Subject: History
Class XII
Time: 3 hours
Max. Marks: 80
General Instructions:
(i) Question paper comprises five Sections – A, B, C, D and E. There are 34 questions in the question paper. All questions are compulsory.
(ii) Section A – Question 1 to 21 are MCQs of 1 mark each.
(iii) Section B – Question no. 22 to 27 are Short Answer Type Questions, carrying 3 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 60-80 words.
(iv) Section C – Question no 28 to 30 are Long Answer Type Questions, carrying 8 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 300-350 words
(v) Section D – Question no.31 to 33 are Source based questions with three sub questions and are of 4 marks each
(vi) Section-E – Question no. 34 is Map based, carrying 5 marks that includes the identification and location of significant test items. Attach the map with the answer book.
(vi) There is no overall choice in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions. Only one of the choices in such questions have to be attempted.
(viii) In addition to this, separate instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Section A
1. Identify the ruler of the Satvahana dynasty with the help of following information:
Options:
A. Gotami-puta Siri-Vijaya-Satakani
B. Gotami-puta Siri Satakani
C. Gotami-puta sami-Siri-Yana-Satakani
D. Vasithi-puta (sami-)Siri Pulumayi
2. Who among the following had issued the first gold coins in the first century CE?
A. The Yaudheyas
B. The Parthians
C. The Guptas
D. The Kushanas
3. Match the following and select the correct option
A. 1 – b, 2- c, 3 -d, 4- a
B. 1 – a, 2- d, 3 -c, 4- b
C. 1 – c, 2- b, 3 -d, 4- a
D. 1 – d, 2- a, 3 -b, 4- c
4. Which one of the following statements is the correct explanation of ‘Endogamy’?
A. Marriage outside a kin group.
B. Marriage within a kin group.
C. A woman having several husbands.
D. A man having several wives.
5. Identify the given image from the following options:
A. Sculpture of a Gupta king
B. Sculpture of a Maurya king
C. Sculpture of a Kushana king
D. Sculpture of a Chola king
6. “Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation.” Identify the essence of the words of Buddha from the options given below:
A. One should connect to inner being.
B. One should live life of brahmacharya
C. One should focus and express feelings
D. One should spread religion everywhere.
7. Which one among the following dynasties built the Hiriya canal?
A. Sangama dynasty
B. Tuluva dynasty
C. Saluva dynasty
D. Aravidu dynasty
8. Fill in the blank:
8. The local merchants of the Vijayanagara empire who participated in the trade of horses were called—————–
A. Gajapati
B. Mahanayakas
C. Kudirai Chettis
D. Narapati
9. Find out the correct chronological order of ‘the Chishti Silsila’ from the following options :
I. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
II. Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj – Shakar
III. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Delhi
IV. Shaikh Muinuddin Sijzi
A. I, II, III & IV
B. II, III, IV & I
C. III, II, I & IV
D. IV, II, I & III
10. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion(A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Archaeologists and historians find Harappan script enigmatic
Reason (R): The Harrapan script remains undeciphered till date.
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)
C. (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct
D. (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct
11. Complete the following with the correct option
Kitab ul Hind : Al-Biruni , Rihla :……………….
A. Ibn Hawqal
B. Ibn Jubayr
C. Ibn Qalaqis
D. Ibn Battuta
12. Which among the following is Correctly matched?
Ans. Option (D)
13. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion(A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The Santhals were given land and persuaded to settle in the rocky upper part of Rajmahal Hills.
Reason (R): The British perceived Paharias and Santhals as ideal settlers.
