
MHI-107, “History of Indian Economy-2,” is a core course in the Master of Arts in History (MAHI) programme at Indira Gandhi National Open University. For students who appeared in the December 2024 Term End Examination (TEE), or those preparing for upcoming sessions, solved question papers serve as essential study resources. These materials help learners analyze question patterns, understand the depth of economic-historical analysis expected, and practice structuring responses on colonial economic policies, agrarian transformations, industrial development, planning, and post-independence economic changes systematically. Reviewing solved papers alongside official study materials enhances comprehension of India’s economic evolution while building analytical and examination writing skills.
Table of Contents
About IGNOU MHI-107
MHI-107 examines History of Indian Economy-2, providing comprehensive analysis of India’s economic development from the colonial period through post-independence transformation. The course addresses colonial economic policies and their impact, agrarian transformations, industrial growth patterns, trade and finance systems, economic planning, and contemporary economic reforms.
Students engage with critical themes including colonial land revenue systems and their regional variations, commercialization of agriculture and cash crop economy, the deindustrialization debate and decline of traditional industries, nationalist economic critique (drain of wealth theory), industrial development in the late colonial period, economic conditions at independence, Nehruvian model of planned development, Five Year Plans and their sectoral priorities, public sector expansion and industrial policy, Green Revolution and agricultural transformation, nationalization of banks and key industries, economic crisis of 1991, liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG reforms), and contemporary economic transitions. The course emphasizes analytical understanding of how colonial exploitation shaped India’s economy and how post-independence policies sought to address developmental challenges.
IGNOU MHI-107 December 2024 Exam Pattern
The December 2024 examination for MHI-107 follows a descriptive format assessing both factual knowledge and analytical understanding of Indian economic history:
- Long-Answer Questions: Require detailed discussion of economic policies, agrarian systems, industrial development, or planning strategies with critical evaluation of their impact and historiographical debates. Students are expected to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and structured analytical presentation.
- Medium-Answer Questions: Test focused understanding of specific colonial policies, economic institutions, or post-independence reforms, requiring conceptual clarity and coherent economic-historical argumentation.
- Short-Answer Questions: Assess factual knowledge and conceptual precision on specific economic terms, policies, or key features of India’s economic development.
The examination emphasizes analytical and interpretative historical writing, understanding of economic structures and their transformation, ability to engage with historiographical debates on colonial economy and development planning, and well-structured academic presentation. Success requires thorough study of India’s economic history, understanding of diverse theoretical perspectives, and developed capacity for independent historical-economic analysis.
Important Topics Commonly Asked in MHI-107
Students should ensure thorough preparation across the following key areas of History of Indian Economy-2:
- Colonial Land Revenue Systems: Permanent Settlement in Bengal (1793), Ryotwari system in Madras and Bombay, Mahalwari system in North India, impact on peasantry and agricultural production, commercialization of land, indebtedness and land alienation, peasant movements and resistance.
- Commercialization of Agriculture: Introduction of cash crops (indigo, cotton, jute, tea, coffee), plantation economy, impact on food production and peasant economy, regional variations in commercialization, famine and food security issues, colonial agricultural policies.
- Deindustrialization Debate: Decline of traditional handicrafts and textile industry, drain of wealth theory (Dadabhai Naoroji, R.C. Dutt), debate between nationalist historians and revisionists (Tirthankar Roy), impact on artisans and weavers, destruction of craft industries, Company’s monopoly and tariff policies.
- Nationalist Economic Critique: Nationalist economic thought, drain of wealth and poverty discourse, critique of colonial exploitation (Romesh Dutt, Dadabhai Naoroji), Swadeshi movement and economic nationalism, Congress economic programmes, demands for protection and industrialization.
- Industrial Development in Late Colonial Period: Modern industries under colonialism (jute, cotton textiles, steel, coal, sugar), emergence of Indian capitalist class (Tata, Birla), managing agency system, labor conditions and working class formation, impact of World Wars on industrialization, discriminatory colonial industrial policies.
- Economic Planning After Independence: Economic conditions at independence (poverty, food shortages, infrastructure deficit), debates on planning model, Planning Commission establishment, mixed economy framework, Mahalanobis model, Five Year Plans (First to Twelfth), sectoral priorities and achievements.
