Historiography Evolution of Social Structures in India Through the Ages History of Ecology and Environment: India Indian National Movement Urbanisation in India Western Political Thought (From Plato to Marx) Social and Political Thought in Modern India
Faculty of History School of Social Sciences Indira Gandhi National Open University Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110 068
M.A. History – 2nd Year Assignments – July 2017 and January 2018 Sessions
Dear Student,
You have to do one assignment in each course of 8 and 4 credits. compulsory. The assignment will cover the whole course.
The assignments are
It is important that you write the answers to all the assignment questions in your own words. Your answers should be within the approximate range of the word-limit set for a particular question. The assignments should be submitted to the Coordinator of your Study Centre. You must obtain a receipt from the Study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain it. If possible, keep a photocopy of the submitted assignment with you. The Study Centre will have to return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please insist on this. The Study Centre in turn will send the marks to the Student Evaluation Division at IGNOU, New Delhi. These will be entered in your grade card.
Submission of Assignments You should note that the submission of assignments is compulsory before taking up Term-end Examination. It is therefore suggested that you do them within time. In M.A. second year you will have to do a total of 5 assignments. We have given you a lot of time to do the assignments but we advise you to do them one by one along with your study of the particular course and submit them so that you may get back the marks and comments of the Counsellor with evaluated assignment. With a proper planning you will be able to do them within the stipulated period. Please do not wait for the last date to submit all the assignments because it would be difficult to do all of them in one go. Last Date of Submission of Assignment July 2017 Session Students
31st March, 2018
January 2018 Session Students
30th September 2018
Where to submit the assignments
The Coordinator of your Study Centre 2
Before attempting the assignments please read the detailed instructions provided in the Programme Guide sent to you separately Now read the following guidelines carefully before answering the questions: GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENTS The assignments have two types of questions: 1) 2)
Essay Type Questions which you have to answer in about 500 words each carry 20 marks each. Short notes which you have to answer in about 250 words each carry 10 marks each.
You will find it useful to keep the following points in mind:
A)
Planning: Read the assignments carefully. Go through the units on which they are based. Make some points regarding each question and then re-arrange these in a logical order.
B)
Organisation: Be a little more selective and analytical before drawing up a rough outline of your answer. In an essay-type question, give adequate attention to your introduction and conclusion. The introduction must offer your brief interpretation of the question and how you propose to develop it. The conclusion must summarize your response to the question. Make sure that your answer: • is logical and coherent; • has clear connections between sentences and paragraphs; • is written correctly giving adequate consideration to your expression, style and presentation; • does not exceed the number of words indicated in your question.
C)
Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answers, you can write down the final version for submission, writing each answer neatly and underlining the points you wish to emphasize.
D)
Interpretation: Interpretation is a constant process in history writing. It is already reflected in your planning and selection. Explanatory comments with phrases like may be, because, could be, etc., immediately introduce an element of interpretation in writing itself. Here you have to be careful that these comments can be supportedby the material you have in the answer.
3
MHI-03: HISTORIOGRAPHY Course Code: MHI-03 Assignment Code: MHI-03/AST/TMA/2017-18 Total Marks: 100 Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500 words each. All questions carry equal marks. SECTION-A 1.
Explain the idea of causation in history? In what ways causal explanation is important for the historians?
20
Discuss the main historians and their works associated with the Greco-Roman historiography.
20
3.
Analyse the role of the Annales School in world historiography.
20
4.
Describe the important features of Indo-Persian tradition of history-writing during the Sultanate period.
20
What do you understand by oral history? Discuss its relationship with the mainstream historiography.
20
2.
5.
SECTION-B 6.
What is postmodernism? Discuss the postmodernist views on history.
20
7.
Discuss the nationalist and communal historiographies in Indian context. What are the similarities and differences between them?
20
What do you understand by the term ‘subaltern’? Discuss the works of some important historians associated with the Subaltern Studies in India.
20
9.
Write a note on the conflicting views on Indian Renaissance.
