OPSC Modern India History Previous Year Questions

1. The permanent system of Bengal though initiated with best of intentions was a sadly blundering affair.  (20)
2. The British Indian state experienced the 'wind of the change with the arrival of Lord William Bentinck'.  (20)
3. The new attitude of caution and conservation can be detected in almost every sphere of British activity in India after revolt of 1857.  (20)
4. Mahatma Gandhi restrained mass movements, yet he retained his popularity among the masses.  (20)
5. Discuss the safety valve theory, Does it satisfactorily explain the foundation of the Indian National Congress.  (60)
6. Examine the causes of the rise and progress of revolutionary movements in India from 1905 to 1931. (60)
7. Account for the rise and growth of leftism in the Congress movement. (40)
8. Write a note on British Conquest of Odisha. (20)
9. The permanent system of Bengal though initiated with best of intentions was a sadly blundering affair.  (20)
10. The tragedy of Curzon lay in that with such an abundance of trained talent :he was denied the crowing qualities. He was never administrator of the first rank.  (20)
11. Please remember in granting separate electorates, we are sowing dragon's teeth and the harvest will be bitter.  (20)
12. Mahatma Gandhi and the congress party developed the philosophy of militant non-violence to oppose British Rule of India after World War-1 and to lessen oppression of the Indian poor by the Indian rich. By, 1929, Gandhi had succeeded in transforming the congress party from a narrow middle class party into a mass independence movement.  (20)
13. Examine critically how the socio-religious reform movements contribute to the emancipation of women in nineteenth century.  (60)
14. Review the aims of the moderates in the Congress. Do you believe because of their approach Extremism appeared at the national level.  (60)
15. Discuss how did Subhash Chandra Bose contribute to the national movement and with that consequence.  (60)
16. Thus ended the famous battle of Buxar , on which-depended  the fate of India and which was as gallantly disputed as was important in its results. (20)
17. The British Industrial Policy in the nineteenth century ruined the indian handicrafts.  (20)
18. The Arya Samaj was both a progressive and reactionary movement.  (20)
19. The Quit India movement was a spontaneous revolt of the people against British Rule.  (20)
20. Critically analyze the growth of economic nationalism in India in the light of the Drain-Theory. (60)
21. Explain the main aspects of Muslim League Politics from 1937 to 1947. Was the partition of the country unavoidable. (60)
22. Explain the permanent Zamindari Settlement of 1793. How did it affect the peasantry in British India.  (40)
23. What is the role played by Surendra Sai during the great revolt of 1857. (20)
24. Dalhousie changed the map of India with speed and thoroughness no campaign could equal.
25. India underwent suffering and mortality in the wake of recurring famines in the later half of the 19th century.
26. The 1921 Moplah Rebellion was in assence and expression of long lasting agrarian discontent which was intensified by the religious and ethnic identity.
27. Mountbatten's task was therefore, merely workout details and effect the partitions demanded by the League and accepted by both British Government and the congress and this the new Viceroy moved commandingly to perform.
28. Enumerate the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards the constitutional changes of 1909, 1919 and 1935.
29. Analyze the factors which led to the formation of muslim league and explain its role in Indian Politics between 1906 - 1947.
30. Write a detailed account on the Mahalwari Revenue settlement and its merits and demerits.
31. Describe the political and economic causes of the tribal revolts under Dara Bisoyeee . what was its impact on the Colonial Administration of Odisha.
32. On the whole, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the so called First National War of Independence was neither First, nor National, nor a war of Independence.
33. The religious movements of the 19th century were Endeavours to recast the old religion(Hinduism) into a new form suited to meet the needs of the new society.
34. Dyarchy was introduced with high hopes and it must be said that , on a theoretical analysis and if worked under ideal conditions, it is not without merits.
35. The Nationalistic Political Movements for liberation such as the Non-Cooperation and Civil-disobedience movements and their leadership depended heavily on the Peasantry.
36. What is commercialization of Agriculture? Explain the nature of its impact on Indian Economic Life.
37. What do you understand about the Non-alignment Movement? What role was played by India in the origin and growth of the government.
38. Explain the nature of Royatwari Settlement in Madras Province. Describe its effects on peasants.
39. Critically analyze the progress of Non-Cooperation Movement in Odisha.
40. Any study on the history of Indian National Movement stands to reason only when it is perceived in the context of impoverishment of India under the colonial rule.
