HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION (2024-25)

CLASS XII
Section A (1*21=21)
OBJECTIVE ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Archaeologists face issues while piecing together information from artefacts
and excavations.

Which of the following actions do you think an archaeologist can take while
studying Harappan Civilisation to make their findings robust?

A. Collect at least a hundred artefacts before making interpretations.

B. Treat artefacts made from different materials the same, to remove bias.
C. Consider each artefact as complete evidence and make definite
interpretations.
D. Search for all sources of history such as artefacts, books, inscriptions and
seals.
2. Which of the following statements is not correct in regard to the subsistence strategy
of Harappa?
A. Terracotta sculpture of oxen indicates ploughing.
B. Two sets of furrows at right angles indicate two cropping patterns.
C. Traces of canals have been found at Shortughai, Afghanistan.
D. Deep water reservoirs have been found in Sindh for irrigation.
3. There are two statements given below, marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Read the statements and choose and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A): Historians believe that the people of Harappan Civilisation were
highly literate.
Reason (R): Writing has been found in many everyday objects such as seals,
copper tools, jewellery and terracotta tablets in the Harappan region.
A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and R is the correct explanation
for A.
B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but R is not the correct
explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.
4. Which of the following themes is Panini’s book ‘Ashtadhyayi’ based on?
A. Puranas
B. Grammar
C. Mathematics
D. Medicine (Ayurveda)
5. Arrange the following Mahajanapadas from North to South order and select the correct
sequence from the following options.
I. Taxilla
II. Indraprastha
III. Mathura
IV. Ujjain

Options:

A. I,II,III,IV
B. III,II,IV,I
C. II,III,IV,I
D. III,IV,I,II
6. Identify the ruler of the ancient India with the help of the given information and choose
the correct option.
 He got the title of Devanampiya.
 He disturbed a portion of Buddha’s relics for stupas.
 He was the first ruler who inscribed messages on rocks and pillars.

Options:

A. Samudragupta
B. Rudradaman
C. Harshavardhana
D. Ashoka
7. What is the impact of the recreation of the Mahabharata that was prepared by V.S.
Sukthankar on the way we construct social histories today?
A. Not all historical texts are important to the studying of history.
B. The first historical record is the most accurate because over time
periods tend to vary.
C. Historical texts should be questioned on the grounds of the power
structures that existed during the time.
D. Historical texts from one region should be assessed on their own and
not together with texts found in other religions.
8. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
A. Kauravas---------Son of Gandhari
B. Ekalavya---------Chandala
C. Pandavas--------Sons of Pandu
D. Suvarnakaras---Goldsmith
9. Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option.
Column I Column II

(Ancient Temples) (Locations)

1) Deogarh i) Tamil Nadu

2) Mahabalipuram ii) Maharashtra
 3) Kailashnath iii) Bihar
4) Barabar iv) Uttar Pradesh

Options:
A. 1-(i), 2-(iii), 3-(ii), 4-(iv)
B. 1-(ii), 2-(iii), 3-(iv), 4-(i)
C. 1-(iv), 2-(i), 3-(ii), 4-(iii)
D. 1-(i), 2-(iv), 3-(ii), 4-(iii)
10. Identify the school of art with the help of the given image of Buddha.

A. Gandhara School of Art

B. Mathura School of Art
C. Sarnath School of Art
D. Amravati School of Art
11. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect?
A. Buddha taught through detailed sermons.
B. The compilation of His teachings is known as Tipitaka.
C. Buddha travelled to regions as far off as Sri Lanka to sermonise.

Options:

A. Only a
B. Only b
C. a and c
D. a and b
12. Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option:
Column I Column II

(Sculpture of Sanchi) (Symbolism)

1) Empty seat i) Symbol of good fortune

2) Wheel ii) Auspicious symbol
3) Shalabhanjika iii) First sermon of Buddha
 4) Gajalakshmi iv) Mahaparnibbana

Options:

A. 1-(ii), 2-(i), 3-(iii), 4-(iv)

B. 1-(iv), 2-(iii), 3-(ii), 4-(i)
C. 1-(i), 2-(ii), 3-(iv), 4-(iii)
D. 1-(iii), 2-(iv), 3-(i), 4-(ii)
13. Zainab is writing an assignment on the integration of “great” and “little”
traditions first proposed by Robert Redfield.
Which of the following examples about tribes in India should she include in the
assignment?
A. Meches tribe had to move away from their native villages to urban centres
for jobs.
B. Totos tribe started using modern means of communication like radio and
television.
C. Rabhas tribe’s younger generation speaks only Bengali instead of their
Cochakrow language.
D. Drukpa tribe holds a strong belief on Goddess Mahakal who is similar to
the Hindu Devi Kali.
14. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the travellers to India?
A. Al-Biruni. Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Duarte Barbosa
B. Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Duarte Barbosa, Al-Biruni
C. Marco Polo, Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, Duarte Barbosa
D. Marco Polo, Ibn Battuta, Al- Biruni, Duarte Barbosa
15. Identify the correct name of the sculpture from the options given.

A. A terracotta sculpture from a Temple of Bengal.

B. A terracotta sculpture from a Temple of Mathura.
C. A terracotta sculpture from a Temple of Orissa.
D. A terracotta sculpture from a Temple of Andhra Pradesh.
16. ‘The Bhakti philosophy always had a streak of resistance along with the feelings
of intense devotion through it which could be seen in the writings of Alvars and
Nayanars who protested against the caste system.’

