WBCS Optional Paper on History

1. Answer any one question : (a) Which factors would you attribute to the Anglo-French conflict in India ? Why the French were defeated ? 10+10=20 (b) Why was Western education introduced in India by the East India Company ? What role did Bentinck and Macaulay play in it ? 10+10=20

1. Answer any three questions : 10x3=30 (a) Examine the importance of archaeology for the re-construction of ancient Indian history. (b) How would you explain the urban characteristics of the Harappan civilization ?

1. Answer any one Question :- a) Write a note on Dual System of Administration of Bengal. How did it affect the political economy of early colonial Bengal ? 20

1. Answer any three Questions :- 10x3 a) How valuable are literary sources for reconstruction of ancient Indian history ?

1. Answer any three questions : (a) "Inscriptions have been given the first place in the list of sources of ancient Indian History, because they are on the whole, most important and trustworthy source of knowledge"- (V. A. Smith). Evaluate the importance of inscriptions as the most trustworthy source of ancient Indian History in the light of this statement.