CBSE Class 12

History
Previous Year Question Paper 2011
Series: SOS Code no. 61/1

● Please check that this question paper contains 16 printed pages + 2 Maps.

● Code number given on the right hand side of the question paper should be
written on the title page of the answer-book by the candidate.

● Please check that this question paper contains 23 questions.

● Please write down the Serial Number of the question before attempting
it.

● 15 minutes of time has been allotted to read this question paper. The question
paper will be distributed at 10.15 a.m. From 10.15 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., the
students will read the question paper only and will not write any answer on
the answer-book during this period.

HISTORY

Time Allowed: 3 hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

1. Answer all the questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are
indicated against each question.

2. Answers to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A - Questions no. 1 to 5) should

not exceed. 30 words each.

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 3. Answers to questions carrying 5 marks (Part B - Section I, II, III - Questions
no. 6 to 16) should not exceed 100 words each.

4. Answers to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C - Questions no. 17 and 18)

should not exceed 250 words each.

5. Part D has questions based on three sources.

6. Attach the maps with the answer scripts (Part E).

Part – A

1. Mention any four items found in the graves of the Harappans. 2 Marks

Ans: Pottery, ornaments, jewellery, shell rings, and other artefacts were commonly
discovered in Harappan burials.

2. Mention Bernier’s views about private property and crown ownership of

land. 2 Marks

Ans: He was a firm believer in the benefits of private property and regarded crown
ownership of land as detrimental to the state and its citizens.

3. Who led a new religious movement in Karnataka ? What were his followers
known as ? 2 Marks

Ans: Basavanna was the leader of a new religious movement in Karnataka. His
disciples were known as Virashaivas (Shiva heroes) or Lingayats (wearers of the
linga).

4. Why did Paupens from rural areas flock to the cities ? Mention any two
reasons. 2 Marks

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Ans: Paupens from rural regions are migrating to cities for two reasons:

i. To find a job or employment. By the mid-nineteenth century, these towns

had grown into large cities from which the new rulers ruled the country.

ii. Towns were frequently defined as opposed to rural regions.

5. What did Gandhiji tell the upper castes of a village to do,during his salt
march,if they wanted to get swaraj ? 2 Marks

Ans: Gandhiji reminded the higher castes in one town, Wasna, that "if you are out
for Swaraj, you must serve untouchables." For Swaraj, you must make apologies for
the wrongs you committed against the untouchables. Hindus, Muslims, Parsis, and
Sikhs must band together to achieve Swaraj.

Part-B

Section-I

6. “The mid-first millennium BCE is often regarded as turning point im world

history. ”Justify the statement. 5 Marks

Ans: “The mid-first century BCE is frequently recognised as a watershed moment

in world history.” due to the following reasons:

i. Thinkers such as Zarathustra in Iran, Kongzi in China, Socrates, Plato, and

Aristotle in Greece, and Mahavira and Gautama Buddha in India emerged
during this period.

ii. The New Kingdom and cities were growing.

iii. Many novel ideas are contained in the Upanishads, such as life after death,
the meaning of life, the concept of reincarnation, and so on.

iv. Mahayana Buddhism, Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and goddess cults develop.

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 v. The socioeconomic landscape was shifting.

7. Describe how the kinship relations changed with reference to Mahabharata.

5 Marks

Ans: The kinship relations changed are as follows:

i. Kinsmen claimed the throne, and women such as Prabhavati Gupta wielded
authority in rare situations.

ii. Sons might claim their fathers' power under patriline.

iii. Men earned money by Manusmriti-directed ways like inheritance, labour,

and so forth.

iv. While males were vital for the patriliny's continuation, daughters had no
claim to the household's wealth.

v. Kanyadana, or the giving of a daughter in marriage, was a significant

religious obligation for the parent.

8. “Early Buddhist teachings had given great importance to self-effort in

achieving Nibbana.” Justify the statement. 5 Marks

Ans: Individuals are given prominence in early Buddhist thought, particularly in the
teachings of elders or theravada. Individual effort is what will bring him to Nibbana.
There is no such thing as a saviour, and the concept of God is seen as irrelevant.
Because it is individual effort that leads to enlightenment, the existence of God does
not assist you to achieve it.

