Class XII – History Sample Paper – 5

Ans. (A) South India

Explanation: South India was the main source of Gold. During the period of the Indus Valley Civilization (7380 BC-1500 BC), gold from the Kolar mine in Karnataka, South India, reached Indus Valley sites in what is now Pakistan.

Ans. (B) Three

Explanation: Harappan Civilization was one the earliest civilization. After Partition of India and Pakistan mostof the part of the Harappan civilization went to Pakistan. From evidences of Harappan Civilization it is comes to know people were buried after death.

Ans. (D) John Marshall

Explanation: The inscriptions of Asoka were first deciphered by James Princep in 1837. They are written inPali language and in some places Prakrit was used. The Brahmi script was employed forwriting.In the northwestern India Asokan inscriptions were found in Karoshti script.

Ans. (A) Great bath, Mohenjo-daro

Explanation: The Great Bath of Mohenjo-Daro is called the “earliest public water tank of the ancient world”. It measures approximately 12 metres (40 ft) by 7 metres (23 ft), with a maximum depth of 2.4 metres (8 ft). Two wide staircases, one from the north and one from the south, served as the entry to the structure.

Ans. (A) Chandragupta maurya

Explanation: Chandragupta left a large power vacuum, and Chandragupta took advantage, gathering an army and overthrowing the Nanda power in Magadha, in present-day eastern India, marking the start ofthe Mauryan Empire. After crowning himself king, Chandragupta took additional lands through force and by forming alliances

Ans. (B) 1,3 and 4

Explanation: The first known urban culture on the Indian subcontinent is the Indus civilization, often known as the Indus valley civilization or the Harappan civilization. Although the southern sites may have persisted later into the second millennium BCE, the civilization’s nuclear dates appear to be between 250 to 1700 BCE.

Ans. (A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation to A

Ans. (A) Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti

Explanation: The Dargah of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chishti is the most revered shrine of Muslims not only in India. The shrine is known as Ajmer Sharif. It is believed that people who visit the shrine and pray with a pure heart and soul often get their wishes granted and with his blessing and they will be free from desolation.

Ans. (B) Ramananda

Explanation: Kabir is widely believed to have become the first disciple of the Bhakti poet-saint Swami Ramananda in Varanasi, known for devotional Vaishnavism with a strong bent to monist Advaita philosophy teaching that God was inside every person, everything.

Ans. (A) Only (i)

Explanation: The hall in front of the main shrine was built by Krishnadeva Raya to mark his accession. This was decorated with delicately carved pillars. He is also credited with the construction of the eastern gopuram.

Ans. (A) Amritsar

Explanation: The Golden Temple Amritsar India (Sri Harmandir Sahib Amritsar) has a unique Sikh architecture. Built at a level lower than the surrounding land level, The Gurudwara teaches the lesson of egalitarianism and humility. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome.

Ans. (D) Francois Bernier

Explanation: François Bernier was a resident of France. He was a physician, political philosopher and a historian. He came to India in 1656 AD in search of opportunities in the Mughal period. He stayed in India for twelve years from 1656 AD to 1668 AD and maintained close relations with the Mughal court.

Ans. (D) 1-(ii), 2-(iii), 3-(i)

Explanation: Sharia religious law of Islam is seen as the expression of God’s command for Muslims and, in application, constitutes a system of duties that are incumbent upon all Muslims by virtue of their religious belief. Known as the sharia (literally, “path leading to the watering place”), the law represents a divinely ordained path of conduct that guides Muslims toward a practical expression of religious conviction in this world and the goal of divine favour in the world to come. Chandragupta Maurya was the great emperor of India. He established the Maurya dynasty. Chandragupta succeeded in bringing the whole of India under one empire. The date of the accession of Chandragupta Maurya is usually 321 B.C. is determined. He ruled for about 24 years and thus his rule ended approximately in 285 BC.

Ans. (B) Maize

Explanation: Portuguese introduced Chilies, Tobacco, Potato and Groundnut in India. The British persuaded or forced cultivators in various parts of India to produce crops that would bring them profit. Jute in Bengal, tea in Assam, Sugarcane in Uttar Pradesh, Wheat in Punjab, Cotton in Maharashtra and Punjab, Rice in Madras.

