Modern Indian History

11 UPSC Mains GS I questions on Modern Indian History, 2013 to 2022, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Modern Indian History toppers answered.

1. 2022 Q2Why did the armies of the British East India Company – mostly comprising of Indian soldiers – win consistently against the more numerous and better equipped armies of the then Indian rulers ? Give reasons.10 marks · 150 words
2. 2022 Q3Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century ? Give reasons.10 marks · 150 words
3. 2021 Q2Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj.10 marks · 150 words
4. 2019 Q2The 1857 Uprising was the culmination of the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2019 Q3Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century’s ‘Indian Renaissance’ and the emergence of national identity.10 marks · 150 words
6. 2017 Q2Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity.10 marks · 150 words
7. 2017 Q12Examine how the decline of traditional artisanal industry in colonial India crippled the rural economy.15 marks · 250 words
8. 2017 Q18The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What were the major issues and debates concerning women in that period ?15 marks · 250 words
9. 2014 Q4The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat ?10 marks · 150 words
10. 2014 Q6Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence.10 marks · 150 words
11. 2013 Q5“In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India.” Elaborate.10 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.