41. The partition of Bengal was the manifestation of the policy of divide and rule.
42. The Arya Samaj was both a progressive and reactionary movement.
43. Quit India Movement was leaderless movement.
44. Examine the growth of economic nationalism in India in the light of the drain theory.
45. Bring out the contribution of Sardar Patel in the integration of princely states into the Indian Union.
46. Examine the permanent Zamindar Settlement of 1793. How did it affect the peasantry in British India?
47. Critically analyze the political and economic causes of the tribal revolts under Dara Bisoyee and Chakra Bisoyee. What was its impact on the Colonial Administration in Odisha.
48. Do you agree with the view that the Mutiny of 1857 was the first war of independence ?
49. The reforms of 1919mark a definite step towards the fulfillment of Indian aspirations.
50. Do you consider British Colonization as the cause of impoverishment.
51. The national democratic awakening of the Indian people found expression also in the religious sphere.
52. Examine the impact of the rule of the East India Company on the Indian Economy.
53. Indicate the steps taken by Lord Dalhousie to consolidate the British power in India.
54. Assess the economic consequences of the partition of India.
55. What led to the Khurda rebellion of 1817? What was its impact on the British Administration in Odisha.
56. The halcyon days of India are over; she has been drained of large portion of her wealth she once possessed and her energies have been cramped by a sordid system of misrule to which the interests of the millions have been sacrificed for the benefits of few.
57. What began as fight for religion ended as a war of independence, for there is no slightest doubt that the rebels wanted to get rid of the alien government and restore the old order of which the king of Delhi was rightful representative.
58. We have a grim fight ahead of us - for the enemy is powerful, unscrupulous and ruthless. In this final march to freedom you will have to face hunger, privation, forced marches and death. Only when we pass this test will freedom be ours.
59. In spite of this unimpressive feature, his lion cloth and bare body , there was royalty and kingliness in I am which compelled a willing obeisance from others.
60. Evaluate the impact of British economic policies on the growth of Indian Industries.
61. Raja Ram Mohan Ray was one of the few Socio-Religious Reformers who inculcated a spirit of confidence, courage, self respect and pride in our heritage. Discuss.
62. Account for growth of nationalism in India during 19th Century.
63. Teach your subordinates that we are all British Gentleman in the magnificent work of governing an inferior race.
64. The Congress is tottering to its fall and one of my great ambitions while in India is to assist it to a peaceful  demise.
65. I have no doubt that British Government is a powerful government, but I have no doubt also that Satyagraha is a sovereign remedy.
66. I have convinced that the only key to the solution of the world's problems and of India's problems lies in socialism and when I used this word, I do so not in a vague humanitarian way but in the scientific, economic sense.
67. Discuss the basic features of the administrative organization of India under the East India Company with special reference to the underlying aims of the administration, the civil service, the police and the judicial administration.
68. To what extent was the revolt of 1857, the result of popular discontent against foreign rule? How would you explain the failure of the revolt.
69. How would explain the growth of the militant nationalism in the beginning of the 20th century ? In what way did the militant nationalists differ from the moderates.
70. Above all the Englishmen are indebted for the foundation of the empire in India to this high spirited courageous and indgable man.
71. The crown of England stood forward and unquestioned ruler and paramount power in India.
72. The romance is the benefloence of the British rule,  the reality is the bleeding of the British Rule.
73. Repression is nothing but the hammer of God, Without suffering there can be no growth.
74. One common goal of all socio religious reform movements was the achievement of synthesis of traditional and modern value. Comment.
75. The Indian National Leaders were far ahead of their times in their times in their appraisal of the role of foreign trade in the economy of country. Discuss.
76. The contribution of Gandhi towards Indian National Life and Independence has remained unique. Explain.
77. Buxar was finally riveled the sackles of the Company's rule upon Bengal.
78. The roots of the Moplah Uprising were fundamentally agrarian.
79. Our motto self reliance, not mendicancy.(Bal Gangadhar Tilak)
80. Show how the religious reform movement in India was not restricted to the task of merely reforming religion but extended to that of the reconstruction of social institutions.
81. Under the British Rule, Indian agriculture rose to the level of national agriculture, but it did not grow into a prosperous agriculture. Discuss.
82. How did Non-Cooperation Movement form landmark in the history of freedom struggle in view of Gandhiji's technique of mass mobilization.
83. What our country wants are muscles of iron and nerves of steel?
84.  Providence has entrusted the extensive empire of Hindustan to England in order that the banner of Christ should wave triumphant from one end of India to the other.
85. I, therefore want freedom immediately, this very night, before dawn if it can be had.
86. Our strike has been a historic event in the life of our nation. For the first time the blood of men in the services and in the streets flowed together in a common cause.
87. How was India transformed into an economy colony under British rule.
88. Trace the growth of militant nationalism in the freedom struggle of India between 1906 and 1920.
89. Review the growth of Peasant Movements in India between 1917 and 1947.