CBSE Class 12 History Sample Paper 2026 27 with Solutions PDF Download

SECTION A

(Multiple Choice Type Questions) (21x1=21)

1. Read the statements about the Indus Valley Civilisation. Identify which of the following options is correct.
I. More than 2000 Harappan archaeological sites have been discovered in the Indian sub-continent.
II. Most of the sites are found located between the Indus and the Saraswati River basins. Nearly two-thirds of these settlements are in the Saraswati basin.
III. The urban phase of the civilisation, termed as Mature Harappan is the most prosperous phase.
IV. Animal bones found at Harappan sites include those of lion, elephant, and giraffe.
Options: [1 Mark]
(A) I, II and III
(B) II, III and IV
(C) I, II and IV
(D) I, III and IV

Answer: (A) I, II and III

Teacher's Note:
a) Statements I, II and III are correct facts about the spread and phases of the Harappan Civilisation.
b) Statement IV is wrong, so every option that has IV can be dropped at once.

2. Which of the following sites of Harappan civilization was a source of carnelian? [1 Mark]
(A) Shortughai
(B) Bharuch
(C) Kalibangan
(D) Banawali

Answer: (B) Bharuch

Teacher's Note:
a) Bharuch in Gujarat was a source of carnelian, a red semi-precious stone used for beads.
b) Shortughai is linked with lapis lazuli, so do not confuse the two.

3. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity in the Mauryan empire. Match the subcommittees listed in Column I with the military divisions given in Column II and select the correct answer.
Column I | Column II
a. Third subcommittee | i. Chariots
b. Fourth subcommittee | ii. Horses
c. Fifth subcommittee | iii. Foot-soldiers
d. Sixth subcommittee | iv. Elephants
Options:
a | b | c | d [1 Mark]
(A) ii | i | iv | iii
(B) i | iv | iii | ii
(C) iii | ii | i | iv
(D) iv | iii | ii | i

Answer: (C) iii | ii | i | iv

Teacher's Note:
a) The third subcommittee looked after foot-soldiers, the fourth horses, the fifth chariots and the sixth elephants.
b) Learn the six subcommittees in order from Megasthenes' account to avoid mixing them up.

4. Two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Read them carefully and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): Mandasor inscription provides a fascinating glimpse of complex social processes and provides insights into the nature of guilds or shrenis.
Reason (R): They collectively decided to invest their wealth, earned through their craft, to construct a splendid temple in honour of the Sun God.
Options: [1 Mark]
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Answer: (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

Teacher's Note:
a) The Mandasor inscription records the history of a guild of silk weavers, and they did build a Sun temple.
b) Building the temple is one detail from the inscription; it does not explain why the inscription gives insight into guilds.

5. Name the archaeologist who excavated at a village named Hastinapura in Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) in 1951-52. [1 Mark]
(A) Rakhal Das Banerji
(B) Daya Ram Sahni
(C) S.N. Roy
(D) B.B. Lal

Answer: (D) B.B. Lal

Teacher's Note:
a) B.B. Lal excavated Hastinapura in 1951-52.
b) Rakhal Das Banerji and Daya Ram Sahni are linked with Harappan sites, not Hastinapura.

6. Which of the following is NOT a vow taken by Jaina monks and nuns? [1 Mark]
(A) To practise non-violence towards all living beings
(B) To abstain from taking what is not given
(C) To observe complete celibacy
(D) To maintain personal property for religious use

Answer: (D) To maintain personal property for religious use

Teacher's Note:
a) Jaina monks and nuns vowed to give up property, not to keep it.
b) Read "NOT" carefully in such questions and pick the odd option.

7. Read the following lines and identify the source from which these are taken.
In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees … by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sickness; by sharing delicacies with them and by granting leave at times …
Choose the correct option: [1 Mark]
(A) Sutta Pitaka
(B) Ashokavadana
(C) Mahavamsa
(D) Vinaya Pitaka

Answer: (A) Sutta Pitaka

Teacher's Note:
a) The Sutta Pitaka contains the teachings of the Buddha, including advice on social relations like master and servant.
b) The Vinaya Pitaka has rules for the sangha, so it is a common wrong choice here.

8. Read the statements about the traveller. Identify which of the following option is correct.
❖ He was a French jeweller, who travelled to India at least six times.
❖ He was particularly fascinated with the trading conditions in India, and compared India to Iran and the Ottoman empire. [1 Mark]
(A) Manucci
(B) Duarte Barbosa
(C) François Bernier
(D) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

Answer: (D) Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

Teacher's Note:
a) The key words are "French jeweller" and "six times", which point to Tavernier.
b) Bernier was also French, but he was a physician, not a jeweller.

