Ancient & Medieval Indian History : Question Bank for 2017

These are Questions on Ancient & Medieval India

Answer all questions. Marks are provided against each question.

1.       “The Purusha-sukta in Book 10 of the Rig Veda Samhita refers to four social groups—Brahmana, Rajanya, Vaishya, and Shudra, though the word varna is not mentioned.” Critically analyse.        [15]

2.       The expansion of agriculture and especially the cultivation of rice led to a virtual demographic revolution. It has been suggested that there is a definite relationship between rice growing areas and a higher fertility rate. Evaluate this statement in the context of the society during the period of the Buddha.         [20]

3.       “One can read, or even write, about the events of the past without wanting to know why they happened. Then one should not call oneself a student of history or a historian.” [E. H. Carr]. In light of this, explain the concept and tools of historiography.   [15]

4.       Is it correct to use the term ‘Neolithic Revolution’? Discuss major theories of domestication of plants and animals during Neolithic period.            [15]

5.       Highlight the Harappan Civilisation with special emphasis on Crafts, Trade and Religion. [20]

6.       Put forth the characteristics of Early, Middle & Upper Palaeolithic period in the sub-continent.            [15]

7.       The Political History of Southern India during (500 – 750 C E) is mired with the confrontation between Chalukyas of Badami and the Pallavas. Do you agree?     [10]

8.       The Narada Smriti asserts that subjects owe the king revenue as a reward for the protection he provides them. Kamandaka’s Nitisar advises the king to be like a florist or milkman in matters of taxation. In this context, examine the revenue resources for the state during the Gupta period.    [20]

9.       In ancient Indian social structure, discuss the philosophy behind marriages. What were the different types of marriages prevalent?          [20]

10.   Bring out a comparative analysis of the six schools of Hindu philosophy        [20]

11.   With illustrations, bring out the stylistic differences between pillar, stupa and rock-cut architecture in ancient India.            [20]

12.   The Sangam literature deals with secular matter relating to public and social activity like government, war charity, trade, worship, agriculture, among other things. Discuss.     [15]

13.   Locational hints to the places shown in the attached map is given below. Identify the places and write short notes in about 30 words on each one of them.                             [3 x 15 = 45]

a.      Palaeolithic site

b.      Early centre of agriculture

c.       major harappan site

d.      harappan site

e.      Neolithic-chalcolithic site

f.        ochre-coloured pottery

g.      capital of mahajanapad

h.      on a major trade route

i.        royal centre of south india

j.        major port

k.      on a long distance trade route

l.        harappan site

m.   capital of major northern dynasty

n.      important port

o.      Buddhist cave

Answer all questions. Marks are provided against each question.

1.       “The RAJPUT period was an era of chivalry and feudalism”. Comment.     [15]
[e-notes, 21 June 2015]

2.       Akbar has generally been revered by historians of all ages. However, can you bring out the shrewdness, greed, ‘bent of character’, political shenanigans and religious opportunism of Akbar – supported with facts?                   [30]

3.       The Sultanate period was literally a dark age of Indian history. Do you agree?          [15]

4.       The common people”, Pelsaert (c. 1626) observed, lived in “poverty so great and miserable that the life of the people can be depicted or accurately described only as the home of stark want and the dwelling place of bitter woe”. Discuss.   [15]
[e-notes, Medieval-Economy-Society]

5.       Give a brief account of Rajasthani and Hill Schools of painting.       [15]          [notes 10.pdf]

6.       Within Sufism, the increasing authority assigned to the Shaikh or pir over his disciples or devotees led to the formation of various ‘silsilahs’ (chains) or orders among sufis. In this context, describe the various silsilahs of Sufism. Do you think that the Chisti order was the most liberal? Why?  [20]           [e – Notes, Religion Medieval India]

7.       “The caves at Ellora (7^th – 8^th centuries) represent the last phase of Buddhist cave architecture in western India” (Huntington, 1985)?           [15]         [e-Notes, Archi 14 June 2015]

8.       “Ziauddin Barani reflected the aristocratic, religious fervour while Amir Khusrao was the prototypical of the syncretism of the Indian variety. Tender your opinion.   [15]