The Buddha emphasised individual agency and righteous conduct as a method of

breaking free from the cycle of reincarnation and achieving self-realization and
nibbana – literally the extinguishing of the ego and desire – and thereby ending the
circle of misery for those who abandoned the world.

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As previously said, there was no idea of a saviour, no one on whom one could rely,
thus we discover that early Buddhist teachings placed a high value on self-effort in
reaching Nibbana.

9.Describe the structure of the Stupa and give any two examples of important
stupas. 5 Marks

Ans: The stupa (a Sanskrit term for a heap) began as a modest semi-circular earthen
mound known as the anda. The harmika, a balcony-like structure that depicted the
gods' dwelling, was located above the anda. A mast called the yastii rose from the
Harmika, typically topped by a chatri or umbrella. A barrier surrounded the mound,
isolating the sacred sanctuary from the secular world beyond.

Except for the stone fences, which resembled a bamboo or wooden fence, and the
entrances, which were elaborately carved and erected at the four cardinal points, the
early stupas at Sanchi and Bhrahut were simple. Worshippers entered by the eastern
doorway and traversed the mound clockwise, keeping the mound on the right,
mimicking the sun's path across the sky. Later, the stupa mounds were artistically
carved with niches and sculptures, as seen at Amaravati and Shah-ji-ki-Dheri in
Peshawar (Pakistan).

Section-II

10. “Strain began to show within the imperial structure following Krishnadeva
Raya’s death in 1529.” Critically examine the statement. 5 Marks

Ans: Following Krishnadeva Raya's death in 1529, tensions within the imperial
structure began to emerge as his successors were disturbed by rebellious nayakas, or
military leaders. By 1542, dominance of the centre had transferred to another
reigning family, the Aravidu, who held power till the end of the 17th century. During
this time, as well as before,military aspirations of the kings of Vijayanagara and the
Deccan Sultanates resulted in shifting alliances.

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This eventually led to a Sultanate coalition against Vijayanagara. In 1565, Rama
Raya, Vijayanagara's chief minister, led his army into combat at Rakshasi Tangadi
(also known as Talikota), when his forces were destroyed by the united armies of
Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golconda.Vijayanagar was sacked by the conquering
army. Within a few years, the city was completely abandoned. The empire's attention
turned to the east, where the Aravidu dynasty reigned from Penukonda, and then
from Chandragiri (near Tirupati)

11.Who wrote the ‘Akbarnama’ ? Describe its content in brief. 5 Marks

Ans: The ‘Akbarnama’ book was written by Abul Fazi.

In summary, the contents of Akbarnama are as follows:

i. Akbarnama's author Abul Fazi grew up in Agra, the Mughal capital. He was
well-versed in Arabic, Persian, Greek, and Sufi philosophy. Furthermore, he
was a strong debater and independent thinker who frequently disagreed with
the conservative ulema. These characteristics pleased Akbar, who saw Abul
Fazi as an excellent adviser and spokesperson for his initiatives.

ii. Abul Fazi began work on the Akbarnama in 1589 and worked on it for thirteen
years, frequently modifying the text. The chronicle is based on a variety of
sources, including real event recordings (waqai), official papers, and oral
testimony of informed individuals.

iii. The Akbarnama is split into three volumes, the first two of which are
chronicles. The Ain-i-Akbari is the third book. The first volume covers
mankind's history from Adam until one celestial cycle of Akbar's life (30
years).

12. Describe briefly how the emperor began his day in the balcony and at
Diwan-i-am. 5 Marks

Ans: The emperor on the balcony and in the Diwan-i-am:

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 i. The emperor began his day at daybreak with personal religious devotions or
prayers, and then emerged on the Jharoka, a tiny balcony facing east. A
multitude of people (soldiers, businessmen, craftspeople, peasants, and
mothers with ill infants) waited below for a glimpse, or darshan, of the
emperor. Akbar instituted Jharokha darshan in order to widen the acceptance
of imperial authority as part of common religion.

ii. After an hour at the jharoka, the emperor proceeded to the public hall of
audience (Diwan-i-am) to perform his government's principal business.
Officials from the state gave reports and made demands. Two hours later, the
Emperor was in the Diwan-i-khas for private audiences and secret
discussions.High state ministers made petitions to him, while tax authorities
presented their accounts. The emperor occasionally saw the works of well-
known painters or architectural blueprints (minar).

