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UPSC CSE Mains 2020 — History Questions with Answers

All 73 History previous-year questions from UPSC CSE Mains 2020, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.Freedom Struggle

   Evaluate the policies of Lord Curzon and their long-term implications on the national movements.

2. Q2.Freedom Struggle

   Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.

3. Q3.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Paleolithic site

4. Q4.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Paleolithic Factory site

5. Q5.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Neolithic site

6. Q6.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Early and Mature Harappan site

7. Q7.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Temple site

8. Q8.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Chalcolithic site

9. Q9.History Optional — Paper I

   Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Site of Coin and Seal Moulds

10. Q10.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Administration Centre

11. Q11.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Political Headquarter

12. Q12.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Pre and Proto Historic site

13. Q13.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Capital City

14. Q14.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Place of Shaiva Temple

15. Q15.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: World Heritage Centre of Temple complex

16. Q16.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: An Inscriptional site

17. Q17.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Temple Complex dedicated to Shiva

18. Q18.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Place of Jain Temple

19. Q19.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Largest Buddhist Monastery

20. Q20.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Temple Complex

21. Q21.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Place of oldest Mosque

22. Q22.History Optional — Paper I

    Identify the following place marked on the map and write a short note of about 30 words on it: Ancient Education Centre

23. Q23.History Optional — Paper I

    Puranas were the innovative genre of literature to popularise and revive Vedic religion. Elaborate with examples.

24. Q24.History Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the factors that played an important role in the process of urbanisation after the Later-Vedic period.

25. Q25.History Optional — Paper I

    Throw light on the nature of religion and classification of gods mentioned in the Rigveda.

26. Q26.History Optional — Paper I

    Evaluate the significant political features of the Post Mauryan Northern India. What are the main sources of it?

27. Q27.History Optional — Paper I

    A number of scholars considered Alexander as ‘The Great’, although long term impacts of Alexander’s invasion on India need to be re-evaluated. Comment.

28. Q28.History Optional — Paper I

    Discuss the salient features of cultural traditions of South India as reflected in Sangam Literature.

29. Q29.History Optional — Paper I

    ‘Sanskrit literature of classical Gupta Age set standards for the early medieval India’. Evaluate the statement with representative examples.

30. Q30.History Optional — Paper I

    Trace and identify the changing pattern of Tantrism in Ancient India with examples.

31. Q31.History Optional — Paper I

    Describe the evolution and development of regional temple architecture of South India with special reference to Pallavas.

32. Q32.History Optional — Paper I

    Critically evaluate the Muslim Nobility during the period of Tughlaq dynasty.

33. Q33.History Optional — Paper I

    Describe in details about the foreign travellers’ accounts which gave information of Vijayanagar kingdom.

34. Q34.History Optional — Paper I

    How did international trade support urbanisation in North India during the 13-14th century CE.

35. Q35.History Optional — Paper I

    Evaluate the aim and impact of the translation of Sanskrit scriptures into Persian language during Mughal period.

36. Q36.History Optional — Paper I

    Examine the sources of the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji with special reference to Shivabharat and Sabhasad Bakhar.

37. Q37.History Optional — Paper I

    Assess the causes of the defeat of Northern Indian States against the Turkish invasion.

38. Q38.History Optional — Paper I

    Amuktamalyada dwells much upon the relationship of fort, Brahmanas and dispersed tribal groups. Comment.

39. Q39.History Optional — Paper I

    Elaborate upon the agrarian reforms of Alauddin Khilji.

40. Q40.History Optional — Paper I

    Describe village polity and economy of medieval Deccan.

41. Q41.History Optional — Paper I

    Some new crafts production were introduced by the Turks. Comment.

42. Q42.History Optional — Paper I

    The mission of Kabir was to preach a religion of love which would unite all castes and creeds. Explain.

43. Q43.History Optional — Paper I

    Evaluate the contribution of Sher Shah towards trade and commerce, administration and agricultural reforms.

44. Q44.History Optional — Paper I

    Make an estimate of the development of paintings under Mughal rulers with special reference to colours, technique, themes and influences on them.

45. Q45.History Optional — Paper I

    Critically evaluate history of the Eighteenth century India with reference to culture and economy.

46. Q46.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “Maharaja Ranjit Singh died in 1839. His death was the signal for an outburst of anarchy all over the Punjab.”

47. Q47.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “In the initial stages, when Indian nationalism was immature, just sprouting, it found expression in many liberal religio-reform movements.”

