8 MARK QUESTIONS

1. How did Siddhartha come to be known as the Buddha? Explain his philosophy mentioned
in the Sutta-Pitaka.
2. Describe the sculptural aspects of Sanchi Stupa. State the reasons for the survival of this
Stupa.
3. . ‘Non cooperation became the epoch in the life of India and of Gandhiji ‘. Justify this
statement with examples.
4. ‘Buddha laid stress on right conduct and values. In the light of above message, explain
his teachings on life.
5. In the mid First millennium BCE, the religious thinkers tried to understand the mysteries
of existence and relationship between human being and the cosmic world’. Explain.
6. Explain the role of zamindars in the Mughal India during 16th -17th century. OR 8
Examine the role of Panchayats in the rural society of Mughal Empire.
7. Describe the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Gandhiji and
the history of nationalist movement.
8. How did the Salt March of 1930 mark a critical important stage in the progress of the
anti-imperialist struggle in India? Explain.
9. ‘Jainism has left its mark on the Indian thinking as a whole’. Support it with the messages
of Mahavira.
10. ‘The Buddha’s teachings have been reconstructed from stories’. Explain the teachings
with the incidents changed the life of the Buddha.
11. Explain the significance of Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920.
12. “Brahmanical norms regarding marriage and occupation were not universally followed in
ancient times.” Give arguments in support of your answer.
13. 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.
14. Describe the role of Gandhiji as people’s leader from 1917-22?
15. “Historians often try to understand the meaning of sculpture by comparing it with textual
evidence.” Evaluate the statement in the context of Sanchi Stupa.
16. ”Amaravati was discovered before Sanchi yet it had lost its glory and was an insignificant
little mound.” In the light of the above statement justify why Sanchi survived but
Amaravati did not?
17. Describe the relations between the state and the Bhakti and Sufi traditions.
18. Describe the teaching of Baba Guru Nanak and its relevance in today’s world.
19. Explain how the coming of Gandhiji broadened the base of the Indian National
Movement.
20. “The Mahabharata is an invaluable source available to historians to study social practices
and norms in early societies”, Justify the statement.
21. Examine the elements analysed by the historians on the text of Mahabharata.
22. Examine the evidence that suggests land revenue was important for the Mughal Fiscal
system.
23. Examine the condition of zamindars in Mughal agrarian society.
24. “The Quit India Movement genuinely a mass movement”. Justify the statement.
25. Examine the different kinds of sources from which the political career of Gandhiji and
the history of the National movement could be reconstructed.
26. Describe the familial relationship observed during Mahabharat era.
27. Describe the Social implications of access to Resources during Mahabharat period
28. Analyze the importance and limitations of A-i-Akbari as a source of Akbar’s reign.
29. Examine the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated Mughal rural
society.
30. Explain the importance of Non-Cooperation Movement. OR Explain the significance of
Civil Disobedience Movement.
31. Explain the most important idea of Jainism and its impact on Indian thinking.
32. “Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation “. In light of
this statement explain the teachings of Buddhism.
33. Identify the rituals and practices associated with the Mahanavami Dibba, a structure in
the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.
34. Outline the distinctive features of the Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala temple in the
Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.
35. Examine the different kinds of sources from which the political career of Gandhiji and
the history of the National movement could be reconstructed.
36. “The Quit India Movement genuinely a mass movement”. Justify.
37. How did the philosophical and religious developments during the first millennium BCE
in India influence the socio-political aspects? Explain with examples.
38. How did the construction of stupas contribute to the spread of Buddhist teachings?
Explain with examples
39. Vijayanagar empire was characterised by a distinctive architecture and building styles.’
Justify the statement. Justify the statement.
40. ‘The establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire considered significant in the history of the
Indian subcontinent’. Justify the statement.
41. A How did the Constituent Assembly address the issue of social justice, particularly
concerning the rights of the people? Explain.
42. Explain the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States, as debated in the
Constituent Assembly, highlighting differing viewpoints and concerns
 3 MARK QUESTIONS
1) ‘Epigraphy alone does not provide a full understanding of political and economic
history.’Justify the statement with its four limitations.
2) How have archaeologists used evidence from material remains to piece together parts of a
fascinating Harappa history? Explain
3) Why were agricultural tracts incorporated within the fortified area of the Vijayanagara
Empire? Give reasons
4) What was the Limitation Law of 1859? State its impacts on the ryots.