Section-III

13.Explain the impact of refusal of moneylenders to extend loans to Ryots,

around 1865, under the colonial rule in India. 5 Marks

Ans: As the cotton industry boomed for a long time, India cotton merchants began
to envision conquering the world raw cotton market by permanently replacing the
United States of America (U.S.A.).

Impacts of refusal of moneylenders to extend loans to Ryots,around 1865,under the

colonial rule in India are as follows:

i. Peasants' living conditions were deplorable under British control. They were
left impoverished and faced hardships, which exacerbated their plight.
Because of the British administrators' economic policies, the Indian people's
economic situation deteriorated dramatically in 1857.

ii. Under these conditions, Maharashtra's moneylenders and export merchants

were unwilling to provide long-term loans. The ryots were outraged by
moneylenders' unwillingness to extend loans.

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iii. There were a lot of people who were out of work and trying in vain. People
required funds to repay their loans and cover their day-to-day obligations.
However, their situation did not always improve, and they found themselves
in a debt trap.

iv. They couldn't pay back their loan.The moneylenders were worried about
losing their money. As a result, they refused to extend their loans. Borrowers
failed to manage agricultural funds.

14. “The National movement in the twentieth century drew its inspiration from
the events of 1857.” Support this statement with examples. 5 Marks

Ans: In both deed and perception, the 1857 Revolt was really secular. The insurgents
repeatedly appealed to all parts of the populace, regardless of caste, religion, or
faith.This statement can be explained with following reasons:

i. Hindus and Muslims built a bridge of mutually acceptable emotions, which

was reinforced by the Hindu-Muslim unification pillars.

ii. The uprising was viewed as a conflict in which both Hindus and Muslims
stood to lose or gain equally.

iii. The British attempted to sever Hindu-Muslim harmony, but the fissures were
hardly apparent.

15.Describe briefly the changes that came in towns from the mid 18th century
onwards. 5 Marks

Ans: During the eighteenth century, urban centres saw the following
transformations:

i. Delhi and Agra declined in prominence as Mughal authority declined.

Regional capitals such as Lucknow, Hyderabad, Seringapatam, Poona,

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 Nagpur, Baroda, and Tanjore have grown in prominence as regional powers
have grown.

ii. Changes in trade networks have an impact on the development of metropolitan

centres. European firms have established commercial centres in Panaji
(Portuguese), Masulipatnam (Dutch), Madras (British), and Pondicherry
(French). As commercial activity flourished, communities built up around
these trading hubs. By the end of the eighteenth century, Asia's land-based
empires had been supplanted by the strength of the sea.

iii. Commercial centres such as Surat, Masulipatnam, and Dhaka fell as a result
of the East India Company's growth of commerce, while colonial port towns
such as Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay emerged as the new economic capitals.
They also served as colonial administration and political power centres. In
terms of population, these cities grew to become India's largest.

iv. In India, certain local authorities linked with Mughal authority established
new urban settlements such as the qasbah and ganj.

16. “Amidst all the turmoil following March 1947, Gandhiji’s valiant efforts
bore fruit to bring harmony among the people.” Justify the statement. 5 Marks

Ans: The violence lasted a year, beginning in March 1947. The breakdown of all
government institutions was one of its primary causes. There was no evidence of any
administrative system by the conclusion of the year. The entire Amritsar area was
turned into a bloodbath. The British officials were incapable of dealing with the
issue. Indian sepoys and troops disguised themselves as Hindus, Muslims, or Sikhs.

This heightened communal tensions in the country. Gandhiji stepped forward to

bring back communal peace. He then travelled from the villages of Noakhali in East
Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) to the villages of Bihar. Then he travelled to
Calcutta and Delhi riot-torn slums. He comforted the minority group, whether
Hindus or Muslims, everywhere he went.

