CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper 2026 Solved Code 61-1-1

SECTION A

1. Match the Column - I with Column - II and choose the correct option : [1 Mark]
Column - I (Harappan Sites): a. Manda | b. Kalibangan | c. Rakhigarhi | d. Lothal
Column - II (Present Location): 1. Haryana | 2. Gujarat | 3. Rajasthan | 4. Jammu
(A) a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4
(B) a-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
(C) a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
(D) a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2

Answer: (D) a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember Manda is in Jammu, the northernmost Harappan site.
b) Lothal in Gujarat is famous for its dockyard.
c) Rakhigarhi in Haryana is one of the largest Harappan sites.

2. Arrange the following in correct chronological order and choose the correct option : [1 Mark]
I. Chalcolithic Age
II. Mesolithic Age
III. Neolithic Age
IV. Paleolithic Age
(A) I, IV, III, II
(B) IV, II, III, I
(C) II, III, I, IV
(D) III, I, IV, II

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

Teacher's Note:
a) The correct sequence is Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic, Chalcolithic.
b) Remember these ages progress from stone tools to the use of copper.

3. Which one of the following is a work of Panini on Sanskrit grammar ? [1 Mark]
(A) Sushrut Samhita
(B) Natyashastra
(C) Ashtadhyayi
(D) Abhigyanshakuntlam

Answer: (C) Ashtadhyayi

Teacher's Note:
a) Ashtadhyayi is a treatise on Sanskrit grammar composed by Panini.
b) Do not confuse it with Sushrut Samhita, which is a medical text.

4. Which of the following pairs is correctly matched ? [1 Mark]
(Ancient Dynasties) (Lineage)
(A) Kanvas - Successors of Mauryas
(B) Mauryas - Successors of Mahapadmananda
(C) Satvahanas - Successors of Kushanas
(D) Shakas - Successors of Chalukyas

Answer: (B) Mauryas - Successors of Mahapadmananda

Teacher's Note:
a) The Mauryas succeeded the Nanda dynasty, of which Mahapadmananda was the founder.
b) The Kanvas actually succeeded the Sungas, not the Mauryas.

5. Fill in the blank with the appropriate option given below : [1 Mark]
In the ancient period, each city had a history of its own, _________ began as a village but in fifth century B.C.E the Magadhan rulers shifted their capital from Rajagaha to this settlement.
(A) Vidisha
(B) Taxila
(C) Ujjain
(D) Patliputra

Answer: (D) Patliputra

Teacher's Note:
a) Patliputra grew from a small village to the capital of Magadha.
b) The shift from Rajagaha to Patliputra took place in the 5th century BCE.

6. Which of the following statements regarding Jainism is correct ? [1 Mark]
I. Vardhaman Mahavira was born in 5th Century CE.
II. Mahavira was the 24th Tirathankar.
III. Jains worship Lord Shiva as Mahavira.
IV. The principle of Ahimsa is emphasised in Jainism.
(A) Only I and II are correct.
(B) Only II and III are correct.
(C) Only III and IV are correct.
(D) Only II and IV are correct.

Answer: (D) Only II and IV are correct.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mahavira was born in the 6th century BCE, not 5th century CE, so statement I is wrong.
b) Jains worship the Tirthankaras, not Lord Shiva, so statement III is wrong.
c) Ahimsa (non-violence) is the central principle of Jainism.

7. Identify the following structure from the options given below : [1 Mark]
(A) Amravati Stupa
(B) Sanchi Stupa
(C) Barhut Stupa
(D) Sarnath Stupa

[Figure: Photograph of a large hemispherical stone stupa mound with a chhatra (umbrella-like finial) on top, a stone railing around it, a staircase leading up to it, and trees and ruins surrounding it.]

Answer: (B) Sanchi Stupa

Teacher's Note:
a) Sanchi Stupa is well preserved with its dome, railing and gateways intact.
b) It is located in Madhya Pradesh and is one of the best-preserved Buddhist stupas in India.

