CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper 2026 Solved Code 61-1-2

SECTION A

1. 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 foundational Sanskrit grammar text composed by Panini around the fifth century BCE.
b) Do not confuse it with Sushrut Samhita, which is an ancient medical text.

2. 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) Remember Patliputra grew from a village into the Magadhan capital in the fifth century BCE.
b) Link this fact with the shifting of the capital from Rajagaha for full marks.

3. 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 | b | c | d
(A) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
(B) 3 | 4 | 2 | 1
(C) 2 | 3 | 4 | 1
(D) 4 | 3 | 1 | 2

Answer: (D) 4, 3, 1, 2

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember Manda is in Jammu, Kalibangan in Rajasthan, Rakhigarhi in Haryana and Lothal in Gujarat.
b) Making a simple location chart of Harappan sites helps in such matching questions.

4. 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 sixth century BCE, not the fifth century CE, so statement I is wrong.
b) Jains do not worship Lord Shiva; they revere the Tirthankaras, so statement III is incorrect.

5. 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 founded by Mahapadmananda.
b) Kanvas actually succeeded the Shungas, not the Mauryas, a common trap in this question.

6. 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 order of stone ages is Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic and then Chalcolithic.
b) Remembering "Old, Middle, New" for stone tools helps recall this sequence.

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: A photograph of a large hemispherical stone stupa on a raised platform, enclosed by a stone railing, with a stone staircase leading up to the platform, a carved gateway (torana) visible to one side, and trees and shrubs surrounding the mound.]

Answer: (B) Sanchi Stupa

Teacher's Note:
a) Sanchi Stupa in Madhya Pradesh is identified by its dome shape, railings and decorated gateways.
b) Do not confuse it with the Amravati or Barhut stupas which have different carved panels.

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 located near Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh.
b) It was originally built under Emperor Ashoka and later enlarged.

8. 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 of 1565 led to the defeat and ultimate decline of the Vijayanagara Empire.
b) Remember Rama Raya as the Vijayanagara ruler defeated in this battle.

9. 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 likely used exclusively by the royal family for worship.
b) Virupaksha temple, in contrast, was a major public shrine at Hampi.

10. 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) Abul Fazl was Akbar's court historian and wrote the Akbar Nama, including the Ain-i-Akbari section.
b) Do not confuse this with Babur-Nama, which was written by Babur himself.

11. 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 for zamindars but left peasants vulnerable to rent increases.
b) Remember that it did not lead to investment in agriculture as the British had hoped.

12. 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) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya's dargah is actually located in Delhi, making this pairing the odd one out.
b) Remember dargahs are usually located where the Sufi saint lived and died.

13. 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 a formless, genderless "rab" is the basis of his Nirguna Bhakti belief.
b) Check that the Reason logically explains the Assertion before choosing option (A).

14. 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 wrote a detailed account of Mughal India under Aurangzeb.
b) Do not confuse him with Ibn Battuta or Marco Polo, who wrote about earlier periods.

15. 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 American forces during the War of Independence and became the first President.
b) Do not confuse him with Abraham Lincoln, who is associated with the Civil War.

16. 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 travelled widely and left a detailed account of Delhi Sultanate society.
b) His expertise in Islamic law explains his appointment as Qazi of Delhi.

17. 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

Answer: (A) Gonoo - Chotanagpur

Teacher's Note:
a) Gonoo was a tribal leader of the Kol community who led the revolt in Chotanagpur.
b) Shahmal was actually associated with the region around Delhi, not Hyderabad.

18. 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
I | II | III | IV
(A) a | c | b | d
(B) c | d | b | a
(C) b | a | c | d
(D) d | b | a | c

Answer: (B) c, d, b, a

Teacher's Note:
a) These were among the fifteen women members of the Constituent Assembly.
b) Carefully match each name to its constituency as given in the marking scheme.

19. 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's Objectives Resolution laid down the guiding principles of the Constitution.
b) He also moved the resolution on the design of the national flag in 1947.

