CBSE Class 12 History Solved Paper
2024: Concept Map, MCQs, Short & Long Answers, Source-Based, Map Questions
on Harappan Culture, Revolt of 1857, and more.

CBSE Class 12 History Solved Paper 2024 with Concept Map and Detailed
Solutions

HISTORY

CBSE Class 12 Solved Paper 2024 QP Code 61/5/3

Time Allowed: 3 Hours Maximum Marks: 80

General Instructions:

This paper contains 34 questions.
All questions are compulsory.
The paper is divided into five
sections: Section A, B, C, D, and E.
Section A consists of Multiple
Choice Questions (MCQs).
Section B consists of Short Answer
type questions.
Section C consists of Long Answer
type questions.
Section D consists of Source-Based
questions.
Section E is a Map-Based question.
Internal choice is provided in
some questions.

Section A – Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Q1-Q21: Each question carries 1 mark.

Section B – Short Answer Questions

Q22-Q27: Each question carries 3 marks.
Answer in 60-80 words.

Section C – Long Answer Questions

Q28-Q30: Each question carries 8 marks.
Answer in 300-350 words.

Section D – Source-Based Questions

Q31-Q33: Each question carries 4 marks.

Section E – Map-Based Question

Q34: The question carries 5 marks.
Attach the map with the answer-book.

Concept Map: History Paper Overview

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Total Questions: 21
Marks: 1 mark each
Topics Covered:

Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI) Directors
भारतीय
पुरातात्विक सर्वेक्षण (ASI) के निदेशक
Harappan Culture and Sites
हड़प्पा
संस्कृति और स्थल
Revolt of 1857 Leaders
1857 के विद्रोह
के नेता
Mughal and British History
मुग़ल और
ब्रिटिश इतिहास
Indian National Movement
भारतीय
राष्ट्रीय आंदोलन

Section B: Short Answer Questions

Total Questions: 6
Marks per Question: 3 marks
Key Topics:

Harappan Strategies & Diet:
हड़प्पा की
रणनीतियाँ और आहार
Mahabharata as a Dynamic Text:
महाभारत एक
गतिशील पाठ के रूप में
Virashaiva Tradition:
वीरशैव
परंपरा
Panchayats Income Sources in
16th-17th Century:
16वीं-17वीं शताब्दी में पंचायतों की आय के
स्रोत
Revolt of 1857 & Suppression
by British:
1857 का विद्रोह
और ब्रिटिश दमन
Federalism in the Draft
Constitution:
मसौदा
संविधान में संघवाद

Section C: Long Answer Questions

Total Questions: 3
Marks per Question: 8 marks
Key Topics:

Magadha as a Powerful Mahajanpada
मगध एक
शक्तिशाली महाजनपद के रूप में
Mauryan Empire as a Landmark in
Indian History
मौर्य
साम्राज्य भारतीय इतिहास में मील का पत्थर
Salt Satyagraha & Quit India
Movement
नमक
सत्याग्रह और भारत छोड़ो आंदोलन
Rise and Decline of Vijayanagar
Empire
विजयनगर
साम्राज्य का उदय और पतन
Vijayanagar Fortifications
विजयनगर की
किलेबंदी

Section D: Source-Based Questions

Total Questions: 3
Marks per Question: 4 marks
Key Topics:

Ryot Petition Against
Moneylenders:
साहूकारों
के खिलाफ रैयत की याचिका
Al-Biruni’s Observations on
Sanskrit:
अल-बिरूनी
द्वारा संस्कृत पर टिप्पणियाँ
Buddhism in Practice:
बौद्ध धर्म
का अभ्यास

Section E: Map-Based Questions

Total Questions: 1
Marks: 5 marks
Key Locations:

Harappan Sites (Banawali):
हड़प्पा
स्थल (बनावली)
Buddhist Sites (Bharhut):
बौद्ध स्थल
(भरहुत)
Mughal Territories (Agra/Delhi):
मुग़ल
क्षेत्र (आगरा/दिल्ली)
Centers of Indian National
Movement (Ahmedabad, Amritsar):
भारतीय
राष्ट्रीय आंदोलन के केंद्र (अहमदाबाद, अमृतसर)

Section A – (MCQs) [21 × 1 = 21 Marks]

1. Who among the following was an ex-army official and
worked as Director General of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)?

