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Themes in Indian History, Part III

Class 12 · History

Real UPSC Prelims questions from 2016–2026, linked to this book. Try each one first, then open the answer. 2026 answers follow UPSC's provisional answer key.

A question can draw on more than one chapter, so the chapter counts add up to more than 5.

Theme 9 · Colonialism and the Countryside: Exploring Official Archives

Prelims 2018 · Q51

After the Santhal Uprising subsided, what was/were the measure/measures taken by the colonial government?

  1. 1.The territories called 'Santhal Paraganas' were created.
  2. 2.It became illegal for a Santhal to transfer land to a non-Santhal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. (a)1 only
  2. (b)2 only
  3. (c)Both 1 and 2
  4. (d)Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 9 (Colonialism and the Countryside: Exploring Official Archives).

The one fact NCERT doesn't give: The special laws made for the Santhal Pargana barred the transfer of Santhal land to non-Santhals.

Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 9, gives you statement 1 (the Santhal Pargana was created after the 1855–56 revolt) and mentions 'special laws' there. Answer (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 51 ↗

Theme 10 · Rebels and the Raj: The Revolt of 1857 and Its Representations

Prelims 2026 · Q17

Consider the following statements regarding the British policy in Awadh immediately after its annexation in 1856:

  1. 1.The taluqdars were dispossessed of their estates but allowed to retain their arms and forts.
  2. 2.A Summary Revenue Settlement was made in 1856 assuming that the taluqdars were outsiders.
  3. 3.The British believed in taking revenue directly from the peasants by removing the taluqdars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. (a)2 and 3 only
  2. (b)1 and 3 only
  3. (c)1, 2 and 3
  4. (d)2 only
Show answer

UPSC's provisional answer: (a)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 10 (Rebels and the Raj: The Revolt of 1857 and Its Representations).

Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 10: after annexation the taluqdars were disarmed and their forts destroyed (1 false). The 1856 Summary Settlement treated them as interlopers (2), and removing them was meant to settle land with its actual owners (3). Answer (a).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2026), question 17 ↗

Theme 11 · Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement: Civil Disobedience and Beyond

Prelims 2017 · Q93

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events:

  1. 1.Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy
  2. 2.Quit India Movement launched
  3. 3.Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events?

  1. (a)1-2-3
  2. (b)2-1-3
  3. (c)3-2-1
  4. (d)3-1-2
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 11 (Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement: Civil Disobedience and Beyond); Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 12 (Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era).

Themes in Indian History, Part III: the Second Round Table Conference met in 1931 and Quit India began in 1942 (both in Theme 11). The Royal Indian Navy ratings rose in 1946 (Theme 12). So 3-2-1: (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2017), question 93 ↗

Prelims 2018 · Q69

Which one of the following is a very significant aspect of the Champaran Satyagraha?

  1. (a)Active all-India participation of lawyers, students and women in the National Movement
  2. (b)Active involvement of Dalit and Tribal communities of India in the National Movement
  3. (c)Joining of peasant unrest to India's National Movement
  4. (d)Drastic decrease in the cultivation of plantation crops and commercial crops
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (c)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 11 (Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement: Civil Disobedience and Beyond); Class 12 Social Change and Development in India, Ch 8 (Social Movements).

How to solve it with NCERT: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 11: a Champaran peasant told Gandhi about the indigo planters' abuses, and Gandhi spent 1917 there. Class 12 Social Change and Development, ch 8, adds that under Gandhi such peasant struggles became linked to the independence movement. Answer (c).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2018), question 69 ↗

Theme 12 · Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era

Prelims 2016 · Q64

The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

  1. (a)social reforms
  2. (b)educational reforms
  3. (c)reforms in police administration
  4. (d)constitutional reforms
Show answer

UPSC's answer: (d)

NCERT answers it: Class 12 Themes in Indian History, Part III, Theme 12 (Framing the Constitution: The Beginning of a New Era).

Themes in Indian History, Part III (Theme 12): the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919 allowed some representation in provincial legislative assemblies — constitutional reforms. So (d).

Hindi version: UPSC's official question paper (2016), question 64 ↗

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