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 Part-C

17.Why were the Jati Panchayats formed during 16th and 17th centuries ?
Explain their functions and authority. 8 Marks

Ans: During the 16th and 17th centuries, Jati Panchayats were created for each ‘Jati'
or caste present in the hamlet. They were created during this time period for the
following reasons:

i. Village panchayat judgments may differ from case to case, particularly in

confrontations between lower castes and state authorities or local zamindars.
In such instances, the Jati Panchayats may intervene and seek a more peaceful
conclusion.

ii. Petitions from archival documents in western India, particularly Rajasthan

and Maharashtra, point to discrimination. These petitions were typically
submitted by rural lower caste peasants in response to extortionate levies or
requests for unpaid labour (begar) enforced by superior castes or
governmental authorities. The Jati Panchayats attempted to combat such
prejudice.

iii. Collective petitions have also been unearthed in which a group of lower caste
peasants protested morally unacceptable requests from upper castes such as
excessive taxation during times of calamity such as drought or flood. These
demands would have jeopardised the existence of the peasants, and the Jati
Panchayats might have aided them.

The following were the functions and authorities of Jati Panchayats:

i. In Rajasthan, Jati Panchayats settled civil disputes between members of

various castes.

ii. They also mediated land dispute situations.

iii. They also decided if weddings were done in accordance with the rules of the
concerned caste group.

iv. They also determined people's ritual priority during community events.

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 v. With the exception of criminal matters, the state recognised the Jati
panchayats' rulings.

Or

How was agriculture organised around two major seasonal cycles during the
16th and 17th centuries ? Was it only for subsistence or otherwise ? Explain.
8 Marks

Ans: Agriculture was structured around two major seasonal cycles, the Kharif
(October) and the Rabi (spring) (spring). This would imply that, with the exception
of the most dry or inhospitable terrains, most places produced a least of two harvests
every year (do fasla), while others, where rainfall or irrigation ensured a continual
supply of water, even produced three crops. This ensured a huge diversity of
products. For example, we are told that over the two seasons, the Mughal provinces
of Agra produced 39 types of crops while Delhi produced 43. Bengal alone generated
50 rice types.

However, the emphasis on fundamental necessities did not imply that agriculture in
mediaeval India was exclusively for sustenance. In our sources, we frequently come
across the word jins-i-kamil (literally, immaculate harvests). The Mughal state also
encouraged peasants to grow such crops since they brought in more money. Cotton
and sugarcane were two of the best jins-i-kamil crops. Cotton was grown throughout
a large expanse of Central India and the Deccan Plateau, but Bengal was renowned
for its sugar. Cash crops would also include different oilseeds (such as mustard) and
lentils. This demonstrates how subsistence and commercial productions were
inextricably linked in the ordinary peasant's property.

Several new crops from various regions of the world arrived in the Indian
subcontinent throughout the 17th century. For example, maize (makka) was brought
into India via Africa and Spain, and by the 17th century it had become one of the
principal crops of western India. At this period, vegetables such as tomatoes,
potatoes, and chilies were brought from the new world and fruits like pineapple and
papaya were also popular.

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18.Explain the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of
Mahatma Gandhi and the history of the National Movement in India. 8 Marks

Ans: There are numerous sources from which we might recreate Gandhi's political
career and the history of the nationalist movement:

i. Public speaking and private scripts The writings and speeches of Mahatma
Gandhi and his contemporaries, including both his allies and political rivals,
are an essential source.

ii. Making a picture frame Similarly, autobiographies provide us with a narrative

of the past that is typically rich in human detail. But, once again, we must use
caution when reading and interpreting memoirs. We must keep in mind that
they are typically retroactive accounts written from memory, and they only
tell us what the author can remember.

iii. Through the eyes of the cops Government records are another important
source, as colonial rulers kept tight tabs on people they deemed to be critical
of the government. The letters and reports produced by police officers and
other officials were kept secret at the time, but they are now available in
archives.

iv. One more important source is contemporary newspapers, published in English

as well as in the different Indian languages, which tracked Mahatma Gandhi's
movements and reported on his activities, and also represented what ordinary
Indians thought of him.

v. Private Letters:

a. Official accounts are definitely generated by some commission or

special officers or surveyors assigned by the government with specific
alms or objections to submit reports or keep records for a specified
purpose and period. All descriptions or accounts of the government are
kept secret. They preserved the records as a secret. In general, these
records cannot be published in their entirety without the express
approval of the government.

