CBSE Class 12

History
Previous Year Question Paper 2010
Series: OSS Code no. 61/1

● Please check that this question paper contains 16 printed pages + 2 Maps.

● Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be
written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

● Please check that this question paper contains 23 questions.

● Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting
it.

● 15 minutes of time has been allotted to read this question paper. The
question paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30
a.m., the students will read the question paper only and will not write any
answer on the answer-book during this period.

History

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. Answer all the questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are
indicated against each question.

2. Answers to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A - Questions no. 1 to 5) should

not exceed 30 words each.

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 3. Answers to questions carrying 5 marks (Part B - Section I, II, III - Questions
no. 6 to 16) should not exceed 100 words each.

4. Answers to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C - Questions no. 17 and 18)

should not exceed 250 words each.

5. Part D has questions based on three sources.

6. Attach the maps with the answer scripts (Part E).

Part – A

1. Mention the internal functioning of the Buddhist Sanghas. 2 Marks

Ans: The internal workings of the Buddhist sangha were founded on the ganas and
sanghas traditions. According to this, agreement was reached through amicable
discussions. If they were unable to achieve an agreement, decisions were made
through a vote on the matter.

2. Mention the major crop of Western India during 17th century. How did it
came to India? 2 Marks

Ans: Western India's main crop was maize. It arrived in India via Africa and Spain,
and by the 17th century, it was classified as one of Western India's primary crops.

3. Give a' brief description of Lotus Mahal, situated in the Royal Centre in the
Vijayanagara empire. 2 Marks

Ans: The Lotus Mahal was named by British travellers in the nineteenth century.

Historians are divided on how this structure should be used. According to others,this
structure was utilised as a council chamber where the king conferred with his
counsellors.

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4. Mention two changes that were seen in the network of trade in the urban
centres from the mid 18th century. 2 Marks

Ans: Changes that were seen in the network of trade in the urban centres from the
mid 18th century:

i. Commercial centres such as Surat, Dhaka, and Masulipatnam collapsed as

trade went elsewhere.

ii. New port cities such as Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay have emerged as key
economic hubs.

5. Mention two features of the Fort St. George of White Town, where most of
the Europeans lived. 2 Marks

Ans: Features of George of White Town, where the majority of Europeans dwelt are
as follows:

i. This neighbourhood has wide avenues and bungalows surrounded by huge

gardens.

ii. There were also barracks, a parade ground, and a church.

Part – B

Section-I

6. Describe briefly the sources used for reconstructing the history of the Gupta
rulers. 5 Marks

Ans: In the fourth century, the Gupta kings developed a huge empire that has been
reconstructed from diverse sources. These sources are explained as follows:

Inscriptions are texts that have been engraved on hard surfaces such as stones,
metals, and so on. The poets often compose these in praise of kings in particular, and

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patrons in general. For example, Harisena, the court poet of Samudragupta, wrote in
Sanskrit the Allahabad pillar inscription or Prayaga Prashasti in honour of him.

Coins are especially useful for recreating the history of Gupta kings since they
contain elements such as texts, pictures, and the context in which they are found.
The Gupta monarchs issued some of the most stunning gold coins. These coins
permitted long-distance transactions, which contributed to the growth of trade and
commerce.

Historians of literature try to glean factual facts from Prashastis' works. Those who
wrote them frequently considered them as works of poetry rather than literal
accounts. These were written in honour of the king and his patron in general. As a
result, historians must continuously evaluate the statements made in inscriptions to
determine whether they are real, plausible, or exaggerated.

Prashastis- They provide significant contributions to reconstructing the histories of

the Gupta kings, for example. For Samudragupta, Prashasti was written in Sanskrit.

7. “An understanding of the function of an artefact is often shaped by its

resemblance with present day things.” Support your answer with suitable
evidence. 5 Marks

Ans: When archaeologists classify their finds and attempt to understand their use,
they employ a number of approaches, one of which is attempting to understand the
function of the artefacts through similarities in shape with modern-day objects.

One of the primary reasons for doing so is that many reconstructions of Harappan
civilization are built on the notion that later traditions give similarities to earlier ones.
This is due to the fact that archaeologists frequently shift from the known to the
unknown, or from the present to the past.

There is evidence of pottery, tools, decorations, household objects, and so on.

Because the shapes mimic modern-day artefacts, we can simply understand their
function. There are additional evidence of play carts and boats discovered at

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Harappa, the function of which may be deduced from their similarities to modern
children's toys.

