CBSE Class 12 Board Exam History Paper 2018 2019 2020 with Solutions

Here we are providing CBSE Previous Year Question Papers Class 6 to 12 solved with soutions CBSE Class 12 Board Exam History Paper 2018 2019 2020 with Solutions History sample paper class 12, History previous year question paper class 12, cbse class 12 History sample paper, cbse class 12 History sample paper 2020, History sample paper class 12 2020, cbse sample paper 2020 class 12 History, class 12 History s Practice of previous year question papers and sample papers protects each and every student to score bad marks in exams.If any student of CBSE Board continuously practices last year question paper student will easily score high marks in tests. Fortunately earlier year question papers can assist the understudies with scoring great in the tests. Unraveling previous year question paper class 12 History is significant for understudies who will show up for Class 12 Board tests.

Class 12 Subject History Paper Set 1 with Solutions

SECTION A

Question 1: (Marks 1)

Which group of scholars among the following reconstructed the dietary practices of Harappa from the remains of charred grains and seeds found in the Harappan sites ?

(A) Archeo-Zoologists

(B) Archeo-Ethnographists

(D) Archeo-Botanists

Answer :

D- Archaeo- Botanists

Question 2: (Marks 1)

Why is the Harappan script called enigmatic ?

Choose the correct reason from the following options :

(A) It resembles the Hieroglyphic script of Egypt.

(B) It had too many symbols, between 600 and 1000 in number.

(D) Its writing remains undeciphered to date.

Answer :

D- Its writing remains undeciphered to date.

Question 3: (Marks 1)

Which of the following scripts were deciphered by James Prinsep ?

(A) Bengali and Devanagari

(B) Sanskrit and Prakrit

(D) Greek and Indo-Greek

Answer :

C- Brahmi and kharosthi

Question 4: (Marks 1)

The Buddha’s foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a _________.

What was the last message of the Buddha to his followers ?

Answer :

Bhikkhuni

Buddha‟s last message to his followers was “Be lamps unto yourself as all of you must work out your own liberation.”

Question 5: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following texts contains the teachings of Mahavira or Jaina Philosophy ?

(A) Mahavamsa

(B) Uttaradhyayana Sutta

(D) Sutta Pitaka

Answer :

B- Uttaradhyayana Sutta

Question 6: (Marks 1)

Identify the following image and give it an appropriate title :

Identify the following image and give it an appropriate title

Note : The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only, in lieu of Q. No. 6 :

Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories found mainly in _________, one of the texts of Tipitaka.

Answer :

Image of Tirthankara from Mathura(Lord Mahavira)

For visually impaired : Sutta Pitaka

Question 7: (Marks 1)

Study the following statements regarding Buddhism carefully :

I. Buddhism grew rapidly, both during the lifetime and after the death of Buddha.

II. Buddhism did not give much importance to conduct and values.

III. Buddhism appealed to many people who were dissatisfied with the existing religious practices.

IV. Buddhism laid much stress on superiority based on birth.

Which of the above statements are correct ?

(A) I and II

(B) II and IV

(D) III and IV

Answer :

C- I and III

Question 8: (Marks 1)

Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A) : Bernier was a firm believer in the virtues of private property. He saw crown ownership of land in the Mughal empire as being harmful to both State and the people.

Reason (R) : Landlords could not pass on their land to their children, so they were averse to any long time investment in the expansion of production.

From the above Assertion and Reason, find out which one of the following is true :

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

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(D) Both (A) and (R) are true.

Answer :

(A)-Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Question 9: (Marks 1)

Which of the following is not a characteristic of Ibn Battuta’s book, Rihla ?

(A) This book is written in Persian.

(B) It provides rich and interesting details of the social and cultural life in the subcontinent.

(D) This book is an important source of knowledge.

Answer :

(A)This book is written in Persian.

Question 10: (Marks 1)

Read the following information given in the box carefully

Answer :

Mirabai

Question 11: (Marks 1)

Identify and name the preceptor or Guru of the Sikh community whose

Answer :

Guru Gobind Singh

Question 12: (Marks 1)

Who was the Guru of Kabir ?

Name the Lingayat devotee who led a new movement in Karnataka in the twelfth century.

