Students must start practicing the questions from CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History with Solutions Set 7 are designed as per the revised syllabus.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History Set 7 with Solutions
Time : 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 80
General Instructions
- Question paper comprises five Sections — A, B, C, D, and E. There are 34 questions in the question paper. All questions are compulsory.
- Section A: Question 1 to 21 are MCQs of 1 mark each.
- Section B: Question no.22 to 27 are Short Answer Type Questions, carrying 3 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 60-80 words.
- Section C: Question no 28 to 30 are Long Answer Type Questions, carrying marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 300-350 words.
- Section D: Question no. 31 to 33 are Source Based Questions with three sub-questions and are of 4 marks each.
- Section E: Question no. 34 is Map based, carrying 5 marks that includes the identification and location of significant test items. Attach the map with the answer book.
- There is no overall choice in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions. Only one of the choices in such questions have to be attempted.
- In addition to this, separate Instructions are given with each section and question, wherever necessary.
Section A
Section A consists of 21 questions of 1 mark each
Question 1.
Which of the following Harappan sites are located in Gujarat? (1)
(a) Dholavira
(b) Ropar
(c) Banawali
(d) Alamgirpur
Answer:
(a) Dholavira
Question 2.
Who among the following was the author of the book ‘Arthashastra’? (1)
(a) Bimbisara
(b) Ajatashatru
(c) Chanakya
(d) Bindusara
Answer:
(c) Chanakya
Question 3.
The capita1 city of Magadha was shifted to Patailputra during the (1)
(a) 5th century BCE
(b) 4th century BCE
(c) 2nd century BCE
(d) 3rd century CE
Answer:
(b) 4th century BCE
Question 4.
Which among the following is correct regarding Bhakti Movement in South India? (1)
(a) Alvar Saints were devoted to the worship of Shiva.
(b) Nayanar Saints were devoted to the worship of Vishnu.
(c) in order to Connect with the masses, they utilised vernacular languages for preaching their message.
(d) They had antagonist relationship with their contemporary kingdoms.
Answer:
(c) in order to Connect with the masses, they utilised vernacular languages for preaching their message.
Question 5.
Identify the character of Mahabharata from the following. (1)
I. A favourite student of Dronacharva.
II. Blessed by Dronachar a to be unrivalled among his pupils.
(a) Arjuna
(b) Yudhisthira
(c) Eklavya
(d) Durvodhana
Answer:
(a) Arjuna
Question 6.
The statue of Shalabhanjika given in the picture below is found in ………………… . (1)
(a) Sanchi Stupa
(c) Bodh Gaya
(b) Amaravati
(d) Sarnath
Answer:
(a) Sanchi Stupa
Question 7.
Identify the river that fulfilled most of the water requirements of the Vijayanagara empire. (1)
(a) Krishna
(c) Cauvery
(b) Periyar
(d) Tungabhadra
Answer:
(d) Tungabhadra
Question 8.
Consider the following statements is correct about the traditions of Lingayatas. (1)
(i) Lingayatas did practice funeraty rites.
(ii) They questioned the theory of rebirth.
(iii) They believed that after death the devotee will be united with Shiva.
(iv) They did not encourage widov marriage.
Options
(a) Only (i) is correct
(b) Only (i) and (ii) are correct
(c) Only (ii) and (iii) arc correct
(d) Only (iii) and (iv) are correct
Answer:
(c) Only (ii) and (iii) arc correct
Question 9.
Identify the famous places related to the Vijayanagara Empire with the help of the given information.
It is situated on the banks of Tungabhadra river in Karnataka.
It is declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Options
(a) Hampi
(b) Penukonda
(c) Chandragiri
(d) Badami
Answer:
(a) Hampi
Question 10.
Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). (1)
Assertion (A) In 1949, most Muslim members of the Constituent Assembly were against the idea of separate electorate.
Reason (R) They were of the view that Muslims must take active part in the democratic process to have a decisive in the political system.
