Students can access the CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History with Solutions and marking scheme Term 2 Set 9 will help students in understanding the difficulty level of the exam.
CBSE Sample Papers for Class 12 History Term 2 Set 9 with Solutions
Time allowed: 2 Hours
Maximum Marks: 40
General Instructions:
- This Question paper is divided into four sections-Section A, B, C and D.
- All questions are compulsory.
- Section-A: Question no. 1 to 4 are Short Answer type questions of 3 marks each. Answer to each question should not exceed 80 words.
- Section-B: Question no. 5 to 7 are Long Answer type questions, carrying 6 marks. Answer to this question should not exceed 150-200 words.
- Section-C: Question no. 8 and 9 are Case Based questions, carrying 4 marks each with subparts.
- Section-D: Question no. 10 is map based, carrying 2 marks.
- There is no overall choice in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been
provided in a 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
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Give the description of a paintings of Abu’l Hasan depicting Jahangir. (3)
Or
Write a note on the Ibadat Khana.
Answer:
The two paintings of Abu’l Hasan represent Jahangir. The first painting shows Jahangir dressed in resplendent clothes and jewels, holding up a portrait of his father Akbar.
Akbar is dressed in white, associated in sufi traditions with the enlightened soul. He proffers a globe, symbolic of dynastic authority. In the Mughal empire, there was no law laying down which of the emperor’s sons would succeed to the throne. This meant that every dynastic change was accompanied and decided by a fratricidal war.
Towards the end of Akbar’s reign, Prince Salim revolted against his father, seized power and assumed the title of Jahangir. The second painting depicts Jahangir shooting the figure of poverty, painting by the artist Abu’l Hasan.
The artist has enveloped the target in a dark cloud to suggest that this is not a real person, but a human form used to symbolise an abstract quality. Such a mode of personification in art and literature is termed as allegory. The Chain of Justice is shown descending from heaven.
Or
The Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) was a meeting house built in 1575 CE by the Mughal emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri to gather leaders of different religious grounds to conduct discussion on the teachings of the respective religious leaders.
At the Fatehpur Sikri, learned men from Muslims, Hindus, Jainas, Parsiis and Christians communities gathered. Akbar’s religious views matured as he questioned scholars of different religions and sects and gathered knowledge about their doctrines.
Many historians consider it as a fine attempt of the Monarch towards secularism as best element of all religious were encouraged.
Question 2.
What were the reasons for dissatisfaction of sepoys in Awadh that led to 1857 Revolt? (3)
Answer:
There were many reasons for the dissatisfaction of Sepoys in Awadh which led them to revolt against the British empire in 1857. These included
- The pay of Sepoys was very meagre.
- The relationship between the Sepoys and their superiors changed from friendly relations to abusive in nature. The White Sepoys treated the Indian Sepoys as inferior. There was racial discrimination, abuse and voilence became common in military regiments of Awadh.
- There was distrust due to the rumour of usage of greased cartridges on White officers by the Indian Sepoys.
- They did not get leave easily.
- There was a close affinity between village folk of rural areas and Sepoys. The grievances of the rural population had great implication on the Sepoys also.
Question 3.
What should be the qualities of National Language according to Mahatma Gandhi? (3)
Answer:
According to Mahatma Gandhi following should be the qualities of the National Language.
- The language should not be Sanskritised Hindi nor Persianised Urdu but a combination of both.
- It should admit words from the different regional languages and also assimilate certain words from foreign languages if they mix well with own National language.
- It should be able to express human thoughts and feelings.
Question 4.
What are the most important contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in the political sphere of India? (3)
Answer:
In the political sphere of India, Mahatma Gandhi had rendered invaluable contributions. They are
(i) He bridged the gap between intelligentsia and masses, it helped in putting a joint struggle against Britishers.
(ii) Mahatma Gandhi through his unique yet effective methods contributed immensely in political awareness of the masses. Techniques such as non-cooperation, civil disobedience, boycott of courts, educational institution etc created an increased understanding about true nature of British rule.
(iii) Gandhiji also helped in making the nationalist movement a broad based one.
His accomodative and decentralised approach led to incorporation of many segments of population such as women, tribals in the political struggle for independence of India.
(iv) The three prominent mass movement of Gandhiji viz Non-cooperation, Civil disobedience and Quit India forced upon the British the realisation that their rule would not last forever.
Section B
Long Answer Questions
Question 5.
Chronicles are an important source for studying the Mughal empire and its court for a present day historian. Discuss in detail the relevance of chronicles in understanding Mughal history. (5)
Answer:
Chronicles are accounts which contained the events of the emperor’s time. They present a continuous records of events as per the timeline i.e. chronological order. These are an important source for any scholar who wishes to write a history of the Mutuals.
