CBSE Class 12 History Question Paper 2024 (Set 2- 61/1/2) Available- Download Solution Pdf with Answer Key

Solution: The Government of India Act, 1935, established a framework for governance under British colonial rule. The elected legislatures operated within this context.

Solution: Shah Mal, a local leader, took over a British official's bungalow and converted it to a 'hall of justice'. This was part of the rebellion during 1857 and showed how the rebels were keen to create a parallel administration to challenge British authority.

Solution: The Permanent Settlement gave Zamindars permanent property rights over the land and created a landlord class, whereas the peasants did not get any rights. This led to socio economic disparities.

Solution: R.V. Dhulekar was a member of the Constituent Assembly who strongly advocated for the use of Hindi as the language of constitution-making.

Solution: Gandhiji did indeed merge the Khilafat movement with the Non-Cooperation movement to increase its scope. His primary aim was to unite Hindus and Muslims and challenge British rule.

Solution: The correct matches are: Lord Wellesley - Subsidiary Alliance, Lord Dalhousie - annexation policies, Lord Bentinck - reformative polices and Lord Hardinge - greased cartridges.

Solution: The correct chronological order is: Sunset Law (1794), Santhal Rebellion (1855-56), Limitation Law (1859), Bombay-Deccan Riots (1875)

Solution: Muzarian is the correct pair that denotes peasants. Others are not correctly matched, for example, Muqaddam is a village headman, not a banker.

Solution: The defeat of Vijayanagara in the Battle of Talikota (1565) by the combined forces of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda was a key factor that led to its decline.

Solution: François Bernier's accounts were influential in developing the concept of ‘oriental despotism' in the West. His writings portrayed Eastern rulers as autocratic.

Solution: Mulk-abadi is a section of Ain-i-Akbari that deals with the fiscal and revenue aspects of the Mughal empire.

Solution: The correct matches are: Hazara Rama Temple - Vijayanagara, Chidambaram Temple - Tamil Nadu, Brihadishvara Temple - Thanjavur, Chennakeshava Temple - Belur.

Solution: Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya was the mentor of Amir Khusrau, the famous poet and musician.

Solution: Al-Biruni translated Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit texts into Arabic. He was a Persian scholar living in the time of Mahmud of Ghazni.

Solution: Polyandry is the custom where a woman has multiple husbands. Endogamy is marriage within a specific group, and exogamy is marriage outside a specific group, and polygyny is a man having multiple wives.

Solution: The sculpture with its particular style, robe and expression is associated with the Mathura School of art. It is made of red sandstone.

Solution: The correct matches are: Empty Seat - First sermon of Buddha, Wheel - Mahaparinibbana, Shalabhanjika - Symbol of good fortune, Gajalakshmi - Auspicious symbol.

Solution: Sushruta Samhita is an ancient Indian text on surgery, a branch of Ayurveda.

Solution: The information points to Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor known for adopting Buddhism and propagating its principles through inscriptions.

Solution: Prabhavati Gupta was married to a Vakataka ruler; she had independent access to resources and gave land grants. She was not the daughter of Chandragupta Maurya but Chandragupta II of the Gupta Dynasty.

Solution: Shortughai, located in modern-day Afghanistan, was a major source of lapis lazuli used by Harappans.

Solution: The Mahabharata is considered a dynamic text for the following reasons:
1. Evolution Over Time: The Mahabharata has evolved over centuries with constant additions and interpretations.
2. Multiple Narratives: It includes various characters with different viewpoints and a complex storyline that allows for different interpretations.
3. Regional Variations: Many regional versions and retellings exist, showing the adaptation of the text to different cultures.
4. Social Context: Its themes and characters can be interpreted differently with the changing social contexts.

Solution: The scholars played a vital role in preparing the critical edition of the Mahabharata:
1. Text Collection: Scholars collected multiple manuscripts from different regions in different scripts.
2. Manuscript Comparison: These manuscripts were compared to identify common verses and variations.
3. Text Selection: Verses that were found in most manuscripts and were deemed authentic were selected for the critical edition.
4. Text Translation: Scholars translated the text from Sanskrit to other languages.

