Class 12 Question Paper 2022-23 History (Half Yearly)

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION

Question Paper
2022-23

NCERT BASED SYLLABUS
FOR CBSE AND STATE BOARD
FOLLOWING NCERT

QUESTION PAPER
PT-
PT-2/HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2022-
2022-23
HISTORY
Time – 3 Hours Class - XII M.M. : 80
Date – 16.09.2022 (Friday)
Name of the student _________________________________________________ Section _____

General Instructions –
• Answer all the questions. Some questions have an internal choice. Marks are
indicated against each question. This question paper comprises of six sections.
• Section A: Question numbers 1 to 19 are objective type questions carrying 1 mark
and should be answered in one word or one sentence each.
• Section B: Question numbers 20 is Case Based/ Source Based having Multiple
Choice questions.
• Section C: Answer to questions carrying 3 marks (Question 21 to 24) should not
exceed 100 words each.
• Section D: Answer to questions carrying 8 marks (Question 25 to 27) should not
exceed 350 words each.
• Section E: Question number 28 to 30 are Source-based questions carrying 5
marks each.
• Section F: Question number 31 is a Map question that includes the identification
and location of significant test items. Attach the map with the answer book.

SECTION - A
Q.1 Define a votive inscription. 1
Q.2 Read the following information and mention the context in which the statement is 1
connected- “Many Kushana rulers also adopted the title ‘devaputra’ or ‘son of God’.”
Q.3 Which among the following was a strategy adopted by the Brahmanas to enforce the 1
varna order?
A) assert that varna order was a human creation
B) advised kings to punish those who violated these norms
C) persuaded people that their status was determined by Birth
D) persuaded people that their status was determined by occupations they practised.
Q.4 “ Lashf –ul-Mahjub” was written by 1
A) Amir Hasan Sijzi B) Al Hujwiri C) Amir Khusrau D) Ziauddin barni
Q.5 A stone inscription found in a temple from medieval India would primarily tell the 1

names of .
A) all the kings who followed the religion
B) foreign travellers who came to that temple
C) all the people involved in the construction of the temple
D) kings and other wealthy people who gifted land for the temple

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Q.6 Look at the given image and state what does the symbol of ‘stupa’ stand for? 1

Q.7 The principal deity in the Vitthala temple was Vitthala, a form of Vishnu generally 1
worshipped in Maharashtra. What can be deduced from the existence of this temple
in the Vijayanagara empire?
A) the intermingling of regional cultures
B) strict adherence to traditional practices
C) using religion to influence other kingdoms
D) preference for the Vishnu avatar of the Hindu trinity
Q.8 Who among the following travelled in Vijayanagar Empire in the fifteenth century 1
and was greatly impressed by the fortification of the empire?
A) Duarte Barbosa B) Abdur Razzak C) Colin Mackenzie D) Domingo Paes
Q.9 ……..was the first Sultan to visit the shrine of Shaikh Muinuddin Chishti 1
Q.10 Choose the correct option: 1
The European traveller who has given a detailed description of the practice of Sati.
A) Jean Baptiste Tavernier B) Manucci C) Francois Bernier D) Roberto Nobili
Q.11 Correct the following statement and rewrite it: 1
According to Jainism, asceticism and the middle path are required to free oneself
from the cycle of Karma.
Q.12 What is the source to know about the Virashaiva tradition in Karnataka? 1
Q.13 Give the meaning of the term ‘Antyaja’. 1

Q.14 The composition of the Mahabharata has been traditionally attributed to a Rishi. 1
Identify his name from the following options
A) Rishi Kanada B) Rishi Vaistha C) Rishi Agastya D) D Rishi Vyasa
Q.15 Water reservoir whose water irrigated fields and the ‘royal center’ was - 1
A) Hiriya Canal B) Kamalapuram Tank C) Periyar Canal D) Tungabhadra River

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Q.16 Who among the following was the best – known ruler of the Satavahana Dynasty? 1
A) Yagnasri Satakarni
B) Simuka Satakarni
C) Gotami – puta Siri- Satakarni
D) Vashisthaputra Satakarni
Q.17 Consider the following statements regarding compositions attributed to poet saints:
(i) They were expressed mostly orally in regional language
(ii) Complied by devotees or disciples generally after the death of poet saint
(iii) The Compositions tended to cater to the nobility/upper strata of society
(iv) Overtime these compositions maintained their original character
Choose the correct option
A) (i) and (iv) B) (iii) and (iv) C) (i) and (ii) D) (i) and (iii)
Q.18 Consider the following statements.
1. Montesquieu used Bernier’s accounts to develop his idea of oriental despotism.
2. Bernier gave a detailed report on rural society.
3. According to Bernier, crown ownership of land was good for peasants.
4. Bernier considered Indian King was the king of beggars.
Which of the given statement is/are correct?
A) 1, 2, 3, 4 B) 1, 2, 3 C) 1, 2, 4 D) 2, 3, 4
Q.19 Which of the following settled down in India and never returned to his country?
A) Durate Barbosa B) Manucci C) Jeen Tavernier D) Francois Bernier

SECTION - B
Q.20 Read the following source carefully and answer the following MCQs by choosing the
most appropriate option.
Draupadi’s question
Draupadi is supposed to have asked Yudhisthira whether he had lost himself before
staking her. Two contrary opinions were expressed in response to this question.

