Modern Indian History and Freedom Struggle: 130 Model Questions for UPSC Mains

1. Compare and contrast the ideologies and methods of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh during the Indian freedom struggle. How were their visions for an independent India similar and different?
2. What were the key economic, political, and social factors that contributed to the growth of Indian nationalism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Analyze their relative influence and interconnections.
3. Evaluate the role of the Indian National Congress in the freedom movement. To what extent did internal ideological differences within the Congress shape the nature and direction of the struggle?
4. Assess the impact of World War I and World War II globally and their influence on the Indian independence movement. How did the wars weaken British control over India?
5. Analyze the cultural, literary and artistic movements during the colonial rule and critique their role in developing national consciousness and shaping public opinion against the British.
6. Compare and contrast the Quit India Movement of 1942 with the other mass movements launched by Gandhi. What factors led to its failure and how did it differ strategically from the other movements?
7. Critically evaluate the contribution of Subhas Chandra Bose and the role of his Indian National Army towards the independence struggle. To what extent did his methods align or conflict with Gandhian philosophy?
8. Assess the role played by women in the Indian national movement. What unique strategies did they adopt and what specific socio-economic issues did they highlight in their participation?
9. How did the partition of Bengal in 1905 lead to the rise of aggressive nationalism and ‘swadeshi’ movement? Analyze its long-term impact.
10. What societal contradictions were exposed by the tension between the Moderates and Extremists in the Indian National Congress? Assess their differing visions of nationalism.
11. Critically evaluate Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s philosophy of Swaraj and Self-Rule. To what extent did he influence the radicalization of the independence movement?
12. Analyze Lala Lajpat Rai’s role in interpreting the First World War as an opportunity to bargain for self-government and critiquing the 1919 Montagu-Chelmsford reforms.
13. Examine the social, economic and political causes for the growth of communalism in modern India. How did communal ideologies affect the nationalism discourse?
14. Evaluate the Anglo-Indian collaboration during the British rule and its role in sustaining colonial control over India.
15. Critically assess the impact of the nationalist press and publications in building political consciousness and mobilizing public opinion against colonial rule.
16. Analyze how khadi, charkha and swadeshi products became symbols of nationalism and economic self-reliance during the freedom movement.
17. Examine the role of ashrams, villages and rural development as platforms for constructive work and grassroots mobilization by Gandhi and his followers.
18. Assess the growth of the Left and Socialist movements in India and their role in highlighting class conflicts and economic oppressions under colonialism.
19. Analyze how the Great Depression impacted India’s economy and triggered peasant uprisings that further radicalized the freedom struggle.
20. Critically evaluate Subhas Chandra Bose’s vision of militant nationalism as opposed to the passive resistance theory of Gandhi.
21. Assess the impact of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s leadership of Azad Hind Fauj and the Indian National Army during World War II.
22. Analyze the regional, linguistic and ethnic nationalist movements during the colonial rule and examine their role in consolidating an all-India freedom struggle.
23. Assess the importance of the election victories in 1937 that led to Congress rule in several provinces and strengthened their demand for Purna Swaraj.
24. Examine the Cripps Mission in 1942 and how its failure led to the launch of the Quit India Movement, marking a turning point in the freedom struggle.
25. Analyze the rivalry between Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s “Two Nation Theory” and the Congress’ secular vision of post-independent India.
26. Assess the impact of revolutionary activities of Indian emigres and overseas political groups on the internationalization of the cause of India’s independence.
27. Examine the geopolitics of World War II and how the weakening of British Empire led to the inevitability of India’s independence.
28. Analyze the implications of the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan for proposed transfer of power to India and the political deadlock over its interpretation.
29. Assess the contribution of last viceroy Lord Mountbatten and PM Attlee towards the negotiation of India’s independence and the tragedy of partition.
30. Critically evaluate the key challenges faced by independent India owing to the trauma of partition and displaced populations needing rehabilitation.
31. Critically assess the impact of Gandhi’s civil disobedience movements and satyagrahas in mobilizing mass participation and challenging British authority.
