CBSE Class 12th History Question Paper Solved Last 10 Years With Solution

Class 12 Subject History Paper Set 5 with Solutions

SECTION : A

Answer all the questions given below :

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Question 1: (Marks 1)

Name the author of the book “The Story of Indian Archaeology”.

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Answer :

S.N. Roy (Sourindranath Roy)

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Question 2: (Marks 1)

Differentiate between Inscription and Prashasti.

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Answer :

Inscriptions :- The written records engraved on the stone tablets, pillars and walls on the other hand

Prashasti –Contains information about the rulers.

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Question 3: (Marks 1)

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about the subsistence strategies of Harappa ?

(1) Archeologists have reconstructed dietary practices from finds of charred grains and seeds.

(2) Archaeo-botanists have studied grains found at Harappa like millets, barley, etc.

(3) Animals were domesticated according to archeobotanists. Choose the correct option.

(A) (1) and (2) only

(B) (2) and (3) only

(C) (1), (2) and (3)

(D) (2) only

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Answer :

A-1 and 2 only

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Question 4: (Marks 1)

Look at the figure given below and name it as given by the archeologists.

Note : The following question is for the visually impaired candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 4.

Name the one-horned animal which was depicted in Harappan seals

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Answer :

Mother Goddess ( Harappa)

For visually impaired :-Unicorn

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Question 5: (Marks 1)

Why is Harappan script called enigmatic ? Identify the appropriate reason from the following options :

(A) It was pictographic and uniform.

(B) It was written from left to right.

(C) Scholars are not able to read the script.

(D) It shows common feature of writing.

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Answer :

C-scholars are not able to read the script.

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Question 6: (Marks 1)

Where was the capital of Magadh shifted in the fourth century B.C.E. ?

OR

Name the most powerful Mahajanpada of Mauryan Empire between the sixth and fourth centuries B.C.E.

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Answer :

Patliputra

OR

Magadha

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Question 7: (Marks 1)

Read the following information and relate the context in which these messages were framed and spread by Ashoka in the third century B.C.E.

“The principles were simple and universal. Principles ensured well being of people. Ashoka tried to hold his empire together with these principles.”

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Answer :

Dhamma

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Question 8: (Marks 1)

Correct the following statement and rewrite it : Al-Biruni was from Tangier and written the Kitab-ul-Hind in Arabic language.

OR

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was impressed by the scholarship of Ibn Juzayy and appointed him as the Qazi of Delhi.

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Answer :

Al-Bruni was from Khwarizm/Uzbekistan and had written the Kitab-ul-Hind in Arabic Language.

OR

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was impressed by the scholarship of Ibn Battuta.

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Question 9: (Marks 1)

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Answer :

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

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Question 10: (Marks 1)

Ibn Battuta found Indian cities full of exciting opportunities. Identify the appropriate reason from the following options :

(A) Large population, Bazaars and efficient communication.

(B) Crown ownership of land

(C) Autonomous and equilitarian village command.

(D) Traders exported gold and silver.

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Answer :

A-Large population , Bazaars and efficient communication.

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Question 11: (Marks 1)

Who among the following developed the concept of the Asiatic mode of production ?

(A) Karl Marx

(B) Montesquie

(C) Voltaire

(D) Rousseau

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Answer :

A-Karl Marx

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Question 12: (Marks 1)

Name the major anthological composition of the Alvars which is described as the Tamil Veda.

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Answer :

Nalayira Divya Prabhandham

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Question 13: (Marks 1)

Name the composer of ‘Padmavat’.

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Answer :

Malik Muhammad Jayasi

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Question 14: (Marks 1)

Fill in the blank :

Verses of Kabir are compiled in the Kabir Bijak, the Kabir Granthawali and ______.

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Answer :

Adi Granth Sahib

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Question 15: (Marks 1)

Who was the preceptor of Meera Bai ?

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Answer :

Raidas/ Ravidas

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Question 16: (Marks 1)

Study the following flow chart and find out the name of the Land Revenue System introduced by the British in India.

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Answer :

Permanent Settlement

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Question 17: (Marks 1)

Identify the economist whose ideas were operated by the British officials in Maharashtra in 1820’s.

