Class XII – History Sample Paper – 3

Ans. b) Option (i)

Ans. c) Akbar

Ans. b) Nayanars

Ans. a) C.R. Das

Ans. a) (a) – (ii), (b) – (iv), (c) – (i), (d) – (iii)

Ans. a) Harmika

Ans. c) Santhal Pargana

Ans. c) To revive Islamic rule

Ans. b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Ans. a) Italy

Ans. d) Jawahar Lal Nehru

Ans. a) 24 January, 1947

Ans. a) iii and iv

Ans. d) Children and women

Ans. c) Nalayira Divyaprabandham

Ans. b) i, iii and iv

Ans. c) Rani Laxmi Bai

Ans. b) Panchayat Accountant

Ans. d) Hampi

Ans. b) Lakulisa

Ans. b) Where he attained enlightenment – Sursen

Ans. i. Forest dwellers were termed jangali in contemporary texts.

ii. Their livelihood came from the gathering of forest produce, hunting and shifting agriculture.

iii. These activities were largely season specific.

iv. Among the Bhils, for example, spring was reserved for collecting forest produce, summer for fishing, the monsoon months for cultivation, and autumn and winter for hunting.

v. Such a sequence presumed and perpetuated mobility, which was a distinctive feature of tribes.

vi. For the state, the forest was a subversive place – a place of refuge (mawas) for troublemakers.

Ans. Revenue from the land was the economic mainstay of the Mughal empire. It was, therefore, vital for the state to created an administrative apparatus to ensured control over agricultural production and to fixed and collected revenue from across the length and breadth of the empire. In his work, Abul Fazl also mentioned land revenue as the remuneration of sovereignty because it was like a social contract between kings and the public. The king had to protect the life property, honours, and faith of his, subjects and in return, he demanded land revenue as a resource and obedience. Only those sovereigns who had divine guidance and power could honour the contract this was according to the divine light concept prevailed that times.

Ans. The Deccan Riots Commission Report can be examined through the following points:

i. A report was prepared by the commission which was presented to the British Parliament in 1878.

ii. Proper enquiries were held in the Riot affected districts and the statement of the Ryots, Sahukars and eyewitnesses were recorded.

iii. Statistical data on revenue Rates, Prices and Interest rates were compiled in various regions.

iv. The Deccan Riots Commission Report shows the official sources and reflects concerns and interpretations of events. this commission was specifically asked to judge whether the level of the government revenue demand was the cause of the Revolt. After presenting all the evidence, the commission reported that the government demand was not the cause of peasants anger. It was the moneylenders who were to blame.

Ans. i. Support for Religious Traditions:

• Chola rulers supported Brahmanical and bhakti traditions.
• They made land grants and constructed temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

ii. Temple Construction:

• Magnificent Shiva temples were constructed under Chola patronage.
• Notable examples include temples at Chidambaram, Thanjavur, and Gangaikondacholapuram.

iii. Artistic Achievements:

• The period saw the production of spectacular bronze sculptures of Shiva.
• The visions of the Nayanars, who were Shaiva saints, inspired these artistic creations.

iv. Proclamation of power:

– The Chola kings claimed divine support and proclaimed their own power by building temples.

Ans. Administration of Justice in India was as follows:

i. Crude and primitive in many ways, but also liberal and humane.

ii. Written complaints, cases were decided on the testimony of witnesses according to code of laws

iii. Criminal Laws was mild.

iv. Brahmanas were exempted from capital punishment.

v. Punishments were given according to laws set in religious texts.

Ans. The rebel proclamations of 1857 appealed for unity among all sections of the population for several reasons:

Religious Unity: The proclamations emphasized the need for Hindus and Muslims to unite against the British. For example, the Azamgarh Proclamation of 25 August 1857 called upon both “Hindus and Mohammedans” to join forces in the struggle against the British.

Regional Unity: The proclamations sought to bring together people from different regions. Leaders like Nana Sahib appealed to regional identities, urging people from the Deccan to support the rebellion.

Social Unity: The proclamations called for social cohesion, urging people of all castes and social classes to unite. Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, for instance, appealed to all social groups to join the fight against the British.

Common Grievances: The proclamations highlighted shared grievances such as economic exploitation, heavy taxation, and disrespect for traditional rulers and customs. By focusing on these common issues, the rebels aimed to create a sense of shared purpose.

