UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2022: GS1 History | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: How will you explain that Medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Ancient History and Art & Culture)
Ans: A sculpture serves more than just aesthetic purposes. It serves as a representation of a region's politics, culture, history, religion, rituals, and tributes. The essence of these artworks evolves over time and varies with geographical locations, as they are tangible forms existing alongside their viewers. Sculptures, be it bronze busts, grand statues, or intricate stone carvings, preserve and depict the ideas and images of bygone eras.

• Religious Representations: Early Buddhist sculptures symbolically portray Buddha through elements like footprints, stupas, and chakras, signifying reverence, worship, or historical events. The Jataka tales also hold importance in such artworks. The chakra motif stands as a pivotal symbol in Buddhist art, representing the Dhammachakra.
• Gurjara-Pratihara Sculptures: Renowned for their sculptures, carved panels, and open temples, the Gurjara-Pratihara style reached its pinnacle at Khajuraho, now a UNESCO heritage site. Their architecture embodies core Hindu principles.
• Rajasthan's Contribution: Significant places like Vasantgarh, Devangarh, and Osian in Rajasthan have been centers for continued sculptural activities, reflecting the region's cultural richness.
• Gandhara and Mathura Traditions: The Gandhara sculptures showcase the fusion of Bactria, Parthia, and local traditions. Meanwhile, Mathura's sculptural influence spread across northern India, evident from stupa sculptures in Sanghol. The region also features images from Vaishnava and Shaiva faiths.
• Chola Bronze Casting: The Chola dynasty introduced bronze casting around the 10th century A.D., with the Nataraja image being particularly iconic among numerous bronze artworks.
• Artistic Narratives: Sculptures primarily depict life scenarios and events from their surroundings. They are mediums through which artists convey religious beliefs, historical events, and legendary tales.

Every sculpture, regardless of its form, aims to convey a message. Artists craft these pieces to express their ideas, religious sentiments, historical narratives, and tales of valor.

Q2: Why 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 (Modern History)
Ans:  Recruitment and Economic Advantage: Indians were preferred recruits for the British East India Company due to their familiarity with local conditions and willingness to accept lower wages. This made the Company's expenses lower compared to hiring British soldiers, especially given the vast distance between Britain and India.

• Military Superiority: The British possessed advanced cannons and rifles, surpassing the capabilities of Indian weaponry. While some Indian rulers acquired European arms, they lacked the strategic prowess of the British.
• Consistent Compensation and Loyalty: The British ensured regular pay and a strict code of conduct, ensuring loyalty from their troops. In contrast, many Indian rulers struggled to maintain regular payments, sometimes relying on unreliable mercenaries for protection.
• Leadership: British leaders like Robert Clive and Warren Hastings showcased remarkable leadership. They were complemented by leaders such as Sir Eyre Coote and Lord Lake. On the Indian side, while figures like Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan were commendable, there was a need for a stronger secondary leadership.
• Financial Support: British trade contributed significantly to England's wealth, leading to substantial government support in terms of funds and resources.
• Division and Manipulation: A lack of unified political nationalism among Indian rulers allowed the British to exploit divisions, leading to internal conflicts. The East India Company leveraged its military might to enforce taxes, exert control over Indian territories, and further its economic interests.

Q3: Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century? Give reasons (Modern History)
Ans: Understanding Famine: The word "famine" originates from the Latin term "Fames," signifying "hunger." It refers to a severe hunger situation faced by a community due to an inadequate food supply.

Historical Context: The Bengal famine of 1769-70 was intensified by erratic rainfall patterns and a subsequent smallpox outbreak. Similarly, the 1783-84 famine was a consequence of widespread crop failures.

• Role of Climate: The heavy rainfall in 1770 aggravated the prior year's drought, causing river floods and damaging crops. Such unpredictable weather patterns often led to rising food prices, diminishing wages, and widespread hunger and diseases among farming communities.
• Rural Financial Burdens: Debt was deeply rooted in India's agrarian system. The British-imposed high rents and unfair taxes pushed many peasants into debt, which worsened during droughts and ultimately resulted in famines.
• British Influence: The colonial-era famines were largely attributed to Britain's exploitative policies. The massive export of Indian food to England created food shortages in India. Cornwallis's 1793 permanent settlement further marginalized peasants, transferring land ownership to the zamindars and talukdars.
• Economic and Cultural Impact: The famines of the colonial period significantly impacted India's economy and culture, hindering population growth and economic progress.

