Class 12 History Official Sample Question Paper (2018-19) | History for Grade 12 PDF Download

 Page 1


Class XII 
History (027) 
Sample Question Paper 2018-19 
Time allowed-3hrs                                                                                                                         Max. Marks -80 
 
 General Instructions: 
i. Answer all questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are indicated against each question. 
ii. Answer to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A, 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each. 
iii. Answer to questions carrying 4 marks (Part B, 4 to 9) should not exceed 100 words each. 
iv. Answer to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C, 10 to 12) should not exceed 350 words each. 
v. Question no 13 to 15 are source based questions. 
vi. Question 16 is map question with two parts - identification and location. 
 Part A   (Very Short Answer Based Questions) 
 
2x3=6 
   
1 As per Sanskrit legal texts women did not have access to property. In reference to the norm 
how is the case of Prabhavati Gupta exceptional? Explain. 
2 
   
2 Why were the eighteenth and nineteenth century western theorists influenced by the 
Bernier’s description of landownership?  
2 
   
3 State any two steps taken by Lord Wellesley to clean up the city of Calcutta. 2 
 OR 
 
 
 State any two features of Neo- Gothic style of architecture.  
   
 Part B    (Short Answer Based Questions)  
 
 
 
 
4x6=24 
   
4 “The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to 
reconstruct the religious practices of Harappa”. Give suitable arguments in support of your 
answer.  
4 
   
5 “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments. 4 
   
6 Describe the accounts of foreign travellers about the city of Vijayanagara. 4 
   
7 Analyse the diplomatic and political relationship of the Mughals with the neighbouring 
empires. 
4 
 OR  
 Analyse the reasons for the frequent shifting of the capital cities of the Mughals during the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
 
   
8 “Through proclamations the rebels of 1857 completely rejected everything associated with 
British rule or firangi raj”. Cite any four aspects to support this statement. 
4 
 OR  
 “By the 1850s, the Santhals felt that the time had come to rebel against zamindars, 
moneylenders and the colonial state.” Identify aspects related with the statement. 
 
   
9 Why did N G Ranga feel that the minorities should be interpreted in economic terms? Give 
reasons. 
4 
   
Page 2


Class XII 
History (027) 
Sample Question Paper 2018-19 
Time allowed-3hrs                                                                                                                         Max. Marks -80 
 
 General Instructions: 
i. Answer all questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are indicated against each question. 
ii. Answer to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A, 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each. 
iii. Answer to questions carrying 4 marks (Part B, 4 to 9) should not exceed 100 words each. 
iv. Answer to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C, 10 to 12) should not exceed 350 words each. 
v. Question no 13 to 15 are source based questions. 
vi. Question 16 is map question with two parts - identification and location. 
 Part A   (Very Short Answer Based Questions) 
 
2x3=6 
   
1 As per Sanskrit legal texts women did not have access to property. In reference to the norm 
how is the case of Prabhavati Gupta exceptional? Explain. 
2 
   
2 Why were the eighteenth and nineteenth century western theorists influenced by the 
Bernier’s description of landownership?  
2 
   
3 State any two steps taken by Lord Wellesley to clean up the city of Calcutta. 2 
 OR 
 
 
 State any two features of Neo- Gothic style of architecture.  
   
 Part B    (Short Answer Based Questions)  
 
 
 
 
4x6=24 
   
4 “The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to 
reconstruct the religious practices of Harappa”. Give suitable arguments in support of your 
answer.  
4 
   
5 “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments. 4 
   
6 Describe the accounts of foreign travellers about the city of Vijayanagara. 4 
   
7 Analyse the diplomatic and political relationship of the Mughals with the neighbouring 
empires. 
4 
 OR  
 Analyse the reasons for the frequent shifting of the capital cities of the Mughals during the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
 
   
8 “Through proclamations the rebels of 1857 completely rejected everything associated with 
British rule or firangi raj”. Cite any four aspects to support this statement. 
4 
 OR  
 “By the 1850s, the Santhals felt that the time had come to rebel against zamindars, 
moneylenders and the colonial state.” Identify aspects related with the statement. 
 
