Sunday, August 11, 2019

CLASS XII HISTORY SAMPLE QUESTIONS


Q.Name the two sacrifices performed by the Kings during the Vedic times. 2
The two sacrifices performed by the kings during Vedic times were :Rajasuya and Ashvamedha
Q. State any two reasons for the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire. 2
Two reasons for the decline of the Vijayanagara Empire :
(i) Successors of Krishnadeva Raya were troubled by Nayakas.
(ii) Control at the Centre by 1542 shifted to new lineage of Agavidu.
(iii) Clash with the Deccani Sultanates.
(iv) In 1565, Rama Raya’s defeat by the combined Deccani forces andthe sack of Vijayanagar.
Q Mention two main functions of the Village Panchayats in the 16th and
17th centuries in India. 2
(i) To ensure that caste boundaries among the various communitiesinhabiting the village were upheld.
(ii) Had the authority to levy times and inflict most serious forms ofpunishment in case of this violation caste norms.
(iii) It supervised the preparation village accounts.
(iv) It had to undertake welfare activities for the village people.
Q. Why did the Zamindars default on the payment of revenues under the
British government? Give two reasons. 2
Zamindars defaulted on revenue payment : Reasons :
(i) The demand of revenue was very high.
(ii) The high demand was imposed at a time when the agriculturalproduce were depressed and the peasants found it difficult topay their dues to the zamindars.
(iii) Revenue was invariable and had to be paid punctually.
Q. Explain any two problems that historians may face while studying
autobiograhies.Problems faced by historians while studying autobiographies :
(i) Autobiographies are retrospective accounts very often from memory.
(ii) They tell us what the author could recollect or what the authorsaw as important to write.
(iii) They may also be silent about certain information which theauthor does not wish to write. State the Q.factors that helped Magadha emerge as the most powerful
Mahajanpada in the 6th century BCE. 4
Factors that helped Magadha emerge as most powerful Mahajanapada.
According to modern historians :
(i) Very fertile region.
(ii) Iron mines in the region - accessible and used for making weapons.
(iii) Elephants for the army available.
(iv) According to Buddhist and Jaina traditions - ambitious rulers likeBimbisara, Ajatasatru etc.
(v) Capital Rajagaha was well fortified.
(vi) Pataliputra - commanded routes along the Ganga.
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
 ‘The rules of the Brahmanical text were not universally followed in
ancient time’. Justify giving five evidence. 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.
Q.. ‘Bernier’s accounts influenced western theorists from the 18th century’.Give arguments to support the statement. 4
Bernier’s account :
(i) Under the Mughals there was the practice of crown ownershipof land and no private ownership of land or private property.This led to lack of a class keen on agricultural improvement andconsequent ruination. His ideas influenced the French philosopherMontesquieu to develop an idea of oriental desposition, under whichthe people were kept in conditions of subordination and poverty.
(ii) His accounts also influenced Karl Marx.
(iii) Karl Marx observes that before colonialism the surplus productionwas appropriated by the state.
(iv) This led to autonomous village communities and egalitarian society.This according to Marx was leading to a stagnant system.
Q.‘The rules of the Brahmanical text were not universally followed in
ancient time’. Justify giving five evidence.
Brahmanical texts were not universally followed in ancient times :
(i) Gotra of women : Women were expected to give up the gotraof the father after marriage. However, the women marriedSatvahana rulers continued to have names derived from father’s
gotra. They did not adopt husband’s gotra.
(ii) Right occupation : Non-Kshatriya kings : According to theShastras only Kshatriyas could become rulers. But there weremany ruling families that claimed to be Brahmanas or Vaishyas.
(iii) There were population whose practices were not influenced byBrahmanical ideas, such as Nishadas, nomadic pastoralists.
(iv) There were instances of multiple occupation of the same caste,such as silk weavers of Mandasor.
(v) Instances of Chandalas not accepting the life of degradationprescribed in the Shastras.
(vi) Rules of marriage : Sometimes marriage took place outside thecaste, such as Bhima and Hidimba.
(vii) Gender property : Exceptions such as Prabhavati Gupta.
 (viii) Varna and property rights.
Q. What are the distinctive features of the Mughal mobility? Give any five. 4
Distinctive features of Mughal nobility :
(i) The important corps of officers of the Mughal state was collectivelycalled the nobility.
(ii) Nobility was recruited from diverse ethnic and religious groups.Turani, Irani, Rajputs, Shaikzadas, Hindu caste intellectuals etc.
(iii) Held ranks (mansabs).
(iv) They participated in the military compaigns with their armies andalso served as officers of the Empire.
