PU Chandigarh Annual paper April 2005 B. A. I (B)

B. A./ B. Sc. (General) Ist Year
History
Paper – B
History of India C – 1200 – 1750 A. D.

Time allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 100

Note: (i) Attempt any five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) An outline map of India is enclosed.
(iv) Before the start of the paper, detach the map from the question paper and stitch it inside the answer book before the last sheet.


I. What did Ghiyas-ud-din Balban do for the consolidation of Delhi Sultanate? 20

II. Describe the Deccan campaigns of Ala-ud-din Khilji. What were the motives of these campaigns? 20

III. Critically examine the land revue system of Sher Shah Suri. Write its defects also. 20

IV. Give an account of the Rajput Policy of Akbar. What was its significance? 20

V. Describe the main features of administration of Vijay Nagar kingdom. 20

VI. What was the role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal Administration during the period of Jahangir? 20

VII. Discuss in detail the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. 20

VIII on the outline map of India show the expansion of empire of Ala-ud-din Khili. Add explanatory note on it also.

Or

On the outline map of India show the following places and write a short note on each:
Mathura, Panipat, Luchknow, Bijapur. 12, 8

IX Answer any for questions out fo the following in paragraph of about 100 words each:
(1) What was the impact of change of capital by Muhammad Tughlaq? 5
(2) First battle of Panipat. 5
(3) Mansabdari system. 5
(4) Achievements of Krishna Dev Rai 5
(5) Chauth and Sardesh Mukhi Taxes 5
(6) Principles of Sufism. 5
(7) Achievements of Balaji Vishwanath. 5
(8) Battle of Khidrana 5

X. Answer any ten of the following in one or two lines each:
(1) When were the first and second battles of Tarain fought? 2
(2) Name the policy adopted by Balban to suppress his enemies. 2
(3) Name the foreign traveller who came to India during the time of Muhammad Tughlaq. 2
(4) Name two new towns founded by Feroze Tughlaq. 2
(5) Name the founder of Vijay Nagar Empire. 2
(6) Mention the name of the autobiography of Babar. In which language was it written? 2
(7) Importance of the battle of Kannau in the life of Sher Shah. 2
(8) Name the Rajput king who did not accept the Sovereignty of Akbar. 2
(9) Name the two Jat leaders who revolted against Aurangzeb. 2
(10) When and were Shivaji coronated? 2
(11) Name the two Saints of Bhakti Movement. 2
(12) Name the capital city constructed by Akbar. 2
(13) In whose memory was Taj Mahal built? 2
(14) Name the Mughal ruler who loved paintings. 2
(15) How Khidrana came to be known as Muktsara? 2
(16) What do you mean by Bandai Khalsa? 2
(17) Name the successor of Shivaji. 2
(18) Who was Abul-Fazal? Name his famous work. 2
(19) Mention the names of two Maratha Peshwas of 19th century. 2
(20) When was the Third battle of Panipat fought? 2



General Observation:

This question can not be called a balanced question paper.

Firstly, question no VII (Discuss in detail the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev.) does not belong to this paper. If the argument is that the question belongs to the time period of the paper, then it is a mere argument but no justification.

Secondly, there are two many very very short answers in question no X which belongs to period 1700 to 1750 and only to the region of Punjab. There are two topics related to this period in the syllabus. One is the regional revolts against Aurangzeb and continuation of Sikh struggle along with other regional struggle for political control in Topic X of syllabus. Other regions specified in the syllabus have not received any attention. There is only one question of 2 marks about the Jat revolt against Aurangzeb.

This is a political history paper. There is no reference to social and cultural aspects. But the paper setter has not given importance to this aspect.

Thirdly, the framing of question is not up to the mark. Consider the following question:

Importance of the battle of Kannau in the life of Sher Shah. 2


There is a separate topic on Shivaji but as the selection of question is not made while keeping in mind the changes in the latest paper, the paper setter has not been able to do justification.

In biased and unbalanced distribution of questions over the syllabus become more discernable when we find that Paper was highly balanced.

Similar type of shortcoming is observed in Paper A of B. A. III in which some questions are totally out of syllabus. The paper setter has not studied the new changes brought in the latest syllabus in that paper also. He has asked about the opium wars where as that topic has been removed from the syllabus this year.

PU Chandigarh Annual paper April 2005 B. A. III (B)

B. A./ B. Sc. (General) 3rd Year
History
Paper – B
War and Peace in the Modern World.

Time allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Attempt any five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) An outline map of India is enclosed.
(iv) Before the start of the paper, detach the map from the question paper and stitch it inside the answer book before the last sheet.

I. Give an account of the partition of Africa among the European powers. 20

II. Write in detail the causes of the First World War 1914. 20

III. Discuss the causes and effects of the Chinese revolution of 1911.

IV. What was Fascism? Discuss the principles and factors responsible for the rise of Fascism in Italy. 20

V. Discuss the Home and Foreign policy of Hitler. 10, 10

VI. Discuss the achievement and shortcoming of the United Nation Organisation. 20

VII. What do you know about the mdoernisation of Turkey under Kamal Pasha? 20

VIII. On thte outline map of Europe show the condition of Europe on the eve of World War II. Add explanatory note also.

Or

On the outline map of World show the following places and write explanatory note on each.
(i) Geneva
(ii) Washington
(iii) Peking
(iv) Tokyo 12,8

IX. Answer any four question of about 100 words each:
(i) Write any four causes of Anglo-French Entenete, 1904.
(ii) Rise of Chiang Kai Sheik in China.
(iii) Write about the downfall of Mussolini.
(iv) Difficulties of Weimer Republic.
(v) Write any five result of IInd World War.
(vi) Write about Marshall Plan.
(vii) Suez crisis in Egypt.
(viii) European Imperial rivalry over Turkey. 5x4= 20

X. Answer any ten questions in one or two lines:
(i) Which two continents were effected with the advent of New Imperialism?
(ii) Write the names of three persons who discovered Africa.
(iii) When Anglo-Russian alliance came into being?
(iv) Who was Rasputin?
(v) Who was the leader of Bolshevik Revolution? When did he become the Prime Minister of Russia?
(vi) Who was made the secretary of military academy of China?
(vii) Who was founder of the Red Army?
(viii) Who do you mean by Meiji Restoration?
(ix) When was the Bank of Japan established?
(x) When did the Great Economic Depression start and for how many years it existed?
(xi) Which paper was edited by Mussolini?
(xii) Name the ruler when Fascism started in Italy?
(xiii) When and by whom Nazi Party was established?
(xiv) When did Hitler become the Chancellor of Germany?
(xv) Who are the permanent members of Security Council in U.N.O?
(xvi) Was U. S. A. Member of League of Nations?
(xvii) What was Munro doctrine?
(xviii) Give the period when Mustafa Kamal Pasha ruled Turkey.
(xix) Who presided over the Berlin Congress in 1878 and what did he get out of it?
(xx) When did the treaty of Versailles take place?


A General Observation:

It is claimed on the basis of experience that the next year that is in 2006, a similar type of question paper will be placed. There will be no long question on Great Depression.

There will definitely be a question of on World War even if it is made part of topics in which some other questions can be asked.

The question papers which appeared from 1994 to 1999 had the similar set of questions.

It is a guess work for 2006:

Collect the question papers of 1994 to 1999. You will get a bank of question papers which will be repeated.

Such a bank will soon appear on this blog and on a related blog which will be created at the beginning of the next seesion that is July 2005.



