CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper 2025 for History

CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

SAMPLE PAPER
CLASS 12
2025

HISTORY (027)
Class XII: 2024-25
SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Time Allowed: 3hrs Maximum Marks:80

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 Marks
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (21 x 1 = 21)

1. Which of the following options accurately describes the significance of the 1
Sangam Age in the context of literature?

A. It marked the introduction of Sanskrit literature in South India.
B. It was a period of decline in literary activities in Tamil Nadu.
C. It witnessed the flourishing collection of ancient Tamil literature.
D. It was characterized by the dominance of Greek literature in India.

2. To which one of the following dynasties did raja Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani 1
belong?
A. Vakataka
B. Satvahana
C. Kushan
D. Gupta

3. Two statements are given in the question below as Assertion A and Reason R. 1
Read the statements and choose the appropriate option.

Assertion(R): Recovering artefacts is merely the initial step in the archaeological
process.

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Reason(R): Archaeologists employ various methods such as classification based on
material and function, analysis of contextual clues, and reliance on indirect evidence
to understand the significance and purpose of artefacts.

Options:
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R)is the correct explanation of (A)
B. Both (A) and (R) are correct, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
C. (A) is correct, but (R) is not correct
D. (R) is correct, but (A) is not correct.

4. Consider the following statements regarding Buddhism and choose the correct 1
option.
I. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to Hinayana sect of Buddhism.
II. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment.
III. Bodhisattva achieve nibbana for personal salvation.

Options
A. II & III
B. II &III
C. I & II
D. I & III

5. Match the column I with column II regarding the archaeologist who worked in 1
the exploration of Indus valley and choose the correct option.

Column I Column II

a Daya Ram Sahni i Authored “Mohenjodaro & the Indus
Civilisation”
b Rakhal Das Banerji ii Discovered seals at Harappa
c John Marshall iii Found seals at Mohenjodaro
d R.E.M. Wheeler iv Authored “Ancient India”

Options
(a) (b) (c) (d)
A. (iii) (i) (ii) (iv)
B. (iii) (iv) (i) (ii)
C. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
D. (i) (ii) (iv) (iii)

6. Identify the ruler of the ancient India with the help of following information: 1

He was a prominent Shaka ruler.
He rebuilt Sudarshana Lake in the second century CE.
He showcased his engagement with Sanskritic traditions.

A. Vikramaditya II
B. Bhaskaravarman
C. Bimbisara
D. Rudradaman

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7. Identify which of the following options refers to the ancient cave painting given 1
below?

Source -NCERT

A. Ajanta Cave Paintings
B. Bagh Cave Paintings
C. Sittanavasal Cave Paintings
D. Ellora Cave Paintings

NOTE: The following question is only for the visually impaired candidate in lieu
of Q7

In which of the following regions is the Kailasha temple located?

A. Rajasthan
B. Maharashtra
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Uttar Pradesh

8. Which of the following skills can be identified from Al-Biruni's writings? 1

A. Proficiency in diplomacy and political negotiation.
B. Fluency in multiple languages and a broad intellectual curiosity.
C. Expertise in military strategy and warfare tactics.
D. Exceptional talent for storytelling and vivid descriptions.

9. Which of the following statements is incorrect about Andal? 1

A. Andal was a woman Alvar, the most striking features of her compositions were
widely sung.
B. Andal was a woman Nayanar, she incorporated the prevailing caste system in the
society.
C. Andal saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; her verses express her love for the
deity.
D. Andal saw herself as the beloved of Krishna; her verses express her love for the
deity.
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10. Imagine you are analysing a historical document from the Vijayanagar Empire. 1
Which of the following documents would be most helpful in understanding the
relationship between the empire and religious institutions?

A. A military chronicle detailing the conquests of a Vijayanagar rulers.
B. A record of diplomatic exchanges with traders and foreign ambassadors.
C. A legal code outlining the rights and responsibilities of urban classes.
D. An imperial decree granting land or privileges to a sacred organization.

11. Match the column I with column II regarding the travellers who visited the 1
Vijayanagar empire and choose the correct option.:

Column I Column II

a Nicolo de Conti i Ambassador of Persia visited in the 15th
century.
b Abdur Razzaq ii Italian trader who visited in the 15th century.
c Afanasii Nikitin iii Portuguese traveller who visited in the 16th
century.
d Duarte Barbosa iv Merchant from Russia who visited in the 15th
century.
Options:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
A. (iii) (i) (ii) (iv)
B. (iii) (iv) (i) (ii)
C. (i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
D. (ii) (i) (iv) (iii)

12. Which of the following developments significantly contributed to the increased 1
flow of silver bullion into India through trade with Europe during the 16th-18th
centuries?