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 b. Private letters are usually published with the agreement of the person
who wrote them. Similarly, if a person wishes, autography can be
written and published concurrently. However, it is up to the individual
if he or she wishes to keep his or her private letter or autobiography
private. The contents or veracity of facts mentioned in private letters
and autobiographies are entirely dependent on the individual's honesty,
impartiality, and desire to record all descriptions accurately.

Or

“Wherever Gandhiji went rumours spread of his miraculous powers.” Explain

with examples. 8 Marks

Ans: The peasants revered Gandhiji as their "Messiah," believing him to be endowed
with several beneficial and supernatural abilities. Many rumours about his amazing
abilities circulated in many locations. In certain regions, the common people started
to think that he had been sent by the monarch to relieve their misery and cure their
issues, and that he possessed such authority that he could even refuse instructions
from the king.

In other areas, it was stated that Gandhiji's authority was greater than even that of
the English king, and that upon his arrival, the colonial rulers would flee in dread.

In several areas, rumours circulated that those who criticised Gandhiji had their
houses inexplicably caved in and their standing crops destroyed for no apparent
cause.

Gandhiji was known by numerous titles among the peasants, including ‘Gandhi
Baba,' ‘Gandhi Maharaj,' and ‘Mahatma. 'They saw him as their saviour, believing
that only he could free them from the high cost of land income and the repressive
actions of British officials.

The examples of his miraculous powers are :

i. The Champaran Satyagraha In Bihar of 1917 was considered as the first

Satyagraha movement in India, headed by Mahatma Gandhi, and is regarded
as a historically significant revolt in India's freedom struggle. During the

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 British colonial period in India, there was a farmer's insurrection in the
Champaran district of Bihar. Farmers were protesting at having to plant indigo
for little or no money.

ii. The Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 was a Satyagraha movement organised by

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the Kheda area of Gujarat, India, under the
British Raj. It was a significant uprising in the Indian independence
movement. After Champaran Satyagraha, it was the second Satyagraha
movement. This movement was organised by Gandhi to help peasants.

Part-D

19. Life in a small village

The Harshacharita is a biography of Harshavardhana,the ruler of Kannauj

,competed in sanskrit by his court poet, Banabhatta(C. 17th century CE).This
is an excerpt from the text, an extremely rare representation of life in a
settlement on the outskirts of a forest in the Vindhyas:

The outskirts being for the most part forest, many parcels of rice-
land,threshing ground and arable land were being apportioned by small
farmers...it was mainly spade culture...owing to the difficulty of ploughing the
sparsely scattered fields covered with grass,with their few clear spaces,their
blak soil stiff as black iron…

There were people moving along with bundles of bark...countless sacks of

plucked flowers,...loads of flax and hemp bundles,quantities of honey,peacocks
tail feathers,wreaths of wax, logs,and grass.Village wives hastened enroute for
neighbouring villages, all intent on thoughts of sale and bearing on their heads
baskets filled with various gathered forest fruits. 8 Marks

i. Who was the author of ‘Harshacharita’ ?

Ans: Banabhatta

ii. Describe the outskirts of a forest in the Vindhyas.

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Ans: As its outskirts were mostly forest, many parcels of rice-land, threshing
ground, and arable land were apportioned by small farmers... it was primarily spade
culture... due to the difficulty of ploughing the sparsely scattered fields covered with
grass, with their few clear spaces, and their black soil stiff as black iron.

iii. Describe the activities of the people of that area. Mention two main
activities of the farmers of that time and of today.

Ans: People were going along with bundles of bark... innumerable bags of plucked
flowers.... tonnes of flax and hemp bundles, amounts of honey, peacocks, tail
feathers, wax log wreaths, and grass. Farmers at the period engaged in two activities:

a. Farming

b. Animal raising. These practises are still carried out in current times.

iv. Mention two activities of the village women.

Ans: Village women hurried to the next village, all focused on making a sale and
carrying baskets full of various collected wild fruits on their heads.