   
9 Why did N G Ranga feel that the minorities should be interpreted in economic terms? Give 
reasons. 
4 
   
 Part C (Long Answer Questions) 8x3=24 
   
10 “Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupation were not universally followed in 
ancient times.” Give arguments in support of your answer. 
8 
   
11  How did the village panchayat regulate the rural society in the Mughal period? Explain.  8 
 OR  
 How do we come to know about the rural society of the Mughal period? Which technologies 
were used by the peasants during this period? Explain. 
4+4 
   
12 Describe the role of Gandhiji as people’s leader from 1917-22? 8 
   
 Part D (Source based questions) 
 
 
 
 
 
7x3=21 
   
13  Rules for monks and nuns 
These are some of the rules laid down in the VinayaPitaka: When a new felt (blanket/rug) 
has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six 
years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made, regardless of whether or not he 
has disposed of the first, then – unless he has been authorised by the bhikkhus – it is to be 
forfeited and confessed. In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with 
cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he so desires. If he 
should accept more than that, it is to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three 
bowlfuls and having taken them from there, he is to share them among the bhikkhus. This is 
the proper course here. Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in a lodging belonging 
to the sangha – or having had it set out – and then on departing neither put it away nor have 
it put away, or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.  
7 
   
a Explain any two rules governing the lives of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.                  2 
b Why were the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis expected to share their alms with other members of 
the sangha.                                                                                                    
2 
c How VinayaPitaka describes the teachings of Buddha.                                                   3 
   
14 Declining a royal gift 
This excerpt from a sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s 
hospice in 1313: I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) had the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh 
NizamuddinAuliya’s) feet … At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership 
to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. 
The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens 
and land. The master … had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented: “What have I 
to do with gardens and fields and lands? … None of … our spiritual masters had engaged in 
such activity.” Then he told an appropriate story: “… Sultan Ghiyasuddin, who at that time 
was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money 
and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the 
dervishes (sufis), and the land for his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said: ‘Give 
me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. 
There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons.’   
7 
   
Page 3


Class XII 
History (027) 
Sample Question Paper 2018-19 
Time allowed-3hrs                                                                                                                         Max. Marks -80 
 
 General Instructions: 
i. Answer all questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are indicated against each question. 
ii. Answer to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A, 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each. 
iii. Answer to questions carrying 4 marks (Part B, 4 to 9) should not exceed 100 words each. 
iv. Answer to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C, 10 to 12) should not exceed 350 words each. 
v. Question no 13 to 15 are source based questions. 
vi. Question 16 is map question with two parts - identification and location. 
 Part A   (Very Short Answer Based Questions) 
 
2x3=6 
   
1 As per Sanskrit legal texts women did not have access to property. In reference to the norm 
how is the case of Prabhavati Gupta exceptional? Explain. 
2 
   
2 Why were the eighteenth and nineteenth century western theorists influenced by the 
Bernier’s description of landownership?  
2 
   
3 State any two steps taken by Lord Wellesley to clean up the city of Calcutta. 2 
 OR 
 
 
 State any two features of Neo- Gothic style of architecture.  
   
 Part B    (Short Answer Based Questions)  
 
 
 
 
4x6=24 
   
4 “The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to 
reconstruct the religious practices of Harappa”. Give suitable arguments in support of your 
answer.  
4 
   
5 “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments. 4 
   
6 Describe the accounts of foreign travellers about the city of Vijayanagara. 4 
   
7 Analyse the diplomatic and political relationship of the Mughals with the neighbouring 
empires. 
4 
 OR  
 Analyse the reasons for the frequent shifting of the capital cities of the Mughals during the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
 
   
8 “Through proclamations the rebels of 1857 completely rejected everything associated with 
British rule or firangi raj”. Cite any four aspects to support this statement. 
4 
 OR  
 “By the 1850s, the Santhals felt that the time had come to rebel against zamindars, 
moneylenders and the colonial state.” Identify aspects related with the statement. 
 
   
9 Why did N G Ranga feel that the minorities should be interpreted in economic terms? Give 
reasons. 
4 
   
 Part C (Long Answer Questions) 8x3=24 
   
10 “Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupation were not universally followed in 
ancient times.” Give arguments in support of your answer. 
8 
   
11  How did the village panchayat regulate the rural society in the Mughal period? Explain.  8 
 OR  
 How do we come to know about the rural society of the Mughal period? Which technologies 
were used by the peasants during this period? Explain. 
4+4 
   
12 Describe the role of Gandhiji as people’s leader from 1917-22? 8 
   
 Part D (Source based questions) 
 
 
 
 
 
7x3=21 
   
13  Rules for monks and nuns 
These are some of the rules laid down in the VinayaPitaka: When a new felt (blanket/rug) 
has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six 
years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made, regardless of whether or not he 
has disposed of the first, then – unless he has been authorised by the bhikkhus – it is to be 
forfeited and confessed. In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with 
cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he so desires. If he 
should accept more than that, it is to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three 
bowlfuls and having taken them from there, he is to share them among the bhikkhus. This is 
the proper course here. Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in a lodging belonging 
to the sangha – or having had it set out – and then on departing neither put it away nor have 
it put away, or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.  
7 
   
a Explain any two rules governing the lives of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.                  2 
b Why were the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis expected to share their alms with other members of 
the sangha.                                                                                                    
2 
c How VinayaPitaka describes the teachings of Buddha.                                                   3 
   