Although the function of such objects may be easily deduced, the biggest issue that
archaeologists encounter is when they try to apply the same approaches to recreate
the religious beliefs of the Harappans. For example, the "Proto Shiva seal" and
various small cones made of Lapis Lazuli, jasper, and other stones appear to be
modern objects, so they are named Proto Shiva and Lingas, respectively. However,
this is only speculation; the seal could be depicting a Shaman or someone else, and
the cones could simply be cones used for board games.The Great Bath at Mohenjo
Daro, for example, is thought to be a site for ceremonial bathing because comparable
places exist in India. However, we are unsure whether it was used for such reasons
at the time.

As a result, the approach of looking for present-day resemblances in items is

effective when the objects are evident, such as in pottery, jewellery, and so on, but
it becomes difficult when the same methods are used to understand something else,
such as beliefs, religious activities, and so on.

8. What did B.B. Lal note about the houses in the second phase of the
Mahabharata period (c. twelfth – seventh centuries BCE) ? Explain. 5 Marks

Ans: B.B. Lal dug in Hastinapura, a village. He discovered evidence of five

occupational levels, the second and third of which are significant to us. He said that
a restricted area was dug, that no specific blueprints for homes were acquired, but
that mud walls and mud bricks were uncovered.The discovery of mud plaster with
conspicuous reed markings indicated that some of the homes had mud-plastered reed
walls. In the third phase, he discovered signs of mud brick use alongside the charred
bricks. For draining waste water, soakage jars and brick drains were employed, and
terracotta ring-wells may have served as both wells and drainage pits.

9. Critically examine why Sanchi survived while Amaravati did not. 5 Marks

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 Ans: Stupa construction as part of monastic organisations was primarily a Buddhist
tradition, though stupas were built under Jainism's influence as well. In numerous
locations, stupas were built over Buddha's relics and utilised as sites of devotion.
The best example of a stupa building may be found in Beirut (Rajasthan) around the
third century BCE. The names of donors and their occupations have been written on
stupas from the second century BCE. The stupa architecture became more ornate as
time passed. With Lord Buddha's tremendous demise, Emperor Ashoka chose to
build a vast number of stupas in his honour.

Originally, stupas like those at Sanchi were composed of bricks and wooden railings,
with stone entrances added later. Sanchi stupa is an example of a well-kept stupa,
having been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site and been protected as a
cultural landmark by the British and Indian governments.

Despite being a well-known example of Buddhist architecture, the Amravati stupa's

decline began when it was abandoned in the 14th century AD. Nature took its course,
and the stupa was eventually engulfed in layers of dust and debris. During the decline
of Buddhism, the stupa was neglected and buried under rubble. Because of the lack
of preservation, the st could not survive the way the stupa at Sanchi did.

Section-II

10. Explain the views of Bernier about a more complex social reality of the
Mughal empire. 5 Marks

Ans: Berniers' descriptions hinted at a more nuanced social reality on occasion.

i. Because earnings were taken by the state, artisans had little motivation to
improve the quality of their products. As a result, production was on the edge
of declining.

ii. At the same time, he agreed that large amounts of the world's precious metals
arrived in India as items were exported in return for gold and silver.

iii. He also saw that there was a thriving community of merchants in the culture
who engaged in long-distance trading.

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iv. Bernier also noticed that a considerable amount of the land was exceptionally
fertile.In terms of agricultural production, the Kingdom of Bengal exceeded
the Kingdom of Egypt.Silk, cotton, and indigo are some of the other essentials
of existence.

v. He noted that many sections of India were densely populated and the land was
well-cultivated.

vi. He claimed that, despite their laziness, artisans were driven to work out of
necessity.carpets, brocades, gold, embroidered, silk cotton, and other fabrics.

11. Describe the significance of temple building in the Sacred Centre of

Vijayanagara. 5 Marks

Ans: Vijayanagara temple construction had a lengthy history. Temple construction

in this area was influenced by dynasties such as the Pallavas and Chalukyas. The
Hoysalas and the Chola rulers have encouraged temple construction as a way of
identifying themselves with the divine.

Temples served as centres of learning. Rulers and other wealthy individuals

contributed land and other resources to the upkeep of temples. Temples grew to be
important religious, social, cultural, and economic hubs. The rulers believed that
building, restoring, and maintaining temples was an essential method of gaining
support and respect for their authority, riches, and piety from the subjects.