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)
C. (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct
D. (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct
14. Consider the following statements and select the correct from the following option:
I. François Bernier was closely associated with the Prince Dara Shukoh.
II. Bernier travelled to several parts of the country, and wrote accounts
III. He dedicated his major writing to the king of France and Aurangzeb.
A. II & III
B. II &III
C. I & II
D. I & III
15. From which of the following regions Ahom rulers belonged to?
A. Delhi
B. Orissa
C. Ajmer
D. Assam
16. Which one of the following metallic coins was more prevalent during the Mughal Empire.?
A. Gold
B. Copper
C. Bronze
D. Silver
17. Who among the following Introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal?
A. Lord Cornwallis
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Lord Irwin
D. Lord Bentinck
18. Which of the following options is correct?
A. Gandhi ji started Quit India Mission in 1930.
B. Gandhiji gave his first speech in Champaran
C. Gandhiji worked as radical nationalist leader
D. Gandhi considered G.K. Gokhale as his political mentor
19. Find out from the following pairs which one is NOT correctly matched:
A. Lord Wellesley: Subsidiary Alliance
B. Lord Dalhousie: Doctrine of Lapse
C. Lord Henry Hardinge: Introduced the Enfield rifles
D. Lord Canning: Religious Disabilities Act
20. Who among the following was the President of Constituent Assembly?
A. Jawahar Lal Nehru
B. B.R. Ambedkar
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Vallabh Bhai Patel
21. Which one of the following languages was favored by Gandhiji as the national language?
A. Hindi
B. Urdu
C. Hindustani
D. English
SECTION B
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
22. Describe any three sources to know about Harrapan civilization.
Ans. i. The Harappan seal
ii. Distinctive Artefact
iii. Beads, Weights, Blades
iv. Terracotta Bull
v. Copper Tools
vi. Reservoir at Dholavira
vii. Faience Pots
viii. A Terracotta Figurine
ix. “Priest-King” Stone Statue
x. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
OR
Describe any three features of Harrapan drainage system.
Ans. i. Harappan cities had the carefully planned drainage system
ii. Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate “grid” pattern, intersecting at right angles.
iii. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses were built along them.
iv. Drainages were made with burned bricks
v. The drains were made of mortar, lime and gypsum.
vi. They were covered with big bricks and stones which could be lifted easily to clean the drains.
vii. Lime stones were used as cesspits
viii. Any other relevant point Any three points to be described
23. “Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanpada”. Examine the statement
Ans. i. Magadha was a region where agriculture was productive.
ii. The Ganga and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and convenient communication.
iii. Iron mines were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.
iv. Elephants, an important of the army, were found in forests in the region
v. Ambitious kings, of whom Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda are the best known, and their ministers, who helped implement their policies
vi. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be examined
24. Analyze the concept of the Asiatic mode of production as stated by Karl Marx.
Ans. i. The idea of Bernier based on differences between Mughal India and Europe on the lack of private property was further developed by Karl Marx as the concept of the Asiatic mode of production
ii. Marx argued that in India (and other Asian countries), before colonialism, surplus was appropriated by the state.
iii. This led to the emergence of a society that was composed of a large number of autonomous and egalitarian village communities.
iv. The imperial court presided over these village communities, respecting their autonomy as long as the flow of surplus was unimpeded.
v. This was regarded as a stagnant system
vi. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be analyzed
25. Describe the features of water resources of Vijayanagar empire.
Ans. i. The natural basin of Vijayanagar was formed by the river Tungabhadra.
ii. A number of streams flow down to the river from these rocky outcrops
iii. Embankments were built along the streams to create reservoirs
iv. Elaborate arrangements were made to store rainwater
v. The most important tank was Kamalapuram tank.
vi. One of the most prominent waterworks was the Hiriya canal.
vii. The canal drew water from a dam across the Tungabhadra
viii. Water resources irrigated the cultivated valley that separated the “Sacred Centre” from the “Urban Core”.
ix. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
26. “The power of the Jotedars was more effective than that of the zamindars”. Justify the statement with suitable arguments.
Ans. i. Jotedars were located in the villages unlike zamindars
ii. Jotedars exercised direct control over a considerable section of poor villagers
iii. They fiercely resisted efforts by zamindars to increase the jama of the village
iv. They prevented zamindari officials from executing their duties
v. They mobilised ryots who were dependent on them
vi. They deliberately delayed payments of revenue to the zamindar.
vii. Jotedars were often amongst the purchasers in the auction of land
viii. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
27. “Art and literature helped in keeping alive the memory of 1857.” Explain with examples from Indian perspective.
