History Sample Paper For Class 12 With Solution NCERT CBSE Board 2020

Class 12 Subject History Paper Set 4 with Solutions

SECTION : A

Answer all the questions given below.

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Question 1: (Marks 1)

Name the Director-General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) who announced the discovery of Mohenjodaro in the Indus Valley to the World.

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Answer :

John Marshall

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Question 2: (Marks 1)

Consider the following statements regarding the Priest King of Harappa : According to Archaeologists :

(1) Priest king held political power.

(2) He was related with Mesopotamian History.

(3) He was related with Harappan religion.

(4) His authoritarian rule could be one of the cause of the decline of Harappa.

Which one of the following statement is correct ?

(a) (1), (3) and (4)

(b) (2), (3) and (4)

(c) (1), (2) and (3)

(d) (1), (2) and (4)

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Answer :

(c) (1), (2) and (3)

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Question 3: (Marks 1)

Look at the figure given below. Identify and name the sculpture of fourth century CE related to this figure.

Note : The following question is for the visually impaired candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 3.

State any one source to know about the Kushana rulers.

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Answer :

Sand stone Sculpture of Kushana King (Kanishka)

For Visually impaired ….Coins/ Sculpture/ Inscriptions/ etc. (Any one)

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Question 4: (Marks 1)

Identify the best reason for considering King Ashoka as ‘Devanampiya’ and ‘Piyadassi’ by his subjects.

(a) Ashoka commissioned the edicts himself.

(b) He adopted the title of ‘Devaputra’.

(c) Epigraphists have concluded him as Devanampiya.

(d) He did well being of society through Dhamma.

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Answer :

d- He did well being of society through Dhamma.

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Question 5: (Marks 1)

Who was the author of the book ‘Arthashastra’ written during Mauryan empire ?

OR

Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire ?

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Answer :

Kautilya (Chanakya)

OR

Chandragupta Maurya

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Question 6: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following was the capital of Magadh ?

(a) Rajagraha

(b) Ujjain

(c) Taxila

(d) Gandhara

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Answer :

a- Rajagraha

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Question 7: (Marks 1)

Explain one point of difference between the gold coins issued by the Kushanas and the Gupta rulers.

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Answer :

Gold Coins issued by Kushanas – They were the first rulers to issue gold coins. Their gold coins were identical with those issued by Roman and Parthian rulers.

Gold Coins issued by Guptas-Were most spectacular and known for their purity and used for long distance transactions.

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Question 8: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following statements is appropriate about Ibn Battuta ?

(a) He was Qazi during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s empire.

(b) He had written Kitab-Ul-Hind in Arabic.

(c) He translated Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit work in Arabic.

(d) He was a Physician, Philosopher and Historian.

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Answer :

a – He was Qazi during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s empire

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Question 9: (Marks 1)

Who among the following western theorist developed the idea of oriental despotism in the 18th century ?

(a) Montesquieu

(b) Rousseau

(c) Voltaire

(d) Karl Marx

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Answer :

a- Montesquieu

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Question 10: (Marks 1)

Arrange the following dynasties of Vijayanagara Empire in chronological order :

(1) Sangama

(2) Aravidu

(3) Tuluva

(4) Saluva

Choose the correct option :

(a) (1), (3), (4) and (2)

(b) (2), (1), (3) and (4)

(c) (1), (4), (3) and (2)

(d) (4), (1), (2) and (3)

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Answer :

c – (1),(4),(3) and (2)

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Question 11: (Marks 1)

Read the information given below :

Identify and name the system followed in the Mughal society.

“Remuneration for the work was paid through small daily allowances. It was the micro level exchange network operated in the villages.”

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Answer :

Jajmani System

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Question 12: (Marks 1)

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Answer :

d – (i)-b, (ii) – c, (iii) – a, (iv)- d

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Question 13: (Marks 1)

Study the following chart and find out the name of the Administrative System of Mughals.

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Answer :

Mansabdari System

Question 14: (Marks 1)

Name the Portuguese writer who wrote detailed account of trade and society of south India in the sixteenth century.

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Answer :

Duarte Barbosa

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Question 15: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following statement is NOT appropriate about Ain-iAkbari ?

(a) It was written by Abul Fazl.

(b) It was a gazetteer of the empire.

(c) It was sponsored and commissioned by Akbar.