The holy temples of Virupaksha and Pampadevi prompted the choice of

Vijayanagara as a sacred centre. In truth, the kings of Vijayanagara claimed to reign
on behalf of the God Virupaksha. The ruler's travels to these temples in royal
grandeur were considered as a major state occasion, and he was escorted by the
prominent nayakas of the empire.All royal instructions were signed with the
Kannada script ‘Shri Virupaksha.'

The term ‘Hindu Suratrana,' which literally means Hindu Sultan, was used by rulers
to symbolise their intimate relationship with the Gods. All of this adds to the
prominence of temple construction in Vijayanagara's holy centre.

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12. “Granting of titles to men of merit was an important aspect of Mughal
polity.” Justify the statement with suitable evidence. 5 Marks

Ans: The bestowal of titles to deserving men was an important component of

Mughal government because:

i. The titles a man had could be used to track his ascension in the court hierarchy.

ii. Asaf, the mythical minister of the prophet king Sulaiman, inspired the title
Asaf Khan for one of the highest ministers (Solomon).

iii. Aurangzeb bestowed the title Mirza Raja on his two highest-ranking nobles,
Jai Singh and Jaswant Singh.

iv. Titles can be earned or purchased.

Section-III

13. Critically examine the experiences of injustice felt by ryots on the refusal of
extending loans to them after 1830s. 5 Marks

Ans: Under the Ryotwari System, revenue demand was set high in the Bombay
Deccan. Under normal circumstances, peasants found it impossible to pay. However,
when the rains failed and the harvest was low, it became impossible to pay.

The issue worsened in the 1830s, and agricultural prices plummeted precipitously in
1832. Simultaneously, the peasants were decimated by starvation in 1832-34.During
this time, one-third of the cattle and half of the human population died. Those that
departed had no means of overcoming the crises. The unpaid income balance grew.
They had to borrow money from a moneylender in order to pay taxes and carry out
agricultural work, but they were unable to repay it.

Peasants' reliance on moneylenders grew as their debts grew and loans went
unpaid.They now require a loan only to buy their daily necessities and fulfil their
expenses. By the 1940s, they had amassed an alarming level of debt.

Moneylenders easily granted advances to peasants during the period 1861-1864 in

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order to maximise cotton production, but once cotton demand decreased,
moneylenders were very hesitant to give loans.Cotton cultivation has primarily
benefited wealthy peasants, whereas the vast bulk of cotton produced has resulted in
increased debt.

14. Examine the proclamations issued by the rebels in 1857 and explain why did
they want to reject everything associated with the British rule in India. 5 Marks

Ans: It is well known to all that the people of Hindustan, both Hindus and
Mohammedans, are being destroyed in this day and age by the tyranny and
persecution of the infidel and treacherous English. It is therefore the bounden
responsibility of all the rich people of India, particularly those having any relation
to the Mohammedan Royal Families and who are regarded as the Pastors and lords
of their people, to put their lives and possessions on the line for the sake of the
public's safety.

The proclamations fully repudiated anything linked with British authority, or Firangi
raj as it was known at the time. The British were criticised for the annexations they
had carried out and the treaties they had broken. The rebel commanders said that the
British could not be trusted.

15. Describe briefly the changes that came about in the Indian towns during the
18th century. 5 Marks

Ans: Changes that came in the Indian towns during the 18th century are:

i. The fall of towns linked with Mughal rule was caused by the erosion of
Mughal power. Regional capitals such as Lucknow, Poona, Nagpur, and
Baroda have grown in importance.

ii. Many lords and officials took advantage of the chance to establish new urban
communities such as Qasbah and ganj.

iii. During the 16th and seventeenth century, the European countries established

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 outposts in several locations. For example, in 1570, the Portuguese arrived in
Panaji, and in 1639, the British arrived in Madras. Towns sprang up around
these trading centres as economic activity expanded.

iv. A shift occurred in the mid-eighteenth century. Surat and Dhaka, which had
thrived in the seventeenth century, have now collapsed as commerce has
migrated elsewhere. When the British took over Bengal and the East India
Company's commerce flourished, colonial port towns such as Madras and
Calcutta developed as new economic centres.

v. New structures were constructed, and new vocations arose. People came to
these towns in droves, and by the nineteenth century, they had grown to
become India's largest metropolis.