9. Choose the correct statement from the following options with reference to Kitab-ul-Hind. [1 Mark]
(A) It is divided into 90 chapters.
(B) It covers various subjects such as astrology etc.
(C) Generally, each chapter is beginning with a question, following this up with a description.
(D) It is based on Arabic traditions, and concluding with a comparison with other cultures.

Answer: (C) Generally, each chapter is beginning with a question, following this up with a description.

Teacher's Note:
a) Al-Biruni's Kitab-ul-Hind has 80 chapters, not 90.
b) Its descriptions are based on Sanskritic traditions, not Arabic ones, so option (D) is wrong.

10. The terms ‘Great and Little traditions’ were coined by a sociologist named ________. [1 Mark]
(A) John Marshall
(B) Robert Redfield
(C) Cyril Radcliffe
(D) Francis Buchanan

Answer: (B) Robert Redfield

Teacher's Note:
a) Robert Redfield was a sociologist who coined the terms great and little traditions.
b) John Marshall was an archaeologist and Francis Buchanan a surveyor, so they do not fit.

11. Which of the following Chola ruler had consecrated metal images of Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar in a Shiva temple? [1 Mark]
(A) Parantaka I
(B) Parantaka II
(C) Rajaraja Chola I
(D) Rajaraja Chola II

Answer: (A) Parantaka I

Teacher's Note:
a) Parantaka I consecrated metal images of the Nayanar saints Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar.
b) Do not confuse him with Rajaraja I, who is known for the temple at Thanjavur.

12. Look at the image given below and identify it correctly from the given options: [1 Mark]
(A) A fortified gateway of a medieval South Indian city
(B) The Lotus Mahal at Hampi
(C) The interior hall of the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
(D) The gopuram or gateway of the Brihadishvara temple at Thanjavur

[Figure: Old sepia photograph of a tall, tiered stone temple gateway tower covered with carved sculptures, with an open doorway at its base and large carved figures on either side of the doorway. Caption: Source - NCERT HISTORY BOOK 2, Chapter-7, Fig. 7.3, PAGE 172]

Answer: (D) The gopuram or gateway of the Brihadishvara temple at Thanjavur

Teacher's Note:
a) A gopuram is a tall, carved gateway tower at the entrance of a South Indian temple.
b) The Lotus Mahal is a palace-like building, not a tall carved gateway, so option (B) is wrong.

For Visually Impaired Candidates (in lieu of Q. 12)

The rulers of Vijayanagara were called__________. [1 Mark]
(A) Gajapati
(B) Ashvapati
(C) Nayakas
(D) Rayas

Answer: (D) Rayas

Teacher's Note:
a) The rulers of Vijayanagara called themselves rayas.
b) Nayakas were military chiefs under the rayas, not the rulers themselves.

13. Eighteenth-century records tell us of zamindars in Bengal remunerated blacksmiths, carpenters, even goldsmiths for their work by paying them “a small daily allowance and diet money.” This arrangement later came to be known as the__________. [1 Mark]
(A) Ryotwari system
(B) Jajmani system
(C) Mahalwari system
(D) Peshkash system

Answer: (B) Jajmani system

Teacher's Note:
a) Payment to village artisans for their services later came to be described as the jajmani system.
b) Ryotwari and Mahalwari are land revenue systems, so they do not fit here.

14. Which of the following was NOT a jins-i-kamil crop? [1 Mark]
(A) Cotton
(B) Sugarcane
(C) Rice
(D) Oilseeds

Answer: (C) Rice

Teacher's Note:
a) Jins-i-kamil means perfect crops, that is, cash crops like cotton and sugarcane.
b) Rice was a food grain, so it was not a jins-i-kamil crop.

15. Which of the following tribe was demarcated the area named as Damin-i-Koh? [1 Mark]
(A) The Mundas
(B) The Paharias
(C) The Gonds
(D) The Santhals

Answer: (D) The Santhals

Teacher's Note:
a) In the 1830s the British demarcated a large area in the Rajmahal foothills as Damin-i-Koh for the Santhals.
b) The Paharias lived in the same hills, so read the question carefully.