For Visually Impaired Candidates (in lieu of Q. 7)

In which of the following modern states of India is Sanchi Stupa located ? [1 Mark]
(A) Maharashtra
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh

Teacher's Note:
a) Sanchi is situated in Madhya Pradesh, near Bhopal.
b) It is one of the most important Buddhist sites in India.

8. Which of the following chronicles was authored by Abul-Fazl ? [1 Mark]
(A) Babur-Nama
(B) Humayun-Nama
(C) Akbar-Nama
(D) Padshah-Nama

Answer: (C) Akbar-Nama

Teacher's Note:
a) Akbar-Nama was written by Abul Fazl, Akbar's court historian.
b) Babur-Nama was written by Babur himself, and Humayun-Nama by Gulbadan Begum.

9. The battle at Talikota (Rakshasi Tangri) was fought between which two of the following groups ? [1 Mark]
(A) Between Krishnadeva Raya and rulers of Madurai, Ikkeri and Mysore
(B) Between Rama Raya and rulers of Bijapur, Gingee and Bidar
(C) Between Krishnadeva Raya and rulers of Golconda, Kolar, and Chandragiri
(D) Between Ram Raya and rulers of Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmednagar

Answer: (D) Between Ram Raya and rulers of Bijapur, Golconda and Ahmednagar

Teacher's Note:
a) This battle in 1565 led to the defeat and death of Rama Raya.
b) It marked the beginning of the decline of the Vijayanagara empire.

10. Which of the following temples at Vijayanagara was meant to be used only by the king and his family ? [1 Mark]
(A) Vitthala temple
(B) Chidambaram temple
(C) Hazara Ram temple
(D) Virupaksha temple

Answer: (C) Hazara Ram temple

Teacher's Note:
a) The Hazara Rama temple was probably meant for the private worship of the royal family.
b) Virupaksha temple, in contrast, was used for public worship.

11. Identify the foreign traveller with the help of the following information : [1 Mark]
He was Moroccan traveller of the 14th century.
He had the expertise of Islamic religion law.
He was appointed Qazi of Delhi by Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(A) Al-Biruni
(B) Seydi Ali Reis
(C) Ibn Batuta
(D) Mahmud Ali Balkhi

Answer: (C) Ibn Batuta

Teacher's Note:
a) Ibn Batuta was a Moroccan scholar of Islamic law who travelled widely.
b) He served as Qazi of Delhi under Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

12. Who among the following is the author of the book of travels called 'Travels in the Mughal Empire' ? [1 Mark]
(A) Francois Bernier
(B) Roberto Nobile
(C) Duarte Barbosa
(D) Marco Polo

Answer: (A) Francois Bernier

Teacher's Note:
a) Bernier was a French traveller who visited India during Mughal times.
b) His account gives detailed comparisons between Mughal India and Europe.

13. Find the odd one out from the following : [1 Mark]
(Sufi Teachers) (Location of Dargah)
(A) Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti - Ajmer
(B) Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki - Delhi
(C) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya - Agra
(D) Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar - Ajodhan

Answer: (C) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya - Agra

Teacher's Note:
a) The dargah of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya is actually located in Delhi, not Agra.
b) This makes option (C) the incorrectly matched, hence odd, pair.

14. Two statements as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Read them carefully and choose the correct option : [1 Mark]
Assertion (A) : Baba Guru Nanak Devji advocated Nirguna Bhakti.
Reason (R) : For Baba Guru Nanak, the absolute or 'rab' had no gender or form.
(A) Assertion (A) is correct and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(B) Assertion (A) is correct, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is correct, but Reason (R) is incorrect.
(D) Assertion (A) is incorrect, but Reason (R) is correct.

Answer: (A) Assertion (A) is correct and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Teacher's Note:
a) Guru Nanak's concept of 'rab' was formless and genderless, which supports Nirguna Bhakti.
b) Always check whether the reason logically explains the assertion before choosing the option.