A. The rise of the Ottoman Empire in Asia
B. The opening of the new world through voyages
C. The Ming Dynasty's expansion into Southeast Asia
D. The decline of the Safavid Empire in Asia

13. How did the compilation of the Ain-i Akbari contribute to Emperor Akbar's vision 1
of governance? Choose the best suitable option from the following.

A. By emphasizing military strategies for territorial expansion.
B. By documenting religious rituals and practices across the empire.
C. By providing information on administrative and cultural traditions.
D. By focusing on trade routes and economic policies.

14. What insights did Francois Bernier provide about the economic structure of 1
Mughal India? Choose the best suitable option from the following.

A. The prevalence of private land ownership and equitable distribution of wealth.
B. The dominance of state-controlled resources and limitations on private property.
C. The absence of trade networks and economic isolation from global markets.
D. The reliance on foreign investments and the absence of indigenous industries.
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15. Compare and contrast the impacts of the American Civil War on cotton 1
production in India and the United States. Choose the best suitable option from
the following.
A. Both countries experienced a decline in cotton production due to the war.
B. India's cotton production increased while the United States experienced a decline.
C. The United States saw increased cotton production while India's remained
stagnant.
D. Both countries saw a surge in cotton exports during the war period.

16. Why did the rebellion in Awadh become a symbol of resistance against British 1
rule? Choose the best suitable option from the following.

A. Due to the region's economic prosperity under native rule
B. Due to the displacement of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and taluqdars
C. Due to favourable land revenue policies towards the peasantry
D. Due to Awadh ‘s central position for organizing rebel forces.

17. Which of the following represents the correct chronological order of events 1
related to agrarian developments in India during the 19th century?

I. The Permanent Settlement in Bengal
II. The Deccan Riots Commission
III. The Santhal Rebellion
IV. The Fifth Report by a Select Committee.

Options:
A. I, II, III & IV
B. II, III, IV & I
C. III, II, I & IV
D. I,IV,III & II

18. Which one of the following was the Gandhi’s main demands for the peasants in 1
Champaran?
A. Increase in minimum wages of workers
B. Freedom to cultivate the crops of their choice.
C. Reduction in government taxes for social classes
D. Indian education for all farmers' children

19 Complete the following with the correct option regarding the role of leaders in 1
the history of nationalism of their respective countries.
Ho Chi Minh: Vietnam, George Washington: --------------------
A. USA
B. UK
C. France
D. Canada

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20 Identify the ruler of India in the 1850s from the given options using the provided 1
information.

I. He was the successor to Peshwa Baji Rao II
II. He was compelled by sepoys and the towns people to join the revolt as
their leader from Kanpur.

A. Nana Sahib
B. Kunwar Singh
C. Birjis Qadr
D. Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah

21. Which of the following were the key ideals associated with the social struggles 1
in India since the nineteenth century?

A. Autonomy, hierarchy, and traditionalism
B. Democracy, equality, and justice
C. Imperialism, colonialism, and bureaucracy
D. Monarchy, privilege, and conservatism

SECTION B
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (6 x 3 =18)

22 A. Analyse the layout of Harappan cities to identify features that promoted cleanliness 3
and public health.

OR
B. Examine the challenges historians face in deciphering the Harappan script. 3

23 How does the Mahabharata show the multicultural nature of ancient Indian society? 3
Explain with examples.
24 A. Examine the impact of Bhakti and Sufi poetry on the development of regional 3
languages and literature.

OR

B. Examine how music and devotional songs in Bhakti and Sufi traditions serve 3
spiritual expression and community unity.
25. Explain the term "Little Republics" as applied to villages during the Mughal period. 3

26. Describe the aspirations and objectives of the rebels during the Indian Rebellion of 3
1857, as reflected in their proclamations and actions.

SECTION C
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 x 8 =24)

28. A. How did the philosophical and religious developments during the first millennium 8
BCE in India influence the socio-political aspects? Explain with examples.

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OR

B. How did the construction of stupas contribute to the spread of Buddhist teachings? 8
Explain with examples

29. A. ‘Vijayanagar empire was characterised by a distinctive architecture and building 8
styles.’ Justify the statement. Justify the statement.

OR

B.‘The establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire considered significant in the history of 8
the Indian subcontinent’. Justify the statement.

30. A How did the Constituent Assembly address the issue of social justice, particularly 8
concerning the rights of the people? Explain.