So Watch out for that blog

PU Chandigarh Annual Paper A, BA II, April 2005

B. A. / B. Sc. (General) 2nd year
History
Paper – A
History of India (1750 – 1964)

Time allowed: Three hours
Maximum marks : 100

Notes: (i) attempt any five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) Outline map of India is attached herewith
(iv) Before the start of the paper, detach the map from the question paper and stitch it inside the answer-book before the last sheet.


I. Examine the administrative, judicial, educational and social reforms of William Bentick. 20

II. Describe the political and socio-religious causes of the uprising of 1857. 20

III. Outline the main economic changes which took place in India under the British Rule.

IV. Describe origin and achievements of the Arya Samaj.

V. Discuss programme and policies of Indian national Congress up to 1919. 20

VI. Write in brief, role of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom struggle. 20

VII. Give an account of the contribution of B. R. Ambedkar for the uplift of the depressed classes. 20

VIII. On the outline map of India show the following places of importance. Also add an explanatory note:
Madras, Plassey, Lahore, Jhansi

Or

On the outline map of India how ‘Centers of the Great Uprising of 1857’. Write notes also. 12, 8

IX. Answer any four of the following in a paragraph of about 100 words each:
(i) Significance of Battle of Buxar.
(ii) Doctrine of Lapse.
(iii) Ramakrishan Mission.
(iv) Revolutionary Movement in Punjab.
(v) Contribution of Jotiba Phule in Depressed Class Movement.
(vi) Communal Politics.
(vii) Making of the Constitution.
(viii) Agriculture Development after Independence. 4x5=20

X. Attempt any ten questions out of the following in one or two lines each:
(i) Write two results of Battle of Plassey.
(ii) Name two demerits of Dual System in Bengal.
(iii) When and by whom Permanent Settlement was started?
(iv) Write the names of four states annexed by Policy of Lapse.
(v) Write two military causes of 1857 uprising.
(vi) When and where Brahmo Samaj was established?
(vii) Write two demerits of Cemmercialisation of Agriculture.
(viii) What established Aligarh Movement?
(ix) Who is author of Anandmath? Mention its famous song.
(x) Which Newspaper were pblished by Bal Ganghadhr Tilak?
(xi) Write two reasons of political awakening in India.
(xii) Name two leaders of Swaraj Party.
(xiii) When and between whom the Lucknow Pact was signed?
(xiv) Write two objectives of Muslim League.
(xv) Name the society founded by Jotiba Phule.
(xvi) When and where did the Muslim League pass the resolution of Pakistan?
(xvii) When and between whom ‘Poona Pact’ was signed?
(xviii) Name two Khilafat leaders.
(xix) Name members of Cabinet Mission.
(xx) Who worked for the integration of Princely States? 10x2=20

Medieval India for May 2, 2005

Set as suggested in the class:
________________
Write on the wars of Ittutmish.

___________
What was the economic policy of Alauddin Khilji?
What do you understand from the market policy of Aluddin Khilji? What were it main features? Why did it fail?
Write about the wars of Aluddin Khiliji?
Write about the administration of Aluddin Khilji.
__________
Write about the administration of Firozeshah Tughlaq.
______________
Write about the religious policy of Akbar.
Write about the Rajput Policy of Akbar.
__________
Write about the civil and military administration of Shivaji.
Write about the about the wars of Shivaji.

The following questions are strongly recommended in addition to the above question. It is based on the judgement on the questions which had appeared in the compartment paper which was held on March 30, 2005 just before the commencement of the present exams.

Balban: (V. V. IMP)
What was the blood and Iron policy of Balban?
Write about the achievements of Balban.
In case of Akabr:
You must Add:
The land revenue administration of Akbar.


What was the role of Nur Jahan in the Mughal Administration? (V. V. IMP)


** The very very short question bank will come up with in next 24 hours.**

** In case of any specific demand or query leave the message in comment or email by going into "My Profile" section.**

B. A. I Annual Paper Solutions

B. A. I, History of India upto 1200 A. D.
Annual Examination,
Held on April 15, 2005, in Morning Session
Conducted by Punjab University, Chandigarh

Solutions to Question X
******
Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:

1. Give the names of four passes in the North-Western Himalayas.
Ans. The important passes in the Western ranges of Himalayas are Khyber, Khurram, Tochi and Gomal.
_________
2. How did the word Hindu originate?
Ans. The word "Hindu" is a corrupted form of the word "Sindh". The Iranians pronounced the syllable "S" as "H". Therefore, they pronounced Sindhu as Hindu.
_______
3. Write the names of any two scholars associated with the excavation of Indus Valley Civilization.
Ans. Dayaram Sahini, R. D. Banerjee, Sir John Marshal and M. S. Vats were the four scientists who had contributed to the archeological excavation on the sites of Mohan-jo-Daro and Harappa.
_______
4. Write the names of four Vedas. Which of them is the oldest.
Ans. The four Vedas are Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda. The oldest Veda is the Rig Veda.
_______
5. Write the names of the women scholars of the Later Vedic Age.
Ans. Gargi and Matrai were two most popular women scholars of Vedic period of Later Vedic Age.
_______
6. Give the names of any two rulers of North-West on the eve of Alexander’s Invasion.
Ans. Ambhi of Taxila and Porus of Chajja Doab (region between Jhelum and Chenab.
________
7. Write any two causes of the defeat of Porus.
Ans. Porus suffered due to surprise attack of Alexander at the battle of Kari which proved that Alexander was a better commander and strategist than Porus.
Porus army suffered due to rain at battle Kari whereas Alexander’s archer succeeded in breaking the vanguard of Porus.
________
8. Write the names of the son and daughter of Asoka, who went to Sri Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism.
Ans. Ashoka sent his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to Lanka to spread the message of Buddhism.
________
9. Of the Mauryan rulers, who won the Battle of Kalinga and when?
Ans. Ashoka won the Battle of Kalinga. He won it in ninth year of his reign in year 261-62 B.C.
_________
10. Who reported to have been the court physician of Kanishka?
Ans. Charaka, the famous of Ayurvedic literature titled Charak Sahimta was the court physician of Kanishka.
____________

11. Give the names of the parents of Samudragupta.
Ans. Chandragupta I was the father of Samudragupta. Kumar Devi (from Lichchavi clan) was the mother of Samudragupta.
____________

12. Who was Fa-Hien? Name the king about whose reign he has written.
Ans. Fa-Hien was the Chinese traveller. He wrote about the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya. However, he had not mentioned the name of the Gupta ruler.
________

13. Who was the author of Panchtantra?
Ans. Vaishnusarman was the author of Panchtantra. It was written during Gupta period.
__________

14. With which matrimonial alliance Chandra Gupta II increased his power?
Ans. Chandra Gupta II married himself in Nagas. He married his daughter to Vakatakas. Both these matrimonial allainces helped to increase his power.
_________

15. Who was Aryabhatta?
Ans. Aryabhatta was mathematician and astronomer of Gupta period. He wrote Aryabhatiyam in 499 A. D.
__________

16. Who was the author of Ashtang-Sangrah?
Ans. Ashtang-Sangrah was written by Vagbhata I during the Gupta period. It was a commentatry on the works of Charaka and Susruta.
_________

17. Mention any two theories regarding the origin of Rajputs?
Ans. Surya Vanshi origin and Chandra Vanshi origin theory as supported by Ved , Vyas and Ojha are more popular. However, the most accepted theory is V. A. Smith according to which they originated from mixing of Indian and foreign tribes.
_________

18.Who was the founder of the temple of Rajrajeshwar at Tanjore?
Ans. Raj Raj Chola 985-1014 was the builder of Rajrajeshwar temple at Tanjore.
___________

19. Give the period of reign of Rajendra Chola I.
Ans. The period of reign of Rajendra Chola I was from 1014 A. D. to 1044 A. D.
_______

20. Give names of any two prominent rulers of Pallava?
Ans: Mahendravarman I and Narshimhavarman I were the two prominent rulers of Pallava.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recommended Sources:
Ancient India by R. K. Khanna, A. K. Bhardwaj and Sumir Sharma.
Ancient Indian History and Civilization by S. N. Sen.