(v) The nobility, gained power, wealth and reputation by way ofimperial service.
Q. Why do you think that the traditions of Baba Guru Nanak remain
significant even in the 21st century? 4
Baba Guru Nanak traditions remain significant in the 21st century
because :
(i) His teachings were simple.
(ii) He rejected elaborate rituals, sacrifices, image worship etc.
(iii) The absolute ‘rab’ had no gender or form. He proposed a singleway to connect to the Divine by singing the hymns called ‘Shabad’.
(iv) He organised his followers into a community and set up rules forcommunity worship.
(v) Even though according to Guru Nanak these practices were notmeant to be a religion.
(vi) The hymns called ‘Gurbani’ are translated into various language.His teachings appeal to the 21st century because of the simplicity,practability and feeling of community.
Q. ‘The British Government consciously developed the city of Madras toreflect their racial superiority’. Justify the statement giving suitablearguments. 4
Development of city of Madras reflected the racial superiority of the
British :
(i) Fort St. George became the nucleus of white town.
(ii) Walls and bastions were built around the town.
(iii) Only white were allowed to live in within the Fort.
(iv) Administration and judiciary also favoured white population.
(v) Development of Madras followed the needs and convenience ofthe minority whites in the town.
(vi) Black town developed outside the Fort.
Q. Describe the events that led to the Non-Cooperation Movement. 4
Events leading to the Non-cooperation movement :
(1) The first world war and the laws introduced by the British.
(2) Censorship of the Press.
(3) Introduction of Rowlatt act which permitted detention without trial.
(4) Campaign against Rowlatt Act.
(5) Gandhiji detained while proceeding to Punjab.
(6) Prominent local Congressmen arrested.
(7) Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
(8) Success of Rowlatt Satyagraha.
(9) Gandhiji’s call for non-cooperation movement
Q. Describe any two architectural styles used by the British in the
construction of public buildings in Bombay. Give one example from
each. 4
The two architectural styles used by the British in the construction of
public buildings in Bombay with one example each are :
(1) Neo-classical on the new classical architectural style. For example :The town Hall in Bombay.
(2) Italian architecture. For example Elphinstone Circle later called asHorniman circle.
(3) Neo-Gothic architecture. For example the Secretariat building,University of Bombay and High Court
Q. Assess the impact of partition of India on Indian women. 4
Impact of partition of India on Indian women :
(1) Harrowing experience of women - Abduction, sold, forced tosettle down to a new life etc.
(2) Government’s insensitivity to the feelings of women.
(3) Women not allowed to voice their opinion.
(4) Killing of women in the name of saving honour of women.
(5) Forcing women to commit suicide to save themselves fromfalling into the hands of enemies.
(6) Dishonouring women of a community seen as dishonouring the
community itself and a mode of taking revenge.

Q. 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.
Q.Explain giving examples the connection between the State and the
Bhakti tradition and the State and the Sufi tradition. 4+4 = 8
Relation between the Bhakti tradition and the state :Bhakti and state :
(1) One of the earliest Bhakti movement were led by Alvars andNayanars in the southern part of India.
(2) Prior to the Bhakti traditions Buddhism and Jainism were alsoprevalent in these regions which received royal/state patronage.
(3) The Bhakti saints in their composition opposed Jainism andBuddhism. This opposition mainly emerged due to state patronage.As a result some of the rulers of southern kingdom like the
Cholas who supposed the earlier Brahmanical traditions supportedBhakti traditions.
(4) They made land grants.
(5) Constructed temples for Vishnu and Shiva.
(6) Bronze sculpture of Shiva, one of the finest specimen of Indian art.
(7) Both Nayanars and Alvars were reversed by the rich Vellalapeasants and the Chola kings in turn tried to win their support.
(8) The Chola kings to claim divine support and also to reveal theirpower, built temples adorned with the image the saints where thepeople worshipped.
(9) The kings also introduced the singing of Tamil hymns in temples underroyal patronage.
 (10) In North India deities such as Vishnu and Shiva were worshippedin the temples often built with the support of rulers.
Sufi and the state :
(1) The Chishti tradition was austere but it did not isolate politicalpower.
(2) The sufis accepted unsolicited grants and donation from thepolitical elites and the Sultans in turn set up charitable trustsand granted tax-free land.
(3) The donations given to the Chishtis were used by them to meettheir immediate requirements for food, clothes, living of quarters,ritual necessities etc.
(4) The moral high status of the Sufi saints attracted people from allwalks of life. The kings in town wished to secure their support.
