CBSE Class 12 Sample Paper 2023 Solution History

SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (2022-2023)
HISTORY (027)
CLASS-XII
Time Allowed:3hrs Max. Marks: 80
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q.N VALUE POINTS/ ANSWER M
O M

Section A 1X21=21

1 Identify the ruler of the Satvahana dynasty with the help of following 1
information:

➢ He claimed to be both a unique Brahmana and a destroyer of
the pride of Kshatriyas.

➢ He also claimed to have ensured that there was no
intermarriage amongst members of the four varnas.

Options:
A.Gotami-puta Siri-Vijaya-Satakani
B.Gotami-puta Siri Satakani
C.Gotami-puta sami-Siri-Yana-Satakani
D.Vasithi-puta (sami-)Siri Pulumayi

ANS- B . Gotami-puta Siri Satakani
Theme -3 page 63

2 Who among the following had issued the first gold coins in the first century 1
CE?
A.The Yaudheyas
B.The Parthians
C.The Guptas
D.The Kushanas

ANS- D. The Kushanas
Theme - 2 page 44

3 Match the following and select the correct option 1

List-I List-II
Harappan Site Famous for
a. Specialised centres for making
1. Lothal
shell objects

Page 1 of 18

2. Kalibangan b. Near sources of carnelian
3. Dholavira c. Evidence of ploughed field found
4. Nageshwar d. Water reservoirs found.
A. 1 - b, 2- c, 3 -d , 4- a
B. 1 - a, 2- d, 3 -c , 4- b
C. 1 - c, 2- b, 3 -d , 4- a
D. 1 - d, 2- a, 3 -b , 4- c

ANS- A- 1 - b, 2- c, 3 -d , 4- a

Theme - 1 page2-12

4 Which one of the following statements is the correct explanation of 1
‘Endogamy’?
A. Marriage outside a kin group.
B. Marriage within a kin group.
C. A woman having several husbands.
D.A man having several wives.

ANS- B. Marriage within a kin group.
Theme -3 page 57

5 Identify the given image from the following options 1

Source -NCERT
Options:
A. Sculpture of a Gupta king
B. Sculpture of a Maurya king
C. Sculpture of a Kushana king
D. Sculpture of a Chola king
ANS-C. Sculpture of a Kushana king
Theme- 2 page 37

NOTE : The following question is for the visually impaired candidates in
lieu of Question number 5.

Page 2 of 18

Who among the following was the composer of Prayaga Prashasti?
A. Banbhatta
B. Charak
C. Harisena
D. Surdas
ANS- C HARISENA
THEME-2 PG-37

6 “Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation.” 1
Identify the essence of the words of Buddha from the options given below:

A. One should connect to inner being
B. One should live life of brahmacharya
C. One should focus and express feelings
D .One should spread religion everywhere.

ANS- A. One should connect to inner being.
Theme- 4 page 92

7 Which one among the following dynasties built the Hiriya canal? 1
A. Sangama dynasty
B. Tuluva dynasty
C. Saluva dynasty
D. Aravidu dynasty

ANS- A. Sangama dynasty
Theme -7 page 177

8 Fill in the blank : 1

The local merchants of the Vijayanagar empire who participated in the trade of
horses were called-----------------:
A. Gajapati
B. Mahanayakas
C. Kudirai Chettis
D. Narapati

ANS-C. Kudirai Chettis
Theme- 7 Page 172

9 Find out the correct chronological order of ‘the Chishti Silsila’ from the 1
following options:
I. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
II. Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj – Shakar
III. Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Delhi
IV. Shaikh Muinuddin Sijzi
Options:
A. I, II, III & IV

Page 3 of 18

B. II, III ,IV & I
C. III,II, I & IV
D. IV,II,I & III

ANS- D. IV, II, I, III.
Theme-6 Page 154

10 Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion(A) and the other 1
labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): Archaeologists and historians find Harappan script enigmatic
Reason (R): The Harrapan script remains undeciphered till date.
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

ANS -A)Both ( A) and ( R ) are correct, and ( R ) is the correct explanation of (A)
Theme-1 page 15

11 Complete the following with the correct option 1

Kitab ul Hind : Al-Biruni , Rihla :………………. :

A. Ibn Hawqal
B. Ibn Jubayr
C. Ibn Qalaqis
D. Ibn Battuta

ANS- D.Ibn Battuta
Theme-5 Page 118

12 Which among the following is Correctly matched? 1
List I List II
CENTRE LEADER
--------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Delhi Nana Saheb
B. Kanpur Kunwar Singh
C. Arrah Bahadur Shah
D. Lucknow Birjis Qadr
ANS- D. Lucknow - Birjis Qadr
Theme-11 Page 292

13 Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion(A) and the other 1
labelled as Reason (R).