20. 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) The 1840s in Bombay Deccan actually saw agrarian expansion with rising crop prices.
b) Widespread peasant uprisings due to distress occurred later, in 1875, not in this decade.

21. 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's threat lay in the broad participation of soldiers, peasants, taluqdars and rulers together.
b) This unity across social groups made the uprising unprecedented for the British.

SECTION B

22. Examine the major contribution of R.E.M. Wheeler as Director General of Archaeological Survey of India. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. R.E.M. Wheeler became Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1944.
2. He corrected the problem in John Marshall's method, which had excavated sites along uniform horizontal units regardless of the actual layers of the mound.
3. Wheeler instead followed the natural stratigraphy of the mound and brought military precision to the practice of archaeology in India.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember the keyword "stratigraphy" as it is central to Wheeler's contribution.
b) Contrast Wheeler's method with Marshall's horizontal digging for full marks.

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

Answer:
1. Amravati stupa was discovered before scholars understood the true value of such archaeological finds.
2. A local raja found the ruins and decided to use the stone slabs to construct a temple.
3. Walter Elliot collected many sculptured slabs and took them to Madras, while others were sent to the Asiatic Society at Calcutta and to London, and later officials continued to remove sculptures from the site.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention Walter Elliot by name, as this is a key value point.
b) Note how ignorance of heritage value led to loss of monuments.

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 composed and circulated over many centuries.
2. They contained stories of gods and goddesses written in simple Sanskrit verse, meant to be read aloud to everyone, including women and Shudras who lacked access to Vedic learning.
3. Much of their content evolved through interaction among priests, merchants and ordinary people who travelled and shared ideas and beliefs.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the accessibility of Puranas to women and Shudras as a key exam point.
b) Note the simple Sanskrit language used, unlike the Vedas.

24. 'Al-Biruni faced many obstacles in the understanding of India.' Explain the statement with examples. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The first obstacle was language, as Sanskrit was very different from Arabic and Persian, making translation of ideas difficult.
2. The second barrier was the difference in religious beliefs and practices between Indian society and Al-Biruni's own background.
3. The third barrier was the self-absorption and insularity of the local population, and Al-Biruni depended almost exclusively on Brahmana works to understand Indian society.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember the three obstacles: language, religion, and social insularity.
b) Note his heavy reliance on Brahmanical texts as a limitation of his account.

25. (a) Describe the ceremonial features of Mahanavami Dibba. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Rituals associated with the Mahanavami Dibba coincided with the Mahanavami festival.
2. Ceremonies included worship of the image and the state horse, and sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals, along with dances, wrestling matches and processions of caparisoned horses, elephants and soldiers.
3. The king inspected his army and the armies of the nayakas in a grand open-field ceremony, and the nayakas brought rich gifts along with the stipulated tribute.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mahanavami Dibba is located at Hampi, capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
b) Mention the military review aspect for a complete answer.

OR

(b) Describe the role of Amar Nayaka in the administration of Vijayanagara Empire. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Amara-nayakas were military commanders given territories to govern by the raya (king).
2. They collected taxes from peasants, craftspersons and traders, retaining part of the revenue for personal use and to maintain contingents of horses and elephants.
3. They sent annual tribute to the king and personally appeared with gifts to express loyalty; kings kept control over them by transferring them from place to place.

Teacher's Note:
a) This system is similar to later revenue-assignment systems like the mansabdari-jagirdari system.
b) Remember the term "amara" refers to a revenue and military assignment.

26. Analyse the Richardian ideas of average rent on land. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. According to Ricardian ideas, a landowner should have a claim only to the "average rent" prevailing at a given time.
2. If the land yielded more than this average rent, the landowner had a surplus which the state needed to tax.
3. If this surplus was left untaxed, cultivators would tend to become mere rentiers and their income was unlikely to be invested productively in improving the land.

