PAPER-I (SECTION-I) MODERN HISTORY OF INDIA AND INDIAN CULTURE
Syllabus:
- Modern History of India and Indian Culture will cover the broad history of the country (with special reference to Bihar) from about the middle of nineteenth century.
- The modern history of Bihar will include questions on the introduction and expansion of western education (including technical education).
- It will also have questions on Bihar’s role in the freedom struggle of India.
- Questions will relate to the Santhal Uprising, 1857 in Bihar, Birsa movement, Champaran Satyagrah and the Quit India Movement 1942.
- A knowledge of the chief features of Mauryan and Pal art and Patna Qulam painting will be expected from the examinees.
- It would also include questions on Gandhi, Tagore and Nehru.
A. Art and Culture
- Pala art:
- Write short notes on: Pala Art of Eastern India. (71st BPSC-2026)
- Discuss the features of Pala art and architecture and its relationship with Buddhism. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Describe the salient features of pala architecture and sculpture. (47 BPSC/2007)
- Give a description of the main features of Pala art in Bihar. (41 BPSC/1997)
- Critically examine the salient features of Pal Art. (43 BPSC/2001)
- Click here for answer.
- Patna Kalam Paintings:
- Write short notes on: Patna Kalam Painting. (68th BPSC/2023)
- Bring out the main features of patna qulam painting. (66 BPSC/2021)
- Examine the salient features of Patna Kalam Painting Style. (63 BPSC/2019)
- Bring out the salient features of the Patna Kalam Paintings. (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Discuss the salient features of Patna Kalam & Painting style. (48-52 BPSC/2009)
- Discuss the chief characteristics of the Patna Kalam painting. (46 BPSC/2005)
- Click here for answer.
- Mauryan Art:
- Describe the chief characteristics of Mauryan art. [67th BPSC]
- Throw light on Mauryan Art and analyze its impact in Bihar. (60-62 BPSC/2019)
- Discuss the features of Mauryan art and architecture and its relationship with Buddhism. (64th BPSC/2018)
- Discuss the salient features of Mauryan Art. (53-55 BPSC/2012)
- Analyse the salient features of mauryan art and architecture. (47 BPSC/2007)
- Critical examine the chief characteristics of the Mauryan Art. (45 BPSC/2002)
- Identify the main features of the Mauryan Art as found from Bihar. (42 BPSC/1999)
- What are the distinctive features of Mauryan Sculpture? (40 BPSC/1995)
- Click here for answer.
- Analyse the major feature of Mauryan art and architecture, and assess how far they expressed the political and cultural values of the period.[71st BPSC, 2026]
- Write a short notes on: “Cave Paintings of Eastern India in Ancient Period”. [69th BPSC]
- Write an essay on the art and paintings of Bihar. (39 BPSC/1993)
B. Tribal Revolts
- Examine the characteristics of tribal protest in the 19th century with suitable examples. Give reasons for their failure. (64th BPSC/2018)
- Santhal Uprising:
- Write short notes on: Santhal Uprising. [67th BPSC]
- What were the causes of the santhal revolt? What were its course and outcome? [66th-BPSC-2021]
- Evaluate the causes and results of Revolt of Santhal (1855-56) in Bihar. (63 BPSC/2019)
- Discuss the main causes of the Santhal Uprising. What were its consequences? (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Discuss the causes and results of revolt of santhals (1855-56) in Bihar. (48-52 BPSC/2009)
- “Santhal Uprising provides a model of popular armed resistance against British colonialism in India”. Explain. (45 BPSC/2002)
- The Santhal Uprising was the first fierce reaction of the tribals against British colonial rule in India’. Elucidate. (43 BPSC/2001)
- Birsa Movement:
- Write a short note on: Birsa Munda Movement. [71st BPSC, 2026]
- Examine the characteristics of the Birsa movement. [66th BPSC-2021]
- “The underlying object of Birsa Movement was internal purification and desire to remove the alien government.” Explain. (53-55 BPSC/2012) OR
- ‘Birsa provided a new religious leadership to the tribal struggles against the British’. Explain. (44 BPSC/2002) OR
