Class XII - History - Paper - 3 - Practice for Everyone

SECTION – A

(Objective Type Questions)

1. The Harappan terracotta models of plough have been found at which of the following sites situated in Pakistan?

(a) Cholistan

(b) Banawali

(d) Shortughai

Ans. (a) Cholistan

2. Match the column (I) with column (II) regarding the terms and their meanings and choose the correct option:

Options:

(a) (A)-(I), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)

(b) (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

(d) (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)

Ans. (c) (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)

3. Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of movements for national freedom struggle?

(I) Second Round Table Conference

(II) Quit India Movement

(III) Khilafat movement

(IV) Direct Action Day

Options:

(a) (I), (IV), (III), (II)

(b) (II), (I), (IV), (III)

(d) (III), (I), (II), (IV)

Ans. (d) (III), (I), (II), (IV)

4. ldentify the picture from the given options.

(a) Justice

(b) In Memorium

(d) The Clemency of Canning

Ans. (b) In Memorium

5. After the unsuccessful 1857 revolt, Nana Saheb fled to ____________

(a) Awadh

(b) Maynmar

(d) Nepal

Ans. (d) Nepal

6. Consider the following statements.

(I) Montesquieu used Bernier’s accounts to develop his idea of oriental despotism.

(II) Bernier gave a detailed report on rural society

(III) According to Bernier, crown ownership of land was good for peasants.

Which of the given statements is/are correct?

Options:

(a) Statement (I) only

(b) Statements (I) and (II) only

(d) Statement (II) only

Ans. (b) Statements (I) and (II) only

7.Two statements are given in the question below as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.

Assertion (A): The Manusmriti is considered the most important of the Dharmasutras.

Reason (R): It lays down codes of social behaviour in great detail.

(a) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

(b) Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(d) (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct.

Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

8. Consider the following statements regarding the Mauryan empire and choose the correct option.

(a) The empire consisted of six significant political centers.

(b) Megasthenes documented the Mauryan Empire in his work titled “lndica.”

(d) Asoka employed his authority to promote Buddhism.

Ans. (d) Asoka employed his authority to promote Buddhism.

9. Which pair is not correct?

(a) Lothal-Gujarat

(b) Nageshwar-Maharashtra

(d) Kalibangan-Rajasthan

Ans. (b) Nageshwar-Maharashtra

10. Consider the following statements regarding Kabir and choose the incorrect statement:

(a) Verses of Kabir are compiled in three distinct traditions.

(b) Kabir’s poems are available only in the Urdu language.

(d) Kabir said the ultimate reality is only Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir.

Ans. (b) Kabir’s poems are available only in the Urdu language.

11, Which of the statements does not pertain to Krishnadeva Raya?

(a) Krishnadeva Raya’a reign was remembered for expansion and consolidation.

(b) His empire had peace and prosperity

(d) He suffered a defeat in the Battle of Rakshi Tangadi.

Ans. (d) He suffered a defeat in the Battle of Rakshi Tangadi.

12. Compare and contrast the influence of Vedic and Tantric traditions on religious practices in India. Choose the best suitable option from the following:

(a) Both Vedic and Tantric traditions maintained strict adherence to caste and class distinctions.

(b) Vedic traditions focused on sacrifices and mantras, while Tantric practices were more inclusive and ignored caste and class distinctions.

(d) Both Vedic and Tantric traditions placed equal emphasis on the worship of Agni, Indra, and Soma.

Ans. (b) Vedic traditions focused on sacrifices and mantras, while Tantric practices were more inclusive and ignored caste and class distinctions.

13. Match the following:

(a) (A)-(II), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV)

(b) (A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(I), (D)-(IV)

(d) (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(III)

Ans. (c) (A)-(III), (B)-(I), (C)-(II), (D)-(IV)

14. ldentify the name of the historian from the following information:

(I) He was an officer in the mint of the East India Company.

(II) He deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi.

(III) His findings gave a new direction to investigations into early Indian political history.

(a) James Prinsep

(b) John Marshall

(d) Rakhal Das Banerji

Ans. (a) James Prinsep

15. Complete the following with the correct option regarding the books and its languages.

Ashtadhyayi : Sanskrit Grammar : Tripitaka: ____________

(a) Sanskrit

(b) Hindi

(d) Persian

Ans. (c) Pali

16. Which of the following is not a problem noted by historians about the Ain-i-Akbari?

(a) Skewed nature of its quantitative data

(b) Errors in totaling

(d) Vital parameters of fiscal data are not documented.