Codes
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true, but 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
Question 11.
Which among the following is considered as the year of beginning of Gupta rule? (1)
(a) 320 AD
(b) 320 BC
(c) 78 AD
(d) 78 BC
Answer:
(a) 320 AD
Question 12.
Choose the correct option from the following statements with reference to the Varna system. (1)
(a) Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas.
(b) Kshatriyas were expected to engage in agriculture.
(c) Vaishyas were to engage in warfare.
(d) Shudras were engaged in any work which they liked.
Answer:
(a) Brahmanas were supposed to study and teach the Vedas.
Question 13.
Who among the following brought the ruins of Hainpi to light in 1800? (1)
(a) Thomas Hickey
(b) Colin Mackenzie
(c) JF Fleet
(d) Alexander Green Law
Answer:
(b) Colin Mackenzie
Question 14.
Choose the correct option from the following statements with reference to the Buddhist literature. (1)
(a) Sutta Pitaka contains teachings of Buddha.
(b) Vinaya Pitaka deals with philosophical matters.
(c) Abhidhamma Pitaka contains rules and regulations for Sangha
(d) Dipavamsa contain histories of Jainism.
Answer:
(a) Sutta Pitaka contains teachings of Buddha.
Question 15.
Identify the name of the person from the information given below.
I. He was born in Taiwandi village of the Punjab on 15th April, 1469.
II. He was the founder of Sikhism.
III. He advocated a form of Nirguna Bhakti.
IV. He compiled the Adj Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of Sikhism.
Options
(a) Guru Nanak
(b) Guru Angad
(c) Guru Tegh Bahadur
(d) Guru Gobind Singh
Answer:
(a) Guru Nanak
Question 16.
Who was Governor General of Bengal when Permanent Settlement was introduced? (1)
(a) William Bentinck
(b) Warren Hasting
(c) Charles Cornwallis
(d) Robert Clive
Answer:
(a) William Bentinck
Question 17.
When did the Jotedars become powerful? (1)
(a) Early 19th century
(b) Late 19th century
(c) Early 18th century
(d) Late 18th century
Answer:
(b) Late 19th century
Question 18.
The Subsidiary Alliance was devised by …………………. in ……………………… . (1)
(a) Lord Wellesley, 1798
(b) Lord William Bentinck, 1798
(c) Lord Daihousie, 1801
(d) Lord Ellenborough, 1801
Answer:
(a) Lord Wellesley, 1798
Question 19.
Match the following. (1)
List I | List II |
A. Champaran Satyagraha | 1. 1931 |
B. Arrival of Mahatma Gandhi | 2. 1917 |
C. Kheda Satyagraha | 3. 1915 |
D. Second Round Table Conference | 4. 1918 |
Codes
(a) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
(b) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
(c) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
(d) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
Answer:
(b) A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1
Question 20.
Who mentioned that the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly were under clear influence of British imperialism? (1)
(a) Somnath Lahiri
(b) BR Ambedkar
(c) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(d) Mahatma Gandhi
Answer:
(a) Somnath Lahiri
Question 21.
The Constitutional advisor to the Government of India during making of the Constitution was …………………….. . (1)
(a) BR Ambedkar
(b) BN Rao
(c) Sardar VaIlah Bhai Patel
(d) Rajendra Prasad
Answer:
(b) BN Rao
Section B
Section B consists of 6 questions of 3 marks each
Question 22.
Explain any three notions of kingship during the Kushana and Gupta empires. (3)
Answer:
The following points depict the no bones of kingship during the Kushana and Gupta empires
(i) Kingship through Coins and Sculpture The notion of kingship protected during the Kushana and Gupta empires was probably evidenced in their coins and sculptures.
(ii) Large Statues of Kushana Rulers Extremely large statues of Kushana ruled-s have been traced in a Shrine at Math nea Mathura (UP).
According to some historians, this trend indicates that the Kushanas thought themselves like God. They assumed the title of ‘Devaputra’ or Son of God.
