Gauhati University 2007 B.A History FIRST - Question Paper

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the ques.
Group-A
(Political and Administrative History of Ancient
India from Earliest Times to 319 AD)
1. ans the subsequent in one sentence each: 1×8=8
a) Who, according to the Puranas, was the successor of Ajatasatru?
b) discuss the term ahara in the situation of the Mauryan administrative system.
c) During the Mauryan period, which was the Capital of the frontier State of
Uttarapatha?
d) Which metal revolutionised India in the sixth century BC?
e) Name the ancient Indian ruler who created the office of the Dharmamahamatras.
f) Who was the greatest of the Kshaharata Satraps?
g) In which. Prasasti is Gautamiputra referred to as not only a conqueror but also a
social reformer?
h) Who assassinated Brihadratha?
2. Match the following: l×4=4
(a) Visakadatta (i) Indika
(b) Megasthenes (ii) Agamas
(c) Buddhists texts (iii) Mudra-Rakshasa
(d) Jaina texts (iv) Tripitakas
3. Write short notes on any four: 5×4=20
(a) Harappan polity
(b) Tribal assemblies of the Vedic period
(c) Sixteen Mahajanapadas
(d) 2nd Urbanisation
(e) Gautamiputra Satakarni
(f) Guilds in ancient India
4. ans any 3 questions: 16×3=48
a) Critically analyse the sources for the reconstruction of ancient Indian history.
b) Examine the socio-economic basis for the Harappan urbanisation.
c) Attempt a comparative study of early and later Vedic polity.
d) Bring out the salient features of Mauryan State machinery and assess the nature
of the State.
e) Bring out the achievements of Pushyamitra Sunga and examine the role the
Sungas played in post-Mauryan polity.
f) What was the Satrapal system of administration? discuss with special reference
to the Kushan polity.
GROUP-C
(Political and Administrative History of
Modem India 1757-1858)
5. ans the subsequent in one sentence every l×8=8
a) Why was the fortification of Calcutta considered to be 1 of the major factors
leading to the Battle of Plassey?
b) State 1 significant result of the Battle of Plassey.
c) Over which items did the Society of Trade (1765) establish Monopoly of Trade?
d) Why did the Quinquennial Settlement (1772-76) prove to be a failure?
e) On what principle was Cornwallis' Code based?
f) Who were the Pindaris?
g) Did John Shore follow the policy of non-Intervention in Assam?
h) During whose Governor- Generalship did the annexation of Sindh take place?
6. Match the following: l×4=4
(a) Treaty of Salbai (i) 1782
(b) Treaty of Bassein (ii) 1792
(c) Treaty of Sagauli (iii) 1816
(d) Treaty of Seringapatam (iv) 1802
7. Write short notes on any four: 5×4=20
(a) The Royal Charter of 1600
(b) The Carnatic Wars
(c) Farrukhsiyar's Firman
(d) Fatawa-i-Alamgiri
(e) Treaty of Benaras (1773)
(f) Thomas Babington Macaulay
8. ans any 3 of the following: 16×3=48
a) explain the impact of Clive's Dual Government in Bengal.
b) Examine Ranjit Singh's relations with the English.
c) What were the factors that prompted Wellesley to introduce the System of
Subsidiary Alliance?
d) Analyse Lord Hastings' policy towards the Rajput States.
e) The Anglo-Burmese War (1824-26) was partly a war of defence of the
Company's North-East frontier and partly an act of aggression. Elucidate.
f) Critically assess Bentinck's social reforms.

Earning:   Approval pending.