Ans. (c) It is much more than a reproduction of official papers.

17. Which of the following statements does not align with the historical context of the Mughal Empire?

(a) Assistance for irrigation was provided by the state.

(b) Jins-i-Kamil was categorised as a Rabi Crop.

(d) Two distinct types of peasants existed, khud-Kashta and Pahi-Kashta.

Ans. (b) Jins-i-Kamil was categorised as a Rabi Crop.

18. Ritu is reading about an Indian leader who wasa lawyer in the early 1900s who struggled against racial prejudice and looked for a means to stand up for his community’s rights in South Africa. He remembers learning from a well-known Indian leader who emphasised the value of nonviolent resistance and societal change. Who was this significant mentor who influenced his activism?

(a) Rabindranath Tagore

(b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

(d) Swami Vivekananda

Ans. (b) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

19. Which of the following events occurred after the introduction of the Permanent Settlement in Bengal?

(a) American Civil War

(b) Fifth Report in the British Parliament

(d) Introduction of the Ryotwari System

Ans. (b) Fifth Report in the British Parliament

20. ldentify the political personality through the given details:

(I) He advocated the rights of the states over the center.

(II) He stated, “There is almost an obsession that by adding all kinds of powers to the Centre we can make it strong.”

(a) N.G. Ranga

(b) Jaipal Singh

(d) K. Santhanam

Ans. (d) K. Santhanam

21. Which of the following events happened during the Indian freedom struggle before the Cabinet Mission?

(a) Cripps Mission and Khilafat Movement

(b) Government of India Act and Khilafat Movement

(d) Government of India Act and Cripps Mission

Ans. (b) Government of India Act and Khilafat Movement

SECTION –B

(Short Answer Type Questions)

22. Early Harappan archaeologists thought that certain objects that seemed unusual and unfamiliar may have had a religious significance. Analyse the statement.

Ans. Some objects that were found to have religious significance despite not seeming like it are:

(1) Priest-King Bust: Stone statues depicting seated men with one hand resting on their knees were identified as “priestkings.” Structures like the Great Bath and fire altars discovered at sites such as Kalibangan and Lothal were considered vital for ritual practices.

(2) Examination of Seals: Seals and tablets found buried in various regions seem to ritual scenes, planta motifs and nature worship.

(3) Mythical imaged: Seals often depicted mythical creatures like unicorns, figures seated in yogic postures, sometimes surrounded by animals. These symbols were associated with what is now recognised as early Hindu religious elements.

Examine the factors resulting in the decline of the Harappan civilisation.

Ans. Some theories given by various scholars which explain the decline of Mature Harappan Civilisation around 1800 BC. These are explained below:

(1) Floods: It is assumed that abrupt flooding events could have submerged the towns and covered them with a thick layer of mud.

(2) Shift in the course of the Indus River: Changes in the course of the Indus River may have resulted in the decline of the civilisation.

(3) Climatic changes: There is a chance that climate change and drought occurred, possibly due to deforestation.

(4) Natural Calamities: It is also presumed that natural disasters like earthquakes disrupt the region.

(5) Aryan Invasion: Some scholars suggest that the arrival of the Aryans may have had a role in the decline. (Any three points)

23. “Wherever Gandhiji went, rumours spread of his miraculous power.” Examine this statement with examples.

Ans. This statement can be asserted using the following points:

(1) In some places, it was rumoured that Gandhiji had been sent by the King to address the grievances of farmers. These rumours suggested that he possessed the power to override local officials.

(2) At other places, it was claimed that Gandhiji’s power exceeded the English monarch. People believed that his presence could make the colonial rulers flee the district.

(3) Stories were circulated about dire consequences for those who opposed Gandhiji. There were rumours of his critics’ houses mysteriously falling apart or their crops facing pest attacks.

(4) Gandhiji was known by various titles like “Gandhi baba, ‘Gandhi Maharaj,’ or “Mahatma”. They believed he could rescue them from high taxes and oppressive officials while restoring dignity to their lives. (Any three points)

24. ‘lbn-Battuta was full of excitement to know about the unfamiliar: Examine this statement with examples.

Ans. (1) When Ibn-Battuta arrived in India during the 14th century, he noticed that the entire sub-continent was closely connected within an effective communication network.

