CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers With Solutions Pdf History

Class 12 Subject History Paper Set 2 with Solutions

---

Question 1: (Marks 1)

Why were the French keen to take away the eastern gateway of Sanchi Stupa to France ?

OR

Why were the Stupas venerated ?

---

Answer :

To display in a museum in France.

OR

The Stupas contained the relics of the Buddha regarded as sacred.

---

Question 2: (Marks 1)

Define the concept of Bodhisatta.

---

Answer :

Boddhisatta is perceived as deeply compassionate being, who accumulated merit through his efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world.

---

Question 3: (Marks 1)

Differentiate between Vaishnavism and Shaivism.

---

Answer :

Vaishanavism is a form of Hinduism within which Vishnu is worshipped as the principal deity where as Shaivism is a tradition within which Shiva is regarded as chief God.

---

Question 4: (Marks 1)

The most unique feature of the Harappan cities was the development of _________.

---

Answer :

Urban centres/ Any urban feature

---

Question 5: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following categories is not supposed to have belonged to the Brahmanical prescription of four varnas ?

(A) Brahmanas

(B) Kshatriyas

(C) Nishadas

(D) Vaishyas

---

Answer :

C (Nishadas)

---

Question 6: (Marks 1)

Study the following statements regarding the identification of centres of craft production in Harappan culture :

I. Archaeologists look for raw materials such as stone nodules, copper ore, shells, etc.

II. They study the soil texture.

III. They find unfinished objects, rejects and waste material.

IV. They try to have chemical analysis of the soils.

Which of the above are correct reasons for identifying centres of craft production ?

(A) I and II

(B) II and III

(C) I and III

(D) III and IV

---

Answer :

C (I and III)

---

Question 7: (Marks 1)

Identify the following image and write its appropriate name :

According to popular belief in Buddhism, a woman whose touch caused trees to flower and bear fruit was called _________.

---

Answer :

The image of Buddha from Mathura

For visually impaired: Shalabhanjika

---

Question 8: (Marks 1)

Name the book written by Al-Biruni on religion, philosophy, astronomy and laws of India.

---

Answer :

Kitab-ul-Hind

---

Question 9: (Marks 1)

Name the foreign traveller who was appointed as qazi or judge of Delhi by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq for several years.

---

Answer :

Ibn-Battuta

---

Question 10: (Marks 1)

How do you think Francois Bernier was closely associated with the Mughal Court ?

---

Answer :

He was a physician to prince Dara Shukoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan.

---

Question 11: (Marks 1)

According to epigraphic evidence, who among the following founded the Vijayanagara empire ?

(A) Sultans of Deccan

(B) Gajapati rulers of Orissa

(C) Harihara and Bukka

(D) Cholas of Tamil Nadu

---

Answer :

C (Harihara and Bukka)

---

Question 12: (Marks 1)

Read the following statements :

I. Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation.

II. There was peace and prosperity in his empire.

III. He was credited with building some fine temples.

IV. He belonged to the Sangama dynasty.

Which of the above statements are related to Krishnadeva Raya ?

(A) Only I

(B) I, II and III

(C) II, III and IV

(D) I, III and IV

---

Answer :

(B) (I,II and III)

---

Question 13: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following statements regarding Akbar is not correct ?

(A) Akbar was the devotee of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti.

(B) Akbar expanded and consolidated his empire.

(C) He constructed Ibadat Khana due to his quest for religious knowledge.

(D) He had cordial relations with Safavids over Qandahar.

---

Answer :

D (He had cordial relations with safavids over Qandahar)

---

Question 14: (Marks 1)

Name the capital of Ibrahim Lodhi which was taken over by Babur in 1526.

---

Answer :

Delhi

---

Question 15: (Marks 1)

Who was the author of Humanyun Nama ?

OR

Who was the author of Badshah Nama ?

---

Answer :

Gulbadan Begum

OR

Abdul Hamid Lahori

---

Question 16: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following provisions of Subsidiary Alliance was not applicable on Awadh in 1801 ?

