CLASS XII HISTORY II PRE BOARD ANSWER KEY

II PRE BOARD

ANSWER KEY

Q. “The Begums of Bhopal played a significant role in preserving the remains

of Stupa at Sanchi.” Support this statement with suitable evidence. 4

The Begums of Bhopal made significant contribution :

(1) In the 19th century, Europeans, first the French and later theEnglish were interested to take away the eastern gateway of theStupa to Paris and London museums.

(2) Shah Jehan Begum of Bhopal took a wise decision to make aplaster cast copies to please the Europeans. This resulted in theoriginal remain at the State.

(3) Shahjehan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum financed thepreservation of ancient site.

(4) Museum was built, publication of the volumes by John Marshallwas funded.

(5) The Sanchi Stupa today stands as a testimony to the marvelsof Indian architecture.

(6) The Sanchi Stupa as the most important Buddhist centres has

greatly helped in the understanding of early Buddhism.But for this timely and very wise decision the fate of thisStupa could have been like that of Amaravati.

Q.Describe the trade relations of the Harappans with West Asia. 4

Harappans trade relation with West Asia. Archaeological evidenceare suggestive of a possible trade relation with West Asia :

(i) Copper was probably brought from Oman. As chemical analysesof copper artefacts of Harappa and Oman contain trace ofnickel of a common origin.

(ii) A distinctive Harappan jar, coated with layer of black clay foundat Omani sites.

(iii) Mesopotamian text refer to copper coming from Magan - a nameused for Oman.

(iv) Harappan seats, weights, dices and beads at Mesopotamian sites.

(v) Mesopotamian text refers to a place Meluhha, possibly theHarappan region, where from they got products like carmelian,lapiz lazuli, copper, gold.

(vi) Depicting of ships and boats or seals.

. Explain giving examples how the accounts of foreign travellers help

in reconstructing the history of India from the 10th to 17th century. 8

Account of foreign travellers help in reconstructing the history of India :

(1) Most of the foreign travellers came from a vastly different socialenvironment. So they were attentive to everyday activities.

(2) These were taken for granted by indigenous writers.

(3) Their difference in perspective make their account interesting.

(4) Their comparisons with their own country - outsider’s perceptions,made reconstruction of history more objective.

(5) Their accounts deal with affairs of the court, religious issues,

architectural features. These enrich our knowledge of the past.Three writers were Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta and Bermier :

(1) Al Biruni’s Kitab-ul Hind is simple and lucid - deal with subjectssuch as religion, philosophy, astronomy etc.

(2) Al Biruni’s explaining the caste system by looking for parallels inother societies and suggested that social diversions were not uniqueto IndiaIbn Battuta’s book ‘Rihla’ - He travelled extensively in India,

Centrel Asia and lived at the Court of Mohammad Bin Tuglaq.

Recorded his observation meticulously about new culture, people’s

beliefs and values.

(2) He gave fascinating details about Indian cities, system ofcommunication and objects like paan and coconut.

 (1) Bernier’s book ‘Travels in Mughal Empire’.

(2) His account is marked by detailed observation, critical insightsand reflections.

(3) A comparison with contemporary Europe.

(4) Account on land ownership, artisanal activities, trade and women.

Explain the development since March, 1946 that led to the Partition

of India. 8

The developments that led to the Partition of India :

(1) Recommendations of Cabinet Mission.

(2) Initial acceptance by major political parties but the agreementwas short lived.

(3) Mutually opposed interpretation of the plan.

(4) Inevitability of the partition.

(5) Announcement of “Direct Action Day” by Muslim League.

(6) Break of riots, followed by spread of violence in many parts ofNorth India.March 1947, Congress voting to divide Punjab and Bengalwith Hindu/Muslim/Sikh majority.

(8) More and more Congressmen and groups getting convinced aboutthe necessity of partition.

(9) Unabated continuation of communal violence.

(10) All this led to the conclusion that partition was a necessary evil.

Examine any four major issues that went into the making of the Indian

Constitution. 4×2 = 8

The major issues that went into the making of the Indian Constitution :

(1) Political democracy along with socio-economic justice (right tovote along with equality and justice).

(2) Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic.

(3) Issue of depressed classes and untouchability.

(4) Reservation of seats along with joint electorate (rejected the ideaof separate electorate which was based on divide and rule policy).

(5) Minorities protection.

(6) Protection of tribals.

(7) Centralised federation to promote the idea of unity in diversity.

(8) Reorganisation of states on linguistic pattern in accordance withpopular demand.

(9) Hindi - as official language along with use of English for officialpurpose.

Analyze the condition of forest dwellers in theMughal agrarian society.  8

Forest dwellers in the Mughal agrarian society

i. An average of 40 per cent of Mughal Empire was covered by forests

ii. Their livelihood came from the gathering of forest produce, hunting and shifting

agriculture.

iii. Collection of livelihood was largely season specific. Spring was reserved for collectingforest produce, summer for fishing, the monsoon months for cultivation, and autumn andwinter for hunting.

iv. For the state, the forest was a place of rebels and troublemakers.

v. State required elephants for the army. Elephants were captured from forest and sold.

vi. Rulers went for regular hunting expeditions which enabled the emperor to travel across the extensive territories of his empire and personally attend to the grievances of its inhabitants.

vii. The spread of commercial agriculture was an important external factor that impinged onthe lives of those who lived in the forests.

viii. Forest products –like honey, beeswax and gumlac – were in great demand. Some, such asgum lac, became major items of overseas export from India in the seventeenth century.

ix. Social factors too brought changes in the lives of forest dwellers. Like the head men of thevillages, tribes also had their chieftains. Many tribal chiefs had become zamindars, someeven became kings.

x. Tribal Kings recruited people from their lineage groups or demanded that their fraternity provide military service. Tribes in the Sind region had armies comprising 6,000 cavalry and7,000 infantry.