16. Explain the reasons why the plan, suggested by the Cabinet Mission, was
finally not accepted by the Congress and the Muslim League. 5 Marks

Ans: The Cabinet Mission made the following recommendations:

i. United India is a flexible three-tiered confederation.

ii. A weak central government in charge of foreign policy, defence, and

communications.

iii. Provincial assemblies were divided into three sections: section A, which
included Hindu majority provinces, section B, which included Muslim-
majority provinces in the North-West and North-East of India, and section C,
which included Muslim-dominated provinces in the South.

iv. The provinces would have their own legislatures and administrations.

The following were the reasons for rejecting the plans:

i. Sections B and C of the league demanded the right to split from the Union.

ii. The Congress intended the provinces to be able to join whatever organisation
they pleased.

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iii. As a result, neither the league nor the Congress approved of the idea.

Part-C

17. Explain the variety of sources used by the historians to reconstructed

histories of religious traditions. 8 Marks

Ans: Buddhist, Jaina, and Brahmanical writings, as well as tangible relics, may be
used to recreate a fascinating universe of ideas and beliefs.

i. The mid-first century BCE is often regarded as a watershed moment in global

history, with the rise of philosophers in Iran, Kong Zi in China, Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle in Greece, and Mahavira and Gautam Buddha, among
others, in India.

ii. They attempted to address basic issues like the meaning of existence and the
link between humans and the cosmic order.

iii. There were various pre-existing thinking, religious belief, and practise
traditions. The most well-known are the Vedic traditions.

iv. The Rigveda is a source of early Vedic tradition, which was composed
between C. 1500 and 1000 BCE and consists of hymns praising a number of
deities, including Agni, Indra, and Soma. People made collective and
individual sacrifices in which they prayed for livestock, sons, good health,
peace, long life, rain, and so on.

v. Some speculated on the significance of the sacrifice. Were physical actions

sufficient, or did there have to be a deeper meaning? Many of these concepts
can be found in the Upanishads, which demonstrate that people were
concerned about life's meaning, the possibility of life beyond death, and
rebirth. Were people reborn as a result of their past actions? These issues
sparked heated debate.From Buddhist texts, we get a glimpse of lively
discussions and debates. For centuries, these texts were preserved in
manuscripts in monasteries throughout Asia. Texts in a number of languages,
including Pali, Sanskrit, Chinese, and Tibetan, have been translated into

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 modern English. Before the birth of Vardhamans, the basic philosophy of the
Jains was already in existence in north India,in the sixth century BCE, he was
known as Mahavira.

vi. Mihavira was preceded by 23 previous instructors or Tirthankaras, literary

those who could take men and women over the river of existence, according
to Jaina legend.

Jainism's fundamental beliefs or principles are:

a. Ahimsa

b. Karma

c. Monastic existence; Jaina monks and nuns made five vows: not to
murder, steal, or lie; to be celibate; and not to own property.

vii. The Buddha was one of the most prominent teachers of the period. Historians
have attempted to piece together elements of his life through hagiographies.
According to historical sources, Sidhartha, as the Buddha was known as a kid,
was the son of the Sakya clan's king. He fled the palace when he was 30 years
old in pursuit of his own truth.After a series of experiments with bodily
mortification and near-death experiences, he ultimately reached
enlightenment—that is, he discovered a way out of the sorrow that had so
severely impacted him when he first experienced the agony of old age,
sickness, and death. Following this, he became known as the Buddha, or the
Enlightened One, and went on to have a lengthy career as a teacher of the
dharma, or the path of enlightenment.

Or

Explain how the biography of the saint poetess Mirabai has been primarily
constructed. How did she defy the norms of society ? 8 Marks

Ans: Mira, a follower of Giridhar Gopal, holds a unique place among mediaeval
saints. The Ganges of devotion, which she inundated with poetry from her heart,
affected not just the arid region of Rajasthan, but the entire northern India.

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Mira was born in 1516 AD in Kurki or Chaukri Village of Merta or Rajasthan's
paragana. Mira was the daughter of Jodhpur's king, Rana Ratan Singh Rathor. Her
mother passes away when she was four years old or five years old. Her granddad
raised her. Her grandfather's religious beliefs had a strong effect on her.