15. Which of the following statements accurately describe the conditions of Bombay-Deccan from 1840 to 1850 ? [1 Mark]
I. There was significant agrarian expansion during this period.
II. Prices of the agricultural products were rising steadily.
III. There were frequent peasant uprisings due to economic distress.
IV. The agrarian landscape largely remained progressive.
(A) Only I and III are correct.
(B) Only II and IV are correct.
(C) Only I and II are correct.
(D) Only III and IV are correct.

Answer: (C) Only I and II are correct.

Teacher's Note:
a) 1840-50 was a period of agrarian expansion and rising crop prices in Bombay-Deccan.
b) The peasant uprisings and agrarian distress came later, around 1875.

16. Identify the major long-term consequence of the permanent settlement for the Indian peasantry from the following : [1 Mark]
(A) Increased ownership of land among farmers.
(B) Investment in agricultural technology.
(C) Increased exploitation and indebtness.
(D) Abolition of all kinds of landlordism.

Answer: (C) Increased exploitation and indebtness.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Permanent Settlement fixed revenue but did not improve peasant conditions.
b) It led to greater exploitation of peasants by zamindars and moneylenders.

17. Who amongst the following American Presidents played a decisive role in the American War of Independence ? [1 Mark]
(A) Abraham Lincoln
(B) Thomas Jefferson
(C) John F. Kennedy
(D) George Washington

Answer: (D) George Washington

Teacher's Note:
a) George Washington led the Continental Army during the American War of Independence.
b) He later became the first President of the United States.

18. Why was the Revolt of 1857 viewed as a serious threat by the British ? Choose the most appropriate option : [1 Mark]
(A) It has hurt their global trade.
(B) It shook the entire colonial system of the world.
(C) It united all the sections of Indian Society.
(D) It led to their defeat in South India.

Answer: (C) It united all the sections of Indian Society.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Revolt brought together peasants, sepoys, taluqdars and rulers against the British.
b) This wide unity, rather than trade or regional defeat, made it a serious threat.

19. Choose the correct pair regarding the local leaders during the Revolt of 1857. [1 Mark]
List - I (Local Leader): (A) Gonoo | (B) Shahmal | (C) Kunwar Singh | (D) Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah
List - II (Region): Chotanagpur | Hyderabad | Kanpur | Arrah
(A) Gonoo - Chotanagpur
(B) Shahmal - Hyderabad
(C) Kunwar Singh - Kanpur
(D) Maulavi Ahmadullah Shah - Arrah

Answer: (A) Gonoo - Chotanagpur

Teacher's Note:
a) Gonoo was a tribal leader from Chotanagpur who led the Kol rebellion during 1857.
b) Shahmal actually led the revolt near Delhi, and Kunwar Singh led it in Arrah.

20. Identify the Indian Political Leader with the help of the following information : [1 Mark]
I. He moved the 'Objectives resolution' in the Constituent Assembly.
II. He moved the resolution proposing that the National flag be a horizontal tricolor of saffron, white and dark green in equal proportions with a wheel of navy blue colour in the centre.
(A) Sardar Patel
(B) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(D) Dr. Radhakrishnan

Answer: (B) Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru

Teacher's Note:
a) Nehru moved the Objectives Resolution in December 1946.
b) He also proposed the design of the national flag in the Constituent Assembly.

21. Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option : [1 Mark]
List of Women members in the Constituent Assembly
Column - I (Women member): I. Sarojini Naidu | II. Hansa Mehta | III. Vijayalakshmi Pandit | IV. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur
Column - II (Constituency): a. Central Province | b. Uttar Pradesh | c. Bihar | d. Bombay
(A) I-a, II-c, III-b, IV-d
(B) I-c, II-d, III-b, IV-a
(C) I-b, II-a, III-c, IV-d
(D) I-d, II-b, III-a, IV-c

Answer: (B) I-c, II-d, III-b, IV-a

Teacher's Note:
a) Sarojini Naidu represented Bihar and Hansa Mehta represented Bombay in the Constituent Assembly.
b) Vijayalakshmi Pandit came from Uttar Pradesh and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur from the Central Province.