(A) John
Marshall
(B) Alexander Cunningham
(C) R.D. Bannerjee
(D) R.E.M. Wheeler

Answer: (B) Alexander Cunningham

2. Identify the following picture from the given options:

(A) Sultan
Jahan Begum
(B) Shahjahan Begum
(C) Jahanara Begum
(D) Ruksar Begum

Answer: (B) Shahjahan Begum

For Visually
Impaired Candidates:
In which of the following states is the Sanchi Stupa located?
(A) Uttar Pradesh
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Arunachal Pradesh
(D) Andhra Pradesh

Answer: (B) Madhya Pradesh

3. Which one of the following is the correct statement
regarding Harappan Culture?

(A) Most of the
Harappan sites were located in semi-arid lands.
(B) Irrigation was probably not required for agriculture at the Harappan sites.
(C) No trace of canals have been found at the Harappan sites.
(D) The Iron-tipped Ploughshare was used at the Harappan sites.

Answer: (C) No trace of canals have been found
at the Harappan sites.

4. Which one of the following is not a true statement
regarding Harappan Script?

(A) This script
remains undeciphered till date.
(B) This script was written from left to right.
(C) It was not alphabetic.
(D) It has too many signs between 375 and 400.

Answer: (B) This script was written from left
to right.

5. The practice of ____________ means a man having
several wives.

(A) Exogamy
(B) Endogamy
(C) Polygyny
(D) Polyandry

Answer: (C) Polygyny

6. Assertion (A): In the Eighth Century, the Kailashnath
Temple was carved out of a mountain.

Reason (R):
King Ashoka had given the directive to create artificial caves by cutting into
the mountains to resemble temples.
Options:
(A) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(C) (A) is true, but (R) is untrue.
(D) (A) is untrue, but (R) is true.

Answer: (C) (A) is true, but (R) is untrue.

7. Identify the medieval globe-trotter with the help of
the following information:

l Before he set
off for India, he made pilgrimage trips to Mecca before 1332-33 C.E.
l The Delhi Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq made him Qazi or the judge of Delhi.
Options:
(A) Abd-al-Razzak
(B) Al-Biruni
(C) Ibn Batuta
(D) Seydi Ali Reis

Answer: (C) Ibn Batuta

8. Arrange the following in chronological order and
choose the correct option from the following:

I. Rule of
Ashoka
II. Invasion of Alexander
III. Rule of Gupta dynasty
IV. Rise of Chalukyas in Karnataka
Options:
(A) I, III, II and IV
(B) IV, II, I and III
(C) II, I, III and IV
(D) III, IV, II and I

Answer: (C) II, I, III and IV

9. Who among the following Sikh Gurus compiled ‘Adi
Granth Sahib’?

(A) Guru Nanak
Dev ji
(B) Guru Arjun Dev ji
(C) Guru Hargobind Sahib ji
(D) Guru Gobind Singh ji

Answer: (B) Guru Arjun Dev ji

10. Read the following information carefully and choose
the correct location for this dargah from the given options:

l It is a
dargah of Shaikh Salim Chisti.
l Akbar visited this dargah many times.
Options:
(A) Ajmer
(B) Delhi
(C) Agra
(D) Fatehpur Sikri

Answer: (D) Fatehpur Sikri

11. Which one of the following descriptions of Mughal
rural society is correctly matched?

Rural – People
| Profession
(A) Raiyat – Boatsman
(B) Mallah – Banker
(C) Shroff – Peasant
(D) Mansabdar – Military-Bureaucrat

Answer: (D) Mansabdar – Military-Bureaucrat

12. Match column-I with column-II and choose the correct
option:

Answer: (C) B, D, A, C

13. Identify the forest tribe during the sixteenth and
seventeenth century with the help of following information:

l In Assam,
these Tribal Chiefs became kings.
l They rendered military service in exchange for land.
l They declared their monopoly on catching wild animals.
(A) Lohani tribe
(B) Santhal tribe
(C) Ahom tribe
(D) Munda tribe

Answer: (C) Ahom tribe

14. Identify the primary purpose of Britishers to
implement Permanent Settlement in Bengal. Choose the best suitable option from
the following:

(A) To empower
peasants of the region.
(B) To abolish land ownership in the region.
(C) To increase agricultural productivity of Jotedars.
(D) To provide financial stability to British govt.

