(Solution) MYUPSC Practice Test 1: UPSC CSE Mains Exam 2020 GS Paper -1

UPSC Mains Exam 2020 GS Paper – 1 Practice Solved Test – 1

  1. While elaborating on the recurrent themes of the Bhakti literary tradition, examine the contribution of women poets towards India’s Bhakti literature.
  2. What is ‘Romanticism’? Explain. Discuss the trends of romanticism in Indian literature.
  3. Instead of the classical dignity, sobriety and simplicity, the medieval school of sculpture tend more towards ornamentation, creating highly ornate art objects. Elucidate
  4. Buddhism and Jainism were the prominent motivating forces for the artistic activity in many parts of India during the ancient and medieval periods. Do you agree? Substantiate.
  5. What are some of the most striking and unique features of Indo-Islamic architecture. Illustrate.
  6. In what ways the tradition of tribal and folk music differ from Indian classical music? Explain.
  7. In India’s traditional theatre forms, songs and the art of singing have an important role to play. Comment
  8. As per the ancient treatises, dance is considered to have three aspects: natya, Nritya and Nritta. With the help of suitable examples, explain the meaning and significance of these aspects?
  9. What significance does puppetry hold in Ancient Hindu philosophy and traditional Indian culture? Discuss.
  10. Examine the trends and status of Indian art cinema. Introduction
  11. With what motives did the British introduce English education in India? Discuss.
  12. The Indian elites in the 19th century argued for and launched a movement to reform Hinduism from within in the light of post- Enlightenment rationalism. This phenomenon is referred as ‘Bengal Renaissance’ or ‘Nineteenth Century Indian Renaissance’. Who were the main proponents of this movement and what did they strive for? Analyse.
  13. Why did the peasants rebel against the British rule in the 19th century? Were there religious overtones in some of these rebellions? Examine.
  14. What administrative measures did the British adopt initially to rule India? Did the initial approach change later on? If yes, examine the factors that led to such change in the approach.
  15. Did the development of railways by the British have any positive impact on the Indian economy and society? Critically examine.
  16. The battle of Plassey marked the beginning of political supremacy of the English East India Company in India. Elucidate.
  17. The rebellion of 1857 was something more than a sepoy mutiny, but something less than a national revolt. Do you agree? Substantiate your views.
  18. In the public discourse of early nationalism, religion played an important role. However, a distinction has to be made between the two strands that coexisted during this period- one being a revivalist tendency that invoked the sense of an Indian nation based on Hindu religious symbols and history, and the other- a reformist one that attempted to bring changes in Hindu social organization. Comment
  19. Examine the factors that led to the rise of an extremist trend within the Congress circles? What were the most characteristic attributes of this trend? Analyse.
  20. The Swadeshi movement may be described as the best expression of extremist politics. Comment

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