(A) The British would be responsible for protecting their ally from internal and external threats.

(B) The British contingent would be stationed in the territory of the ally.

(C) The ally would provide resources to maintain the British contingent.

(D) The ally was free to enter into agreements with other rulers without the permission of the British.

---

Answer :

D ( The ally was free to enter into agreements with other rulers without the permission of the British)

---

Question 17: (Marks 1)

Assertion (A) : The Congress Party never accepted the ‘two-nation theory’ when forced against its will to accept partition.

Reason (R) : India is a land of many religions and races and must remain so. Study the above Assertion (A) and Reason (R) and find out which one of the following is correct :

(A) (A) is true, but (R) is not true.

(B) (A) is not true, but (R) is true.

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

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

---

Answer :

C [Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)]

---

Question 18: (Marks 1)

How far was the religious factor responsible for the Revolt of 1857 ?

---

Answer :

There was a rumour that the British had hatched a conspiracy to destroy the religion of Hindus and Muslims by mixing bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market.

---

Question 19: (Marks 1)

Consider the following events :

I. Cabinet Mission

II. ‘‘Objective Resolution’’ in the Constituent Assembly

III. The Government of India Act, 1935

IV. The Great Calcutta Killing

The correct chronological order of these events is :

(A) I, IV, III, II

(B) III, I, IV, II

(C) I, III, II, IV

(D) II, I, III, IV

---

Answer :

(B) (III,I,IV,II)

---

Question 20: (Marks 1)

State any one provision of ‘Gandhi-Irwin Pact’.

---

Answer :

i. Civil disobedience would be called off

ii. All prisoners would be released

iii. Salt manufacture allowed along the coast

iv. Any other relevant point Any one point

---

Question 21: (Marks 3)

Describe the methods of irrigation used by Harappans for agriculture.

---

Answer :

Methods of irrigation used by Harappans for agriculture:

i. Most Harappan sites were located in semi-arid lands, thus required irrigation for agriculture.

ii. Traces of canals have been found at the states of Shortughai in Afganistan.

iii. It is likely that water drawn from well was used for irrigation.

iv. Water reservoirs were found at Dholavira may have been used to store water for agriculture.

---

Question 22: (Marks 3)

‘‘Mahanavami Dibba was a distinctive structure of the Vijayanagara Empire.’’ Justify the statement.

---

Answer :

Mahanavmi Dibba was a distinctive structure of the Vijayanagara Empire:

i. Mahanavmi Dibba is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq.ft. to a height of 40 ft.

ii. There is evidence that it supported a wooden structure.

iii. The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings.

iv. Rituals associated with the structure probably coincided with Mahanavami of the ten-days Hindu festival during the autumn months of September and October .(Dussehra, Durga Puja, Navaratri, Mahanavmi)

v. Like some of the other structures in the royal centre,it remains an enigma.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained

---

Question 23: (Marks 3)

Analyse the circumstances under which the British officials invited Santhals to settle in the peripheries of Rajmahal hills during the nineteenth century.

OR

Analyse the economic and social conditions of the Paharias (hill folk) of Rajmahal hills during the late eighteenth century.

---

Answer :

The circumstances under which the British officials invited Santhals to settle in the peripheries of Rajmahal hills during the nineteenth century:

i. Having failed to subdue Paharias the British turned towards Santhals.

ii. The Santhals appeared to be ideal settlers clearing forests and ploughing land.

iii. Santhals were given land and persuaded to settle in foothills of Rajmahal.

iv. Santhals practiced plough agriculture and became settled peasants.

v. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained

OR

Economic and social conditions of the Paharias (hill folk) of Rajmahal hills during the late eighteenth century)

i. The Paharias were hunters, food gatherers and shifting cultivators, charcoal producers and silk worm rearers.

ii. They lived in huntments within tamarind groves and rested under shades of mango trees.

iii. Their chiefs maintained the unity of their groups and settled disputes.