SECTION B

22. Examine the major contribution of John Marshall as Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. John Marshall's tenure marked a major change in Indian archaeology, as he was the first professional archaeologist to hold this post, bringing scientific methods to excavation work in India.
2. He was primarily interested in obtaining spectacular finds and excavated sites along regular horizontal units, uncovering large areas layer by layer.
3. However, he ignored the stratigraphy of the site and grouped together all artefacts recovered from the same unit, even if they belonged to different layers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention "horizontal excavation" and "ignored stratigraphy" as key value points.
b) A common mistake is confusing Marshall's method with the vertical, stratigraphy-based method used later by Wheeler.

23. (a) Explain the causes of the ruin of Stupa at Amravati. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Amravati was discovered before scholars understood the true value of such finds, and a local raja stumbled upon the ruins and used its stone to build a temple.
2. Walter Elliot collected many sculptured slabs from the site and took them to Madras; some were later sent to the Asiatic Society of Bengal in Calcutta and some to London.
3. These sculptures were also found decorating the gardens of British administrators, and any new official posted in the area continued to remove sculptures from the site.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember the names Walter Elliot and the destinations Madras, Calcutta and London.
b) Highlight that the damage was done both by locals and by British officials.

OR

(b) Explain the significance of Pauranic Hinduism of the ancient India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Puranas were compiled by Brahmanas and contained material that had been composed and circulated for centuries, written in simple Sanskrit verse.
2. They included stories about gods and goddesses and were meant to be read aloud to everybody, including women and Shudras who did not have access to Vedic learning.
3. Much of the content evolved through interaction among priests, merchants and ordinary men and women who travelled and shared ideas and beliefs across regions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasise the inclusive nature of Puranic Hinduism as it reached women and Shudras.
b) Note the simple Sanskrit verse form as a reason for its wide popularity.

24. "Ibn Batuta was amazed by the efficiency of Indian postal system." Explain the statement with examples. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The state encouraged merchants by supplying inns and guest houses along trade routes, and the postal system allowed merchants to send information and remit credit across long distances.
2. It was so efficient that while it took fifty days to travel from Sind to Delhi, spies' reports reached the Sultan through the postal system in just five days.
3. There were two kinds of post: the horse post (uluq) using royal horses stationed every four miles, and the quicker foot post (dawa) with three stations per mile, often used to carry the fruits of Khurasan to India.

Teacher's Note:
a) Quote the "fifty days versus five days" example, as it is the most striking value point.
b) Distinguish clearly between the horse post and the foot post.

25. (a) Describe the significance of Kamalpuram tank and Hiriya Canal as sources of water for the Vijayanagara. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Vijayanagara was situated in one of the most arid zones of the peninsula, requiring elaborate arrangements to store rainwater and conduct it to the city.
2. The Kamalpuram tank, built in the early fifteenth century, stored rainwater that was used both for the royal centre and for irrigation.
3. The Hiriya canal drew water from a dam built across the Tungabhadra river and was used to irrigate the cultivated valley.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember Kamalpuram tank for royal use and Hiriya canal for irrigation of the valley.
b) Note the arid geography of Vijayanagara as the reason for these elaborate water systems.

OR

(b) Describe the views of Dominingo Paes on the city of Vijaynagara. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Domingo Paes saw Vijayanagara as a sprawling city, spread between several ranges of hills and as large as Rome, very beautiful to look at.
2. There were many groves of trees within it, houses had gardens, and many conduits of water flowed through the city, with lakes in some places.
3. The king's palace had a palm grove and other rich fruit-bearing trees close by.

Teacher's Note:
a) The comparison with Rome is a key phrase to remember from Paes's account.
b) Mention gardens, water conduits and lakes as specific details he noted.

26. Analyse the measures taken by the British to suppress the riots of Bombay-Deccan in 1875. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. As the revolt spread across Bombay-Deccan, the British saw in it the spectre of the 1857 rebellion and reacted with urgency.
2. Police posts were established in villages to frighten the peasants, and troops were quickly called in to control the situation.
3. A large number of people were arrested and many were convicted, and it took several months for the British to bring the situation fully under control.