Ans. i. The leaders of the revolt were presented as heroic figures leading the country into battle
ii. It helped in rousing the people to righteous indignation against oppressive imperial rule
iii. Heroic poems were written about the velour of Lakshmi Bai
iv. Rani fought for the freedom of her motherland.
v. Rani of Jhansi was represented as a masculine figure chasing the enemy, slaying British soldiers and valiantly fighting till her last
vi. In popular prints Rani Lakshmi Bai is usually portrayed in battle armor, with a sword in hand and riding a horse – a symbol of the determination to resist injustice and alien rule
vii. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote: “Khoob lari mardani woh to Jhansi wali rani thi”
viii. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be explained.
OR
‘Rumours and prophesies played an important role in the Revolt of 1857.’ Explain the statement with example
Ans. i. Cartridges of the Enfield rifles -Bullets coated with the fat of cows and pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt their caste and religion.
ii. Flour-According to rumors the British had mixed the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market.
iii. Chapattis -Reports came from various parts of North India that chapattis were being distributed from village to village.
iv. Lota and khalasi issue- khalasi from a lower caste asked a Brahmin sepoy to give him some water from his container of water. The sepoy refused to give him his container saying that touch by a lower caste would pollute the water.
v. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be explained with example
SECTION C
Long Answer Type Questions
28. Describe the familial relationship observed during Mahabharat era.
Ans. i. Families are usually parts of larger networks of people defined as relatives/ kinfolk.
ii. People belonging to the same family share food, resources, work, and live together and perform rituals together.
iii. Familial ties were often regarded as “natural” and based on blood
iv. Rules about patriliny-The Mahabharata shows patriliny. It describes a feud over land and power between the Kauravas and the Pandavas
v. Most ruling dynasties followed patrilineal with little variations
vi. In very exceptional circumstances, women such as Prabhavati Gupta exercised power
vii. Rules of marriage- There were two systems of marriageEndogamy and Exogamy.
viii. Marriages-Girls were married at the “right” time and to the “right” person.
ix. Kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important religious duty of the father.
x. There are three types of marriage- Monogamy, polygamy or Polyandry
xi. Marriage norms were compiled in Dharmasutras, Dharmashastras and Manusmriti.
xii. These texts recognized as many as eight forms of marriage.
xiii. The Gotra rules for women- Each gotra was named after a Vedic seer, and all those who belonged to the same gotra were regarded as his descendants.
xiv. Two rules about gotra were particularly important: a) women were expected to give up their father’s gotra and adopt that of their husband on marriage and b) members of the same gotra could not marry.
xv. Some of the Satavahana rulers were polygynous
xvi. Importance to mothers
xvii. Any other relevant point
Any eight points to be explained
OR
Describe the Social implications of access to Resources during Mahabharat period
Ans. i. Gendered access to property-. According to the Dharmashastras the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after the death of the Father, with a special share for the eldest.
ii. Women could not claim a share of these resources.
iii. Women were allowed to retain stridhana
iv. This could be inherited by their children, without the husband having any claim on it.
v. Wealthy women such as the Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta had property including lands.
vi. Epigraphic and textual evidences suggest that upper-class women had access to resources, land, cattle and money.
vii. Varna and access to property-There were criterion for regulating access to wealth was varna.,
viii. While a variety of occupations were listed for varnas
ix. Poems included in the Tamil Sangam anthologies often illuminate social and economic relationships, while there were differences between rich and poor, those who controlled resources were also expected to share them.
x. Any other relevant point
To be evaluated as a whole
29. Analyze the importance and limitations of A-i-Akbari as a source of Akbar’s reign.
Ans. IMPORTANCE
i. The Ain gives detailed accounts of the organization of the Mughals
ii. It included court, administration and army, the sources of revenue and the physical layout of the provinces of Akbar’s empire
iii. It included the literary, cultural and religious traditions of the people
iv. It mentioned descriptions of provinces (subas) of the empire
v. Ain gives us intricate quantitative information of Mughal provinces.
vi. Description of diverse customs and practices prevailing across extensive territories. vii. The Ain is therefore a mine of information about Akbar’s reign.
vii. Any other relevant point
LIMITATIONS
i. Numerous errors in totaling have been detected
ii. Ain is the somewhat skewed nature of the quantitative data
iii. While the fiscal data from the subas is remarkable for its richness, some equally vital parameters such as prices and wages from these same areas are not as well documented.
iv. The detailed list of prices and wages is mainly derived from data pertaining to areas in or around the imperial capital of Agra
v. Ain is therefore of limited relevance
vi. Any other relevant point
Any four points from each section.