Ans. (A) Deccan riots commission

Explanation: The Deccan Riots Commission was set up which presented a report to the British Parliament in 1878. In 1879, the Agriculturists Relief Act was passed which ensured that the farmers could not be arrested and imprisoned if they were unable to pay their debts.

Ans. (C) Military discontent

Explanation: The Revolt of 1857 eventually broke out over the incident of greased cartridges. A rumour spread that the cartridges of the new Enfield rifles were greased with the fat of cows and pigs. Before loading these rifles the sepoys had to bite off the paper on the cartridges.

Ans. (A) Doctrine of Lapse

Explanation: The Doctrine of Lapse was introduced by Lord Dalhousie. According to this doctrine, if any Indian ruler dies without leaving a male heir, his kingdom would automatically pass over to the British.

Ans. (C) Marching of Sepoys to Delhi’s Red Fort

Explanation: On 11 May 1857, a band of rebel sepoys along with civilians marched to Delhi, seeking the leadership of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the Mughal Emperor, for their mutiny. The aged Mughal Emperor obliged after much hesitation.

Ans. (A) Different groups had different demands regarding rights.

Explanation: Section 27 of the Human Rights Act 2004 says that: Anyone who belongs to an ethnic, religious or linguistic minority must not be denied the right, with other members of the minority, to enjoy his or her culture, to declare and practise his or her religion, or to use his or her language.

Ans. (A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Explanation: Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, assumed office of President of India on or 26th January 1950. He was a great leader who played a significant role in India’s fight for freedom from British rule. He served the nation as President of India for consecutive 12 years from 1950-1962.

Ans. (B) Declaration of poorna Swaraj.

Explanation: Congress had passed the resolution of Alb “Complete Swaraj” in its Lahore session. The Purna Juris Swaraj Declaration (or complete self-rule independent ving from the British Empire) was promulgated by the Indian National Congress at its Lahore session on 19 note December 1929.

Ans. The Harappan or Indus Valley Civilization is often separated into three phases: the Early Harappan Phase from 3300 to 2600 BCE, the Mature Harappan Phase from 2600 to 1900 BCE, and the Late Harappan Phase from 1900 to 1300 BCE.

The earliest city discovered in India was Harappa. By 2600 BCE, small Early Harappan communities had developed into large urban centers. These cities include Harappa, Ganeriwala, and Mohenjo-daro in modern-day Pakistan and Dholavira, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, Rupar, and Lothal in modern-day India. After 1900 BCE, very few Harappan sites continued to prosper. Kudwala in Cholistan, Dwarka in Gujarat, and Daimabad in Maharashtra are the greatest Late Harappan sites, all of which may be termed urban, but they are smaller and fewer in number than Mature Harappan towns.

In this period, distinctive artefacts like weights, seals, special beads, writing, long-distance trade and craft specialization disappeared. House construction technique deteriorated and large public structures were no longer produced. Late Harappan Civilisation indicates a rural way of life. Long distance trade also disappeared.

The reasons for these changes were:

• These changes were probably the result of climate change, deforestation and excessive flood.

• The shifting or drying up of rivers and overuse of the landscape might be the cause. There was also decline and abandonment of cities due to these reasons.

Ans. Inscriptions are important source to study history. But inscriptions have certain limitations. These were are listed below:

• Several thousands of inscriptions are discovered and found till date, but not all of them are deciphered and translated.

• Inscriptions and especially prashatis were generally composed in praise of kings and patrons, e.g. Prayaga Prashasti was composed in Sanskrit by Harisena, the court poet of Samudragupta. From this inscription, we know about the generosity, administrative capabilities of the king Samudragupta who was described as equal to different deities.

• The context of the inscription invariably projected the perspective of the person who commissioned it. But it was not recorded what we consider politically and economically significant facts of that period. For example, routine agricultural practices, the joys and sorrows of common people were not mentioned in these inscriptions. History is not only the histories of kings, it includes different social groups and even marginalised sections of our society.