- Write a critique of the Birsa Movement with special reference to its nature and the lesson it left on tribal administration. (42 BPSC/1999) OR
- Briefly examine the tribal movements of Bihar with special reference to the Birsa movement. (39 BPSC/1993)
C. Revolt of 1857
- Analyse the political, economic and social factors behind the revolt of 1857, and assess Bihar’s contribution to the uprising in a critical manner. [71st BPSC, 2026]
- What were the causes of the Revolt of 1857? What effect did it have on Bihar? [65th BPSC/2020]
- Discuss the contribution of Bihar to the Uprising of 1857 AD. [63rd BPSC/2018]
- Critically examine the significance of the Revolt of 1857 with special reference to Bihar. (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Critically examine the role of kunwar singh in the revolt of 1857. (53-55 BPSC/2012)
- Discuss the causes of the Outbreak of the revolt of 1857 in Bihar and account for its failure? (47 BPSC/2007)
- Evaluate the role of kunwar singh in the revolt of 1857. (43 BPSC/2001)
- “It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the so-called first national war of independence of 1857 is neither first, nor national, nor a war of independence.” Comment. (41 BPSC/1997)
D. Indian Freedom Struggle
- Gandhi:
- Write a short notes on: ‘Gandhiji’s views on Satyagraha.’ [66th BPSC-2021]
- Write short notes on: “Gandhiji’s views on caste and religion”. [65th BPSC-2020]
- “Gandhi’s mystique consisted of a union of original ideas with a remarkable flair for tactics and an uncanny insight in the mass mind.” Elucidate.
- Describe the significance of Gandhiji’s social and cultural thoughts.
- Analyze the role of Gandhiji in the Mass Movement of Bihar. (46 BPSC/2005)
- Critically evaluate the views of Gandhi on “Varna-Jati” system. Were they compatible with his activism against untouchability? (41 BPSC/1997)
- What message Gandhiji sought to convey through his insistence on Swadeshi? (40 BPSC/1995)
- Nehru:
- To what extent did Nehru’s foreign policy reflect idealism and pragmatism? Examine with reference to its main features.[71st BPSC, 2026]
- Discuss the Nehru’s views on communalism and secularism. [66th BPSC-2021]
- Examine the main features of Foreign Policy of Jawaharlal Nehru. (60-62 BPSC/2019)
- Write short notes on: Nehru and secularism (64th BPSC/2018)
- Discuss the relevance of Nehru in the making of modern India? (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Rabindranath Tagore:
- Write a short note on: Rabindranath Tagore’s contribution to Indian culture. [71st BPSC, 2026]
- Describe Rabindranath Tagore’s idea of society and culture. [68th BPSC/2023]
- Write short notes on: Rabindranath Tagore’s Contribution to the Freedom Movement. [67th BPSC]
- Evaluate the contribution of Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali literature and music. (60-62 BPSC/2019)
- Define Nationalism. How was it addressed by Rabindranath Tagore ? (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Describe the social and cultural significance of the ideas of Rabindranath Tagore. (48-52 BPSC/2009)
- Describe the role of Rabindranath Tagore in the Indian national movement. How was it different from congress? (39 BPSC/1993)
- Champaran Satyagrah:
- Write short notes on: Champaran Satyagraha. [67th BPSC]
- “Champaran Satyagraha was watershed in the freedom struggle.” Explain. [66th BPSC/2021]
- Describe the causes and results of Champaran Satyagraha in Bihar (1917). (63 BPSC/2019)
- “Champaran Satyagraha is a watershed in the freedom struggle.” Elucidate. (64th BPSC/2018)
- What was the significance of Champaran Satyagraha for Peasant Uprisings? (56-59 BPSC/2016)
- Do you agree with the view that the Champaran satyagraha was a turrning point in the history of freedom struggle in India? (47, BPSC/2007)
- The Champaran Satyagraha is an important milestone in the history of freedom movement of India. Elucidate. (42 BPSC/1999)
- Discuss the peasant movements of Bihar in general and the intervention of Gandiji particularly in the champaran movement. (39 BPSC/1993)
- Quit India Movement:
