Class 12 Question Paper 2024-25 History (Half Yearly)

HALF YEARLY EXAM

QUESTION
PAPER
ORIGINAL EXAM PAPERS

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2024-25
HISTORY
Time – 3:00 Hrs. Class – XII M.M. : 80
Date – 12.09.2024 (Thursday)
Name of the student _______________________________________________Section _____
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Question paper comprises five Sections – A, B, C, D and E. There are 34 questions in the
question paper. All questions are compulsory.
2. Section A – Question 1 to 21 are MCQs of 1 mark each.
3. Section B – Question no. 22 to 27 are Short Answer Type Questions, carrying 3 marks
each. Answer to each question should not exceed 60-80 words.
4. Section C - Question no 28 to 30 are Long Answer Type Questions, carrying 8 marks each.
Answer to each question should not exceed 300-350 words
5. Section D – Question no.31 to 33 are Source based questions with three sub questions
and are of 4 marks each
6. Section-E - Question no. 34 is Map based, carrying 5 marks that includes the identification
and location of significant test items. Attach the map with the answer book.
7. There is no overall choice in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been
provided in few questions. Only one of the choices in such questions have to be
attempted.
8. In addition to this, separate instructions are given with each section and question,
wherever necessary.

SECTION – A
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1 A stone cut water reservoirs has been discovered from? 1
A. Surkotda B. Kalibangan C. Dholavira D. Harappa
Q2 How did historians establish that Harappans had travelled to South India to procure raw 1
materials for crafts?
A. They found models of bullock carts, which are found only in South India.
B. They followed riverine routes to South India.
C. They found Harappan beads in South India.
D. Lapis lazuli mines are found in South India.
Q3 There are two statements given below, marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read 1
the statements and choose the correct option.
Assertion (A) : Some historians believe that there was a central state in the Harappan
civilisation that had considerable power over a number of activities.
Reason (R) : The consistency of planning and similarity of decision-making in a large
civilisation points to a singular authority.
A. A is true and R is false.
B. A is false and R is true.
C. Both A and R are true and R explains A.
D. Both A and R are true and R does not explain A.
HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 1

Q4 Which of the following is NOT one of the sixteen mahajanapadas? 1
A. Vajji B. Avanti C. Koshala D. Ayodhya
Q5 Consider the following events. 1
1. Reign of Ashoka 2. Accession of Kanishka
3. Invasion of Alexander 4. Rise of Chalukyas
The correct chorological order of these events is
A. 3, 1, 2, 4 B. 2,3, 4, 1 C. 1,4, 3, 2 D. 3, 4, 1, 2
Q6 Choose the correct option. 1
The beautiful artefact belonging to Mauryan Empire is
A. Faience Pot B. Prayag Prashastis
C. Northern Black Polished Ware D. Terracotta Ware
Q7 Harishena was the court poet of ________. 1
A. Samudragupta B. Chandragupta II C. Ashoka D. Chandragupta Maurya
Q8 What is the primary reason why the chandalas were considered untouchables and 1
forced to live outside the city?
A. their religious customs B. their occupation
C. their food habits D. their skin colour
Q9 Which of the following statements is correct about the importance of gender 1
differences in the early societies from c. 600 BCE to 600 CE?
(i) Societies were patriliny in nature.
(ii) Women were allowed to give land grants.
(iii) Sons were considered important for the continuity of the family.
A. Only ‘i’ B. Both ‘ii’ and ‘iii’ C. Both ‘i’ and ‘iii’ D. All these
Q10 Shungas and Kanvas, the immediate successors of the Mauryas, were: 1
A. Shudras B. Vaishyas C. Kshatriyas D. Brahmans
Q11 Read the following extract from Adi Parvan and identify being described in it: 1
The city, bursting like the ocean, packed with hundreds of mansions, displayed with its
gateways, arches and turrets like massing clouds the splendour of Great Indra’s city.
A. Patliputra B. Hastinapur C. Oudh D. Varanasi
Q12 Look at the figure below. Which school of art is evident on the image of Bodhisatta? 1