• From mid-20th century historians’ become more interested in political and economic changes of society (e.g. the ways in which different social groups emerged) and these headed historians towards to fresh investigations of old sources and in this respect, inscription had its own limitations to interpret political and economic history of India.

Ans. According to the Manusmriti, after the death of the parents, the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons, with a special share for the eldest son. Women had no right to claim the share of the property. Further, the scripture suggested that women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on the occasion of their marriage as stridhana (literally, a woman’s wealth). This could be inherited by their children, but the husband could not claim it. Further this scripture warned women against hoarding family property, or even their own valuables without the permission from the husband.

Ans. Al-Biruni’s description of the caste system was influenced by his study of the Sanskrit texts. These texts written by the Brahmanas and followed the four divisions of varna. Al-Biruni accepted this division. According to him, the Brahmana was created from the head of God, Brahma and regarded Vas the highest caste of society. The next caste was Kashatriyas, who were created from the shoulders and hands of Brahma. After them followed the Vaishyas, who were created from the thigh of Brahma. The Shudras were created from the feet of Brahma. However, as these classes differed from each other, they lived together in the same town and villages, mixed together in the same houses and lodgings. In real life, this system was not quite as rigid.

Ans. During the 16th and 17th centuries about 85 percent of the population of India lived in villages and agriculture was the main. profession of people. The factors which were responsible for the expansion of agriculture can be explained in the following ways: The Abundance of Land: The cultivating peasants (asamis) i.e. plough up the fields, marked the limit of each field for identification and demarcation with borders of earth, brick and thorn. There was abundance of land for agriculture.

Availability of labour during Mughal Regime: There was much labour available for the purpose of agriculture, mobility of peasants, which would help in continuous expansion of agricultural land as it increased cultivable land.

Artificial System of Irrigation: Monsoons remained the backbone of Indian agriculture as they are even today. But there were crops which required additional water. Artificial system of irrigation had to be devised for this. Irrigation projects received state support as well. For example e.g. in Northern India, the state undertook digging of new canals and also repaired the old canals.

Ans. The points given below describe how Jotedar inevitably weakened the power of zamindars in Bengal by the end of the 18th century:

• In the 18th century when many zamindars were facing a crisis, a group of rich peasants, known as jotedars, were consolidating their position in the villages.

• Unlike zamindars, jotedars lived in villages and thus, had good influence on village population. • Jotedars had acquired vast areas of land. They controlled local trade, moneylending, exercising immense power over the poorer cultivators and their land was cultivated through adhiyars or bargadars (sharecroppers).

• They fiercely resisted the effects of zamindars to increase the Jama of the village, prevented zamindari officials from executing their duties. They deliberately delayed payments of revenue to the zamindars.

• In fact, when the estates of the zamindars were auctioned for failure to make revenue payment, often jotedars bought their estate. This made the jotedars most powerful in the North Bengal.

Ans. India achieved its independence on 15th August, 1947 and was also divided into two parts i.e. India and Pakistan. Before the partition, the Constituent Assembly did not communicated itself in commendation of a strong Central Government, but after the declaration of partition on 3rd June, 1947, Constituent Assembly considered itself free from all restrictions inflicted by Cabinet Mission and political pressures. Constituent Assembly decided to opt for a federation alongwith strong centre. There were arguments in favour of strong provinces which evoked powerful reactions from the leaders who preferred strong centre.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Jawaharalal Nehru propounded a strong Central Government for India. They mentioned to the riots and violences that were fearing the nation apart and stated that only a strong centre can stop the communal disharmony. Balakrishna Sharma focussed on length of the nation and stated that only a centre, which was powerful could plan for the well-being of the country. Strong centre would help in mobilising available economic resources and proper administration was possible only through strong centre only.

In spite of arguments of the centre has likely to break or inefficiency of the centre, the rights of the states were most impressively defended by K Santhanam from Madras. Also the decision of the Constituent Assembly to have a strong centre was occasioned by the situations in which it was taken. Most of the members felt that strong centre was the need of the hour. It was necessary to ensure peace, prosperity and political stability, and hence, Gopalaswami Ayyangar requested to make centre as strong as possible.