48. Q48.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “In the early twentieth century, there came into existence a number of women’s organisations, which operated more actively in the public arena and focused more directly on women’s political and legal rights.”

49. Q49.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “The Trade Union Movement in India not only supported the call for national struggle at critical junctures, but also impacted its course and character in several ways.”

50. Q50.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “Based on his discussion with Indian leaders, as well as his own perception, Lord Mountbatten soon came to the conclusion that partition was the only practicable and feasible solution.”

51. Q51.History Optional — Paper II

    “It was Dupleix who had first showed the way the way of intervening in disputes of the Indian rulers and thereby acquiring political control over vast territories- a technique which was later perfected by the English East India Company.” Elaborate.

52. Q52.History Optional — Paper II

    For long, the Revolt of 1857, has been mistaken to be a mere mutiny of the Indian sepoys in the Bengal army. However, its causes need to be searched for not only in the dissatisfaction of the army, but in a long drawn process of fundamental social and economic change that upset the peasant communities. Discuss.

53. Q53.History Optional — Paper II

    Do you feel that the Santhal Hool (rebellion) 1855-56, was the most effective tribal movement in pre-1857 India?

54. Q54.History Optional — Paper II

    In its political behaviour the Indian National Congress in its early career was never a radical organisation, besides the founders of the Congress involved A.O. Hume in their project. Do these facts verify that the Congress was founded as a ‘Safety valve’? Explain.

55. Q55.History Optional — Paper II

    Do you agree with the fact that the virtual failure of the Non-Cooperation Movement and the gloom that descended on the nationalistic scene, created conditions for the revolutionary activities? Discuss.

56. Q56.History Optional — Paper II

    Planning was seen as a powerful instrument that could be used to remove regional inequality. Examine.

57. Q57.History Optional — Paper II

    “In the divided and contestable space of Indian politics, Gandhiji could claim for himself a centrist position because he alienated neither and tactically combined the goal of the moderates with the means of the extremists.” Discuss.

58. Q58.History Optional — Paper II

    “After Indian Independence India-China relations started on a high note, but during the course of the coming years India had to face a bitter experience due to the Chinese aggression.” Elaborate.

59. Q59.History Optional — Paper II

    “The Reorganisation of the states on the basis of language was major aspects of national consolidation and integration.” Comment.

60. Q60.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “The principles of Enlightenment were in some ways a continuation of the discoveries and theories of the Scientific Revolution.”

61. Q61.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “The causes of the French Revolution of 1789 included both long term and structural factors, as well as more immediate events.”

62. Q62.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “Industrial Revolution had far reaching social and political consequences with the advent of assembly line factories, urbanization and rise of the urban working class.”

63. Q63.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “The multiple of newly independent countries came to be known as the ‘Third World’, belonging neither to the First World of capitalist democracies, nor the Communist Second World.”

64. Q64.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine the following statement: “The British were slated to withdraw from Palestine in May 1948, and both sides prepared for that day. Violence between Arabs and Jews, already endemic, escalated.”

65. Q65.History Optional — Paper II

    “Napoleon was not a revolutionary but he solidified many of the revolutionary changes of 1789-1791 and he himself supported most of the ideas and proposals of Enlightenment philosophers.” Substantiate.

66. Q66.History Optional — Paper II

    “Lincoln’s main thesis was that the Slavery issue had to be decided one way or the other and could no longer be evaded by compromise.” Comment in the light of his role in the American Civil War.

67. Q67.History Optional — Paper II

    “The 1848 revolutions frightened the crowned heads of Europe and caused several to abdicate. Those who remained were cognizant of the threats posed by liberalism, nationalism and socialism.” Comment.

68. Q68.History Optional — Paper II

    “From Bismarck’s ‘Blood and Iron’ speech and his forceful actions to achieve German unification, Bismarck came to be known as the Iron Chancellor.” Critically examine.

69. Q69.History Optional — Paper II

    Do you agree with the statement that the Second World War was history’s most destructive war? Elaborate.

70. Q70.History Optional — Paper II

    Discuss the circumstances leading to the French exist from Algeria in 1962.

71. Q71.History Optional — Paper II

    How did Stalin build on Lenin’s legacy of Bolshevik Revolution and introduce new elements of totalitarianism to transform USSR as a superpower?

72. Q72.History Optional — Paper II

    A new configuration of power emerged in world politics after the end of the cold war. Analyse how USA managed to become the sole superpower.

73. Q73.History Optional — Paper II

    Critically examine whether it was true that after a century of dependency on Europeans, Africans were ill prepared for the task of nation-building.