5) Critically evaluate Governor General Lord Dalhousie’s policy towards Awadh during
1850.
6) ‘There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal’. Justify this statement.
7) Critically examine the social order of caste hierarchies laid in Dharamshastra & Dharma
sutras.
8) Analyze the causes of the decline of Vijayanagara Empire.
9) Examine the Fifth Report submitted to the British Parliament in 1813.
10) Explain the demands of the 1857 rebellions from the British govt.
11) To what extent had the Harappa people established trade relations beyond the
subcontinent? Explain
12) The Sixth Century BCE is often regarded as a major turning point in early Indian
history’. Justify with two arguments.
13) Examine how buildings in the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara city helped in increasing the
prestige of Vijayanagara kingdom.
14) Describe the condition of agrarian women in the Mughal rural society.
15) ‘A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day” in the context of this statement mention
Dalhousie’s policy of Awadh annexation.
16) Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the national language?
17) “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.
18) “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments.
19) Describe the accounts of foreign travellers about the city of Vijayanagara.
20) “Through proclamations the rebels of 1857 completely rejected everything associated
with British rule or firangi raj”. Cite any four aspects to support this statement.
21) “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.
22) Why did N G Ranga feel that the minorities should be interpreted in economic terms?
Give reasons.
23) State any three elements that historians considered while analysing the Mahabharata.
24) ”Buildings or architectural remains are a source for reconstruction for temple
architecture.” Justify the statement with reference to the Vitthala temple of Vijayanagara
Empire.
25) ”Krishnadeva Raya’s rule was characterised by expansion and consolidation”. Justify
with suitable arguments.
26) Show how the power of the Jotedars within a village was more effective than that of the
Zamindars.
27) Explain the grievances of the Indian sepoys against the British rule before the revolt of
1857 with examples.
28) Describe any three features of the burial sites in Harappa?
29) Describe any three features of the ‘Great Bath’ used in the Harappan settlements.
30) Critically examine the limitations of the inscriptional evidence in understanding political
and economic history of India.
31) “India had unique system of communication during the 14th century” Examine the
statement made by Ibn Battuta.
32) Analyse the main features of Amara nayaka system which was introduced in the
Vijayanagar Empire.
33) “The Burdwan auction had a strange twist and was considered a big public event in
1797”, explain the statement.
34) “The relationship of the sepoys with the superior white officers underwent a significant
change in the years preceding the uprising of 1857”, support the statement with
examples.
35) “A cherry that will drop into our mouth one day”, who made this remark? Explain the
series of events that eventually led the cherry to fall into the mouth of the British.
36) Describe any three sources to know about Harrapan civilization. OR
37) Describe any three features of Harrapan drainage system.
38) “Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanpada ‘. Examine the statement
39) Analyze the concept of the Asiatic mode of production as stated by Karl Marx.
40) Describe the features of water resources of Vijayanagar empire.
41) “The power of the Jotedars was more effective than that of the zamindars. Justify the
statement with suitable arguments.
42) “Art and literature helped in keeping alive the memory of 1857.” Explain with examples
from Indian perspective.
43) ‘Rumours and prophesies played an important role in the Revolt of 1857.’ Explain the
statement with example.
44) Explain the sources used by historians to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire.
45) “The nobility was recruited consciously by the Mughal rulers from diverse ethnic and
religious groups”.Justify.
46) “The battle between the hoe and plough was a long one.” Substantiate the statement with
reference to the Santhal and Paharias of Raj Mahal Hills during the 18th century.
47) “Rumours circulate only when they resonate, with the deep fears and suspicion of the
people’. How was this statement true in the context of the Revolt of 1857?
48) Analyse the layout of Harappan cities to identify features that promoted cleanliness and
public health.
49) Examine the challenges historians face in deciphering the Harappan script.
50) How does the Mahabharata show the multicultural nature of ancient Indian society?
Explain with examples.
51) Examine the impact of Bhakti and Sufi poetry on the development of regional languages
and literature.
52) Examine how music and devotional songs in Bhakti and Sufi traditions serve spiritual
expression and community unity.
53) Explain the term "Little Republics" as applied to villages during the Mughal period.
54) Describe the aspirations and objectives of the rebels during the Indian Rebellion of 1857,
as reflected in their proclamations and actions.
55) Analyse the rise of the Jotedars and their significance in rural Bengal during the late 18th
century.