Teacher's Note:
a) Link the British reaction to their fear of a repeat of 1857.
b) Mention both police and military measures as well as the time taken to control it.

27. Explain the main provisions of the Government of India Act, 1935. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Act was enacted by the colonial government and promised some form of representative government, but the electorate for provincial bodies was limited to not more than 10-15 percent of the adult population, with no universal adult franchise.
2. The legislatures elected under the Act operated within the framework of colonial government and remained responsible to the Governor appointed by the British.
3. Despite these limitations, the Indian National Congress came to power in 8 out of 11 provinces after the elections held under this Act.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the limited franchise (10-15%) as a key restriction of the Act.
b) Remember the figure "8 out of 11 provinces" for Congress's electoral success.

SECTION C

28. (a) "Although epigraphy is an important source of reconstructing history yet there are limits to what it can reveal." Justify the statement with suitable arguments. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Epigraphy, the study of inscriptions, is valuable for reconstructing history, but there are important limits to what it can reveal about the past.
2. There are technical limitations because the letters on many inscriptions are very faintly engraved, making them difficult to read accurately.
3. Inscriptions may be damaged over time, or letters may be missing altogether, leading to gaps in the information they provide.
4. It is not always possible to be certain about the exact meaning of specific words used in old inscriptions, which can create problems of interpretation.
5. Although several thousand inscriptions have been discovered, all of them have not yet been deciphered, translated and published, so much information remains inaccessible to historians.
6. Many more inscriptions must have existed in the past, but only a fraction of them have survived the ravages of time, weather and human activity.
7. Not everything that was politically or economically significant was necessarily recorded in inscriptions, so historians cannot rely on them for a complete picture.
8. Finally, the content of inscriptions almost invariably reflects the perspective of the person or persons who commissioned them, so they may not present an objective account of events.

Teacher's Note:
a) Organise the answer under technical, textual and perspective-based limitations for clarity.
b) The point about inscriptions reflecting the commissioner's perspective is a high-value point often missed by students.
c) Give one example, such as a damaged or undeciphered inscription, to strengthen the answer.

OR

(b) "Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan empire and also explained the ways of their administration." Justify the statement with suitable arguments. [5 + 3 = 8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct Mauryan history, including archaeological finds, especially sculpture, which reveal artistic and cultural developments of the period.
2. Contemporary works, such as the writings of the Greek ambassador Megasthenes, provide valuable outsider accounts of Mauryan society and administration.
3. Kautilya's Arthashastra is another important source, describing policies and strategies of governance believed to have been followed by the Mauryan state.
4. Buddhist, Jain and Puranic literature, along with Sanskrit literary works such as the Ashokavadana, provide additional details about rulers and events of the time.
5. Inscriptions of Ashoka on rocks and pillars, as well as coins issued during the period, serve as direct primary sources for reconstructing Mauryan history.
6. For administrative purposes, the empire was divided into five major political centres, and these capital centres were chosen very carefully to control diverse regions such as the coast of Odisha and the hilly terrain of Afghanistan.
7. Administrative control was strongest in the areas around the capitals, and communication along both land and riverine routes was improved to strengthen governance.
8. The army played an important role in maintaining peace and controlling the frontiers, and Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees that coordinated military activities.

Teacher's Note:
a) Divide the answer clearly into "sources" (5 points) and "administration" (3 points) as the question demands.
b) Mention Megasthenes and Kautilya's Arthashastra by name for full marks.
c) Remember the five provincial capitals as an important administrative detail.