Mira married Bhojraj, the son of Mewar's king, Sangram Singh, when she was 18
years old. Mira's marriage, on the other hand, was brief. Mira's spouse died only a
year after they married. Mira became a widow at a young age as a result. Mira's
father-in-law, Rana Sangram Singh, too died after a while. Mira now has no one to
rely on.As a result, she renounced worldly attachments and became lost in devotion
to Lord Krishna. She was kind to saints and began dancing in front of Krishna's
statue while wearing anklets on her feet. People at her in-residence law's saw her
behaviours as disrespectful to the family's dignity.As a result, they sought to end her
life by torturing her in various ways. Mira, who was fed up with her in-laws, is
believed to have sought Tulsidas' guidance in a letter. Tulsidas responded to Mira as
follows:

“Whoever does not love Rama and Sita should be deserted like a thousand foes, no
matter how loving he is to you.”

Mira left her house and travelled to Brindaban in search of an answer. Mira travelled
to Dwarika after spending some days there. Brahmanas from her parents house as
well as in-laws are reported to have gone to retrieve Dwarika and took her away, but
she never returned. In 1574 AD, she died in Dwarka.

She defied the norms of the societies as follows:

i. Mirabai (during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries) is arguably the most
well-known female poet in the bhakti tradition. Biographies have largely been
rebuilt from bhajans attributed to her, which were passed down orally for
generations. According to them, she was a Rajput princess from Merta in
Marwar who was forced to marry a prince of the Sisodia dynasty from Mewar,
Rajasthan.She resisted her husband and refused to accept the conventional
roles of wife and mother, instead recognising Krishna, Vishnu's incarnation,
as her lover.

ii. Raidas, a leather craftsman, was her preceptor, according to certain legends.

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 This would show her rejection of caste society's rules.

iii. Mirabai did not have a sect or group of followers, but she has been recognised
as a source of inspiration for generations.

18. Explain the ideas expressed by Gandhiji in his address at the time of opening
of Banaras Hindu University in February 1916. Did he put his precepts into
practice ? Give examples. 8 Marks

Ans: According to Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Mahatma Gandhi spent about a year
travelling throughout different parts of India in order to learn about the Indian
population. Gandhi made his first major public appearance in February 1916, at the
inauguration of BHU, or Banaras Hindu University. He thought it was terribly
unfortunate that the impoverished labourers were not addressed in the dignitaries'
remarks. As a result, when addressing the occasion, he attacked the elite.

While expressing his thoughts, he noted that the opening of this University was more
of a "beautiful show," but the growing economic divide between the millions of
impoverished Indians who were not present and the beautifully bedecked noblemen
who were present was a source of concern for him.

Furthermore, Mahatma Gandhi proposed that there would be no redemption for the
nation, India, unless the affluent stripped themselves of their jewellery and held it in
trust for their compatriots in India. He went on in order to argue that there is no such
thing as a spirit of self-government in them if they let others or themselves steal
virtually all of the fruits of their labour away from the peasant.He stressed that their
redemption can only come from farmers, not physicians, attorneys, or wealthy
landowners.

It is also worth emphasising that the launching of this institution was a cause for joy
because it was created by Indian labour and money. Instead of congratulating
himself, Gandhiji intended to remind those there of the labourers and peasants who
were supposed to constitute the majority of the Indian population but were not
present.

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Thus, Gandhiji's address at the University in 1916 was symptomatic of the fact that
Indian nationalism was a creation of elites such as physicians, landowners, and
attorneys. Apart from that, it was Mahatma Gandhi's first public declaration of his
intention to make Indian nationalism more exactly representative of Indian people
as a whole.

Or

How do autobiographies, Government records and newspapers help us in

knowing about Gandhiji ? Explain. 8 Marks

Ans: Private letters and autobiographies include a wealth of information about a

person. With this information, we can establish a fairly good assessment of the
individual's philosophy and career. For example, Gandhi's writings and
autobiography are extremely helpful in comprehending Gandhiji and his ideas.

The following are the many sources from which Gandhi's political career was
derived:

i. Autobiographies: They provide us with a historical account that is rich in

human detail. Autobiographies are typically written from recollection and are
retroactive descriptions. They inform us what the author was able to recall,
what he or she considered as significant or was recalling, or how a person
wanted others to see his or her life.

ii. Government Records: Letters and reports produced by police officers and
other authorities were kept secret at the time, but they can now be found in
archives. One such source is the home department's fortnightly report from
the early twentieth century.These reports were based on information provided
to the police by the localities, but frequently expressed what the officials saw
or wanted to believe, for example, in fortnightly reports for the period of the
salt march, it is noted that the home department was unwilling to accept that
Mahatma Gandhi's actions elicited any enthusiastic response from the masses.

iii. Newspaper Records: Both Indian and international media were critical in
covering the news of the Indian National Movement and Gandhi's political
career. Every detail presented in the state reports cannot be taken as accurate

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 assertions of what happened.These facts frequently familiarise us with the
fears and concerns of the officials who had found themselves unable of
managing the movement and who were far too concerned about it gaining
pace. They were unable to decide whether or not to arrest Gandhiji.They were
also unable to comprehend the consequences of Gandhiji's detention. As a
result, it is feasible to draw the conclusion that the narratives provided by
private letters and memoirs differ from the official account in a number of
ways.