Chronicles are accounts which contained the events of the emperor’s time. They present a continuous records of events as per the timeline i.e. chronological order. These are an important source for any scholar who wishes to write a history of the Mutuals.
They were a collection of factual information about the institutions of the Mughal state, carefully collected and arranged in groups with similar information by individuals closely connected with the court. Therefore, these texts give us a view into how imperial ideas and beliefs were created and transmitted.
Chronicles are relevant as a source of studying mughal Empire and its court in the following ways
(i) These chronicles were commissioned by the Mughal emperors and written by authors who belonged to the royal court. The history of the rule of various rulers from the empire can be reconstructed from this chronicles because they were written with a motive to portray the events centred on the ruler.
(ii) They gave vivid description about the king’s family, the courts and the nobles. In addition to it wars and administrative arrangements followed by the rulers were also depicted. For instance, the Akbar Name written by Abu’l Fazl provides a detailed description of Akbar’s reign in the traditional diachronic sense of recording politically significant events across time, as well as in the more novel sense of giving a synchronic picture of all aspects of Akbar’s empire in context of its geography, society, administration and culture.
(iii) Similarly, Badshah Nama written by Abdul Hamid Lahori gives official history of the reign of Shah Jahan in three volumes.
(iv) Later these chronicles were edited, printed and translated to understand the history of India and Mughal empire by Asiatic society of Bengal under the British rule. Thus, these chronicles commissioned by the ruler owing to its vivid description, beautiful use of calligraphy and fine paintings serve as illuminating source of studying Mughal empire and its court.
Question 6.
What were the measures taken by the British to subdue the rebels and supress the Revolt of 1857? (6)
Or
Elucidate how Hindu-Muslim unity was watershed event in 1857 Revolt?
Answer:
The measures taken by the British to subdue the rebels and suppress the Revolt of 1857 were
(i) Passing of Laws to Help the Troops The British passed several laws to help the troops before sending Stem to re-occupy North India. The militiary officers were also empowered to try and punish the rebel Indians. The ordinary process of law and trial were ignored by them. With the help of new laws and the new reinforcements coming from Britain, the British started the process of suppressing the revolt.
British thought to reconquer Delhi which was most important to suppress the revolt. Therefore, in June 1857, the British attacked Delhi from two directions.
(ii) 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 rebels and the zamindars by promising the latter to give back their estates.
(iii) Use of Military Power on a Gigantic Scale The British used military power on a gigantic scale. Their absolute control over the means of communication and their control over the railways enabled them to send quick military support to different parts of the country.
(iv) 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 to workout plans to take immediate action against rebels. Thus, the British tried their best to maintain their absolute control over the means of communication in order to suppress the revolt.
(v) Brutal Means of Punishment The Company undertook brutal measures to punish the rebels where revolt has been repressed. They were blow from guns or hanged from gallows. In addition to satisfying the urge for vengeance and retribution, it also gave a stem message to rebellious sepoys and peasants at other places.
Or
Hindu-Muslim unity was watershed event in 1857 Revolt in the following ways
It was jointly led by the rulers and leaders from both the communities leaders like Nana Sahib, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Maulvi Ahmed Shah, Tantya Tope, Rani Laxmibai and Hazarat Mahal played significant role in this revolt. The rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population, irrespective of their caste or creed.
‘ In sepoys controlled territories such as in Meerut and Delhi, the religious sentiments of both these communities were taken care of, as evidenced from proclamations banning the cow slaughter.
Question 7.
Give a detailed account on the life of Paharias. What was the impact of aggresive push by Britishers for settled agriculture on their life? (5)
Or
Examine the causes that led to Permanent Settlement in Bengal. Also identify the consequences of it.
Answer:
The Paharias were tribal people living in and around Rajmahal hills in Eastern India. The life of the Paharias as hunters, shifting cultivators, food gatherers, charcoal producers, silkworm rearers was intimately connected to the forest. The detailed account of the life of Paharias are
- They lived on forest produce and practised shifting cultivation.
- They cleared patches of forest by cutting bushes and burning the undergrowth.
- They collected mahua for food and brewing liquor, silk cocoons and resin for sale and wood for charcoal production.
- They also raided the plains where the settled’agriculturalists lived. It was necessary for survival especially during scarcity.
The impact of aggressive push by Britishers for settled agriculture on their life was
(i) With the rise of settled agriculture, the area under forests and pastures contracted.
(ii) In the 1770s, the British embarked on a brutal policy of extermination. Many Paharias were killed and subsequent policy of pacification were also refused by many Paharias chief.