Strength in Numbers: The rebels understood that a united front would significantly increase their chances of success. Mobilizing a large and diverse group of people provided the necessary manpower and resources to sustain the rebellion.

Ans. Due to diversity in the sub-continent, there were many people whose social practices were not influenced by Brahmanical ideas. Their mention has been found in many Sanskrit texts. They are often described as odd, uncivilised and beastly people. They are also considered forest dwellers who hunted to survive. The Nishada, Eklavya was one of them and belonged to this category of people.

The others who were suspected included nomadic pastoralists. They did not adjust themselves in the framework of settled agriculturists. The people who did not speak Sanskrit were often termed as Mlechchhas. They were looked down upon in society. There are many stories about such people in the Mahabharata.

Ans. V.S. Sukthankar was the most famous Sanskritist.

i. Under the V.S. Sukthankar, a team of dozens of scholars initiated the task of preparing a critical edition of the Mahabharata.

ii. The team Collected the Sanskrit Manuscripts of the text. Written in a variety of scripts from different parts of the country.

iii. The team worked out a method of comparing verses from each manuscript. Ultimately they selected the verses that were common to most versions and published these in several volumes running into 13,000 pages. The project took 47 years to complete.

Ans. The members of the Constituent Assembly were not elected on the basis of the universal franchise rather they were elected on the basis of the provincial elections of 1946. The Constituent Assembly that came into being was dominated by one party: the Congress. The Congress swept the general seats in the provincial elections, and the Muslim League captured most of the reserved Muslim seats. But the League chose to boycott the Constituent Assembly, pressing its demand for Pakistan with a separate constitution. The Socialists too were initially unwilling to join, for they believed the Constituent Assembly was a creation of the British, and therefore incapable of being truly autonomous. The Constituent Assembly had 300 members. Out of which 82 percent of the members of the Constituent Assembly were members of Congress. The Congress however was not a party with one voice. Its members differed in their opinion on critical issues. Some members were inspired by socialism while others were defenders of landlordism. Some were close to communal parties while others were assertively secular. Through the national movement, Congress members had learnt to debate their ideas in public and negotiate their differences. Within the Constituent Assembly too, Congress members did not sit quiet.

Jawahar Lal Nehru, Vallabh Bhai Patel and Rajendra Prasad were the members of Congress who played important roles in the Constituent Assembly. Nehru moved ‘Objective Resolution’ and ‘Tricolour National Flag’. Patel played a key role in drafting reports and reconciling views. Dr. Prasad was the President of the Assembly. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar served as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. KM Munshi and Alladi Krishnaswamy Aiyar gave crucial inputs. The discussions within the Constituent Assembly were also influenced by the opinions expressed by the public.

Ans. i. Views of Govind Ballabh Pant on ‘Separate Electorates’ are examined as under:

a. Govind Ballabh Pant was a staunch critic of the demand for separate electorates. He clearly declared that this demand was not only injurious to the nation but also for the minorities.

b. G. B. Pant supported Bahadur’s analysis that the success of democracy was to be deftly examined and judged by the confidence it evoked amongst various sections of people.

c. G. B. Pant also maintained that every citizen in a free state should be treated in a way that satisfied “not only his material wants but also his spiritual sense of self-respect.” The majority community should understand the problems faced by minorities.

d. Yet, G. B. Pant vehemently opposed the idea of “Separate Electorates”. During the debate on 27 August 1947, he said, “I believe separate electorates will be suicidal to the minorities and will do them tremendous harms …. The minorities if they are returned by separate electorates can never have any effective voice.”

ii. Views of Begam Aizaz Rasul on “Separate Electorates”:

a. The demand for separate electorates was not supported by all Muslims. Begam Aizaz Rasul maintained that separate electorates were self-destructive.

b. She further said that the idea of a separate electorate would isolate the minorities from the majority.

c. However, by 1949 most Muslim members of the constituent assembly were of this opinion that the notion of separate electorates was against the interests of the minorities.

d. She opined that the Muslim community should take an active and vibrant part in the democratic process to ensure that they had an effective and decisive voice in the political system of the country.

Conclusion: The concept of a separate electorate was outrightly condemned by G. B. Pant and Begam Aizaz Rasul. Pant said that it was a suicidal demand and would permanently isolate the minorities.

Ans. Quit India Movement: Challenging British Rule and Shaping Indian Independence:

Against Cripps Mission and Government Acts: The movement gained momentum as a direct response to the failure of the Cripps Mission, dissatisfaction with the Government of India Act 1935, the threat of Japanese aggression, and the forced inclusion of India in World War II without Indian consent.