Analysis of B. A. I Ancient History Annual Paper of PU Chandigarh

An Analysis and Some Observations


An analysis and some observations on
B. A. I, History of India upto 1200 A. D.
Annual Examination,
Held on April 15, 2005, in Morning Session
Conducted by Punjab University, Chandigarh

Time allowed: Three Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: (i) Attempt any five questions.
(ii) All questions carry equal marks.
(iii) An outline map of India is enclosed.
(iv) Before the start of the paper, detach the map from the question paper and stitch it inside the answer book before the last sheet.

I. Describe briefly the impact of physical features of India on its history. 20
II. Discuss the main sources of Ancient Indian History. 20
III. Give an account of the social and religious life of Rigvedic civilization. 20
IV. What do you know about the teachings of Gautam Buddha? 20
V. Write a note on civil and military administration of Chandragupta Maurya. 20
VI. Briefly describe the main features of society and cultural developments during the Gupta Age.
20
VII. Explain the main features of the Chola administration. 20
VIII. On the accompanying outline map of India, indicate the geographical location of Harappan sites. Also add an explanatory note. 12,8

Or

On the accompanying outline map of India, indicate the following places and also write a brief note on the historical importance of each place.
(i) Kurukshetra (ii) Kanauj (iii) Tanjore (iv) Bodhgaya

IX. Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
i.Legacy of Indus Valley civilization.
ii. Position of women during Later Vedic Age.
iii. Parshavnath.
iv. Law of Piety.
v. Gandhara School of Art.
vi. Chandragupta – I
vii. Kalidas.
viii. The Feudal order under the Rajput civilization.
X. Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:

1.Give the names of four passes in the North-Western Himalayas.
2. How did the word Hindu originate?
3. Write the names of any two scholars associated with the excavation of Indus Valley Civilization.
4. Write the names of four Vedas. Which of them is the oldest.
5. Write the names of the women scholars of the Later Vedic Age.
6. Give the names of any two rulers of North-West on the eve of Alexander’s Invasion.
7. Write any two causes of the defeat of Porus.
8. Write the names of the son and daughter of Asoka, who went to Sri Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism.
9. Of the Mauryan rulers, who won the Battle of Kalinga and when?
10. Who reported to have been the court physician of Kanishka?
11. Give the names of the parents of Samudragupta.
12. Who was Fa-Hien? Name the king about whose reign he has written.
13. Who was the author of Panchtantra?
14. With which matrimonial alliance Chandra Gupta II increased his power?
15. Who was Aryabhatta?
16. Who was the author of Ashtang-Sangrah?
17. Mention any two theories regarding the origin of Rajputs?
18. Who was the founder of the temple of Rajrajeshwar at Tanjore?
19. Give the period of reign of Rajendra Chola I.
20. Give names of any two prominent rulers of Pallava? 10x2=20

The above question paper fits into the Syllabus of Punjab University Chandigarh as follows:

Syllabus of B. A. I Session 2004-2005

Paper A: History of India up to 1200 A. D.

1. Geography and History: The physical features and their influence on the course of Indian History.

April 2005

Describe briefly the impact of physical features of India on its history. 20

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Give the names of four passes in the North-Western Himalayas. 2
How did the word Hindu originate? 2

One Long Question
Two very very short question.
Total marks = 20+2+2= 24

2. Major Sources of Ancient Indian History: Literary sources, Archaeological findings; inscriptions; coins; travel accounts.

April 2005

Discuss the main sources of Ancient Indian History. 20

One Long Question
Total Marks= 20

(There are many references to literature of ancient period which have relevance for the chapters in which they have appeared. They may also be included. However, they are not included here. Kindly refer to arguments made at the end of this analysis.)

3. Harappan Civilization: Extent; town planning; Political organization, economy and Religion.

April 2005

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Legacy of Indus Valley civilization. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Write the names of any two scholars associated with the excavation of Indus Valley Civilization. 2

On the accompanying outline map of India, indicate the geographical location of Harappan sites. Also add an explanatory note. 12,8=20

One short question.
One very very short question.
One map question
Total marks: 5+2+20=27


4. Vedic Period: Early Vedic Polity, Aspects of Society, Economy and Religion in Early Vedic period, Developments in the Later Vedic period.

April 2005

Give an account of the social and religious life of Rigvedic civilization. 20

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Write the names of four Vedas. Which of them is the oldest. 2
Write the names of the women scholars of the Later Vedic Age. 2

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Position of women during Later Vedic Age. 5

One long question
Two very very short questions
One short question
Total marks: 20+2+2+5= 29

5. Beginning of Early Historic Period: Kingdoms and Ganga-Sanghas in the 6th century B. C. The rise of Jainism and Buddhism and teachings of the new religions, Alexander’s invasions.

April 2005

What do you know about the teachings of Gautam Buddha? 20

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Parshavnath. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Give the names of any two rulers of North-West on the eve of Alexander’s Invasion. 2
Write any two causes of the defeat of Porus. 2

One long question
One short question
One very very short question
Total marks: 20+5+2= 27

6. The Mauryan Empire: Conquests of Chandragupta Maurya; Ashoka’s Dhamma, administration and society under the Mauryans.

April 2005

Write a note on civil and military administration of Chandragupta Maurya. 20

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Law of Piety. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Write the names of the son and daughter of Asoka, who went to Sri Lanka for the propagation of Buddhism. 2
Of the Mauryan rulers, who won the Battle of Kalinga and when? 2

One long question
One short question
Two very very short questions
Total marks: 20+5+2+2= 29

7. Post-Mauryan Period: Polity and Trade under the Kushans and the Satavahanas.

April 2005

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Gandhara School of Art. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Who reported to have been the court physician of Kanishka? 2

One short question
One very very short question
Total marks: 5+2= 7

8. The Gupta Empire: Expansion under Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, agrarian economy and the beginning of feudal society. Scientific and cultural developments.

April 2005

Briefly describe the main features of society and cultural developments during the Gupta Age. 20

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
Chandragupta – I. 5
Kalidas. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Give the names of the parents of Samudragupta. 2
Who was Fa-Hien? Name the king about whose reign he has written. 2
Who was the author of Panchtantra? 2
With which matrimonial alliance Chandra Gupta II increased his power? 2
Who was Aryabhatta? 2
Who was the author of Ashtang-Sangrah? 2

One long question
Two short questions
Six very very short questions
Total marks: 20+5+5+2+2+2+2+2= 40


9. Early Medieval Period in North India: Polity, Society and Economy of the Rajputs of North India.

April 2005

Attempt any four of the following questions. Each answer should be of about 100 words.
The Feudal order under the Rajput civilization. 5

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Mention any two theories regarding the origin of Rajputs? 2

One short question
One very very short question
Total marks: 5+2=7

10. Early Medieval Period in South India: Society, economy and administration under the Pallavas and Cholas.

April 2005

Explain the main features of the Chola administration. 20

Attempt any ten of the following question in one or two lines:
Who was the founder of the temple of Rajrajeshwar at Tanjore? 2
Give the period of reign of Rajendra Chola I. 2
Give names of any two prominent rulers of Pallava? 2

One long answer
Three very very short answers
Total Marks: 20+2+2+2= 24

Map Work:
a. Important Historical Places: Taxila, Indraprashtha, Kurukshetra, Kannauj, Pataliputra, Ujjain, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi, Sopara, Eloora, Ajanta, Sanchi, Tanjore, Kanchi.