Assertion (A): The Santhals were given land and persuaded to settle in the rocky
upper part of Rajmahal Hills.

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Reason (R): The British perceived Paharias and Santhals as ideal settlers

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

ANS-C.(A) is correct but (R) is not correct.
Theme -10 Page 271

14 Consider the following statements and select the correct from the 1
following option:

I. François Bernier was closely associated with the Prince Dara Shukoh,
II.Bernier travelled to several parts of the country, and wrote accounts
III.He dedicated his major writing to the king of France and Aurangzeb.

Options
A. II & III
B. II &III
C. I & II
D. I & III
ANS- C.I & II
Theme - 5 Page 122

15 From which of the following regions Ahom rulers belonged to? 1
A. Delhi
B. Orissa
C. Ajmer
D. Assam
ANS- D. Assam
Theme - 8 Page 210

16 Which one of the following metallic coins was more prevalent during the 1
Mughal Empire.?
A. Gold
B. Copper
C. Bronze
D. Silver
ANS-D. Silver
Theme - 8 Page 216

17 Who among the following Introduced Permanent Settlement in Bengal? 1
A. Lord Cornwallis
B. Lord Dalhousie
C. Lord Irwin
D. Lord Bentinck
ANS-A.Lord Cornwallis

Page 5 of 18

Theme - 10 Page 259

18 Which of the following options is correct? 1

A. Gandhi ji started Quit India Mission in 1930.
B. Gandhiji gave his first speech in Champaran
C. Gandhiji worked as radical nationalist leader
D. Gandhi considered G.K. Gokhale as his political mentor

ANS- D. Gandhi considered G.K. Gokhale as his political mentor.
Theme- 13 Page -347

19 Find out from the following pairs which one is NOT correctly matched: 1

A. Lord Wellesley: Subsidiary Alliance
B. Lord Dalhousie: Doctrine of Lapse
C. Lord Henry Hardinge: Introduced the Enfield rifles
D. Lord Canning: Religious Disabilities Act
ANS- D. Lord Canning : Religious Disabilities Act
Theme - 11 Page 312

20 Who among the following was the President of Constituent Assembly? 1
A. Jawahar Lal Nehru
B. B.R. Ambedkar
C. Rajendra Prasad
D. Vallabh Bhai Patel

ANS- C. Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Theme-15. Page 409

21 Which one of the following languages was favored by Gandhiji as the 1
national language?
A. Hindi
B. Urdu
C. Hindustani
D. English

ANS- C. Hindustani
Theme-15 Page 425

SECTION B
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS 3X6=18

22 Describe any three sources to know about Harrapan civilization 3
i. The Harappan seal
ii. Distinctive Artefact
iii. Beads, Weights, Blades

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iv. Terracotta Bull
v. Copper Tools
vi. Reservoir At Dholavira
vii. Faience Pots
viii. A Terracotta Figurine
ix. “Priest-King” Stone Statue
x. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described Page-1-20

OR
Describe any three features of Harrapan drainage system

i. Harappan cities had the carefully planned drainage system
ii. Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate “grid” pattern,
intersecting at right angles.
iii. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses were built along
them.
iv. Drainages were made with burned bricks
v. The drains were made of mortar, lime and gypsum.
vi. They were covered with big bricks and stones which could be lifted easily
to clean the drains.
vii. Lime stones were used as cesspits
viii. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
Theme -1 Page-7

23 “Magadha was the most powerful mahajanapada ‘. Examine the
statement 3

i. Magadha was a region where agriculture was productive.
ii. The Ganga and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and convenient
communication.
iii. Iron mines were accessible and provided resources for tools and
weapons.
iv. Elephants, an important of the army, were found in forests in the region
v. Ambitious kings, of whom Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda
are the best known, and their ministers, who helped implement their policies
vi. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be examined
Theme- 2 Page 34

24 Analyze the concept of the Asiatic mode of production as stated by 3
Karl Marx.
i. The idea of Bernier based on differences between Mughal India and
Europe on the lack of private property was further developed by Karl Marx as the
concept of the Asiatic mode of production

Page 7 of 18

ii. Marx argued that in India (and other Asian countries), before colonialism,
surplus was appropriated by the state.
iii. This led to the emergence of a society that was composed of a large
number of autonomous and egalitarian village communities.
iv. The imperial court presided over these village communities, respecting
their autonomy as long as the flow of surplus was unimpeded.
v. This was regarded as a stagnant system
vi. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be analyzed
Theme- 5 Page -130