iv. These hill folk regularly raided the plains where settled agriculturists lived.

v. Paharias grew a variety of pulses and millets for consumption.

vi. From the forests they collected Mahua (a flower) for food, silk cocoons and resin for sale and wood for charcoal production.

vii. They considered the entire region as their land.

viii. They resisted the intrusion of outsiders.

ix. Traders gave a small amount to the hill folk for permission to use the passes controlled by them.

x. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

---

Question 24: (Marks 3)

‘‘For Swaraj, Hindus, Muslims, Parsis and Sikhs will have to unite.’’ Explain this statement of Gandhiji in the context of Non-Cooperation Movement.

---

Answer :

“For Swaraj, Hindu, Muslim, Parsis and Sikhs will have to unite”:

Non- cooperation movement:

i. Gandhiji joined hands with the Khilafat Movement.

ii. Hindus and Muslims could collectively bring an end to colonial rule.

iii. Common people participated in the movement irrespective of being Hindu, Muslim, Parsi or Sikh.

iv. Peasants, workers and others acted upon the call to noncooperate with colonial rule.

v. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained

---

Question 25: (Marks 8)

Explain the characteristics of Mahajanapadas and explain Magadha as the most powerful Mahajanapada.

OR

Explain the main features of the Mauryan administration and explain the principles of Ashoka’s ‘Dhamma’.

---

Answer :

Characteristics of Mahajanpadas

i. Most Mahajanpadas were ruled by kings.

ii. Some known as ganas or sanghas, were oligarchies where power was shared by a number of men, often collectively called rajas.

iii. Both Mahavira and Buddha belonged to such ganas.

iv. Each Mahajanpada had a capital city which was often fortified.

v. Brahmins laid down the norms for the rulers in texts known as Dharmasutras.

vi. Rulers were advised to collect taxes and tribute from cultivators, traders and artisans.

vii. Gradually, some states acquired standing armies and maintained regular bureaucracies.

viii. Some others continued to depend on militia, recruited more often than not, from the peasantry.

ix. Any other relevant point

Any four points to be explained

Magadha as the most powerful Mahajanpada

i. Magadha was a region where agriculture was especially productive.

ii. Iron-mines were accessible which provided resources for making tools and weapons.

iii. Elephants, an important component of army was available in the forests of this region.

iv. Ganga and its tributaries provided water for cheap and convenient communication.

v. Ambitious and powerful rulers like Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda and their policies.

vi. Capitals of Magadha was Rajagaha (house of the king) which was a fortified settlement located amongst hills. Later capital was shifted to Pataliputra, on commanding routes of communication along the Ganga.

Any four points to be explained

OR

Main features of Maurayas Administration

i. There were five major political centres in the empire. They were Pataliputra, Taxila, Ujjayni, Tosali and Suvarngiri.

ii. Administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres.

iii. Communication along both river and land routes were vital.

iv. Army was an important means for ensuring protection for those who were on the move.

v. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.

vi. Ashoka try to hold his empire through propogating Dhamma.

Any five points to be explained

Principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma

i. The principles of Ashoka’s Dhamma were simple and virtually universally applicable.

ii. According to Ashoka, this would ensure the well-being of people in the world and the next.

iii. Ashoka inscribed his messages to the subjects on stones or rocks.

iv. This included respect for elders and generosity towards Brahmins and those who renounced worldly life.

v. Treating slaves and servants kindly.

vi. Respect for religion and tradition other than one’s own.

vii. Special officers, Known as the dhamma mahamatta, were appointed to spread the message of Dhamma.

Any three points to be explained

---

Question 26: (Marks 8)

Describe the lives of forest-dwellers during the Mughal period in India.

OR

Describe the role of peasants and landed elites involved in agricultural production during the Mughal period in India.

