UPSC Mains 2018 History Optional Paper II questions

29 questions from the Civil Services (Main) Examination 2018. Official UPSC paper (PDF) · All History Optional PYQs

1. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words

2. "The Battle of Plassey (]757) thus marked the beginning of political supremacy of the English East India Company in India."

3. "The passing of the land from the hands of the peasant proprietors into the hands of non-cultivating landlords brought about increasing polarization of classes in agrarian areas."

   10 marks

4. "Faced with the challenge of the intrusion of colonial culture and ideology, an attempt to reinvigorate traditional institutions and to realize the potential of traditional culture developed during the nineteenth century."

   10 marks

5. "An ideology of paternalistic benevolence, occasionally combined with talk of trusteeship and training towards self-government, thinly veiled the realities of a Raj uncompromising|ly white and despotic."

   10 marks

6. "States' reorganization did not, of course, resolve all the problems relating to linguistic conflicts."

   10 marks

7. Was the Moplah Rebellion in Malabar an expression of anti-landlord and anti-foreign discontent? Discuss.

   20 marks

8. Analyse various trends in Dalit Movements in various parts of post-independent India.

   20 marks

9. Could Dyarchy (1919) satisfy the national sentiments of the Indians?

10. Underline the growth of various forms of Socialist ideologies in the Indian National Movement between World Wars I and II.

    20 marks

11. Trace the development of land reforms in India between 947 and early 960's.

12. What was the significance of Orientalist-Anglicist controversy in nineteenth century India? Analyse.

    10 marks

13. Do you consider the suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement a "national calamity"?

    20 marks

14. Critically examine the turns and twists in the politics of partition in

15. Can methods and policies of the moderates be referred to as 'political

16. Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words

17. "With the writings of Karl Marx, Socialism assumed the form of Scientific Socialism."

    10 marks

18. "The American War of Independence transformed Europe as well as America,"

19. At the end of the Battle of Sedan (1870), "Europe lost a mistress and gained a master".

    10 marks

20. "Until December 1941, the battlefield of the Second World War was exclusively European and Atlantic; thereafter it became also Asiatic and

21. Explain the major ideas of Enlightenment. Discuss the contribution of Rousseau in Enlightenment.

    20 marks

22. Discuss how Japan industrialized after the Meiji Restoration. What were the consequences for its neighbours?

    20 marks

23. Explain the features of Apartheid in South Africa.

    10 marks

24. Examine the role of Bismarck in state building in Germany.

    20 marks

25. Discuss the factors constraining development of Africa after decolonization.

    20 marks

26. Outline the circumstances leading to adoption of Marshall Plan.

    10 marks

27. In the Chinese Revolution of 1949, the elements of communism and nationalism were discernible. Explain the statement in the light of Mao's strategy which was different from that of Lenin.

    20 marks

28. Discuss how far the United Nations has been successful in resolving global disputes from year 1946 to 1991.

    20 marks

29. Review the policy of Glasnost adopted by Gorbachev.