Interview Question Bank - Humanities : History

Top History Questions

• What are the distinctive features of Mohenjo-Daro?
• How is the past reconstructed by archaeologists?
• What are the functions that were performed by rulers in Harappa society?
• Do you think historians reconstruct the lives of ordinary people? If yes, then how?
• Who are epigraphists? List some of the problems faced by them.

• Discuss the kingship notions that developed in the post-Mauryan period.
• Were the kings in early states invariably Kshatriyas?
• Compare and contrast the stories of Drona, Hidimba and Matanga on the grounds of dharma or norms.
• In what ways is the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical view of society derived from the Purusha sukta?
• Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been a single author’s work.
• How important were gender differences in the early societies?
• Discuss the evidence suggesting Brahmanical prescriptions about kinship and marriage were not universally followed.
• How were the ideas of the Upanishadic thinkers different from that of the fatalists and materialists?
• Summarize Jainism’s central teachings.
• To what extent does Buddhist literature knowledge help in understanding the sculpture at Sanchi?
• Discuss the evidence for slavery provided by Ibn Battuta.
• Who introduced the system of local boards or local bodies in India?
• The Indus Valley Civilization belongs to which age?
• Who were the first to establish regular trade with India?
• Who introduced English in India?
• Differentiate between Paleolithic cultures and Mesolithic cultures.
• What is your understanding of the regional and chronological distribution of the Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures?
• Comment on the Bronze Age Civilizations.

• Discuss religion and culture in ancient Rome.
• Discuss the transition from feudalism to capitalism.
• Throw some light on Renaissance - its social roots, city states of Italy.
• What do you know about the emergence of the European state system?

• What do you know about the evolution of American Democracy?
• What was the Great Debate of Soviet Industrialization?
• What do you know about the political and economic issues in the American Revolution?
• What do you know about the French Revolution and its European repercussions?
• Give a brief sketch of the Sangam literature as a source for the study of the history of tamilkam.
• Assess the significance of megalithic cultures of Deccan and South India.
• Evaluate the developments in the field of religion during 1000 B.C.-600 B.C.
• What do you know about the Stone Age tool technology and economic patterns in India?
• What are the salient features of pre-historic rock-art of India?
• What do you know about the main doctrines of Jainism and Buddhism? What are the main sources of their patronage?
• What do you know about the nature of state control on economic activities during the Mauryan period?
• What do you know about the changes in the society of India between 600 B.C and 300 A.D.?
• Discuss the geographical distribution, tool technology and subsistence pattern of the Neolithic cultures of India.
• Explain the salient features of Asoka’s policy of dharma and evaluate its impact on the downfall of the Mauryan dynasty.
• Bring out the main features of social, economic and political life as reflected in the Rig-Veda.
• Evaluate the changing notions of history. Do you agree with the view that the early Indians had no notion of history?
• The green revolution is a mixed blessing for India. Do you agree?
• Would you agree with the view that big dams have caused social and ecological imbalances in India?
• Why is it important to understand Global Warming today?
• What is your understanding of Agrarian crisis’?
• Comment on the land revenue system under Akbar with special reference to the Zabti system of assessment.
• Discuss the social and ideological background to the rise of the Marathas under Shivaji.
• Did the British de-industrialize or industrialize India?
• Why did Mahatma Gandhi launch the non-cooperation movement? Also, why was it withdrawn?
• Explain with examples what historians mean by the integration of cults.
• Discuss the ways in which the Alvars, Nayanars and Virashaivas expressed critiques of the caste system.
• Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterized Sufism.
• Evaluate the significance of the May Fourth Movement, 1919.
• Discuss the theories of Imperialism. To what extent do you believe that Imperialism was a factor responsible for the First World War?
• How far did the constitution of India fulfill the aspirations of the various sections of Indian society?
• Discuss the role of the ’Left Wing’ in the Indian struggle for independence.
• Is the ’Safety Valve’ theory an adequate explanation for the formation of the Indian national congress?
• Was the Indian economy de-industrialized in the 19th century?
• How does the mughal architecture reflect the composite nature of the Mughal state?
• Examine the evidence that suggests that land revenue was important for the Mughal Fiscal system.
• Examine the role played by Zamindars in Mughal India.
• Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society in the Mughal Empire.
• What were the problems in the Anglo-Chinese relationship in the nineteenth century? In what way did the Opium trade precipitate the war?
• Was the rise of militarism in Japan due to the failure of parliamentary democracy?
• Examine the impact of industrialization on demography, urbanization and family in 19th century Europe?
• Discuss the fascist regime in Italy.
• Give an account of the Gupta administration. How far did it differ from that of the Mauryas?
• What do you know about the concept of varna and jati in ancient India?
• What do you know about the features of Mathura and Gandhara School of Art? Examine the factors which lead to their growth.
• What do you know about main features of slavery in ancient Rome?
• What do you know about the historical background in which Islam originated?
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• Can you talk about the spread of Humanism in 16th century Europe?
• What are the main causes of price revolution?
• What are the basic principles of mercantilism?
• What are the different theories regarding the origin of Rajputs?
• What do you know about the art and architecture of the early medieval period?
• The Americans were ’discovered’ towards the end of the 15th century. What do you think?
• What are the features of War Communism? Was it a product of ideology or wartime compulsions?
• What do you know about the growth and development of early industrialization in USA from 1815 to 1860?
• What are the various modes of resistance by the slaves against their enslavement in the U.S.?
• Do you agree with the view that the Civil War was an 'irrepressible conflict'?
• What do you know about the main features of Athenian democracy?
• What do you know about the emergence of Islam in Arabia?
• What do you know about the main doctrines of early Jainism and Buddhism?
• What do you know about the main stages in the evolution of humankind?
• What is the transition from slavery to feudalism in Europe?