Answer: (D) To provide financial stability to
British govt.

15. Choose the correct option regarding Virashaiva
tradition from the following:

(A) This
tradition emerged in Karnataka.
(B) They are the followers of Vishnu.
(C) They believed in the theory of rebirth.
(D) They practice funerary rites.

Answer: (A) This tradition emerged in
Karnataka.

16. Who among the following was the leader of the revolt
of 1857 from Bihar region?

(A) Shahmal
(B) Kunwar Singh
(C) Gonoo
(D) Nana Saheb

Answer: (B) Kunwar Singh

17. At which of the following places did the mutiny break
out on 10th May 1857?

(A) Barrakpore
(B) Delhi
(C) Meerut Cantt
(D) Lucknow

Answer: (C) Meerut Cantt

18. Who among the following moved the resolution in the
Constituent Assembly that the Indian National Flag be horizontal tricolour of
saffron, white and dark green in equal proportions with a wheel in navy blue in
the centre?

(A) Vallabhbhai
Patel
(B) Rajendra Prasad
(C) B.R. Ambedkar
(D) Jawaharlal Nehru

Answer: (D) Jawaharlal Nehru

19. Identify the member of Constituent Assembly with the
help of information given below:

(i) He was a
member of the drafting committee of the constitution.
(ii) He was a lawyer.
(iii) He gave crucial inputs in drafting of constitution.
(iv) He belonged to Madras (Chennai).
(A) B.N. Rau
(B) K.M. Munshi
(C) Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
(D) S.N. Mukherjee

Answer: (C) Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar

20. Which of the following movements was broadened by
‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ and conveyed as the all-India character of their struggle from
1905-1907?

(A) Gadar
Movement
(B) Swadeshi Movement
(C) Satyagraha Movement
(D) Peasant Movement

Answer: (B) Swadeshi Movement

21. Who among the following described the following line
for the Kingdom of Awadh?

“A cherry that
will fall into our mouth one day.”
(A) Lord Cornwallis
(B) Lord Wellesley
(C) Lord Dalhousie
(D) Lord Canning

Answer: (C) Lord Dalhousie

Section B – (Short Answer type Questions) [6 × 3 = 18
Marks]

22. (a) Explain the strategies adopted by Harappans to
procure raw material for their craft production.

Answer:
The Harappans adopted several strategies to procure raw materials for craft
production:

Trade Relations: They established trade links with
distant regions to obtain materials such as copper from Rajasthan and
Oman, tin from Afghanistan, and precious stones from Gujarat.
Mining: Some materials were locally
available, and the Harappans mined them, like steatite and shells for
beads and jewelry.
Resource Exploitation: They exploited natural resources
such as clay and wood found near their settlements for making bricks,
pottery, and other crafts.

22. (b) Explain how archaeologists have been able to
reconstruct dietary practices of the Harappans.

Answer:
Archaeologists have reconstructed the dietary practices of the Harappans using
several methods:

Analysis of Plant Remains: Remains of wheat, barley, lentils,
and chickpeas have been found, indicating these crops were part of their
diet.
Animal Bones: Animal bones such as those of
cattle, sheep, and goats suggest that these were important sources of
food.
Archaeological Excavations: Tools used for farming, storage
vessels, and evidence of grains in granaries also provide insights into
their diet, which was based on agriculture.

23. “Mahabharat is a dynamic text.” Explain the
statement.

Answer:
The Mahabharata is considered a dynamic text because of the following reasons:

Evolving Nature: The text was not composed in a
single instance but evolved over several centuries, incorporating various
stories and teachings.
Multiple Layers: It has layers of meaning and
interpretation, including philosophical, ethical, and religious teachings.
Cultural Relevance: The Mahabharata reflects the
dynamic social, political, and cultural transformations of ancient Indian
society, making it relevant even today in various contexts.