Or

The anguish of the king

When the king Devanampiya Piyadasi had been ruling for eight years, the
(country of the) Kalingas(present-day coastal Orissa) was conquered by him.

One hundred and fifty thousand men were deported, a hundred thousand were
killed, and many more died.

After that,now that (the country of) the Kalingas has been taken,
Devanampiya(is devoted) to an intense study of Dhamma,to the love of
Dhamma, and to instructing(the people) in Dhamma.

This is the repentance of Devanampiyaon account of his conquest of the

(country of the) Kalingas.

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For this is considered very painful and deplorable by Devanampiyathat, while
one is conquering an unconquered(country) , slaughter, death and deportation
of people(take place) there…

i. Who was called ‘Devanampiya Piyadassi’ ? Give his brief description.

Ans: Devanampiya Piyadassi was the name given to Ashoka, the renowned
emperor of the Maurya Dynasty. Ashoka is the first recorded king to inscribe
messages to his citizens and officials on natural stone surfaces as well as polished
pillars. The (kingdom of the) Kalinga (present-day coastal Orissa) was captured
by the monarch Devanampiya Piyadassi after he had reigned for eight years
(him).One hundred and fifty thousand men were deported, one hundred thousand
were slaughtered, and many more were killed.

ii. Mention the importance and limitations of inscriptions.

Ans: Importance and Limitations of Inscriptions are as follows:

Importance of inscriptions: Inscriptions are highly important since they

describe key political centres, kings, empire sizes, dates of events, and so on.
Some of these inscriptions were carved into stone, but the majority were on
copper plates, which were most likely handed to individuals who acquired the
land as proof of the transaction.

Limitations of Inscription: It is surely obvious by now that there are limits

to what epigraphy can disclose. There are sometimes technical restrictions.
Letters are etched extremely weakly, and restorations are speculative.
Inscriptions may also be broken, and letters may be missing. Although
thousands of inscriptions have been unearthed, not all of them have been
decoded, published, or translated. Furthermore, there must have been many
more inscriptions that did not escape the ravages of time. As a result, what is
currently available is most likely only a portion of what was inscribed.

iii. Explain the effects of the war of Kalingas on Ashoka.

Ans: Effects of the war of Kalingas on Ashoka are:

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 a. Dharam Vijaya: He destroyed his ambitions of conquering the world.
He chose the route of religious victory instead. He knew now that the
greatest world success is the win over human hearts.

b. Adopting Buddhism: The Kalinga war opened his eyes to Buddhism,

and he accepted it. He would have never accepted Buddhism if he had
not been engaged in this war.

c. Change in lifestyle: Before the Kalinga war, Asoka, like his ancestors,
waged wars, hunted, ate meat, and lived in luxury. However, the war
changed the trajectory of his life. He had transformed himself into a
priest (adherent) of nonviolence, a supporter of the poor, and a
vulnerable person to the point that he answered to the cry of the
destitute while ignoring his sleep and nourishment.It looked like a
perceptual stream of compassions had begun to run through his heart.

iv. Why did the king repent after the war of Kalinga ?

Ans: The motives of King Asoka's repentance were as follows: During this conflict,
150 thousand soldiers were deported, 100 thousand were murdered, and many more
perished. This is Devanamnpiya's repentance.Devanampiya considers it extremely
unpleasant and terrible that, while conquering an unconquered (nation), murder,
death, and expulsion of people occur.

20.The child sati

This is perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier : At Lahore I

saw a most beautiful young widow sacrificed, who could not, I think, have been
more than twelve years of age. The poor little creature appeared more dead
than alive when she approached the dreadful pit; the agony of her mind cannot
be described; she trembled and wept bitterly; but three or four of the
Brahmanas, assisted by an old woman who held her under the arm, forced the
unwilling victim toward the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands
and feet, lest she should run away, and in that situation the innocent creature

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 17

was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my feelings and to prevent their
bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage… 8 Marks

i. Describe what Bernier saw at Lahore.

Ans: Bernier witnessed the sacrifice of a lovely young widow in Lahore, who he
believed could not have been more than twelve years old. When she neared the
terrible hole, the poor tiny critter seemed more dead than alive.

ii. How had the agony of the girl been described ?