(iii) Gupta History through Literature, Coins, and Inscriptions History of the Gupta Empire has been taken from literature, coins, and inscriptions, comprising ‘Prashastis’ which have been composed in praise of kings and patrons by poets.
Prayaga Prashasti composed in Sanskrit by Harisena, the court poet of Sarnudragupta is regarded as the most important source to know about the Gupta Empire.
Question 23.
Discuss how basic teaching of Kabir was influenced by best traditions of Hinduism and Islam. (3)
Answer:
The basic teachings of Kabir i.e. reformation of religion, eradication of superstitions, and promotion of Hindu-Muslim Unity were influenced by thoughts and ideas from Hinduism and Islam in the following ways Kabir described the ultimate reality as Ailah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. This was taken from Ved,c tradition of acceptance of many paths to one god.
He also used terms from veclantic traditions, Alakh (the unseen), Nirakar (formless), Brahman, Atman, etc. Other spiritual ideas such as Shabda (sound) or Shunya (emptiness) were from Yogic traditions. He promoted the Sut j concept of Zikr and Ishq (love) to express the Hindu practice of nam-simran (remembrance of God’s name) through his poems.
Question 24.
What were the contributions of scholars in reconstructing the history of Vijayanagara Empire? (3)
Answer:
Many scholars from all over the world worked to compile and preserve the information about Vijayanagara Empire.
The contributions of these scholars were Some scholars have recovered and documented traces of thousands of structures from tiny shrines and residences to large temples in the Vijayanagara site. They also recovered the traces of roads, paths, bazaars, etc from archaeological expeditions.
John M Fritz, George Micheal, and M S Nagaraja Rao worked relentlessly at this site for years, they have described that they had to imagine a whole set of disappeared wooden parts, pillars, beams, ceilings, overhanging roofs and towers decorated with plaster and painted brightly.
Vijayanagara Empire had wooden structures that are lost and only stone structures have survived, the description of travellers allowed them to reconstruct some aspects of the energetic life of those times.
Question 25.
What steps did British take to suppress the uprising of 1857? (3)
Answer:
The Revolt of 1857 was not easy for the British to control and crush, hence they took several steps to quell the revolt.
These can be summarised as follows
Steps to Crush the PopuLar Mass Uprising The British forces went ahead village by village in the Gangetic plain. They recaptured the lost ground step by step. In fact, the British knew that they were not merely dealing with a mutiny but were rather facing an uprising that had popular mass support.
According to Forsyth, a British official, about 75 percent adult male population in Awadh was in rebellion. Use of the Martial Law and Death Sentence The British passed a series of laws to quell the insurgency in Indian. By the law passed in 1857 May-June. the whole North India was put under the martial law.
Military officials were also empowered to try and punish the rebel Indians. They ignored ordinary processes of the Law and trial. They gave only one punishment to all rebels and that was death. In other words, the British tried to suppress the revolt by all means.
Diplomacy by British The British were warned when the big landlords and peasants showed united resistance. So, they tried to break up this unity by adopting diplomatic means. They promised to return the estates of the landlords.
They dispossessed the rebel landholders and rewarded the loyal landowners. Few of these landlords either died, while fighting with Britishers or ran away to Nepal, where they died due to starvation or illness.
Question 26.
Explain why the text of Mahabharata was a dynamic one. (3)
Or
“Historians find it particularly a difficult task to understand a text as complex as the Mahabharata. Comment. (3)
Answer:
The following points prove that the text of Mahabharata was a dynamic one
- The growth of the Mahabharata did not stop with the composition of the Sanskrit version.
- Over the centuries, versions of the epic were written in a variety of languages through an ongoing process of dialogue between people communities and those who wrote the texts.
- Several stories that originated in specific regions or circulated amongst certain people found their way into the epic.
Or
- Historians find it particularly a difficult task to understand a text as complex as the Mahabharata because
- Historians have to consider several elements when they analyse text to examine the language of the text.