14 Declining a royal gift 
This excerpt from a sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s 
hospice in 1313: I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) had the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh 
NizamuddinAuliya’s) feet … At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership 
to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. 
The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens 
and land. The master … had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented: “What have I 
to do with gardens and fields and lands? … None of … our spiritual masters had engaged in 
such activity.” Then he told an appropriate story: “… Sultan Ghiyasuddin, who at that time 
was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money 
and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the 
dervishes (sufis), and the land for his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said: ‘Give 
me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. 
There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons.’   
7 
   
a Examine the suitability of the gifts given by Ulugh Khan to the Sufis?                          2 
b Demonstrate the ways through which Sufis dispensed their donations.                          
 
 
 
 
2 
c Identify the relationship between the state and the Sufi saints.                                     3 
   
15 “Without a shot being fired” 
This is what Moon wrote: For over twenty-four hours riotous mobs were allowed to rage 
through this great commercial city unchallenged and unchecked. The finest bazaars were 
burnt to the ground without a shot being fired to disperse the incendiaries (i.e. those who 
stirred up conflict). The … District Magistrate marched his (large police) force into the city 
and marched it out again without making any effective use of it at all … 
 
   
a How did Amritsar become a scene of bloodshed in 1947?                                              2 
b Analyse the attitude of the soldiers and policemen towards the mob?                            2 
c Interpret the reactions of the British administration to the law and order situation in 
Amritsar in March 1947.                                                                                                   
3 
 OR  
                                              “A voice in the wilderness” 
Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was “a voice in the wilderness” but he nevertheless 
continued to oppose theidea of Partition: 
 
But what a tragic change we see today. I wish the daymay come again when Hindus and 
Muslims will donothing 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. 
 
SPEECH AT PRAYER MEETING, 7 SEPTEMBER 1946, CWMG, VOL. 92, P.13 
7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a. Highlight the concern of Mahatma Gandhi on the idea of partition.                               2 
b. “Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was a voice in the wilderness”. Analyse the reasons behind 
it.                                                                                                                           
2 
c. How did Gandhiji try to restore communal harmony amongst the masses of India?                                                                                                                                                                   3 
   
 Part E (Map Question) 2+3=5 
   
16a On the given political outline map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate 
symbols: 
 
a) Banawali, the mature Harappan site OR  Sanchi  stupa  
b) Chandragiri  OR Vijayanagara 
2 
   
16 b On the same outline map of India, three places related to the Revolt of 1857 have been 
marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their names on the lines drawn near them. 
3 
   
Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 
16.  
 
16a Name any two mature Harappan sites. 2 
 OR  
 Name any two Territories under Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb.  
Page 4


Class XII 
History (027) 
Sample Question Paper 2018-19 
Time allowed-3hrs                                                                                                                         Max. Marks -80 
 
 General Instructions: 
i. Answer all questions. Some questions have internal choice. Marks are indicated against each question. 
ii. Answer to questions carrying 2 marks (Part A, 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each. 
iii. Answer to questions carrying 4 marks (Part B, 4 to 9) should not exceed 100 words each. 
iv. Answer to questions carrying 8 marks (Part C, 10 to 12) should not exceed 350 words each. 
v. Question no 13 to 15 are source based questions. 
vi. Question 16 is map question with two parts - identification and location. 
 Part A   (Very Short Answer Based Questions) 
 
2x3=6 
   
1 As per Sanskrit legal texts women did not have access to property. In reference to the norm 
how is the case of Prabhavati Gupta exceptional? Explain. 
2 
   
2 Why were the eighteenth and nineteenth century western theorists influenced by the 
Bernier’s description of landownership?  
2 
   
3 State any two steps taken by Lord Wellesley to clean up the city of Calcutta. 2 
 OR 
 
 
 State any two features of Neo- Gothic style of architecture.  
   
 Part B    (Short Answer Based Questions)  
 
 
 
 
4x6=24 
   
4 “The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to 
reconstruct the religious practices of Harappa”. Give suitable arguments in support of your 
answer.  
4 
   
5 “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments. 4 
   
6 Describe the accounts of foreign travellers about the city of Vijayanagara. 4 
   
7 Analyse the diplomatic and political relationship of the Mughals with the neighbouring 
empires. 
4 
 OR  
 Analyse the reasons for the frequent shifting of the capital cities of the Mughals during the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. 
 
