MAINS 2013
GS1
10 marks
Latecomer Industrial revolution in Japan involved certain factors that were markedly different from what west had experienced.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Explain how Japan's late industrialisation differed from the Western path.
DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.
Demand-wise check
- 1State-led: Meiji Restoration (1868), state pilot factories later sold to private firms≈30 words
- 2Finance: land tax reform (1873) and war indemnity rather than colonial profits at the start≈30 words
- 3Organisation: zaibatsu (Mitsui, Mitsubishi) combining banking and industry≈30 words
- 4Borrowed technology and experts; Iwakura Mission; education drive≈30 words
- 5Militarism: lack of raw materials led to imperialism (wars with China 1894-95, Russia 1904-05)≈30 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Western model (private, gradual)Japanese differences point by pointConsequencesConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Describing Meiji reforms without comparing with the West
- Ignoring the link between resource scarcity and militarism
Draw this
- Two-column comparison: Britain vs Japan (agent, finance, speed, technology, outcome)
Value addition
- ExampleTomioka Silk Mill (1872), a state model factory, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2014).UNESCO
- EventThe Iwakura Mission (1871-73) studied Western industry and institutions.Meiji history
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Akansh Dhull · AIR 3 · Page 7 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.