- The historians have to find out about the authors whose perspectives and ideas have shaped the text, as well as the intended audience. The authors have to keep in mind the interest of their audience while composing their work.
- They also have to ascertain the possible date of the composition or compilation of the texts as well as the place where they may have been composed.
Question 27.
Highlight the importance of the Salt Laws as an important source for the National Movement. (3)
Or
State the other protests that happened along with Salt march. (3)
Answer:
The Salt laws became an important source for the National Movement due to the following
- The Salt laws gave the state a monopoly in the manufacture and sale of salt. This was thus, one of the most disliked laws in British India.
- Salt was an important commodity in any household but people were forbidden from making salt even for domestic use.
- They were forced to buy salt from shops at high prices and the Salt laws deprived the people of the benefits of valuable village industry.
- Moreover, to prevent people from having access to natural salt, tonnes of salt was destroyed. Destroying the etra natural salt involved expenditure and the salt tax itself was a heavy burden on the people.
Or
The other protests apart from Salt March were
- Peasants in a large parts of India went against the colonial forest laws that kept them and their cattle out of the woods in which they once roamed freely.
- Factory workers went on strike.
- Lawyers boycotted British courts.
- Students refused to attend government-run educational institutions.
- By 1920-22, Gandhi ji also encouraged Indians of all classes to make manifest their own discontent with colonial rule.
Section C
Section C consists of 3 questions of 8 marks each
Question 28.
Define Fifth Report. Why did the Fifth Report become the basis of intense debate in England? Explain. (2+6)
Or
“After introducing the Permanent Settlement in Bengal, the zamindars regularly failed to pay the land revenue demand.” Examine the causes and consequences of it. (4+4)
Answer:
The Fifth Report was submitted to the British Parliament in 1813. It was called the Fifth Report, as it was fifth in a series of reports about the working of the East India Company in India. The core issue of the Fifth Report was the administration and activities of the East India Company.
This report had 1002 pages. About 800 pages were in the form of appendices which included petitions of zamindars and ryots, reports of collectors, statistical tables on revenue returns and the official notes on the revenue and judicial administration of Bengal and Madras.
Reasons for Debate in England
There were many reasons that led to debate in England In Britain, many groups were not satisfied with the working of the East India Company and they opposed the monopoly enjoyed by the East India Company over trade with India and China. They wanted a revocation of the Royal Charter that gave the Company this monopoly.
Many British traders wanted a share in Company’s trade in India. They emphasised that the Indian market should be opened for British manufacturers. In other words, they demanded an end to the monopoly trade enjoyed by Indians.
Many political groups put forth the argument that conquest of Bengal benefitted only the East India Company and not the British nation as a whole. They highlighted the misrule and maladministration by the East India Company to emphasise their point.
Due to the above factors, it became a hotly debated topic in Britain. The corrupt practices of the Company officials, accounts of their greed came to be widely publicised in the press. As a result, the British Parliament passed several acts in the late 18th
century to regulate and control the rule of East India Company in India. It even asked the Company to submit regular reports on its administrative activities in India. The Fifth Report was one such a report produced by select committee. It brought out the pitiable conditions in rural Bengal in the late 18th century.
The above discussion makes it clear that the sentiment against the Company’s rule and policies was already fomenting in England. The Fifth Report acted as a catalyst in making it more pronounced and evocative.
Or
Even after the surety of revenue, zamindars regularly failed to pay the revenue demand, and unpaid balances accumulated
The causes behind such default included Firstly, Company kept the revenue price high with an idea that if the initial price would be low, then they would never be able to claim a share of increased income from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded. Hence, the Company argued that the burden on zamindars would decline with expanded agricultural production and price rise.
Secondly, during the 1 790s, the prices of agricultural produce were depessed which made the ryots difficult to pay their clues to the zamindar. Thirdly, as the revenue was fixed, it had to be paid punctually on time regardless of the harvest. A law was introduced which came to be known as the Sunset Law According to the law, if payment did not come in by sunset of the specified date, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.