16. Match the following.
Column I | Column II
a. Jotedar | i. Rajmahal
b. Paharias | ii. Rich Peasants
c. Sharecroppers | iii. Territorial unit
d. Taluq | iv. Adhiyars
Choose the correct option: [1 Mark]
(A) a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii
(B) a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
(C) a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
(D) a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii

Answer: (B) a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii

Teacher's Note:
a) Jotedars were rich peasants and sharecroppers were called adhiyars or bargadars.
b) The Paharias lived around the Rajmahal hills and a taluq was a territorial unit.

17. Two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Read them carefully and select the correct option:
Assertion: Deprived of his armed forces, the Nawab became increasingly dependent on the British to maintain law and order within the kingdom.
Reason: By the terms of the alliance the Nawab had to disband his military force, allow the British to position their troops within the kingdom, and act in accordance with the advice of the British Resident who was now to be attached to the court.
Options: [1 Mark]
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(B) Both A and R are true and R is not the correct explanation of A
(C) A is true but R is false
(D) A is false but R is true

Answer: (A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Teacher's Note:
a) The subsidiary alliance of 1801 made the Nawab of Awadh disband his army.
b) Because he lost his army, he had to depend on the British, so R explains A.

18. Match the following:
Column I | Column II
a. Subsidiary Alliance | i. The designation of a representative of the Governor General who lived in a state which was not under direct British rule.
b. Resident | ii. “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day.”
c. Ishtahars | iii. Lord Wellesly
d. Awadh | iv. Notifications
Choose the correct option: [1 Mark]
(A) a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii
(B) a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
(C) a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
(D) a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii

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

Teacher's Note:
a) The subsidiary alliance was devised by Lord Wellesley and ishtahars were notifications issued by rebels.
b) Lord Dalhousie described Awadh as "a cherry that will drop into our mouth one day".

19. Consider the following statements regarding Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Movement. Identify the correct statement(s):
I. By 1922, Gandhiji had transformed Indian nationalism, thereby redeeming the promise he made in his BHU speech of February 1916.
II. The National movement was no longer a movement of workers and peasants, but of intellectuals and professionals.
III. Many venerated Gandhiji, referring to him as their “Mahatma.”
Choose the correct option: [1 Mark]
(A) Only I
(B) I and II
(C) I and III
(D) I, II and III

Answer: (C) I and III

Teacher's Note:
a) Statement II is reversed: by 1922 the movement was no longer only of professionals and intellectuals.
b) Peasants, workers and artisans joined it, which is why statement II is wrong.

20. Which of the following statements best describes the significance of 9 December 1946? [1 Mark]
(A) The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held.
(B) The Constitution of India came into force.
(C) The Objectives Resolution was introduced in the Constituent Assembly.
(D) The Constitution of India was signed by the members of the Assembly.

Answer: (A) The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was held.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Constituent Assembly first met on 9 December 1946.
b) The Objectives Resolution came on 13 December 1946 and the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950.

21. Who described separate electorates as a “poison that had entered the body politic of our country”? [1 Mark]
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) B.R. Ambedkar
(C) Sardar Patel
(D) Subhash Chandra Bose

Answer: (C) Sardar Patel

Teacher's Note:
a) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel strongly opposed separate electorates in the Constituent Assembly.
b) Remember the key phrase "poison" with Patel.

SECTION B

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (6x3=18)

22. A Compare Harappan town planning with modern town planning. Which features of Harappan towns reflect their advanced nature? Support your answer with reasons. [3 Marks]

Answer: Harappan town planning had many features like modern town planning.
1. The settlement was divided into two sections, the Citadel and the Lower Town. The Citadel was smaller but higher and was walled off from the Lower Town. Several buildings were built on platforms which served as foundations.
2. Roads and streets were laid out in an approximate grid pattern, intersecting at right angles. Streets with drains were laid out first and houses were built along them.
3. Mohenjodaro had a well-planned drainage system. Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, with drains connected through the walls to the street drains.

Teacher's Note:
a) Keywords examiners look for: Citadel, Lower Town, grid pattern and drainage system.
b) Link each feature to modern planning, for example planned roads and drains laid out before houses.

OR

22. B “Exchanges were regulated by a precise system of weights in the Harappan civilisation.” Analyse this statement and support your answer with evidence. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Trade required regulation of exchange and of weights and measures, and the Harappan weight system was a great innovation that regulated exchanges precisely.
2. Weights were made of a stone called chert and were generally cubical with no markings. The lower denominations were binary (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32 etc.), while the higher denominations followed the decimal system.
3. The smaller weights were used for weighing jewellery and beads. Metal scale-pans have also been found at various Harappan sites.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention chert, cubical shape, and binary lower denominations as evidence.
b) The metal scale-pans are good supporting evidence; do not leave them out.