Teacher's Note:
a) This theory influenced British revenue policy in the Bombay Deccan.
b) Remember the phrase "average rent" as the key term from Ricardo's idea.

27. Explain the role of B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. B.R. Ambedkar, a lawyer and economist, was an important member of the Constituent Assembly.
2. He joined the Union Cabinet as Law Minister.
3. He served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution and had the responsibility of guiding the Draft Constitution through the Assembly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember "Chairman of the Drafting Committee" as the key designation to mention.
b) Note his dual role as both a Cabinet Minister and Assembly member.

SECTION C

28. (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 such as Champaran, Kheda and Ahmedabad before launching a nationwide movement.
2. After the First World War, the British imposed press censorship and permitted detention without trial, and in 1919 the Rowlatt Act was promulgated, curtailing civil liberties further.
3. Gandhiji called for a countrywide campaign against the Act; shops shut down and schools closed as protests spread.
4. Protests were especially intense in Punjab, and Gandhiji himself was detained while proceeding there.
5. Workers went on strike, lawyers refused to attend courts, and students left schools and colleges in large numbers.
6. Peasants 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.
7. Gandhiji believed that if non-cooperation was carried out effectively, India would win swaraj within a year.
8. As a result, the British Raj was shaken to its foundations for the first time since the Revolt of 1857, and the movement transformed Indian nationalism into a genuine mass movement with Gandhiji as its popular leader.

Teacher's Note:
a) Give concrete examples like the Rowlatt Act, Punjab protests and Kumaun peasants for full marks.
b) The key thesis to remember is the transformation of the movement from elite to mass participation.

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:
Reasons for the Salt March:
1. It followed the failure of the Simon Commission to satisfy Indian political demands.
2. The Lahore session of Congress in 1929 had resolved to achieve Purna Swaraj and decided to launch Civil Disobedience.
3. Gandhiji chose salt because it was a common household necessity needed by everybody, over which the government held a monopoly.
4. People were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use and were compelled to buy it from shops at a high price.

Answer (continued):
Significance of the Salt Movement:
1. It brought Gandhiji and the Indian freedom struggle to world attention.
2. The march received wide coverage in the European and American press.
3. It was the first nationalist activity in which women participated on a large scale.
4. It convinced the British that their rule could not last long and that they would have to devolve some power to Indians.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure the answer clearly into causes (4 marks) and results (4 marks) as instructed.
b) Remember the salt monopoly and its universal use as the symbolic core of the protest.

29. (a) Explain the role of village panchayats of Mughal period. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. An important role of the panchayat was to ensure that caste boundaries in the village were upheld.
2. All marriages had to be conducted in the presence of the panchayat.
3. Panchayats had the authority to levy fines and impose stringent punishments for serious offences.
4. Each caste (jati) in the village had its own jati panchayat that arbitrated civil disputes between members of different castes.
5. Jati panchayats mediated contested claims on land, decided whether marriages followed proper norms, and determined ritual precedence in village functions.
6. Even people from the lowest rung of society could appeal to the panchayat for justice.
7. The village panchayat was regarded as a court of appeal that ensured the state carried out its moral obligation to guarantee justice.
8. The panchayat's decisions prevailed over villagers and it helped maintain overall law and order in the village.

Teacher's Note:
a) Distinguish clearly between the general village panchayat and the separate caste-based jati panchayats.
b) Remember the phrase "court of appeal" as an important NCERT keyword.

OR

(b) Explain the status and role of zamindars in Mughal period. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Zamindars were landed proprietors who enjoyed special economic and social status by virtue of belonging to a higher class.
2. They held extensive personal lands known as milkiyat, which they could sell, bequeath or mortgage at will.
3. Zamindars often collected land revenue on behalf of the state and were financially compensated for this service.
4. Control over military resources, including fortresses and armed contingents, was another important source of their power.
5. They performed certain services (khidmat) for the state and consolidated their zamindaris through colonisation of new lands, transfer of rights, state orders or purchase.
6. Though zamindars were an exploitative class, there was also an element of reciprocity, paternalism and patronage in their relationship with the peasantry.
7. They spearheaded colonisation of agricultural land, helping settle cultivators by providing means of cultivation, including cash loans.
8. The buying and selling of zamindaris, and the sale of produce from milkiyat lands in markets called haats, accelerated the process of monetisation in the countryside.

