UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper II PDF Question Paper

Central Government Jobs Other Jobs 2016

  • Year 2016
  • Conducted By UPSC
  • Questions 8
  • Maximum Marks 250
  • Duration Three Hours
  • Languages English & Hindi

Exam Details

Detail Information
Examination Civil Services (Main) Examination
Year 2016
Conducting Body UPSC
Paper History Paper II
Subject History
Duration Three Hours
Maximum Marks 250
Number of Questions 8
Question Type Descriptive / Subjective

This is the History Paper II from the UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination held in 2016. The paper carried a maximum of 250 marks and was allotted three hours for completion. It consists of descriptive questions divided into two sections, with compulsory questions and a requirement to choose at least one from each section. This paper is crucial for aspirants aiming to understand the depth and breadth of historical knowledge assessed in the Civil Services Mains exam.

Major Topics Covered

  • French ambition in India
  • Battle of Plassey
  • Transition from medieval to modern India
  • Vernacular literature
  • Social reform
  • Cultural revival
  • 1857 Mutiny
  • National Rebellion
  • Constructive Swadeshi
  • Swadeshi Movement
  • Clive
  • Warren Hastings
  • British Empire in India
  • Administrative organisation
  • Lord William Bentinck
  • Federal system in India

Why This Paper is Important

  • Useful for Civil Services (Main) Examination preparation
  • Helps understand the latest exam pattern
  • Useful for practice and self-assessment
  • Covers frequently asked General Studies topics
  • Helpful for analysing question trends

Related Resources

  • UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper I
  • UPSC Civil Services Main 2015 History Paper II
  • UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 General Studies Paper I
  • UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper II Answer Key
  • Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper II Solutions
  • UPSC Civil Services Main History Syllabus
  • Indian History Syllabus for UPSC Mains
  • UPSC Civil Services Main Exam Pattern

Instructions

  • पुस्तिका के मुख-पृष्ठ पर अंकित निर्दिष्ट स्थान पर किया जाना चाहिए ।
  • उल्लिखित माध्यम के अतिरिक्त अ किसी माध्यम में लिखे गए उत्तर पर कोई अंक नहीं मिलेंगे ।
  • प्रश्नों में शब्द सीमा, जहाँ विनिर्दिष्ट है, का अनुसरण किया जाना चाहिए ।
  • प्रश्नों के उत्तरों की गणना क्रमानुसार की जाएगी ।
  • यदि काटा नहीं हो, तो प्रश्न के उत्तर की गणना की जाएगी चाहे वह उत्तर अंशतः दिया ग हो ।
  • प्रश्न-सह-उत्तर पुस्तिका में खाली छोड़ा हुआ पृष्ठ या उसके अंश को स्पष्ट रूप से काटा जाना चाहिए ।

  • There are EIGHT questions divided in TWO SECTIONS and printed both in HINDI and i ENGLISH.
  • Candidate has to attempt FIVE questions in all.
  • Questions no. 1 and 5 are compulsory and out of the remaining, any THREE are to be attempted choosing at least ONE from each section.
  • The number of marks carried by a question / part is indicated against it.
  • Answers must be written in the medium authorized in the Admission Certificate which must stated clearly on the cover of this Question-cum-Answer (QCA) Booklet in the space provided.
  • N marks will be given for answers written in a medium other than the authorized one.
  • Word limit in questions, wherever specified, should be adhered to.
  • Attempts of questions shall be counted in sequential order.
  • Unless struck off, attempt of a question shall be counted even if attempted partly.
  • Any page or portion of the page left blank in ti Question-cum-Answer Booklet must be clearly struck off.

Questions (page 2)

Section A

Q1. निम्नलिखित प्रत्येक का लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दीजिए : Answer the following in about 150 words each :

(a) भारत में क्षेत्रीय साम्राज्य स्थापित करने की फ्रांसीसी महत्त्वाकांक्षा पर टिप्पणी कीजिए ।
Comment on the French ambition of building a territorial empire in India.

(b) प्लासी के युद्ध के पश्चात् भारत ने किस प्रकार मध्य युग से आधुनिक युग में प्रवेश किया ?
After the Battle of Plassey, how did India transit from the medieval to the modern age?

(c) क्या आप इस मत से सहमत हैं कि भारत में 19वीं व 20वीं शताब्दियों में मातृभाषा साहित्य के विकास ने सामाजिक सुधार और सांस्कृतिक पुनरुत्थान का मार्ग प्रशस्त किया ?
Do you agree with the view that the growth of vernacular literature in the 19th and the 20th centuries paved the way for social reform and cultural revival in India?

(d) “1857 का ग़दर, सिपाहियों के ग़दर से कहीं अधिक तथा राष्ट्रीय विद्रोह से कहीं कम था ।” टिप्पणी कीजिए ।
"The Mutiny of 1857 was much more than a Mutiny of Sepoys and much less than a National Rebellion." Comment.

(e) आत्मशक्ति से अभिलक्षित ‘रचनात्मक स्वदेशी’ की व्याख्या कीजिए, जिसने बंगाल में स्वदेशी आंदोलन को प्रेरित किया ।
Explain "Constructive Swadeshi" characterised by atmashakti (self-reliance), which propelled the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal.

Section A

Q2.

(a) यह कहना कहाँ तक सही होगा कि भारत में क्लाईव यद्यपि अंग्रेज़ी साम्राज्य के संस्थापक थे, तो वारेन हेस्टिंग्स इसके प्रशासनिक आयोजक थे ?
How far is it correct to say that if Clive was the founder of the British Empire in India, Warren Hastings was its administrative organiser?

(b) “शांति की जीतें संग्रामों की जीतों से किसी भी तरह से कम ख्याति प्राप्त नहीं ।” इस कथन का लॉर्ड विलियम बैन्टिंक के संदर्भ में परीक्षण कीजिए ।
"Peace hath her victories no less renowned than war." Examine this statement with reference to Lord William Bentinck.

(c) “भारत के लिए संघ प्रणाली राजनीतिक विकल्प की तुलना में कहीं अधिक अनिवार्य थी।” क्या आप इस तर्क से सहमत हैं ?
"India's need for a federal system was more an imperative than a political choice." Do you agree?

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UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper II question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download. Includes exam details and specific instructions for candidates.
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UPSC Civil Services Main 2016 History Paper II question paper page 1 instructions scan PDF download. Includes exam details and specific instructions for candidates.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the name of the exam?

The exam is the Civil Services (Main) Examination.

Which paper is this question set for?

This is for History Paper II.

What is the conducting body?

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts this examination.

In which year was this paper conducted?

This question paper is from the year 2016.

What is the maximum marks for this paper?

The maximum marks for History Paper II is 250.

What is the time allowed to complete the paper?

The time allowed is Three Hours.

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