23. Describe how Buddha’s first journey into the outside world transformed his life. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Siddhartha, son of a chief of the Sakya clan, had a sheltered upbringing in the palace, away from the harsh realities of life.
2. On his first journey into the city with his charioteer, he saw an old man, a sick man and a corpse. He was deeply anguished and realised that the decay and destruction of the human body was inevitable.
3. He also saw a homeless mendicant who seemed to have found peace. Siddhartha decided to adopt the same path, left the palace in search of his own truth, and after attaining enlightenment came to be known as the Buddha.

Teacher's Note:
a) Name all four sights: an old man, a sick man, a corpse and a homeless mendicant.
b) Show the change clearly: from a sheltered prince to a seeker of truth and then the Buddha.

24. Discuss the role of Shankaradeva as one of the leading proponents of Vaishnavism? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. In the late fifteenth century, Shankaradeva emerged as a leading proponent of Vaishnavism in Assam. His teachings, known as the Bhagavati dharma, were based on the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana and focused on absolute surrender to Vishnu.
2. He emphasised naam kirtan, the recitation of the names of the lord in sat sanga or congregations of pious devotees.
3. He encouraged the setting up of satra or monasteries for spreading spiritual knowledge, and naam ghar or prayer halls. His major compositions include the Kirtana-ghosha.

Teacher's Note:
a) Key terms to use: Bhagavati dharma, naam kirtan, satra and naam ghar.
b) Mention the region (Assam) and the period (late fifteenth century) for full marks.

25. What role did women play in agrarian society in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. Women worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the fields. They sowed, weeded, threshed and winnowed the harvest.
2. Artisanal tasks such as spinning yarn, sifting and kneading clay for pottery, and embroidery depended on female labour. The more commercialised the product, the greater the demand on women's labour.
3. Women were also considered an important resource because they were child bearers in a society that depended on labour.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cover both farm work and artisanal work to show the full role of women.
b) The point about child bearing in a labour-dependent society is often missed.

26. Why did the East India Company introduce the Permanent Settlement in Bengal? [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. By the 1770s, the rural economy of Bengal was in crisis, with recurrent famines and declining agricultural output. Officials felt that agriculture, trade and revenue could be developed by encouraging investment in agriculture.
2. This could be done by securing rights of property and permanently fixing the revenue demand. The Company would get a regular flow of revenue, and entrepreneurs would be sure of earning a profit from their investment.
3. Officials hoped that a class of yeomen farmers and rich landowners would emerge with the capital and enterprise to improve agriculture, and that this class would be loyal to the Company.

Teacher's Note:
a) Keywords: crisis of the 1770s, fixed revenue, regular income and a loyal landowning class.
b) Write reasons (why), not the working or failure of the Permanent Settlement.

27. A ‘Attempts to reconstruct what happened in 1857, are heavily and inevitably dependent on what the British wrote.’ Justify the statement with suitable examples. [3 Marks]

Answer: As victors, the British recorded their own trials, tribulations and heroism, and dismissed the rebels as ungrateful and barbaric people.
1. The repression of the rebels also silenced their voice. Few rebels had the opportunity to record their version of events.
2. Most rebels were sepoys and ordinary people who were not literate. Other than a few proclamations and ishtahars (notifications) issued by rebel leaders, we have little that shows the rebels' point of view.
3. So the reconstruction of 1857 depends heavily on British writings. These sources reveal the minds of officials but tell us very little about what the rebels wanted.

Teacher's Note:
a) Use the example of ishtahars and proclamations as the few rebel sources.
b) End by saying British records show the officials' view, not the rebels' view.

OR

27 B ‘It was remarkable that during the uprising religious divisions between Hindus and Muslim were hardly noticeable despite British attempts to create such divisions.’ Justify the statement with suitable examples in the context of the 1857 uprising. [3 Marks]

Answer:
1. The rebel proclamations of 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population, irrespective of caste and creed. Even proclamations issued by Muslim princes took care to address the sentiments of Hindus.
2. The rebellion was seen as a war in which Hindus and Muslims had equally to lose or gain. The proclamation issued under the name of Bahadur Shah appealed to people to join the fight under the standards of both Muhammad and Mahavir.
3. In Bareilly, in December 1857, the British spent Rs. 50,000 to incite Hindus against Muslims, but the attempt failed.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Bahadur Shah proclamation and the Bareilly example are the strongest pieces of evidence.
b) Mention that the ishtahars glorified the coexistence of communities under the Mughal Empire.