(iii) In the end, Paharias withdrew deep into the mountains, insulating themselves from hostile forces and carrying on a war with the outsides.
Or
The Permanent Settlement of Bengal was brought into effect by the East India Company headed by the Governor-General Lord Cornwallis in 1793. The causes leading to permanent settlement in Bengal were Firstly, Company kept the revenue price high with an idea that if the initial price would below, then they would never be able to claim a share of inside income from land when prices rose and cultivation expanded.
(iv) Secondly, during the 1790s, the prices of agricultural produce were decreased with made the ryots difficult to pay their dues to the zamindar.
(v) 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 data, the zamindari was liable to be auctioned.
(vi) Fourthly, the power of the zamindar was initially limited to collect rent from the ryots and manage his zamindari.
The consequences of Permanent Settlement in Bengal were
(i) The Zamindar’s troops were disbanded, custom duties abolished and their cutcheries (courts) were brought under the supervision of a collector appointed by the company.
(ii) The lost the power to organise local justice and the local police. The collectorate emerged as an alternative centre of authority.
(iii) An officer of the zamindar, the amlah, came to the village at the time of rent collection to keep an eye on the process.
(iv) Bad harvests and low prices made the ryots difficult to pay dues to the zamindars.
(v) Sometimes ryots deliberately delayed the revenue payment. Rich ryots and village headmen, jotedars and Mandals were against the zamindars.
(vi) 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.
Section – C
Source Based Questions
Question 8.
Read the source given below and answer the following questions.
Why the Salt Satyagraha?
Why was salt the symbol of protest? This is what Mahatma Gandhi wrote
The volume of information being gained daily shows how wickedly the salt tax has been designed. In order to prevent the use of salt that has not paid the tax which is at times even fourteen times its value, the Government destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably. Thus it taxes the nation’s vital necessity; it prevents the public from manufacturing it and destroys what nature manufactures without effort.
No adjective is strong enough for characterising this wicked dog-in-the-manger policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of the nation’s property in all parts of India. Maunds if not tons of salt are said to be destroyed on the Konkan coast.
The same tale comes from Dandi. Wherever there is likelihood of natural salt being taken away by the people living in the neighbourhood of such areas for their personal use, salt officers are posted for the sole purpose of carrying on destruction. Thus valuable national property is destroyed at national expense and salt taken out of the mouths of the people.
The salt monopoly is thus a fourfold curse. It deprives the people of a valuable easy village industry, involves wanton destruction of property that nature produces in abundance, the destruction itself means more national expenditure, and fourthly, to crown this folly, an unheard-of tax of more than 1,000 percent is exacted from a starving people.
This tax has remained so long because of the apathy of the general public. Now that it is sufficiently roused, the tax has to go. How soon it will be abolished depends upon the strength the people.
The Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi (Cwmg), Vol. 49
(i) When and where did Salt Satyagraha took place? (1)
(ii) Who was the Governor-General during Salt Satyagraha in India? (1)
(iii) Why the Salt monopoly was a four fold curse according to Mahatma Gandhi? (2)
Answer:
(i) Salt Satyagraha took place on 12th March, 1930 in Dandi.
(ii) Lord Irvin was the Governor-General during the Salt Satyagraha in India.
(iii) According to Mahatma Gandhi salt monopoly was a fourfold curse because it deprived people of valuable easy village industry. It prevents the public from manufacturing salt and destroys the salt that was naturally manufactured.
Question 9.
Read the source given below and answer the following questions.
Buchanan on the Santhals
Buchanan wrote:
They are very clever in clearing new lands, but live meanly. Their huts have no fence, and the walls are made of small sticks placed upright, close together and plastered within with clay. They are small and slovenly and too flat-roofed, with very little arch.
(i) Examine the role of Buchanan as an agent of the East India Company. (1)
(ii) Analyse the economic activities of Santhals. (1)
(iii) How did Buchanan describe the living conditions of Santhals? (2)
Answer:
(i) Buchanan was an employee of the British East India Company. He used to inform the company about the landscapes and revenue sources.
(ii) The economic activities of Santhals were that they cleared forests and cut down timber. They ploughed land and grew rice and cotton. They settled down cultivating a range of commercial crops for the market.
(iii) Buchanan describe the living conditions of Santhals in the following ways
- They lived in a poor condition.
- Their huts had no fence and the walls were made of small sticks placed upright.
Section – D
Map Based Question
Question 10.
(i) Locate any one of the following areas on the political Map of India. (1)
(a) Punjab Or
(b) Sindh
(ii) Identify the place marked as A on the map given below where Rani Lakshmi Bai ruled during 1857 revolt. (1)
Answer:
