AHSEC| CLASS 12| HISTORY| QUESTION PAPER

AHSEC| CLASS 12| HISTORY| QUESTION PAPER - 2019| H.S. 2ND YEAR

2019
HISTORY
Full Marks: 100
Pass Marks: 30
Time: Three hours
The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.

1. Answer the following questions: 1×12=12

a) Who was Alexander Cunningham?

b) Name the most powerful mahajandapada in India between the sixth and the fourth centuries BCE. 1

c) Who was the best known ruler of the Satavahana dynasty ?

d) Name any one of the Tipitaka.

e) Who was the first British Commissioner of Assam?

f) Name the Sultan of Delhi when Ibn Battuta visited India ?

g) Who was called ‘Muquaddam’?

h) Name the author of Badshah Nama.

i) Which revenue system was introduced by the East India Company in the Bombay Deccan?

j) Where did Konwar Singh lead the rebels during the revolt of 1857?

k) Which was the third major movement against the British rule launched by Mahatma Gandhi?

l) By which name Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan was known?

2. Answer the following questions in brief: 2×12=24

a) How is the lower town different from the citadel in the towns of the Indus Valley Civilisation?

b) What was an Agrahara?

c) Name the two dynasties who were immediate successors to the Mauryas. ?

d) Mention two peasants uprising of Assam in the nineteenth century.

e) Name any two Sufi saints of Medieval India.

f) What do you understand by ‘Jama’ and ’Hasil’?

g) Mention two artisanal tasks which were dependent on female labour in India in the sixteenth-seventeenth centuries.

h) Name two capital cities developed by the Mughal emperors.

i) What was the ‘Fifth report’?

j) Write any two programmes of the Non Cooperation Movement.

k) Who called for ‘Direct Action’ and which day was chosen for it?

l) Name any two representatives of Indian National Congress who played particularly important role in the Constitutent Assembly of India.

3. Answer the following questions: (any ten) 4×10=40

a) What were the basic features of the Great Bath found in Mohenjodaro ?

b) Explain the limitations of the inscriptional evidences.

c) What were the ideal occupations suggested by the Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras for the four varnas?

d) Write briefly about the remains of ancient temples of Assam.

e) What did Bernier state regarding land ownership in India ?

f) Who was Baba Guru Nanak ? What were his basic religious principles ?

g) How did the Paharias use the forests for their livelihood ?

h) How did the annexation of Oudh to the British Empire affect the Taluqdars there ?

i) Who was Lord Irwin ? What were the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact ?

j) In which year was the Survey of India established ? How did the maps prepared during the colonial times reflect the bias of the British rulers ?

k) Explain the importance of the Buranjis.

l) Who introduced Jharoka Darshan ? How was it performed ?

m) What arguments were put forward by the members of the Constituent Assembly in favour of a strong Central Government ?

4. Read the given passages carefully and answer the questions that follow: (Answer any three) 6×3=18

(a) “The most important idea in Jainism is that the entire world is animated : even stones, rocks and water have life. Non-injury to living beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects is central to Jaina philosophy. In fact the principle of ahimsa, emphasized within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole. According to Jaina teachings, the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma. Asceticism and penance are required to free oneself from the cycle of karma. This can be achieved only by renouncing the world ; therefore, monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation. Jaina monks and nuns took five vows: to abstain from killing , stealing and lying, to observe celibacy ; and to abstain from possessing property.”

