources that hurt the masses.

British manufactures benefited by the policy of free trade followed by the Government of India. India admitted British Goods free or at minimal taxes while charges were maximum on Indian commodities in India. India wit­nessed an export surplus indicating that no investments were made in India by capital inflows. The investment of the foreign capital was not really beneficial. Railways were built and expanded to suit the British needs but not Indians. Even the postal system than came into existence in 1853 was also exploitative in character.

Q1 (b). “Young Bengal left little distinctive or perma­nent impression on the plane of religion and philosophy.”

Answer:

The Young Bengal movement owed its origin to a most remarkable personality of the 19"’ C-. He was appointed in the Hindu college as a teacher of English Literature and History. Henry Lotus Vivian Derozio promoted radical ideas through class lectures and by organising student societies for debates and discussions on history, philosophy, science, literature and religion. Derozio urged his pupils to live and die for truth to cultivate and practice all the virtues, shunning vice in every shape. Derozio inspired these students to think rationally and freely, to question all authority, to love equality, liberty and fraternity and to regard truth.
He accepted those moral values in the religion which render welfare service to humanity. Derozio attacked on priesthood and rituals and emphasized on the individuals rights to interpret religious scriptures in the light of human reason and human welfare. Derozio stressed that in every field modern and scientific approach and techniques should be adopted. He exercised unprecedented influence over his pupils and was one of those rare teachers whose attachment to knowledge, love of truth and hatred of evil made a profound impression. All the leading movements of the period were connected with it. Thus it is not correct to say that Young Bengal movement left little, distinct or permanent impression on the plane of religion and philosophy.

Q1 (c) “The emergence of left-wing group in the Con­gress radicalized its social and economic agenda.” (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

2. (a). “The Charter Act of 1833 rung down the cur­tain on the Company’s trade and introduced a new concept of government in India.” Substanti­ate.

Answer:

East-India Company was a private con­ tern run by proprietors who formed an executive body­Court of Directors. The Company faced financial bank­ruptcy and in 1772 applied to British government for loans. Pitts India Act fixed two masters for India, the Company and The British government. The former’s hold gradually weakened during the first half of the 19th century. By the Charter Act of 1813, the Company lost its monopoly of Trade in India which was now open to all British people. The Charter Act of 1833, completed the introduction of free trade in India by abolishing the Company’s monopoly of trade in tea and trade with China. The Company was also asked to wind up its commercial activities in India. Thus, the commercial functions of the British Indian Adminis­tration were done away with.

On the basis of charter act 1813 the trade monopoly of east India Company ended and Indian market kept open for the manufactured goods from Britain then the charter act 1833 was natural corollary immediate deduction conclusion. The liberal and utilitarian thinker of Britain had been pressuring the British govt. of Britain to bring essential administrant of India.

The trade monopoly of east India Company including Chinese trade and tea trade was totally abolished. There was attack even over the trading right of east India company and company was supposed to come trite over the administration of India. Law making power of provinces was taken back only centre could make law for provinces so giving consideration to these added responsibilities a law member was attached to governor general in council. As law member Lord Macaulay was appointed. In charter act of 1833 it was clearly mention that in govt. appointment there would be no discrimination on the bases of caste, community region etc. The administration of East India Company could not satisfied of the capitalist class in Britain. According to British capitalist the govt. of east India company was not working honestly for promoting British goods in India so there was consistent pursue to their side to take administration of India by British crown directly in hand.

The Charter Act of 1833 marks the beginning of Governor ­General Legislative Council by the addition of new mem­ber for legislative work and was known as law member. Lord Macaulay was the 1" law member. Removal of colour bar in public offices and posts of Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector created to which Indians could hope to rise. The Act also removed the restriction over immigration and acquisition of land and property in India. Thus the Act was able to complete financial and legislative centralisation. It ultimately proved to be the death of decentralisation and of presidency system and intro­duced a new concept of government in India.

Q2 (b) “Orientalism produced a knowledge of the past to service the needs of the Colonial State.” Elu­cidate.