Hence the contribution in terms of number from I to X topic is as follows:
24-20-27-29-27-29-07-40-07-24

Maximum contributing topic:
It shows that the topic no 8 that is "The Gupta Empire: Expansion under Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, agrarian economy and the beginning of feudal society. Scientific and cultural developments" contributed maximum to the question paper.

Minimum contributing topic :
The topic numbers 7 and 9, which are "Post-Mauryan Period: Polity and Trade under the Kushans and the Satavahanas" and "Early Medieval Period in North India: Polity, Society and Economy of the Rajputs of North India" contributed the least to the question paper.

If we take total that is 234 equal to 100 then weightage will be as follows:
10.25 - 8.54 – 11.53 – 12.39 – 11.53 – 12.39 – 2.99 – 17.09 – 2.99 – 10.25
However, if we take total of all marks allocated which will be 254, then we get the following figure:
9.44 – 7.87 – 10.62 – 11.41 – 10.62 – 11.41 – 2.75 – 15.74 – 2.75 – 9.44


A View:
The Maximum Marks are 100 and there is 50% choice. It is just a view that the paper can be structured in such a manner, that it should be of 200 in total allocation in place of 254 marks. No doubt, that could be achieved by reducing choice or breaking down the long questions as it is done by other two universities of Punjab.

On the whole all the topics have been touched as desired in the syllabus. Only one topic stands out for its higher contribution to the question paper. It happens every year. If it is Gupta period which has contributed more then other topics this year then next year it may be topic number 6 on Mauryan period. Next year, it may be topic number 3 on Vedic period.

Even then, it can be said that the paper was well balanced.

If there is any objection, then only complaint can be that there is no long question on Harappan period. But there is Map question on Harappan period. If there is such a complaint, then it is merely there because it was regular feature and this year the question has not appeared from this chapter.


An Observation and Criticism:

However, the topic on Sources, that is topic no 2, fascinates. After the latest changes in the structure of syllabus this year, this topic has maintained its existence in the syllabus. The syllabus has been rationalized by filling in the gap by introducing the Kushan period. Thus a wide gap, which had remained for so many years, has been filled by bring in this topic. Otherwise, for teachers, it was very difficult to give a chronological continuity in their lectures because after ending Mauryan period, they did not tell any thing about period spanned over 500 years. Earlier, after Mauryan period which ends at 189 B. C. they started with Guptan period which begins from 320 A. D. But this topic on Sources remains there. It is fascinating because there is no separate topic in case of paper B nor there is any such insistence in case of B. A. II and B. A. III syllabus. Sources are inseparable part of history writing and understanding of history. Without understanding the importance of sources, you can not speak about history. The only contention is that why it is specifically sought in case of Ancient History. Why is it not in case of other papers?


On the other hand, it should be part of every topic in every paper. It seems that the pre-independence hangover and British and Cambridge history influence are not shed by the India history intellectual world as yet.

Similarly, the complaint of South Indian universities teachers still remains. The south Indian history is not fully represented in Ancient History period. The syllabus has brought in Pallavas this time but that is not enough. There should be topics on Pandyas and Cheras and their cultural achievements under Sungam age.

Very Short Answers for B. A. I. Paper A. Ancient India. Session 2005

SET TWO


Question Bank of Two Marks questions (Q 10) of the final Paper of B. A. I, Ancient India, to be conducted by Punjab University Chandigarh in April 2005 (April 15)


Reference Chapter: The Indus Valley Civilization

Add to your knowledge in free time at Indus Valley Civilization


Highly Important: V. V. Imp


Q: Write the name of four scientists who had contributed to the archeological excavation on the sites of Mohan-jo-Daro and Harappa.
Answer: Dayaram Sahini, R. D. Banerjee, Sir John Marshal and M. S. Vats were the four scientists who had contributed to the archeological excavation on the sites of Mohan-jo-Daro and Harappa.
____________________
Q: Where do we find the four main centers of Indus Valley Civilization at four different places in India.
Answer: We find at Lothal, Rangpur, Alamgirpur and Sanghol the main centers of Indus Valley Civilization at four different places in India.
_________________
Q: Write the name of those states of Modern India where we find the remains of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: We find the modern Punjab, Haryana, Rajesthan and Gujrat in the present India which are the four main centers of Indus Valley Civilization at four different places in India.
____________
Q: Write the name of any four centers of Indus Valley Civilization which are now situated in Pakistan.
Answer: Mohan-jo-Daro, Harappa, Kot Diji and Sutkangandor are the four centers of Indus Valley Civilization which are now situated in Pakistan.
_______________
Q: Write the length and breath of the mound (citadel) of Harappa.
Answer: The Citadel of Harappa is 410 meters long and 195 meters broad.
__________
Q: Where do we find the Great Bath? Write the dimensions (length, breath and depth) of the Great Bath.
Answer: We find the Great Bath at Mohan-jo-Daro. The dimensions of the inner pool of the Great bath are 39 feet length, 23 feet breadth and 8 feet depth.
____________
Q: Which metal was used more by the people of Indus Valley Civilization? What is the name of the Indus Valley Civilization on the basis of the metal which they used extensively?
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used Bronze metal extensively. Their civilization was also called the Bronze Civilization because of the extensive use of Bronze.
__________
Q: Write the four main crops of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The main crops of the Indus Valley Civilization were wheat, Barley, cotton and according to recent researches rice also at the later stage of its development.
_____________
Q: What was the other important agricultural produce of the Indus Valley Civilization apart from the food crops?
Answer: The cotton was the most important agricultural produce of the Indus Valley Civilization apart from other food crops. (A highly important question which has not appeared in the university papers for a long time. This question has appeared repeatedly in Civil Services Preliminary examination, NDA and CDS examination.)
_____________
Q: How many seals have been found at Mohan-jo-Daro? For what purpose were they used?
Answer: 1200 seals have been found at Mohan-jo-Daro. The seals were used by the traders on their goods so that they could be secured.
________________

Q: Which four animals are shown on the seals of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The icons of rhinoceros, tiger, elephant and antelope are shown on the seals of Indus Valley Civilization.
____________

Q: What was the style of Indus script? How many figures of Indus script have been found?
Answer: The Indus script was in form of Pictographs. We have found 396 figures of Pictographic Indus script.
____________
Q: On what material do we find the Indus script written?
Answer: We have the Indus script written on their utensils, walls, seals and weights.
____________
Q: For which two things, was Lothal popular?
Answer: Lothal was popular for its harbour and industry of beads.
__________
Q: From where have we found the dancing girl made of metal? What is the metal of which the dancing girl is made of?
Answer: The dancing girl was made of Bronze and it was found at Mohan-jo-Daro.
__________
Q: Write the names of two main god and goddesses of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: Pashupati Nath and Mother goddesses were the two main god goddesses of the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
_________
Q: Write the four such main features of the religion of Indus Valley Civilization which had continued even afterwards.
Answer: The feature of worship of Mother Goddess, worship of Lord Shiva, worship of Linga, the idol worship and ritual bathing were the main religious features of Indus Valley Civilization which had continued even afterwards.
__________
Q: What do you know about the features of the roads found in Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The roads of the cities of the Indus Valley Civilization were 13 to 33 feet wide. They meet each other at the angle of 90°.
_______
Q: What is the material of the seals found from Harappa and Mohan-jo-Daro? From where have we found the maximum number of seals out of those two places?
Answer: The seals found at Harappa and Mohan-jo-Daro were made of stiatite which is a form of clay. The maximum number of seals were found at Mohan-jo-Daro which are 1200 in numbers.
_____________
Q: What do you know about the Indus script?
Answer: The script of Indus Valley Civilization was pictographic. We have found 396 pictographs, which symbolises either some sounds or meanings. This script is written from left to right. At some places, it was found written from right to left also.
_________
Q: Which four animals are shown on the seals of the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The icons of rhinoceros, tiger, elephant, bull, unicorn and antelope are shown on the seals of Indus Valley Civilization.
__________
Q: Which period is considered as the period of the progress of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The period between 2250 B. C. to 1750 B. C. is considered as the period of the progress of Indus Valley Civilization.