Ans. Britain’s Salt Act of 1882 prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt, a staple in their diet. Indian citizens were forced to buy the vital mineral from their British rulers, who, in addition to exercising a Flood monopoly over the manufacture and sale of salt, also charged a heavy salt tax.

The Salt Law was broken by Mahatma Gandhi during bsno the infamous Salt Satyagraha. It was an act of nonviolent civil disobedience in colonial India led by Mahatma Gandhi that lasted from 12 March 1930 to 5 April 1930.

• The choice of salt as a symbol of protest against the colonial rule was a remarkable indicative of Gandhiji’s tactical wisdom.

By making the salt as his target he wanted to garner the maximum participation of the masses in the National Movement.

Ans. The most unique feature of the Harappan Civilisation was the development of urban centres. Mohenjodaro is the most well-known site of Harappan Civilisation. The following are the most unique architectural feature of Mohenjodaro: Citadel It was smaller but higher. It was walled and was physically separated from the lower town. Here the buildings were constructed with mud, bricks platform. Here, we find some structures that were probably used for special public purposes. These include the warehouse, a massive structure and the ‘Great Bath’. The uniqueness of the structure of ‘Great Bath’ suggested that it was meant for some kind of special ritual bath.

The Lower Town: The lower town was also w’alled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations. All building activity within the city was restricted to a fixed area on the platforms. Sun-dried or baked bricks were used at all Harappan settlements.

The courtyard of the houses was the centre of activities like cooking and weaving, particularly during hot and dry weather. There were no windows in the walls along the ground level. Besides, the main entrance did not give a direct view of the interior or the courtyard.

Drainage System Mohenjodaro had carefully planned drainage system. The roads and the streets were laid out along an approximate ‘grid’ pattern, intersecting at right angles. It seems that streets with drains were laid out first and then houses built along them.

Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, with drains connected through the walls, to the street drains. Drainage systems were not only unique to the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements also. All these features indicated that Mohenjodaro had a well-planned architectural system.

Ans. The stupas were built with donation made for building them. The kings such as Satavahanas, wealthy persons, guilds of the merchants and artisans and even monks, common men and nuns made donation for building stupas. We find records of donations that were made for building and decorating the stupa on the railings and pillars of the stupas. The inscriptions also mention the names of hundreds of donors and sometimes the name of the place from where they came, their occupations and names of their relatives as well. For instance, one of the gateways at Sanchi was built with the money donated by the guilds of ivory-workers.

The stupas were regarded as sacred place and the relics of Buddha i.e., his bodily remains or objects used by him were buried here. These mounds were known as stupas. The tradition of building stupas may have been pre-Buddhist, but they attained much popularity as an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism.

Ans. Reconstruction of Mirabai’s: Biography The reconstruction of biographies of Mirabai has been done from the bhajans composed by herself (transmitted orally for centuries). Royal affiliations of Mirabai From the bhajans it has been reconstructed that she was a Rajput princess from Merta in Marwar. She was married to a prince of the Sisodia clan of Mewar, Rajasthan, which had been done against her wishes so she defied her husband. She even refused to submit to the traditional role of wife and mother. Recognition of Krishna as lover: She recognised Krishna, the incarnation of Vishnu, as her lover. Because of her behaviour, her in-laws once tried to poison her, but she managed to escape the in-laws home and preferred to live as a wandering saint and composing the songs of bhakti and love for the Krishna. Her compositions are known for intense expression of her emotion.

Defiance of social barriers: In some traditions, Mirabai has been mentioned as a disciple of Raidas, a leather worker. It indicates that she did not recognise the bonds of caste system and the practices of the society. For her intense love of Krishna, she rejected all the comforts of her husband’s palace and donned the saffron robe of the renouncer or the white robe of widow.

Popular source of inspiration: Mirabai, now-a-days recognised as the source of inspiration instead of attracting a sect or group of followers. Still she and her songs are popular among the poor or ‘low caste’ population in the State of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Ans. The following are various reasons for the decline of Vijayanagara empire

• Strain began to show within the imperial structure after the death of Krishnadeva Raya in 1529.

• His successors w’ere not much capable to stand up against the rebellious nayakas or military chief Its which were posing threat to Vijayanagara.