OR
Examine the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated Mughal rural society.
Ans. i. The village panchayat was an assembly of elders with hereditary rights over their property.
ii. the panchayat was usually a heterogeneous body.
iii. An oligarchy, the panchayat represented various castes and communities
iv. The decisions made by panchayats were binding on the members.
v. The panchayat was headed by a headman known as muqaddam or mandal
vi. The headman was chosen through the consensus of the village elders, and that this choice had to be ratified by the zamindar
vii. Headmen held office as long as they enjoyed the confidence of the village elders, failing which they could be dismissed by them.
viii. The chief function of the headman was to supervise the preparation of village accounts, assisted by the accountant or patwari of the panchayat.
ix. The panchayat derived its funds from contributions made by individuals to a common financial pool.
x. Panchayat ensured that caste boundaries among the various communities inhabiting the village were upheld.
xi. Panchayats also had the authority to levy fines and inflict more serious forms of punishment like expulsion from the community.
xii. Any other relevant point
Any eight points to be explained
30. Explain the importance of Non-Cooperation Movement.
Ans. i. Gandhiji coupled non-cooperation with Khilafat and adjoined Hindus and Muslims to end colonial rule.
ii. These movements unleashed a surge of popular action that was altogether unprecedented in colonial India
iii. Indians did not cooperate with government at any level.
iv. Boycott of schools, college and law courts.
v. National schools, colleges were opened
vi. Nonpayment of taxes
vii. Renunciation of titles and voluntary association with the government
viii. This movement changed the course of Indian history.
ix. poor peasants, workers, students, lawyers and industrialists joined movement.
x. Hindus, Muslims, Parsees and Sikhs were told to unite.
xi. Thousands of Volunteers joined for the cause.
xii. Many officials resigned from their posts.
xiii. Meetings were attended by all sections of people.
xiv. Women participated in large number.
xv. It was training for self-rule.
xvi. Any other relevant point
OR
Explain the significance of Civil Disobedience Movement
Ans. i. Gandhiji organized Civil Disobedience Movement against Salt Law.
ii. Salt law gave the state a monopoly in the manufacture and sale of salt.
iii. The state monopoly on salt was deeply unpopular as in every Indian household salt was indispensable and the people were forbidden for making salt even for domestic use.
iv. Gandhiji hoped to mobilize a wider discontent against British rule and started Dandi March.
v. At Dandi he broke the salt law.
vi. Parallel Salt Marches were organized in other parts of the country.
vii. Peasants breached the colonial forest laws which restricted their access to forests.
viii. Factory owners went on strike.
ix. Lawyers boycotted British courts.
x. Students refused to attend educational Institutions and schools run by government.
xi. Indians were arrested.
xii. Gandhiji made a plea to the upper caste to serve untouchables.
xiii. Hindus, Muslims, Parsees and Sikhs were told to unite.
xiv. Thousands of Volunteers joined for the cause.
xv. Many officials resigned from their posts.
xvi. Gandhiji’s meetings were attended by all sections of people.
xvii. Women participated in large number.
xviii. Dandi March brought Gandhi to world attention. The March was covered by European and American press.
xix. Salt march made British realized that they would have to devolve some powers to Indians.
xx. Any other relevant point
Any Eight Points to be Explained
SECTION –D
Source Based Questions
31. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Sanchi in the nineteenth century
The most wonderful ancient buildings in the state of Bhopal are at Sanchi Kanakhera, a small village under the brow of a hill some 20 miles north-east of Bhopal which we visited yesterday. We inspected the stone sculptures and statues of the Buddha and an ancient gateway … The ruins appear to be the object of great interest to European gentlemen. Major Alexander Cunningham … stayed several weeks in this neighbourhood and examined these ruins most carefully. He took drawings of the place, deciphered the inscription, and bored shafts down these domes. The results of his investigations were described by him in an English work …
From Shahjehan Begum, Nawab of Bhopal (ruled 1868 – 1901), Taj –ul Iqbal tarikh Bhopal (A History of Bhopal), translated by H. D Barstow, 1876.
