Class 12 Question Paper 2023-24 History (Half Yearly)

2023-24
HALF YEARLY
EXAM
NCERT BASED
SYLLABUS
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FOR
CBSE BOARD
AND
STATE BOARDS

HALF YEARLY EXAMINATION, 2023-24
SUBJECT: HISTORY
CLASS-XII
MaximumMarks: 80 Time Allowed: 3hours

General Instructions
All questions are compulsory
Question 1 to 21 Carries 1mark .
Question 22 to 27 Carries 3 marks
Question 28 to 30 Carries 8 marks.
Question 31 to 33 Carries 4 marks.
Question 34 is Map based question Carries of 5 marks.
SECTION A

Q1. Identify the ruler of the Gupta dynasty with the help of following information.
He was the founder of Gupta Dynasty in 275 CE
After his death his son Ghatotkacha ruled from 300 CE to 320 C
A. Srigupta
B. Chandragupta
C. Samudragupta
D. Harisengupta
Q2. The land donated to the Brahmins is known as:

A. Devtulya
B. Agrahara
C. Daan
D. Janaahar
Q3. Match the following and select the correct option.
1. Terracotta Models of Plough A. Chanhudaro
2. Exclusive settlement for craft production. B. Cholistan&Banawali
3. First Director General of ASI. C. Harappa
4. M S Vats begins excavation in 1921. D. Cunningham
A. 1c, 2b, 3d & 4a
B. 1b, 2d, 3a & 4c
C. 1b, 2a, 3d & 4c
D. 1d, 2b, 3a & 4c
Q4. Which one of the following statements is the incorrect statement about the practice of polyandry?

A. Polyandry was prevalent in Himalayan region
B. Shortage of women during warfare led to polyandry
C. The Brahmins approved of the practice of polyandry
D. Polyandry existed among the royals.
Q5. Which Alvar women was devotee of Vishnu?
Q6. When did Colin Mackenzie vist Vijayanagara?
Q7. Which one among the following dynasties is associated with Krishnadev Raya?
A. Tuluva

B. Saluva
C. Sangam
D. Aravaidu
Q8. In the Vithala temple the principal deity was ……….
A. Vishnu
B. Vithala- a form of Vishnu
C. Shiva
D. Parvati
Q9. Where was water reserve found in Indus valley Civilization.
10 Weights are made up of .........
11 Who issued first gold coins?
12 Write the Name of Begum of Bhopal.
13 What is Hagiography?
14 Name any two famous Stupas?
15 Who was the 24thTirthakaraof Jainism
16 Critical edition of Mahabharata done by ............
17 Name the plant found in India which amazed Ibn-Battuta.
18 When was Al-Biruni born.
19 What is Ziyarat?
20 Name two categories of Bhakti tradition?
21 Who was the founder of Vijayanagar Empire ?
SECTION B
22 Write a short note on a book written by Albaruni.
23 Describe the major teachings of Kabirji or Baba Guru Nanak ,and the ways in which these have
been transmitted.
24. What are the various sources to know the Agrarian Society of Mughal state with reference to Ain-
a-Akbari?
25. How can we say that there was a gender difference in the society during the 600 BC to 600 CE?
26. Describe the Subsistence Strategies during the Harappan civilization.
27. Write a short note on Amara Nayak system

SECTION C
28 Discuss the role played by zamidars in Mughal Agrarian society.
OR
Discuss the ways in which panchayats and village headmen regulated rural society.
29. Discuss whether the term Royal Centre is an appropriate description for the city for which it is
used.
OR
Explain the fortification of Vijayanagara Empire.
30. Explain the political administration of the Mauryan Empire.
SECTION D
31
How Artefacts are identified?
Processing of food required grinding equipment as well as vessels for mixing, blending and cooking.
These were made of stone, metal and terracotta. This is an excerpt from one of the earliest reports on
excavations at Mohenjodaro, the best-known Harappan site :
Saddle querns are found in considerable numbers and they seem to have been the only means in use
for grinding cereals. As a rule, they were roughly made of hard, gritty, igneous rock or sandstone and
mostly show signs of hard usage. As their bases are usually convex, they must have been set in the
earth or in mud to prevent their rocking. Two main types have been found: those on which another
smaller stone was pushed or rolled to and fro, and others with which a second stone was used as a
pounder, eventually making a large cavity in the nether stone. querns of the former type were

probably used solely for grain; the second type possibly only for pounding herbs and spices for
making curries. In fact, stones of this latter type are dubbed “curry stones” by our workmen and our
cook asked for the loan of one from the museum for use in the kitchen.
(i) What are grinding equipment or saddle querns?
(ii) How is the surface of these grinding equipment? What does it indicate?
(iii)What are its two kinds?
(iv) Which aspect of the Harappan culture do these grinding equipment highlight?
32 King and Traders
Krishnadeva Raya (ruled 1509-29),the famous ruler of Vijayanagara, composed a work on
statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada. About traders he wrote :A king should
improve the harbours of his country and so encourage its commerce that horses, elephants,
precious gems, sandalwood, pearls and other articles are freely imported…He should arrange that
the foreign sailors who land in his country on account of storms, illness and exhaustion are looked
after in a suitable manner….. Make the merchants of distant foreign countries who import
elephants and good horses are attached to yourself by providing them with the daily audience,
presents and allowing decent profits. Then those articles will never go to your enemies.

(i) Explain why a king should improve the harbours of his kingdom?
(ii) Explain why the foreign sailors, who land in his country for various reasons, should
be looked after in a suitable manner.
(iii) Examine the consequences of such an attitude towards the sailors.
(iv)Name the famous Telgu composition. Who wrote it?
33
How could Men and Women acquire Wealth?
For men, the Manusmriti declares, there are seven means of acquiring wealth inheritance, finding,
purchase, conquest, investment, work and acceptance of gifts from good people.
For women, there are six means of acquiring wealth what was given in front of the fire (marriage) or
the bridal procession or as a token of affection and what she got from her brother, mother or father.
She could also acquire wealth through any subsequent gift and whatever her ‘affectionate’ husband
might give her.

I. Explain the means how men could acquire wealth, according to Manusmriti?
II. Explain the means of acquiring wealth by women.
III. Explain the result of having different ways of acquiring wealth by men and women.
IV. Do you agree with such division of acquiring wealth or not? Give one reason. Delhi
2009

SECTION D
34. On the map of India Mark the following
Lothal.
Delhi.
Nageshwar
Lumbini.
Mohenjodaro