SECTION C

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (8x3=24)

28. A Explain how land grants provide some insight into the relationship between cultivators and the state. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. From the early centuries of the Common Era, grants of land were made, and many were recorded in inscriptions. Some inscriptions were on stone, but most were on copper plates, which were probably given as a record of the transaction to those who received the land.
2. The records that have survived are generally about grants to religious institutions or to Brahmanas.
3. Most inscriptions were in Sanskrit. From the seventh century onwards, in some cases, part of the inscription was in Sanskrit and the rest in a local language such as Tamil or Telugu.
4. One such inscription gives details about Prabhavati Gupta. She was the daughter of Chandragupta II and was married into the Vakataka family, which was powerful in the Deccan.
5. The inscription shows that Prabhavati had access to land, which she then granted. This may have been because she was a queen, and her situation was therefore exceptional.
6. Land grants like this have been found in several parts of the country. There were regional variations in the size of land donated, from small plots to vast stretches of uncultivated land, and in the rights given to donees (the recipients of the grant).
7. The impact of land grants is a subject of heated debate among historians. Some feel that land grants were part of a strategy adopted by ruling lineages to extend agriculture to new areas.
8. Others suggest that land grants showed weakening political power: as kings were losing control over their samantas, they tried to win allies by granting land.
Thus, land grants give us some insight into the relationship between cultivators and the state.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Prabhavati Gupta inscription is the key example; learn who she was and what she granted.
b) Present both views of historians: extension of agriculture and weakening political power.
c) Keep within 300-350 words and end with a clear conclusion.

OR

28. B How has the study of coins helped the Numismatists to reconstruct possible commercial networks? [8 Marks]

Answer: Numismatics is the study of coins, including their scripts and images, metallurgical analysis, and the contexts in which they are found. It helps to reconstruct commercial networks in the following ways:
1. Exchanges were made easier by the introduction of coinage. Goods like salt, grain, cloth, metal ores, stone, timber and medicinal plants were carried from place to place, and this required some kind of currency for exchange.
2. Punch-marked coins of silver and copper (6th century BCE onwards) were among the earliest to be minted. They have been recovered from excavations at many sites across the subcontinent, and numismatists have studied them to reconstruct possible commercial networks.
3. Attempts to identify the symbols on punch-marked coins with dynasties such as the Mauryas suggest that kings issued them. It is also likely that merchants, bankers and townspeople issued some of these coins.
4. The first gold coins were issued in the 1st century CE by the Kushanas. They were almost identical in weight to those of contemporary Roman emperors and the Parthian rulers of Iran, and have been found at several sites in North India and Central Asia.
5. The widespread use of gold coins shows the enormous value of the transactions taking place. Hoards of Roman coins have also been found at archaeological sites in South India.
6. This shows that trade networks were not confined within political boundaries. South India was not part of the Roman empire, but there were close trade connections.
7. Coins were also issued by tribal republics such as the Yaudheyas of Punjab and Haryana (c. first century CE). Several thousand copper coins of the Yaudheyas show their interest and participation in economic exchanges.
8. Some of the most spectacular gold coins were issued by the Gupta rulers. The earliest issues are remarkable for their purity. These coins made long-distance transactions easier, and kings also benefited from them.

Teacher's Note:
a) Cover the main coin types in order: punch-marked, Kushana gold, Roman hoards, Yaudheya copper and Gupta gold.
b) The Roman coin hoards in South India are the best proof that trade crossed political boundaries.
c) Begin with a one-line definition of numismatics.

29. A ‘‘The fortification walls not only encircled the city of Vijayanagara but also its agricultural hinterland and forests.’’ Which traveller was impressed with this feature of Vijayanagara? Analyse the above given statement to explain the significance of fortification. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. Abdur Razzaq, an ambassador sent by the ruler of Persia to Calicut (present-day Kozhikode) in the fifteenth century, was greatly impressed by the fortifications. He mentioned seven lines of forts, which encircled not only the city but also its agricultural hinterland and forests.
2. The outermost wall linked the hills around the city. The massive masonry construction was slightly tapered, and no mortar or cementing agent was used anywhere.
3. The stone blocks were wedge shaped, which held them in place, and the inner portion of the walls was of earth packed with rubble. Square or rectangular bastions projected outwards.
4. The most significant feature was that the fortification enclosed agricultural tracts. Abdur Razzaq noted that "between the first, second and the third walls there are cultivated fields, gardens and houses."
5. Agricultural tracts were enclosed because the aim of medieval sieges was to starve the defenders into submission. Such sieges could last for several months and sometimes even years.
6. Normally rulers built large granaries within fortified areas. The rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more expensive and elaborate strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself.
7. A second line of fortification went round the inner core of the urban complex, and a third line surrounded the royal centre, where each set of major buildings had its own high walls.
8. The fort was entered through well-guarded gates which linked the city to the major roads. Gateways were distinctive architectural features that often defined the structures to which they regulated access.