+++++++++++++++
Most of the time, the questions are such that they can be answered in one word. However, in between, a trend had started that the paper setter had asked such questions which required two or three specific lines. This is a feature of the question papers of Punjabi Unniversity Patiala and Guru Nanak University Amritsar. In those universities there are specific sections which ask answer in two or three lines and there is no single word answer. Such questions have also appeared in Punjab University Chandigarh question papers. The following questions are of that category.
++++++++++++++++
Q: Write any four features of the inner architecture of the houses of the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The main features of the inner construction of the houses were that each house had one kitchen, one bath room and one well. Fourthly, there were adequate arrangement for ventilation by making required doors and ventilators.
+++++++++++++
Q: Write the four possible causes of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The four main causes of the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization were – (i). flooding of River Indus, (ii). Changing of the course by the river, (iii). Earthquakes and (iv). Attacks of the Aryans.
+++++++++++++

***************
Read Only Type Questions:
Q: How was the Indus Valley Civilization named?
Answer: The main remains of Indus Valley Civilization was excavated on the banks of Indus and its tributaries. Therefore it was named Indus Valley Civilization.
**************
Q: What is the other name of Indus Valley Civilization? What is the basis of another name of Indus Valley
Civilization?
Answer: The other name of the Indus Valley Civilization is Harappan Culture. It was named so because the remains of this civilization were discovered at Harappa for the first time.
*************
Q: Which are the three types of inhabitation found in Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The three types of inhabitation found in Indus Valley Civilization are village, towns and cities.
**************
Q: Write the name of the any four weapons used by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used arrows, knives, axes and daggers as their main weapons.
*************
Q: What type of beads did the people of Indus Valley Civilization used in the strings of the necklaces. Write the name of any four materials which were used by them to make beads.
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization of used the beads made of gold, silver, copper and precious stones in their necklaces.
************
Q: What were the two main procedures adopted by the people of Indus Valley Civilization to produce their pottery?
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used the procedure of potter wheel and hand fabricated pottery to produce their pottery.
************
Q: Which are the four patterns found painted on the earthen-wares of the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The patterns of flowers, leaves, birds and animals were found painted on the earthen-wares of the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
*************
Q: Write the name of the races which formed the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: Mediterraneans, Alpnoids, Mongoloids and Proto-Austroloids were the four races which formed the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
*************
Q: Write the name of two regions each with which the people of Indus Valley Civilization had trading relations in India and Asia.
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization had trading relation with Rajesthan and Mysore in India and with Afghanistan and Sumer in Asia.
************
Q: Which four items were exported by the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The cotton cloth, pearls, ivory and ivory products and monkey were exported by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
*************
Q: Which four metals were known to the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: Gold, silver, Bronze and copper were the four metals known to the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
************
Q: Write two main crops and two other food items of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The main good crops were wheat and Barley. The other two food items were milk and cereal products which were taken by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
************
Q: Write the name of such four items which were exported by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization exported the cotton clothes, pearls, ivory and monkeys.
************
Q: Write the two main features of the towns of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The towns of the Indus Valley Civilization were laid as in a planned manner. There were adequate sanitary arrangements in form of bricked drains to polluted water.
************
Q: Which tress were worshiped by the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization worshiped the trees of Pipal and neem.
*************
Q: Write the name of two means of transportation used by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used the bullock cart and boats as the means of transportation.
************
Q: What was the material used for making jewelry by the people of Indus Valley Civilization
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used precious stones, gold, silver, ivory etc for making jewelry.
*************
Q: Write the name four main items of jewelry used by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The Bangles, necklace, ear rings and finger rings were the four main jewelry items used by the people of Indus Valley Civilization.
**************
Q: Which four animals were domesticated by the people of Indus Valley Civilization? About which animal did the people of Indus Valley Civilization have no knowledge?
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization domesticated Bull, goat, buffalo, dog etc. It seems that they did not know any thing about domesticating horse.
**************
Q: With which four foreign countries did the Indus Valley Civilization have trade relations?
Answer: The Indus Valley Civilization had trade relations with Afghanistan, Iran Egypt and Sumer.
***************
Q: What were the death rituals of the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The main death rituals of the people of Indus Valley Civilization were cremation, by burying the dead, or by leaving the dead body in open to become the food of beasts and natural force etc.
***************
Q: What were the four means of amusement of the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The four main means of amusement of the people of Indus Valley Civilization were dance, hunting, bird fight and gambling.
************
Q: What was the material of jewelry of the people of Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The people of Indus Valley Civilization used precious stones, gold, silver, ivory, mud, copper, bones etc for making jewelry.
***********
Q: Write the name of the items of jewelry of the men and women of the Indus Valley Civilization.
Answer: The ornaments of men were necklace, arm bands and rings. The ornaments of women were earrings, ankle bands, hair bands, arm bands, bangles, nose pins, rings etc.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

Very Short Answers for B. A. I. Paper A. Ancient India. Session 2005

Question Bank of Two Marks questions (Q 10) of the final Paper of B. A. I, Ancient India, to be conducted by Punjab University Chandigarh in April 2005 (April 15)


Reference Chapter: Importance of Ancient Indian History and Influence of Geography on Indian History