Answer:

European academic and popu­lar discourse about the Orientist called Orientalism. The Orient has been significant for the fact, that the Company have had its richest and oldest colony here. The Orient has also been Europe’s cultural contestant owing to its large legacy it left to the world. British Orientalism was a unique phenomenon in British Indian history that was inspired by the needs of the East India Company to train a class of British Admin­istrators in the languages and cultures of India, so that they can exploit the country to the maximum.

British Orientalists were believed to be a group who reflected the 18th C. ideals of nationalism, classics and cosmopolitanism. They studied and analysed the In­dian philology, archaeology and history. But the facts were reinterpreted to serve the colonial interest.

Governor General Wellesley established the college of Fort William for those Company servants who would be employed in the field in 1800. Orientalists be­lieved that “to rule India pervasively, we must know India thoroughly, to know India we must know its past and to gain maximum booty we must reinterpret it to suit the colonial interests better”. Although the works of the British Orientalists were helpful for Indians also to know about their past cultural heritage but it was not the motive of the Company, they dug the past of the Indians for better colonial exploitation of the slave country and to enrich the wealth of the Company.

Q2 (c) “The vernacular press in nineteenth century India served not just as newspapers but more importantly as views-papers.” Comment.  (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

3. (a). “In 1857, the rebel sepoys showed a remark­able centripetal tendency to congregate at Delhi.” Do you agree? Substantiate.

Answer:

The Sepoys from Meerut on 11th of May 1857, entered the Red Fort and appealed to Bahadur Shah II to become their ruler. The Mughal Emperor, who had actually been a weak ruler with little powers, sud­denly became the rallying point of all those who wanted to put an end to foreign rule. Even in regions where there was no large-scale uprising, unrest prevailed, caus­ing panic in the British ruling circles. The provisional government was set up in Delhi. Though the above given facts shows a remarkable centripetal tendency of sepoys to congregate at Delhi but it only partially true. First of all, the revolt was due to several other factors, there was no nationalist sentiment behind the revolt.

The discontent was rising against the colonial rulers during those days and Indian soldiers were bound to be influenced through it. There were widespread peas­ants and tribal revolts against the exploitative colonial rulers. The increased misery which the common people has to suffer affected the soldiers directly as they were part and parcel of the Indian society. Besides, the Indian soldiers had their own specific grievances be­cause of which they became the pioneers of the revolt.

The Indian soldiers could not hope to rise in the hierarchy of the Army as the avenues of promotion were closed to them. The higher posts in the army were reserved for European Officers. There was great dispar­ity between the salaries of Indian and European sol­diers, the Indian soldiers were treated by their Euro­pean officers with contempt. The Indian soldiers were asked to fight outside India, across the sea, which offended their religious sentiments. Christian mission­aries were allowed to preach in the Indian regiments. Thus a conviction grew that their religion is in danger. The immediate cause of revolt was the issue of greased cartridges, the cartridges were smeared with fat of cows and pigs. Thus the congregation of sepoys at Delhi was not entirely out of nationalist sentiments but it was more to give a positive political meaning to the revolt and to provide a rallying point for the rebels. The truth is evident from the fact, that even Bahadur Shah II was not aware of the sepoys’ movement towards Delhi.

Bahadur Shah vacillated as he was neither sure of the intentions of the sepoys nor of his own ability to play an effective role, when the sepoys asked him to provide the leadership. The Mughal was king only in name and do not have power in real sense as of now.

Q3 (b) “Tribals revolted more often and far more vio­lently than any other community including peas­ants in India.”Elaborate.

Answer:

To safeguard their honour, protect their cherished freedom and to get redressal against the money lenders tribals revolted. Their religious beliefs were also sculled at, when their freedom was attacked and their traditional beliefs and customs, civil rights, judicial system standards and etiquettes, prestige and code of honour was brushed aside. Coping all the above miseries was the policy that was adopted by the British Raj towards them. The government primarily concentrated in punishing the raiders. sending expeditions, disarming the tribes and flag march from time to time.