(d) Its data was uniformly collected from all the provinces.

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Answer :

d- Its data was uniformly collected from all provinces.

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Question 16: (Marks 1)

Who among the following painted “Relief of Lucknow” ?

(a) Thomas Jones Barker

(b) Hanery Havelock

(c) Joseph Noel

(d) Colin Campbell

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Answer :

a- Thomas Jones Barker

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Question 17: (Marks 1)

Name the fort built by British East India Company in Calcutta.

OR

Name the fort built by British East India Company in Madras.

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Answer :

Fort Williams

OR

Fort St. George

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Question 18: (Marks 1)

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

Assertion (A) : British built imperial European architectural style buildings in Bombay.

Reason (R) : Familiar landscape in an alien country.

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

(b) Both (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

(c) (A) is correct but (R) is not correct.

(d) (R) is correct but (A) is not correct.

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Answer :

a- Both (A) and (R) all correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

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Question 19: (Marks 1)

Which one of the following statements was not a justified reason for the annexation of Awadh by British in 1857 ?

(a) Wajid Ali Shah was unpopular ruler.

(b) Subsidiary Alliance System was accepted by Wajid Ali Shah at ease.

(c) Mangal Pandey initiated the revolt from Awadh.

(d) Material benefits were given to the taluqdars by the British.

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Answer :

a- Wajid Ali Shah was an unpopular ruler.

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Question 20: (Marks 1)

Consider the following statements regarding the census conducted by British in the 19th century in India.

(1) The growth of the cities were monitored through census.

(2) Municipal Corporation was to administer it.

(3) Census operations were appropriate as social data was easily converted to economic data.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct ?

(a) (1) and (2) only

(b) (2) and (3) only

(c) (1) and (3) only

(d) only (3)

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Answer :

a- (1) and (2) only

SECTION : B

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Question 21: (Marks 3)

“Archaeologists have used evidence from material remains to piece together parts of Harappan history.” Justify the statement with reference to the principles of classification.

OR

“Harappan script is considered as an enigmatic script.” Justify the statement with suitable agruments.

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Answer :

Principles of classification by archaeologists for piecing together the past

i. Classification in terms of materials such as stone, clay, metal, bone, Ivory etc.

ii. In terms of functions an artifact is a tool or an ornament.

iii. By investigating the context in which it was found.

iv. Archeologist researched through indirect evidences like traces of cotton at Harappan site.

v. Archeologist have developed frame of reference in context of place in cultural sequence and comparison with finds in Mesopotamia.

vi. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be justified with examples

OR

Harappan Script as an Enigmatic script

i. Script remains undeciphered till date

ii. Longest inscription contain about 26 signs.

iii. It is not alphabetical

iv. It has too many signs between 375-400

v. Script was written from right to left.

vi. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be enumerated.

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Question 22: (Marks 3)

Describe any three innovations that the rulers of Vijayanagara introduced in the construction of temples.

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Answer :

Innovations in the Vijaynagar Temple Architecture

i. Royal Portrait Sculpture displayed in temples.

ii. Immense scale structures that must have been a mark of imperial authority

iii. They were exemplified as Raya Gopurams or Royal gateways.

iv. Mandapas or Pavilions

v. Long pillared corridors that often ran around the shrines within the temple complex.

vi. Carved Pillars.

vii. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be described.

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Question 23: (Marks 3)

Why did some of our leaders advocate a strong centre during the debate in the Constituent Assembly on the proposed federal structure of the Indian State ? Explain.

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Answer :

Reasons for advocacy for strong centre in the Constituent Assembly:

i. To stop communal frenzy.

ii. For well- being of nation.

iii. To mobilize the available economic resources.

iv. To establish proper administration.

v. To defend the country against foreign aggression.

vi. To plan for country’s economic development.

vii. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained.

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Question 24: (Marks 3)

“Ryotwari system had put the ryots of Bombay Deccan in critical situation.” Explain the statement with any three examples.

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Answer :

Ryotwari System and Ryots

i. The revenue was settled with the ryots.

ii. The revenue that was demanded was so high which ryots were not able to pay. They deserted their villages and migrated.

iii. Collectors extracted payment from ryots with utmost severity.

iv. Inability to pay the loan led to seizure of crops and imposition of fine on the whole village.

v. Ryots borrowed loans from money lenders at high rate of interest.

vi. Ryots got into high debts.

vii. Limitation law, customary laws were violated.

viii. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained with examples

SECTION : C

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Question 25: (Marks 8)

Describe the contribution of V.S. Suthankar in reconstructing social history through the critical edition of Mahabharata.