32. Analyze the factors that led Gandhi to call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922 and evaluate its outcomes both positive and negative.
33. Examine the Simon Commission (1928) and nationalist critique of its all-British composition lacking Indian representation and perspective.
34. Assess the legacy of revolutionary-nationalists like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru in inspiring youth activism against British oppression.
35. Analyze the Government of India Act 1935 and nationalist response to its flawed federal provisions and limited scope for native participation.
36. Examine the Muslim League’s 1940 Lahore Resolution demanding an autonomous state and its role in shaping the demand for Pakistan.
37. Assess the Quit India Movement’s significance as a civil disobedience campaign despite its violent repression by British authorities.
38. Evaluate the impact of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and the INA trials in energizing the independence movement after World War II.
39. Analyze the rationale, outcomes and nationalist critique of the three Round Table Conferences held between 1930-32 to discuss constitutional reforms.
40. Assess the importance of the Poona Pact between Ambedkar and Gandhi allowing separate Dalit electoral representation.
41. Examine the 1918 sedition row after Annie Besant’s Home Rule League adopted self-governance as its goal and its impact on nationalist politics.
42. Analyze the legacy of revolutionaries like Chandrasekhar Azad, Surya Sen and Rani Laxmibai as nationalist icons and popular heroes.
43. Assess the impact of the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the nationalist outrage towards General Dyer’s actions.
44. Examine the rise of trade unionism and working class consciousness owing to exploitative economic policies favoring British capitalist interests.
45. Analyze the nationalist response to British propaganda and censorship laws aimed at suppressing political activism and dissent.
46. Assess the significance of the Karachi session of 1931 which endorsed Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy resolutions.
47. Examine the Government of India Act 1919 and nationalist critique about its dyarchical governance framework and lack of constitutional clarity.
48. Evaluate Gandhi’s role and influence at the round table conferences in articulating India’s constitutional reform demands before British authorities.
49. Analyze the nationalist reaction to the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919 that allowed internment without trial and media censorship.
50. Assess the impact of Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha protesting the salt tax and challenging the British salt monopoly.
51. Examine the rise and growth of the Muslim League under Jinnah’s leadership and its differences with Congress over minority rights.
52. Evaluate the outcomes of the three Gandhi-Irwin Pact talks from 1931 negotiating conditions to suspend civil disobedience.
53. Analyze the impact of the death sentences on Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru in causing public outrage against British injustice.
54. Assess the importance of the Individual Satyagraha campaign launched in 1940 focusing on non-violent mass civil disobedience.
55. Examine the contribution of revolutionaries like Chandrasekhar Azad, Surya Sen and Rani Laxmibai as inspirational nationalist icons.
56. Analyze the nationalist response to the repressive Rowlatt Act of 1919 allowing incarceration without trial.
57. Assess the significance of left-wing revolts like the Telangana struggle and the Tebhaga movement in highlighting subaltern interests.
58. Examine the rise of communalism and Muslim separatism triggered by colonial policies of divide and rule tactics favoring loyalists.
59. Evaluate the outcomes of the three Gandhi-Irwin pact negotiations in suspending civil disobedience on specific conditions.
60. Analyze the impact of political groupings like the HSRA and revolutionary youth leaders like Sardar Bhagat Singh on inspiring mass activism.
61. Examine the economic impact of the Permanent Settlement of 1793 and commercialization of agriculture that impoverished peasants while creating landlord intermediaries.
62. Analyze the Subsidiary Alliance system as an instrument of British political control making native rulers surrender foreign policy in return for protection.
63. Assess the cultural and social impact of Thomas Macaulay’s Minute of 1835 recommending English education to create a class of Anglophile native intermediaries.
64. Evaluate the effect of the Draconian Press Acts and Vernacular Press Act of 1878 in censoring nationalist newspapers and restricting freedom of expression.
65. Examine the economic exploitation of India owing to free trade policies favoring British industrial interests by destruction of native handicraft industries.
