CBSE Class XII - History All India Board Question Paper 2012

Max. Marks: 80

Time: 3 hrs

General Instructions:

Answer all the questions. Some questions have choice. Marks are indicated against each question.

Answers to questions carrying 2 marks (Part-A Question Nos. 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each.

Answers to questions carrying 4 marks (Part-B Section-I Question Nos. 4 to 9) should not exceed 100 words each. Attempt any 5 questions from this part. (Part-B Section-II Question No.10) is a value-based question which is a compulsory question.

Answers to questions carrying 8 marks (Part-C Question Nos. 11 to 14) should not exceed 350 words each. Attempt any 3 questions from this part.

Answers to questions carrying 7 marks (Part-D, Source-based questions [No internal choice] Question Nos. 15 to 17)

Attach map with the answer sheet (Part E).

Part-A

<math>(2\times3=6)</math> Marks

Answer all the questions given below:

1. How did Brahmanas develop a sharper social divide? Give two examples. 2

2

1. Explain the meaning of 'Sufi Silsila'.
2. How were the hill stations a distinctive feature of colonial urban development? Give two reasons. 2

Part - B (Section-I)

<math>(4\times5=20)</math> Marks

Answer any five of the following questions: 4

1. Explain how Kharosthi was deciphered.
2. Many rituals, religious beliefs and practices were not recorded in a permanent visible form—as monuments or sculptures or even paintings." Critically examine the statement. 4
3. Explain briefly any five striking features about the location of Vijayanagara. 4
4. Describe the condition of an average peasant of North India during the seventeenth century.4
5. How did the white officers make it a point, during the 1820s till 1840s to maintain friendly relations with the sepoys? Describe briefly. 4

1. "A Communist member, Somnath Lahiri, saw the dark hand of British imperialism hanging over the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly." Examine the statement and give your

own views in support of your answer. 4

Part - B (Section - II)

<math>(2+2=4)</math> 2

1. 10.1. What is Communalism? Explain.

2 10.2 How can we weed out the virus of communalism from our society?

Part - C

(Long Answer Questions)

Answer any three of the following questions:

<math>(8\times3=24)</math> Marks

1. How do the modern historians explain the development and growth of Magadhan power? Explain. 8
2. Explain how the Ainara-Nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. Why did strain begin to show within the imperial structure after the death of Krishnadeva Raya in 1529? 8
3. Explain the organisation of the administration and army during the rule of Akbar, as given in 'Ain'. 8
4. Explain any three broad architectural styles used by the British for the public buildings in the colonial cities, with examples. 8

Part - D

(Passage Based Questions)

<math>(7\times3=21)</math> Marks

A tiger-like husband

1. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given at the end of it:

This is a summary of a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata:

The Pandavas had fled into the forest. They were tired and fell asleep, only Bhima, the second Pandava, renowned for this prowess; was keeping watch. A man-eating rakshasa caught the scent of the Pandavas and sent his sister Hidimba to capture them. She fell in love with Bhima, transformed herself into a lovely maiden and proposed to him. He refused. Mean while the rakshasa arrived and challenged Bhima to a wrestling match. Bhima accepted the challenge and killed him. The others woke up hearing the noise. Hidimba introduced herself, and declared her love for Bhima. She told Kunti; "I have forsaken my friends, my dharma and my kin; and good lady, chosen your tiger-like son for my man...whether you think me a fool, or your devoted servant, let me join you, great lady, with