One, that even if Yudhisthira had lost himself earlier, his wife remained under his
control, so he could stake her. Two, that an unfree man (as Yudhisthira was when he
had lost himself) could not stake another person. The matter remained unresolved;

ultimately, Dhritarashtra restored to the Pandavas and Draupadi their personal
freedom.

a) To whom did Draupadi ask these questions after losing in the dice game? 1
A) Yudhisthira B) Duryodhana C) Dhritarashtra D) Bheeshma

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b) Why is Draupadi raising these questions? 1
A) She wanted to know her position as a wife.
B) She wanted to challenge the Kauravas.
C) She wanted to instigate the Pandavas for the war.
D) She wanted to humiliate the Pandavas.
c) How did Draupadi react to her humiliating treatment? 1
A) She raised the legal issues of property and ownership.
B) She challenged context of patriarchal marriage.
C) She symbolized the figure of the ultimate lord, master and owner.
D) She cried in shock and dismay at the treatment that she faced as a wife.
d) How do you evaluate the position of Draupadi as a wife on the basis of this case? 1
A) She objected over the behavior of her husband’s.
B) She had the property rights like her husband’s.
C) The family had complete rights over her
D) She was having hatred feelings for her husband’s.
e) How were Draupadi’s question related to womanhood?
A) She raised the question on the status of the women.
B) She took stand for patriarchal norms.
C) She raised all passive nature questions.
D) She quietly accepted her plight.
Q.21 “Strain began to show within the imperial structure following Krishna Deva Raya’s 3
death in 1529.” Critically examine the statement
Q.22 “There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.” Justify with suitable arguments. 3
Q.23 State the inherent problems faced by Al-Biruni in the task of understanding Indian 3
social and brahmanical practices. Mention any two sources that provided him the
support.
OR
“India had a unique system of communication during the fourteenth century”.
Examine the statement of Ibn Battuta.
Q.24 Explain how you will prove that the text of Mahabharata was a dynamic one. 3

SECTION - D
Q.25 Describe the relations between the state and the Bhakti and Sufi traditions. 8
OR
Describe the teaching of Baba Guru Nanak and its relevance in today’s world.

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Q.26 “Historians often try to understand the meaning of sculpture by comparing it with 8
textual evidence.” Evaluate the statement in the context of Sanchi Stupa.

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? (4+4)

Q.27 Identify the rituals and practices associated with the Mahanavami Dibba, a structure 8
in the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.

OR

Outline the distinctive features of the Virupaksha temple and the Vitthala temple in
the Royal Centre of Vijayanagara Empire.

SECTION - E
Q.28 Rules for monks and nuns
These are some of the rules laid down in the Vinaya Pitaka: When a new felt
(blanket/rug) has been made by a bhikkhu, it is to be kept for (at least) six years. If
after less than six years he should have another new felt (blanket/rug) made,
regardless of whether or not he has disposed of the first, then – unless he has been
authorised by the bhikkhus – it is to be forfeited and confessed. In case a bhikkhu
arriving at a family residence is presented with cakes or cooked grain-meal, he may
accept two or three bowlfuls if he so desires. If he should accept more than that, it is
to be confessed. Having accepted the two or three bowlfuls and having taken them
from there, he is to share them among the bhikkhus. This is the proper course here.
Should any bhikkhu, having set out bedding in a lodging belonging to the sangha – or
having had it set out – and then on departing neither put it away nor have it put
away, or should he go without taking leave, it is to be confessed.

28.1 Explain any two rules governing the lives of the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. 1
28.2 Why were the bhikkhus and bhikkhunis expected to share their alms with 2
other members of the sangha.
28.3 How Vinaya Pitaka describes the teachings of Buddha. 2
Q.29 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

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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….

29.1 Describe what Bernier saw at Lahore. 1
29.2 How had the agony of the girl been described? 2
29.3 How and why was the girl forced towards the fatal spot? 2
Q.30 Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Importance of Boundaries:
The Manusmriti is one of the best-known legal texts of early India, written in
Sanskrit and complied between 2nd century BCE and 2nd century CE. This is what
the text advises the king to do.

Seeing that in the world controversies constantly arise due to the ignorance of
boundaries, he should… have concealed boundary markers buried—stones, bones,
cow’s hair, chaff, ashes, potsherds, dried cow dung, bricks, coal, pebbles and sand.
He should also have other similar substances that would not decay in the soil buried
as hidden markers at the intersection of boundaries..

30.1 Why did the controversies of boundaries arise? Explain 1 1
30.2 Suggest the ways to solve the boundary problems 2 2
30.3 Explain with example any such problem being faced by India today.2 2

SECTION - F
Q.31 31.1 On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with
appropriate symbols :
i) Sanchi, a major Buddhist site 1
ii) Chandragiri 1
iii) Important City Braghukachchha 1
31.2 On the same outline map, two places have been marked as A and B. Identify
them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.
A. Capital of Avanti 1
B. The place associated with cave paintings depicting stories from Jatakas 1

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PT-
PT-2/HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2022-
2022-23
HISTORY
Time – 3 Hours Class - XII M.M. : 80
Date – 16.09.2022 (Friday)
Name of the student _________________________________________________ Section _____

Q 31 A and B.

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