Youth Activism: Younger activists played a crucial role by organizing strikes and acts of sabotage across the country. Their actions disrupted the normal functioning of the British administration and demonstrated widespread discontent.

Underground Resistance: Socialist members of the Congress, like Jai Prakash Narayan, led underground resistance efforts. These activities kept the spirit of the movement alive even when many leaders were imprisoned.

Independent Governments: The establishment of independent governments in districts like Satara in the west and Medinipur in the east showcased the Indian people’s ability to self-govern and resist colonial rule.

Unity Among Masses: The movement fostered unity among the Indian masses, cutting across regional, religious, and social lines. This unity was crucial in presenting a united front against British rule.

Mass Participation: The Quit India Movement saw active participation from all states and was truly a mass movement. It involved people from all walks of life, making it a nationwide struggle.

Disruption of British Administration: The movement significantly disrupted the functioning of the British colonial government. Strikes, protests, and acts of sabotage created administrative chaos and demonstrated the untenability of British rule in India.

Political Awakening and Empowerment: The movement brought about a political awakening and empowerment among the Indian populace. It instilled a sense of agency and the belief that they could overthrow colonial rule.

British Suppression Efforts: The British took more than a year to suppress the movement, indicating its intensity and the widespread support it garnered. The prolonged struggle highlighted the determination of the Indian people to achieve independence.

Ans. Mahatma Gandhiji’s Vital Role in the Non-Cooperation Movement

1. Response to Rowlatt Act:

Gandhiji called for a countrywide campaign against the Rowlatt Act, leading to widespread protests and strikes.

2. Campaign of Non-Cooperation:

Emboldened by the success of the Rowlatt satyagraha, Gandhiji called for a campaign of non-cooperation with British rule, asking Indians to boycott schools, colleges, courts, and to not pay taxes.

3. Broadened Struggle:

To widen the movement, Gandhiji joined hands with the Khilafat Movement, aiming to unite Hindus and Muslims against colonial rule.

4. Popular Action:

The Non-Cooperation Movement unleashed unprecedented popular action, with students, lawyers, workers, and peasants all participating in various forms of protest.

5. Empathy and Identification with the Poor:

Gandhiji’s simple lifestyle, dress, and daily use of the charkha resonated with the common people, helping him to empathize with and mobilize them effectively.

6. Breaking Social Boundaries:

By advocating spinning and manual labor, Gandhiji broke traditional caste boundaries, promoting equality and selfreliance among Indians.

7. Shaking the British Raj:

The Non-Cooperation Movement was so effective that it shook the foundations of the British Raj for the first time since the Revolt of 1857.

8. International Recognition:

Gandhiji’s leadership and the movement’s impact were acknowledged globally, with significant appreciation and tributes from international figures and media.

9. Calling Off the Movement:

After the Chauri Chaura incident, where violence erupted, Gandhiji called off the movement, emphasizing the importance of non-violence and moral integrity.

10. Arrest and Trial:

Gandhiji was arrested and charged with sedition in 1922. During his trial, even the judge acknowledged his high ideals and saintly life, recognizing his leadership and patriotism.

11. Building Organizational Structure:

Gandhiji’s success in broadening nationalism was also due to his organizational efforts, setting up new Congress branches and “Praja Mandals” across India, promoting the nationalist message in local languages.

12. Transformation of Indian Nationalism:

By 1922, Gandhiji had transformed Indian nationalism into a mass movement involving diverse social groups, thereby fulfilling his promise of making the freedom struggle inclusive and widespread.

Ans. The Nayakas and the Amara-Nayakas exercised considerable power in the Vijayanagara Empire. Nayakas: They were the military chiefs in the Vijayanagara Empire and usually controlled forts. They had armed supporters and often moved from one area to another. In many cases, they were accompanied by peasants who looked for fertile land for their settlement. They were called Nayakas as their role was quite significant. They usually spoke in Telugu or Kannada language. They were mostly submissive to the authority of the kings of Vijayanagara. But sometimes they also rose in rebellion and had to be controlled by military action.

Amara-Nayakas: The Amara-Nayakas were a major political innovation of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. They were the military commanders who governed the territories given by the kings of Vijayanagara. They collected taxes and other dues from peasants, traders and craft-persons in their areas. A part of the revenue was kept for their personal use and maintaining their horses and elephants. They provided an effective fighting force to the rulers of Vijayanagara. They also kept some of the collected revenue for the maintenance of temples and irrigation works.