Solution: The emergence of the Mauryan Empire was a major landmark:
1. First Large Empire: The Mauryan Empire was the first large territorial empire in the Indian subcontinent.
2. Unified Administration: The Mauryans established a strong centralized administration, which laid the groundwork for future empires.
3. Political Stability: It provided a period of political stability and peace, promoting trade and economic growth.
4. Social Reforms: Under Ashoka, the empire saw social and religious reforms.

Solution: The fortification of Vijayanagara was elaborate and included:
1. Multiple Walls: The city had multiple concentric walls, sometimes including agricultural areas.
2. Gated Entries: The walls had well-protected gates, providing secure entry and exit.
3. Fortified Citadel: The royal residence was heavily fortified and strategically placed for defense.
4. Towers and Bastions: Fortifications included towers and bastions for lookouts and defense.
5. Strategic Placement: Fortifications made use of natural landscapes for additional defense.

Solution: Villages in the Mughal empire were often seen as “little republics” due to:
1. Self-sufficiency: They were largely self-sufficient with their own agricultural production, artisans, and resources.
2. Village Councils: Village councils (Panchayats) managed village affairs and resolved disputes.
3. Community Bonds: Strong community bonds with shared responsibilities and mutual support systems.
4. Local Governance: While under the rule of the empire, villages enjoyed considerable autonomy.
5. Limited interference: The Mughal administration rarely interfered in daily village life, primarily focusing on taxation.

Solution: The 1857 Revolt was widespread in Awadh due to:
1. Annexation of Awadh: The annexation of Awadh in 1856 by the British led to the displacement of local nobility and soldiers.
2. Land Revenue Policies: Harsh land revenue policies and the displacement of landowners created unrest among the peasants.
3. Disbanding of Soldiers: The disbanding of the army led to many unemployed sepoys who joined the rebellion.
4. Cultural Disrespect: Disrespect of local customs and religion by the British alienated the local population.

Solution: Rebel proclamations in 1857 appealed for unity among various sections of society:
1. Shared Grievances: All groups felt oppressed by British policies, including harsh land revenue laws and the annexation of kingdoms.
2. Restoration of Order: The rebels sought to restore the old order by removing the British and reinstate their authority.
3. Call for Cooperation: Proclamations called on all Hindus and Muslims to unite against British colonial rule.
4. Local Support: Rebels hoped to gain support from every section of society by making a common enemy.

Solution: The Fifth Report of 1813 is a significant document, though its critique is needed:
1. Details about Company Rule: The report offered detailed accounts of the administrative and financial aspects of the East India Company's rule in India.
2. Evidence of Misrule: It presented evidence of corruption, exploitation, and mismanagement by the company's officials.
3. Bias Towards Company: The Fifth Report was biased against local populations and sometimes inaccurate.
4. Limited Scope: It primarily focused on the Company's rule and did not fully capture the lives and experiences of the people in India.

Solution: The most unique feature of the Harappan Civilization was the development of urban centers.
1. Planned Cities: The Harappan cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa had well-planned streets, grid patterns, and drainage systems.
2. Advanced Drainage Systems: Sophisticated drainage networks for both waste and rainwater were a key feature of their cities.
3. Granaries and Warehouses: These were essential for storage of surplus grain and trade goods.
4. Public Baths: Evidence of well-structured public baths in Mohenjo-Daro point to community gatherings.
5. Standardized Bricks: The standardized size of the baked bricks are testament to planning and organised building systems.

Solution: Several archaeologists played key roles:
1. Alexander Cunningham: Although he could not identify the Harappan civilisation, his excavations did contribute to the understanding of Indian history.
2. John Marshall: As the Director General of Archaeological Survey of India, he initiated major excavations at Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
3. R.D. Banerji: He identified and excavated Mohenjo-daro, which led to more understanding of Harappan civilisation.
4. Dayaram Sahni: He began the excavations at Harappa.

Solution: The main characteristics of the Lingayat tradition are:
1. Worship of Shiva: Lingayats are devotees of Shiva and worship him as the supreme god.
2. Rejection of Caste: They challenged caste hierarchy and other brahmanical practices like child marriage and gender discrimination.
3. Personal Religious Experience: The tradition focused on a personal religious experience rather than elaborate rituals.
4. Wearing of the Linga: They wear a linga on their body as a mark of devotion.
5. Basavanna as founder: It is considered to be started by Basavanna in 12th century.