A. Gandhara School of Art B. Mathura School of Art
C. Greeco-Roman School of Art D. Amaravati School of Art
HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 2

Q13 Which of the following options is the most probable explanation for the incorporation 1
of the’ Shailabhanjika’ Motif in the Sanchi Stupa?
A. Mahaparinibbana B. Strength & wisdom C. Auspicious symbol D. Religious idol
Q14 Choose the correct option: 1
A. Ibn-Battuta travelled extensively in China.
B. Al-Biruni found the Indian cities quite populated.
C. Al-Biruni was greatly influenced by the Indian postal system.
D. According to Ibn-Battuta. crown ownership of land was quite disasterous for farmers
Q15 Which of these is a notable feature about the Italian doctor, Manucci, who travelled to 1
India?
A. He came and treated many people in India and improved the health care
system.
B. He found India so impressive that he did not go back to his home country in
Europe.
C. He observed and wrote detailed accounts on India’s agricultural system.
D. He was closely associated with the Mughal court.
Q16 Which Chola ruler consecrated the metal image of Appar, Sambandar, sundarar in a 1
Shiva temple?
A. Rajendra Chola B. Parantaka I C. Aditya Chola D. Raharaja I
Q17 Merchants from the Persian Gulf and other Arabic countries used to sajil through the 1
red sea to the nearest Indian ports and settle there accordingly in the first
millennium C.E., while Central Asian people settled in the north-western parts of the
subcontinent during the same period.
According to the above information, which of the following coasts in India today are
LESS likely to have a middle Eastern Arab ancestry?
A. Coromandel B. Malabar C. Konkan D. Kutch
Q18 Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding Karaikkal Ammaiyar? 1
A. She was devotee of Shiva.
B. She adopted the path of extreme asceticism.
C. Her compositions were preserved within the Alvar traditions.
D. Her compositions posed a challenge to patriarchal.
Q19 The amara-nayakas in the empire of Vijaynagara were given territories to govern by 1
the raya.
If the amara-nayakas were present in the current democratic political system of India,
which of the following ministries would they be a part of?
P: finance Q: defence R: law and justice S: labour and employment
A. P and Q B. Q and R C. R and S D. S and P
Q20 Arrange the following major political developments in Chronological order. 1
i) Conquest of Goa by Portuguese
ii) Establishment of Delhi Sultanate

HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 3

iii) Establishment of Gajapati kingdom of Orissa
iv) Establishment of the Vijayanagara empire
Codes:
A. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) B. (ii), (iv), (iii), (i) C. (ii), (i), (iii), (iv) D. (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)
Q21 Krishnadeva Raya (1509-29), the most famous ruler of Vijaynagara composed a book in 1
Telugu on statecraft known as 'Amuktamalyada'.
Listed below are some books penned by or about the ancient Indian rulers. Which of
these PRIMARILY revolve around similar themes as Amuktamalyada?
A. Indica B. Meghaduta C. Akbarnama D. Arthashastra
SECTION - B
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q22 Give four pieces of evidence that tell us about the changes that marked the end of the 3
Harappan civilisation.
Q23 How is the relationship between cultivators and the monarchy perceived by historians on 3
the basis of land grants? State any three points.
Q24 There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal’. Justify this statement. 3
Q25 Explain how you will prove that the text of Mahabharata was a dynamic one. 3
Q26 “India had a unique system of communication during the fourteenth century”. Examine 3
the statement of Ibn Battuta.
Q27 Analyze the concept of the Asiatic mode of production as stated by Karl Marx. 3
OR
"...its king was the king of 'beggars and barbarians'; its cities and towns were ruined and
contaminated with “ill air”; and its fields, 'overspread with bushes' and full of
'pestilential marishes'. "
Bernier made this statement with reference to the ownership of land in the Mughal
empire. Explain the observations that led him to this conclusion.
SECTION - C
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Q28 Discuss how and why stupas were built? 8
OR
“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?
Q29 Explain the significance of Kabir’s poems and the traditions he drew to describe the 8
ultimate reality.
OR
Describe the teaching of Baba Guru Nanak and its relevance in today’s world.
Q30 Examine how buildings in the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara city helped in increasing the 8
prestige of Vijayanagara kingdom.
OR
Identify the rituals and practices associated with the Mahanavami Dibba, a structure in
the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.

HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 4

SECTION - D
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS
Q31 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow. 1+1+2=4
THE MOST ANCIENT SYSTEM YET DISCOVERED
About the drains, Mackay noted: “It is certainly the most complete ancient System as
yet discovered.” Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels
were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be
removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains
first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while wastewater
flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at
intervals with sumps for Cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that “little heaps of
material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels,
which shows… that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared.”
From Ernest Mackay, Early Indus Civilization, 1948 drainage systems were not unique to
the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example,
while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made from burnt bricks.
31.1. Why has MacKay described this system as complete ancient drainage system?
31.2. Was the drainage system similar in large & small settlements of Harappa? Support
your answer with facts.
31.3. How were the drains covered?
Q32 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow. 1+1+2=4
Proper social roles Here is a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata
Once Drona, a Brahmana who taught archery to the Kuru princes, was approached by
Ekalavya, a forest dwelling nishada (a hunting community). When Drona, who knew the
dharma, refused to have him as his pupil, Ekalavya returned to the forest, prepared an
image of Drona out of clay, and treating it as his teacher, began to practise on his own.
In due course, he acquired great skill in archery. One day, the Kuru princes went hunting
and their dog, wandering in the woods, came upon Ekalavya. When the dog smelt the
dark nishada wrapped in black deer skin, his body caked with dirt, it began to bark.
Annoyed, Ekalavya shot seven arrows into its mouth. When the dog returned to the
Pandavas, they were amazed at this superb display of archery. They tracked down
Ekalavya, who introduced himself as a pupil of Drona. Drona had once told his favourite
student Arjuna, that he would be unrivalled amongst his pupils. Arjuna now reminded
Drona about this. Drona approached Ekalavya, who immediately acknowledged and
honoured him as his teacher. When Drona demanded his right thumb as his fee,
Ekalavya unhesitatingly cut it off and offered it. But thereafter, when he shot with his
remaining fingers, he was no longer as fast as he had been before. Thus, Drona kept his
word: no one was better than Arjuna.
32.1. Why did Drona refuse to have Eklavya as his pupil?
32.2. What did Drona demand from Eklavya?
32.3. Why did Drona ask for such type of gurudakshina? Give reasons.
Q33 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow. 1+1+2=4
The Child Sati
This is perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier.
HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 5

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….
33.1. Describe what Bernier saw at Lahore.
33.2. How had the agony of the girl been described?
33.3. How and why was the girl forced towards the fatal spot?
SECTION – E
MAP BASED QUESTION
Q34 34.1 On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate
symbols:
a. Kalibangan, a Harappan site 1
b. Dholavira, a mature Harappan site 1
OR
Sanchi, a Ashoka pillar inscription
34.2. On the same outline map, three places which are major Buddhist sites have been 3
marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn
near them.

HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 6

HISTORY
Time – 3:00 Hrs. Class – XII M.M. : 80
Date – 12.09.2024 (Thursday)
Name of the student _______________________________________________Section _____

34.2. On the same outline map, three places which are major Buddhist sites have been 3
marked as A, B and C. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn
near them.

HALF YEARLY EXAM | HISTORY | CLASS 12 | 2024-25 | PRINTED Q 34 PRINTED PAGES 7 | PAGE# 7

Study Materials
Notes

Model Papers Class 6 Notes

Sample Papers Class 7 Notes
Half Yearly Sample Papers Class 8 Notes

Class 9 Notes
Important Resources
Class 10 Notes
Periodic Table
Class 11 Notes
Writing Skills / Formats

Maps of India / World Class 12 Notes

Books and Solutions

NCERT Books
NCERT Book Solutions
HC Verma Chapter Wise Solutions
RD Sharma Solutions
CGBSE Solutions