Highly Important: V. V. Imp category

Q: What name did Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang write for India?
Answer: The Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang wrote Tien-Chu and Intu as the names of India.
Q: In which direction of India is the Himalayas Mountains situated? What is the length and breadth of these mountain ranges?
Answer: The Himalaya Mountains are situated in the North side of India. It is 1500 miles long and 150 to 200 miles broad. The height is 8,850 m/29,035 ft. For some interesting information you may log on to http://www.ciolek.com/
Q: What do you mean by the word ‘Himalayas’?
Answer: The word ‘Himalayas’ a house covered with snow.
Q: Name the four most important peaks of Himalayas.
Answer: The four most important peaks of Himalayas are Mount Everest, Mount. Kanchanjunga, Mount Dholgiri and Mount Naga Hills.
Q: What is the name of the highest peak of the Himalayas?
Answer: The highest peak of the Himalayas is Everest or Gory Shankar.
Q: Which place in the world does receive maximum rainfall? Where is it situated?
Answer: The maximum rainfall is received in Chirapunji which falls in mountains of Khasi in the Indian state Assam.
Q: Which are the important passes in the Western ranges of Himalayas?
Answer: The important passes in the Western ranges of Himalayas are Khyber, Khurram, Tochi and Gomal.
Q: Name the famous mountains in eastern ranges of Himalayas?
Answer: The famous mountains of eastern ranges of Himalayas are Patkoi, Lushai, Jaintia and Khasi mountains.
Q: What is the approximate length and breadth of Plain of Ganges and Indus Valleys?
Answer: The Plains of Ganges and Indus Valley are in the range of 1500 miles and 100 to 400 broad.
Q: Name the important rivers flowing through the Plains of Ganges and Indus Valley.
Answer: The main rivers which drains the Plains of Ganges and Indus are Beas, Satluj, Ravi, Beas, Chenab, Ghaggar, Indus, Brahmputra etc.
Q: Name the main passes of the Southern India?
Answer: The main passes of the Southern India are Thal Ghat, Bhor Ghat and Pal Ghat.
Q: Name the four most famous rivers of Southern India.
Answer: The four most famous rivers of Southern India are Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Caveri.
Q: Name the main rivers flowing through the Plains of Indus Valley.
Answer: The main rivers flowing though the Plains of Indus Valley are Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab and Jhelum.
Q: Which are the important rivers those flow through the Plains of Ganga Valley?
Answer: The important rivers those flow through the Plains of Ganga Valley are Ganga, Yammuna, Chambal, Ghaggar and Brahmputra.
Q: Name the four most famous cities situated in the Plains of Ganga Valley.
Answer: The four most famous cities situated in the Plain of Ganga Valley are Benaras, Lucknow, Bhopal and Kalkatta (Calcutta).
Q: How did the word "Hindu" originates?
Answer: The word "Hindu" is a corrupted form of the word "Sindh". The Iranians pronounced the syllable "S" as "H". Therefore, they pronounced Sindhu as Hindu.

Two lines answer:
Most of the time, the questions are such that they can be answered in one word. However, in between, a trend had started that the paper setter had asked such questions which required two or three specific lines. This is a feature of the question papers of Punjabi Unniversity Patiala and Guru Nanak University Amritsar. In those universities there are specific sections which ask answer in two or three lines and there is no single word answer. Such questions have also appeared in Punjab University Chandigarh question papers. The following questions are of that category.

Q: Write any two main effects (influence) of the Himalayas on the history of India.
Answer: a). The maximum from invasions on India came from North West Frontiers of situated in Himalayas ranges.
b). Punjab became the Gateway of India.
Q: Write any two effects of the Plains of Ganga and Indus on the history of India.
Answer: The two main effects of the Plains of Ganga and Indus were-
a). Delhi remained the capital of India.
b). Most the Indian Empire emerged in those Plains.
Q: Write any two effects of the rivers of India on the history of India.
Answer: a). The rivers impeded the march of invaders on India.
b). They proved natural boundaries for the smaller Indian kingdoms.
Q: Write any two social influences of geographical features on the history of India.
Answer: The two main social influences of geographical features on the history of India were:
a). The people of India were tolerant by nature.
b). The people of Ganga Valley were intelligent and peace loving.
Q: Write any two economic influences of the geographical features on the history of India.
Answer: The two main economic influences of geographical features on the history of India were:
a). India had grown rich because of its natural wealth.
b). India developed fruitful trading links with the foreign countries due to it geographical location.
Q: Write any two religious influences of the geographical features on the history of India.
Answer: The two main religious influences of geographical features on the history of India were:
a). The Islam religion spread in North India due to its geographical location.
b). Jainism and Buddhism were born in the Plains of Ganga.
Q: Write any two cultural influences of the geographical features on the history of India.
Answer: The two main cultural influences of geographical features on the history of India were:
a). A high standard religious literature was produced.
b). The fine arts developed and progressed due to its geographical features.


Read only type questions:

Q: By which name was India called during Vedic period?
Answer: India was called as ‘Aryavrata’ during the Vedic period.
Q: In which two geographical sections is Southern India divided?
Answer: The Southern Indian is divided into two geographical sections – Deccan Plateau and Eastern and Western Ghats.
Q: In how many and which geographical sections can India be divided?
Answer: From geographical point of view India can be divided into four sections - Himalayas ranges with its Eastern and Western ranges, the Plains of Ganga and Indus Valley, the Deccan Plateau and the Eastern and Western Ghats.

Q: What is Deccan Plateau?
Answer: The triangular high rising table of land made of volcanic material in the south of the Valleys of Ganga and Indus is called Deccan Plateau.
Q: What is the extent of the spread of Deccan Plateau?
Answer: The Deccan Plateau extents from Vindhya and Satpura ranges in north to Kumar Antareep in south.
Q: Name some important rivers of North India situated on the banks of the rivers during the ancient period of Indian history.
Answer: Some of the major cities situated on the banks of the rivers of North India during the ancient period of Indian history were Pataliputra, Varanasi, Prayaga, Ayodhya, Indraprasta etc.
Q: Which personality traits among Marathas were the result of geographical features of Mahrashtra?
Answer: The geographical features of Maharashtra made Marathas sturdy, diligent, courageous, brave and believer in simplicity.
Q: What was the effect of the geographical features of Punjab on the behaviour of the people of Punjab?
Answer: The geographical features of Punjab made the people of Punjab courageous, brave, intrepid and inculcated in them the personality traits of compassion, social service and self sacrifice.
Q: What was the main occupation of the Indians due to geographical features of India.
Answer: The main occupation of the Indians due to the geographical features of India was agriculture.
Q: Why is India called a sub-continent?
Answer: India is called a sub-continent because it is surrounded by seas from three sides.

STAGES IN THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY A BRIEF SUMMARY

General Note: It is a brief summary of the Unification of Italy. It forms the core of all the three answers to the questions suggested in Three Stages of Italian Unification. The following note can also be used for map question.

I believe, that candidates would like this summary if they had mastered the brief answer as suggested in the previous posting.


A. Stage First: - The reactionary powers were weakened and the awareness of nationalism was inculcated and developed among Italians. This stage is identified with the contributions of Mazzini.
B. Stage Second: - The question of Italy and its oppression by Austria became a topic of international debate. Cavour became an established diplomat in European international politics. The status of Sardinia also arose among the leading European powers. Lombardy was snatched from Austria in July 1859. This stage also watched the verdict in favour of merging with Piedmont-Sardinia by the states of Middle Italy. This phase was identified with the success of the diplomacy of Cavour.
C. Stage Third: - Absolutist monarchy in Naples and Sicily was ended by November 1860. The author of this stage was Garibaldi. Garibaldi could have even ended the rule of Pope in central Italy but Victor Emmanuel and Cavour accomplished this task leaving the existence of Pope in Rome intact.

D. Stage Fourth: - Italy, under Emmanuel, measured swords with Austria for one more time and acquired Venetia in 1866.

E. Stage Fifth: - Rome was made the part of Italy and the territories and the area of the influence of Pope was restricted and settled by the end of 1870. In this manner, the process of unification passed through five stages.


CATALOGUE OF BOOKS BY SUMIR SHARMA on Amazon


CATALOGUE OF BOOKS BY SUMIR SHARMA ON GOOGLE BOOKS

STAGES IN THE UNIFICATION OF ITALY for B. A. III

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Do me a favour by visiting the author page on Amazon HERE -AUTHOR AMAZON PAGE.

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General Discussion: The Unification of Italy one of the most important question for April 2005 for Paper A, B. A. III student of Punjab University Chandigarh. It had appeared again and again earlier.
However, this question is quite long and students are not able to write the whole answer within a reasonable period of time.

Even a brief answer given below exceeds one thousand words which are the normal number of words that could be generally written by an average student. It has more than two thousand words. However, the following example, if practised, can be written within 45 to 50 minutes covering six to seven pages.

