Marxist Historiography of India

Description: This quiz covers the Marxist historiography of India, which is a school of thought that analyzes Indian history through the lens of class struggle and economic exploitation.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: marxist historiography indian history class struggle economic exploitation
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Who is considered the founder of Marxist historiography?

  1. Karl Marx

  2. Friedrich Engels

  3. Vladimir Lenin

  4. Leon Trotsky


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Karl Marx is widely regarded as the founder of Marxist historiography, as he developed the theoretical framework for analyzing history through the lens of class struggle and economic exploitation.

What is the central theme of Marxist historiography?

  1. The role of individuals in shaping history

  2. The influence of culture and ideas on historical events

  3. The impact of economic forces on social and political development

  4. The importance of technological advancements in historical change


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Marxist historiography emphasizes the role of economic forces, particularly class struggle and the exploitation of labor, in shaping historical events and social development.

Which Indian historian is known for his Marxist interpretation of Indian history?

  1. R.C. Majumdar

  2. D.D. Kosambi

  3. K.M. Panikkar

  4. Bipan Chandra


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

D.D. Kosambi is considered one of the pioneers of Marxist historiography in India. His works, such as 'An Introduction to the Study of Indian History' and 'The Culture and Civilization of Ancient India', provide a Marxist analysis of Indian history and society.

What is the main critique of Marxist historiography?

  1. It is too simplistic and deterministic

  2. It ignores the role of individuals and agency in history

  3. It overemphasizes the importance of economic factors

  4. It is not applicable to non-Western societies


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A common criticism of Marxist historiography is that it is too simplistic and deterministic, as it tends to reduce historical events to economic causes and class struggle, overlooking other factors such as culture, politics, and individual agency.

Which Marxist historian argued that the Indian National Congress was a bourgeois-led movement?

  1. R.P. Dutt

  2. Bipan Chandra

  3. Irfan Habib

  4. Romila Thapar


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

R.P. Dutt, in his book 'India Today', argued that the Indian National Congress was a bourgeois-led movement that represented the interests of the Indian bourgeoisie rather than the working class.

What is the significance of the 'Cambridge School' in Marxist historiography?

  1. It emphasized the role of culture and ideas in historical change

  2. It focused on the study of peasant societies and agrarian relations

  3. It promoted a more nuanced understanding of class struggle

  4. It criticized the deterministic approach of traditional Marxist historiography


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The 'Cambridge School', led by historians like Eric Hobsbawm and E.P. Thompson, emphasized the study of peasant societies and agrarian relations, bringing a new perspective to Marxist historiography.

Which Marxist historian wrote the book 'The Discovery of India'?

  1. Jawaharlal Nehru

  2. B.R. Ambedkar

  3. Sardar Patel

  4. Mahatma Gandhi


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, wrote the book 'The Discovery of India' while he was imprisoned during the Indian independence movement. The book provides a Marxist interpretation of Indian history and culture.

What is the main argument of Irfan Habib's book 'The Agrarian System of Mughal India'?

  1. The Mughal Empire was a feudal society

  2. The peasantry was the most exploited class in Mughal India

  3. The Mughal state played a significant role in shaping agrarian relations

  4. The Mughal Empire was a progressive and modernizing force


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In his book 'The Agrarian System of Mughal India', Irfan Habib argues that the Mughal Empire was a feudal society characterized by the exploitation of peasants by feudal lords and the dominance of a landed aristocracy.

Which Marxist historian analyzed the role of caste in Indian society?

  1. B.R. Ambedkar

  2. Jyotiba Phule

  3. Ram Manohar Lohia

  4. E.M.S. Namboodiripad


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Indian leader and social reformer, provided a Marxist analysis of caste in his book 'Annihilation of Caste'. He argued that caste was a form of social stratification that perpetuated inequality and exploitation.

What is the main focus of Sumit Sarkar's book 'Modern India: 1885-1947'?

  1. The rise of the Indian National Congress

  2. The impact of British colonialism on Indian society

  3. The development of the Indian economy during the colonial period

  4. The role of peasants and workers in the Indian independence movement


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Sumit Sarkar's book 'Modern India: 1885-1947' focuses on the impact of British colonialism on Indian society, analyzing the economic, social, and political changes that occurred during this period.

Which Marxist historian wrote the book 'The Indian Renaissance'?

  1. R.C. Majumdar

  2. D.D. Kosambi

  3. K.M. Panikkar

  4. Bipan Chandra


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Bipan Chandra, a prominent Indian historian, wrote the book 'The Indian Renaissance', which examines the social, cultural, and intellectual changes that took place in India during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

What is the main argument of Romila Thapar's book 'Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations'?

  1. Ancient Indian society was characterized by a rigid caste system

  2. The ancient Indian economy was based on a subsistence agricultural system

  3. The ancient Indian state played a significant role in shaping social and economic relations

  4. Ancient Indian society was influenced by various cultural and religious traditions


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

In her book 'Ancient Indian Social History: Some Interpretations', Romila Thapar argues that ancient Indian society was influenced by various cultural and religious traditions, and that these traditions shaped social relations and institutions.

Which Marxist historian analyzed the role of women in Indian history?

  1. Uma Chakravarti

  2. Kumkum Sangari

  3. Gyan Prakash

  4. Partha Chatterjee


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Uma Chakravarti, a prominent Indian historian, has conducted extensive research on the role of women in Indian history. Her works, such as 'Rewriting History: The Life and Times of Pandita Ramabai' and 'Gendering Caste: Through a Feminist Lens', provide a Marxist analysis of women's experiences and struggles.

What is the main focus of Dipesh Chakrabarty's book 'Provincializing Europe: Postcolonial Thought and Historical Difference'?

  1. The impact of European colonialism on non-Western societies

  2. The development of postcolonial historiography

  3. The role of subaltern groups in historical change

  4. The relationship between history and anthropology


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In his book 'Provincializing Europe: Postcolonial Thought and Historical Difference', Dipesh Chakrabarty examines the impact of European colonialism on non-Western societies and argues for a more nuanced understanding of historical processes.

Which Marxist historian analyzed the relationship between caste and class in Indian society?

  1. Gail Omvedt

  2. Eleanor Zelliot

  3. M.N. Srinivas

  4. Andre Beteille


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Gail Omvedt, an American-born Indian sociologist and historian, has conducted extensive research on the relationship between caste and class in Indian society. Her works, such as 'Cultural Revolt in a Colonial Society: The Non-Brahmin Movement in Western India, 1873-1930' and 'Dalits and the Democratic Revolution: Dr. Ambedkar and the Dalit Movement in Colonial India', provide a Marxist analysis of caste and class dynamics.

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