Indus Valley Civilization
- Explain in what respects the Harappan civilization differed from that of the later Vedic civilization?
- Give a detailed account of Harappans’ town planning and evaluate the various reasons for its decline.
- Bring out the salient features of the Indus and Vedic Civilizations in a comparative perspective.
Vedic Age
- Compare and contrast the salient features of Early Vedic and Later Vedic civilizations in political, social, economic and religious fields.
Emergence of New Religions-Jainism, Buddhism
- Compare Hinayana and Mahayana Buddhism. Why did Buddhism become popular and decline subsequently?
- Examine the factors responsible for the rise and growth of Jainism and Buddhism.
Rise of the Magadha
- Analyse the factors that contributed for the growth of Magadhan imperialism.
Age of the Mauryas
- What are the important features of major schools of art that flourished during post Mauryan period?
Ashoka Dharma
- Describe the similarities and differences of Buddhism and Ashoka’s ‘Dharma’. Discuss the impact of both on ancient Indian Society.
Sangam Age in South India
- What do you know about Sangam age ? How does Sangam age literature help us in knowing the political and cultural life of that age?
Cholas
- Analyse the cultural contribution of Cholas and explain their contribution for the cultural expansion in South East Asia.
Art and Architecture
- What are the medieval Indian Temple construction styles ? Discuss with suitable examples.
Religious Movements like Bhakti and Sufi and Its Influence
- Explain Sufism and discuss its main principles, important orders and their influence on the Indian society.
- Discuss the impact of Islam on Indian culture, with special reference to the Bhakti movements.
- Bring out the nature and significance of Bhakti Movements in Medieval India.
Vijayanagaras
- What is the cultural contribution of Vijaynagar Empire?
- Discuss the social and economic conditions under the Vijayanagar rulers.
The Mughals
- Describe major contributions of Great Moghals to Indian Architecture.
- Assess the contribution of Mughals to Indian Art and Architecture with examples.
Shivaji and Rise of Maratha Empire
- State the reasons for the rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji and also describe the administrative, military and land revenue systems of his empire.
- Examine the factors behind the rise of Shivaji. DO you feel that he was a nationalist leader ? Support.
British rule in India
- Discuss about the various stages of British colonialism and its impact on Indian Society.
- Critically examine the Economic, Political and Administrative reforms introduced by the British in Modern India.
- Critically examine the impact of British colonial rule on the Indian economy.
1857 Revolt and its Impact
- Describe the impact of the Revolt of 1857 on British Rule in India. What were the major changes in the British policies and rule after the revolt?
- Describe the nature and significance of revolt of 1857? Explain whether it can be termed as “First War of Independence”?
Socio-Religious Reform Movements in 19th century
- Explain the main features of the religious and social reform movements and evaluate their role in the making of Modern India.
- Describe the rise and growth of scio-religious reforms movements in modern India with special reference to Raja Ram Mohan Ray, Jyotiba Phule and Narayana Guru.
- What was the contribution of the Socio-religious Reform Movements of the 19th century for the upliftment of women in Modern India ?
Swami Vivekananda
- Describe the impact of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in arousing nationalistic feeling and the spirit of service in Indians.
Self Respect Movement
- How far have the oppressed caste movements and their leaders helped the downtrodden people for their upliftment?
Anti-Brahmin movements in Modern India
- Bring out the nature and characteristic features of the anti-Brahmin movements in Modern India.
Narayana Guru
- Describe the contribution of Narayana Guru in social awakening and the result of his teachings on society.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar and his Contributions
- “We must hold fast to constitutional methods for achieving our social and economical objectives”. Briefly explain the significance of this statement of Dr B. R. Ambedkar with reference to his achievements. Also explain its relevance in the present to protect democracy?
Freedom Struggle
- Discuss the contribution of the Revolutionary Nationalists to the Freedom Movement and their impact on the British Rule.
- Trace the evolution of Indian Nationalism with reference to the three phases of the Freedom Struggle between the years 1885 – 1947.
- Examine the objectives, methods and the impact of the Moderates vis-a-vis the Extremists during the course of the Indian Freedom Struggle from 1885 to 1920
Freedom Struggle 1885-1905
- “The period between 1885-1905 is the period of moderates in Indian freedom struggle” In light of the above statement, describe the contribution of early nationalists (moderates) in organizing the national movement?
Gandhi Phase 1920-1947
- “Gandhi was a politician among saints and a saint among politicians.” Discuss.
- Comment on the effectiveness of the methods employed by Mahatma Gandhi to mobilize masses?
- Compare and contrast the views of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar with regard to the abolition of untouchability and Harijan upliftment.
Peasant, Women, Tribal and Workers Movements
- Comment on the contribution of peasant movements in freedom struggle.
- Estimate the role of women in the National Movement. Do you consider that their participation was an indication for the women empowerment in those days?
- Account for the rise and growth of peasant and working class movements and their contribution in anti-feudal andante-colonial struggles.
- Trace the important Peasant Movements ‘in Modern India and their characteristic features.
Inter Religious Unity and Communalism
- Analyze the role of communalism in the partition of the country.
World Wars
- What was the impact of the First and Second World Wars on the Indian National Movement ? Explain.
Socialism in India
- What was the role of Socialists and the influence of Socialistic ideas on the Pre and Post Independence India?
Independence and Partition of India
- Trace the course of events leading to the Partition of India in 1947.
Foreign Policy Initiatives
- Examine the salient features of the Indian Foreign Policy during the post-independence period upto 1989.