24. Explain the major features of the Virashaiva
tradition.

Answer:
The Virashaiva tradition, founded by Basava in Karnataka, has the following
major features:

Rejection of Rituals: It rejects ritualistic worship
and the caste system, emphasizing devotion to the god Shiva.
Emphasis on Equality: It advocates equality among all
devotees, regardless of caste, creed, or gender.
Focus on Work: Virashaivas emphasize the dignity
of manual labor, with their followers being involved in various
professions while maintaining a simple lifestyle of devotion to Shiva.

25. Examine the major sources of income of the Panchayats
during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Answer:
The Panchayats in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries had several sources
of income:

Land Revenue: They collected a portion of the
agricultural produce as land revenue from the villagers.
Fines and Penalties: The Panchayat imposed fines for
offenses and disputes, which contributed to their income.
Donations and Voluntary
Contributions: Villagers
sometimes made voluntary contributions to the Panchayat for religious and
social functions, which added to the Panchayat’s funds.

26. (a) Why did Awadh become one of the major centers of
the Revolt of 1857? Explain.

Answer:
Awadh became one of the major centers of the Revolt of 1857 due to the
following reasons:

Annexation by the British: The annexation of Awadh in 1856
by Lord Dalhousie, using the Doctrine of Lapse, angered the local rulers
and the populace.
Displacement of Nobility and
Sepoys: The
British policies displaced the nobility, who lost their privileges, and
local sepoys, many of whom were from Awadh, were unhappy with their
conditions of service.
Popular Support: The masses supported the revolt
due to widespread resentment over high taxes, the disruption of
traditional landownership, and social injustices imposed by British rule.

26. (b) How did the British suppress the Revolt of 1857?
Explain.

Answer:
The British used the following methods to suppress the Revolt of 1857:

Military Force: The British deployed a large
number of troops, including reinforcements from Britain, to crush the
rebels, using superior weapons and technology.
Divide and Rule: They sowed divisions among Indian
rulers, ensuring that many princes and nobles, such as the Sikhs and the
rulers of Hyderabad, stayed loyal to the British.
Repression: They imposed severe punishments
on the rebels, including mass executions and confiscation of property, to
deter future uprisings.

27. “The draft constitution provided for three lists of
subjects on the issue of federalism.” Explain the statement with examples.

Answer:
The draft constitution of India laid down a federal structure with three lists
of subjects:

Union List: Subjects of national importance
such as defense, foreign affairs, and atomic energy were placed under the
control of the central government.
State List: Subjects like police, public
health, and agriculture were assigned to state governments, reflecting
their regional importance.
Concurrent List: Subjects like education,
marriage, and bankruptcy were shared by both the central and state
governments, allowing both to legislate on these matters.

Section C – (Long Answer type Questions) [3 × 8 = 24
Marks]

28. (a) “Magadha became the most powerful Mahajanpada
between 6th and 4th centuries BCE.” Justify the statement.

Answer:
Magadha emerged as the most powerful Mahajanpada between the 6th and 4th
centuries BCE due to several factors:

Geographical Advantage: Magadha was strategically located
near the Ganges, which provided fertile land for agriculture, water
supply, and trade routes.
Natural Resources: It was rich in resources like
iron ore, which was crucial for making weapons and tools, enabling Magadha
to maintain a powerful army.
Strong Rulers: Kings like Bimbisara and
Ajatashatru expanded the kingdom through conquests, diplomatic marriages,
and alliances, establishing a powerful monarchy.
Innovations in Warfare: Magadha was among the first to
use war elephants and siege warfare techniques, giving it a military edge
over rival Mahajanapadas.
Political Expansion: Magadha absorbed weaker kingdoms
and expanded its influence across northern India, eventually becoming the
heart of the Mauryan Empire.

28. (b) “Mauryan empire was regarded as a major landmark
in Indian history.” Justify the statement.

Answer:
The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya, is considered a major
landmark in Indian history for several reasons:

Unified India: The Mauryan Empire was the first
to politically unify a large part of India, extending from the Himalayas
to the southern parts of the subcontinent.
Administrative System: Under the leadership of
Chandragupta and later Ashoka, a well-organized and centralized administrative
structure was developed, with officials overseeing provinces.
Economic Growth: The empire’s economic prosperity
was ensured through well-established trade routes, standardized weights
and measures, and the promotion of agriculture.
Spread of Buddhism: Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism
and his efforts to spread the religion across India and Southeast Asia had
a lasting cultural and spiritual impact.
Monumental Architecture: The Mauryan era is known for its
architectural achievements, such as the construction of stupas, pillars,
and the city of Pataliputra.
Legacy: The Mauryan Empire’s governance
model and its contribution to Indian art and culture continued to
influence subsequent kingdoms for centuries.