25 Describe the features of water resources of Vijayanagar empire. 3

i. The natural basin of Vijayanagar was formed by the river Tungabhadra.
ii. A number of streams flow down to the river from these rocky outcrops
iii. Embankments were built along the streams to create reservoirs
iv. Elaborate arrangements were made to store rainwater
v. The most important tank was Kamalapuram tank.
vi. One of the most prominent waterworks was the Hiriya canal.
vii. The canal drew water from a dam across the Tungabhadra
viii. Water resources irrigated the cultivated valley that separated the “Sacred
Centre” from the “Urban Core”.
ix. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
Theme- 7 Page 177

26 “The power of the Jotedars was more effective than that of the 3
zamindars. Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

i. Jotedars were located in the villages unlike zamindars
ii.Jotedars exercised direct control over a considerable section of poor villagers
iii.They fiercely resisted efforts by zamindars to increase the jama of the village
iv.They prevented zamindari officials from executing their duties
v.They mobilised ryots who were dependent on them
vi.They deliberately delayed payments of revenue to the zamindar.
vii.Jotedars were often amongst the purchasers in the auction of land
viii. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be described
Theme -10 Page 293

27 “Art and literature helped in keeping alive the memory of 1857.” 3
Explain with examples from Indian perspective.
i. The leaders of the revolt were presented as heroic figures leading
the country into battle
ii. It helped in rousing the people to righteous indignation against
oppressive imperial rule

Page 8 of 18

iii. Heroic poems were written about the velour of Lakshmi Bai
iv. Rani fought for the freedom of her motherland.
v. Rani of Jhansi was represented as a masculine figure chasing the
enemy, slaying British soldiers and valiantly fighting till her last
vi. In popular prints Rani Lakshmi Bai is usually portrayed in battle
armor, with a sword in hand and riding a horse - a symbol of the
determination to resist injustice and alien rule
vii. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote: “Khoob lari mardani woh to
Jhansi wali rani thi”
viii. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be explained.
Theme-11 Page-313

OR
‘Rumours and prophesies played an important role in the Revolt of
1857.’ Explain the statement with example
i. Cartridges of the Enfield rifles -Bullets coated with the fat of cows
and pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt their caste and
religion.
ii. Flour-According to rumors the British had mixed the bone dust of
cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market.
iii. Chapattis -Reports came from various parts of North India that
chapattis were being distributed from village to village.
iv. Lota and khalasi issue- khalasi from a lower caste asked a Brahmin
sepoy to give him some water from his container of water. The
sepoy refused to give him his container saying that touch by a lower
caste would pollute the water.
v. Any other relevant point
Any three points to be explained with example
Theme -11 page-294

SECTION C
Long Answer Type Questions 8x3=24

28 Describe the familial relationship observed during Mahabharat era. 8
i. Families are usually parts of larger networks of people defined as
relatives/ kinfolk.
ii. People belonging to the same family share food, resources, work,
and live together and perform rituals together.
iii. Familial ties were often regarded as “natural” and based on blood
iv. Rules about patriliny-The Mahabharata shows patriliny. It describes
a feud over land and power between the Kauravas and the
Pandavas
v. Most ruling dynasties followed patrilineal with little variations

Page 9 of 18

vi. In very exceptional circumstances, women such as Prabhavati
Gupta exercised power
vii. Rules of marriage- There were two systems of marriage-
Endogamy and Exogamy.
viii. Marriages-Girls were married at the “right” time and to the “right”
person.
ix. Kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important
religious duty of the father.
x. There are three types of marriage- Monogamy, polygamy or
Polyandry
xi. Marriage norms were compiled in Dharmasutras, Dharmashastras
and Manusmriti.
xii. These texts recognized as many as eight forms of marriage.
xiii. The Gotra rules for women- Each gotra was named after a Vedic
seer, and all those who belonged to the same gotra were regarded
as his descendants.
xiv. Two rules about gotra were particularly important: a) women were
expected to give up their father’s gotra and adopt that of their
husband on marriage and b) members of the same gotra could not
marry.
xv. Some of the Satavahana rulers were polygynous
xvi. Importance to mothers
xvii. Any other relevant point
Any eight points to be explained
Theme-3 page-55-60

OR
Describe the Social implications of access to Resources during
Mahabharat period

i. Gendered access to property-. According to the Dharmashastras
the paternal estate was to be divided equally amongst sons after
the death of the Father, with a special share for the eldest.
ii. Women could not claim a share of these resources.
iii. Women were allowed to retain stridhana
iv. This could be inherited by their children, without the husband
having any claim on it.
v. Wealthy women such as the Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta
had property including lands.
vi. Epigraphic and textual evidences suggest that upper-class women
had access to resources, land, cattle and money.
vii. Varna and access to property-There were criterion for regulating
access to wealth was varna.,