Fourthly the power of the zamindar was initially limited to collect rent from the iyot and manage his zamindari. The duty of collecting revenue was with zamindars, but they were brought under some consequences. These consequences were
The troops of zamindars were disbanded, custom duties abolished and their cutcheries (courts) were brought under the supervision of a collector appointed by the Company. They lost the power to organise local justice and the local police. The collectorate emerged as an alternative centre of authority.
- An officer of the zamindar, the amlah, came to the village at the time of rent collection to keep an eye on the process.
- Bad harvests and low prices made to ,yots difficutt to pay dues to the zamindars.
- Sometimes ryots deliberately delayed the revenue payment.
- Rich ryots and village headmen, Jotedars and Mandals were against the zamindars.
- The judicial process was long drawn to prosecute defaulters. In Burdwan, there were over 30,000 pending suits for arrears of rent payment in 1798.
- Thus, introduction of Permanent Settlement, consolidation of British ru’e and rise of a class of Jotedars significantly reduced the power and privileges enjoyed earlier by the zamindars.
Question 29.
Explain how Ashoka adopted the principles of Dhamma. How the principles of Dhamma related with the present values in Indian society? (4+4)
Or
How do Ashokan inscriptions tell about the Mauryas? Describe the limitations of the inscriptional evidences. (4+4)
Answer:
Ashoka adopted Dhamma by the following ways
- Influenced by the policy of Dhamma he brought many changes in his state policy. He gave up warfare and devoted his lite for public welfare.
- Ashoka appointed special officers called Dhamma Mahamattas to spread the principle of Dhamma.
- They preached the teachings of Buddhism.
- Ashoka tried to convince people through religious acts or plays to choose the right means to attain salvation. He influenced people to rise above worldly pleasures.
Ashoka treated slaves and servants kindly. He showed respect and generosity towards not only Brahmans but all the people even from different castes. He spread the message of peace to different countries.
He also prohibited slaughter of the animals for various sacrifices. It boosted the cattle wealth and subsequently led to the agricultural prosperity.
Adoption of policy of Dhamma also impacted Ashoka at the personal level, Despite being most powerful and industrious, he was more humble than his contemporary and later rulers who adopted the grand titles.
The principle of Dhamma has significant impact on the present Indian society. India being the home of millions of poor and illiterate has low crime rate when compared with developed countries Similarly respect towards eiders, emphasis on non-violence and protection of environment and wildlife through unique concept of sacred groves and community protection zone can be attributed to the addherence of the principle of Dhamma. The Principles of Dhamma relate with the present values prevailing in Indian Society.
This can be identified by the following ways
- Indian people have adopted the value of non-violence, the Indian freedom movement is an example of it. Peace is established in the society, as people still follow this practice.
- The case system that was so rigid during the Vedicera have declined over the years. People of different castes live in the same society harmoniously.
- The present values of generosity, kindness, humanity, peaceful coexistence and cooperation prevailing in the Indian society comes from the age-old traditions that are still followed in the socaety.
- This shows that the principles of Dhamma are still adopted in the Indian social values.
Or
Ashoka was the first ruler who inscribed his messages on stone surfaces i.e. natural rocks and polished pillars. The major rock edicts explain the Mauryan administration specially about Ashoka.
Some of the important inscriptions are discussed below
The name of Ashoka was not mentioned in the inscriptions. Instead, the titles viz, Devanampiya (beloved of the good) and Piyadassi (pleasant to behold) were mentioned. Ashoka condemned the desire for fame and glory. He stressed on popularity of Dhamma.
Dhamma included respect towards elders, generosity towards Brabmanas and those who renounced worldly life, treating slaves and servants kindly and respect for religions and traditions other than ones own.