Ans: Bernier could not convey the pain of a girl's thoughts. She trembled and
sobbed loudly, but three or four Brahmanas, aided by an elderly lady who held her
under the arm, dragged the unwilling victim to the fateful site, seated her on the
wood, and bound her wrists and feet, lest she flee.

iii. How and why was the girl forced towards the fatal spot ?

Ans: The girl was forced by some people to pyre which was to be put on fire. The
girl was burnt alive. She went there helplessly. According to Bernier while some
women seemed to embrace death cheerfully, others were forced to die.

Or

Nuts like a man's head

The following is how Ibn Battuta described the coconut :

These trees are among the most peculiar trees in kind and most astonishing in
habit. They look exactly like date-palms, without any difference between them
except that the one produces nuts as its fruits and the other produces dates. The
nut of a coconut tree resembles a man's head, for in it are what look like two
eyes and a mouth, and the inside of it when it is green looks like the brain, and
attached to it is a fibre which looks like hair. They make from this cords with
which they sew up ships instead of (using) iron nails, and they (also) make from
it cables for vessels. 8 Marks

i. Explain the uses of the coconut.

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 Ans: Coconut is used to extract fruit, oil, and fibre. Its fibre, which resembles hair,
is used to produce cords, which are used to sew ships. Instead of utilising iron nails,
people create cables for vessels out of coconut fibre. Some individuals make
coconut fibre rugs.

ii. Explain the difference between coconut tree and palm tree.

Ans: A coconut tree's nut resembles a man's head since it has two eyes and a mouth,
and the interior of it while green resembles the brain.and a fibre that resembles hair
is connected to it.

iii. How has the coconut been described similar to a man's head?

Ans: The fruit of the coconut is the nut, while the fruit of the palm tree is the date.

iv. Do you agree or not with the explanation given by Ibn Battuta ? Explain.

Ans: I don't completely agree with Ibn Battuta's reasoning since he doesn't know
everything there is to know about date and coconut trees. While some of his points
are valid, coconut is utilised in a variety of different ways by people in our nation.
Some people, for example, utilise it in temples during devotion. Some people use
coconut in their cooking. In south India, for example, coconut is used in a variety
of cuisines.

21."A voice in the wilderness"

Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was "a voice in the wilderness" but he
nevertheless continued to oppose the idea of Partition :

But what a tragic change we see today. I wish the day may come again when
Hindus and Muslims will do nothing without mutual consultation. I am day and
night tormented by the question what I can do to hasten the coming of that day.
I appeal to the League not to regard any Indian as its enemy... Hindus and
Muslims are born of the same soil. They have the same blood, eat the same food,
drink the same water and speak the same language.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 19

 SPEECH AT PRAYER MEETING, 7 SEPTEMBER 1946,

CWMG, VOL. 92, P. 139

But I am firmly convinced that the Pakistan demand as put forward by the
Muslim League is un-Islamic and I have not hesitated to call it sinful. Islam
stands for the unity and brotherhood of mankind, not for disrupting the
oneness of the human family. Therefore, those who want to divide India into
possible warring groups are enemies alike of Islam and India. They may cut me
to pieces but they cannot make me subscribe to something which I consider to
be wrong. 8 Marks

HARIJAN, 26 SEPTEMBER 1946, CWMG, VOL. 92, P. 229

i. Explain what Gandhiji wishes to see again.

Ans: This passage expresses Mahatma Gandhi's fear over India's eventual
division.

ii. Explain how the demand for Pakistan was un-Islamic.

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi made the following arguments:

a. The Muslim League's desire for Pakistan was un-Islamic and immoral.
Islam represents humanity's oneness and fraternity. It is immoral to
sever the human family's unity.

b. Those who seek to split India into warring factions are enemies of both
Islam and India.

c. They can dismember my body, but they can't force me to acknowledge

what's wrong.

iii. Why did Mahatma Gandhi say that his voice was a voice in the
wilderness? Explain.

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi urged the Muslim League to view any Indian as an enemy.
He said that Hindus and Muslims were both born on the same continent. They shared
the same ancestors. They both ate the same foods. They each drank the same water.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 20

They also communicated in the same language.As a result, Mahatma Gandhi
encouraged the Muslim League not to be biassed against Indians.