29. (a) Explain the development of agriculture during Mughal period. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Agriculture was being constantly expanded during Mughal times, based on the principle of individual ownership of land by cultivators.
2. The abundance of land, availability of labour, and the mobility of peasants were three important factors that together accounted for the continuous expansion of cultivation.
3. Basic staple foods such as rice, wheat, barley and millets were grown widely, with monsoon rains forming the backbone of Indian agriculture.
4. Artificial systems of irrigation, such as wells, tanks and canals, were developed and often received support from the state.
5. Agriculture remained labour intensive, but peasants used simple technologies such as the hoe, spade and ploughshare, often harnessing the energy of cattle.
6. Cultivation was organised around two major seasonal cycles, the kharif (autumn) harvest and the rabi (spring) harvest.
7. The Mughal state encouraged peasants to cultivate commercial crops such as cotton, sugarcane and oilseeds, as these brought in higher revenue for the state.
8. During the seventeenth century, several new crops such as potatoes, tomatoes, maize and chillies reached India from different parts of the world, and in many regions two or even three crops were grown each year where water was available.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention kharif and rabi cycles clearly, as examiners look for this specific terminology.
b) New World crops like maize, chillies and potatoes are important examples to include.
c) Link commercial crops to increased state revenue for a stronger analytical answer.

OR

(b) Explain the role of women in the Agrarian society during 16th and 17th centuries. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Women performed certain specified roles in agrarian society, with men tilling and ploughing the land while women sowed, weeded, threshed and winnowed the harvest.
2. Biases related to women's biological functions continued to exist; for example, menstruating women were not allowed to touch the plough or the potter's wheel in western India, or enter groves where betel leaves were grown in Bengal.
3. Artisanal tasks such as spinning yarn, kneading clay for pottery and embroidery were commonly performed by women, and their labour was in high demand.
4. All household work was carried out by women, and they were considered an important resource in agrarian society because of their role as child bearers.
5. Women were kept under strict control by the male members of their family and community, and could face harsh punishments if suspected of infidelity.
6. Among the landed gentry, however, women had the right to inherit property, and both Hindu and Muslim women could inherit zamindaris.
7. Women who inherited zamindaris were free to sell or mortgage them according to their own wishes.
8. Thus, while women's labour was essential to agrarian production, their social position remained restricted despite certain property rights among elite groups.

Teacher's Note:
a) Balance the answer between women's economic contribution and their social restrictions.
b) The specific examples of the plough and potter's wheel show detailed knowledge.
c) Mention zamindari inheritance rights as an important exception to general restrictions.

30. (a) "Non-Cooperation Movement became an epoch in the life of Mahatma Gandhi and that of India." Explain the statement of Louis Fisher with examples. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Gandhiji gained valuable experience from localised struggles at Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad before launching an all-India movement.
2. After the First World War, the British imposed press censorship and permitted detention without trial, and in 1919 the Rowlatt Act was also passed, prompting Gandhiji to call for a countrywide campaign against it.
3. Shops were shut down, schools were closed, and protests were especially intense in Punjab, where Gandhiji was detained while proceeding there.
4. During the Non-Cooperation Movement, the working class went on strike, students stopped attending schools and colleges, and lawyers refused to attend court.
5. Farmers in Awadh refused to pay taxes, hill tribes in northern Andhra violated forest laws, and peasants in Kumaun refused to carry loads for colonial officials.
6. Gandhiji believed that if non-cooperation was carried out effectively, India would win swaraj within a year.
7. As a result of the movement, the British Raj was shaken to its foundations for the first time since the Revolt of 1857.
8. The Non-Cooperation Movement transformed the Indian national movement into a genuine mass movement and turned Gandhiji into a truly popular leader.

Teacher's Note:
a) Give at least three examples of participation (workers, students, lawyers, peasants) for full marks.
b) Connect the movement to Gandhiji's promise of swaraj within a year.
c) Emphasise the transformation into a mass movement as the key conclusion.

