CBSE Board Question Paper 2009
Class XII (Delhi)
Subject – History
Time allowed : 3 Hours Maximum Marks : 100
General Instructions:
(i) Answer all the questions. Marked are indicated against each question.
(ii) Answers to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A – Questions no. 1 to 5) should not exceed 30 words each.
(iii) Answers to questions carrying 5 marks (Part B – Section I, II, III – Questions no. 6 to 16) should not exceed 100 words each.
(iv) Answers to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C – Questions no. 17 to 18) should not exceed 250 words each.
(v) Part D has questions based on three sources.
(vi) Attach the maps with the answer scripts (Part E).
Part – A
Answer all the questions given below:
1. Mention two ideal occupations of Brahmans according to Dharmashastras. 2
2. State two characteristics of Krishna Deva Raya’s rule. 2
3. Why were women considered an important resource in agrarian society? Mention two reasons. 2
4. Mention the revenue system introduced by the British in Bombay Deccan with one of its main characteristics. 2
5. When was the first All India census attempted? Mention two of its early aims. 2
Part – 2
SECTION – I
Answer any three of the following questions:
6. Describe briefly how the centres of craft production are identified. 5
7. Describe the sources of reconstructing the histories of the Gupta rulers. 5
8. Explain how in the case of Vaishnavism, cults developed around the various avatars of the deity. 5
9. Explain the most important idea of Jainism and its impact on Indian thinking. 5
SECTION – II
Answer any two of the following questions:
10. Why did Abul Fazl describe the land revenue as ‘remuneration of sovereignty’? Explain. 5
11. Describe the variety of tasks involved in creation of manuscripts during the reign of the Mughals. 5
12. Explain why Qandhar was a bone of contention between the Safavids and the Mughals. 5
SECTION – III
Answer any three of the following questions:
13. Explain two reasons for the failure of the permanent Settlement of the land revenue, introduced by the British in Bengal. 5
14. “The rumours in 1857 began to make sense when seen in the context of the policies pursued by the British from late 1820s.” Support your answer with evidence. 5
15. Examine the recommendations of the Cabinet Mission and explain the reasons for rejecting the plan suggested by the Cabinet Mission in 1946 by both Congress and Muslim League. 5
16. How were the discussions within the Constituent Assemble influenced by the opinions expressed by the people? Explain. 5
Part - C
17. Explain the teachings of Guru Nank. Did he wish to establish a new religion?
OR
Explain the textual traditions regarding religion beliefs. 8
18. How was Quit India Movement genuinely a Mass Movement? Explain.
OR
Examine the different kinds of sources from witch political career of Gandhi Ji and the history of the National Movement could be reconstructed. 8
Part-D
(Source Based Questions)
Read the following extracts (Q. Nos. 19 to 21) carefully and answer the questions that follow:
19. How could men and women acquire wealth?
For men, the Manusmriti declares, there are seven means of acquiring wealth: inheritance, finding, purchase, conquest, investment, work and acceptance of gifts from good people.
For women, there are six means of acquiring wealth: what was given in front of the fire (marriage) or the bridal procession or as a token of affection and what she got from her brother, mother or rather. She could also acquire wealth through any subsequent gift and whatever her “affectionate” husband might give her.
(i) Explain the means how men could acquire wealth, according to Manusmriti. 3
(ii) Explain the means of acquiring wealth by women. 2
(iii) Explain the result of having different ways of acquiring wealth by men and women. 2
(iv) Do you agree with such a division of acquiring wealth or not? Give one reason. 1
OR
The most ancient system yet discovered
About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient system as yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows … that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared”.
From Ernest Mackay, early Indus Civilisation, 1948.
Drainage systems were not unique to the large cities, but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were build of mud bricks, drains were made of burnt bricks.