- Public and Private Sector Growth: Public sector expansion and commanding heights strategy, industrialization through PSUs (steel, coal, heavy machinery), Industrial Policy Resolutions (1948, 1956), licensing and controls (License Raj), private sector development, industrial houses and monopolies, small-scale industry promotion.
- Liberalization and Economic Reforms: Economic crisis of 1991 (balance of payments, fiscal deficit), New Economic Policy (NEP 1991), liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG reforms), structural adjustment programme, Manmohan Singh’s reforms, dismantling of License Raj, foreign investment liberalization, WTO and Indian economy.
- Contemporary Economic Transitions: Service sector growth and IT revolution, changing agricultural scenario and agrarian crisis, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), banking sector reforms, disinvestment and privatization debates, GST implementation, debates on inclusive growth and inequality, contemporary economic policies.
- Agrarian Transformation: Land reforms post-independence (zamindari abolition, tenancy reforms, land ceiling), Green Revolution (technology package, HYV seeds, chemical inputs), regional impact and disparities, agricultural price policies, rural development programmes, agrarian distress and farmer suicides.
- Trade and Finance: Colonial trade patterns and exploitation, post-independence trade policies (import substitution, export promotion), exchange rate policies, balance of payments, foreign debt, nationalization of banks (1969, 1980), financial sector reforms, banking sector development.
- Historiographical Debates: Nationalist school versus Cambridge school on colonial impact, debates on planning effectiveness, critiques of liberalization, debates on development models, poverty and inequality assessments.
Download MHI-107 Solved Question Paper – December 2024
The solved question paper for MHI-107 December 2024 is provided as an academic reference resource for students of the Master of Arts in History programme. This document illustrates expected answer quality, appropriate economic-historical analysis, engagement with historiographical debates, and structured presentation, helping students calibrate their examination preparation effectively.
📄 Download MHI-107 Solved Question Paper (December 2024)
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This resource should be used in conjunction with prescribed IGNOU study materials and recommended textbooks on Indian economic history to build comprehensive understanding and examination readiness.
Related Resources
Students preparing for the IGNOU MAHI programme may also find the following materials useful:
- MHI-105 Study Materials: Solved question papers and resources for MHI-105 (History of Indian Economy) in the Master of Arts in History programme.
- MHI-106 Study Materials: Solved question papers and resources for MHI-106 (Evolution of Social Structures) in the MAHI programme.
- MHI-107 Solved Assignments: Assignment solutions for MHI-107 covering current and previous academic sessions, useful for internal assessment preparation.
- MHI-102 Study Materials: Solved question papers and resources for MHI-102 (Modern World Collection) in the Master of Arts in History programme.
- IGNOU MAHI Previous Year Papers: Comprehensive collection of solved question papers for other courses in the MAHI programme.
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Important Notice:
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The solved question paper shared on this page is compiled from publicly available educational resources and academic contributions. All intellectual property rights, copyrights, and trademarks belong to their respective owners, including IGNOU where applicable.
We make no claims of ownership regarding examination questions, course materials, or solutions presented. This resource is provided to help students understand examination patterns, develop economic-historical analysis skills, and support effective examination preparation.
Students are strongly encouraged to consult official IGNOU study materials and prescribed textbooks for comprehensive and accurate content. This solved paper should be used as a supplementary study tool alongside primary course materials.
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FAQs
What is IGNOU MHI-107?
MHI-107 is “History of Indian Economy-2,” a core course in the Master of Arts in History (MAHI) programme at IGNOU, examining colonial economic policies, agrarian transformations, industrial development, economic planning, liberalization reforms, and post-independence economic development in India.
Is this solved paper latest?
Yes, this resource provides solutions for the December 2024 Term End Examination, representing the most current available solved question paper for MHI-107 at the time of publication.
Can I download the PDF?
Yes, the solved question paper is available as a downloadable PDF through the link provided above. The file is hosted on an external platform for convenient access.
Is it useful for TEE preparation?
Yes, reviewing this solved paper helps students understand examination question patterns, expected depth of economic-historical analysis, engagement with historiographical debates, and evaluation standards, supporting effective Term End Examination preparation alongside official IGNOU study materials.