Answer :

Guru Ramananda

Basavanna

Question 13: (Marks 1)

Study the following statements regarding the Mughal empire carefully :

I. The Mughal empire comprised of many different ethnic groups and religious communities.

II. All the religions had absolute freedom of expression.

III. The emperor stood above all the religions and ethnic groups for peace and stability.

IV. The nobility under Mughals also belonged to different religions and ethnic groups.

Which of the above statements reflects the Sulh-i-kul policy of Akbar ?

(A) I, III and IV

(B) II, III and IV

(D) I, II and IV

Answer :

(A)I, III and IV

Question 14: (Marks 1)

During the reign of which of the following rulers was Jizya reimposed on non-Muslim subjects ?

(A) Akbar

(B) Jahangir

(D) Aurangzeb

Answer :

(D) Aurangzeb

Question 15: (Marks 1)

The Nalayira Divyaprabandham was frequently described as _________.

Answer :

Tamil Veda

Question 16: (Marks 1)

Identify the immediate reason of launching the ‘Quit India Movement’ by Gandhiji against the British rule.

(A) Cabinet Mission

(B) Cripps Mission

(D) Mountbatten Plan

Answer :

(B) Cripps Mission

Question 17: (Marks 1)

Consider the following ideas regarding the national language carefully :

I. It should be Hindustani which should neither be Sanskritised Hindi nor Persianised Urdu, but a blend of both Hindi and Urdu.

II. It should not admit words from other different languages.

III. The national language must develop into a rich and powerful instrument, capable of expressing the thoughts and feelings of the people.

IV. It could unify Hindus and Muslims and people of the North and the South.

Find out which of these ideas were advocated by Mahatma Gandhi :

(A) I, II and IV

(B) II, III and IV

(D) I, II and III

Answer :

Question 18: (Marks 1)

Study the following statement carefully

Answer :

Question 19: (Marks 1)

Why did the Cabinet Mission come to India in 1946 ?

Choose the suitable reason from the following options :

(A) To expand the participation of Britishers in the legislature.

(B) To introduce dyarchy at the legislative level.

(D) To provide a federal court to the Indians.

Answer :

Question 20: (Marks 1)

What was the main reason for announcing ‘Direct Action Day’ by the Muslim League in August 1946 ?

Answer :

The reason for announcing „Direct Action Day‟ by the Muslim league in August 1946, was to win its Pakistan Demand after it had withdrawn its support from the cabinet mission.

SECTION B

Question 21: (Marks 3)

Explain with examples the layout design of the Great Bath on the Citadel in Mohenjodaro.

Answer :

Lay out design of the Great Bath:

i. The Great Bath was a large rectangular tank in the courtyard surrounded by corridor on all four sides.

ii. There were two flights of steps on the north and south leading into the tank.

iii. The tank and steps were made water tight by bricks and mortar.

iv. There were rooms on three sides in one of which was a large well.

v. Water from the tank flowed into a huge drain.

vi. There were eight other bathrooms four on either side of the corridor.

vii. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained.

Question 22: (Marks 3)

Explain the barriers faced by Al-Biruni in understanding the Indian Subcontinent.

Answer :

Barriers faced by Al- Biruni:

i. The first barrier was language.

ii. The second was difference in religious beliefs and practices.

iii. The third was self absorption and consequent insularity of the local population.

iv. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained

Question 23: (Marks 3)

Examine any three changes brought into the colonial cities after the Revolt of 1857.

Examine the main features of the towns of South India during the medieval period of Indian history.

Answer :

Colonial cities after 1857-

i. After 1857 the British attitude in India was shaped by a constant fear of rebellion.

ii. They felt that towns needed to be better defended.

iii. White people needed to live in more secure and segregated areas.

iv. Thus civil lines for white people developed.

v. Cantonments were built for stationing troops.

vi. Separate black area for Indians came up.

vii. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be examined

Towns of South India- Main features-

i. In the towns of South India like Madurai and Kanchipuram, the principal focus was the temple.

ii. These towns were also important commercial centres.

iii. Here religious festivals often coincided with fairs linking pilgrimage with trade.

iv. Medieval towns were the places where everybody was expected to know their position in the social order dominated by the ruling elite.

v. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be examined

Question 24: (Marks 3)

Mention any one provision of the Rowlatt Act. What were the impacts of this Act on the people of Punjab ?