Teacher's Note:
a) Present both the exploitative and paternalistic sides of the zamindar's role for a balanced answer.
b) Remember the technical terms "milkiyat" and "khidmat" as key value points.

30. (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. Despite its importance, there are definite limits to what epigraphy can reveal about the past.
2. There are technical limitations, as letters on inscriptions are often very faintly engraved and difficult to read.
3. Inscriptions may be damaged, with letters missing, making complete recovery of their content difficult.
4. It is not always possible to understand the exact meaning of certain words used in old inscriptions.
5. Although several thousand inscriptions have been discovered, not all of them have been fully deciphered.
6. Many inscriptions that must have once existed have not survived the ravages of time.
7. Not everything that was politically or economically significant was necessarily recorded in inscriptions.
8. The content of an inscription almost always reflects the perspective of the person or persons who commissioned it, rather than an objective account.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention both technical limits (damage, faint letters) and interpretive limits (patron's perspective) for full marks.
b) Remember that survival of inscriptions is a matter of chance, which biases the evidence available.

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:
Sources used by historians:
1. Archaeological finds, especially sculpture, provide important evidence about Mauryan art and culture.
2. Contemporary works such as the writings of the Greek ambassador Megasthenes offer valuable outside observations.
3. Kautilya's Arthashastra is another key textual source on statecraft and administration.
4. Buddhist, Jain and Puranic literature, along with Sanskrit works like the Ashokavadana, add further information.
5. Inscriptions of Ashoka on rocks and pillars, together with coins, serve as direct primary sources.

Answer (continued):
Administration of the Mauryan empire:
1. For administrative purposes, the empire was divided into five major political centres, covering diverse regions such as the Odisha coast and the hilly terrain of Afghanistan.
2. Administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and provincial centres, which were carefully chosen and connected by improved land and river routes.
3. The army was important for maintaining peace and controlling frontiers, and Megasthenes mentions a committee with six sub-committees for coordinating military activity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Structure the answer clearly as sources (5 marks) and administration (3 marks) following the split given.
b) Name specific sources such as the Arthashastra and Megasthenes' account to earn value points.

SECTION D

31. 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."

31.1 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 declared that he was relinquishing all his rights over them.

Teacher's Note:
a) Note that both the land and the tools/provisions were part of the offering.
b) Remember the ruler gave up all rights to the property, not just partial ownership.

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

Answer: Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya did not accept the gift; he lamented that gardens, fields and lands were of no use to him and pointed out that none of his spiritual predecessors had engaged in such worldly activity.

Teacher's Note:
a) Quote his lament "What have I to do with gardens and fields and lands" for a precise answer.
b) Link his refusal to the Sufi ideal of detachment from worldly possessions.

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

Answer:
1. In the story he narrated, Shaikh Fariduddin accepted only the money offered, not the land deeds, because he wished to distribute it among the dervishes (Sufis).
2. The money could be used by the Sufis for their basic needs such as food and clothing, while the land was to be given away to those who desired it.

Teacher's Note:
a) Distinguish clearly between accepting money for dervishes and refusing land for personal gain.
b) This illustrates the Sufi principle of using wealth for the community, not for oneself.

32. 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.

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

Answer: Hanwant Singh was pained that the British had taken away his ancestral family lands and subdued Indian rulers; despite this, he had given shelter to the British officer and saved his life, but was now compelled to march against the British to drive them out of the country.

Teacher's Note:
a) Note the contrast between saving the officer's life and yet fighting the British - a key point.
b) Mention the loss of ancestral land as the root cause of his anguish.