29. (a) Explain the reasons behind Gandhiji’s decision to
initiate the Salt Satyagraha and why this movement became a significant event.

Answer:
The reasons behind Gandhiji’s decision to initiate the Salt Satyagraha include:

Symbol of British Oppression: Salt was a basic necessity of
life, and the British monopoly on its production and taxation symbolized
the unjust and exploitative colonial policies.
Widespread Impact: By choosing salt, which affected
all sections of society, Gandhiji was able to unite Indians across caste,
class, and religion in opposition to British rule.
Non-Violent Protest: The Salt Satyagraha (March 1930)
embodied Gandhiji’s philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience
(Satyagraha), inspiring people to resist oppression without resorting to
violence.

The movement
became significant because:

Mass Participation: The Salt Satyagraha saw mass
participation from all over India, with thousands of people making salt,
breaking the law, and courting arrest.
Global Attention: The protest attracted global
attention, highlighting the Indian struggle for independence and gaining
international sympathy for the cause.
Strengthened Nationalist
Sentiment: It
unified the Indian masses against the British, leading to further civil
disobedience campaigns and increasing nationalist fervor.

29. (b) Explain why the ‘Quit India Movement’ was
considered a mass movement.

Answer:
The Quit India Movement, launched in August 1942, was considered a mass
movement due to several factors:

Call for Immediate Independence: Gandhiji’s call for the British
to “Quit India” resonated with the masses, as it demanded
immediate and unconditional independence, igniting widespread unrest.
Mass Participation: Unlike earlier movements, the
Quit India Movement involved people from all walks of life, including
peasants, workers, students, and women, who participated in protests,
strikes, and sabotage against the British.
Leadership Arrests: The immediate arrest of prominent
Congress leaders, including Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel, led to spontaneous
uprisings throughout the country, with the common people taking leadership
roles.
Violent Resistance: Although Gandhiji emphasized
non-violence, the movement saw several acts of violence, including attacks
on communication networks, police stations, and railway lines, reflecting
the widespread anger against the British.
Pan-Indian Scope: The movement spread rapidly to
rural and urban areas across India, with people showing defiance against
British authority in multiple regions.

30. (a) Examine the main reasons for the rise and decline
of the Vijayanagar empire.

Answer:
The Vijayanagar Empire rose and declined due to the following reasons:

Reasons for
Rise:

Strategic Location: The empire was situated in a
strategically advantageous location, benefiting from natural defenses like
the Tungabhadra River and the surrounding hills.
Strong Leadership: Leaders like Harihara I and Bukka
I consolidated power by forming alliances with local chieftains and
building a strong administrative framework.
Cultural Flourishing: The empire became a center for
South Indian culture, promoting art, architecture, and religion, with the
construction of grand temples and patronage of scholars and poets.
Military Power: Vijayanagar had a powerful
military, including an advanced cavalry and war elephants, allowing it to
resist invasions, particularly from the Bahmani Sultanate and other Deccan
powers.

Reasons for
Decline:

Overexpansion: The empire expanded too quickly,
creating administrative and military challenges in maintaining control
over far-flung territories.
Battle of Talikota (1565): The decisive defeat of the
Vijayanagar forces by the combined armies of the Deccan Sultanates at the
Battle of Talikota resulted in the sacking of the capital and the empire’s
collapse.
Internal Struggles: Successive rulers faced internal
dissent and factionalism, weakening the central authority.
Decline of Trade: The decline of international
trade routes due to the rise of European colonial powers affected the
empire’s economy, leading to its downfall.

30. (b) Examine the distinctive aspects of the
fortification of the Vijayanagar empire.

