Important Questions for CBSE (Science) Class 12 - CBSE - History

What does Ashokan inscriptions tell about the Mauryas? Describe the limitations of the inscriptional evidences.

How have the Prashastis drawn the factual information about the Gupta rulers?

Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan Empire. State any four such sources.

Why are Buddhist Stupas said to be ''stories in stone” Explain

How was the fate of Amravati Stupa different from the Sanchi Stupa?

Read of the following passage and answer the question that follows:-

'Arya Samaj, A North Indian Hindu reform organisation of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, particularly active in Punjab (tried to bring back Hindus who had converted to some other religion) which sought to revive Vedic learning and combine it with modern education in the sciences'.

a. Illustrate how the values integrated with the rich Indian literature paved way for the scientific development of modem India

How did Sutta-Pitaka reconstruct the philosophy of Buddhism? Mention about Buddhist Tipitaka.

'Early Harappan archaeologists thought that certain objects which seem unusual and unfamiliar may have had a religious significance'. Substantiate.

Explain the strategies for procuring materials by the Harappans for the craft production.

State any three features of Mahajanpadas. How did Magadha become the powerful Mahajanpada ? Explain.

Draupadi's Marriage

Drupada, the king of Panchala, organised a competition where the challenge was to string a bow and hit a target; the winner would be chosen to marry his daughter Draupadi. Arjuna was victorious and was garlanded by Draupadi. The Pandavas returned with her to their mother Kunti, who, even before she saw them, asked them to share whatever they had got. She realised her mistake when she saw Draupadi, but her command could not be violated. After much deliberation, Yudhisthira decided that Draupadi would be their common wife. When Drupada was told about this, he protested. However, the seer Vyasa arrived and told him that the Pandavas were in reality incarnations of Indra, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi, and they were thus destined for each other. Vyasa added that in another instance a young woman had prayed to Shiva for a husband, and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead of once. This woman was now reborn as Draupadi, and Shiva had fulfilled her prayers. Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to the marriage.

1. How does this story reveal that mother was considered as the highest guru?
2. Why didn't Kunti save Draupadi from the dire situation?
3. Why did Drupada and Sage Vyasa decide Draupadi's strange marriage with five men?

“Proper” social roles

"Proper" social roles Here is a story from the Atli Pan'an of the Malmbharata : Once Drona, a Brahmana who taught archery to the Kuru princes, Was approached by Ekalavya, a forestdwelling nishada (a hunting community). When Drona, who knew the dhartna, refused to have him as his pupil, Ekalavya returned to the forest, prepared au 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 honeyed 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.

1. Why did Drona refuse to have Ekalavya as his pupil?
2. How did Ekalavya react to the demand of his Guru?
3. Mention two versions of Guru-Shishya Parampara mentioned in the given extract.

A warning for Europe

Bernier warned that if European kings followed the Mughal model : Their kingdoms would be very far from being well-cultivated and peopled, so well built, so rich, so polite and flourishing as we see them. Our kings are otherwise rich and powerful; and we must avow that they are much better and more royally served. They would soon be kings of deserts and solitudes, of beggars and barbarians, such as those are whom I have been representing (the Mughals). We should find the great Cities and the great Burroughs (boroughs) rendered uninhabitable because of ill air, and to fall to mine (ruin) without any bodies (anybody) taking care or repairing them; the hillocks abandon'd, and the fields overspread with bushes, or filled with pestilential marishes (marshes), as hath already intimated.

1. In what ways did Bernier condemn Mughal rulers?
2. What contrasts do you find in the account of Bernier and Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari?
3. Pride has its fall if power and negligence of duty rules any one'. Explain the statement in relevance to the Bernier's warning.

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 toward the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands and 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.

1. Why did Bernier consider this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference between western and eastern societies?
2. What role did the Indian patriarchal society play towards this social evil?
3. Compare the condition of the women of the era mentioned above to that of today.

Highlight the contribution of Krishnadeva Raya in the expansion of Vijaynagar Empire.

Why were the water resources of the Vijayanagara Empire developed? Give reasons.

"Mughal rulers efficiently assimilated heterogeneous populace within an imperial edifice". Support the statement.

Identify the distinctive features of the imperial household of the Mughal Empire.

Describe the life of forest dwellers in the Mughal era.

Mention any two sources to know about Bhakti and Sufi traditions from eighth century to eighteenth century.