Due to all these reasons there were many tribal revolts in India. Between 1765 and 1857 a large proportion of revolts were led by Hindu or Muslim petty rulers or Rajas or Nawabs or tribal chiefs supported by masses of peasants and sometimes de­mobilized soldiers. Like Moplah uprising, Sanyasi uprising, Pagal Panthis revolt, Fakir uprising, Velu Thampi Revolt, Pabna uprising, revolts of Ho and Kol tribes, Romosi uprising, Khasi uprising, Kuka revolt, Wahabi movement, Kittu Chenamma revolt, Dinghpos revolt, Gadkari uprising, Ahom uprising, Bhyuan and Juang uprising and Munda uprising, Sawantwadi Revolt, Bundella revolt, Sambalpur revolt, Paik rebellion, Poligai Rebellion, Khond uprising, Santhal revolt, Indigo revolt, Deccan riots. Koyna rebellion, Naikada movement. The goals of these revolts were expulsion of the British and reversion to the previous government and agrarian relations.

But the movements after 1850’s were large insur­rections in which the peasants provided the leadership and were the sole dominant force. They fought directly for their demands and against the indigenous zaminadars. moneylenders, alien rulers and planters. These revolts proved wrong the assumption that the Indian downtrodden has always been passive docile, fatalistic and unresisting. The historical significance of these revolts lie in that the established strong and valuable tradition of resistance to British rule upon which the Indian people were to draw inspiration in later nationalistic struggle. Also by these revolts the vulner­able sections of the society were made apprehensive of their political, social and economic rights. Intact they showed better appreciation of the means of the colonial rule than the educated and bourgeoisie class.

4. (a) “Nehru’s ‘temple of Modern India’ consisted not only of steel and power plants, irrigation dams, but included institutions of higher learning, par­ticularly in the scientific field.” Elaborate.  (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q4 (b) Would you agree that India’s effort to pursue an independent foreign policy was a highlight of post 1947 politics? (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q5. Critically evaluate the following statements in about 200 words each: (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

(a) “The promptings of the heart are more to be trusted than the logic of the mind.” Rousseau.  (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q5 (b) “The peace of Versailles lacked moral validity form the start.” (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q5 (c) “The collapse of Berlin Wall in 1989 brought new ideas of co-operation in Europe.” (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

6. (a) “The roots of Chartism are partly political and partly economic.” Elaborate.

Answer:

Chartism was a national, political, eco­nomic and social movement, associated with working class radicalism during the mid 19th century. The move­ment was named after Peoples’ charter of 1838. The six main aims of the movement were­

(i) A vote for every man over 21,
(ii) Secret ballots,
(iii) No property qualification for MPs,
(iv) Salaries for MPs,
(v) Equal Constituencies and
(vi) Annual Parliaments.

The economic causes of the movement were­

Firstly: Industrial and agricultural workers disliked the new conditions.of the 19'” century factory discipline, low wages, periodic unemployment and high prices.

Secondly: There was a series of fiscal crises in 1830s. Those who were in power from 1830 to 1841, were weak in economic strategy and left a huge defecit on leaving office. They made no attempt on reforming banking or the currency.

Thirdly: Taxation fell mainly on the working class in indirect taxation. At least 16% of real wages were consumed by taxes. The abolition of income tax in 1816 worsened the situation. The real value of wages was diminished and bad harvests made things worse.

The political causes were:

Firstly: The working classes had given massive sup­port to the middle class campaign for the 1832 Reform Act because they had been drawn by the possibility of the franchise or legislation to help them. The working class was dissatisfied because the 1932 Act did not enfranchise them.

Secondly: Subsequent Whig reforms came as a bitter disappointment and actually hurt the working man. Middle class representation led to middle class legislation, so chartists sought a political solution to their economic and social problems.

Thirdly: Early trades union failed. Legislation in 1824 and 1825 repealed the Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 and unions were again allowed, subject to many restric­tions. Many unions had been established after 1825 but failed to bargain effectively with employers.

Q6 (b) “ Whoever says Industrial Revolution, says cot­ton.” Comment.

Answer:

Industrial Revolution started chiefly front the textile industry. In the middle of the 18th century, Europe had two methods of producing yarn : Spinning wheel and Distaff. England imported cotton cloth from India. But later on imposed several restrictions upon imports from India swhen the use of man-power was replaced by machines in textile industry. The idea of planting spinning and weaving machines took a con­crete form due to technical innovations which had been made for many decades in the past.