Page 10 of 18

viii. While a variety of occupations were listed for varnas
ix. Poems included in the Tamil Sangam anthologies often illuminate
social and economic relationships, while there were differences
between rich and poor, those who controlled resources were also
expected to share them.
x. Any other relevant point
To be evaluated as a whole
Theme-3 page-68-70

29 Analyze the importance and limitations of Ain-i-Akbari as a source 4
of Akbar’s reign. +
4
IMPORTANCE =
8
i. The Ain gives detailed accounts of the organization of the Mughals
ii. It included court, administration and army, the sources of revenue and
the physical layout of the provinces of Akbar’s empire
iii. It included the literary, cultural and religious traditions of the people
iv. It mentioned descriptions of provinces (subas) of the empire
v. Ain gives us intricate quantitative information of Mughal provinces.
vi. Description of diverse customs and practices prevailing across
extensive territories.
vii. The Ain is therefore a mine of information about Akbar’s reign.
vii.Any other relevant point

LIMITATIONS
i. Numerous errors in totaling have been detected
ii. Ain is the somewhat skewed nature of the quantitative data
iii. While the fiscal data from the subas is remarkable for its richness,
some equally vital parameters such as prices and wages from
these same areas are not as well documented.
iv. The detailed list of prices and wages is mainly derived from data
pertaining to areas in or around the imperial capital of Agra
v. Ain is therefore of limited relevance
vi. Any other relevant point
Any four points from each section.
Theme- 8 page-217

OR

Page 11 of 18

Examine the ways in which panchayats regulated Mughal rural
society.
i. The village panchayat was an assembly of elders with hereditary
rights over their property.
ii. the panchayat was usually a heterogeneous body.
iii. An oligarchy, the panchayat represented various castes and
communities
iv. The decisions made by panchayats were binding on the members.
v. The panchayat was headed by a headman known as muqaddam
or mandal
vi. The headman was chosen through the consensus of the village
elders, and that this choice had to be ratified by the zamindar
vii. Headmen held office as long as they enjoyed the confidence of the
village elders, failing which they could be dismissed by them.
viii. The chief function of the headman was to supervise the
preparation of village accounts, assisted by the accountant or
patwari of the panchayat.
ix. The panchayat derived its funds from contributions made by
individuals to a common financial pool.
x. Panchayat ensured that caste boundaries among the various
communities inhabiting the village were upheld.
xi. Panchayats also had the authority to levy fines and inflict more
serious forms of punishment like expulsion from the community.
xii. Any other relevant point
Any eight points to be explained
Theme - 8 Page-236

30 Explain the importance of Non-Cooperation Movement. 8
i. Gandhiji coupled non-cooperation with Khilafat and adjoined Hindus
and Muslims to end colonial rule.
ii. These movements unleashed a surge of popular action that was
altogether unprecedented in colonial India
iii. Indians did not cooperate with government at any level.
iv. Boycott of schools, college and law courts.
v. National schools, colleges were opened
vi. Nonpayment of taxes
vii. Renunciation of titles and voluntary association with the government
viii. This movement changed the course of Indian history.
ix. poor peasants, workers, students, lawyers and industrialists joined
movement.
x. Hindus, Muslims, Parsees and Sikhs were told to unite.
xi. Thousands of Volunteers joined for the cause.
xii. Many officials resigned from their posts.

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xiii. Meetings were attended by all sections of people.
xiv. Women participated in large number.
xv. It was training for self-rule.
xvi. Any other relevant point
Theme-13 PG- 349-355

OR
Explain the significance of Civil Disobedience Movement
i. Gandhiji organized Civil Disobedience Movement against Salt Law.
ii. Salt law gave the state a monopoly in the manufacture and sale of
salt.
iii. The state monopoly on salt was deeply unpopular as in every
Indian household salt was indispensable and the people were
forbidden for making salt even for domestic use.
iv. Gandhiji hoped to mobilize a wider discontent against British rule
and started Dandi March.
v. At Dandi he broke the salt law.
vi. Parallel Salt Marches were organized in other parts of the country.
vii. Peasants breached the colonial forest laws which restricted their
access to forests.
viii. Factory owners went on strike.
ix. Lawyers boycotted British courts.
x. Students refused to attend educational Institutions and schools run
by government.
xi. Indians were arrested.
xii. Gandhiji made a plea to the upper caste to serve untouchables.
xiii. Hindus, Muslims, Parsees and Sikhs were told to unite.
xiv. Thousands of Volunteers joined for the cause.
xv. Many officials resigned from their posts.
xvi. Gandhiji’s meetings were attended by all sections of people.
xvii. Women participated in large number.
xviii. Dandi March brought Gandhi to world attention. The March was
covered by European and American press.
xix. Salt march made British realized that they would have to devolve
some powers to Indians.
xx. Any other relevant point
Any Eight Points to be Explained
Theme-13 Pg-360

