C S MAINS 2015 HISTORY (PAPER-II)

Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each 10x5=50

1 '“Annexation of Punjab was part of a broad north-west frontier policy set in
motion after the exit of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.”

1 “The Regulating Act the Pitt’s India Act (1784) and eventually the
Charter Act of 1833 left the East India Company as a mere shadow of its earlier
political and economic power in India.”

1 The Indigo Revolt of 1859-60 holds a very significant place in our history of
national liberation movement. For the first time in the history of our anticolonial
struggle, its two independent currents—spontaneous peasant
resistance and constitutional agitation in defence of the peasantry—came into
mutual contact.”

1 “The very idea of the bomb and the secret society, and of propaganda through
action and sacrifice were imports from the West.”

1 “This retention of Rowlatt legislation in the teeth of universal opposition is
an affront to the nation. Its repeal is necessary to appease national honour.”

2. “Swami Dayananda’s philosophy represents both elements of extremism and
social radicalism.” Substantiate.

"To characterize the Quit India Movement as ‘Spontaneous Revolution’ would
be partial interpretation, so also would be to look up at it as the culmination
of Gandhian Satyagraha movements.” Elucidate.

“A powerful left-wing group developed in India in the late 1920s and 1930s,
contributing to the radicalization of national movement.” Critically examine.

3. “Under the forceful thrust of British colonialism, Indian economy was
transformed into a colonial one, the structure of which was determined by
the requirements of Britain’s fast developing industrial economy.” Examine.

“James Mill, the apostle of utilitarian philosophy, proposed a revolution of
Indian society through the Sveapon of law’ solely. But in actual policy framing,
other influences and considerations weighed much more than the colonial
State.” Elucidate.

“The Royal Indian Navy Revolt was seen as an event which marked the end of
the British rule almost as finally as Independence Day.” Explain.

4. Analyze the nature of peasant movements during the nationalist phase and
bring out their shortcomings.

“Jawaharlal Nehru, though a declared socialist, was pragmatist enough to
focus on providing building blocks to the making of a new India." Examine.

“Although the Government of India Act of 1935 replaced dyarchy with
Provincial Autonomy, the overriding powers of the Governor diluted the spirit
of autonomy.” Elucidate.


5.Critically examine the following statements in about 150 words each

“France was even more fertile than Britain in producing new socialist theories
and movements, though bore less concrete results in France than Britain.”

“The multiple contradictions that quickly undermined the new edifice, had
been expressed even before the meeting of the Estates General in France.
The internal conflict among Estates had manifested itself.”

(c)“The whole episode that is known as the July Revolution (1830) was fought
and won not for the establishment of an extreme democracy but to get rid of
the aristocratic and clericalist attitude of the restored Bourbons.”

“Mazzini’s conception of Italian nationality was not exclusive and his
dominant ideal was the recreation of moral unity of mankind.”

“The Continental Blockade was a misconceived idea of economically defeating
Great Britain.”

6 . “The Berlin Congress (1878) failed to unlock the Eastern Question. Though
there was no major war in Europe for nearly three decades after the Treaty
of Berlin, it contained the seeds of many future wars.” Critically evaluate.

“History of Africa appears to be simply an extension or mere sub-theme under
the broad headings of European and American history. According to this
historiography, Africa seems to be without any history before the European
scramble.” Elucidate.

“The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan were considered by the
Russian Bloc as a weapon against Russia in order to restrict her influence.”
Critically examine.

7. How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially
for the preservation of the balance of power?

(b)“The failure of Kuomintang against the communist onslaught was
unimaginable and it was Mao Tse-tung whose tenacity and innovative
approach had accomplished the unthinkable.” Discuss.

“The oppressive exploitation of the working class in the wake of Industrial
Revolution had jolted the social conscience of England.” Elucidate.

8. “The UNO was created in the light of experience of the ‘League of Nations’, but
in spite of the mandate contained in the UNO constitution, its effective role
in maintaining world peace has lacked cohesiveness and collective approach.”
Examine.

“The European Union, a diplomatic marvel, continues to grapple with
intermittent fissures arising out of economic contentious issues that pose
a challenge to an effective integration of the Union.” Critically examine.

“The role of the Non-Alignment Movement in world affairs has suffered greatly
due to the theatre of internecine conflicts among the Third World countries
who spearheaded it.” Elucidate.