Or

What "recovering" women meant

Here is the experience of a couple, recounted by Prakash Tandon in his Punjabi

Century, an autobiographical social history of colonial Punjab :

In one instance, a Sikh youth who had run amuck during the Partition
persuaded a massacring crowd to let him take away a young, beautiful Muslim
girl. They got married, and slowly fell in love with each other. Gradually
memories of her parents, who had been killed, and her former life faded. They
were happy together, and a little boy was born. Soon, however, social workers
and the police, labouring assiduously to recover abducted women, began to
track down the couple. They made inquiries in the Sikh's home-district of
Jalandhar; he got scent of it. and the family ran away to Calcutta. The social
workers reached Calcutta. Meanwhile, the couple's friends tried to obtain a
stay-order from the court but the law was taking its ponderous course. From
Calcutta the couple escaped to some obscure Punjab village, hoping that the
police would fail to shadow them. But the police caught up with them and began
to question them. His wife was expecting again and now nearing her time. The
Sikh sent the little boy to his mother and took his wife to a sugar-cane field. He
made her as comfortable as he could in a pit while he lay with a gun, waiting
for the police, determined not to lose her while he was alive. In the pit he
delivered her with his own hands. The next day she ran high fever, and in three
days she was dead. He had not dared to take her to the hospital. He was so
afraid the social workers and the police would take her away. 8 Marks

i. Describe the tragic experience of the Sikh youth who persuaded the
killers to let him take the girl with him.

Ans: During India's Partition, the Sikh youth had roamed wild. He persuaded a
rioting mob to let him abduct a young, attractive Muslim girl. They married and
lived happily for a few days, but some social workers and police are attempting to
reclaim that lady. They started looking for the pair.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 21

 ii. Why did the social workers and police want to recover the Muslim girl ?

Ans: The social workers and police sought to reclaim the Muslim girl because they
believed that the marriage of a Sikh youngster and a Muslim girl was unlawful and
prohibited by society and Islamic norms. That was an illegal marriage. Partition
caused the scenario, and the parents of both parties did not approve of the marriage
(Sikh youth and the Muslim girl).

iii. Explain the relations between both, the Muslim girl and the Sikh youth.

Ans: The relationship between the Muslim girl and the Sikh teenager was natural.
As we can see, the relationship between a married couple is typical. They had
married and had gradually fallen in love with each other.

Her memories of her murdered mother and father, as well as her previous existence,
eroded with time.They were having a nice time with each other, and a small kid
was having a good time as well. Life was disrupted by the social worker and the
cops.He fled with his wife to Calcutta, where the woman gave birth to her second
child in a hole. The Sikh teenager aided her with his own hand throughout the
delivery, but he could not bring his wife to the hospital because he was terrified
that social workers and police would take her away.

iv. How did the girl die ? Explain.

Ans: The social worker and police made enquiries in the Sikh's hometown of
Jalandhar before travelling to Calcutta. When the delivery in a sugarcane field was
completed. The next day, she (the mother, a Muslim girl) had a high fever and died
three days later.

22.

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 22

 Or

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 23

23. Mention names of five important places in South India during. fourteenth
to eighteenth centuries. 5 Marks

Ans: Five important places in South India during fourteenth to eighteenth centuries
are:

i. Golconda

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 24

 ii. Bijapur

iii. Vijayanagara

iv. Chandragiri(Tirupati)

v. Thanjavur.

Note: The following questions are only for the Blind Candidates in lieu of the map
questions (Q. No. 22 and 23).

22. Mention any five territories/cities under British control in 1857. 5 Marks

Ans: Five territories/cities under British control in 1857 are:

i. Lucknow/Awadh

ii. Patna/Bihar

iii. Calcutta

iv. Masulipatnam

v. Fr St David

Or

Mention any five mature Harappa sites. 5 Marks

Ans: Five mature Harappan sites are:

i. Harappa

ii. Mohenjodaro

iii. Dholavira

iv. Lothal

v. Banawali

Class XII History www.vedantu.com 25