In 1733 a weaver called John Kay (1704-64) invented a ‘Flying Shuttle’ by which the work of weaving cloth could be done quickly. This raised production. In 1764, James Hargreaves invented “Spinning Jenny” which spun eight yarns at a time. In 1769, Richard Arkwritgh improved “Spinning Jenny” and made a weaving machine called the water frame which worked with water power and with it the Industrial Revolution started.
In 1779, Samuel Crompton combined the mechanism of spinning Jenny and water-frame and made a new machine called the ‘Mule’. As a result of these inventions, huge stock of fine yarn came into the market and the use of weaving machines increased. In 1785, Edmund cartright invented “Power Loom”. It could be operated both by steam-power and water­power. After few years, power loom became an integral part of every factory. When the supply of cotton for spinning machines fell short, Elley Whitely invented a cotton ginning machine called “Cotton gin” (1793). That machine brought revolution in the cotton industry. The chain of inventions also continued in the Nineteenth century. In 1825, Richard Roberts made the first automatic weaving machine. After 1846, fine ready-made clothes were sold in the market on a large scale because an American citizen Alias Hobbe had invented the sewing machine.

Hence cotton played an important part in the development of industrial revolution. It is rightly said if there were no cotton, there would not have been industrial revolution.

Q6 (c) “By 1914, the sick man of Europe was no longer just Turkey; it was Europe itself.” Explain.

Answer:

In the 19th century Ottoman Turkey’s economic conditions worsened. Turkey applied for loan to the Eruropeans, the loan was provided on the condition of trade privileges. Thus Turkey became dependent on Europe and its economic condition worsened further. On the other hand, the Europe appeared to be calm but from inside it was boiling like a volcano, which ultimately erupted in the form of World War -I of 1914, which ultimately coereced the whole world into war. The European order was indeed there but merely in appearance. The whole continent was in turmoil due to the system of secret and open alliances against each other, namely The Dual Alliance of 1879. Austro-Serbian alliance 1881. The Triple Alliance 1882, Triple Entente 1914. etc. The alignment of powers into mutually suspicious groups was fraught with dangerous consequences to international peace. Fed on the doses of militarism and sustained through secret parleys and agreements; such alignments of power intensified mutual rivalries setting.

In an age riven with imperialist ambitions, eco­nomic stakes characterised by struggles for markets, sources of raw materials and fields for investment of surplus capital led to frequent hostilities among states. It was, infact the unsatisfied imperialist quest on the part of the European countries that presaged the outbreak of the World War-I in 1914 and turned the whole Europe politically and economically sick.

7. (a). Explain how American imperialism in Philip­pines differed with European imperialism in Indonesia and Indo-China.

Answer:

The nineteenth to early twentieth cen­tury is known as the age of imperialism. During this time, European nations carved empires for themselves. It was a time of social Darwinism. During this time, US had just finished setting up its frontier and building up its economy. Although America did end up enter­ing into imperialism, it was imperialism of a far differ­ent form and method than that of the European na­tions. European imperialism in Indonesia and Indo­China is far older than the American imperialism in Philippines. Europeans captured these nations from the Local rulers of the countries. Whereas, America captured Philippines from Spain another European power.

European powers were interested in the spice trade of south-cast Asia. The European powers wanted to utilise the raw materials of the colonial states to feed their industries to produce finished goods, whereas there was no such motive of US in Philippines. Ameri­can interest in the Philippines was the result of a desire to expand its economic influence into the Pacific and Asia. US imperialism was also not nearly as systematic or accepted as European imperialism. US Administra­tion of the Philippines was always declared to be temporary and aimed to develop a free and democratic government. Europeans introduced into the colonies and tried to expand it by converting the local popula­tion to Christianity but there was no such in Philippines because the majority of the population was already Christian.

US ran the administration of Philippines with the help of military government whereas there was civil governments in Indonesia and China. The US was able to only partially control the Philippines whereas Euro­pean role in their colonies was all pervasive.

Finally, America supported Philippines to defeat Japanese forces in Philippines. Thus, with the help of Americans, philipines was liberated on 5 July 1945. Whereas in Indo-China and Indonesia. the colonial states themselves raised the freedom struggle and won independence as a result of their long drawn freedom struggle movements.

