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Topic Colonialism
Asked 5 times across 3 UPSC exams over 7 years (2014–2021), peaking in 2014.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 3 of 5 PYQs
- Most asked in 2014
- Recurs across 4 years (2014–2021)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2014 → CDS 2020 → CAPF 2021
How the concept evolved
Long-running — most appearances (3 of 5) predate 2016, and it still returns.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CAPF2021
Initially, what was the purpose of setting up of the hill stations during the colonial period in India?
- A To serve as winter capitals for the British
- B To serve the needs of the British army ✓
- C To source timber from forests
- D To set up sanatoria
✓ Correct answer: (B)
History › Modern India (1757–1857)
CDS2020
Who among the following was the first to arrive in Africa as traders that eventually led to European colonization of Africa?
- A French
- B Spanish
- C Portuguese ✓
- D Dutch
✓ Correct answer: (C)
History › World History
CSE2015
Who of the following was/were economic critic/critics of colonialism in India?
- Dadabhai Naoroji
- G. Subramania Iyer
- R. C. Dutt
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1 only
- B 1 and 2 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
History › Freedom Struggle (1857–1947)
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