A detailed answer will be provided in succeeding posting.
Next posting will include a very small summary which will immediately follow this posting.
I hope that with the help of the brief summary and the example of an answer below, the students may able to write this question which usually comes in the final paper.

In addition, if the students practice a hand-drawn map of Italy and plot the five stages on the answer sheet itself as an addition to the answer suggested, I believe that no paper checker in the world could deny you more than 70% (i.e. 14 to 16) marks.

Question. What obstacles stood in the way of the unification of Italy and how were they removed?
Or
Discuss the different stages in the unification of Italy.
Or
Briefly, describe the stages by which the unification of Italy was brought about with special reference to the role of King Victor Emmanuel II and his minister Cavour.

Answer: -

Kindly note that the answer to the question and related questions are now available in a form of Google Books. They are free of charge. The URL is as follows. 

Click Here to Download the books

You are requested to comment on the books on the site of the books on Google. 

  HURDLES ON THE PATH OF UNIFICATION

THE AUSTRIAN EMPIRE: - Austria had stationed a strong army in Lombardy and Venetia. As long as Austria was there, the unification of Italy was not possible.

REACTIONARY RULERS: - The various monarchies, supported by Metternich, were another main hurdle for the unification.

THE VARIOUS PLANS FOR UNIFICATION: - a. Mazzini wanted to establish the Republic of Italy.
b. Geoberti wanted to establish a Federation of Italy under Pope.
c. The House of Savoy wanted to establish a constitutional monarchy under the king of Piedmont – Sardinia.

LACK OF NATIONAL AWAKENING: - " In Italy, provinces are against provinces, towns against towns, families against families and men against men." (Metternich)

PAPAL STATES: - Pope was comfortably entrenched in the middle of Italy. Hence, any revolt by the Italians against the Pope was bound to earn the wrath of the Roman Catholic world.

A NEW BACKGROUND FOR UNIFICATION: - Napoleon had joined Italy into a political unit. Lipson had commented, " The lesson that Italy was a nation once learnt, was never forgotten."

REMOVAL OF OBSTACLES AND UNIFICATION OF ITALY: - The unification of Italy had passed through five stages.

life and teachings of Gautama Buddha for B. A. I

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Do me a favour by visiting the author page on Amazon HERE -AUTHOR AMAZON PAGE.

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Question: Describe the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.

Possibility: V. Imp for April 2005

Main Feature:

The total number of words is less than 1000.

It means, that it can be written in thirty-five to forty minutes and will cover five to six pages.

Point Form and shortest but effective explanation:

Thus the Answer follows:

Buddha was the greatest person of his period. He showed the light to the humanity pained by the worldly affairs. There was magic in his voice and his preaching attracted numerous people. Buddhism spread to various other countries of the world just after the death of Buddha. His life was also a great example for humanity just like his teachings. A brief description of his life and teachings is as follows:

Birth of Gautama Buddha: Buddha propounded Buddhism. He was born in 623 BC in Kapilvastu. He belonged to suryavanshi kshatriya family and Gautam was his gotra. That is why Buddha is also called Gautama. Buddha was called Siddharta in his childhood. Shuddhodhan was the name of his father. Maya was his mother. Buddha was born at Lumbini Vana. The mother of Buddha died soon after his death. It is a traditional story that a person Asit had forecasted that Buddha would become a world-famous king in history. He further clarified and warned that if Buddha would watch a sick man, an old man, dead body, and a mendicant, he would give away the worldly life and propound a world-famous religion.

{ 623 BC in Kapilvastu, suryavanshi, Siddharta, Shuddhodhan-his father, Maya-his mother, born at Lumbini Vana, Asit had forecasted- world-famous king in history, a sick man, an old man, dead body, and a mendicant – forecast of four scenes} A summary of the following explanation. It has to be omitted while writing an answer. However, you can use it intelligently to impress the paper checker.

Childhood and Marriage: Gautami, the foster mother of Buddha looked after Buddha in his childhood. His father raised a magnificent palace in view of the forecast on his future. Every arrangement was made for Buddha in the palace. The king instructed the attendant to make sure that no old man, a sick man, a dead body or a mendicant should near his palace. However, Gautama was not happy within the four walls of the palace and he became said. The king also married Gautama to Yashodra. Even the marriage did not change the mood of Gautama.

Remember it: A Hint for two marks question. Omit it in writing the answer: { Gautami, the foster mother, married Gautama to Yashodra}

Leaving of the home:

Gautama happened to watch the scene of illness, old age, the life of a recluse and death. This vision disturbed his mind. He started pondering over the causes of such miseries. It is a traditional account that once a big feast took place in the palace of Gautama where even the drinks were served. After the end of the party, Gautama remained awake late at night. Gautama started remembering the happenings of the party. He developed an aversion for a luxurious life. He became so dejected that he decided to give away the worldly life. He went to the room of his wife. He just looked at his sleeping wife and son Rahul and left for the forest forever.

It is said that he studied Upanishads and tried to get the true knowledge from the Brahmins but he was not satisfied. He then tried to do strong meditation for six years but did not achieve anything. Ultimately, he sat in a deep meditation near a Pipal tree near Gaya. After 40 days he was enlightened and called Buddha.

Preaching:

After getting enlightenment, Buddha started spreading the message of true knowledge. He gave his first sermon at Sarnath near Benaras. Five people became his followers at Sarnath. After the number of his disciple increased day after day. Buddha also established a church of his followers who were called Bhikshus. They preached for the next 45 years in different regions.

Death:

Mahatama died at Kushinagar (Dist Gorakhpur) at the age of 80.

Teachings:

The teachings of Buddha are as follows:
1. Four main Truths: (1) The world is a house of miseries.
(2) Desire is the cause of miseries.
(3) By ending the desires, the miseries can be ended and the man can get Nirvana.
(4) The man should adopt the middle path to achieve Nirvana.

2. Eight-Fold Path: The eightfold path is needed to end the desire. The eightfold path is based on the following eight instructions: i. Right knowledge ii. Right resolve iii. Right work. iv. Right memory. v. right speech. vi. right livelihood. vii. right thought viii. right meditation. 
The eight-fold path of Buddha is also called the Middle Path.

3. The Karma Principle: Buddha opined that the man gets as per his Karma. The man could not change the effects of his karma by doing yajna and pujas.

4. Opinion on Vedas: Buddha denied the spirituality of the Vedas. He also did not believe in the Vedic gods. He gave importance to the reasoning than the Vedas in order to achieve true knowledge.

5. Non Violence: There is great stress on non-Violence in Buddhism. According to Buddha, it is a great sin to kill a living being or to torment a living being.

6. Views on Soul: Buddha believed that Atma was not permanent. He believed that when the carnal body dies, the soul also dies.

7. View on the worship of God: Buddha did not believe in the worship of god and goddesses. He is mum on the existence of the supreme god. However, he believed that there exists a supreme power, which directs the worldly existence.

8. Views on Yajna and human sacrifice: Buddha considered Yajna and Human sacrifice as wrong and useless practices. He did not accept the view of Hindu religion that the yajna and human sacrifices were the path of moksha. He stated that it was superstitious practices.

9. View on Caste System: Buddha was against the discrimination based on the caste system. He believed that all men were equal.

10. Stress on True Knowledge: Buddha stressed on the need for true knowledge, which was the only guaranty for the Nirvana. Hence he gave importance to knowledge in the life of man. The man remained in darkness due to ignorance.

11. Right Conduct: There is great stress on right conduct in Buddhism. Buddha gave the message of living a pure life and asked them to remain away from stealing, telling a lie and violence.