(5) The Turkish sultans not only associated themselves with the Sufisbut also sought their legitimation especially because the majoritywere non-muslims.
(6) The Sultans also came to depend on the sufis to interpret the Shara.
(7) It was believed that Auliya could intercede with god to improve thematerial and spiritual conditions of the people. As a result the kingsgot the shrines of the sufis built near their tombs.
(8) There were also instances of conflict between the sufis and theSultan.
(9) To assert their authority both expected certain rituals performedike kissing of the feet etc.
18. 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.
PART D – Passage Based Questions
Read the following passage given carefully. Answer the questions that follow them.
19. Draupadi’s marriage
Drupada, the king of Panchala, organised a competition where the challengewas to string a bow and hit a target; the winner would be chosen to marryhis daughter Draupadi. Arjuna was victorious and was garlanded byDraupadi. The Pandavas returned with her to their mother Kunti, who,even before she saw them, asked them to share whatever they had got.She realised her mistake when she saw Draupadi, but her command couldnot be violated. After much deliberation, Yudhisthira decided that Draupadi
would be their common wife.When Drupada was told about this, he protested. However, the seerVyasa arrived and told him that the Pandavas were in reality incarnationsof India, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi, and they were thusdestined for each other.Vyasa added that in another instance a young woman had prayed to Shivafor a husband, and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead ofonce. This woman was now reborn as Draupadi, and Shiva had fulfilledher prayers. Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to themarriage.
(i) What was the competition organised by the Panchala King Drupadafor the marriage of his daughter?
(ii) What two explanations were given by Vyasa to convince KingDrupada for Draupadi being the common wife of the Pandavas?
(iii) What form of marriage was Draupadi’s marriage to the Pandavas’?Give two views of historians about this form of marriage.
(I)Drupada, the King of Panchala, organised a competition wherethe challenge was to string a bow and hit a target, the winnerwould be chosen to marry his daughter. 2 marks
(ii) (a) Pandavas were in reality incarnations of Indra, whose wifehad been reborn as Draupadi and they were thus destinedfor each other.
(b) Draupadi was the young woman who had prayed to Shivafor a husband and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five timesinstead of once. Shiva had fulfilled her prayers.
(iii) (a) Polyandry.
(b) The two views of the historians are :
(i) Polyandry may have been prevalent amongst ruling elitesat certain point of time.
(ii) Gradually it might have fallen into disfavour amongst theBrahmanas.
The world beyond the palace
Just as the Buddha’s teachings were compiled by his followers, theteaching of Mahavira were also recorded by his disciples. These wereoften in the form of stories, which could appeal to ordinary people. Hereis one example, from a Prakrit text known as the Uttaradhyayana Sutta,describing how a queen named Kamalavati tried to persuade her husbandto renounce the world :If the whole world and all its treasures were yours, you would not besatisfied, nor would all this be able to save you. When you die, O kingand leave all things behind, dhamma alone, and nothing else, will saveyou. As a bird dislikes the cage, so do I dislike (the world), I shall liveas a nun without offspring without desire, without the love of gain, andwithout hatred ...Those who have enjoyed pleasures and renounced them, move about like
the wind, and go wherever they please, unchecked like birds as their flight.Leave your large kingdom ... abandon what pleases the senses, be withoutattachment and property, then practise severe penance, being firm ofenergy ...
(i) Name the text from which this excerpt has been taken. What is
the language of the text?
(ii) What all did queen Kamalavati ask the king to renounce?
(iii) Describe the main principles of Jainism.

The name of text - Uttaradhyayana Sutta. The language is Prakrit.
(ii) Queen Kamalavati asked her husband to renounce the world, thekingdom, abandon what pleases senses, be without attachmentand property and renounce all pleasures. 2 marks
(iii) Main principles :
(a) Entire world is animated : Even stones, rocks and water havelife.
(b) Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals,plants and insects.
(c) Cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through Karma.
(d) Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself fromthe cycle of Karma.
(e) Monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.
(f) Jaina monks and nuns took five vows : to abstain fromkilling, stealing and lying; to observe celibacy and to abstainfrom possessing property.
20. How tanks were built
About a tank constructed in Vijaynagara, Paes wrote :The king made a tank ... at the mouth of two hills so that all the waterwhich comes from either one side or the other collects there; and, besidesthis, watercomes to it from more than three leagues (approximately kilometres) by pipes which run along the lower parts of the range outside.This water is brought from a lake which itself overflows into a little river.
The tank has three large pillars handsomly carved with figures; theseconnect above with certain pipes by which they get water when theyhave to irrigate their gardens and rice-fields. In order to make this tank the said king broke down a hill ... In the tank I saw so many people atwork that there must have been fifteen or twenty thousand men like ants
...