(A) David Ricardo

(B) Thames Robert

(C) John Stuart Mill

(D) Walter Bagehot

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Answer :

A David Recardo

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Question 18: (Marks 1)

The European commercial companies had set up base in different places of India. Find out the correct pair from the following information :

(1) The Portuguese in Panaji in 1510.

(2) The Dutch in Masulipatnam in 1605

(3) The French in Pondicherry (Puducherry) in 1673.

Options :

(A) (1) only

(B) (1) and (2) only

(C) (1), (2)and (3)

(D) (2) and (3) only

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Answer :

C-1,2 and 3

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Question 19: (Marks 1)

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

Assertion (A) : Hill Stations were a distinctive features of colonial urban development.

Reason (R) : In the hill stations the British and other Europeans sought to recreate settlements that were reminiscent of home.

(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) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of ( A)

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Question 20: (Marks 1)

Who among the following Governor Generals had done the town planning of Calcutta in his tenure ?

(A) Lord Wellesley

(B) Lord Warren Hasting

(C) Lord Minto I

(D) Lord Cornwallis

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Answer :

A-Lord Wellesley

SECTION : B

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Question 21: (Marks 3)

“There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

OR

‘From the sixth century BCE land and Riverine routes criss-crossed the Indian sub continent.” Substantiate the statement in the context of trade.

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Answer :

Limits of Epigraphy

Technical limitations –

i. Letters are faintly engraved and reconstruction are uncertain.

ii. Inscription may be damaged or letters are missing.

iii. It is not always easy to be sure about the exact meaning of the words used in inscription .

iv. Not all inscriptions have been deciphered.

v. Many inscriptions have not survived the ravages of time.

vi. The content of the inscriptions projects the perspective of the person who commissioned them.

vii. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be justified.

OR

Land and Riverine routes

i. Routes were extended in various directions: - Central Asia, North Africa, West Asia, Southeast Asia and China.

ii. Rulers tried to control these routes.

iii. Peddlers and merchants travelled on these routes.

iv. Wide range of goods was carried through these routes.

v. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be justified.

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Question 22: (Marks 3)

Describe the main features of Mahanavami Dibba of the Vijayanagar Empire.

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Answer :

Ceremonial features of Mahanavami Dibba

i. The Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige power and suzerneity on various occasion.

ii. Worship of images and state horses.

iii. The sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals.

iv. Dances, wrestling matches were performed there.

v. Processions of horses, elephants, chariots, soldiers etc.

vi. Inspection of armies of nayakas in open field.

vii. Tributes by nayakas to kings were given.

viii. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be described

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Question 23: (Marks 3)

“Amidst the partition of India, Gandhiji showed his conviction for communal harmony.” Explain the statement with examples.

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Answer :

Gandhiji efforts for restoring communal harmony

i. He tried to stop communal violence through his principles.

ii. He visited riot torn areas of various regions.

iii. He showed his concern towards the sufferings of the minorities.

iv. He worked for the equality of all classes.

v. He tried to build a spirit of mutual trust and confidence between the two communities.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained

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Question 24: (Marks 3)

Why did the British annex Awadh in 1856 ? On what pretext did they carry out act the annexation ? Explain.

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Answer :

Reasons for the annexation of Awadh by British

i. Suitable soil for cotton and indigo cultivation.

ii. Awadh could be developed as Principle Market of upper India.

iii. Takeover of Awadh was expected to complete the process of territorial annexation.

Pretext of Awadh’s annexation

i. Region was being misgoverned and mal administered.

ii. Wrongly assumed that Wajid Ali Shah was an unpopular ruler.

iii. Subsidiary alliance.

Any one point of reason and two point of pretext to be explained.

SECTION : C

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Question 25: (Marks 8)

Explain how the Sanchi Stupa stands testimony to successful conservation policies taken up in the 19th century. Why did this not happen in the case of the Stupa at Amaravati ? Explain.

OR

“To understand the meanings of Sculptures, historians have to be familiar with the stories behind them.” Support the statement by giving examples from Buddhist and Hindu Art from 600 BCE to 600 CE.

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Answer :

Conservation of Sanchi Stupa

i. The rulers of Bhopal(Shahjahan Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum)provided money for its preservations.

ii. She funded the museum.

iii. She funded the guesthouse where John Marshall lived and wrote the volumes.

iv. She funded the publication of the volumes.

v. ASI also helped to restore and preserve it.

Fate of Amravati

i. Local Raja wanted to build a temple on the ruins of stupa.

ii. Colin Meckanize prepared report on Amravati but was never published.

iii. Walter Elliot , the commissioner of Guntur took away Sculpture panels of Amravati to Madras.

iv. Slabs of Amravati were sent to Asiatic Society of Bengal.

v. Indefensible policy led to decline of original work of Amravati.

vi. Any other relevant point.

Four points each from both to be explained.

OR

Hindu and Buddhist Art and Sculpture

Hindu Sculpture and Art

i. Vaishnavism – Sculpture of ten Avatars. Eg. the Varaha rescuing the earth goddess(Aihole), Vishnu with Sheshnag.

ii. Shaivaism- Sculptures of Shiva in Linga

iii. Sculptures of Shiva in human form too.

iv. The image of Durga at Mahabalipuram.

v. Sculpture of Vasudeva –Krishna in Mathura.

vi. Ellora Sculptures.

vii. Kailash Nath temple.

viii. Any other relevant point

Buddhist Sculptures

i. Empty seat of Buddha indicated meditation.

ii. Wheel stand for first Serman of Buddha.

iii. Shailabhanjika , an auspicious symbol of prosperity.

iv. Gajalakshmi –Goddess of good fortune.

v. Tree symbolizes an event in the life of the Buddha.

vi. Images of Buddha and Bodhisattas.

vii. Serpants and animal motifs.

viii. Scenes from Jataka stories and Buddha’s hagiography.

ix. Any other relevant point

Any four example of each to support the statement

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Question 26: (Marks 8)

Describe the main features of the Akbar-Nama.

OR

Describe the Physical arrangements of the Mughal Court as the heart of society.

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Answer :

Akbar-Nama

i. Written by Abu’l Fazl.

ii. This chronicle is based on range of sources, records of events , official documents and oral testimonies.

iii. It is divided into three books and third book is Ain-i-Akbari – composed of Manzil Abadi, Sipah Abadi and Mulk Abadi.

iv. It provides a detailed description of Akbar’s reign covering geographic, social, political, administrative and cultural.

v. Written in Indo –Persian style with rhythm and diction.

vi. He articulated the ideas associated with Akbar.

vii. This chronicle was written in thirteen years.

viii. It shows the diverse population of the empire like Hindus, Jainas, Buddhist and Muslims.

ix. It showed the composite culture.

x. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be described.

OR

Physical arrangement of Mughal Court

i. Its centerpiece was the throne based on sovereign as axis mundi.

ii. The canopy was symbol of Kingship.

iii. Status was determined by spatial proximity to king.

iv. No one was allowed to move without King’s permission.

v. Court courtesies were followed.

vi. Salutation and prostration represented status.

vii. Protocols governed diplomatic envoys.

viii. Jharokha Darshan by the King was a ritual.

ix. Primary business was conducted in Diwan-iaam and private discussions took place at Diwan-i-Khaas.

x. Court was full of life during occasions such as Id,Shab-i-barat, holi , etc.

xi. On birthdays, the King was weighted against commodities for charity.

xii. Any other relevant point

Any eight points to be described.

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Question 27: (Marks 8)

Examine the role of Congress party in making of the Constituent Assembly.

OR

‘Different groups expressed their desires in different ways and made different demands.” Support the statement with reference to the problem of separate electorate.

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Answer :

Role of Congress party in the making of Constituent Assembly

i. The Constituent Assembly was dominated by Congress.

ii. 82% of the members belonged to Congress.

iii. Members of the Congress differed in their opinion on critical issues.

iv. Jawahar Lal Nehru , Vallabh Bhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad were the members of Congress who played important role in the Constituent Assembly.

v. Nehru moved ‘Objective Resolution’ and ‘Tri colour National Flag’.

vi. Patel played key role in drafting reports and reconciling views.

vii. Dr. Prasad was the President of the Assembly.

viii. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. KM Munshi and Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar gave crucial inputs.

ix. The discussions within the Constituent Assembly were also influenced by the opinions expressed by the public.

x. Any other relevant point.