OR

Describe the life of untouchables in the ancient period.

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Answer :

V.S. Suthankar and reconstruction of Social history

i. Indian Sanskritist V.S. Suthankar tried to prepare critical edition of Mahabharata.

ii. Collected manuscripts of texts from different parts of the country.

iii. Team compared verses from each manuscript

iv. Published the common verses in 13,000 pages.

v. Common elements in the Sanskrit versions of the story found in the subcontinent

vi. Found regional variations in regional versions

vii. Variations were documented in footnotes and appendices

viii. Variations shaped early and later social history through local ideas and practices

ix. Issues of social history was explored by historians

x. Initially, it was believed that everything laid in the text was practiced

xi. From the works in Pali, Prakrit and Tamil it was indicated that ideas contained in normative Sanskrit texts were on the whole recognized as authoritative.

xii. They were also questioned and rejected

xiii. Examples from Mahabharata like: Families based on kinfolk, the ideal of patriliny was important and valuable, rules of marriage like polygamy and polyandry are reflected, Mahabharata reinforced that varna system was of divine origin

xiv. Any other relevant point To be assessed as a whole.

OR

Life of untouchables

i. People outside the system were called as untouchables by the Brahmans.

ii. They were considered impure.

iii. They used to do polluting activities like handling corpses and dead animals.

iv. Were called as Chandalas.

v. Were placed at the bottom of hierarchy.

vi. Manusmriti laid down the duties of the Chandalas such as: They had to live outside the village.

vii. They had to use discarded utensils.

viii. Wore clothes of dead and iron ornaments.

ix. They could not walk in villages and cities at night.

x. They had to sound clapper in the streets.

xi. They had to work as executioners and scavengers.

xii. They led the life of degradation

xiii. Any other relevant point

To be assessed as a whole.

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Question 26: (Marks 8)

Examine the idea of Sulh-i-Kul as the cornerstone of Akbar’s enlighted rule.

OR

Examine the life in Harem or domestic world of the Mughals.

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Answer :

Sulh-i-Kul

i. Considered as the cornerstone of the Akbar’s enlightened rule.

ii. All religions and schools of thought had freedom of expression but on condition not to undermine the authority of state.

iii. Was implemented through state policies.

iv. Composite culture was followed considering Turanis , Afghans , Rajputs etc.

v. Jaziya and Pilgrimage tax was removed on non -Muslims.

vi. Sul-i-Kul was followed in administration.

vii. Few festivals were celebrated with equal zeal

viii. Marital alliances with non-Muslims

ix. Nobility was recruited from various castes, cultures and ethnicity

x. Ibadat Khana was constructed by Akbar to learn about the views of different religions

xi. Invitation to Jesuit Mission from Europe

xii. Donation from construction and maintenance of temples

xiii. Harmonious relationships with different ethnic communities

xiv. Members of different communities and ethnic groups were appointed as imperial officials

xv. Any other relevant point

To be evaluated as a whole.

OR

Life in Harems

i. Harem was the domestic world of Mughals.

ii. Consisted of the emperor’s wives concubines and relatives.

iii. Polygamy was practiced.

iv. Marital alliances turned into political relationships.

v. Wives from aristocratic families were called as Begums.

vi. Other Wives were Aghas and the Aghachas.

vii. Male and female slaves populated the Mughal household.

viii. Slave eunuchs as guards, servants and agents.

ix. Jahanara , daughter of Shah Jahan designed Chandani Chowk in Shahajanabad.

x. Conflicts & tensions were common.

xi. Imperial women controlled resources and commissioned buildings - e.g. Nurjahan controlled financial resources.

xii. Few imperial women became authors of chronicles eg- Gulbadan Begum.

xiii. Any other relevant point

To be evaluated as a whole

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Question 27: (Marks 8)

How did different sections of the Indian society react on the Non-Cooperation Movement ?

OR

‘Gandhiji had mobilized a wider discontentment against the British rule in the Salt Satyagraha.’ Explain.