Part-D

19. 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. 8 Marks

i. What did Avantiputta want to know from Kachchana about Brahmanas?

Ans: Avantiputta wanted to hear what Kachchana felt of Brahmanas, who believed

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 that they were the best caste and that all other castes were inferior. The Brahmanas
claimed to be a fair caste, whereas the inhabitants of all other castes were dark.
Brahmana claims were pure, whereas non-brahmana assertions were not pure.
They claimed to be Brahma's sons, having been birthed from his lips.

ii. What was Kachchana's reply ?

Ans: Kachchana responded, "If a Shudra is affluent, would another Shudra, a

Kshatriya, a Brahmana, or a Vaishya approach him politely?" He went on to say
that money, which used to vary the position determined by varnas, is now always
the same.

iii. Explain. If a Shudra had wealth, would Brahmanas and others speak to
him politely ? Give reasons.

Ans: If a shudra possessed riches, Brahmanas and others would address him nicely
since wealth alters a person's socioeconomic position. If a shudra becomes affluent,
other shudras, kshatriyas, brahmanas, and vaishyas will modify their attitudes about
him.

Avantiputta responded that if a shudra had riches, corn, or silver, he might have
another shudra as his loyal servant to wake up earlier than him, sleep later, follow
out his commands, and talk respectfully; or he could even have a kshatriya,
brahmana, or vaishya as his obedient servant.

Or

The Mother’s Advice

The Mahabharata describes how,when war between the Kauravas and the
Pandavas became almost inevitable,Gandhari made one last appeal to her
eldest son Duryodhana:

By making peace you honour your father and me,as well as your well-
wishers...it is the wise man in control of his senses who guards his
kingdom.Greed and anger drag a man away from his profits;by defeating these
two enemies a king conquers the Earth...You will happily enjoy the Earth,my
son,along with the wise and heroic Pandavas...There is no good in a war, no law

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(dharma) and profit (artha), let alone happiness; nor is there (necessarily)
victory in the end-don’t set your mind on the war...Duryodhana did not listen
to this advice and fought and lost the war. 8 Marks

i. Explain briefly Gandhari’s appeal to Duryodhana.

Ans: Gandhari pleaded with Duryodhana to make peace with the pandavas. He
would be honouring his father and mother by doing so. Also, all of his well-
wishers. According to Gandhari, every wiseman, especially the ruler or the person
who functions as the guardian of their countries, seeks to keep his senses under
control.She also pleaded with her son not to be greedy or angry since these two
vices divert a man's attention away from his earnings. Gandhari went on to say that
if a monarch can transcend greed and wrath, he can become the great conqueror of
the entire planet.

ii. Do you agree with Gandhari’s advice to Duryodhana ? Give two

arguments in support of your answer.

Ans: Gandhari's suggestion to Duryodhana seems sound to me. In support of my

response, I may offer the following arguments:

a. Greed is a nightmare. It is a bad thing. Duryodhana likes war because

he is obstinate. He was unaware of the Pandavas' power and popularity.

b. Anger is at the core of all disputes, fights, and wars. The second leading
cause of devastation is war. War should be avoided as much as possible.

iii. Why did Duryodhana not listen to his mother’s advice ? Give two possible
reasons.

Ans: Duryodhan did not listen to his mother Gandhari’s advice because of following
reasons:

a. Duryodhan had lofty ambitions. He used to regard the Pandavas as

political competitors and adversaries.

b. Duryodhan was a proud and enraged guy. He was not an astute guy. He
is unable to suppress his wicked instincts.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 18

20. How tanks were built?

About a tank constructed by Krishnadeva Raya, Paes wrote:

The king made a tank...at the mouth of two hills so that all the water which
comes from either one side or the other collects there; and besides this, water
comes to it from more than three leagues (approximately 15kms) by pipes which
run along the lower parts of the range outside. This water is brought from a
lake which itself overflows into a little river. The tank has three large pillars
handsomely carved with figures; these connect above with certain pipes by
which they get water when they have to irrigate their gardens and rice-fields.
In order to make this tank the said king broke down a hill… I saw so many
people at work that there must have been fifteen or twenty thousand men,
looking like ants… 8 Marks

i. Explain briefly where the tank was constructed.

