QUESTION N04
GS1
10 marks
In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.
WRITE IN
7 min
200 words
What the examiner wants
Discuss/Analyse the exact proposition in the PYQ — “In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.” — using concept/chronology or mechanism, evidence on both sides where relevant, and a conclusion that answers the directive rather than merely describing Viceroy and their Administration.
Discuss/AnalyseAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1For the prompt cue ‘In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.’, directly answer: In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India≈45 words
- 2For the prompt cue ‘In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.’, build the causal/institutional mechanism behind Viceroy and their Administration, not just a list of features≈45 words
- 3For the prompt cue ‘In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.’, add one verified official-source anchor and a limitation/counterpoint specific to Viceroy and their Administration≈45 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Define/contextualise Viceroy and their AdministrationExplain mechanism/chronologyQuestion-specific evidence/examplesImplicationsConcise conclusion
Where marks usually go
- For the prompt cue ‘In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.’, avoid a generic note on Viceroy and their Administration; answer the actual wording/directive and the Viceroy and their Administration proposition
- For the prompt cue ‘In many ways, Lord Dalhousie was the founder of modern India. Elaborate.’, do not add examples around Viceroy and their Administration unless they prove, qualify or rebut the proposition asked
Value addition
- 3-box flow: concept/context → core argument/evidence → implication/way forward
→ Draw it in the body, next to the point it supports.
Official source anchors
These are authoritative sources selected for this exact PYQ. Where a card is an official-domain anchor rather than a fact-level citation, verify the precise provision, definition or data point on the linked source before using it.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.