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Answer :

Reaction of Indians on Non Cooperation Movement

i. Background-Against Rowlatt Act, Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and in favour of Khilafat Movement. Gandhiji launched Non- Cooperation Movement.

ii. Hindu and Muslims collectively tried to end colonial laws.

iii. Students stopped going to schools and colleges run by the government.

iv. Lawyers refused to attend law courts.

v. The working class went on strike in many towns and cities

vi. The countryside showed discontentment against British.

vii. Hill tribes in Andhra violated forest laws.

viii. Farmers in Awadh did not pay taxes.

ix. Peasants in Kumaun refused to carry loads for colonial officials.

x. Protest against local leadership.

xi. Participation of women

xii. Peasants, workers and others interpreted and acted upon the call to non cooperate with colonial rules in ways best suited to their interests.

xiii. Any other relevant point

To be evaluated as a whole.

OR

Salt Satyagraha

i. Gandhiji announced a march to break the salt law

ii. Salt law gave the state a monopoly in the manufacture and sale of salt.

iii. The state monopoly on salt was deeply unpopular as in every Indian household salt was indispensible and the people were forbidden for making salt even for domestic use.

iv. Gandhiji hoped to mobilize a wider discontent against British rule and started Dandi March. Once he reached Dandi he broke the salt law.

v. Parallel Salt Marches were organized in other parts of the country.

vi. Peasants breached the colonial forest laws which restricted their access to forests.

vii. Factory owners went on strike.

viii. Lawyers boycotted British courts.

ix. Students refused to attend educational Institutions and schools run by government.

x. Indians were arrested.

xi. Gandhiji made a plea to the upper caste to serve untouchables.

xii. Hindus, Muslims, Parsees and Sikhs were told to unite.

xiii. Thousands of Volunteers joined for the cause.

xiv. Many officials resigned from their posts.

xv. Gandhiji’s meetings were attended by all sections of people.

xvi. Women participated in large number.

xvii. Dandi March brought Gandhi to world attention. The March was covered by European and American press.

xviii. Salt march made British realized that they would have to devolve some powers to Indians.

xix. Any other relevant point

To be evaluated as a whole.

SECTION – D

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Question 28: (Marks 6)

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

The Therigatha

This unique Buddhist text, part of the Sutta Pitaka, is a collection of verses composed by bhikkhunis. It provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experiences. Punna, a dasi or slave woman, went to the river each morning to fetch water for her master’s household. There she would daily see a Brahmana performing bathing rituals. One morning she spoke to him. The following are verses composed by Punna, recording her conversation with the Brahmana :

I am a water carrier :

Even in the cold

I have always gone down to the water

frightened of punishment

Or the angry words of high class women.

So what are you afraid of Brahmana,

That makes you go down to the water

(Though) your limbs shake with the bitter cold ?

The Brahmana replied :

I am doing good to prevent evil;

anyone young or old

who has done something bad

is freed by washing in water.

Punna said:

Whoever told you

You are freed from evil by washing in the water ? …

In that case all the frogs and turtles

Would go to heaven, and so would the water snakes

and crocodiles !

(Instead) Don’t do that thing,

the fear of which

leads you to the water.

Stop now Brahmana !

Save your skin from the cold …

(28.1) Explain the ideas of Punna with two examples.

(28.2) What justification did the Brahmana give for his daily dip in river ?

(28.3) Explain the core of Buddhist philosophy that is being conveyed through their Gatha.

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Answer :

The Therigatha

Explain the ideas of Punna with two examples.

i. She was against the Brahmanical rituals.

ii. She explained the essence of spirituality lies in eternal bliss.

iii. She laid emphasis on purity of soul.

(Any two points)

What justification did the Brahmana give for his daily dip in river?

i. Bathing rituals could prevent evils.

ii. Anything bad could be washed away by bathing in water.

Explain the core of Buddhist Philosophy that is conveyed through their Gatha.

i. Buddha condemned caste system and rituals.

ii. Buddha urged people to seek enlightenment through spiritual experience.

iii. The importance paid to conduct and values rather than rituals.

(Any two points)

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Question 29: (Marks 6)

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

A Demon ?

This is an excerpt from a poem by Karaikkal Ammiyar in which she describes herself :

The female Pey (demoness)

with … bulging veins,

protruding eyes, white teeth and shrunken stomach,

red haired and jutting teeth

lengthy shins extending till the ankles,

shouts and wails

while wandering in the forest.

this is the forest of Alankatu,

which is the home of our father (Shiva)

who dances … with his matted hair

thrown in all eight directions, and with cool limbs.