20
10.
Write short notes in about 250 words each on any two of the following:
8.
a) b) c) d)
D.D. Kosambi and Indian historiography Kalhana and the Rajtarangini Feminist historiography in India Generalisation in History-writing. 4
10+10
MHI-06: EVOLUTION OF SOCIAL STRUCTURES IN INDIA THROUGH THE AGES Course Code: MHI-06 Assignment Code: MHI-06/AST/TMA/2017-18 Total Marks: 100 Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500 words each. All questions carry equal marks. SECTION- A 1.
What is the role of interpretation in understanding ancient Indian history's sources? Comment.
20
2.
How do we get to know about the palaeolithic societies? Discuss.
20
3.
“The Harappan social structure reflected its urban ethos.” Discuss.
20
4.
Discuss the debates on the early medieval period in Indian history.
20
5.
What were the functions of the guilds? Explain.
20
6.
SECTION- B Discuss nature of the rural elites in the medieval north India.
20
Comment on the views of B.D. Chattopadhyaya and Norman Ziegler on the Rajput clans and confederacies in western India.
20
What were the main concerns of the socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century? Elaborate.
20
9.
How do we study caste in the context of colonial India? Discuss.
20
10.
What were the main characteristics of the popular protests in the 19th century? Discuss.
20
7.
8.
5
MHI-08: HISTORY OF ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT: INDIA Course Code: MHI-08 Assignment Code: MHI-08/AST/TMA/2017-18 Total Marks: 100 Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500 words each. All questions carry equal marks. SECTION-A 1.
Discuss the major physiographic divisions of India and provide an account of the surface features of the Himalayas. 20
2.
Write a note on the emergence of nomadism among pastoralists. What was the relationship between nomadic pastoralists and settled agriculturalists in early history? 20
3.
How have the eco-zones been classified in the Tamilakkam region? Why did agriculture remain confined to Manpulams in the Tamilakkam region? 20
4.
How do you distinguish between animate and inanimate forms of energy? Elaborate.
5.
Write short notes on any two of the following in about 250 words each: a) b) c) d)
20
10+10
Vana/Aranya and Ksetra/Janapada dichotamy Metallurgy in pre-historic India Non-renewable Resources Bishnois and their conservation practices SECTION-B
6.
What are the essential elements of Islamic and Christian visions of environment? How do they differ in their approach? 20
7.
Trace the changes in water management methods in pre-colonial India.
20
8.
Write an essay on colonial forest policies in India.
20
9.
What is the developmental paradigm of the critical discourse? Explain in the context of deep ecology, social ecology and eco-feminism.
20
10.
Write short notes on any two of the following in about 250 words each: a) b) c) d)
Srsti/Universe and its attributes Pollution (pradushana): Traditional Concerns Colonial Environmental Agenda Chipko Movement 6
10+10
MHI-09: INDIAN NATIONAL MOVEMENT Course Code: MHI-09 Assignment Code: MHI-08/AST/TMA/2017-18 Total Marks: 100 Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections 'A' and 'B'. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500 words each. All questions carry equal marks. SECTION-A 1.
Discuss the modernist theories about the emergence of nations and nationalism.
20
2.
Explain the idea of economic nationalism. Discuss the main views of its earliest proponents.
3.
20
Describe the ideologies and activities of the revolutionary nationalists during the 1920s and 1930s.
20
4.
Analyse the successes and failures of the Civil Disobedience Movement.
20
5.
Write short notes in about 250 words each on any two of the following: a) b) c) d)
10+10
The Subaltern View on Indian National Movement Limits of Cultural-ideological resistance in Colonial India Political Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi Achievements of the Congress Ministries during 1937-39. SECTION-B
6.
Outline the political developments which led to the Quit India Movement.
20
7.
Discuss the association of nationalism with the peasant movements in UP and Bihar during the 1920s and 1930s.
8.
20
How did the Gandhian method of mass mobilisation succeed in bringing women into public life?