In major rock edicts of Kahnga. he expressed grief and distress caused by the bloodshed and destruction caused by the war. It was the most significant event of his life as he relinquished the policy of war and aggression and instead adopted the policy of Dhamma.
‘Ashokan inscriptions were engraved in the length and breadth of the sub-continent. For instance the historians have found virtually the same message engraved everywhere from the present day North-West frontier province of Pakistan to Andhra
Pradesh, Orissa, and Uttarakhand in India. These inscriptions gave the idea about the territorial extent of the Mauryan empire.
In Rummindei rock edict in Nepal, the inscriptions tells about the birthplace of the Buddha and various initiatives carried out by the Ashoka after his visit.
inscriptions are considered as the best source of information of ancient history, but they have their own limitations. Some of these are Technical Limitations Important letters are damaged or missing in the inscription. It makes the work of epigraphists more difficult.
Lack of Clarity It is not clear about the meaning of the words used in some inscriptions, as they may refer to a specific place of time. Thus, scholars debate on alternative meanings of these inscriptions. Undeciphered Inscriptions Although a large number of inscriptions have been found, many of them have not been deciphered, published, and translated, Some of these have also been destroyed without being deciphered.
Non-Relevant Inscriptions Many inscriptions were composed in praise of kings and patrons. Not everything that was politically or economically important was recorded in them. Thus, routine agricultural practices as well as the happy and sad experiences of common people were not mentioned.
Thus, due to these limitations, historians while reconstructing the history of any empire supplement it with other sources such as study of coins, written records and material remains to give complete picture about the history of the empire.
Question 30.
What was Tantric worship? Mention about the various beliefs and practices that emerged during the Bhakti period and also
highlight the differences in these belief systems. (2+3+3)
Or
Write in detail about the various architectural traditions that inspire and cause a synthesis in the architecture of Vijayanagara. (8)
Answer:
Tantric practices were the forms of worship that were often associated with the goddess. Tantric practice were prevalent in various parts of the subcontinent. These were open to both men and women and practitioners did not discriminate against people based on caste and class within the ritual context. Various ‘Beliefs that emerged during Bhakti Period Buddhism and Shaivism, especially in the Eastern, Northern, and Southern parts of the subcontinent were influenced by many of these ideas of Tantric practice.
Over the next millennium, all these divergent and even completely different beliefs and practices were classified as Hindu. In Vedic times, the main deities were Agni, Indra and Soma. They became marginal figures and rarely visible in textual and visual representations.
Differences in the Belief System
People engaged in Tantric practices often ignored the authority of the Vedas, which led to conflicts with people who valued the Vedic traditions. Devotees chose their deities, considered them supreme, and protected them. Relationships with Buddhism and Jainism always didn’t open into conflicts, but there always existed a tense environment. Devotion was expressed mainly in forms of routined worship of deities with extremely high love and respect. Devotees experienced a trance-like state as well, seen both in Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
Or
The rulers of Vijayanagara were known for their innovations and architectural traditions. The architectural traditions that influenced and synthesised the architecture of Vijayanagara were Temple buildings had a long history in the Vijayanagara region. Rules very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating with the divine. More often the deity was associated with the king.
- The Vijayanagara kings claimed to rule on behalf of the God Virupaksha- the guardian royal orders were signed ‘Shri Virupaksha.
- Rulers also indicated their close links with God by using the title ‘Hindu Suratrana’ which meant Hindu Sultan, Vijayanagara rulers transformed some traditions in the following ways
- Royal portrait sculpture was now displayed in temple and the king’s visit to the temples was treated as important state occasions, during which he was accompanied by the Royal Nayakas of the Empire.
In terms of temple architecture, certain new features were added. These included the gopurams or the royal gateways. These gopurams were very tall structures which even dwarfed the towers on the central shrine. It signaled the presence of the temple
from a great distance. They were probably a mark of Imperial Authority and power of the king. For example, Krishnadeva Raya built the Eastern gopurams of the Virupaksha temple.