Ans: The tank was constructed at:

a. The water tank was constructed where two mountains met.

b. It aided in the buildup of water from which ever would come; water
transported from a distance via pipes.

ii. Explain briefly the sources of water for tanks.

Ans: Vijayanagara's other water sources were tanks and canals. The river
Tunghbhadra supplied them with water.

iii. Explain briefly the advantages of constructing tanks.

Ans: Advantages of constructing tanks are

a. It was a massive undertaking. One mountain was crushed and

destroyed.

b. The massive task required the participation of a large number of

individuals.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 19

 Or

Cash or a kind ?

The Ain on land revenue collection:

Let him(the amil-guzar)not make it a practice of taking only in cash but also in
kind.The latter is effected in several ways.First, Kankut ; in the Hindi language
kan signifies grain, and kut,estimates...If any doubts arise,the crops should be
cut and estimated in three lots, the good, the middling, and the inferior, and the
hesitation removed. Often, too, the land taken by appraisement,gives a
sufficiently accurate return. Secondly, batai, also called bhaoli, the crops are
reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties.But
in this case several intelligent inspectors are required;otherwise, the evil-
minded and false are given to deception.Thirdly,khet-batai,when they divide
the fields after they are sown .Fourthly ,lang batai,after cutting the grain, they
form it on heaps and divide it among themselves,and each takes his share home
and turns it to profit. 8 Marks

i. Explain the term Kankut.

Ans: Kankut: Kankut was a simple technique for collecting land income in the
form of grain or a sort of grain (not in cash). During the time of Mughal Emperor
Akbar, this was common practise. Kankut may be explained in simple terms. The
first word, it, denotes grain, while the second word, kut, implies estimations.

ii. Explain the system of batai or bhaoli system of land revenue collection.

Ans: Batai or bhaoli was a basic technique of collecting land revenue. In the
presence of the parties, the crops are harvested, staged, and split according to the
agreement (i.e. cultivator and landlord or Government officials). Batai was also
accomplished by dividing the farm (khet), i.e. the plot of land farmed and sown. In
reality, the fields were typically split after they were seeded.

iii. Explain the system of lang batai.

Ans: Lang batai: In this system, piles were made after cutting the grain
(harvesting). The harvest piles were split among the parties. Each partner used to

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 20

take his or her portion home and profit from it.

iv. Which system of land revenue collection,do you think, is better and why?

Ans: I believe that the cash system of collecting land income was superior to kankut.
The payment of land revenues in kind necessitated the honesty of authorities as well
as the honesty of cultivators.

21. “The Real Minorities are the masses of the country”

Welcoming the objections resolution introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, N.G

Ranga said:

Sir, there is a lot of talk about minorities.Who are the real minorities ? Not the
Hindus in the so-called Pakistan provinces,not the sikhs, not even the Musilims.
No,the real minorities are the masses of this country.These people are so
depressed and oppressed and suppressed till now that they are not able to take
advantage of the ordinary civils rights.What is the position ? You go to the
tribal areas.According to law,their own traditional law,their tribal law,their
lands cannot be alienated.Yet our merchants go there,and in the so-called free
market they are able to snatch their lands.Thus,even though the law goes
against this snatching away of their lands,still the merchants are able to turn
the tribal people into veritable slaves by various kinds of bonds,and make them
hereditary bond-slaves.Let us go to the ordinary villagers.There goes the
money-lender with his money and he is able to get the villagers in his
pocket.There is the landlord himself ,the zamindar, and the malguzar and there
are the various other peoples who are able to exploit these poor villagers.There
is no elementary education even among these people.These are the real
minorities that need protection and assurances of protection.In order to give
them the necessary protection,we will need much more than this Resolution…
8 Marks

i. How is the notation of minority defined by N.G Ranga ?

Ans: N.G Ranga has called attention to the genuine minority that make up the

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 21

 majority of this country's population. These folks were so unhappy, repressed, and
stifled that they were unable to exercise their basic civic rights.

ii. Do you agree with Ranga ? If not, mention who are the real minorities
according to you and why ?