The Royal Control over the Amara-Nayakas: At times when Nayakas and Amara-Nayakas revolted, the kings asserted their control on them and made them submit to the royal authority.

The kings adopted the following means to control them:

i. They transferred Amara-Nayakas from one place to another.

ii. They accepted an annual tribute from the Amara-Nayakas.

iii. All the Amara-Nayakas had to appear in the royal court personally. They had to present gifts to the king to express their loyalty.

Ans. Abdur Razzaq, a Persian ambassador in the court of Devaraja-II was much impressed by the fortification of the Vijayanagara Empire. He mentioned the seven lines of forts. These encircled not only the city but also the agricultural hinterland and forests. In the construction of the fortification of walls, no cementing agent was used. The wedge-shaped stone block which held them in place and the inner portion of the wall was earth packed with rubble. The fortification started with the enclosing of agricultural tracts. The objective of medieval sieges was to starve the defenders into submission. These sieges could last for several months and sometimes even years. Normally rulers tried to be prepared for such situations by building large granaries within the fortified area. The rulers of Vijayanagara adopted a more expensive and elaborated strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself. The enclosure had its own features. Abdur Razzaq further elaborates that between the first, second and third walls lie the cultivated fields, gardens and houses. According to Paes, “From this first circuit until you enter the city there is a great distance, in which field they saw rice and have many gardens and much water, in which water comes from two lakes.” The second fortification was done around the inner core of the urban complex while the third was around the royal centre. In it, most of the important buildings were encircled by the high walls that were well-guarded gateways were constructed here to enter the fort. These gateways were constructed in Indo-Islamic style. The arch on the gateway leading into fortified settlements as well as some over the gate is regarded as architecture introduced by Turkish sultans. These gateways were linked to city and roads. These roads have been identified by the archaeologist by tracing paths through gateways as well as by finds of pavements. These roads were mainly built in valleys avoiding rocky terrain. The most important roads were extended from temple gateways. Bazars were also situated on both sides of the roads.

Ans. Punna said that washing with water does not get one rid of evil. If that may be the case, then, turtles and crocodiles who live in water must be enjoying heaven. Also, one should not do that thing the fear of which leads one to bathe in holy water.

Ans. The Brahmana said that he takes a daily dip in water to prevent evil. He also advised everyone of any age must take a holy dip if he or she had done some evil.

Ans. The excerpt provides an insight into women’s social and spiritual experience.

Ans. According to Kabir, the distinctions between Gods are artificially created by people and that God is one for all. He discarded such differences by laying emphasis on the attainment of oneness with the divine. For this, he used words to refer to the Ultimate Reality in different traditions., like pir, khuda, alakh, shunya, etc.

Ans. People waste their lives in disputation by creating a divide between Allah and Ram that actually does not exist. They foster this divide by pursuing these distinctions instead of understanding that they are artificial and invented in nature. Instead of focusing on love, they focus on hate. Oneness with the divine can only be attained through love.

Ans. Kabir’s poetry draws its lyrical beauty from the fact that he seeks to explain that we need not create an artificial distinction between Gods. He uses Gold as a symbol of God which remains the same be it in any form and shows how people waste time in disputation and religious chauvinism. He appreciates the interconnectedness of all religions by calling his readers ‘brother’, and by seeking oneness with the Divine. His poem makes him a figure of inter-religious harmony.

Ans. a. The Fifth Report was the main period of intense parliamentary debates on the nature of the East India Company’s rule in India.

b. The Fifth Report gave a clear picture of what happened in rural Bengal in the late 18th century. It had invaluable evidence.

Ans. a. The Zamindars were facing high revenue demand and a possible auction of their estates.

b. The Zamindars devised many methods of surviving the pressures,

c. The dismemberment of estates at the end of each succeeding year made the Zamindars poorer and almost ruined them.

Ans. a. After having carefully examined the archives of many Bengal Zamindars, the researchers indicate that intent on criticising the mal-administration of the East India Company, the Fifth Report exaggerated the collapse of traditional Zaminidari power.

b. The scale on which zamindar was losing their land was also overestimated. Zamindaris were auctioned however, Zamindars were not always displaced. On the basis of clever methods, Zamindars used to retain their Zamindaris.

Ans.

Ans. A – Lothal B – Nageshwar