   
8 “Through proclamations the rebels of 1857 completely rejected everything associated with 
British rule or firangi raj”. Cite any four aspects to support this statement. 
4 
 OR  
 “By the 1850s, the Santhals felt that the time had come to rebel against zamindars, 
moneylenders and the colonial state.” Identify aspects related with the statement. 
 
   
9 Why did N G Ranga feel that the minorities should be interpreted in economic terms? Give 
reasons. 
4 
   
 Part C (Long Answer Questions) 8x3=24 
   
10 “Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupation were not universally followed in 
ancient times.” Give arguments in support of your answer. 
8 
   
11  How did the village panchayat regulate the rural society in the Mughal period? Explain.  8 
 OR  
 How do we come to know about the rural society of the Mughal period? Which technologies 
were used by the peasants during this period? Explain. 
4+4 
   
12 Describe the role of Gandhiji as people’s leader from 1917-22? 8 
   
 Part D (Source based questions) 
 
 
 
 
 
7x3=21 
   
13  Rules for monks and nuns 
These are some of the rules laid down in the VinayaPitaka: When a new felt (blanket/rug) 
has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If after less than six 
years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made, regardless of whether or not he 
has disposed of the first, then – unless he has been authorised by the bhikkhus – it is to be 
forfeited and confessed. In case a bhikkhu arriving at a family residence is presented with 
cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may accept two or three bowlfuls if he so desires. If he 
should accept more than that, it is to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three 
bowlfuls and having taken them from there, he is to share them among the bhikkhus. This is 
the proper course here. Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in a lodging belonging 
to the sangha – or having had it set out – and then on departing neither put it away nor have 
it put away, or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.  
7 
   
a Explain any two rules governing the lives of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.                  2 
b Why were the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis expected to share their alms with other members of 
the sangha.                                                                                                    
2 
c How VinayaPitaka describes the teachings of Buddha.                                                   3 
   
14 Declining a royal gift 
This excerpt from a sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s 
hospice in 1313: I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) had the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh 
NizamuddinAuliya’s) feet … At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership 
to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. 
The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens 
and land. The master … had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented: “What have I 
to do with gardens and fields and lands? … None of … our spiritual masters had engaged in 
such activity.” Then he told an appropriate story: “… Sultan Ghiyasuddin, who at that time 
was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money 
and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the 
dervishes (sufis), and the land for his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said: ‘Give 
me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. 
There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons.’   
7 
   
a Examine the suitability of the gifts given by Ulugh Khan to the Sufis?                          2 
b Demonstrate the ways through which Sufis dispensed their donations.                          
 
 
 
 
2 
c Identify the relationship between the state and the Sufi saints.                                     3 
   
15 “Without a shot being fired” 
This is what Moon wrote: For over twenty-four hours riotous mobs were allowed to rage 
through this great commercial city unchallenged and unchecked. The finest bazaars were 
burnt to the ground without a shot being fired to disperse the incendiaries (i.e. those who 
stirred up conflict). The … District Magistrate marched his (large police) force into the city 
and marched it out again without making any effective use of it at all … 
 
   
a How did Amritsar become a scene of bloodshed in 1947?                                              2 
b Analyse the attitude of the soldiers and policemen towards the mob?                            2 
c Interpret the reactions of the British administration to the law and order situation in 
Amritsar in March 1947.                                                                                                   
3 
 OR  
                                              “A voice in the wilderness” 
Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was “a voice in the wilderness” but he nevertheless 
continued to oppose theidea of Partition: 
 
But what a tragic change we see today. I wish the daymay come again when Hindus and 
Muslims will donothing 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. 
 
SPEECH AT PRAYER MEETING, 7 SEPTEMBER 1946, CWMG, VOL. 92, P.13 
7 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
a. Highlight the concern of Mahatma Gandhi on the idea of partition.                               2 
b. “Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was a voice in the wilderness”. Analyse the reasons behind 
it.                                                                                                                           
2 
c. How did Gandhiji try to restore communal harmony amongst the masses of India?                                                                                                                                                                   3 
   
 Part E (Map Question) 2+3=5 
   
16a On the given political outline map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate 
symbols: 
 
a) Banawali, the mature Harappan site OR  Sanchi  stupa  
b) Chandragiri  OR Vijayanagara 
2 
   
16 b On the same outline map of India, three places related to the Revolt of 1857 have been 
marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their names on the lines drawn near them. 
3 
   
Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in lieu of Q. No. 
16.  
 
16a Name any two mature Harappan sites. 2 
 OR  
 Name any two Territories under Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb.  
 
 
   
16b Mention any three places related to the Revolt of 1857. 3