12. Believed in rebirth: Buddha believed in rebirth. He said a man took birth again and again. The reason for rebirth is the ego and desire. When the ego and desire are destroyed, the man gets Nirvana.

13. Nirvana: Buddha said the main aim of human life is to achieve Nirvana.

14. Opposed Extreme penance: Buddha did not support the strong penance. He believed that one could not get salvation by physical pains.

Many people became followers of Buddhism due to simple and logical teachings. It became so popular that it readily spread all over India and even to other countries.

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Dear Students: I am expecting a comment. Be Frank. Come out with your apprehensions and doubts.

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CATALOGUE OF BOOKS BY SUMIR SHARMA on Amazon

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS BY SUMIR SHARMA ON GOOGLE BOOKS

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B. A. II History Paper, Modern India Attention

1885 to 1947 material in a NEW FORM concerning chapters on Social Reforms Movement, Middle Class and INC, Gandhi Era and Parition of India.

Find on the following link here a material on the period 1885 to 1947 on Indian Independence history.

There is a huge bank of different type of questions (multiple choice question, reasoning questions, fill in the blanks, two lines questions). There are many well made, point form short answer and a large bank of 2 marks questions.

Also useful for Political Science students.

Short Answer for BA III

Question: - What do you understand from Feudalism?
Answer: - By feudalism we mean a tradition which was popular in Medieval Europe. Under this tradition, the king retained a small portion of land under his possession and divided the rest of the land among his big feudal lords, who were also called Dukes. The Dukes retained the small part of the land received from the kings, with themselves, and divided the rest of the land among the small feudal lords who were also called Barons. The Barons gave assurance to their feudal lords of military service whenever demanded. The small feudal lords further distributed the land, awarded to them, among the peasants. The peasants served their masters with full loyalty and were the economic strength of their masters. The peasants were called serfs of their feudal lords. The feudal lords tried to maintain the peace and order in their fiefdom. The administration of the fiefdom was under their complete control. They also looked after the judicial system of their area. This tradition of medieval Europe of interdependent relations, based on land distribution, was called Feudalism.

Question: - What were the important benefits of Feudalism?
Answer: - (i) Simple Administration: - The Feudalism made available a simple and straight policy for administration, which guaranteed law and order to the barbarians of the medieval Europe. The system continued for nearly one thousand years.
(ii) Emergence of morality: - This system also raised the sense of morality. The Europeans became aware of their rights and duties.
(iii) Protection to the weak: -The Dukes of the big lords took the responsibility to give protection to the weak in their fiefdom.
(iv) A Check on King: - The king could not become despotic. He always remained under the fear of strength of his big lords. Hence, he could not oppress the people.
(v) Maintained Peace: - In the absence of means of travel, it was the best guarantee of law and order.
(vi) Freedom from raising army: - The king was free from the responsibility of raising army. The feudal lords provided him soldiers.



Question: - What were the main causes of the decline of Feudalism?
Answer: -The feudalism dominated the Europe for seven hundred years. It declined in the fifteenth century because of the following reasons.
(i) By the end of medieval period the powerful emperors acquired the rule. They crushed the power of feudal lords.
(ii) The spirit of nationalism arose among the people. The emperors devoted themselves for the welfare of the people.
(iii) During the same period the new section of business class emerged. They readily paid taxes to the emperors for the protection of their foreign trade. The emperors raised their own standing army. With their permanent standing army they crushed the power of big feudal lords.
(iv) England and France got engaged in long drawn wars. Many big feudal lords were killed in such wars especially in the Seven Years War. The emperors acquired the lands without facing any opposition.
(v) The emperors also snatched the fiefdoms of the heir-less feudal lords, which gave a big setback to the feudalism.
(vi) The invention and the full-fledged use of the gunpowder also increased the strength of emperors. They did not find the need to depend upon the support from the feudal lords.
(vii) The emperors also started demanding cash payments from the feudal lords instead of military service rendered in lieu of their obligation under feudal system. It destroyed the strength of the army of feudal lords and gave a deathblow to feudalism.

Question: - Give two main reasons for the rise of Towns.
Answer: - Use of Currency: -The towns emerged with the rise in the use of currency when the demand for the finished goods increased. The businessmen increased the production. The surplus protection found the acceptance in the export market. The foreign traders were paying in gold or silver spices. It increased the supply of coins. In the internal market, within a country the transactions were undertaken under barter system. Even there, the traders gradually shifted to the use of currency to make transaction. In this way with the increase in the use of currency the trade flourished tremendously and it helped in the rise of towns, which were the places where all the commercial activity could take place.
2. Industrialization: - The world population had only confined itself to the villages and banked on agricultural production before the coming of industrialization. Most of the economic needs were met within the limits of a village life. All the economic activities were bound to agricultural activities in one or the other way. As far as the towns or cities of the earlier times were concerned, they existed as administrative centers or a center of some specialized skill. The cities were also the center of foreign trade of a country. However, a very small number of people were involved or concerned with activities in a city or town. But a complete change took place after industrialization. The city became the vital hub of all the major economic activities. The cities, which came up with emergence of industrialization, were not the administrative center or center of specific skill but they were raised only and only by the industry. They were industrial centers. These industrial cities attracted the people towards them due to the attractiveness of their industrial activities. Hence, the importance of cities increases.

Question: - What do you understand by Capitalism?
Answer: - Capitalism is a system of an elaborate business organisation. A single individual or a group of individuals owns this business orgainsation. They have a large amount of money with which they can buy a large quantity of raw material and good tools and employ as many workers as are required for their production and commercial activity. The only aim of their activities is to earn more and more 'profit'. So, there are two fundamental basis of capitalism. Firstly, in capitalism, the produce from the industrial activities and the machinery is the personal property of the identity that employed the capital. Secondly, the aim of whole of the production process is to earn the maximum profit. As far as the workers are concerned, they only get wages and nothing else over and above that. The ultimate result of capitalism system is that, the money gets concentrated in few hands and those few people then start big corporations, which acquire monopoly in their field of business.

Question: - What were the main causes of the rise of Capitalism in Europe?
Answer: - 1. Discovery of New Lands: - The invention of compass, the use of ships of large tonnage and encouragement to the courageous sailors by the European emperors, were the main causes of the rise of capitalism in Europe. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century, sailors discovered the new lands. With the passage of time, colonies were established there and a regulated trade was started. With the increase in the export of goods, the money was generated and more capital was invested in these areas to meet the rising demand for the goods. So a cycle of capital was set in.
2. Improved Implements: - In order to meet the rising demand and earn higher rate of profit, there was need for improving the quality and efficiency of the implements. With the quality and efficient implements the production could be increased. Increased production was a surety of higher profits. It is worth considering a fact that there was a competition going on among the workshops to acquire technically improved and quality wise better implements. Therefore, everyone was putting in his best efforts to develop a better tool and thereby, increase his production and output. Such a spirit behind the competition nurtured capitalism.
3. Banking System: The banking system also promoted capitalism. The level of trade had increased with the discovery of new lands. The Trans-continental trade was not possible through coin and paper currency. Only banking system could have facilitated this Trans-continental trade. In actual practice, it is a fact that, the banking system and capitalism are fundamental basis of each other. Both of them were essential for each other for their mutual survival. Capitalists encouraged mercantilism and the commerce. Mercantilism, in itself, emerged as a big profession. Then, banks performed two major jobs. Firstly, to employ the deposits in other professions in form of loans on interest and secondly, to facilitate the financial exchange.