9.       The sixteenth century saw the rise of Sikhism, now one of the recognized religions of the world. Examine.          [15] [e – Notes, Religion Medieval India]

10.    As far as South India is concerned, Burton Stein put forward a hard-hitting critique of the ‘traditional historiography’ represented by scholars like Sastri. T. V. Mahalingam, and A. Appadorai.” Critically analyse.       [20]
[e-notes, South India Segmentary State 2015]

11.    Did the Sanskrit literature see its pre-mature death during the Medieval period?  [15]
[notes 11.pdf]

12.    Write short notes on each of the following in NOT more than 150 words   [10x6=60]
[e-Notes / Class Notes]

a.       Architecture : Gujarat style

b.       Position of Muslim Women during the Mughal Period

c.        Reasons for the decline of the Mughals

d.       Rise of the Marathas under Shivaji

e.       Strategic importance of Kannuaj

Paper I [Ancient + Medieval India] [01 OCT 2017]

Max Marks: 250 marks                                                                                   Max Time: 180 mins

Question Nos. 1 & 5 are compulsory. Answer any three questions from the rest, taking at least one question from each section. Marks are detailed against each question.

Section A

1.       Identify the following places marked on the outline map supplied to you and write short notes of about 30 words on each of them. Locational hints for each of the places marked on the map are given below in seriatim : -     [2&1/2 x 20 = 50]

A.       Important Port during Sangam period

B.       Centre for Art & Archietcrure

C.       Important strategic Town in early medieval times

D.      Capital of Hoysala Empire during 12^th & 13^th centuries

E.       famous for temple architecture

F.        Neolithic settlement

G.      Place gives its name to a lake

H.      Buddhist Site

I.         Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed the site

J.        Cultural habitation of 3 different periods

K.       One of 4 dhaams of Hinduism

L.        Famous for rock-cut caves

M.     Related to Buddhism

N.      Famous for temples

O.      Known as Dakshin Kasi

P.       Famous for Sun Temple

Q.      Iron-based culture

R.       Ancient Stone-built city

S.       City traces itshistory to the epic Mahabharata

T.       Related to Indus-Valley civilisation

2A. “Artisans and craftsmen were very often organized into guilds. Later Buddhist literature refers to the existence of eighteen guilds in Rajagriha.” Discuss

2B. From major rock edicts, point out the main features of Ashoka’s dhamma.

2C. “The later Vedic ideas and ceremonies of marriage are reflected in a complex hymn in the tenth Mandala, often referred to as the ‘Surya-sukta’” Comment.               [20+15+15=50]

3A. Differentiate between Memory & History.
3B. Mesolithic Age, Bhimbetka and Microliths – bring out the connection.

3C. Megaliths are a peculiarity in the sub-continent’s history. Do you agree?             [15+20+15=50]

4A. Was there any ruling elite in the Harappan Civilisation? Argue.

4B. What was the state of Education in the sub-continent till the advent of the Turks?

4C. Discuss the Hindu way of life during the Gupta period in Indian history.               [15+15+20=50]

Section B

5. Write short notes in not more than 150 words on each of the following [10x5=50]

a. Position of Women in Medieval India
b. Role of Abul Fazl in the evolution of the perception of India
c. Economy during Mughal period
d. Religious world of Jehangir
e.  Akbar and Sulh-i-Kul

6A Critically analyse the structure of nobility under Muhammad bin Tughluq.

6B. Paint a picture of Delhi during the 13^th and 14^th centuries.

6C. Present different approaches to the study of Mughal Polity            [15+15+20=50]

7A. “Both Science as well as Religion grew during 600 to 1200 CE” Discuss

7B. Present a discourse on Sculpture, painting, music & dance during the Sultanate regime

7C. Citing illustrations, bring out the synthesis of arcuate & trabeate forms of architecture.    [15+20+15=50]

8A. How did the Marathas rise as a regional power? What was the impact on Indian polity due to their rise?

8B. “Provincial Governors under Aurangzeb” : write a note.  

8C. “Historians have neglected the devastating famines during the Mughal regime”. Comment   
 [20 +15 + 15 = 50]