Other distinctive textures that were added were the Mandapas or pavilions and long, pillared corridors that often ran around the shrine within the temple complex.
Krishnadeva Raya, to mark his accession, also built a hall in front of the main shrine. This hall was decorated with delicately carved pillars, These halls were used for a variety of deities.
A characteristic complex is the Chariot Street’ that extends from the temple Gopurams in a straight line. These streets were paved with stone slabs and lined with pillared pavilions in which the merchants set up their shops.
Section D
Section D consists of 3 Source based questions of 4 marks each
Question 31.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Rituals and the Real World Here is a Vachana composed by Basavanna:
When they see a serpent carved in stone they pour milk on it. If a real serpent comes they say: “Kill. Kill” To the servant of the god who could eat if served they say: “Go away! Go away!” But to the image of the god which cannot eat they offer dishes of food.
(i) Who was Basavanna? (1)
(ii) Describe Basavanna’s attitude towards rituals. (1)
(iii) Give two social reforms propagated by the Lingayat. (2)
Answer:
(i) Basavanna (1106-68) was a minister in the court of a Kaichuri ruler. He laid the foundation of Virashaiva tradition in Karnataka.
(ii) Basavanna had highly antagonist attitude towards meaningless rituals. Through his Vachanas he promoted that the Service to the humankind is the real service to the god.
(iii) The followers of Basavanna, the Virashaiva also known as Lingayats propogated following social reforms
- They encouraged certain practices disapproved in the Dharmashastras such as post-puberty marriage and remarriage of widows.
- challenged the idea of caste and the pollution attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. They also questioned the theory of rebirth.
Question 32.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow.
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 live 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.
(i) What does the Mahabharata describes, as given in this extract? (1)
(ii) Mention the view of Gandhari on feud war. (1)
(iii) Explain about Gandhari’s appeal to her son. (2)
Answer:
(i) The Mahabharata describes about the reason and timing of the war between Kauravas and the Pandavas.
(ii) Gandhari did not believe in futility of the war. She believed that feud war is devoid of any good, profit and happiness. According to her, such war never necessarily end up with victory of one side.
(iii) Gandhari’s appeal to her eldest son Duryodhana was
- He should make peace with Pandavas and could avoid war.
- She advised him to avoid war because there would be no victory at the end.
- She advised him to be friendly with the Pandavas.
Question 33.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow.
We have never asked for privileges
Hansa Mehta of Bombay demanded justice for women, not reserved seats or separate electorates. She said, “We have never asked for privileges. What we have asked for is social justice, economic justice and political justice. We have asked for that equality which alone can be the basis of mutual respect and understanding, without which real cooperation is not possible between man and woman.
(i) Other than Hansa Mehta, name two women members of Constituent Assembly. (1)
(ii) Comment whether the justice, being referred by Hansa Mehta has been provided in the Constitution or not. (1)
(iii) Why did she demanded equality for women in place of reserved seats or separate electorates? (2)
Answer:
(i) Including Hansa Mehta, the Constitute Assembly had 15 women members. The two women members were Sarojini Naidu and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur.
(ii) Yes, the Constitution of India had incorporated the principle of justice. The Preamble of India which is based on the Objective Resolution provides for social, economic and political justice to all its citizens.
(iii) She demanded equality foc women in place of reserved seats or separate electorates because reservation or separate electorates tends to create division among the society as evidenced from the case of Muslims. Whereas equality promotes mutual respect and understanding among men and women, It also promote equal treatment of women and their empowerment.
Section E
Section E consists of Map based question of 5 marks
Question 34.
A. Locate and label the following. (3)
(i) A place of pillar inscription in Uttar Pradesh
Or
(ii) A place of pillar inscription in Madhya Pradesh
(iii) Place of first Satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi
(iv) Region of Krishnadeva Raya’s Kingdom (2)
B. Identify the following Inuus Valley sites marked as 1 and 2.
Answer: