Practicing the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History with Solutions Set 6 allows you to get rid of exam fear and be confident to appear for the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History Set 6 with Solutions
Time: 3 Hours.
Max. Marks: 70
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 8 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.
Section – A (21 Marks)
Question 1.
Identify the character with the help of following set of information: [1]
I. He was a British archaeologist who came to India.
II. He led to the introduction of the military precision in the field of archaeology and several other scientific techniques.
Options:
A. Warren Hastings
B. Alexander Cunningham
C. R.E.M. Wheeler
D. Curzon
Answer:
C. R.E.M. Wheeler
Question 2.
Prabhavati Gupta was the daughter of which of the following rulers? [1]
A. Chandragupta Maurya
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta II
D. Kumaragupta
Answer:
C. Chandragupta II
Question 3.
Match the following and select the correct option: [1]
| List – I | List – II |
| 1. R.E.M Wheeler | a. ASI |
| 2. Alexander Cunningham | b. Lothal |
| 3. S.R. Rao | c. Dholavira |
| 4. R.M. Bisht | d. Harappa |
A. 1 – b, 2- c, 3 -d, 4- a
B. 1 – a, 2- d, 3 -c, 4- b
C. 1 – c, 2- b, 3 -d, 4- a
D. 1 – d, 2- a, 3 -b, 4- c
Answer:
D. 1 – d, 2- a, 3 -b, 4- c
Question 4.
Which one of the following statements is the correct in terms of similarities between Buddhism and Jainism: [1]
A. They both belonged to some Ganas.
B. They were poor in their childhood.
C. They both were ascetic in their childhood.
D. They both were unmarried.
Answer:
A. They both belonged to some Ganas.
Question 5.
Identify the given image from the following options: [1]
A. Mother Goddess
B. Nataraj
C. God Agni
D. Goddess Aditi
Answer:
A. Mother Goddess
Question 6.
The Prayaga Prashasti inscription is describing about which of the following rulers? [1]
A. Asoka
B. Chandragupta
C. Samudragupta
D. None of the above
Answer:
C. Samudragupta
Question 7.
Which of these was written by Ibn Battuta? [1]
A. Globe Trotter
B. Delhi – a city to discover
A. Globe Trotter
B. Delhi – a city to discover
Answer:
C. Rihla
Question 8.
Fill in the blank :
The worship of the idols comes under the category of _____ Bhakti? [1]
A. Saguna Bhakti
B. Nirguna Bhakti
C. Nirmal Bhakti
D. None of the above
Answer:
A. Saguna Bhakti
Question 9.
Find out the correct chronological order of the arrival of following travelers in India from the following options: [1]
I. Ibn Batuta came to India. 1340.
II. Travemier came to India.
III. Francois Bernier came to India 1668.
IV. A1 Biruni came to India.
Options:
A. I, II, III & IV
B. II, III, IV & I
C. Ill, II, I & IV
D. IV, I, II & III
Answer:
D. IV, I, II & III
Question 10.
Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). [1]
Assertion (A): Of the groups of sufis who migrated to India in the late twelfth century, the Chishtis were the most influential.
Reason (R): They adapted successfully to the local environment and adopted several features of Indian devotional traditions.
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct.
D. (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct.
Answer:
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Question 11.
Complete the following with the correct option: [1]
Francois Bernier: Dara Shikoh :: A1 Biruni : _____.
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Humayun
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Iltutmish
Answer:
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
Question 12.
Which among the following is correctly matched? [1]
| List – I (Personality) | List – II (Belief) |
| A. Kabir | Belief |
| B. Sheikh Muinuddin Chisti | Sufism |
| C. Meerabai | Goddess Durga |
| D. Guru Nanak | Jainism |
Answer:
B. Sheikh Muinuddin Chisti- Sufism
Question 13.
Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). [1]
Assertion (A): The emergence of the Jotedars reduced the power and prestige of the zamindars in Bengal.
Reason (R): The Jotedars asserted control over a significant amount of lands and also controlled local trade.
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct.
D. (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct.
Answer:
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Question 14.
Consider the following statements and select the correct from the following options: [1]
Consider the following statements about the Paharias.
I. They grew a variety of pulses and millets.
II. They performed the practice of shifting cultivation.
III. Their life was dependent on forest produce.
Choose the correct statements.
A. I and II
B. II and III
C. I and III
D. I, II and III
Answer:
D. I, II and III
Question 15.
Kanhu was an important leader of which of the following rebellion? [1]
A. Chuar Rebellion
B. Pahariya Rebellion
C. Santhal Rebellion
D. Moplah Rebellion
Answer:
C. Santhal Rebellion
Question 16.
Prabhavati Gupta was married to the ruler of which of the following dynasty? [1]
A. Gupta
B. Mauryans
C. Kushanas
D. Vakatakas
Answer:
D. Vakatakas
Question 17.
Which of the following ancient texts is also known as the “Book of Chants”? [1]
A. Rig Veda
B. Sama Veda
C. Yajur Veda
D. Atharva Veda
Answer:
B. Sama Veda
Question 18.
Which of the following statement is true concerning the ordinary women during the ancient period in India? [1]
A. They don’t have access to the land resources.
B. They have access to the land resources.
C. They controlled administrative matters.
D. They were taught about science and politics.
Answer:
A. They don’t have access to the land resources.
Question 19.
Find out from the following pairs which one is NOT correctly matched: [1]
A. Nastaliq: Calligraphy
B. Siyahi: Carbon ink
C. Khat: Letter
D. Humayun Nama: Abdul Lahori
Answer:
D. Humayun Nama: Abdul Lahori
Question 20.
Who replaced Wavell as the Viceroy of India? [1]
A. Lord Mountbatten
B. Lord Linlithgow
C. Lord Stafford Cripps
D. Lord A.V. Alexander
Answer:
A. Lord Mountbatten
Question 21.
What was the remarkable feature of the gold coins issued by Gupta rulers? [1]
A. They were known for purity.
B. They were known for impurity.
C. They were used only for agricultural trade.
D. None of the above.
Answer:
A. They were known for purity.
Section – B (18 Marks)
Question 22.
Describe the largest Harappan site in India. [3]
Answer:
The largest Harappan site in India is Rakhigarhi in Haryana. It is located in the Hisar district and is as big as the site of Harappa (in present-day Pakistan). It is located in the Ghaggar-Hakra River plain. Rakhigarhi is supposed to be one of the oldest Harappan sites in the world. Eleven excavation mounds have been discovered in Rakhigarhi. Many Harappan artifacts have also been discovered from this settlement.
Question 23.
How did Beruni’s describe the caste system of different countries? [3]
Answer:
Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by comparing it with other societies. He said that in ancient Persia, there were four social categories, knights and princes, monks, fire priests and lawyers, physicians, astronomers and other scientists, peasants and artisans and he described about the four varnas such as Brhamana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Question 24.
What was the view of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on adopting the features of the constitution of other nations? [3]
Answer:
Pandit Nehru, on the occasion of declaring the Objectives Resolution, made it clear that the Constitution of India will not blindly adopt the features of the constitution of any country. There would be proper deliberations on every issue of the nation and then only a consensus on a decision would be made.
Question 25.
What was the fixed set of events that were observed during the riots in the Bombay Deccan? [3]
Answer:
The revolt in the Bombay Deccan expanded to over 6,500 square km of area in a short time. Some of the fixed events that took place during the riots were:
1. The sahukars were attacked at almost every place of revolt.
2. The account books of the sahukars and the debt bonds were burned down by the ryots.
3. The sahukars used to flee the village to save their lives, leaving behind their properties and belongings.
Question 26.
List some of the practices that took place in the Khanqah of the Sheikhs.
OR
Give details about the three texts in which the writings of Kabir are compiled. [3]
Answer:
Various activities were carried out in the Khanqah of the Sheikhs. Some of them are mentioned below:
1. There was an open kitchen where people from all walks of life can get food.
2. People from diverse fields ranging from soldiers to poets, rich to poor came to the Sheikh for discipleship and healing purposes.
3. Practices like bowing before the Sheikh, offering water to the visitors were also followed.
OR
The verses of the Kabir is preserved in three compilations:
1. Kabir Bijak contains the verses of Kabir which is preserved by the Kabirpanth (a sect of Kabir). This is found in Varanasi and other parts of U.P.
2. The second is Kabir Granthavali that is associated with the Dadupanth in Rajasthan.
3. Many compositions are also found in the Adi Granth Sahib.
Question 27.
Why did N. G. Ranga argue to interpret minorities in the economic terms in the Constituent Assembly? Explain.
OR
What was the view of Somnath Lahiri on the Constituent Assembly of India? Discuss in detail the excerpts he wrote in his letters. [3]
Answer:
N.G. Ranga, a socialist who had been a leader of the peasant movement, urged that the term minorities be interpreted in economic terms. The real minorities were the poor and the downtrodden. He said that the people were so depressed and oppressed that they were not able to take advantage of the ordinary civil rights.
He welcomed the legal rights the Constitution was granting to each individual but pointed to its limits. In his opinion it was meaningless for the poor people in the villages to know that they now had the fundamental right to live, and to have full employment, or that they could have their meetings, their conferences, their associations and various other civil liberties.
It was essential to create conditions where these constitutionally enshrined rights could be effectively enjoyed. The tribal traditional laws are violated and their lands are snatched by merchants. The tribals are treated like slaves. The money lenders exploited the poor tribals. The zamindars exploited poor villagers. The poor peasant and the tribals do not get even basic education. For this they needed protection. Ranga said, “They need props. They need a ladder.”
OR
Somnath Lahiri had a lot of apprehensions about the Constituent Assembly as he thought that it was having a lot of British influence. Some of the points that he mentioned were:
1. The Interim Government of India had to work in the shadow of the Viceroy and the British government due to which the independence of the Constituent Assembly was questioned by him.
2. He questioned the fact that the British would interfere in the process of deliberations in the Assembly and would seek to devise policies favourable to them.
3. The British controlled the army and also had the intention of accepting the Partition of India if necessary.
4. He believed that the Constituent Assembly should start working only after India attains complete independence.
Section – C (24 Marks)
Question 28.
What were some of the reasons that led to the rapid expansion of Buddhism in India and other parts of the world?
OR
What was the significance of the construction of the stupas? [8]
Answer:
Some of the different reasons that led to the expansion of Buddhism are:
1. The ideology of Buddhism was appealing to the wide sections of the Indian society as large sections were a sufferer of the radical approach of the caste system.
2. Large number of people were dissatisfied with the religious practices going around them and the social changes in the society.
3. The ideology of Buddhism gave importance to the conduct and values of the person rather than claims of superiority based on birth.
4. The Buddhist ideology emphasised the fellow feeling and compassion for the younger and weaker sections of the society.
5. The liberal ideology of Buddhism became the leading cause of its popularity among the weaker sections of the society.
OR
The stupas were considered as the holy places of the Buddhist religion.
1. The construction of the stupas is said to be from pre-Buddhist times but the religious and cultural relevance of the stupas increased during the times of Buddhism.
2. These places were important as the relics of Buddha or the things used by him were buried in the stupas.
3. As the stupas contain the relics of the Buddha and his prominent disciples, the whole structure was started to be considered holy.
4. Asoka was one of the greatest kings who led to the construction of a large number of stupas. He distributed the relics of the Buddha to a large number of stupas to make the place sacred.
5. Some of the famous stupa sites like Sanchi, Bharhut and Samath became the most important religious sites for the Buddhist preachers.
Question 29.
How Paes had given a vivid description of the bazaar?
OR
Describe the various efforts made by scholars to reconstruct the history of the city and the empire from the ruins of Hampi up to the 19th century. [8]
Answer:
1. Paes said that the city had broad and beautiful street.
2. Many merchants live there. All sorts of rubies, diamonds, emeralds, pearls, seed pearls, cloths, every other sort of thing was there as is on earth and that one may wish to buy.
3. Every evening, there was a fair where they sell many common horses and nags, and also many citrons, and limes, and oranges, and grapes, and every other kind of garden stuff, and wood.
4. More generally, he described the city as being “the best provided city in the world” with markets “stocked with provisions such as rice, wheat, grains, Indian com and a certain amount of barley and beans, moong, pulses and horse-gram”, all of which were cheaply and abundantly available.
5. According to Femao Nuniz, the Vijayanagara markets were “overflowing with abundance of fruits, grapes and oranges, limes, pomegranates, jackfruit and mangoes and all very cheap”.
6. Meat too was sold in abundance in the marketplaces. Nuniz describes “mutton, pork, venison, partridges, hares, doves, quail and all kinds of birds, sparrows, rats and cats and lizards” as being sold in the market of Bisnaga (Vijayanagara).
OR
Various efforts made by scholars to reconstruct the history of the city and the empire from the ruins of Hampi in the 19th century were:
1. Colonel Colin Mackenzie, an engineer, surveyor and cartographer of the East India Company, prepared the first survey map of Hampi in 1800.
2. A lot of initial information received by him was based on the memories of priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi.
3. Later the photographers started recording the monuments of Hampi which enabled scholars to study them.
4. The epigraphists as early as 1836 had started collecting several dozen inscriptions found at this site and other temples at Hampi.
5. The historian’s collated information collected from all these sources with accounts of foreign travellers and relevant literature written in various vernacular languages like Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Sanskrit in order to reconstruct the history of the city and the empire.
Question 30.
Examine the repressive measures adopted by British to subdue the rebels of 1857.
OR
Describe how the British celebrated those whom they believed saved the English and repressed the rebels during the Revolt of 1857. [8]
Answer:
It was not easy for the Britishers to suppres the revolt. Even then, they took various steps to crush the rebels.
OR
These steps were as follows:
Passing of laws to help the troops: The British passed several laws to help the troops before sending them to reoccupy North India. The military officers were also empowered to try punish the rebel India. The ordinary process of law and trial were ignored by them. With me help of new laws and the new reinforcements coming from Britain, the British started the process of suppressing the revolt.
The British thought that reconquering Delhi was most important to suppress the revolt. Therefore, in June 1857, the British attacked Delhi from two directions. Captain Hudson arrested the Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah II and Begum Zinat Mahal from the Tomb of Humayun on 21st September, 1857.
Resorting to Diplomacy: The British, while resorting to diplomacy, kept away the educated. Indians and zamindars from the rebels. The British created a rift between the rebels and the zamindars by promising the latter to give back their estates.
Use of Military Power on a Gigantic Scale: The British used military power on a gigantic scale. But, this held their absolute control over the means of communication. Their control over the railways enabled them to send quick military support to different parts of the country.
Communication System: The telegraph system helped the British to get timely information about the incidents occurring in different parts of the country. Consequently, they were successful in wrecking plans of the rebels by taking immediate action against them. Thus, the British tried their best to maintain their absolute control over the means of communication in order to suppress the revolt.
OR
1. The British celebrated those whom they believed saved the English and repressed the rebels during the revolt of 1857 by various types of paintings which were meant to provide a range of different emotions and reactions.
2. An example of this type, ‘Relief of Lucknow’, which has been painted by Thomas Jones Barker in 1859, is particularly remarkable in this regard.
3. Henry Lawrence, the Commissioner of Lucknow, gathered all the Christians and took refuge along with them in heavily fortified Residency after the rebel forces besieged Lucknow.
4. Lawrence was killed, but the Residency continued to be defended under the command of Colonel Inglis. On 25th September, James Outram and Henry Havelock arrived neutralising the rebel forces and reinforcing the British garrisons.
5. Colin Campbell reached with huge reinforcements and rescued the besieged British garrison. In British accounts, the siege of Lucknow became a story of survival and heroic resistance of British power.
6. The arrival of Colin Campbell had been depicted as an event of celebration in Jones Barker’s painting. Campbell, Havelock and Outram, the three British heroes, had been painted in the middle of the canvas.
7. The victorious figures of the heroes in the middle symbolised the re-establishment of British power and control was the main objective of these paintings and it was to reassure the English sustained the power of their government.
8. These paintings clearly conveyed the message that the crisis was over and the revolt had been quelled and the British had succeeded in re-establishment of their power and authority.
Section – D (12 Marks)
Question 31.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: [4]
To justify their claims, Brahmanas often cited a verse from a hymn in the Rigveda known as the Purusha sukta, describing the sacrifice of Purusha, the primeval man. All the elements of the universe, including the four social categories, were supposed to have emanated from his body: The Brahmana was his mouth, of his arms was made the Kshatriya. His thighs became the Vaishya, of his feet the Shudra, was born.
(i) Who was Purusha?
Answer:
Purusha is considered to be the primeval man from whom the four castes have originated in the society.
(ii) Why did Brahamanas recite the verses of a hymn from a Rigveda?
Answer:
Brahamanas wanted to attain the legitimacy of the varna system prescribed by them in society. By using the hymn of Rigveda they tried to convince the society that the social order had a divine origin.
(iii) What are the different parts of ‘Purusha’ with which Brahamanas has compared the four varnas?
Answer:
Brahamanas claimed that they have originated from the mouth of ‘Purusha’. Kshatriyas attributed their origin to the arms. Vaishyas attributed their origin to the thighs of ‘Purusha’ and Shudras from the feet of ‘Purusha’.
Question 32.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: [4]
Peasants on the Move
This was a feature of agrarian society which struck a keen observer like Babur, the first Mughal emperor, forcefully enough for him to write about it in the Babumama, his memoirs: In Hindustan hamlets and villages, towns indeed, are depopulated and set up in a moment! If the people of a large town, one inhabited for years even, flee from it, they do it in such a way that not a sign or trace of them remains in a day and a half. On the other hand, if they fix their eyes on a place to settle, they need not dig watercourses because their crops are all rain-grown, and as the population of Hindustan is unlimited it swarms in. They make a tank or a well; they need not build houses or set up walls Khas-grass abounds, wood is unlimited, huts are made, and straightaway there is a village or a town!
(i) What is Babumama? Which feature of the Mughal period is expressed in this excerpt taken from the Babumama?
Answer:
Babumama is the biography of Babur. It is a memoir about the reign of Babur.
(ii) What has been said about the Hindustani hamlets and villages in this excerpt?
Answer:
The hamlets and villages in India were depopulated as well as set up in a moment. The people, living in a village or town for years, ran away in such a way that no sign or trace of them was left behind. On the other hand, if they make up their mind to settle, they set up a village or a town in no time.
(iii) How did the people build a village as city in a moment?
Answer:
India has a large population. So, the people swarmed in all the villages and towns. They made a tank or a well in no time. They need not build a house or set up walls. They built huts with wood and khas grass. So, a village or a town came up in a moment.
Question 33.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: [4]
“Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law.” On 5 April 1930, Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi: When I left Sabarmati with my companions for this seaside hamlet of Dandi, I was not certain in my mind that we would be allowed to reach this place. Even while I was at Sabarmati there was a rumour that I might be arrested.
I had thought that the Government might perhaps let my party come as far as Dandi, but not me certainly. If someone says that this betrays imperfect faith on my part, I shall not deny the charge. That I have reached here is in no small measure due to the power of peace and nonviolence: that power is universally felt.
The Government may, if it wishes, congratulate itself on acting as it has done, for it could have arrested every one of us. In saying that it did not have the courage to arrest this army of peace, we praise it. It felt ashamed to arrest such an army. He is a civilized man who feels ashamed to do anything which his neighbours would disapprove.
The Government deserves to be congratulated on not arresting us, even if it desisted only from fear of world opinion. Tomorrow we shall break the salt tax law. Whether the Government will tolerate that is a different question. It may not tolerate it, but it deserves congratulations on the patience and forbearance it has displayed in regard to this party.
What if I and all the eminent leaders in Gujarat and in the rest of the country are arrested? This movement is based on the faith that when a whole nation is roused and on the march no leader is necessary.
(CWMG) vol. 49 Collected works of Mahatma Gandhi.
(i) Why did Gandhiji started the Dandi March?
Answer:
Gandhiji started the Dandi to break the salt law.
(ii) Why was Salt March notable?
Answer:
Salt march was notable due to the power of peace and non-violence. Women participated in large numbers which made this movement all the more powerful.
(iii) “The power of peace and non-violence is universally felt.” Why Gandhiji said so?
Answer:
The Government did not have the courage to stop the march or arrest all of them and the whole world was watching with wonder. That was the power of peace and non-violence. It aroused feelings of nationalism. This is the reason, Gandhiji opined that the power of peace and non-violence is felt universally.
Section – E (5 Marks)
Question 34.
34.1. On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols: [3]
I. Kanpur- A Main Centre of the Revolt of 1857
II. Surat- A City Under the British Control in 1857
III. Topra- Ashoka Pillar Inscription
OR
Amaravati- A Buddhist Site
34.2.
On the same outline map, two places have been marked as A’ and ‘B’, as the Mature Harappan Sites. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them. [2]
Ans.
