WEEKLY TEST

CLASS: 12TH ARTS DATE: 20/07/2022

SUB: HISTORY MARKS: 20 MARKS

PART A

Answers to the following questions should not exceed 30 words. Each question carries 2
marks each.

1. As per Sanskrit legal texts women did not have access to property. Is there an exception
to this norm? Explain.

2. How were Harappa seals and sealings used to facilitate long distance communication?
What did the sealings convey?

3. Comment on the various sources of water used by the Harappan Civilization.

4. Why is James Prinsep’s contribution considered as the historic development in the Indian
epigraphy?

5. Which center became one of the most powerful mahajanpada between the 4th and the 6th
century? State two reasons why it emerged to attain this power.

PART B

Answer to the following case study and pictorial questions should not exceed 200 words.
Each question carries 5 marks each.

1. Carefully examine the map of the Citadel area of Mohenjodaro and answer the following
questions:
 I) Identify the two most important buildings located in the citadel area of Mohenjodaro.
Explain two features of each. (3)

II) Choose the correct option: (1)

Assertion (A) Citadel was smaller but higher part of Mohenjodaro.
Reason (R) It is on the citadel that we find evidence of structures that were probably used for
special public use.
a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation for A.
b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, R is false.
d) A is false, R is true.
III) According to the assumption of most of the historians the purpose of the Great Bath
must have been:                                                                                                     (1)
a. Washing clothes. 
b. Bathing space for Women 
c. Ritual bathing 
d. Leisure Bathing just like Roman baths.

2. Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the following questions:
System of Mauryan Administration
 The growth of Magadha culminated in the emergence of the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta
Maurya who founded the empire (321 BCE), extended control as far North-West as
Afghanistan and Baluchistan, and his grandson Asoka, arguably the most famous ruler of
early India, conquered Kalinga (present-day coastal Odisha).

There were five major political centres in the empire, that are all mentioned in Asokan
inscriptions. Due to vastness of the empire administrative system of this empire was not
uniform. It is likely that administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and
the provincial centres. These centres were carefully chosen. 

i) What were the major five political centres that have been mentioned in
Ashokan inscriptions?      (2)         
ii) “These centres were carefully chosen”. Do you agree with this statement? Explain in the
context of why each of these centres were important?                                                   (3)