Teacher's Note:
a) Name the traveller first (Abdur Razzaq) to secure that part of the marks.
b) The key analysis point is protection of farmland against long sieges meant to starve defenders.
c) Describe all three lines of fortification and the gateways.

OR

29. B If you were a traveller like Abdur Razzaq or Domingo Paes witnessing celebrations on the Mahanavami Dibba, why do you think such a grand structure was constructed specifically for the Mahanavami festival? What does this reveal about the relationship between religion and kingship in the Vijayanagara Empire? Justify your answer. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. The "king's palace" has two of the most impressive platforms, the "audience hall" and the "mahanavami dibba". The whole complex is surrounded by high double walls with a street running between them.
2. The mahanavami dibba is located on one of the highest points in the city. It is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft to a height of 40 ft.
3. There is evidence that it supported a wooden structure, and the base of the platform is covered with relief carvings.
4. Rituals linked with the structure probably coincided with Mahanavami (the great ninth day) of the ten-day Hindu festival in September and October, known as Dusehra, Durga Puja or Navaratri.
5. On this occasion the Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power and suzerainty, which explains why such a grand structure was built.
6. The ceremonies included worship of the image, worship of the state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals. Dances, wrestling matches, processions of horses, elephants, chariots and soldiers, and ritual presentations before the king by the chief nayakas and subordinate kings marked the occasion.
7. These ceremonies had deep symbolic meanings. On the last day the king inspected his army and the armies of the nayakas in a grand ceremony in an open field.
8. The nayakas brought rich gifts for the king as well as the stipulated tribute. This shows that religious ritual was used to display and strengthen royal power.

Teacher's Note:
a) This question has two parts (4+4); answer why the structure was built and what it shows about religion and kingship.
b) Use the size (11,000 sq. ft base, 40 ft height) and the rituals as evidence.
c) Link the tribute and the army inspection to the king's power over the nayakas.

30. A Prove that Gandhiji’s appeal among the poor, and peasants in particular, was enhanced by his ascetic lifestyle, and by his use of symbols such as the dhoti and the charkha. Examine how the masses perceived his ‘miraculous’ powers, in the light of the statement. [8 Marks]

Answer:
1. By 1922, Gandhiji had transformed Indian nationalism, redeeming the promise of his BHU speech of February 1916. It was no longer a movement of professionals and intellectuals; hundreds of thousands of peasants, workers and artisans joined it, and many venerated him as their "Mahatma".
2. People appreciated that he dressed like them, lived like them and spoke their language. Unlike other leaders, he did not stand apart from common folk but identified with them.
3. This was clearly seen in his dress. While other leaders wore a Western suit or an Indian bandgala, Gandhiji went among the people in a simple dhoti or loincloth.
4. He spent part of each day working on the charkha (spinning wheel) and encouraged others to do so. Spinning helped him break the boundary between mental labour and manual labour within the traditional caste system.
5. The historian Shahid Amin has traced Gandhiji's image among the peasants of eastern Uttar Pradesh through reports and rumours in the local press. When he travelled through the region in February 1921, he was received by adoring crowds everywhere.
6. Thus Gandhiji's appeal among the poor, and peasants in particular, was enhanced by his ascetic lifestyle and his shrewd use of symbols such as the dhoti and the charkha.
7. Gandhiji was a merchant by caste and a lawyer by profession, but his simple lifestyle and love of working with his hands let him empathise with the labouring poor, and they in turn empathised with him.
8. While most other politicians talked down to them, Gandhiji seemed to look like them, understand them and relate to their lives. His mass appeal was genuine and, in Indian politics, without precedent.

Teacher's Note:
a) Use the symbols (dhoti and charkha) as your main evidence for the first part.
b) For the "miraculous powers" part, refer to Shahid Amin's study of rumours in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
c) Keep within 300-350 words and end with a clear conclusion.

