The book will introduce you to the
politics of the times and the nature of authority and power; others explore the
way societies are organised, and the way they function and change; still others
tell us about religious life and ritual practices, about the working of
economies, and the changes within rural and urban societies.
Index
Chapter 1: COLONIALISM
AND THE COUNTRYSIDE (Exploring Official Archives) – Discusses the way the
English East India Company (E.I.C.) established its raj in the countryside,
implemented its revenue policies, what these policies meant to different
sections of people.
UPSC
2018: Economically, one of the results of
the British rule in India in the 19th century was the
(a) increase in
the export of Indian handicrafts
(b) growth in the number of
Indian owned factories
(c) commercialization of Indian agriculture
(d) rapid increase in the
urban population
Ans: c
Chapter 2: REBELS AND
THE RAJ (The Revolt of1857 and Its Representations) – Discusses about the
mutiny and great revolt of 1857, its causes, outcomes and leaders involved in
it.
UPSC 2013:
What was/were the object/objects of Queen Victoria's
Proclamation (1858) ?
1. To disclaim
any intention to annex Indian States
2. To place the Indian
administration under the British Crown
3. To regulate East India
Company's trade with India
Select the
correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: a
Chapter 3: COLONIAL
CITIES (Urbanisation, Planning and Architecture) – Discusses the process of
urbanisation in colonial India, explore the distinguishing characteristics of
colonial cities and track social changes within them.
Chapter 4: MAHATMA
GANDHI AND THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT (Civil Disobedience and Beyond) - Analyses
Gandhiji’s activities in India during the crucial period 1915-1948 and explores
his interactions with different sections of the Indian society and the popular
struggles that he inspired and led.
UPSC
2011: What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi
to organize a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda ?
1. The
Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a
drought.
2. The Administration
proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat.
Which of the
statements given above is/ are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: a
Chapter 5: UNDERSTANDING
PARTITION (Politics, Memories, Experiences) - Examine the history of Partition:
why and how it happened as well as the harrowing experiences of ordinary people
during the period 1946-50 and beyond.
UPSC 2013: The
Ilbert Bill controversy was related to the
(a) imposition of
certain restrictions to carry arms by the Indians
(b) imposition of
restrictions en newspapers and magazines published in Indian languages
(c) removal of
disqualifications imposed on the Indian magistrates with regard to the trial of
the Europeans
(d) removal of a duty on
imported cotton cloth
Ans: c
Chapter 6: FRAMING THE
CONSTITUTION (The Beginning of a New Era) – Discusses the history that lies
behind the Constitution, idea of the process through which the Constitution
came into being and the vision of the new nation formulated.