9.
20
Analyse the main strengths and weaknesses of the legacies of the Indian national movement.
10.
20
Write short notes in about 250 words each on any two of the following: a) b) c) d)
Role of the Constituent Assembly, 1946-49 Poona Pact, 1932 Nationalists and the Workers in the Early Phase Pakistan Demand and its Consequences. 7
10+10
MHI-10: URBANISATION IN INDIA Course Code: MHI-10 Assignment Code: MHI-05/AST/ TMA/2017-18 Total Marks: 100 Note: Attempt any five questions. The assignment is divided into two Sections 'A' and 'B'. You have to attempt at least two questions from each section in about 500 words each. All questions carry equal marks. SECTION-A 1.
Discuss major themes in the study of urban history of modern India.
2.
Discuss the layout of the Harappan houses. What do they suggest to us regarding social stratification? 20
3.
What was the nature and pattern of the cities represented in the ancient classical texts?
20
‘The new capital cities that developed in the 14-15th centuries were benefitted by the decline of the Delhi Sultanate.’ Comment.
20
4.
5.
20
Write short notes on any two of the following. Answer in about 250 words each. 10+10 a) Exchanges and Networks in the Harappan cities b) Spaces around the cities in the early historic period c) Urban decay in the early medieval period d) Characteristics of temple towns in the peninsular India SECTION-B
6.
Critically examine the characteristics of Mughal towns.
20
7.
Discuss the growth of Masulipatnam as a port city.
20
8.
In what ways did the dynamics of race, class and ethnicity shape urban spatial relations and control over urban spaces in the colonial period? 20
9.
What changes were brought about in the spatial pattern of the city of Bombay from 18th to late 19th centuries? 20
10.
Write short notes on any two of the following. Answer in about 250 words each. 10+10 a) Murshidabad b) Symbolism in the city of Shahjahanabad c) Railways and railway towns d) Patrick Geddes and the rethinking of town planning under the British rule 8
MPSE-003: WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (From Plato to Marx) Course Code: MPSE-003 Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2017-18 Marks: 100 Note: Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks. SECTION –I 1.
Discuss the significance of Western Political Thought.
2.
Discuss the philosophical foundations Plato’s political theory.
3.
Write a note on Aristotle’s works.
4.
Elaborate St. Thomas Aguanis’ views on law and state.
5.
Write a note on Machiavelli’s ‘The Prince’.
SECTION –II Write a short note on each part of the question in about 250 words. 6.
a) b)
Thomas Hobbes on state of nature and natural rights Johan Lock on consent resistance and toleration
7.
a) b)
Rousseau’s critique of civil society Edmund Burke’s critique of the French revolution
8.
a) b)
Immanuel Kant on transcendent –idealist view of human reason Jeremy Bentham’s political philosophy
9.
a) b)
Alex De Tockeville on religion J.S. Mill on equal rights for woman
10.
a) b)
Hegel’s philosophy of history Marx’s theory of class war
9
MPSE-004: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT IN MODERN INDIA Course Code: MPSE-004 Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2017-18 Marks: 100 Note: Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks. SECTION –I
1.
Discuss state and sovereignty in medieval India.
2.
Write a note on social reform in 19th century India.
3.
Explain Jyotiba Phule as a social revolutionary.
4.
Compare the ideologies of the Moderates and the Extremists.
5.
What were Swami Vivekananda’s views on social change? Elaborate. SECTION –II
Write a short note on each part of the question in about 250 words. 6.
a) b)
Hindu Nationalism of V. D. Savarkar Maulana Maududis’ views on nationalism
7.
a) b)
E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker as a social reformer Pandita Ramabai’s fight against patriarchy
8.
a) b)
Philosophical foundations of Gandhi’s political thought Gandhi on the relationship between religion and politics
9.
a) b)
Jawaharlal Nehru’s views on culture Nehru on parliamentary democracy
10.
a) b)
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s ideological orientation Evolution of communist movement in India