• By 1542, control at the centre shifted to another ruling lineage, that of the Aravidu, which remained in power till the end of the 17th century.

• During this period, the military ambitions of the rulers of Vijayanagara as well as those of the Deccan sultanates resulted in shifting alignments.

• Eventually, this led to an alliance of the sultanates against Vijayanagara. Finally, in 1565, the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda defeated the army of the Chief Minister of Vijayanagara, Rama Raya at Rakshari-Rangadi (Talikota).

• Consequently, the city of Vijayanagara was sacked by the victorious armies and totally abandoned within a few years.

Ans. The revolt tried to garner the support of all sections of the society irrespective of their caste and creed. The rebellion was viewed as a war in which both the communities as Hindus and Muslims stood equally to gain and lose. The amicable relations brb which existed between the two communities were emphasised. The ishtehars brought to the forefront memories of the pre-British Hindu-Muslim past and glorified the coexistence of different communities Hunder the Mughal Empire.

Thus, religious differences were not visible between bathe two communities in 1857 despite British attempts to create a wedge between them. Through this way, they tried to materialise their vision of unity.

Ans. The rumours in 1857 that made sense in context of the policies pursued by the British from late 1820s were as follows:

• During the Governor-Generalship of Lord William Bentick some specific policies were adopted in order to ‘reform’ Indian society by the introduction of Western education. Western ideas and Western institutions.

• Reforms like the abolition of Sati System.

• Annexation of Jhansi and Satara-British refused to recognise adoption.

• Reforms like Widow re-marriage Act.

• Reforming socio-religious customs like land holding, inheritance, etc.

• Rumours had an impact on the minds of people under these uncertain times.

The common Indians looked at all these steps with apprehension and suspicion. Visual images and bra literature as much as the writing of history have helped in keeping alive the memory of the revolt of 1857.

Ans. The problem which has occurred in the Harappan Civilisation is that the frontiers of this civilisation have little or no connection with present day national boundaries due to partition of Indian sub-continent and Pakistan. However, with the partition of the sub-continent and the creation of Pakistan, the major sites of Harappan Civilisation are now in Pakistan territory.

Ans. The partition between the two nations i.e. India and Pakistan, created a problem of demarcation of Harappan sites. This has spurred Indian archaeologists to try and locate these sites in India.

Ans. After extensive survey of Kutch, Punjab and Haryana, a number of new sites have been discovered, e.g. Kalibangan, Lothal, Rakhi Garhi and most recently Dholavira.

Ans. In Amuktamalyada, Krishnadeva Raya mentioned the responsibilities of king in the following ways:

• A king should improve the harbours of his country.

• He should encourage commerce so that horses, elephants, precious gems, sandalwood, pearls and other articles should be freely imported.

• He should also arrange that the foreign sailors who have to land in his country on account of storms, illness and exhaustion are looked after in a proper manner.

Ans. Krishnadeva Raya gave protection on a regular basis to the merchants of foreign countries who imported elephant and horses to his country. He also gave them precious presents and made extensive arrangements so that the merchants could get decent profits.

Ans. Measures taken by the king to improve the condition of his country are:

• The king should protect borders from his enemies.

• The king should take necessary steps to improve the trade and commerce, i.e., economic situation. of the country.

Ans. Salt monopoly has four fold curse:

• Government destroys the salt which cannot be sold profitably.

• Law prevents manufacturing of salt and destroys what nature manufactures without effort.

• Salt officers were posted for preventing the locals from carrying the natural salt and for destruction of mounds of salts formed so.

• It deprives people of valuable village industry.

Ans. Gandhiji said salt tax has remained so long because of unawareness of Indian citizen. As people will understand the nature of the law and people will be sufficiently aroused that salt law will be broken. As salt is very inevitable for everyone so if any National Movement is carried taking salt as medium of protest, it will result in large scale participation of masses.

Ans. Gandhiji targeted the salt law to easily mobilise a wider discontent against the British rule. Through salt law he was trying to connect everyone with National Movement. As the salt was a necessity for everyone and salt law caused deep resentment, so people responded very enthusiastically to call of march. People participation was overwhelming and at many places parallel marches were undertaken and salt was made.

Ans.