(i) Explain the ancient drainage system of the Harappans. 4
(ii) Explain the domestic architecture of the houses of Mohanjodaro. 2
(iii) What are the advantages of covered drains? Explain. 2
20. Darbar-i-Albari
Abu’l Fazl gives a vivid account of Akbar’s darbar:
Whenever His Majesty (Akbar) holds court (darbar) a large drum is beaten, the sounds of which are accompanied by Divine praise. In this manner, people of all classes receive notice. His Majesty’s sons and grandchildren, the grandees of the Court, and all other men who have admittance, attend to make the kornish, and remain standing in their officers of justice present their reports. His Majesty, with his usual insight, gives orders, and settles everything in a satisfactory manner. During the whole time, skilful gladiators and wrestlers from all countries hold themselves in readiness, and singers, male and female, are in waiting. Clever jugglers and funny tumblers also are anxious to exhibit their dexterity and agility.
(i) Explain main activities taking place in the Darber of Akbar. 3
(ii) Explain different forms of salutation to the ruler. 3
(iii) How did Emperor begin his day? Explain. 2
OR
The system of varnas
This is Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas:
The highest caste are the Brahmana, of whom the books of the Hindus tell us that they were created from the head of Brahman. And as the Brahman is only another name for the force called nature, and the head is the highest part of the … body, the Brahmana are the choice part of the whole genus. Therefore the Hindus consider them as the very best of mankind.
The next caste are the Kshatriya, who were created, as they say, from the shoulders and hands of Brahman. Their degree is not much below that of the Brahmana.
After them follow the Vaishya, who were created from the thigh of Brahman. The Shudra who were created from his feet.
Between the latter two classes there is no very great distance. Much, however, as these classes differ from each other, they live together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same town and villages, mixed together in the same houses and lodgings.
(i) Explain Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas. 4
(ii) Do you consider this type of division justified? Explain with reasons. 2
(iii) How was the system not quite rigid in the real life? Explain. 2
21. Ambedkar on separate elactorates
In response to Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to the demand for separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, Ambedkar wrote:
Here is a class which is undoubtedly not in a position to sustain itself in the struggle for existence. The religion, to which they are tied , instead of providing them an honourable place, brands them as lepers, not fit for ordinary intercourse. Economically, it is a class entirely dependent upon the high-caste Hindus for earning its daily bread with no independent way of living open to it. Nor are all ways closed by reason of the social prejudices of the Hindus but there is a definite attempt all through our Hindu Society to bolt every possible door so as not to allow the Depresses Classes any opportunity to rise in the scale of life.
In these circumstances, it would be granted by all fair-minded persons that as the only path for a community so handicapped to succeed in the struggle for life against organized tyranny, some share of political power in order that it may protect itself is a paramount necessity…
(i) Examine the arguments gives in favour of separate electorates for depressed classes, by Dr. Ambedkar and give your reactions. 3
(ii) Describe the position of economically depressed classes. 3
(iii) Suggest some other ways to provide an honorable position to depressed classes. 2
OR
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 real cooperation is not possible between man and woman.
(i) How could the woman be empowered economically? Explain. 3
(ii) What could be the basis of mutual respect among men and women? Explain. 2
(iii) Why did Hansa Mehta not demand separate electorates or reserved seats for women? Explain. 3
Part-E
22. On the given political outline map of India mark and label the following:
(i) Capital of Ashoka. 1
(ii) Any two major sites of Rock Edicts. 2
(iii) Any two sites of Pillar Inscriptions. 2
OR
On the gives political outline map of India mark and label the following:
(i) Any two centres of Revolt of 1857. 2
(ii) Any three centres of The National Movement of India. 3
23. On the given political outline map of India five please under Babar, Akbar and Aurangzeb have marked as 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Identify and write their names on the lines drawn near them. 5
Note : The following questions are only for the Blind candidates in lieu of map Q. Nos. 22 & 23.
22. Mention the name of places of any two major Rock Edicts and three Pillar Edicts of Ashoks.
OR
Mention any 5 centres of the Revolt of 1857.
23. Mention name of any five places under Babar, Akbar and Aurangzeb in India. 5
CBSE Board Question Papers Class 12th 2009