SECTION -D

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Source Based Questions 4x3=12

31 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 4

31.1) Why was Sanchi an interest to Alexander Cunningham?
i. Cunningham was supposed to prepare illustrated reports on the stupa.
ii. Sanchi draw lies both in it being a center of Buddhist heritage and an
important part in the history and archaeology of India.
iii. Any other relevant point
Any one point 1

31.2) How was Sanchi related with the Buddhism?

i. Sanchi is one of the oldest Buddhist monuments contain the relics of the
Buddha 1
ii. The domed shape of the stupa represent Buddha seated in meditation
iii. Any other relevant point
Any one point

31.3) How did Shahjahan Begum conserve Sanchi stupa?
i. The rulers of Bhopal, Shahjahan Begum and Sultan Jehan Begum,
provided money for the preservation of the ancient site.
ii. John Marshall dedicated his important volumes on Sanchi to Sultan
Jehan.
iii. She funded the museum that was built there as well as the guesthouse 2
where John Marshall lived
iv. She also funded the publication of the volumes written by John Marshall.
v. Any other relevant point
Any two points
Theme-4- page 82

Page 14 of 18

32 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 4

32.1) Examine the reason of calling Meera Bai as an ascetic figure.
i. Meera Bai led the life of asceticism and became a devotional and mystic
poet 1
ii. She stood against the conventions of her times
iii. She showed her spiritual devotion for Krishna
iv. Any other relevant point
Any one point

32.2) Analyze Meera Bai’s relation with Mewar.
Mira Bai was married to crown prince of Mewar but after few years Rana of
Mewar died. 1

32.3) How was Mirabai unique among the poet-saints of the Bhakti
movement.
i. Mirabai was unique among the poet-saints of the Bhakti movement owing
to her socio-economic background as well as her gender.
ii. Born a princess, she opted for the life of a saint
iii. She lived a life of austerity 2
iv. She showed absolute devotion to her beloved Krishna.
v. Any other relevant point
Any two points.

33 Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow: 4

Page 15 of 18

33.1) Explain the term sovereignty
Sovereign- It means people have the supreme right to take decisions on internal
as well as external matters. No external power can dictate the government of
India.
1

33.2) How has democracy been related with sovereignty in the passage?
i. It showed that India going to be a sovereign state, not under dominion of
another country.
ii. Not being subject to the control of any other State or external power.
iii. It was related to “Republic” indicating a government by the people and for
the people. 1
iv. Any other relevant point
Any one point

33.3) How did the Constitutional framers highlight the need of economic
democracy?

i. Indian Constitutional framers strived to promote the welfare of the people
by securing a social order in which social, economic and political justice
should be provided to all. 2
ii. They wanted India to be a socialist state

Page 16 of 18

iii. They tried to frame policies through which inequalities to be minimized in
income and status.
iv. Any other relevant point
Any two points
Theme 15 page-412

SECTION E
Map Based Question 1x5=5

34 (34.1) On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with
appropriate symbols:
I. Amravati – A Stupa- Andhra Pradesh 1
II. Rakhigarhi- Indus Valley Site-Haryana 1
III. Agra-Territory Under the Control of Mughals-Uttar Pradesh 1
OR
Vijayanagar- Capital of Vijayanagar empire-Karnataka

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

Note: The following questions are for the Visually Impaired Candidates only
in lieu of Q.No.34 2

( 34.1) Mention any two sites of the matured Harrapan period.
Harappa, Banawali, Kalibangan, Balakot, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Nageshwar,
Lothal, Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro, KotDiji.-ANY TWO

(34.2) Mention any one Territory under Mughal Empire: 1
Delhi, Agra, Panipat, Amber, Ajmer, Lahore, Goa.ANY ONE.
or
Name the capital of Vijayanagar empire.
Vijayanagar 2

(34.3) Mention any two centres of the Revolt of 1857.
Delhi, Meerut, Jhansi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Azamgarh, Calcutta,
Banaras, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Agra, Avadh ANY TWO

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34.1 MAP-
(i) Amravati Stupa
(ii) Rakhigarhi
(iii) Agra Or Vijayanagar

34.2 MAP
A-Jhansi
B- Calcutta

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