a) What is central to Jaina philosophy ? 1

b) Mention two vows taken by Jaina monks and nuns. 2

c) How karma and salvation are related to each other ? 3

(b) “By the first century CE, there is evidence of changes in Buddhist ideas and practices. Early Buddhist teachings have given importance to self-effort in achieving nibbana. Besides, the Buddha was regarded as a human being who attained enlightenment and nibbana through his own efforts. However, gradually the idea of a savior emerged. It was believed that he was one of who could ensure salvation. Simultaneously, the concept of Bodhisatta also developed. Bodhisattas were perceived as deeply compassionate beings who accumulated merit through their efforts but used this not to attain nibbana and thereby abandon the world, but to help others. The worship of the images of the Buddha and Bodhisattas became an important part of this tradition”

a) When did changes in Buddhism occur ? 1

b) Who were the Bodhisattas ? 2

c) What changes did take place in Buddhism ? 3

(c) “Krishnadeva Raya‘s rule was characterized by expansion and consolidation. This was the time when the land between the Tungabhadra and the Krishna rivers (the Raichur doab) was acquired (1512), the rulers of Orissa were subdued (1514) and severe defeats were inflicted on the Sultan of Bijapur (1520). Although the kingdom remained in a constant state of military preparedness, it flourished under conditions of unparalleled peace and prosperity. Krishnadeva Raya is credited with building some fine temples and adding impressive gopurams to many important south Indian temples. He also founded a suburban township near Vijaynagara called Nagalapuram after his mother. Some of the most detailed descriptions of Vijaynagara came from his time or just after.”

a) Where was the Raichur doab ? 1

b) What did Krishnadeva Raya build in his empire ? 2

c) How did the king expand his empire ? 3

(d) “Temple building in the region had a long history going back to dynasties such as the Pallavas, Chalukyas, Hoyasalas and Cholas. Rulers very often encouraged temple building as a means of associating themselves with the divine – often the deity was explicitly or implicitly identified with the king. Temples also functioned as centres of learning. Besides, rulers and others often granted land and other resources for the maintenance of temples. Consequently, temples developed as significant religious, social, cultural and economic centres. From the point of view of the rulers, constructing, repairing and maintaining temples were important means of winning support and recognition for their power, wealth and property.”

a) In which region did the dynasties such as the Pallavas, Cholas etc. rule ? 1

b) Why did the rulers build temples ? 2

c) What was the importance of the temples ? 3

(e) “Bombay was initially seven islands. As the population grew, the islands were joined to create more space and they gradually fused into one big city. Bombay was the commercial capital of colonial India. As the premier port on the western coast it was the centre of international trade. By the end of the nineteenth century, half the imports and exports of India passed through Bombay. One important item of this trade was opium that the East India Company exported to China. Indian merchants and middlemen supplied and participated in this trade and they helped integrate Bombay's economy directly to Malwa, Rajasthan and Sind where opium was grown. This collaboration with the Company was profitable and led to the growth of an Indian capitalist class. Bombay's capitalists came from diverse communities such as Parsi, Marwari, Konkani Muslim, Gujrati Bania, Bohra, Jew and Armenian.”

a) Name an important trade item that was exported to China from India by the East India Company. 1

b) Which communities formed the capitalist class of Bombay ? 2

c) Explain the importance of Bombay Port. 3

(f) “From the mid eighteenth century, there was a new phase of change. Commercial centres such as Surat, Masulipatanam and Dhaka, which had grown in the seventeenth century, declined when trade shifted to other places. As the British gradually acquired political control after the Battle of Plassey in 1757, and the trade of the English East India Company expanded, colonial port cities such as Madras, Calcutta and Bombay rapidly emerged as the new economic capitals. They also became centres of colonial administration and military power. New buildings and institutions developed, and urban spaces were ordered in new ways. New occupations developed and people flocked to these colonial cities. By about 1800, they were the biggest cities in India in terms of population.”

a) Why did the commercial centres decline which grew in the seventeenth century ? 1

b) What were the causes of the emergence of the new economiccapitals ? 2

c) What were the characters of the newly emerged cities ? 3

5. Answer the following question. 6

(a) Draw a map of India and identify the locations of the following ancient towns : Pataliputra, Kanauj, Mathura, Kaushambi, Ujjayini and Pragjyotishpura. 3+3=6

(b) Name three places of Pakistan and Afghanistan where Major rock Edicts of Asoka are found. Name the states of India to which Girnar, Sopara and Jaugada belong where Major rock Edicts of Asoka are found. 3+3=6

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