Solution: Kabir's teachings:
1. Universal Love: He emphasized universal love and rejected any form of hatred or discrimination.
2. Devotion: He called for devotion to the divine beyond ritual and external practices.
3. Inner Realization: He stressed finding God through personal experience and introspection, not through external practices.
4. Rejection of rituals: He rejected idol worship, pilgrimage, and other external rituals.
5. Equality for all: Kabir advocated equality and rejected all forms of social discrimination.

Solution: Causes of Quit India Movement:
1. Failure of Cripps Mission: The failure of the Cripps Mission of 1942 made it clear that British were not keen on granting any concessions.
2. World War II: India was dragged into World War II by the British without Indian consensus.
3. Rising Nationalist Spirit: Nationalist sentiments were running high and people wanted immediate freedom.
4. Popular Discontent: Frustration over British policies like rising prices and oppression fueled widespread discontent.

Events of Quit India Movement:
1. Gandhi's Call: Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement on August 8, 1942.
2. Nationwide Protests: Protests, strikes, and boycotts spread across India.
3. Government Response: The British arrested all major leaders and suppressed the protests violently.

Solution: Gandhi's Political Role:
1. Nationalist Leader: He led India's freedom struggle by mobilizing the people with non-violent resistance.
2. Mass Mobilization: He used satyagraha to unite diverse groups in a struggle against British rule.
3. Civil Disobedience: He led movements like Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, and Quit India to challenge British authority.
4. Inspiration and Unity: He inspired a generation of leaders and brought everyone together for a common goal.

Gandhi's Social Reformer Role:
1. Against Untouchability: He campaigned for the rights of untouchables and addressed social discrimination.
2. Promoted Equality: He advocated for social equality among all, irrespective of caste and religion.
3. Self-Reliance: He promoted self-reliance and the use of swadeshi (Indian-made) goods.
4. Empowerment of women: He called for greater participation of women in social movements.
5. Simple Lifestyle: His advocacy for a simple and honest life inspired many.

Solution: Abdur Razzaq called India a "strange nation” because he found the people of Calicut (Kozhikode) unlike anyone he had encountered before.

Solution: The source reflects a mix of emotions:
1. Initial Disapproval: In Calicut he expressed disapproval and saw the people as unusual, as if from a 'strange nation'.
2. Awe and Admiration: In Mangalore, he was filled with admiration for the skill and craftsmanship evident in the temple.

Solution: Abdur Razzaq described the temple as magnificent and unparalleled, square, covered in cast bronze with four porticos. He also noted the life like idol made of gold, complete with rubies in the eyes.

Solution: Pant described self-discipline and prioritizing the collective good over personal interests, as the key to the success of democracy.

Solution: Pant defined self-discipline as being concerned less for oneself and more for others. It also involves suppressing extravagance and personal gains that are not aligned with the greater good.

Solution: Pant believed that equality and democracy are linked. He thought people should have a sense of unity and a common purpose for democracy to succeed, and there should not be any special treatment to some individuals or groups over others.

Solution: Buddha emphasized that compassion should be shown to all sections of the society and particularly highlighted the importance of treating everyone, even those in subordinate positions, with care.

Solution: Buddha emphasized righteous action as it forms the foundation for ethical and moral behavior. This leads to spiritual growth and well-being in individuals and in society as a whole.

Solution: Two key tenets of Karma according to Buddha:
1. Action and Consequence: Every action, whether physical, verbal, or mental, creates a cause that will produce a corresponding effect.
2. Responsibility: Individuals are responsible for their actions and their outcomes and this impacts their own lives, not anyone else's.

Solution: (This part requires a physical map and can't be generated here. The student will need to refer to the map)

Solution: (This part requires a physical map and can't be generated here. The student will need to refer to the map)

Solution: Two Buddhist sites in India are Sarnath and Bodh Gaya.

Solution: The capital city of the Vijayanagara empire was Vijayanagara.

Solution: One territory under the Mughal empire was Delhi.

Solution: Two centers of the Indian National Movement were Calcutta and Bombay.