We will be going through the UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs – Modern History. The official UPSC Syllabus reads – Modern Indian History-Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues)
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UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs – Modern Indian History – Mid-18th century – Present (significant events, personalities, issues)
| Question | Subject | Year | Marks | Sub-theme |
| What was the difference between Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore in their approach towards education and nationalism? | Modern History | 2023 | 10 | Gandhi and Tagore- Difference in approach towards education and Nationalism |
| How did the colonial rule affect the tribals in India and what was the tribal response to the colonial oppression? | Modern History | 2023 | 15 | Impact of colonial rule on Tribes and tribal response |
| 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 | 2022 | 10 | Reasons behind the supremacy power of British armies against the Indian rulers |
| Why was there a sudden spurt in famines in colonial India since the mid-eighteenth century ? Give reasons. | Modern History | 2022 | 10 | Reasons of famines in colonial India |
| Trace the rise and growth of socio-religious reform movements with special reference to Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj. | Modern History | 2021 | 10 | Socio-religious reform movements- Rise and growth, Young Bengal and Brahmo Samaj |
| Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long term implications on the national movement. | Modern History | 2020 | 10 | Lord Curzon- his policies and long term implication on national movement |
| The 1857 Uprising was the culmination the recurrent big and small local rebellions that had occurred in the preceding hundred years of British rule. Elucidate. | Modern History | 2019 | 10 | Major factors and local rebellions that led to the 1857 uprising |
| Clarify how mid-eighteenth century India was beset with the spectre of a fragmented polity. | Modern History | 2017 | 10 | Factors that played role in fragmented polity during 1750s |
| Highlight the importance of the new objectives that got added to the vision of Indian independence since twenties of the last century. | Modern History | 2017 | 15 | Factors that could be considered to play a potent role in fragmented polity were |
| Explain how the Uprising of 1857 constitutes an important watershed in the evolution of British policies towards colonial India. | Modern History | 2016 | 12.5 | Uprising of 1857- Changes in British policies after that |
| Highlight the differences in the approach of Subhash Chandra Bose and Mahatma Gandhi in the struggle for freedom. | Modern History | 2016 | 12.5 | Gandhi and Bose- Difference in Approach in freedom struggle |
| How different would have been the achievement of Indian independence without Mahatma Gandhi? Discuss. | Modern History | 2015 | 12.5 | Independence without Gandhi |
| Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. | Modern History | 2015 | 12.5 | Gandhi and Ambedkar- Divergent and common approaches |
| The third battle of Panipat was fought in 1761. Why were so many empire-shaking battles fought at Panipat? | Modern History | 2014 | 10 | Third battle of Panipat; Reason for battles fought at panipat |
| Examine critically the various facets of economic policies of the British in India from mid-eighteenth century till independence. | Modern History | 2014 | 10 | British economic policies in India |
| Defying the barriers of age, gender and religion, the Indian women became the torch bearer during the struggle for freedom in India. Discuss. | Modern History | 2013 | 10 | Role of Indian women in freedom struggle |
| Several foreigners made India their homeland and participated in various movements. Analyze their role in the Indian struggle for freedom. | Modern History | 2013 | 10 | Foreigners role in Indian freedom struggle |
Read More – Complete UPSC Mains Topic-Wise PYQs (2013-2023)