---

Answer :

Lives of forest- dwellers during the Mughal period in India:

i. The livelihood of forest dwellers came from the gathering of forest produce, hunting and shifting agriculture.

ii. Their activities were largely season specific for example activities of Bhils.

iii. Perpetual mobility was a distinctive feature of tribes inhabiting the forests.

iv. Elephants were supplied by forest people to the Mughals as Peshkash.

v. The hunt symbolized the concern of the state to ensure justice.

vi. The emperor personally attended the grievances of the forest dwellers.

vii. The spread of commercial agriculture was an external factor.

viii. The supply of forest products like gum, honey etc became major items of overseas export.

ix. Some tribes got engaged in overland trade like the Lohanis.

x. Elephants were captured and sold by tribals.

xi. Many tribal chiefs became zamindars and some even kings like Ahoms.

xii. These kings recruited people from their lineage in their army.

xiii. New cultural influences also began to penetrate into forest zones.

xiv. Some sufi saints had a role to play in the slow acceptance of Islam among the forest dwellers

xv. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed as a whole

OR

Role of Peasants and Landed Elities in Agricultural Production during the Mughal period:

i. There were two kind of peasants Khud-Kashta and Pahi-Kashta.

ii. People became Pahi-Kashta either out of choice or either out of compulsion.

iii. The peasants performed manifold seasonal tasks, like tilling the soil, sowing seeds, harvesting the crops.

iv. The abundance of land, available labour and the mobility of peasants were the factors for constant expansion of agriculture.

v. The primary purpose of agriculture was to feed people.

vi. Frequently cultivated crops were rice, wheat, maize and millets

vii. Agriculture was labour intensive.

viii. Peasants used technologies that often harnessed cattle energy.

ix. There were two major seasonal cycles of agriculture- Kharif and Rabi.

x. Agriculture was not only for subsistence but cultivation of cashcrops or Jins-i-Kamil too like cotton, oil seeds, sugarcane.

xi. Subsistence and commercial production were closely intervined in an average peasant’s holding.

xii. Several new crops like maize, tomatoes, potatoes, chillies, pineapple and papaya were introduced for cultivation from different parts of the world.

xiii. Peasants contributed in the production of agro-based goods.

xiv. Most of the landed elites (zamindars) held extensive personal lands termed milkiyat.

xv. Milkiyat lands were cultivated with the help of hired labour.

xvi. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed as a whole

---

Question 27: (Marks 8)

‘‘The British took upon themselves the task of town planning from the early years of their rule in Bengal.’’ Examine the statement.

OR

‘‘The British commissioned hill stations in India.’’ Substantiate the statement.

---

Answer :

The task of town planning by the British from the early years of their rule in Bengal:

i. Town planning required lay out of the entire urban space and regulation of urban land use.

ii. The main reason for this was defence of their territory.

iii. British traders had built their depots for good and that needed protection.

iv. After the Battle of Plassey, Britishers wanted to built a new fort which could not be attacked easily.

v. Calcutta had grown from their villages called Sutanati, Kolkatta and Govindapur.

vi. Britishers started building their residences out of the Fort William.

vii. The English settlement in Calcutta gradually started taking place.

viii. Lord Wallesly built massive palace, government house to convey the authority of the British.

ix. He became concerned about the Indian part of the city also.

x. The tropical climate was seen as unhealthy.

xi. Public health was the idea that became important in all town planning.

xii. The town planning was carried on by the Lottery committee.

xiii. The lottery committee commissioned a new map of the city, built roads, cleared encroachments around the river banks and removed many huts.

xiv. Stricter building regulations were made eg.thatched roofs were banned in 1836

xv. By the late 19th century racial divide of the white town and black town was reinforced by the new divide of healthy and unhealthy.

xvi. Any other relevant point

To be assessed as a whole

OR

The British commissioned hill stations in India:

i. Hills stations were a distinctive feature of colonial urban development.

ii. The founding of hill stations were initially the need of British army like Shimla, Mount Abu and Darjeeling.

iii. Hill stations became strategic places for billeting troups, guarding frontiers and launching campaigns against enemy rulers.

iv. The cool climate of hill stations were seen as an advantage to the Britishers.

v. Presence of army made hill stations a kind of cantonment.