Q7 (b) How did the policy of appeasement escalate the problem of Nazi aggrandizement?

Answer:

Appeasement had a profound effect on the way international relations developed. Although it might have worked with some German Governments, with Hitler it was doomed to be a failure. It convinced Hitler of the complacency and weakness of Britain and France to such an extent that he was willing to risk attacking Poland there by starting the second world war. The Anglo-German Naval Agreement condoning German naval re-armament was signed without prior consultation with France and Italy. This broke “Stre’ a Front” and gravely shook French confidence in Britain. This policy of appeasement formed the ‘lust for power’ of Hitler. Neither Britain nor Prance intervened in the Spanish Civil War. To placate Mussolini and Hitler, Britain and France did not strictly enforce the economic sanctions that the league had passed against him. Similarly no steps were taken against the transgression of the Clauses regarding the demilitarization of Rhineland. Not only this when Germany attacked Austria and Czechoslovakia, Britain and France did not even raise a finger.
The Munich Pact greatly shocked Czechoslo-vakia as she had to cede to Germany an area of 11,000 square miles, strong fortifications, huge ordinance factory at Skoda and important railway lines. Taking advantage of this fact German troops occupied Sudetenland and Hungary took over the Magyar district of Czechoslovakia. Czech crisis highlights the issue of granting concessions to a military ruler which otherwise should be dealt strictly. This pact signal the death warrant to western democracies and it was only after this Hitter thought of annexing Poland. This Pact signified the greatest diplomatic victory of Hitler, based on terrorism. Also the Soviet government now started believing that France and Britain would always be weak and unreliable and hence Russia began to etertain seriously the idea of ‘doing a deal’ with Germany. Western inactivity was also noted by Japanese government and it was soon to announce plan for a ‘New Order’ in East Asia. Hence we can say that the policy of appeasement disheartened the German opposition to his rule. It sets up a bad precedence and re-inforces the resources of Hitler and the latter began to think more vigorously in terms of expansion and self aggrandizement.

8. (a) Would you argue that the Non-Aligned Move­ment played a crucial role in promoting a cli­mate of peace? (for Answer Join Online Coaching for IAS Mains Exam)

Q8 (b) Examine the challenges confronted by the pro­ponents of European unity after the collapse of Soviet Empire in Eastern Europe.

Answer:

The disintegration of USSR in the last decade of the twentieth century is the most significant event in the present history of the world. On Dec 26, 1991, the USSR was dissolved. After the disintegration of USSR. its hold over the eastern europe declined. The europe once again moved towards the road of unity but the road was not smooth and it had many thorns in its way. Europe is a geographical unit, a civilisation, a concept. It is the heart of the civilisation because Judaic, Greek, Roman and Christian traditions originated here and spread as far as the new world. Australia and New Zealand. But now after the collapse of the USSR, there is a wide gulf in between the Eastern and Western Europe. On the one hand Western Europe has recovered from the setbacks of the World War lI and is now developing well but on the other side, Eastern Europe is strugling for liberty, equality, health and wealth under the communist influence. This gap is to be bridged first, to realize the dream of one big Europe. Democracy, which is in vogue in Western Europe was finding the way difficult in the Eastern Europe. Though the influence of the communist Russia declined but there are many supporters of communist ideology in the Eastern Europe. In many countries viz, Poland, Romania and Czechoslovakia, etc, the elections held on democratic lines were full of anomalies. After almost two centuries, the Europe was again standing on the path of integration. Churchill had already underlined the idea of unification of Europe and said that it must be done on the lines of United Nation. But to be united, the differences need to be ironed out first.

There was a big challenge of collective security and defence, and economic development of Europe. Whereas the countries of Western Europe viz, France, Germany and Italy etc are well established industrial countries now there are no such developed countries in the eastern block. Moreover, the Western European countries have a number of institutions which are working very effeciently during the post war period such as Council of Europe, NATO, EDS (European Defence Community), Western European Union, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), European Payments Union, ECSC (European Coal and Steel Community). In eastern Europe also there are institutions such as Warsaw Pact. European Common Market Council of Mutral Economic Assistance and Common Form etc. For the unification of Europe, it is now required that either both Eastern and Western Europe join the existing institutions or form a new institution jointly.

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