History Pre Board Paper 1

Who was Cunningham? Mention any one account used by him to locate the early settlements of Harappa civilization.

Who was Ab’ul Fazal ? What is his major contribution?

What were the demands of low caste people and linguistic minorities at the time of making the Indian Constitution?

How is the Lower Town different from the Citadel?

Or

In what ways is the Lower Town different from the Citadel, in Mohenjodaro?

What were the results of the invasion of the Huns over India during the 5th century?

How and when were the ruins of Hampi brought to light? Explain briefly.  

Examine the policies adopted by the British towards the Paharias during early 18th century in Bengal. 

The discussions within the constituent assembly were also influenced by the opinion expressed by the public. Examine the statement.

Explain how did the mutinies begin in 1857.

Read the following passage and answer the question that follows :

Dr. Khushdeva Singh describes his work as ‘‘humble efforts I made to discharge my duty as a human being to fellow human beings.’’

 ‘‘Love is stronger than hate.’’ How true is this value which was proved at the time of the partition of India ? What are the values one needs to instill and nurture to avoid hatred ? Explain

“Because of the diversity of the Indian subcontinent there have always been populations whose social practices were not influenced by the Brahminical ideas during 600 BCE – 600 CE.” Examine the statement.

Explain how the biography of the saint poetess Mirabai has been primarily constructed. How did she defy the norms of society?

What measures were taken to keep the unity among the rebels during 1857? How did the British try to suppress the rebellion? Explain.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Buddhism in practice

This is an excerpt from the Sutta Pitaka, and contains the advice given by the Buddha to a wealthy householder named Sigala:

In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees … by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sickness; by sharing delicacies with them and by granting leave at times … In five ways should the clansmen look after the needs of samanas (those who have renounced the world) and Brahmanas: by affection in act and speech and mind, by keeping open house to them and supplying their worldly needs. There are similar instructions to Sigala about how to behave with his parents, teacher and wife.

(a) What advice was given by Buddha to Sigala regarding relationship between a master and his servants and employee?

(b) List the instructions given by Buddha to the clansmen for Samanas and Brahmanas.

(c) According to you what suggestion Buddha would have advocated regarding parents and teachers?

                                                                  OR

A divine order?

To justify their claims, Brahmanas often cited a verse from a hymn in the Rigveda known as the Purusha sukta, describing the sacrifice of Purusha, the primeval man. All the elements of the universe, including the four social categories, were supposed to have emanated from his body:

The Brahmana was his mouth, of his arms was made the Kshatriya. His thighs became the Vaishya, of his feet the Shudra was born.

(a) How does Rigveda describe the sacrifice of Purusha?

(b) According to Rigveda how did the elements of universe and four social categories emanate?

(c) How did the Brahmanas enforce these norms?

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow :

                                                          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 ...

(16.1) Why did Bernier consider this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference between western and eastern societies ?

(16.2) What role did the Indian patriarchal society play towards this social evil ?

(16.3) Compare the condition of the women of the era mentioned above to that of today. 

”The colonial cities offered new opportunities to women during the 19th century. ” Support the Statement with facts.

17.1 On the Political outline map of India, locate and label the following:

 (a)  Dholavira

 (b) Lumbini

 (17.2)  On the same outline map of India three places related to the Indian National Movement have been marked as 1,2 and 3. Identify them and write their correct names on the lines drawn near them.

 Note: The following questions are only for the Visually Impaired Candidates in lieu of the Map Question No. 17:

 (17.1)  Mention any two mature Harappan sites.

 (17.2)  Mention names of any three important places related to Indian National Movement.