- Write an essay on the Quit India Movement of 1942. Was it a spontaneous movement? [67th BPSC]
- Write a short notes on: ‘Jayaprakash Narayan and Quit India movement.’ [66th BPSC-2021] [71st BPSC-2026]
- Describe the people’s participation in Bihar during the Quit India Movement of 1942. (60-62 BPSC/2019)
- Describe the contribution of Bihar to the quit India movement of 1942. (48-52, BPSC/2009)
- Analyze the nature and extent of quit India movement with special reference to Bihar. (44 BPSC/2002)
- Discuss the impact of the quit India Movement on Bihar. (41 BPSC/1997)
- What role did the ‘Azad Dasta’ play in Bihar during the quit India movement? (40 BPSC/1995)
- Western education:
- Write a short note on: Impact of Western Education in Bihar (1858-1914). [71st BPSC, 2026]
- Trace the development of modern education in Bihar and its impact. [69th BPSC]
- Trace the course of expansion of Western and technical education in Bihar’ between 1857-1947. [67th BPSC]
- Describe the spread of Western Education in Bihar between 1858-1914. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Discuss the development of Western education in Bihar from 1813 to 1947. (60-62 BPSC/2019)
- Discuss the development of western education in Bihar from 1857 AD to 1947 AD.
- Describe the growth of education and press in modern Bihar and also describe the role of education and press in National movement. (46 BPSC/2005)
- Give a critical account of the development of western education in Bihar during the British rule. (44 BPSC/2002)
- Critically discuss the role played by the western technical education in the economy of Bihar. (39 BPSC/1993)
- Trace the course of western education in Bihar from 1990 to 1947 with particular reference to technical education. (42 BPSC/1999)
- Describe the development of technical education in Bihar during the period of your study. (47 BPSC/2007)
- Miscellaneous:
- Discuss the transformation of the Indian national movement from early constitutional agitation to mass mobilization, highlighting Bihar’s role at different historical junctures. [71st BPSC, 2026]
- Write a short note on: The Indian Council Act, 1909. [71st BPSC, 2026]
- “Bihar has been the centre of learning and spiritualism for ancient time.” Explain in detail. [69th BPSC]
- Write short notes on: Indigo Revolt. [68th BPSC/2023]
- Analyse the development of temples in North India in ancient time. [68th BPSC/2023]
- Discuss the factors responsible for the formation of the Indian National Congress. What were the British policies towards early nationalists? [67th BPSC]
- Write a short notes on: Subhash Chandra Bose and the INA? [66th BPSC-2021]
- Explain the social and economic ideas of Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Write short notes on: Dr Rajendra Prasad and the National Movement. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Write short notes on: The Dalit Movement in Bihar. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Write a note on Swami Sahajanand and the Kisan Sabha Movement. [65th BPSC-2020]
- Critically examine the evolution of Indian nationalism since the late 19th century. (64th BPSC/2018)
- Desire the contribution of Bihar in the individual satyagraha of 1940-41. (53-55 BPSC/2012)
- Throw light on the separation of Bihar from Bengal and the rise of modern Bihar. (46 BPSC/2005)
- Assess the role of different social classes of Bihar in the civil disobedience movement. (45 BPSC/2002)
- Write a critical note on peasant movements in Bihar with special reference swami sharajanand. (43 BPSC/2001)
- How did the partition of Bengal influence the course of India’s freedom struggle? Discuss. (40 BPSC/1995)
- What were the reasons behind overseas immigration in the 19th century British India? Discuss in the light of the indenture system With special reference to Bihar. (64th BPSC/2018)
- Write short notes on: Impact of census of 1881 on caste and religious identities (64th BPSC/2018)
- Write short notes on: Working Class and National Movement (64th BPSC/2018)
- What changes were brought about in the socio-economic scenario of Bihar during the British rule? (45 BPSC/2002)