(2) This expansive network of communication spanned from the eastern reaches of China to the western territories of Northwestern Africa and Europe.

(3) Ibn-Battuta himself embarked on extensive journeys through these regions. During his journey, he was able to observe sacred sites, engage with scholars and rulers, and even held the esteemed position of Qazi.

(4) He also involved himself in the cosmopolitan culture found in urban centers, where a different set of languages, including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, were spoken. In these vibrant hubs, people freely exchanged ideas, information, stories, and more.

(5) Within this tapestry of tales, Ibn-Battuta encountered narratives about individuals renowned for their piety, kings, ordinary citizens, and people from all walks of life.

(6) Ibn-Battuta intriguingly depicted the coconut and paan, both of which were novel to his readers. (Any three points)

Describe the views of Bernier about a more complex social reality of the Mughal Empire.

Ans. Bernier’s perspectives on the intricate social dynamics within the Mughal empire can be summarised as follows:

(1) Bernier compared India during the Mughal Empire with contemporary Europe and retold several facts to infer that India was inferior. Bernier held the view that the Mughal state operated in a tyrannical manner.

(2) He observed that artisans lacked motivation to enhance the quality of their products because the state appropriated most of the profits.

(3) Consequently, manufacturing was in a state of decline around the empire.

(4) Bernier also draws attention to the vast quantities of the world’s precious metals entered India, mainly due to the export of goods in exchange for gold and silver.

(5) He gave detailed explanations about how the absence of private property in India discouraged the landholders from investing into long-term improvements and production expansion. (Any three points)

25. Examine the main features of the early bhakti tradition.

Ans. The early traditions of Bhakti had the following features:

(1) The poet-saints emerged as leaders having a large number of devotees. They initiated the tradition of the bhakti movement.

(2) They broke the orthodox Brahmanical framework by accommodating and acknowledging women and the people belonging to the lower castes.

(3) The bhakti tradition is classified into two categories: Saguna and Nirguna. Saguna means the worship of specific deities such as Vishnu, Shiva and their incarnational forms like the goddess or Devi. It emphasised the attributes of deities. On the other hand, the Nirguna Bhakti was the worship of an abstract form of God. It was worship with attributes.

26.’The proclamations completely rejected everything associated with British rule or firangi raj as they called it. Analyse the key grievances expressed in the proclamations issued against the British during their colonial rule on India.

Ans. (1) The proclamations during the rebellion against British rule in India expressed several grievances.

(2) Such proclamations written by the rebel leaders appealed to the Hindus and Muslims (and others irrespective of their caste and creed) to come together to exterminate the firangi raj.

(3) They criticise the British for their annexations and broken treaties, which led to a lack of trust in the British government.

(4) The proclamations indicated how British land revenue settlements had dispossessed both large and small landholders.

(5) The rebel pointed out that foreign commerce under British rule had driven artisans and weavers to ruin, adversely affecting their livelihoods.

(6) Proclamations like the Azamgarh proclamation accused the British of destroying a familiar and cherished way of life, angering the local population.

(7) There was widespread fear that the British intended to destroy the caste and religious identities of Hindus and Muslims, converting them to Christianity. (Any three points)

27. Examine the most remarkable features of sculpture as well as of texts during 8th-18th centuries.

Ans. (1) One of the most remarkable characteristics in both sculpture and texts was the growing prominence of various gods and goddesses.

(2) This implies that the continuation and expansion of the worship of significant deities, such as Vishnu, Shiva, and the Goddess.

(3) Each of these divine beings was depicted in numerous distinct forms.

SECTION –C

(Long Answer Type Questions)

28. ‘Deciphering inscriptions from the Maurya period has provided valuable insights into ancient Indian history, yet there are significant imitations and challenges in using inscriptions as historical records.’ Justify this statement by highlighting the process.

Ans. Methods of deciphering Maurya period inscriptions:

(1) James Prinsep, an officer in the East India Company’s mint, successfully interpreted two scripts used in the earliest inscriptions, namely Brahmi and Kharosthi.

(2) Prinsep used different modes, including content, style, language, and palaeography, to match and interpret the inscriptions.

(3) Through his study, Prinsep identified “Asoka” as the ruler’s name and recognised that “Devanampiya” and “Piyadassi” were titles used for Asoka in many inscriptions.

(4) It was finally established that Asoka, ‘Devanampiya’, and ‘Piyadasi’ referred to the same ruler.