Ans: Ordinary villagers' problems are as follows:

a. Merchants seize their lands and use different types of bindings to

transform the tribal people into veritable slaves, making them
hereditary bond-slaves.

b. Moneylenders use his money to buy villages, while zamindars and

malguzars exploit poor peasants.

iii. Explain the conditions for ordinary villagers.

Ans: Protection is required for genuine minorities, as well as promises of protection,

including basic education for minorities. Seats in the legislature had to be reserved
in order for them to be represented.

iv. Describe the living conditions of the tribals.

Ans: On one end of the spectrum, there are hunters and food gatherers, and on the
other, there are tribals who live in communities and function as 'caste groups.'
Tribals have a strong sense of self-identity and distinguish themselves from non-
tribals, jatis, Christians, and Muslims.

Or

“I believe separate electorates will be suicidal to the minorities”

During the debate on 27 August 1947 , Govind Ballabh Pant said :

I believe separate electorates will be suicidal to the minorities

And will do them tremendous harm. If they are isolated for ever, they can never
convert themselves into a majority and the feeling of frustration will cripple
them even from the very beginning. What is it that you desire and what is our

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 22

ultimate objective ? Do the minorities always want to remain as minorities or
do they ever expect to form an integral part of a great nation and as such to
guide and control its destinies? If they do, can they ever archive that aspiration
and the ideal if they are isolated from the rest of the community? I think it
would be extremely dangerous for them if they were segregated from the rest
of the community and kept aloof in an air-tight compartment where they would
have to rely on others even for the air they breathe … The minorities if they are
returned by separate electorates can never have any affective voice. 8 Marks

i. How will separate electorates prove suicidal to the minorities?Explain the

views of G.B. Pant ?

Ans: Separate electorates, in the opinion of G.B Pant, are suicidal to the minority
and will cause them considerable harm. If they remain isolated from the majority for
the rest of their lives, they will never be able to become a majority. They will be
crippled by their frustration.

ii. Will the creation of separate electorates solve the problem of minorities?
If so, how?

Ans: The establishment of separate electorates will not address the minority'
situation. They will always be considered a minority in the country. They will not
consider them to be an integral component of a great nation. As a result, they will
not lead themselves. Their fates also govern their luck or fortune. They will not be
able to achieve their goal.

iii. Suggest any one way to solve the problem of minorities.

Ans: If you solve the problem of minorities, common electorates should be

introduced, all communal parties should be banned, religion should be considered a
personal matter, and communal harmony should be permitted through purposeful,
job-oriented education, and inter-religious marriages should be encouraged if
possible.

Part-E

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 23

22.On the given political outline map of India mark and label any five
Harappan sites. 5 Marks

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 24

Ans:

Or

On the given political outline map of India (on page 17) mark and label the
following centres of Revolt of 1857 :

Lucknow, Azamgarh, Jabalpur, Agra, Delhi. 5 Marks

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 25

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 26
Ans:

23. On the given political outline map of India (on page 19), five centres of
National Movement have been marked as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Identify them and write
their names on the line drawn near them. 5 Marks

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 27

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 28
Ans:

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 29

Note: The following questions are only for the Blind Candidates in lieu of the map
questions (Q. No. 22 and 23)

22. Mention any five territories under Babar, Akbar and Aurangzeb. 5 Marks

Ans: Territories under Babar,Akbar, and Aurangzeb are as follows:

i. "After the death of Humayun, the Mughal Emperors entrusted the throne to
Akbar, who was later crowned in Punjab and took command of Punjab, Delhi,
and Agra."

ii. There are numerous regions under Aurangzeb's command known as

Ahmednagar (Nizam Shah territory) Telangana.

iii. Babur was victorious in the first battle when Panipat seized Delhi, Agra, and
Lodi, thereby ending the Lodi dynasty.

Or

Mention any five important Mahajanapadas and cities. 5 Marks

Ans: Important Mahajanapadas and its cities are as follows:

i. Magadha and one of its cities is Rajagriha.

ii. Kosala and its cities are Shravasti(Northern) and Kushavati(Southern).

iii. Kuru and one of its cities is Indrapastha.

iv. Avanti and one of its cities is Ujjaini or Mahishmati.

v. Gandhara and one of its cities is Taxila.

23. Mention the names of any five centres of National Movement. 5 Marks

Ans: Five centres of National Movement are:

i. Bardoli

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 30

 ii. Wardha

iii. Kheda

iv. Champaran

v. Amritsar.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 31