66. Analyze the impact of railway expansion as a catalyst for interregional trade but oriented to serve colonial interests rather than native welfare.
67. Assess the flaws of theIlbert Bill controversy reflecting racial discrimination and British distrust of native judges presiding over European cases.
68. Evaluate reasons for the unpopular policy of Arms Act 1878, restricting access to weapons for native civilians while permitting British troops.
69. Examine the Woods Despatch of 1854 and critique its orientalist assumptions about traditional native education rather than promoting modern curricula.
70. Analyze the draconian tactics of ‘Divide and Rule’ by the British to create communal fissures and contraditions between Hindus and Muslims.
71. Assess the economic drain theory of nationalist critiques by Dada Bhai Naoroji regarding „bleeding‟ of India’s wealth to serve colonial interests.
72. Evaluate reasons for and outcomes of the unpopular Partition of Bengal in 1905 on linguistic-communal lines stirring public outrage.
73. Examine the impact of disastrous British land revenue policies causing famines, poverty and displacements affecting millions.
74. Analyze the role of forest laws in giving the British monopoly over valuable timber resources while restricting traditional rights of forest dwellers.
75. Assess the flawedjustice system creating separate European and native courts with racial barriers for native judges over whites.
76. Evaluate reasons for native suspicion about missionary activities worrying religious conversions in the guise of educational upliftment.
77. Examine the Silk Letter Conspiracy of 1924 revealing British plans to permanently settle in India against declared policy.
78. Analyze the impact of the Salt Tax as a burden on the poor and catalyst for Gandhi’s famous Dandi March against British monopoly.
79. Assess outcomes of the three university education commissions under British patronage and their flaws regarding curriculum design.
80. Evaluate implications of the vernacular press and nationalist publications in building political consciousness against colonial exploitation.
81. Examine cultural implications of Thomas Macaulay’s infamous Minute of 1835 that aimed to create a class of anglicized Indians loyal to the Raj.
82. Analyze the Regulating Act of 1773 and Pitt’s India Act of 1784 indicating early British efforts to control Indian administration through a dual policy.
83. Assess the decided racial bias and discrimination underlying the Ilbert Bill controversy in 1883 over rights of native magistrates to judge Europeans.
84. Evaluate the positive and negative outcomes of Lord Dalhousie’s policy of Doctrine of Lapse to annex native princely states using arbitrary grounds.
85. Examine the socio-cultural impact of policies like Sati abolition and widow remarriage reform as British intellectual justifications for civilizing mission.
86. Analyze the Charter Act 1813 provisions which introduced Expired Dual Government by asserting parliamentary control and eroding Company monopoly.
87. Assess the reactionary policy implications of the Vernacular Press Act in attempt to silence criticism by native language media outlets.
88. Evaluate British land revenue policies based on pseudo-laissez faire assumptions rather than India’s socio-economic context, causing rural distress.
89. Examine the economic critique in nationalist literature about India’s perpetual position as producer of raw materials and exporter of finished goods owing to British policies.
90. Analyze the ethno-centric worldview underlying Macaulayism that aimed to create an Indian elite class indoctrinated into the colonial mindset.
91. Examine the long-term social impact of British land revenue settlements that transformed agrarian relations and impoverished peasants for commercial interests.
92. Analyze the economic critique about the inversion of India’s world manufacturing pre-eminence into a source of raw materials and captive market for British industries.
93. Assess the cultural implications of Thomas Macaulay’s Minute of 1835 that promoted English education to create a class of anglicized Indians loyal to the Raj.
94. Evaluate the effect of the Draconian Press Acts and Vernacular Press Act of 1878 in severely censoring nationalist newspapers.
95. Examine the flaws of the Ilbert Bill controversy reflecting racial barriers for native judges presiding over European cases.
96. Analyze the impact of railway expansion in serving colonial trade interests rather than native welfare and accentuating economic drain.
97. Assess the negative impact of the Permanent Zamindari Settlement on peasants who were forced to pay high rents with no safeguards for their welfare.