OR
B. Explain the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States, as debated 8
in the Constituent Assembly, highlighting differing viewpoints and concerns.

SECTION D
SOURCE BASED QUESTIONS (3 x 4 = 12)

31. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 1+1+2
=4
Inscriptions

Inscriptions are writings engraved on hard surfaces such as stone, metal, or pottery.
They usually record the achievements, activities, or ideas of those who commissioned
them and include the exploits of kings, or donations made by women and men to
religious institutions. Inscriptions are virtually permanent records, some of which carry
dates. Others are dated on the basis of palaeography or styles of writing, with a fair
amount of precision. For instance, in c. 250 BCE the letter “a” was written like this: By
c. 500 CE, it was written like this: The earliest inscriptions were in Prakrit, a name for
languages used by ordinary people. Names of rulers such as Ajatasattu and Asoka,
known from Prakrit texts and inscriptions, have been spelt in their Prakrit forms in this
chapter. You will also find terms in languages such as Pali, Tamil, and Sanskrit, which
too were used to write inscriptions and texts. It is possible that people spoke in other
languages as well, even though these were not used for writing.

I. What role does palaeography play in determining the age of inscriptions?
II. How do inscriptions contribute to our understanding of ancient societies and
cultures?
III. What insights can be gained from studying the languages used in inscriptions
across different regions and time periods?

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32 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 1+1+2
=4
Translating texts, sharing ideas
Translating texts, sharing ideas Al-Biruni’s expertise in several languages allowed him
to compare languages and translate texts. He translated several Sanskrit works,
including Patanjali’s work on grammar, into Arabic. For his Brahmana friends, he
translated the works of Euclid (a Greek mathematician) into Sanskrit.
I. Analyse the advantage Al-Biruni gained from his expertise in multiple languages?
II. Analyse the significance of Al-Biruni translating Patanjali's work on grammar into
Arabic?
III How did Al-Biruni's translations contribute to the mutual understanding and
appreciation between Islamic and Indian civilizations?

33. Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 1+1+2
=4
Why was salt the symbol of protest?

This is what Mahatma Gandhi wrote: The volume of information being gained daily
shows how wickedly the salt tax has been designed. In order to prevent the use of salt
that has not paid the tax, which is at times even fourteen times its value, the
Government destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably. Thus, it taxes the nation’s vital
necessity; it prevents the public from manufacturing it and destroys what nature
manufactures without effort. No adjective is strong enough for characterising this
wicked dog-in-the-manger policy. From various sources I hear tales of such wanton
destruction of the nation’s property in all parts of India. Maunds if not tons of salt are
said to be destroyed on the Konkan coast. The same tale comes from Dandi. Wherever
there is likelihood of natural salt being taken away by the people living in the
neighbourhood of such areas for their personal use, salt officers are posted for the sole
purpose of carrying on destruction. Thus, valuable national property is destroyed at
national expense and salt taken out of the mouths of the people. The salt monopoly is
thus a fourfold curse. It deprives the people of a valuable easy village industry, involves
wanton destruction of property that nature produces in abundance, the destruction
itself means more national expenditure, and fourthly, to crown this folly, an unheard-of
tax of more than 1,000 per cent is exacted from a starving people. This tax has
remained so long because of the apathy of the general public. Now that it is sufficiently
roused, the tax has to go. How soon it will be abolished depends upon the strength the
people.

I. What does Gandhi's reference to the "power of peace and non-violence" suggest
about his strategic approach to resistance against British colonial rule?
II. What parallels can be drawn between Gandhi's critique of the salt tax and broader
movements for social justice and human rights?
III. How does Gandhi's reference to the destruction of salt by the government shed
light on the broader implications of colonial policies on India's natural resources?

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SECTION E (1 x 5
Map Based Question = 5)

34 (34.1) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with
appropriate symbols:

I. Sanchi– A Stupa 1
II. Kalibanga - Indus Valley Site 1
III. (a) Panipat-Territory Under the Control of Mughals 1
OR
(b)Vijayanagar- Capital of Vijayanagar empire

(34.2) On the same outline map, two places have been marked as ‘A and B, as 2
the centres of the Revolt of 1857 Identify them and write their correct names on
the lines drawn near them.

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Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only in
lieu of Q.No.34

A. Mention any two Buddhist sites in the central India. 2

B. (I) Mention any one Territory under Mughal empire.
1
OR
(II) Name the capital of Vijayanagar empire.
2
C. Mention any two centres of the Revolt of 1857

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