Any four points to be examined.

OR

Issue of Separate Electorate in the Constituent Assembly

i. Demand of separate electorate was based on defining rights of minorities.

ii. Assembly interpreted minority in terms of economically weaker groups, tribal community, religious community and groups with backward caste.

iii. Leaders of the groups anticipated demands in the form of separate electorates.

iv. There were huge debates on this question in Assembly.

v. B.P. Bahadur wanted separate electorate for minorities

vi. N.G.Ranga urged for rights for poor and downtrodden.

vii. Jaipal Singh wanted rights for Tribals.

viii. Ambedkar demanded separate electorates for depressed caste.

ix. J. Nagappa discussed about systematic marginalization.

x. Many members like Sardar Patel, R.V. Dhulekar , G.B. Pant considered separate electorate as a cause of division and against the unity of India.

xi. Sardar Patel considered separate electorate as poison

xii. According to the members, it would lead to divided loyalties and isolate the minorities from majority.

xiii. Any other relevant point.

To be assessed 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 wealthy Shudra

This story, based on a Buddhist text in Pali known as the Majjhima Nikaya, is part of a dialogue between a king named Avantiputta and a disciple of the Buddha named Kachchana. While it may not be literally true, it reveals Buddhist attitudes towards varna.

Avantiputta asked Kachchana what he thought about Brahmanas who held that they were the best caste and that all other castes were low; that Brahmanas were a fair caste while all other castes were dark; that only Brahmanas were pure, not non-Brahmanas; that Brahmanas were sons of Brahma, born of his mouth, born of Brahma, formed by Brahma, heirs to Brahma.

Kachchana replied : “What if a Shudra were wealthy ... would another Shudra ... or a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya ... speak politely to him ?”

Avantiputta replied that if a Shudra had wealth or corn or gold or silver, he could have as his obedient servant another Shudra to get up earlier than he, to go to rest later, to carry out his orders, to speak politely; or he could even have a Kshatriya or a Brahmana or a Vaishya as his obedient servant.

Kachchana asked : “This being so, are not these four varnas exactly the same ?”

Avantiputta conceded that there was no difference amongst the varnas on this count.

(28.1) Why did the Brahmana consider themselves superior to other caste ?

(28.2) How could a Shudra improve his status according to Kachchana ?

(28.3) What does this story reveal about Buddhist attitude towards Varna ?

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Answer :

The wealthy Shudra

28.1 Why did the Brahmana consider themselves superior to other caste?

Ans. Brahmana considered himself superior to other caste

a)on the basis of their wisdom

b) On the basis of fair colour.

c) On the basis of Purity

d) Considered as sons of Brahma

e)Any other relevant point.

Any two points.

28.2 How did a Shudra improve his status according to Kachchana?

Ans. According to Kachchana, a Shudra could improve his status

a) On the basis of wealth.

b) On the basis of economic status and dignity.

28.3 What does this story reveal about Buddhist attitude towards Varna?

Ans. Buddhist attitude about Varna

a) Rejection of Caste based ideas.

b) Rejected the ideas of superiority on the basis of birth.

c) Plead for social equality. d) Any other relevant point.

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Question 29: (Marks 6)

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

How Silver came to India

This excerpt from Giovanni Careri’s account (based on Bernier’s account) gives an idea of the enormous amount of wealth that found its way into the Mughal Empire :

That the Reader may form some idea of the Wealth of this (Mughal) Empire, he is to observe that all the Gold and Silver, which circulates throughout the World at last Centres here. It is well known that as much of it comes out of America, after running through several Kingdoms of Europe, goes partly into Turky (Turkey), for several sort of Commodities; and part into Persia, by the way of Smirna for Silk. Now the Turks not being able to abstain from Coffee, which comes from Hyeman (Oman), and Arabia ... nor Persia, Arabia, and the Turks themselves to go without the commodities of India, send vast quantities of Mony (money) to Moka (Mocha) on the Red Sea, near Babel Mandel; to Bassora (Basra) at the bottom of the Persian Gulgh (Gulf) .... which is afterwards sent over in Ships to Indostan (Hindustan). Besides the Indian, Dutch, English, and Portuguese Ships, that every Year carry the Commodities of Indostan, to Pegu, Tanasserri (parts of Myanmar), Siam (Thailand), Ceylon (Sri Lanka) .... the Maldive Islands, Mozambique and other Places, must of necessity convey much Gold and Silver thither, from those Countries. All that the Dutch fetch from the Mines in Japan, sooner or later, goes to Indostan; and the goods carry’d hence into Europe, whether to France, England, or Portugal, are all purchas’d for ready Mony, which remains there.