Answer:
The fortifications of the Vijayanagar Empire were unique and displayed several
distinctive aspects:

Massive Walls and Multiple Layers: The empire’s capital,
Vijayanagara, was surrounded by massive walls with multiple layers of
fortification that protected the city from invaders. The fortifications
were not built in a straight line but followed the natural contours of the
terrain, making them difficult to breach.
Granite Blocks and Watchtowers: The walls were constructed from
large granite blocks and included watchtowers, enabling the defenders to
monitor the surrounding area for potential attacks.
Moats and Water Features: Many fortifications had moats
filled with water, creating additional obstacles for attackers. The use of
water bodies in fortifications was a strategic defense mechanism.
Integration with Agricultural
Land: Unlike
many other forts, Vijayanagar’s fortifications included agricultural land
within the fortified area, ensuring that the city could sustain itself
during long sieges.
Military Strategy: The layout of the fortifications
was designed to withstand the use of artillery, and the entrances to the
city were narrow and winding, preventing enemy forces from advancing
quickly.

Section D – (Source-Based Questions) [3 × 4 = 12 Marks]

31. Read the source given below and answer the questions
that follow:

A ryot petition
This is an example of a petition from a ryot of the village of Mirajgaon,
Taluka Karjat, to the Collector, Ahmednagar, Deccan Riots Commission:

“The
sowkars (sahukars)… have of late begun to oppress us. As we cannot earn
enough to defray our household expenses, we are actually forced to beg of them
to provide us with money, clothes, and grain, which we obtain from them not
without great difficulty, nor without their compelling us to enter into hard
conditions in the bond. Moreover, the necessary clothes and grain are not sold
to us at cash rates. The prices asked from us are generally twenty-five or
fifty percent more than demanded from customers making ready-money payments…
The produce of our fields is also taken by the sowkars, who at the time of
removing it assure us that it will be credited to our account, but they do not
actually make any mention of it in the accounts. They also refuse to pass us
any receipts for the produce so removed by them.”

31.1 In what ways did the money-lenders oppress the
ryots? (1 mark)

Answer:
The money-lenders (sahukars) oppressed the ryots by:

Charging exorbitant prices for
essential goods like clothes and grain.
Compelling the ryots to accept
hard conditions in the bonds they signed.
Taking the produce of the fields
without proper documentation or crediting it to the ryots’ accounts.

31.2 Why was the harvest taken away by the money-lenders?
(1 mark)

Answer:
The harvest was taken away by the money-lenders as a form of repayment for the
loans the ryots had taken. However, they exploited the ryots by failing to
credit the harvest in the accounts and not issuing receipts, thereby increasing
the ryots’ indebtedness.

31.3 Explain any two features of the Ryotwari system. (2
marks)

Answer:

Direct Revenue Collection: In the Ryotwari system, the
government directly collected land revenue from the individual ryots
(cultivators) instead of intermediaries. The cultivators were recognized
as the proprietors of the land they cultivated.
Variable Taxation: The tax rate was assessed based
on the quality of the soil and the expected produce, which could change
periodically, causing uncertainty for the ryots.

32. Read the following source carefully and answer the
questions that follow:

A language with
an enormous range
Al-Biruni described Sanskrit as follows:
“If you want to conquer this difficulty (i.e., to learn Sanskrit), you
will not find it easy, because the language is of an enormous range, both in
words and inflections, something like the Arabic, calling one and the same
thing by various names, both original and derivative, and using one and the
same word for a variety of subjects, which, in order to be properly understood,
must be distinguished from each other by various qualifying epithets.”

32.1 What motivated Al-Biruni to study Sanskrit? (1 mark)

Answer:
Al-Biruni was motivated to study Sanskrit in order to better understand Indian
culture, religion, and society. He was interested in gaining knowledge of the
religious and philosophical texts written in Sanskrit, as well as facilitating
cross-cultural understanding.

32.2 How did Al-Biruni’s observations about Sanskrit
contribute to cross-cultural understanding? (1 mark)

Answer:
Al-Biruni’s observations helped bridge the gap between Indian and Islamic
civilizations. By studying Sanskrit and translating important texts into
Arabic, he enabled scholars from the Islamic world to understand Indian
knowledge, promoting cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue.