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

Answer: Taluqdars were given control and power over land, allowed to maintain armed retainers and build forts, and enjoyed a considerable degree of autonomy in their territories.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember armed retainers and forts as the two key privileges taluqdars enjoyed.
b) Link this autonomy to their strong local influence over peasants.

32.3 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 them from land wherever possible.
2. Many taluqdars lost more than half of the total number of villages they had previously held under British settlement policies, causing deep resentment.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention the loss of villages with a specific detail like "more than half" for full marks.
b) Link this economic loss directly to their support for the Revolt of 1857.

33. 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.

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

Answer: The basic cause of the conflict was the struggle for supremacy over land and power, as the dominant Kauravas wanted to rule under all circumstances and were unwilling to share the kingdom with the Pandavas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Keep the focus on land and power as the core cause, not personal rivalry alone.
b) This links to the broader theme of dynastic succession disputes in ancient India.

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

Answer: Gandhari argued that making peace would honour his father, mother and well-wishers, that greed and anger drag a man away from his true profit, and that there is no guarantee of happiness or victory in war.

Teacher's Note:
a) Quote her warning about "greed and anger" as a key value point from the passage.
b) Mention that she stressed there is no certainty of victory even after a war.

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

Answer:
1. Duryodhana was ambitious and wanted to become the sole ruler of the entire kingdom.
2. He was driven by jealousy and greed and was unwilling to make peace or share power with the Pandavas.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasise personal traits like greed and jealousy as the reasons for his refusal.
b) Contrast this with Gandhari's advice on the futility of war for full marks.

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
(ii) Kashi - early state.
(iii) (a) Goa - an area under Aurangzeb

OR

(b) Thanjavur - a medieval town.

[Figure: Outline political map of India with arrows pointing to marked locations for labelling: one near Gujarat/Kathiawar coast for Nageshwar, one in the Gangetic plain of Uttar Pradesh for Kashi, one on the west coast for Goa (or one in Tamil Nadu for Thanjavur), and two additional points marked A (near Uttar Pradesh) and B (near the Gujarat coast) for identification of national movement centres.]

Answer:
(i) Nageshwar: a mature Harappan site, to be marked on the Saurashtra/Kathiawar coast of Gujarat in western India.
(ii) Kashi: an early state (mahajanapada), to be marked at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh in the middle Gangetic plain.
(iii)(a) Goa: an area under Aurangzeb's rule, to be marked on the west coast of India, south of Maharashtra.
(OR (b) Thanjavur: a medieval town, to be marked in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India.)

Teacher's Note:
a) Mark each location precisely within its correct modern state boundary for full marks.
b) Label neatly with both the name and a clear symbol as instructed.

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, a centre associated with the Non-Cooperation Movement, located in Uttar Pradesh.
2. B refers to Dandi, the centre associated with Gandhiji's Salt March, located on the Gujarat coast.

Teacher's Note:
a) Remember Chauri Chaura is linked with the Non-Cooperation Movement's withdrawal in 1922.
b) Remember Dandi is linked with the Salt March of 1930.

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, Kusinagara, Shravasti, Champa, Mathura, Indraprastha, Taxila, Pushkalavati.

Teacher's Note:
a) These were capitals of the early mahajanapadas mentioned in ancient texts.
b) Any two correctly named capitals will earn full marks.

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

Answer: Delhi (the marking scheme also accepts Agra, Ajmer or Goa).

Teacher's Note:
a) Any one correctly named Mughal territory under Aurangzeb is sufficient.
b) Delhi, being the Mughal capital, is the safest choice to remember.

OR

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

Answer: Hampi.

Teacher's Note:
a) Hampi, on the Tungabhadra river, was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire.
b) It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today.

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 were Gandhiji's earliest local movements before the mass phase.
b) Dandi and Chauri Chaura are linked with the Salt March and Non-Cooperation Movement respectively.

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