OR

30. B Mahatma Gandhi’s American biographer Louis Fischer wrote “Non-cooperation, became the name of an epoch in the life of India and of Gandhiji. Non-cooperation was negative enough to be peaceful but positive enough to be effective. It entailed denial, renunciation, and self-discipline. It was training for self rule.” Do you agree with the biographer? Give reasons to support your answer. [8 Marks]

Answer: Yes, to an extent one does agree with the biographer.
1. Gandhiji hoped that by coupling non-cooperation with Khilafat, Hindus and Muslims could together end colonial rule. These movements unleashed a surge of popular action that was unprecedented in colonial India.
2. Students stopped going to government schools and colleges, and lawyers refused to attend court. The working class went on strike: according to official figures, there were 396 strikes in 1921, involving 600,000 workers and a loss of seven million workdays.
3. The countryside was seething with discontent. Hill tribes in northern Andhra violated forest laws, farmers in Awadh did not pay taxes, and peasants in Kumaun refused to carry loads for colonial officials.
4. These protests were sometimes carried out in defiance of the local nationalist leadership.
5. Peasants, workers and others interpreted the call to "non-cooperate" in ways that suited their interests, rather than following orders from above.
6. Because of the Non-Cooperation Movement, the British Raj was shaken to its foundations for the first time since the Revolt of 1857.
7. In February 1922, a group of peasants attacked and set fire to a police station at Chauri Chaura in the United Provinces.
8. Several constables died in the fire. This violence made Gandhiji call off the movement altogether. He insisted that "no provocation can possibly justify (the) brutal murder of men who had been rendered defenceless".

Teacher's Note:
a) State your stand (agree to an extent) at the start and support it with facts.
b) The strike figures of 1921 (396 strikes, 600,000 workers) are strong evidence.
c) Chauri Chaura shows the discipline of non-violence that Gandhiji expected, so link it to "self-discipline".

SECTION D

SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS (4x3=12)

31. Read the following source 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.
Source -NCERT HISTORY BOOK 1, Chapter-3

(31.1) What was the last appeal made by Gandhari to her eldest son? [1 Mark]

Answer: Gandhari's last appeal to her eldest son Duryodhana was not to set his mind on war.

Teacher's Note:
a) The answer is in the last line of Gandhari's speech: "don't set your mind on war".
b) One clear sentence is enough for 1 mark.

(31.2) Which two vices does Gandhari feel a king should overcome, to conquer the earth? [1 Mark]

Answer: Greed and anger are the two vices a king should conquer, as they drag a man away from his profits.

Teacher's Note:
a) Both vices, greed and anger, must be named for the mark.
b) Pick the words directly from the source.

(31.3) Analyse the impact of his mother’s advice on Duryodhana and discuss what it reveals about his character [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Duryodhana did not listen to his mother's advice, so it had no impact on him. This shows that he was disrespectful, disobedient, overconfident and ambitious, lacked farsightedness, and had no control over greed and anger.
2. It also reveals his pride and his hatred for the Pandavas, which ultimately led to the destruction of his entire lineage.

Teacher's Note:
a) First state the impact (none), then describe his character.
b) Use traits such as pride, disobedience and lack of control over greed and anger.

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

Slaves were generally used for domestic labour, and Ibn Battuta found their services particularly indispensable for carrying women and men on palanquins or dola. The price of slaves, particularly female slaves required for domestic labour, was very low, and most families who could afford to do so kept at least one or two of them.
Source-NCERT HISTORY BOOK 2, Chapter-5

(32.1) Who was Ibn Battuta? [1 Mark]

Answer: Ibn Battuta was a traveller from Morocco, in north-western Africa, who came to visit the Indian subcontinent.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention both that he was a traveller and that he came from Morocco.
b) His travel account is called the Rihla.

(32.2) Why were palanquins used for carrying men and women? [1 Mark]

Answer: Palanquins were used as a mode of transport for wealthy and high-status people, and in areas where wheeled vehicles were impractical.

Teacher's Note:
a) Any one reason earns the mark; the palanquins also served ceremonial, religious and military functions.
b) Link the answer to status, as the source says slaves carried people on palanquins or dola.

(32.3) Do you think there was gender and class discrimination in 18 th century Indian society? Give an example in support of your answer. [2 Marks]

Answer:
1. Yes, there was gender and class discrimination. The price of slaves, particularly female slaves required for domestic labour, was very low compared to men.
2. Most families who could afford it kept at least one or two slaves. Since not everyone could afford a slave, it was only for the affluent, which shows class discrimination.

Teacher's Note:
a) Give one example of gender discrimination (low price of female slaves) and one of class (only the rich kept slaves).
b) Base your example on the source for full marks.