(5) In additional to this, relevant points may include his contribution to understanding the historical context of the inscriptions or any other significant findings. (Any four points)

Limitations of Inscriptional Evidence:

(1) The study of inscriptions was disturbed by technical limitations.

(2) In some inscriptions, letters are faintly engraved, making them difficult to decipher.

(3) In some cases, inscriptions have missing letters or characters. Rebuilt of damaged inscriptions can be uncertain and subject to interpretation.

(4) Estimation of the exact meanings of words used in inscriptions can be challenging for the historians.

(5) While several thousand inscriptions were made, only a fraction have been discovered.

(6) Not all inscriptions have been deciphered, published, and translated by the scholar.

(7) Inscriptions tend to focus on politically and economically vital matters, often ignoring details about routine agricultural practices and daily life experiences.” (Any four points)

‘The period from 600 BCE to 600 CE saw significant developments in the land grant system and the growth of trade in ancient India’. Justify the statement.

Ans. (1) The land grant system started in the early centuries of the Common Era (CE.). Most land grants were recorded in inscriptions. The inscriptions were mostly written in Sanskrit and were usually engraved on copper plates.

(2) The existing records mainly mention grants made to religious institutions or Brahmanas.

(3) From seventh century onwards, some inscriptions were a combination of Sanskrit and local languages like Tamil or Telugu.

(4) Despite legal norms restricting women’s independent access to land, an inscription shows that Prabhavati, daughter of a ruler Chandragupta II, had access to land, which she then granted to other people. This exception may be accorded to her royal status or in accurate execution of legal texts, land grants varied regionally, they also indicated (only as per the opinion of some scholars) weakening political powers.

Development of trade:

(1) Land and river routes criss crossed the sub-continent and extended in different directions from the 6th century BCE.

(2) The ruler tried to control these routes by offering protection for a price.

(3) Merchants travelled with caravans of bullock carts and pack-animals.

(4) They sold salt, grain, cloth, metal ores and finished products, stone, timber, medicinal plants, spices and pepper, and textiles. All these were transported across the Arabian Sea to the Mediterranean.

29. Explain with suitable examples the process of creating and preserving Buddhist texts from the Buddha’s time until they were distributed throughout all parts of the world.

Ans. Buddhist writings were created and maintained by a multi-phase process that included monks compiling them, oral transmission, and finally written documentation in several locations.

(1) The Buddha’s and other teachers’ teachings were first transmitted verbally. There were discussions and disputes, drawing a broad audience that might have included men, women, and even small children.

(2) The teachings of the Buddha were compiled by his pupils at a council of “elders,” or senior monks, in Vesali (Vaishali), following his death (c. fifth–fourth century BCE). Together, these collections became known as the Tripitaka, or “three baskets.”

(3) The Vinaya Pitaka, which described guidelines for the monastic community (sangha), was one of the Tipitaka’s three primary sections. The genuine teachings of the Buddha, delivered in discourses, are documented in the Sutta Pitaka. The Abhidhamma Pitaka addressed theological and philosophical issues.

(4) The lessons were first passed down orally before being recorded in writing. The writings were categorised according to their length and topic matter, making systematic research and referencing easier.

(5) New writings, like as the Dipavamsa and Mahavamsa, which detailed the history of Buddhism in these countries and featured Buddha lives, were composed as Buddhism spread into areas like Sri Lanka. Later writings were also written in Sanskrit, but many of the early manuscripts were written in Pali.

(6) Chinese pilgrims like Fa Xian and Xuan Zang journeyed to India to obtain literature as Buddhism spread throughout East Asia. They went home with these books, which were translated by local experts, aiding the spread of Buddhist teachings outside India.

(7) Buddhist writings were painstakingly kept in manuscript form at monasteries all over Asia for millennia.

(8) A large number of these old manuscripts have been translated from Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan into contemporary languages. The teachings of Buddhism are still available to a wide audience thanks to these translations.

Explain with examples the principles of non-violence, the cycle of birth and rebirth, simplicity, and the growth of Jainism throughout India in the context of Mahavira’s philosophy of Jainism.

Ans. Mahavira’s explanation of the core ideas of Jainism, which stresses on non-violence, the cycle of existence, and ascetic practices, is what eventually caused the religion to spread throughout India.

(1) Philosophical Foundations: Prior to Mahavira’s birth in the sixth century BCE, Jainism was practiced in northern India. Mahavira is revered as the 24th tirthankara, a spiritual mentor who aids people in overcoming life’s obstacles.