32.3 In what ways did Al-Biruni compare Sanskrit to
Arabic? (2 marks)

Answer:
Al-Biruni compared Sanskrit to Arabic by noting that both languages had an
extensive vocabulary and a complex system of inflections. He observed that
Sanskrit, like Arabic, had multiple words for the same concept and that words
could have different meanings depending on the context, which required careful
interpretation.

33. Read the following source carefully and answer the
questions that follow:

Buddhism in
practice
This is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka, and contains the advice given
by the Buddha to a wealthy householder named Sigala:
“In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees…
by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food
and wages, by tending them in sickness; by sharing delicacies with them and by
granting leave at times… In five ways should the clansmen look after the
needs of samanas (those who have renounced the world) and Brahmanas: by
affection in act and speech and mind, by keeping open house to them and
supplying their worldly needs.”
There are similar instructions to Sigala about how to behave with his parents,
teachers, and wife.

33.1 Explain the significance of the Sutta Pitaka in
Buddhism. (1 mark)

Answer:
The Sutta Pitaka is one of the three main divisions of the Tripitaka,
the sacred texts of Buddhism. It contains the teachings and sermons of the
Buddha, providing guidance on ethical conduct and spiritual practice. It is
crucial for understanding Buddhist philosophy and ethics.

33.2 How did Buddha advise the wealthy householders to be
humane and ethical? (1 mark)

Answer:
The Buddha advised wealthy householders to treat their servants and employees
with kindness by assigning tasks according to their abilities, providing fair
wages, taking care of them during sickness, sharing food, and giving them
leave. This ethical treatment reflects compassion and fairness.

33.3 What was the advice given by Buddha to Sigala on how
to behave with his parents and teachers? (2 marks)

Answer:
The Buddha advised Sigala to respect and care for his parents and teachers by
being affectionate and considerate in his actions, speech, and thoughts. He
emphasized the importance of gratitude, obedience, and offering material
support when needed, showing respect and appreciation for their guidance.

Section E – (Map-Based Question) [1 × 5 = 5 Marks]

34.1 On the given political outline map of India, locate
and label the following with appropriate signs:

(i) Banawali –
A matured Harappan site (1 mark)
(ii) Bharhut – A Buddhist site (1 mark)
(iii) (a) Agra – Territory under Mughal’s control (1 mark)
OR
(iii) (b) Delhi – Territory under Mughal’s control (1 mark)

Answer:

(i) Banawali: Located in
the Fatehabad district of Haryana, Banawali was a major site of the
Harappan civilization.
(ii) Bharhut: Situated in
Madhya Pradesh, Bharhut is known for its Buddhist stupas and sculptures
from the Sunga dynasty.
(iii) Agra: Agra, a
prominent Mughal territory, is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Alternative (iii): Delhi: Another important
Mughal-controlled region, located in the northern part of India.

34.2 On the same map, two places have been marked as A
and B, which are centers of the Indian National Movement. Identify them and
write their correct names on the lines drawn near them. (2 marks)

Answer:

A is Ahmedabad – the center
of the Indian National Movement, particularly known for the Dandi March
and the Swadeshi movement led by Gandhi.
B is Amritsar – a
significant center of the national movement, especially due to the
Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.

For Visually Impaired Candidates:

34.1 Mention
any two Harappan sites. (2 marks)
Answer:

Mohenjo-Daro: Located in present-day Pakistan,
it was one of the largest cities of the Harappan civilization, with
advanced urban planning and drainage systems.
Dholavira: Situated in Gujarat, India,
Dholavira is known for its water conservation systems and unique city
layout.

34.2 (a)
Mention any one territory under Mughal’s control. (1 mark)
Answer:

Agra: A major center of Mughal
administration and culture, under the control of emperors like Akbar and
Shah Jahan.

34.2 (b)
Mention the name of the Capital of Vijaynagar Empire. (1 mark)
Answer:

Hampi: The capital of the Vijayanagar
Empire, located in Karnataka, known for its impressive ruins and temples.

34.3 Name any
two centers of the Indian National Movement. (2 marks)
Answer:

Ahmedabad: A significant center due to the
Dandi March and various campaigns led by Mahatma Gandhi.
Bombay (Mumbai): A vital location for the Quit
India Movement and the home of influential Congress leaders.

CBSE Class 12 History Solved Paper 2024 with Concept Map and Detailed Solutions