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

The discussions within the Constituent Assembly were also influenced by the opinions expressed by the public. As the deliberations continued, the arguments were reported in newspapers, and the proposals were publicly debated. Criticisms and counter-criticisms in the press in turn shaped the nature of the consensus that was ultimately reached on specific issues. In order to create a sense of collective participation the public was also asked to send in their views on what needed to be done. Many of the linguistic minorities wanted the protection of their mother tongue, religious minorities asked for special safeguards, while dalits demanded an end to all caste oppression and reservation of seats in government bodies. Important issues of cultural rights and social justice raised in these public discussions were debated on the floor of the Assembly.
Source-NCERT HISTORY BOOK 3 Chapter-12

(33.1) What do you understand by the term ‘consensus’? [1 Mark]

Answer: Consensus means agreement among a group of people.

Teacher's Note:
a) A one-line meaning is enough for 1 mark.
b) Stress the idea of general agreement of a group.

(33.2) How was the consensus reached on specific issues within the constituent assembly with the help of the press? [1 Mark]

Answer: Arguments in the Assembly were reported in newspapers and the proposals were publicly debated. Criticisms and counter-criticisms in the press in turn shaped the consensus finally reached on specific issues.

Teacher's Note:
a) Keywords: reported in newspapers, publicly debated, criticisms and counter-criticisms.
b) The answer is directly in the source, so read it carefully.

(33.3.) Do you think the Constituent Assembly wanted to create a sense of collective participation which henceforth helped in formulating the main ideals of the constitution? Give any two illustrations in support of your answer. [2 Marks]

Answer: Yes, the Constituent Assembly wanted to create a sense of collective participation, so the public was asked to send in their views on what needed to be done.
1. Linguistic minorities wanted protection of their mother tongue, religious minorities asked for special safeguards, and dalits demanded an end to caste oppression and reservation of seats in government bodies.
2. Important issues of cultural rights and social justice raised in these public discussions were debated on the floor of the Assembly.

Teacher's Note:
a) Begin with "Yes" and then give exactly two illustrations.
b) The demands of minorities and dalits are the easiest illustrations to quote from the source.

SECTION E

MAP BASED QUESTIONS (5X1=5)

34. (34.1) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols:
I Nageshwar - Harappan site
II. Bharhut - a Buddhist Site
III. Vijayanagar
OR
Kanchipuram [3 Marks]

[Figure: Outline political map of India]

Answer:
I. Nageshwar - Harappan site: located and labelled in Gujarat, on the coast of the Gulf of Kutch.
II. Bharhut - a Buddhist site: located and labelled in Madhya Pradesh.
III. Vijayanagar: located and labelled in Karnataka.
OR
Kanchipuram: located and labelled in Tamil Nadu, near the east coast.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mark each place with a clear symbol and write its name next to it.
b) Attempt only one of Vijayanagar or Kanchipuram.
c) Nageshwar is on the Gujarat coast; do not place it in Sindh or Rajasthan.

(34.2) On the same outline map, two places have been marked as A and B, as the centres of the Revolt of 1857. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them. [2 Marks]

[Figure: Outline political map of India with two places marked A and B, each with a line drawn next to it; A is in present-day Uttar Pradesh and B is further south in present-day Madhya Pradesh]

Answer:
A. Lucknow
B. Jabalpur

Teacher's Note:
a) Write the names neatly on the lines drawn near A and B.
b) Lucknow was the capital of Awadh and a major centre of the revolt.

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

Note: The following questions are for the Candidates with Visual Impairment only, in lieu of Q.No.34:

(34.1) Mention any two Indus Valley sites located in Gujarat. [2 Marks]

Answer: Two Indus Valley sites in Gujarat are Dholavira and Lothal.

Teacher's Note:
a) Nageshwar is also an accepted answer.
b) Give exactly two sites, as the question asks.

(34.2) (A) Which is the birth place of Gautama Buddha? [1 Mark]

Answer: Lumbini.

Teacher's Note:
a) Lumbini is the birthplace; do not confuse it with Bodh Gaya (enlightenment) or Sarnath (first sermon).
b) A one-word answer is enough.

OR

(B) When was the Vijayanagara kingdom established? [1 Mark]

Answer: 1336.

Teacher's Note:
a) The Vijayanagara kingdom was established in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka.
b) Write the year clearly as 1336 CE.

(34.3) Who were famous as Lal-Bal-Pal? [2 Marks]

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal were famous as Lal-Bal-Pal.

Teacher's Note:
a) Write all three full names for full marks.
b) Lal stands for Lajpat Rai, Bal for Tilak and Pal for Bipin Chandra Pal.