vi. Hill stations were also developed as Sanitoriums.

vii. It became the summer resort for the Viceroys.

viii. Shimla became the official residence of the commander-in-chief of the army.

ix. The churches and schools were developed there.

x. They were important for colonial economy.

xi. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed as a whole

---

Question 28: (Marks 6)

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

‘‘Proper’’ social roles

Here is a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata :

Once Drona, a Brahmana who taught archery to the Kuru princes, was approached by Ekalavya, a forest-dwelling nishada (a hunting community). When Drona, who knew the dharma, refused to have him as his pupil, Ekalavya returned to the forest, prepared an image of Drona out of clay, and treating it as his teacher, began to practise on his own. In due course, he acquired great skill in archery. One day, the Kuru princes went hunting and their dog, wandering in the woods, came upon Ekalavya. When the dog smelt the dark nishada wrapped in black deer skin, his body caked with dirt, it began to bark. Annoyed, Ekalavya shot seven arrows into its mouth. When the dog returned to the Pandavas, they were amazed at this superb display of archery. They tracked down Ekalavya, who introduced himself as a pupil of Drona.

Drona had once told his favourite student Arjuna, that he would be unrivalled amongst his pupils. Arjuna now reminded Drona about this. Drona approached Ekalavya, who immediately acknowledged and honoured him as his teacher. When Drona demanded his right thumb as his fee, Ekalavya unhesitatingly cut it off and offered it. But thereafter, when he shot with his remaining fingers, he was no longer as fast as he had been before. Thus, Drona kept his word : no one was better than Arjuna.

(28.1) Why did Drona refuse to accept Ekalavya as his pupil ?

(28.2) How did Ekalavya acquire the supreme skill of archery ?

(28.3) Why did Ekalavya introduce himself to the Pandavas as a pupil of Drona ?

---

Answer :

Proper social roles

28.1Why did Drona refuse to accept Ekalavya as his pupil?

i.Drona knew the dharma and taught only to the Kuru princess.

ii. Eklavya was a forest dwelling Nishada.

iii.Drona was a Brahman and he taught archery to the Kuru princes only.

Any two points

28.2 How did Ekalavya acquire the supreme skill of archery?

i. Ekalvya, on refusal, returned to the forest.

ii. He prepared an image of Drona out of clay and practiced intensively in front of it.

iii.He acquired great skill in archery.

Any two points

28.3 Why did Ekalavya introduce himself to the Pandavas as a pupil of Drona?

i. When the Kuru Princes dog began to bark at him ,he got annoyed.

ii. He shot seven arrows into his mouth.

iii. The Pandavas amazed at this superb display of archery, tracked him down.

iv. He introduced himself to the Pandavas as pupil of Drona.

Any two points

---

Question 29: (Marks 6)

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

The pilgrimage of the Mughal princess Jahanara, 1643

The following is an excerpt from Jahanara’s biography of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti, titled Munis al-Arwah (The Confidant of Spirits) :

After praising the one God ... this lowly faqira (humble soul) Jahanara ... went from the capital Agra in the company of my great father (Emperor Shah Jahan) towards the pure region of incomparable Ajmer ... I was committed to this idea, that everyday in every station I would perform two cycles of optional prayer ... . For several days ... I did not sleep on a leopard skin at night, I did not extend my feet in the direction of the blessed sanctuary of the revered saving master, and I did not turn my back towards him. I passed the days beneath the trees. On Thursday, the fourth of the blessed month of Ramzan, I attained the happiness of pilgrimage to the illuminated and the perfumed tomb ... . With an hour of daylight remaining, I went to the holy sanctuary and rubbed my pale face with the dust of that threshold. From the doorway to the blessed tomb I went barefoot, kissing the ground. Having entered the dome, I went around the light-filled tomb of my master seven times ... Finally, with my own hand I put the finest quality of itar on the perfumed tomb of the revered one, and having taken off the rose scarf that I had on my head, I placed it on the top of the blessed tomb ...