OR

(b) 'Gandhiji started the Salt March for various reasons and it resulted in a significant movement.' Explain the statement with examples. [4 + 4 = 8 Marks]

Answer:
1. The failure of the Simon Commission and the Congress resolution demanding Purna Swaraj at the 1929 Lahore session led to the decision to launch the Civil Disobedience Movement.
2. Gandhiji chose salt as the focus of protest because it was a common item needed by everybody, yet the state held a monopoly over its manufacture and sale.
3. People were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use and were forced to buy it from shops at high prices, which Gandhiji saw as an unjust and easily understood grievance.
4. He also argued that this policy involved wasteful destruction of a resource freely provided by nature and deprived people of a simple village industry.
5. The Salt March brought Gandhiji to worldwide attention, as it was widely covered by the European and American press.
6. It was the first major nationalist activity in which women participated on a large scale, marking an important step for their involvement in the freedom struggle.
7. The march convinced the British that their rule could not last much longer in India.
8. As a result, the British began to realise that they would eventually have to share political power with Indians.

Teacher's Note:
a) Split the answer clearly into reasons (4 points) and significance (4 points) as instructed.
b) Mention women's participation as a unique and often-tested feature of the Salt March.
c) Link the march to its long-term impact on British confidence in ruling India.

SECTION D

31. Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :

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

31.1 Explain the main cause of conflict between Kauravas and Pandavas. [1 Mark]

Answer: The main cause of the conflict was the struggle for supremacy over land and power, as the Kurus were a dominant group determined to rule at any cost.

Teacher's Note:
a) Keep this answer to a single clear sentence, since it carries only 1 mark.
b) Focus on "land and power" as the core keyword.

31.2 Why did Gandhari advice Duryodhana not to fight ? [1 Mark]

Answer: Gandhari believed that greed and anger drag a man away from his true profits, and that there is no good, no dharma, no profit and no guaranteed victory in war.

Teacher's Note:
a) Quote the idea "no good in war" directly from the passage.
b) Mention that peace would honour the family and well-wishers.

31.3 Why did Duryodhana not listen to the advice of his mother, Gandhari ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Duryodhana wanted to be the sole ruler of the kingdom and was unwilling to share power.
2. He was driven by jealousy and greed, and did not wish to make peace with the Pandavas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Give two distinct reasons since the question carries 2 marks.
b) Link his refusal to his personal ambition rather than to any external pressure.

32. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follows :

Declining a Royal Gift
This excerpt from a Sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya's hospice in 1313 :
I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) has the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya's) feet... At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens and land. The master...had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented : "What have I to do with gardens and fields and lands ?... None of .... our spiritual masters had engaged in such activity."
Then he told an appropriate story : ".... Sultan Ghiyasuddhin, who at that time was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the dervishes (Sufis), and the land of his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said : Give me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons."

32.1 Mention the offering by the local ruler to Sufi saint. [1 Mark]

Answer: The local ruler sent the deed of ownership of two gardens and much land, along with provisions and tools for their maintenance, and relinquished all his own rights over them.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention both "two gardens" and "land" as specific details.
b) Note that the ruler also gave up his own rights over the property.

32.2 What was the reaction of Sufi saint on the offerings ? [1 Mark]

Answer: Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya refused the gift, lamenting that he had no use for gardens and lands, since none of the earlier spiritual masters had engaged in such worldly activity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Use the keyword "refused/declined" clearly in the answer.
b) Mention the reference to earlier spiritual masters as supporting reasoning.

32.3 Why did Sufi saint accept money ? Explain. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The Shaikh accepted money, as told through the story of Shaikh Fariduddin, because it could be distributed among the dervishes (Sufis) for their benefit.
2. The Sufis could use this money to meet their basic needs, such as purchasing food and clothes, unlike land which tied one to worldly possessions.

Teacher's Note:
a) Distinguish clearly between accepting money and refusing land in the answer.
b) Mention "dervishes" as the beneficiaries of the money.

33. Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions :

What taluqdars thought
The attitude of the taluqdars was best expressed by Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli. During the mutiny, Hanwant Singh had given shelter to a British officer, and conveyed him to safety. While taking leave of the officer, Hanwant Singh told him :
Sahib, your countrymen came into this country. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. I have saved you. But now - now I march at the head of my retainers to Lucknow to try and drive you from the country.