31.1) Why was Sanchi an interest to Alexander Cunningham?
Ans. i. Cunningham was supposed to prepare illustrated reports on the stupa.
ii. Sanchi draw lies both in it being a center of Buddhist heritage and an important part in the history and archaeology of India.
iii. Any other relevant point
Any one point
31.2) How was Sanchi related with the Buddhism?
Ans. i. Sanchi is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments contain the relics of the Buddha
ii. The domed shape of the stupa represent Buddha seated in meditation
iii. Any other relevant point
Any one point
31.3) How did Shahjahan Begum conserve Sanchi stupa?
Ans. i. The rulers of Bhopal, Shahjahan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum, provided money for the preservation of the ancient site.
ii. John Marshall dedicated his important volumes on Sanchi to Sultan Jehan.
iii. She funded the museum that was built there as well as the guesthouse where John Marshall lived
iv. She also funded the publication of the volumes written by John Marshall.
v. Any other relevant point
Any two points
32. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Love for the Lord
This is part of a song attributed to Mirabai:
I will build a funderal pyre of sandalwood and aloe;
Light it by your own hand
When I am burned away to cinders;
Smear this ash upon your limbs.
… let flame be lost in flame.
In another verse, she sings;
What can Mewar’s ruler do to me?
If God is angry, all is lost,
But what can the Rana do?
32.1) Examine the reason of calling Meera Bai as an ascetic figure.
Ans. i. Meera Bai led the life of asceticism and became a devotional and mystic poet
ii. She stood against the conventions of her times
iii. She showed her spiritual devotion for Krishna
iv. Any other relevant point
Any one point
32.2) Analyze Meera Bai’s relation with Mewar.
Ans. Mira Bai was married to crown prince of Mewar but after few years Rana of Mewar died.
32.3) How was Mirabai unique among the poet-saints of the Bhakti movement.
Ans. i. Mirabai was unique among the poet-saints of the Bhakti movement owing to her socio-economic background as well as her gender.
ii. Born a princess, she opted for the life of a saint
iii. She lived a life of austerity
iv. She showed absolute devotion to her beloved Krishna.
v. Any other relevant point
Any two points.
33. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
33.1) Explain the term sovereignty
Ans. Sovereign- It means people have the supreme right to take decisions on internal as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of India.
33.2) How has democracy been related with sovereignty in the passage?
Ans. i. It showed that India going to be a sovereign state, not under dominion of another country.
ii. Not being subject to the control of any other State or external power.
iii. It was related to “Republic” indicating a government by the people and for the people.
iv. Any other relevant point
Any one point
33.3) How did the Constitutional framers highlighted the need of economic democracy?
Ans. i. Indian Constitutional framers strived to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which social, economic and political justice should be provided to all.
ii. They wanted India to be a socialist state
iii. They tried to frame policies through which inequalities to be minimized in income and status.
iv. Any other relevant point
Any two points
SECTION E
Map Based Question
(34.1) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols:
I. Amravati – A Stupa
Ans. Andhra Pradesh
II. Rakhigarhi- Indus Valley Site
Ans. Haryana
III. Agra-Territory Under the Control of Mughals
Ans. -Uttar Pradesh
OR
Vijayanagar- Capital of Vijayanagar empire
Ans. Karnataka
(34.2) On the same outline map, two places have been marked as ‘A and B, as the centres of the Revolt of 1857 Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.
34.1 MAP-
(i) Amravati Stupa
(ii) Rakhigarhi
(iii) Agra Or Vijayanagar
34.2 MAP
A-Jhansi
B- Calcutta