(i) Name the king associated with the construction of the tank.
(ii) How did the water get collected in the tank?
(iii) Why do you think that so many people were engaged the
construction of the tank?
(iv) What were the other sources of water for Vijayanagara?
Krishnadeva Raya.
(ii) (a) The tank was made at the mouth of two hills and thus thewater which came from each side fell there.
(b) Water also reached the tank from pipelines which wereas long as three kms.
(c) The water was also brought from the lake which drainedinto the river and which then drained into the tank. 3 marks
(iii) There were so many people working on the construction of thetank because it only helped them further, by the construction ofthe tank they would be able to irrigate their gardens and rice fields, they would all tremendously benefit from the water tank. 2 marks
(iv) (a) The lake which drained into a river which was an alternativesource of water.
(b) Pipelines which were well connected throughout the kingdom.
21. A ryot petitions
This is an example of a petition from a ryot of the village of Mirajgaon,Taluka Karjat, to the Collector, Ahmednagar, Deccan Riots Commission:The sowkars (sahukars) ... have of late begun to oppress us. As wecannot earn enough to defray our household expense, we are actuallyforced to beg of them to provide us with money, clothes and grain, whichwe obtain from them not without great difficulty, nor without their compellingus to enter into hard conditions in the bond. Moreover, the necessaryclothes and grain are not sold to us at cash rates. The prices asked fromus are generally twenty-five or fifty per cent more than demanded fromcustomers making ready money payments... The produce of our fieldsis also taken by the sowkars who at the time of removing it assure usthat it will be credited to our account, but they do not actually make anymention of it in the accounts. They also refuse to pass us any receiptsfor the produce so removed by them.
(i) What were the four grievances of the peasants?
(ii) Give one norm that regulated the relationship between the money
lender and the ryot?
(iii) What was the ‘Limitation Law’? How was it manipulated by the
money lender?
(i)Peasants were oppressed by Sowkars.They were not sold clothes and grain in cashThe prices were generally twenty-five or fifty percent more thandemanded from customers making payment in cash.
The produce from their fields were also taken by Sowkars.No receipt for the produce was given to the peasants.
(ii) Interest charged could not be more than the principal. 1 marks
(iii) • The Limitation Law stated that the loan bonds figured betweenmoney lenders and ryots would have validity for only three years.
• The money lenders turned the law around forcing the ryot tosign a new bond every three years, entering the unpaid balance as the Principal. A new set of interest was calculated.

The Azamgarh Proclamation, 25 August, 1857
This is one of the main sources of our knowledge about what the rebels wanted :
Section III Regarding Public Servants : It is not a secret thing, thatunder the British Government, natives employed in the civil and militaryservices have little respect, low pay, and no manner of influence; andall the posts of dignity and emolument in both the departments areexclusively bestowed on Englishmen, ... Therefore, all the natives in theBritish service ought to be alive to their religion and interest, and abjuringtheir loyalty to the English, side with the Badshahi Government, and obtainsalaries of 200 and 300 rupees a month for the present, and be entitledto high posts in the future.....
Section IV – Regarding Artisans. It is evident that the Europeans, bythe introduction of English articles into India, have thrown the weavers,the cotton dressers, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the shoemakers,etc., out of employ, and have engrossed their occupations, so that everydescription of native artisan has been reduced to beggary. But under theBadshahi Government the native artisans will exclusively be employedin the service of the kings, the rajahs, and the rich; and this will no doubtensure their prosperity. Therefore, these artisans ought to renounce theEnglish services.
(i) How did the introduction of English articles affect the artisans?
(ii) How would the conditions of the artisans improve under the
Badshahi Governmnt?
(iii) Why were the Public servants dissatisfied with the British
Government?
(iv) What did the rebel proclamation repeatedly appeal for?
(i)Effects on kisans :
• They became unemployed.
• Reduced to beggary. 2 marks
(ii) Under Badshahi government :
• Native artisans were exclusively employed in the service of thekings, the rajahs and the rich.
• This ensured their prosperity. 2 marks
(iii) Dissatisfaction of public servants :
• They had little respect.
• Low pay.
• No manner of influence. 2 marks
(iv) Rebel proclamation repeatedly appealed :
• To all sections of the population.
• It addressed to the sentiments of Hindus and Muslims andharked back to the pre-British Hindu-Muslim past andglorified the existence of different communities.
• Under the name of Bahadur Shah they appealed to the peopleto join the fight under the standard of both Muhammad andMahavir.

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