(29.1) How did Jahanara exhibit her faith and devotion to the Shaikh ?

(29.2) Why did she consider Dargah as a special place of pilgrimage and reverence ?

(29.3) How did she pay her obeisance at the Dargah ?

---

Answer :

The Pilgrimage Of The Mughal Princess Jahanara-1643

29.1 How did Jahanara exhibit her faith and devotion to the Shaikh?

i. She performed two cycles of optional prayers.

ii. She did not sleep on a leopard skin at night for several days

iii.She did not extend her feet in the direction of the blessed sanctuary.

iv. She did not turn her back towards him.

v. She passed the days beneath the trees.

Any two points

29.2 Why did she consider Dargah as a special place for pilgrimage and reverence?

i. Due to her faith and devotion towards Lord.

ii. She was the murid of her Murshid(Guru).

iii. This was the family ritual and tradition.

iv. For seeking blessings

v. Any other relevant point.

Any two points

29.3 How did she pay her obeisance at the Dargah?

i. She rubbed her face with the dust of the threshold.

ii. She went bare-footed kissing the ground.

iii. She went round the tomb several times.

iv. She sprayed the finest quality of itar on the perfumed tomb.

v. She had also takes off the rose scarf that she had on her head and placed it on the top of the blessed tomb.

Any two points

---

Question 30: (Marks 6)

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

‘‘Without a shot being fired’’

This is what Moon wrote :

For over twenty-four hours riotous mobs were allowed to rage through this great commercial city unchallenged and unchecked. The finest bazaars were burnt to the ground without a shot being fired to disperse the incendiaries (i.e. those who stirred up conflict). The ... District Magistrate marched his (large police) force into the city and marched it out again without making any effective use of it at all ...

(30.1) Examine the causes for the collapse of the administrative system.

(30.2) Why could the British officials not take any action to control the situation ?

(30.3) Do you think the role of the District Magistrate was justified ?

---

Answer :

“Without a shot being fired”

30.1 Examine the causes for the collapse of the administrative system?

i. Partition was in process.

ii. Issue of political governance was in conflict.

iii. Breakdown of authority.

Any two points

30.2 Why could the British officials not take any action to control the situation?

i. The British did not know how to handle the situation.

ii. Big dilemma over authority and power.

iii.Britishers were preparing to quit India.

Any two points

30.3 Do you think the role of District Magistrate was justified?

Answer could be justified or unjustified.

(views of the student should be taken into consideration)

---

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) Nageshwar – A mature Harappan site

OR

Amaravati – A Buddhist site

(ii) Panipat – A territory under the Mughals

(iii) Amritsar OR Champaran – A centre of national movement

(31.2) On the same political outline map of India, three places have been marked as A, B and C, which were under the British control during 1857. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.

(31.1) Mention any three mature Harappan sites.

OR

Mention any three centres of Revolt of 1857.

(31.2) Name any three centres of National Movement.

---

Answer :

See attached filled map

For Visually Impaired Candidates

31.1 Mature Harappan sites (Any Three):

Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Nageshwar, Kalibangan, Rakhigarhi, Banawali, Dholavira, Chanhudaro, Nageshwar, Balakot

OR

Centres of Revolt of 1857(Any Three):

Kanpur, Jhansi, Meerut, Delhi, Azamgarh, Lucknow, Calcutta, Benaras, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Agra, Awadh

31.2 Centres of National Movement(Any Three):

Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Amritsar, Chauri Chaura, Lahore, Bardoli, Dandi, Bombay, Karachi

CBSE Class 12 Previous Year Question Papers With Solutions pdf History

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 sample paper 2020, class 12 important questions History, cbse class 12 board exam History paper, History previous year question papers class 12 with solutions, History sample paper class 12 2019, cbse class 12 History question paper 2017 solved pdf, cbse class 12 History question paper 2018, class 12 History paper 2019, History question paper for class 12, cbse class 12 History paper 2019

Ncert Solution for class 6 to 12 download in pdf