Answer :

Rowlatt Act:

i. Censorship on the press.

ii. Detention without trial.

iii. Any other relevant point.

Any one to be mentioned

Impact :

i. Shops shut down, schools closed in response of the act on people of Punjab to a bandh call.

ii. Prominent local Congress men arrested and Punjab suffered much.

iii. Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar.

iv. Any other relevant point.

Any two impacts to be mentioned

SECTION C

Question 25: (Marks 8)

Describe the familial ties and rules of marriage as per the Brahmanical prescription during c. 600 BCE – 600 CE.

Describe the Brahmanical theory regarding kinship and the ideal occupations of the varna order. Give examples to prove that this theory was not universally followed.

Answer :

Familial ties during 600BCE-600CE:

i. Every family varied in terms of number of members.

ii. They had definite relationship with one another, common activities and shared food and resources.

iii. They performed rituals together.

iv. They had larger network of people called Kinfolk.

v. The family ties were natural based on blood.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Description of any four points to be done.

Rules of marriage:

i. Sons were considered important to continue lineage and daughters were married outside and had no claim on resources of the household.

ii. Endogamy and exogamy were prevalent.

iii. Polygyny was also there.

iv. Polyandry- like in Pandavas were in practice.

v. Dharmasutras and dharmashastras recognized eight forms of marriages out of which only four were considered good.

vi. The girls were married to the right person at a right time and kanyadana was considered a religious duty of the father.

vii. Women were expected to give up their father‟s gotra and adopt that of their husband on marriage.

viii. Members of the same gotra could not marry.

ix. Any other relevant point.

Description of any four points to be done

Kinship:

i. Families were usually a part of kinship.

ii. This was regarded natural, based on blood.

iii. Kinfolk had relations with one another but sometimes they quarreled.

iv. The feud of Kauravas and Pandavas reinforced the idea of patrinity.

v. Sons could claim the resources and the throne.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Description of any two points to be done. (2)

Varna order:

i. Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras contained rules about ideal occupations.

ii. Brahmins were supposed to study and teach Vedas, perform sacrifices and rituals, give and receive gifts.

iii. Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare, protect people and administer justice, study Vedas, get sacrifices performed and make gifts.

iv. Vaishyas were to carry on trade, agriculture and pastoralism in addition to study of Vedas, get sacrifices performed and make gifts.

v. Shudras were to do menial jobs and to serve the three higher varnas.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Description of any two points to be done. (2)

Instances to prove that this theory was not universally followed:

i. Non kshatriya kings- Contrary to the ideal occupations of the Varna order.The Shungas and Kanvas were Brahmins.

ii. Some Satavahana queens retained their father‟s gotras even after marriage.

iii. Examples of endogamy were found in the Satavahana rulers.

iv. Bhim‟s marriage with Hidimba was deviation from the Dharmasutras.

v. The rule of gendered access to property defied in the case of Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta.

vi. Eklavya acquiring archery skills and the Mandasor inscription of guild of silk weavers from Lata Gujarat is an example of deviation from rules of ideal occupation.

vii. Any other relevant point. (4)

Description of any four points to be done.

Question 26: (Marks 8)

‘‘The fortification walls not only encircled the city of Vijayanagara but also its agricultural hinterland and forests.’’ In the light of this statement, explain the significance of fortification.

Explain the sources of water for the city of Vijayanagara and also explain the development of trade of the Empire.

Answer :

Significance of Fortification of Vijayanagara:

i. Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador of ruler of Persia has mentioned seven lines of forts and fortifications.

ii. The massive masonry construction was slightly tapered.

iii. No mortar was used as the stone blocks were wedge shaped.

iv. This not only encircled the city but also agricultural hinterland and forests.

v. The outer most wall linked the hills surrounding the city.

vi. The significance about fortification was it enclosed agricultural tracts.

vii. Often the purpose of medieval siege was to starve the people into submission.

viii. Fields inside the fortification were, thus the source of providing food to the people and the troops.

ix. The fort gates were well guarded so that enemy could not have easy access.

x. The roads inside the fortification were meant to serve the troops.

xi. The line of fortification was thus to provide safety to the king and the subjects.

xii. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be explained

Sources of water for the city of Vijayanagara:

i. River Tungabhadra was the main source of water to the city.

ii. Number of tributaries of Tungabhadra also supplied water for people and for agriculture.

iii. A number of streams flew down from rocky outcrops.

iv. Embankments were built along these streams to create reservoirs of varying sizes.

v. A huge reservoir was also constructed to store and supply water. Now it is called Kamalapuram tank.

vi. Hiriya canal was another source of water for the people of city.

vii. Any other relevant point.