(2) The Ahimsa Principle: The Jain philosophy is based on the idea of ahimsa, or nonviolence. This principle demands that all living things, including people, animals, plants, and even microorganisms, be treated with the greatest care to prevent injury.

(3) Cycle of Birth and reincarnation: According to Jain teachings, karma—the sum of a person’s actions—influences the cycle of birth and reincarnation, or samsara. In Jainism, the course of one’s life directly influences subsequent incarnations, hence influencing the character of rebirth.

(4) Asceticism and Penance: To break out from this cycle of samsara, Jainism advises for asceticism and penance. Mahavira preached that the path to salvation involves giving up worldly attachments and pleasures.

(5) The Five Vows of Jain Monks and Nuns: The five basic vows that Jaina monks and nuns uphold represent their dedication to a life of renunciation and non-violence.

(6) Jainism’s Spread: Jainism progressively spread throughout India. Like Buddhists, Jaina scholars wrote a great deal of literature in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Tamil, and other languages.

(7) Art and Sculpture: The early stone sculptures honoring the tirthankaras also demonstrate a dedication to Jainism. Across the subcontinent, these artistic manifestations have been found at a number of archaeological sites.

(8) Text Preservation: To ensure the continuation of Jaina philosophy and teachings, Jain manuscripts were carefully preserved throughout centuries in templeaffiliated libraries. Future generations’ access to this information and behaviours depended on its preservation.

30. Explain the limitation Law. How was it perceived as a form of oppression against the ryots in the 19th century.

Ans. In 1859, the British government passed the Limitation Law, which specify that the loan agreements between moneylenders and ryots (tenant farmers) would be valid for only three years.

(1) This law was initially aimed to prevent the collection of excessive interest over an extended period.

(2) However, moneylenders cleverly altered this law to their advantage by compelling ryots to repeatedly sign new loan agreements every three years.

The Limitation Law was seen as a symbol of oppression against the ryots because:

(1) The proliferation of deeds and bonds became representative of the newly oppressive system because such documents were uncommon in ryotmoneylender transactions.

(2) The terms of these transactions had to be minutely and clearly outlined in the contracts, deeds, and bonds, and they were subjected to regulation by law.

(3) This harsh legal framework often favoured the moneylenders and disadvantaged the ryots.

(4) If a deed or contract was not legally enforceable, it held no value, leaving ryots vulnerable to the whims of moneylenders who could exploit legal loopholes and the limitations imposed by the law to their advantage.

(5) Moneylenders forced peasants to sign legal bonds without telling them what was in them, which allowed exploitation. They were afraid of the deeds which were in written form, but they had little alternative because they needed loans to survive.

Explain the superior effectiveness of Jotedars’ authority within a village compared to that of zamindars.

Ans. Residency in villages endowed jotedars with direct and significant influence over numerous villagers.

(1) Jotedars actively opposed the zamindars’ attempts to raise the revenue (jama) of the village.

(2) They orchestrated the mobilisation of ryots to intentionally delay payments of revenue owed to the zamindars.

(3) Jotedar were dominant and exercised control over local trade and money lending.

(4) They had ownership of huge tracts of land, which they acquired during the auctions of zamindars’ estates due to their failures.

(5) During the 18th century, the zamindars faced crises as a consequence of a group of prosperous peasants or jotedars consolidating their status in Bengal villages.

(6) This class of wealthy peasants commanded huge landholdings, occasionally spanning thousands of acres.

(7) Jotedars also held power over local trade and moneylending, wielding considerable power over the impoverished cultivators in the region, surpassing the influence of zamindars.

(8) Within the villages, the power of jotedars was more effective than that of zamindars due to the fact that jotedars lived in the villages and had direct authority over a sizeable portion of the poor peasants.

SECTION –D

(Source Based Questions)

31. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The One Lord:

Here is a composition attributed to Kabir:

Tell me, brother, how can there be No one lord

of the world but two?

Who led you so astray?

God is called by many names.

Names like Allah, Ram, Karim, Keshav, Hari and Hazrat Gold may be shaped into rings and bangles. lsn’t it gold all the same? Distinctions are only in words that we invent.

Kabir says they are both mistaken. Neither can find the only Rom. One kills the goat, the other cows. They waste their lives in disputation.

(A) Mention the names of two scriptures where verses attributed to Kabir have been compiled.

