Use this list of the Eighteenth Century History Optional PYQs to see how UPSC has examined this part of the syllabus between 1995 and 2026. It is unit 24 of Paper 1, Section B – Medieval India, with 40 questions, the latest from 2026.
The Eighteenth Century – History Optional PYQs (1995–2026)
24.1] Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire
1. Aurangzeb’s Deccan policy was a major factor in Mughal decline. Discuss. [2022/15m/8b]
2. It was as much the court intrigues as also the defiance of the provincial powers that hastened the decline of the Mughals in the 18th century. Comment. [2019/20m/8b]
3. “The Afghan invasions in the Eighteenth Century not only signified the military irrelevance of the Mughal Empire but also hastened its decline.” Explain. [2018/15m/8c]
4. “The political disintegration was responsible for the socio-economic decline in India during the 18th century.” Comment. [2017/20m/7c]
5. Do you think that the agrarian crisis of the 17th century led to the disintegration of the Mughal empire? Discuss. [2016/20m/8a]
6. Was it the weakening of the Mughal empire or the rise of regional powers that led to the British conquest of India? Discuss. [2016/15m/8b]
7. Examine the mansab and jagir system by Akbar and its subsequent failure in the 18th century. [2011/30m/7b]
8. How would you like to characterize the eighteenth century in Indian history? [2005/60m/8]
9. Write a short essay on: Spanish ulcer ruined Napoleon Bonaparte, the Deccan ulcer ruined Aurangzeb. [1999/20m/200w/5d]
24.2] The regional principalities
1. Examine the role of Asaf Jahi Dynasty in the political transformation of the State of Hyderabad. [2024/15m/7c]
2. “Haidar Ali was born to build an empire, and Tipu Sultan to lose one”. Comment. [2023/15m/7b]
3. Analyze the rise of the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh. [2023/15m/7c]
4. How far is it justified to consider the states like Bengal, Awadh and Hyderabad as ‘successor states’ of the Mughal state? [2021/20m/8c]
5. Was it the weakening of the Mughal empire or the rise of regional powers that led to the British conquest of India? Discuss. [2016/15m/8b]
6. “The Battle of Plassey that decided the fate of Bengal was won by Clive through intrigues.” Explain. [2014/15m/7c]
7. Discuss the causes of the rise and growth of regional kingdoms with special reference to the Deccan in the 18th century. [2011/30m/8a]
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1. Trace the trajectory of Maratha polity from Shivaji to Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. What was the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) on the Maratha State? Analyze. [2026/15m/8c]
2. Critically examine the political, military and administrative factors that led to the transformation of the Maratha character in the 18th century. How did these changes influence its rise and eventual decline? [2025/20m/8c]
3. How did the Maratha guerrilla warfare tactics contribute to their military successes against larger and more established armies? [2024/15m/7b]
4. The Marathas posed a significant threat to the integrity of the Mughal Empire. Discuss. [2023/20m/7a]
5. Account for the rise of the Maratha power in the eighteenth century. [2022/10m/150w/5e]
6. How will you view the Maratha policy of expansion? Delineate. [2017/20m/8c]
7. Is it true that the court intrigues and weak revenue system led to the collapse of the Maratha empire? Comment. [2016/15m/8c]
8. Compare the Peshwas’ bureaucratic management with that of the Imperial Mughal administration. [2015/15m/8c]
9. Were the Marathas restricted by their geopolitical limitations from becoming the paramount power of India? [2001/60m/8]
24.4] The Maratha fiscal and financial system
1. Is it true that the court intrigues and weak revenue system led to the collapse of the Maratha empire? Comment. [2016/15m/8c]
2. Write a short essay on: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of the Maratha rulers. [2007/20m/200w/5d]
3. Write a short essay on: The system of the collection of Chauth and Sardeshmukhi by the Maratha rulers. [2004/20m/200w/5d]
4. Write a short essay on: Chauth and Sardeshmukhi. [2003/20m/200w/5d]
24.5] Emergence of Afghan power; Battle of Panipat, 1761
1. Trace the trajectory of Maratha polity from Shivaji to Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. What was the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) on the Maratha State? Analyze. [2026/15m/8c]
2. Evaluate the impact of the Third Battle of Panipat on the political economy of 18th century India. [2024/15m/8b]
3. “The Afghan invasions in the Eighteenth Century not only signified the military irrelevance of the Mughal Empire but also hastened its decline.” Explain. [2018/15m/8c]
4. Write a short essay on: Consequences of the Third Battle of Panipat. [2002/20m/200w/5d]
5. Write a short essay on: Third Battle of Panipat. [1998/20m/200w/5d]
24.6] State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest
1. Would you consider eighteenth century in India an era of ‘Dark Age’, or a period of economic growth? Elucidate. [2026/20m/8b]
2. The economy of India was not stagnant in the eighteenth century. Discuss. [2023/15m/8b]
3. Critically evaluate history of the Eighteenth century India with reference to culture and economy. [2020/20m/8c]
4. “The political disintegration was responsible for the socio-economic decline in India during the 18th century.” Comment. [2017/20m/7c]
5. What are the distinguishing components of the debate on “The Eighteenth Century”? [2008/60m/8]
6. How would you like to characterize the eighteenth century in Indian history? [2005/60m/8]
Summary of The Eighteenth Century PYQs (1995–2026)
| Total questions (1995–2026) | 40 (34 unique – a few questions are listed under more than one sub-topic) |
| Total marks asked | 745 (unique questions) |
| Questions in last 5 years (2022–2026) | 13 (12 unique) |
| Most recent year asked | 2026 |
| Sub-topics | 6 (24.1 to 24.6) |
The earliest question here dates from 1998 and the latest from 2026; UPSC has drawn on this unit in 23 of the 32 years. In the last five years (2022–2026), 13 questions were set from it.
Official Syllabus
24. The Eighteenth Century
- Factors for the decline of the Mughal Empire.
- The regional principalities: Nizam’s Deccan, Bengal, Awadh.
- Maratha ascendancy under the Peshwas.
- The Maratha fiscal and financial system.
- Emergence of Afghan power, Battle of Panipat, 1761.
- State of politics, culture and economy on the eve of the British conquest.
Source: UPSC Civil Services Examination 2026 notification.
Where this unit stands in Medieval India
The Eighteenth Century accounted for about 15% of the marks asked in Medieval India in 2022–2026, up from 12% over 2013–2026, ranking 1st of the 12 units in the section by recent weightage.
How to use these PYQs
- Map every question to a phrase of the official syllabus shown above; recurring phrases show where UPSC’s interest lies.
- Start with the latest questions at the top of each list to see how UPSC frames this unit today; the older 60-mark questions are still useful for depth and content.
- Write timed answers to a few questions every week, keeping to the marks and word limit in each code, and revisit questions you found difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many History Optional questions have been asked from The Eighteenth Century?
This collection lists 40 question entries from The Eighteenth Century (unit 24 of Paper 1) between 1998 and 2026, of which 34 are unique questions; the rest are listed under more than one sub-topic. They were asked in 23 of the 32 years and 13 came in 2022–2026.
When was The Eighteenth Century last asked in History Optional?
Most recently in 2026, with 2 questions (2026/15m/8c, 2026/20m/8b). Before that, it was asked in 2025.
Where can I find all History Optional PYQs topic-wise?
All units of Paper 1 and Paper 2, the map question and the earlier-syllabus questions are linked from History Optional PYQs Topic-wise (1995–2026).
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