Description of any four points to be done.

Development of Trade of Vijayanagar empire :

i. Trade was carried out by the kings and traders.

ii. Horses for military were imported from Arabia and Central Asia.

iii. The trade was initially controlled by the Arab traders. Local communities of merchants kudirai chettis or horse merchants participated in these exchanges.

iv. Portuguese also brought superior technology for military.

v. Vijayanagara was also known for trading with spices, textiles and precious stones.

vi. High value exotic goods were also traded.

vii. The state also earned revenue from it.

viii. Any other relevant points

Description of any four points to be done

Question 27: (Marks 8)

‘‘Zamindars regularly failed to pay the revenue demand even after the Permanent Settlement of Bengal at the end of the 18^th century.’’ Evaluate the statement.

‘‘The jotedars became powerful in the early 19th century in many areas of rural Bengal.’’ Evaluate the statement.

Answer :

Why the Zamindars failed to pay the revenue:

i. The company felt that after fixing the revenue demand, the zamindars would pay regularly along with unpaid balance.

ii. The zamindars failed due to very high initial demands.

iii. The high demand was imposed in 1790‟s that was the time when agricultural produce was depressed.

iv. The zamindars could not collect rent, so how could they pay to the company.

v. The revenue was invariable, regardless of the harvest and had to be paid punctually.

vi. According to the sunset law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.

vii. The permanent settlement limited the power of zamindars to collect rent from the ryots.

viii. Zamindars lost their power to organize local justice and the local police.

ix. Sometimes due to bad weather or bad harvest the rent was difficult to be collected.

x. Sometimes the ryots deliberately delayed the payments.

xi. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed as a whole

The Jotedars in the early 19th century in rural Bengal :

i. While zamindars were facing problems, some rich peasants called Jotedars were consolidating their power in villages.

ii. By early 19th century Jotedars had acquired vast areas of land.

iii. They controlled local trade as well as money lending.

iv. They started exercising immense power over the village peasants.

v. Most of the zamindars often lived in urban areas and became dependent on Jotedars.

vi. Within villages the power of Jotedars was more than the zamindars.

vii. Since Jotedars were located in villages thus their control was over a considerable section of poor villagers.

viii. They fiercely resisted zamindars to increase the jama of villages.

ix. They prevented zamindar‟s officials and mobilized peasants against them.

x. That was why when zamindar‟s estates were auctioned the Jotedars were among the purchasers.

xi. Their rise inevitably weakened zamindari authority.

xii. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed as a whole

SECTION D

Question 28: (Marks 6)

Study the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow :

What the king’s officials did

Here is an excerpt from the account of Megasthenes :

Of the great officers of state, some ... superintend the rivers, measure the land, as is done in Egypt, and inspect the sluices by which water is let out from the main canals into their branches, so that every one may have an equal supply of it. The same persons have charge also of the huntsmen, and are entrusted with the power of rewarding or punishing them according to their deserts. They collect the taxes, and superintend the occupations connected with land; as those of the woodcutters, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the miners.

(28.1) For what purpose were the king’s officials appointed ?

(28.2) Explain the types of jobs they carried out.

(28.3) What was the need to superintend the work of the workmen ?

Answer :

28.1 For what purpose were the king’s officials appointed?

Ans: The king‟s officials were appointed

i. To superintend or look after variety of jobs to serve the people.

ii. For administrative control on the people.

28.2 Explain the types of jobs they carried out.

Ans: i. Some officers superintended rivers.

ii. Some measured the land.

iii. Some inspected the sluices by which water is let out from the canals.

iv. Some were incharges of huntsmen.

v. Others collected taxes.

vi. Some superintended occupations connected with land.

(Any two points to be explained)

28.3 What was the need to superintend the work of the workmen?

Ans: i. It was necessary to superintend the work of workmen to keep 10 control over them.

ii. To regulate their work.

