IAS Main History Question Paper II- 2010

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) holds the Civil Services Examination every year in two parts, i.e. Preliminary Test and Main Examination; the Main Examination comprises a written Test and a Personality Test. The Question paper of the IAS Main History Paper II  –2010 is given as below:

HISTORY

Paper-II

Time Allowed: Three Hourse

Maximum Marks: 300

Each question is printed both in Hindi and in English.

Answer must be written in the medium specified in the Admission Certificate issued to you, which must be stated clearly on the cover of the answer-book in the space provided for the purpose. No marks will be given for the answers written in a medium other than specified  in the Admission Certificate.

Candidates should attempt Question Nos. 1 and 5 which are compulsory. and any three of the remaining questions selecting at least one question from each Section.

The number of marks carried by each question is indicated at the end of the question.

Section-  A (Modern India)

1. Critically eveluate the following statements in about 200 words each:    3×20=60

(a) " The educated middle class in the 19 th century often found the doamin of reason to be oppressive, as it implied the historical necessity of 'civilizing' colonial rule."

(b) " Railways development in India provides an interesting instance of private enterprise at public risk."

(c) " The active participation of Aruna Asaf Ali in 1942 movement symbolized the role of women in India's freedom struggle."

2. (a) " In terms of the administrative structure, the Government of India Act of 1858,... meant more continuation than change." Do you agree? Substantiate.  20

(b) " Punjab's fate after Ranjit Singh was foredoomed as the impulse of neo-Victprian Imperialism was bound to overwhelm it." Elucidate.    20

(c) " The developments during 1937-1939 greatly undermined the ability of the Indian National Congress to push throgh the agenda of national unity." Comment.   20

3. (a) What role did the economic ideas play in the early phase of the British rule in the shaping of land tenure policy ?  30

(b) Discuss the extent to which the Indian Renaissance movement contributed towards the rise of nationalist consciousness.  30

4. (a) To what extent did the process of commercialization of agriculture affect the rural asene in India ?   30

(b) Discuss the factors that led to the growth of Dalit consciousness and mention the major movements aimed at their empowerment.  30

Section-B (World History)

5. Critically evaluate the following stetements in about 200 words each:     3×20=60

(a) "... he (Voltaire) was living in the Age of Englightenment.... The age itself was not enlightened."- E. Kant.

(b) " All long marches begin with small steps."

(c) " The essence of Perestroika is for People to feel they are the country's master."

6. (a) How far is it correct to say that every feature of American Constitution was ulimately of English origin ?  20

(b) What do you understand by Imperialism ? State briefly its unique features in the case of Africa.       20

(c) To what extent did Napoleon's economic war with England become his undoing ? 20

7. (a) Critically examine the Dutch colonial policy in Indonesia.  30

(b) " Europe faced peace in 1945 politically disorganized and economically  crippled." Elaborate.   30

8. (a) " The Eastern Question has always been an international question." Elucidate.  30

(b) Explain the circumstances leading to the emergence of Third World and analyze its impact on world affairs.  30