Ans. Two scriptures containing verses attributed to Kabir include:

(1) Kabir Bijak

(2) Kabir Granthavali

(B) Analyse Kabir’s understanding of the “Ultimate Reality” according to the passage

Ans. Kabir characterised the ‘Ultimate Reality’ by drawing from various traditions. From Islam, he referred to it as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat, and Pir, while he incorporated terms from the Vedantic traditions like Alakh, Nirakar, Brahmana, and Atman.

Ans. Kabir employed monotheism and iconoclasm to criticise idol worship, asserting that there is only one God, the ultimate reality, and the sole lord of the world, albeit known by various names.

32. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

Cash or kind?

The Ain on land revenue collection:

Let him (the amil-guzar) not make it a practice of taking only in cash but also in kind. The lotter is effected in several ways. First, kankut: in the Hindi language kan signifies grain, and kut, estimates If any doubts arise, the crops should be cut and estimated in three lots, the good, the middling. and the inferior, and the hesitation removed. Often, too, the land taken by appraisement. gives a sufficiently accurate return. Secondly. batai, also called bhaoli, the crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties. But in this case several intelligent inspectors are required; otherwise, the evil-minded and false are given to deception. Thirdly. khet-batai, when they divide the fields after they are sown. Fourthly, lang batai, after cutting the grain, they form it in heaps and divide it among themselves, and each takes his share home and turns it into profit.

(A) ‘Let him (the amil-guzar) not make it a practice of taking only in cash but also in kind’. Examine the role of Amil guzar conveyed by this extract.

Ans. The amil-guzar was the revenue collector who collected revenue both in cash and inkind using various methods.

(B) How can doubts about the value of crops collected as revenue be resolved according to the passage?

Ans. In case doubts arise about the value of crops collected as revenue, the crops can be cut and estimated in three lots: the good, the middling, and the inferior, in order to remove hesitation.

Ans. The passage suggests that when implementing the batai method for collecting land revenue in kind, it is important to have several intelligent inspectors present to prevent deception by those who may be evil-minded or false.

33. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:

“That is Very Good, Sir-Bold Words, Noble Words”

Somnath Lahiri said: Well, Sir, I must congratulate Pandit Nehru for the fine expression he gave to the spirit of the Indian people when he said that no imposition from the British will be accepted by the Indian people.

Imposition would be resented and objected to he said and he added that if need be we will walk to the valley of struggle. That is very good, Sir-bold words, noble words. But the point is to see when and how are you going to apply that challenge. Well Sir the point is that the imposition is here right now.

Not only is it a fact that this Constituent Assembly. whatever plans we may be hatching: we are under the shadow of British guns. British Army, their economic and financial stranglehold-which means that the final power is still in the British hands and the question of power has not yet been finally, decided which means the future is not yet completely in our hands. Not onls that, but the statements made by Attlee and others recently have made it clear that if need be, they will even threaten you with division entirely.

(A) ‘Somnath Lahiri said: Well, Sir, I mnust congratulate Pandit Nehru …’ In which context this statement has been made?

Ans. Somnath Lahiri was congratulating Nehru for asserting the sovereignty of the newly independent Indian nation when he said that no pressure from the British would be accepted by the Indian people.

(B) Explain why Somnath believes that the absence of a constitution would result in dependence on the British.

Ans. Somnath’s belief stems from the fact that without a constitution, there would be a constant need to refer to the British government for fundamental laws and rules. Therefore, he thought it was essential for Indians to draft their own constitution, one that reflects the will of the people of an independent India.

Ans. Somnath Lahiri perceived that even though India had established its Constitution, true freedom had not been achieved. This was due to the continued presence of the British Army, British economic and financial control, which he saw as evidence that the ultimate authority still lay in the hands of the British.” The presence of British police force and other significant foreign institution in the country undermine the internal and the external sovereignty of India he is asserting that they must go back as soon as possible to assert the newly achieved Indian independence.

SECTION-E

(Map Based Questions)

34. (A) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols:

(I) Nageshwar, a mature Harappan site.

(II) Lumbini, a major Buddhist site.

(III) Ajmer, a territory under Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb.

(IV) Lucknow, a main centre of the Revolt of 1857.

(B) On the outline map, two places have been marked as (I) and (II), which are centres of the national movement. Identify them and write their correct names.

Ans. (B) (I) Karachi

(II) Lahore

Class XII – History – Paper – 3