Q 4: The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has heen a continuous ongoing process since the mid-nineteenth century. Discuss with examples. (Post Independent India)
Ans:  East India Company's Administrative Changes: The East India Company initiated territorial reorganisation in regions they governed, starting with Bengal, Bombay, and Madras. This began a consistent trend of state reorganisation.

Phase 1 (1850s-1947):

• Post-1857 Revolt: Following the 1857 revolt, the British intensified political and administrative reshuffling.
• New Presidencies: The creation of new presidencies like the Central Province occurred.
• Integration of States: Many independent states, such as Assam and Awadh, merged into larger administrative provinces.
• Creation of Territories: The North-West Frontier Province was established in 1901, stemming from parts of Punjab.
• Bengal Partition: In 1905, Bengal was split based on linguistic and religious lines.

Phase 2 (1947-2022):

• 1950 Constitution: The Indian Constitution initially categorized states into Part A, B, C, and D based on administrative distinctions.
• States Reorganisation Commission: In 1953, the SRC, led by Fazal Ali, was formed to suggest boundary realignments.
• 7th Amendment Act: This act established two primary entities: States and Union Territories.
• Linguistic State Creation: Andhra Pradesh was the pioneer state formed on linguistic grounds.
• Integration of Territories: Territories like Goa, Daman, and Diu, acquired from Portugal, were incorporated as Union Territories (Goa later achieved statehood).
• Formation of New States: Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand were carved from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, respectively.
• Telangana Statehood: In 2014, Telangana was created from Andhra Pradesh following the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014.
• Reasons for Telangana Demand: Issues like regional inequalities, infrastructural inadequacies, and resource allocation disparities drove the demand for Telangana statehood.
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation: In 2019, administrative and security reasons led to the restructuring of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Constitutional Provisions: Article 3 of the Indian Constitution permits state and Union Territory reorganisation, ensuring flexibility in response to changing political and administrative needs.

Q5: Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture.(Ancient History and Art & Culture)
Ans: The Gupta Dynasty: Established by Chandragupta I in the 3rd Century AD, the Gupta Dynasty marked a significant golden era in Indian history.

Chola Dynasty: Founded by Vijayalaya in the 9th century, the Chola Dynasty stands as one of the longest-reigning dynasties in South India.

Contributions to Indian Culture & Heritage:

Both dynasties, through their architectural marvels and artistic endeavors, have profoundly enriched India's cultural and heritage landscape. The enduring presence of Gupta's caves and the revered Nataraja sculpture from the Chola period are testament to their lasting impact.

Q6: Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (Ancient History and Art & Culture)
Ans: Since the dawn of humanity, animals have been integral companions on Earth. Evidence of the human-animal relationship can be traced back to the Upper Paleolithic paintings, approximately 12,000 years ago.

Among the notable animals intertwined with human history are the Lion and the Bull. Their enduring presence from the Stone Age to contemporary India is evident in various contexts, elaborated as follows:

Mythology:

• Lion in Goddess Durga's Tales: The lion serves as the revered 'vahana' or vehicle of Maa Durga, symbolizing her formidable power.
• Nandi Bull and Shiva: Nandi, meaning “giving delight,” stands as the sacred bull companion of the Hindu deity Shiva.

Art:

• National Emblem's Symbolism: The emblem is inspired by the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka, featuring four lions back-to-back, an elephant, a galloping horse, and a bull, each separated by intervening wheels atop a bell-shaped lotus. The bull represents the Zodiac sign of Taurus, while the lion signifies the achievement of enlightenment.
• Indus Valley Bull: Representing the Bronze Age in the Indus Valley Civilization, this bronze bull holds historical significance.
• Bulls in Tamil Nadu Rock Art: Ancient rock art in Tamil Nadu portrays early humans capturing and attempting to domesticate bulls.

Architecture:

• Mauryan Pillar: The pillar's apex showcases figures like the bull, lion, and elephant. The lion symbolism embodies the immense power of a universal emperor dedicated to upholding righteousness.
• Sanchi Stupa: Located in Madhya Pradesh, the Sanchi Stupa, a renowned Ashokan stupa, features rock engravings of lions with wings and bulls on its torana.

From ancient Indian depictions to their emblematic representation in the nation's symbol, the lion and bull have silently observed India's evolution and transformation.