(29.1) How could the Mughal Empire accumulate enormous wealth ? Explain.

(29.2) How did Silver travel to across the globe to reach India ? Explain.

(29.3) How were the transactions made in the seventeenth century India ? Explain.

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Answer :

How Silver came to India

29.1 How could the Mughal empire accumulate enormous wealth? Explain.

Ans. Accumulation of enormous wealth by Mughals.

a) Through the vibrant network of overland trade.

b) Due to the expansion in the commodity composition and of trade.

29.2 How did silver travel to across the globe to reach India? Explain.

Ans. Silver travelled across the globe to reach India.

a) Availability of metal currency.

b) Expansion of minting technique.

c) Circulation of money in the economy.

d) Extraction of taxes and revenue in cash.

Any two points.

29.3 How were the transactions made in the 17th century India? Explain.

Ans. Ways of transaction in 17th century

a) Through Cash Transactions.

b) Through Commodity transactions.

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Question 30: (Marks 6)

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

“Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law”

On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi :

When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested. I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and non-violence : that power is universally felt. The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilized man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove. The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion.

Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulations on the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party....

What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested ? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused and on the march no leader is necessary.

(30.1) Examine the reactions of Indians towards the Salt Law.

(30.2) Why was Gandhiji confident that the government would not arrest the Satyagrahis ? Explain.

(30.3) Examine the base of Dandi March.

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Answer :

Tomorrow we shall break the Salt Law

30.1 Examine the reactions of Indians towards the Salt Law.

Ans. Reactions of Indians towards the Salt Tax Law.

a. There was wider discontentment against Salt Law.

b. The state monopoly over Salt was deeply unpopular.

30.2 Why was Gandhiji confident that the government would not arrest the Satyagrahis? Explain.

Ans. Gandhiji was confident on the non-arrest of Satyagrahis

a. He considered his protestors as the army of peace.

b. Fear of world opinion on British.

30.3 Examine the base of Dandi March.

Ans. Base of Dandi March

a. To break the most widely disliked law of British.

b. To mobilize discontent against British Rule.

c. To launch nationalist campaign against British.

d. To unite all classes communities, castes towards Swaraj.

(Any two points)

SECTION : E (Map based Question)

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Question 31: (Marks 6)

(31.1) On the given Political outline map of India locate and label any three from the following with appropriate symbols :

(i) Amritsar – an important centre of National Movement.

(ii) Chauri-Chaura – The place where Gandhiji called off NonCooperation Movement.

(iii) Vijaynagara – City ruled by Tuluva dynasty.

(iv) Agra – A territory under Babur.

(v) Gwalior – a centre of the Revolt of 1857.

(31.2) On the same outline map, three places related with Matured Harappan sites have been marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines marked near them.

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

(31.1) Name any three Matured Harappan sites.

OR

Name any three Buddhist sites.

(31.2) Name any three centres of the Revolt of 1857

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Answer :

On Map attached

For visually impaired candidates

31.1 Matured Harappan Sites

Kalibangan, Lothal , Nageshwar, Dholavira , Rakhigarhi,Banawali-(India) Harappa , Channudaro, Balakot, Mohanjadaro Any three

Buddhist Sites

Sanchi , Barhut, Ajanta, Nasik, Karla, Nagarjunakonda, Amravati, Bodh Gaya, Lumbini

Any three

31.2 Centre of the Revolt 1857

Delhi , Meerut, Agra, Lucknow, Jhansi, Kanpur, Azamgarh, Banaras, Calcutta

Any three

See attached filled map

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