33.1 Explain the anguish of Hanwant Singh for the British officer. [1 Mark]

Answer: Hanwant Singh was pained because although the British had taken away his ancestral lands, he had still saved the officer's life, and now felt bound to march against the British with his retainers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Bring out the contrast between his personal loyalty and his political resentment.
b) Mention that he had saved the officer despite his own grievance against the British.

33.2 How were Taluqdars facilitated by the rulers ? [1 Mark]

Answer: Taluqdars were given control and power over land, allowed to maintain armed retainers, build forts and enjoy a considerable degree of autonomy under earlier rulers.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention "armed retainers" and "forts" as key facilities enjoyed by taluqdars.
b) Note the degree of autonomy they possessed before British land policies.

33.3 Explain any two causes of dissatisfaction of Taluqdars from British rule. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. The British land revenue policy undermined the position and authority of the taluqdars and removed many of them from their lands wherever possible.
2. Many taluqdars lost more than half of the total number of villages they had previously held under earlier rulers, causing deep resentment against British rule.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention loss of villages and loss of authority as two distinct, separate causes.
b) Link this dissatisfaction to their later support for the Revolt of 1857.

SECTION E

34. 34.1 On the given political outline map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate signs or symbols : [3 x 1 = 3 Marks]
(i) Nageshwar - a mature Harappan site [1 Mark]
(ii) Kashi - early state. [1 Mark]
(iii) (a) Goa - an area under Aurangzeb [1 Mark]

OR

(b) Thanjavur - a medieval town. [1 Mark]

[Figure: Outline political map of India with locations to be marked for Nageshwar, Kashi, and Goa/Thanjavur, and two places marked A and B for Q. 34.2.]

Answer:
1. Nageshwar is located on the coast of Gujarat (Kathiawar/Saurashtra peninsula) and should be marked in that region.
2. Kashi (Varanasi) is located in Uttar Pradesh, on the bank of the river Ganga, and should be marked there.
3. Goa, an area under Aurangzeb's rule, is located on the west coast of India (OR Thanjavur, a medieval town, is located in Tamil Nadu in south-eastern India).

Teacher's Note:
a) Always mark the exact dot location and label neatly to score full marks in map questions.
b) Remember Nageshwar is on the Gujarat coast and Kashi is on the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh.
c) Attach the map sheet to the answer book as instructed in the paper.

34.2 On the same map two places have been marked as centres of Indian national movement as A and B. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. A refers to Chauri Chaura, located in Uttar Pradesh, associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement.
2. B refers to Dandi, located on the coast of Gujarat, associated with the Salt March.

Teacher's Note:
a) Chauri Chaura is in Uttar Pradesh and Dandi is on the Gujarat coast; do not interchange them.
b) Writing the correct name near the correct marked point is essential for scoring marks.

For Visually Impaired Candidates (in lieu of Q. 34)

34.1 Name any two important capitals of the early states. [2 Marks]

Answer: Any two of the following: Ujjaini, Kaushambi, Varanasi, Rajagriha, Vaishali, Kushinagara, Shravasti, Champa, Mathura, Indraprastha, Taxila, Pushkalavati.

Teacher's Note:
a) Any two correctly named capitals from the list will earn full marks.
b) Rajagriha and Vaishali are commonly asked and easy to remember.

34.2 (a) Name one area which was under the rule of Aurangzeb. [1 Mark]

Answer: Any one of the following: Delhi, Agra, Ajmer, Goa.

Teacher's Note:
a) Delhi and Agra were core Mughal territories, making them safe answers.
b) A single correctly named area is sufficient since this carries only 1 mark.

OR

(b) Name the capital of Vijayanagara Empire. [1 Mark]

Answer: Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Teacher's Note:
a) Hampi is the well-known and only correct answer expected here.
b) Hampi is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which helps in remembering it.

34.3 Mention any two main centres of Indian National Movement. [2 Marks]

Answer: Any two of the following: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Chauri Chaura, Dandi, Bardoli.

Teacher's Note:
a) Champaran and Kheda relate to Gandhiji's early satyagrahas, while Dandi relates to the Salt March.
b) Any two correctly named centres will secure full marks for this question.

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