Question 29: (Marks 6)

Study the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Classification of lands under Akbar

The following is a listing of criteria of classification excerpted from the Ain :

The Emperor Akbar in his profound sagacity classified the lands and fixed a different revenue to be paid by each. Polaj is land which is annually cultivated for each crop in succession and is never allowed to lie fallow. Parauti is land left out of cultivation for a time that it may recover its strength. Chachar is land that has lain fallow for three or four years. Banjar is land uncultivated for five years and more. Of the first two kinds of land, there are three classes, good, middling, and bad. They add together the produce of each sort, and the third of this represents the medium produce, one-third part of which is exacted as the Royal dues.

(29.1) Why was Chachar land left uncultivated for some three to four years ?

(29.2) Explain the basis of this classification.

(29.3) Do you think it was a sound basis to assess the revenue ? Explain.

Answer :

Classification of lands under Akbar.

29.1 Why was Chachar land left uncultivated for some three to four years?

Ans: Chachar land was left uncultivated for three to four years so that

i. It may regain its fertility within this period.

ii. It may recover its strength.

29.2 Explain the basis of this classification.

Ans: The classification was based on

i. The fertility of the land.

ii. Capacity of soil to be cultivated annually or not.

29.3 Do you think it was a sound basis to assess the revenue? Explain.

Ans: i. This classification seems to be sound basis to assess the revenue as it was fixed according to the type and productivity of land.

ii. It made payment of revenue easier for the cultivators.

Question 30: (Marks 6)

Study the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Villagers as rebels An officer reporting from rural Awadh (spelt as Oude in the following account) noted :

The Oude people are gradually pressing down on the line of communication from the North ... the Oude people are villagers ... these villagers are nearly intangible to Europeans melting away before them and collecting again. The Civil Authorities report these villagers to amount to a very large number of men, with a number of guns.

(30.1) Examine the problem faced by the British in dealing with these villagers.

(30.2) Why were people of Oude (Awadh) hostile against the British ? Examine the reason.

(30.3) How did the British suppress the rebels ?

Answer :

Villagers as rebels

30.1Examine the problem faced by the British in dealing with these villagers.

Ans: i. The British faced much problem in dealing with the villagers of Oude. They used to move away at the sight of the British officials.

ii. They collected again in large numbers with guns.

30.2 Why were people of oude (Awadh) hostile against the British? Examine the reason.

Ans: i. The people of Oude were hostile as Oude was annexed by the 11 British and the popular king Wajid Ali Shah was dethroned and exiled to Calcutta.

ii. With the dissolution of the court many people lost their livelihood.

30.3 How did the British suppress the rebels?

Ans: i. The British unleashed repressive measures with full force to subdue the rebels. Martial law was imposed in north India.

ii. Ordinary processes of law and order was suspended and punishment for rebellion was death.

iii. Rebel landlords were dispossessed and loyal rewarded. Mention any two.

SECTION E

(Map Based Question)

Question 31: (Marks 6)

(31.1) On the given political outline map of India (on page 19), locate and label the following with appropriate symbols :

(i) Lothal - a mature Harappan site

(ii) Kaushambi - a pillar inscription

Ajanta - a Buddhist site

(iii) Ajmer OR Agra - a territory under Mughals

(31.2) On the same outline map of India, three places have been marked as A, B and C, which are associated with the Revolt of 1857. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.

Note : The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates, only in lieu of Q. No. 31 :

(31.1) Name any three centres of the national movement.

(31.2) Name any three Mahajanapadas.

Mention any three Buddhist sites.

For question no. 31.1 and 31.2

Answer :

Map based work

31.1 Filled up map attached

31.2 Filled up map attached

For visually impaired:

31.1 Bardoli, Chauri-Chaura, Champaran, Dandi, Amritsar, Bombay, Calcutta, kheda, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Lahore, Karachi. Any three centres from given list.

Magadha, Vajji, Koshala, Panchala, Kuru, Gandhara, Avanti, Rajgir, Ujjain, Taxila, Varanasi(Kashi).

Any three centres from the list.

31.2 Sanchi, Ajanta, Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Bharhut, NagarjunaKonda, Amravati, Nasik.

Any three from the given list.

For question no. 31.1 and 31.2