(29.1) Analyze how Karaikkal Ammaiyar had depicted herself different from the traditional nature of beauty.

(29.2) Analyze how this composition of Ammaiyar pose a challenge to patriarchal norms.

(29.3) Analyse any two aspects of renunciation of her social obligations.

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Answer :

A Demon

Analyze how Karrikkal Ammiyar had depicted herself different from the traditional nature of beauty.

a) She shed off her worldly beauty to attain the absolute devotion to lord Shiva.

b) She described herself as protecting eyes, shrunken stomach, jutting teeth and lengthy shins.

Analyze how this composition of Ammiyar pose a challenge to patriarchal norms.

a) She defied patriarchal norms taking fearful image.

b) She rejected socially validated beauty.

c) She criticized the social order.

(Any two points)

Analyze any two aspects of renunciation of her social obligations.

a) Great devotion to lord Shiva and adopted path to extreme asceticism

b) The incompatibility between virtues of women’s virtuosity.

c) She started wandering in the forests which she regarded as the home of lord Shiva.

(Any two points)

Question 30: (Marks 6)

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

What “recovering” women meant

Here is the experience of a couple, recounted by Prakash Tandon in his Punjabi Century, an autogiograpical social history of colonial Punjab :

In one instance, a Sikh youth who had run amuck during the partition persuaded a massacring crowd to let him take away a young, beautiful Muslim girl. They got married, and slowly fell in love with each other. Gradualy memories of her parents, who had been killed, and her former life faded. They were happy together, and a little boy was born. Soon, however, social workers and the police, labouring assiduously to recover abducted women, began to track down the couple. They made inquiries in the Sikh’s home district of Jalandhar; he got scent of it and the family ran away to Calcutta. The social workers reached Calcutta. Meanwhile, the couple’s friends tried to obtain a stay-order from the court but the law was taking its ponderous course. From Calcutta the couple escaped to some obscure Punjab village, hoping that the police would fail to shadow them. But the police caught up with them and began to question them. His wife was expecting again and now nearing her time. The Sikh sent the little boy to his mother and took his wife to a sugar-cane field. He made her as comfortable as he could in a pit while he lay with a gun, waiting for the police, determined not to lose her while he was alive. In the pit he delivered her with his own hands. The next day she ran high fever, and in three days she was dead. He had not dared to take her to the hospital. He was so afraid the social workers and the police would take her away.

(30.1) Explain any two reasons of massacre happened during partition of India ?

(30.2) Why were the social workers and police tracking down the young couple ?

(30.3) Do you think the authorities were right in trying to take back the girl ? Explain reasons to support your answer.

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Answer :

What “Recovering” Women Meant

Explain any two reasons of massacre happened during partition of India

a) Communal frenzy

b) Preserving honour

c) Administration could not control riots

d) Any other relevant point

(Any two points)

Why were the social workers and police tracking down the young couple?

a) To recover abducted women so as to rehabilitate them

b) Both belonged to different communities Sikh and Muslim.

Do you think the authorities were right in trying to take back the girl? Explain reasons to support your answer.

a) The authorities were not supposed to interfere in the personal life of married couple.

b) Because of their unnecessary interference the girl died.

(Views of the students should be taken into consideration)

SECTION – E (Map based question)

Question 31: (Marks 6)

(a) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols :

(i) Bodh Gaya

(ii) Panipat or Ajmer

(iii) Vijayanagara or Chandragiri

(b) On the same outline map of India three places related to the National Movement have been marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their names on the lines drawn near them.

Note : The following are for visually impaired candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 31.

(a) Name any three places considered sacred in Buddhism.

OR

Name any three Mughal imperial major cities.

(b) Name any three places related to the Indian National Movement.

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Answer :

See attached filled map:

For Visually Impaired candidates

Sacred places of Buddhism(any three places)

Nagarjunakonda , Sanchi , Amravati , Lumbini, Bharhut, Bodhgaya, Ajanta.

OR

Imperial Mughal cities. (Any three places)

Agra, Lahore, Fatehpur Sikri, Shahjahanabad(Delhi).

Indian National Movement(any three places)

Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Banaras , Amritsar , Chauri Chaura, Lahore, Bardoli , Dandi , Bombay , Karach

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