Which of the following is an example that explains the statement given above?

A. Chetan Bhagat, a popular novelist who writes in English.

 B. Sambhaji Bhagat, a poet from Maharashtra writes songs on Dalit
issues.
C. Kailash Satyarthi, a social reformer who campaigns against child
labour.
D. KR Narayanan, who was the first Dalit person to become the President of
India.
17. Who among the following Bhakti Saint emphasised the essential oneness of all
religion by describing Hindus and Muslims as pots of the same clay?
A. Kabir
B. Tulsidas
C. Ramananda
D. Raidasa
18. Which of the following crops was introduced into India via Africa and Spain?
A. Chillies
B. Maize
C. Papaya
D. Tomatoes
19. Look at the given map and answer the questions that follow:

On the political map of India ‘P’ is marked as the capital of an empire founded in
1336 CE. Identify it among the following options.
A. Bijapur
B. Golconda
C. Chandragiri
D. Vijaynagara
20. On the same map. ‘Q’ is also marked as an important centre of nayaka power of the
14th – 15th century BCE. Identify it from the following options.
A. Kanchipuram
B. Thanjavur
C. Mysore
D. Quilon
21. There are two statements given below, marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R).
Read the statements and choose the correct option.
 Assertion (A): The introduction of the cash nexus in the agrarian economy had
a transformative effect on the rural society of Mughal India.
Reason (R): The use of cash in transactions led to the decline of the barter
system and increased monetization of the economy.

A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and R is the correct
explanation for A.
B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but R is not the correct
explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Section B (3*6=18)
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
22. How do modern historians explain the development and growth of Magadhan
power? Explain briefly.
23. Highlight important considerations kept in mind while preparing the critical
edition of the Mahabharata by the team of V.S. Sukthankar.
24. Elucidate Al-Biruni’s observations and analysis of the caste system in India as
documented in his work “Kitab fi Tahqiq ma li’l-Hind.” How did he perceive the
structure and functioning of this social system and what were his views on its
rigidity and the role of purity in maintaining caste distinctions?
25. “The Lingayats challenged the idea of caste and the ‘pollution’ attributed to
certain groups by Brahmanas.” Critically examine the statement.

OR

Discuss the importance of women devotees during Bhakti period.

26. Given below is a picture of the Kamlapuram tank built during

Krishnadevaraya’s rule.

i) Why were such tanks given important geographical location in the

Kingdom of Vijaynagara?
ii) How can these ancient structures be reused now?
27. What are the problems in using the Ain as a source for reconstructing the
agrarian history? Give examples.

OR
To what extent is it possible to characterize agricultural production in the
sixteenth- seventeenth centuries as subsistence agriculture? Give reasons
for your answer.

Section C (8*3=24)
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
28. Elucidate the contributions of various archaeologists from 1875 till 1950 in
discovering the Harappan Civilisation.

OR

Explain the system of land grants and trade from 600 BCE to 600 CE.
29. Explain Chishti devotionalism with special emphasis to Ziyarat and Qawalli.

OR

Critically examine the physical layout of seven lines of fortifications of

Vijaynagara empire. How and why was it done?
30. Examine the role of zamindars in agrarian society during 15-16th century.

OR

Explain the organization of the administration and army during the rule of
Akbar as given in ‘Ain-i-Akbari’.

Section D (4*3=12)
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS
31. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

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 towards the fatal spot, seated her on the
wood, tied her hands, feet, lest, she should run away, and in that situation the innocent
creature was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my feelings and to prevent their
bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage…
31.1) Why did Bernier consider this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference
between Western and Eastern societies?
31.2) What role did the Indian patriarchal society play towards this social evil?
31.3) Compare the conditions of the women of era mentioned above to that of today.

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

This self of mine within the heart is smaller than paddy or barley or mustard or millet or
the kernel of a seed of millet. This self of mine within the heart is greater than the Earth,
greater than the intermediate space, greater than heaven, greater than these worlds. The
True Sacrifice- This one (the wind) that blows, this is surely a sacrifice. While moving, it
sanctifies all this; Therefore, it is indeed a sacrifice.
32.1) From where have these verses been taken? When were these composed?

32.2) What has been said about the nature of the soul and true Yajna in the verse?
32.3) What do we know about ideology of the source given in excerpt?
33. Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The One Lord

Here is a composition attributed to Kabir Tell me, brother, how can there be No one lord
of the world but two? Who led you so astray? God is called by many names like Allah,
Ram, Karim, Keshav, Hari and Hazrat. Gold may be shaped into rings and bangles. Isn’t
it gold all the same? Distinctions are only in words that we invent.

Kabir says they are both mistaken. Neither can find the only Ram. One kills the goat, the
other cows. They waste their lives in disputation.
33.1) Name any two scriptures, in which verses described to Kabir, have been
compiled.
33.2) How did Kabir describe the ‘Ultimate Reality’?

33.3) Do you agree with Kabir? Give reasons for your answer.

Section E (1*5=5)
MAP BASED QUESTION
34. On the given map of India, identify the location with the help of specified information:

A. On the political map of India ‘A’ is marked as a major Ashokan inscription (Rock
Edicts).
B. On the same map ‘B’ is also marked as the important towns of second century BCE.
C. On the same map locate the following sites.
1. Lothal

2. Kalibangan

3. Capital city of Akbar