History 2023 Paper I 50 marks 150 words Compulsory Examine

Q5

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each: (a) Discuss the various proponents of Indian feudalism. (10 marks) (b) Examine the defects in Alberuni's assessment of the Indian society. (10 marks) (c) Discuss the importance of Sufic literature as an important source of history. (10 marks) (d) What factors do you attribute for the decline of the Delhi Sultanate? (10 marks) (e) The motive of Alauddin Khalji's agrarian policy was to curb the powers of the intermediaries. Examine the measures which he adopted to achieve his objective. (10 marks)

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

निम्नलिखित प्रश्नों में से प्रत्येक का उत्तर लगभग 150 शब्दों में दीजिए: (a) भारतीय सामंतवाद के विभिन्न समर्थक तत्त्वों की विवेचना कीजिए। (10 अंक) (b) अलबेरुनी के द्वारा किए गए भारतीय समाज के आकलन के दोषों का परीक्षण कीजिए। (10 अंक) (c) इतिहास के प्रमुख साक्ष्य के रूप में सूफी साहित्य के महत्त्व का आकलन कीजिए। (10 अंक) (d) दिल्ली सल्तनत के पतन हेतु आप किन कारकों को उत्तरदायी मानते हैं? (10 अंक) (e) अलाउद्दीन खिलजी की कृषि नीति का उद्देश्य मध्यस्थ शक्तियों की सत्ता को नियंत्रित करना था। अपने उद्देश्य की प्राप्ति के लिए उसके द्वारा अपनाए गए उपायों का परीक्षण कीजिए। (10 अंक)

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Directive word: Examine

This question asks you to examine. The directive word signals the depth of analysis expected, the structure of your answer, and the weight of evidence you must bring.

See our UPSC directive words guide for a full breakdown of how to respond to each command word.

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

The directive 'examine' requires critical investigation with evidence for all five parts. Allocate approximately 30 words (20% time) per sub-part: (a) identify feudalism theorists with their regional focus; (b) critique Alberuni's biases and methodological limits; (c) cite specific Sufi texts and their historical value; (d) distinguish immediate from structural causes of decline; (e) link Alauddin's market control, revenue reforms and iqta restrictions to intermediary suppression. No introduction needed; begin directly with part (a).

Key points expected

  • (a) Names R.S. Sharma (Indian feudalism thesis), D.D. Kosambi (class struggle), B.D. Chattopadhyaya (processual approach), Harbans Mukhia (anti-feudalism), and their regional/chronological specificities
  • (b) Alberuni's Brahmanical bias, limited social penetration, reliance on Sanskrit texts over observation, religious prejudice against 'Hindu' practices, and anachronistic comparisons with Islam
  • (c) Specific works: Amir Khusrau's Khazain-ul-Futuh, Barani's Fatawa-i-Jahandari, Sijzi's Fawa'id-ul-Fu'ad; their value for social history, syncretism, and administrative practices
  • (d) Immediate causes (invasions, Timur 1398) versus structural factors (iqta instability, factionalism, zamindar resurgence, economic crisis, weak successors)
  • (e) Alauddin's measures: market control (shahna-i-mandi), revenue assessment (kharaj), iqta reforms (revocation/consolidation), price fixation, and espionage system to bypass intermediaries

Evaluation rubric

DimensionWeightMax marksExcellentAveragePoor
Chronology accuracy20%10Precise dating for all contexts: Sharma's thesis (c. 300-700 CE), Alberuni's visit (1017-1030), Alauddin's reign (1296-1316), Delhi Sultanate phases (1206-1526), and correct sequencing of Sufi silsilas (Chishti, Suhrawardi, etc.)Broadly correct centuries but conflates periods (e.g., treating entire Sultanate as homogeneous) or misplaces Alberuni in Ghaznavid vs. later contextSerious chronological errors: anachronistic application of feudalism, confusing Khalji with Tughlaq reforms, or placing Sufi literature outside medieval period
Source & evidence20%10Direct citation of primary sources: Alberuni's Kitab-ul-Hind, specific Sufi texts (malfuzat), Barani's Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi for Alauddin; secondary authorities like Habib, Nizami, or KumarGeneral reference to 'Arab travellers' or 'Sufi saints' without naming texts; mentions 'historians say' without specificity; conflates Barani with later chroniclersNo source attribution; relies on textbook generalizations; invents sources or confuses Alberuni with Ibn Battuta or other travellers
Multi-perspective analysis20%10Presents historiographical debate for (a) with Mukhia's critique; for (b) balances Alberuni's value against limitations; for (d) weighs military vs. administrative causes; for (e) distinguishes intended vs. actual outcomesOne-sided presentation: accepts feudalism thesis uncritically, or praises Alberuni without critique, or lists decline factors without prioritizationWholly descriptive with no analytical tension; no awareness that historians disagree; treats all sources as equally reliable
Historiographic framing20%10Demonstrates awareness of how colonial and nationalist historiography shaped feudalism debate; recognizes Orientalist framework in Alberuni studies; connects Sufi literature to 'history from below' methodologyMentions historians by name without situating their approaches; treats historiography as list of opinions rather than evolving debateNo historiographic awareness; presents all statements as established fact; confuses primary sources with modern interpretations
Conclusion & synthesis20%10Brief but effective closure for each part: for (a) notes ongoing debate; for (b) assesses Alberuni's mixed legacy; for (c) emphasizes Sufi texts' unique social insight; for (d) identifies zamindar resurgence as decisive; for (e) evaluates policy successAbrupt endings or repetitive summaries; no evaluative judgment; parts feel disconnected without thematic linkMissing conclusions for multiple parts; or single conclusion attempting to cover all five unrelated questions; trails off with ellipsis

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