98. Evaluate the reactionary implications of the Arms Act of 1878 banning weapon access for natives while permitting British troops.
99. Examine the devastating Bengal Famine of 1943 as an outcome of flawed British food policy and priority for war supplies over native welfare.
100. Analyze the systemic economic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji about how India was ‘bled white’ to sustain the colonial regime rather than for native welfare.
101. Assess the cultural implications of Thomas Macaulay’s infamous Minute of 1835 that aimed to create a class of anglicized Indians loyal to the Raj.
102. Evaluate implications of the vernacular press and nationalist publications in building political consciousness against colonial exploitation.
103. Examine the impact of forest laws giving the British monopoly over valuable timber resources while restricting rights of native forest dwellers.
104. Analyze the flawed justice system creating separate European and native courts with racial barriers for equality before law.
105. Assess the decided racial bias underlying the Ilbert Bill controversy in 1883 over rights of native magistrates to judge European cases.
106. Evaluate outcomes of the three university education commissions under British patronage and their flaws regarding curriculum design.
107. Examine the economic critique about the inversion of India’s world manufacturing pre-eminence into a source of raw materials and captive market for British industries.
108. Analyze the ruinous consequences of British land revenue settlements that distorted agrarian relations and impoverished peasants.
109. Assess the Dutch model of exploitation underlying the policy framework of British traders even after the end of Company Rule post-1857.
110. Evaluate implications of the vernacular press and nationalist publications in building political consciousness against colonial economic exploitation.
111. Examine the devastating famines under British rule as outcomes of flawed economic priorities and negligible relief policy for native welfare.
112. Analyze the systemic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji about how India was ‘bled white’ through economic policies favoring British imperial interests.
113. Assess the cultural implications of Thomas Macaulay’s infamous Minute of 1835 that aimed to create a class of anglicized Indians loyal to the Raj.
114. Evaluate reasons for native suspicion about missionary activities worrying religious conversions in the guise of educational upliftment.
115. Examine economic outcomes of British monopoly over the shipping industry and stiff protectionism hampering India’s international trade prospects.
116. Analyze the Permanent Settlement of Bengal creating an oppressive feudal regime by imposition of high revenue demands favoring absentee landlords.
117. Assess the negative role model provided by Cornwallis’s permanent land revenue settlement later replicated across British India.
118. Evaluate implications of the vernacular press and nationalist publications in building political consciousness against oppressive colonial policies
119. Examine the devastating famines under British rule as outcomes of flawed economic priorities and negligible relief policy for native welfare.
120. Analyze the systemic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji about how India was ‘bled white’ through flawed revenue, taxation and economic policies.
121. Examine the Pax Britannica framework underlying colonial governance priorities emphasizing military consolidation and selective collaboration rather than comprehensive development.
122. Analyze the devastating Great Bengal Famine of 1943 as an outcome of Winston Churchill’s flawed food policy favoring war supplies over native welfare.
123. Assess the cultural implications of Lord Macaulay’s Minute of 1835 that promoted English education to create a class of anglicized colonial intermediaries.
124. Evaluate the negative impact of the permanent Zamindari Settlement on peasants who were forced to pay high rents with no safeguards for their welfare.
125. Examine the systemic critique by Dadabhai Naoroji about how India was ‘bled white’ through a vicious cycle of high taxes, debt payments and uncontrolled outflow of wealth.
126. Analyze the geopolitical factors underlying fluctuating British policy in India based on international power equations rather than native welfare considerations.
127. Assess the decided racial bias underlying controversies like the Ilbert Bill that exposed discrimination in imparting equality before law to natives.
128. Evaluate British land revenue settlements for lacking socio-economic contextualization causing agrarian distress and rural indebtedness over generations.
129. Examine the devastating famines under British rule as outcomes of flawed economic priorities and negligible relief policy for native welfare.
130. Analyze the systemic critique by Romesh Chunder Dutt regarding destruction of India’s handicrafts for benefit of British industrial lobbies under imperial policies.