MID TERM EXAM
CLASS-XII
SUBJECT-HISTORY
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Question 1. Who was
Cunningham? Describe his contribution.
Answer. Cunningham was the first Director General of the
Archaeological Survey of India.
We can understand the contribution of Cunningham through the following
points -
1. At the time of Cunningham, archaeologists used written sources for
their investigations. Cunningham was also interested in archeology relating to
early historical and later works.
2. He used the accounts of Chinese Buddhist pilgrims to the
subcontinent between the 4th and 7th centuries to identify the earliest
settlements.
3. Cunningham also collected, documented and translated the records
found during his surveys.
4. He also tried to find antiquities of cultural importance at the
time of excavation.
Question 2. Describe the
main reasons for the decline of Harappan Civilization.
Answer. According to the evidence received, about 18 years ago areas
like Chalistan had declined and the population started increasing in the new
settlements of Gujarat, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Gradually there was
a change in material culture. With the change in the techniques of housing
construction, the construction of public structures stopped. A culture of rural
life called the post Harappan or subsequent culture emerged. With the end of
the Harappan civilization, the standardized weighting system was replaced by
the local weighting system.
Some of the main reasons for the end of Harappan civilization can be
as follows -
1. Some historians believe that climate change may have also led to
the decline of the Harappan civilization.
2. Some historians also believe that due to deforestation, this
civilization may have declined.
3. Excessive flooding has also been considered by some historians as
the reason for the decline of the Harappan civilization.
4. Some historians also believe that due to the drying up of rivers or
their diversion, civilization may have declined.
5. Some historians also believe that due to excessive use of land,
this civilization must have gone towards decline.
Question 3. Was the
Harappan script a mysterious script? Explain.
Answer. The Harappan script was a mysterious script. We can see some
of the main features of this script in this way, on the basis of which it can
be called mysterious script -
1. Generally on Harappan seals there is something written in one line
which is possible indicating the name and title of the owner.
2. Historians believe that the picture (usually an animal) on it used
to signify its meaning to illiterate people.
3. The longest inscription in the Harappan script has about 26
inscriptions.
4. This script has not been deciphered till date but it was certainly
not alphabetical as the number of symbols in it ranged from about 375 to 400.
5. According to an estimate, it can be said that this script was
written from right to left.
6. Various types of objects, copper tools, jars of pots, copper
ornaments found written on ancient information boards are evidence of the
widespread of literacy at that time.
Question 4. The
information obtained from the records also had a limit. Justify this statement
with suitable arguments.
Answer. We can understand the limitations of records through the
following points -
1. Study of the script and the problem of deciphering the meaning of
the Brahmi script of the Ashoka period, after several decades of efforts, was
deciphered by James Prinsep in 1838.
2. Kharoshthi script was very difficult to read and it helped to
understand this script with the help of Greek language.
3. Not getting any information about the author from the inscriptions
was also a big problem because the names of the authors were not mentioned in
the inscriptions of Ashoka.
4. Light engraving of letters of inscriptions.
5. Destruction of records and erasure of letters.
6. The exaggeration of the description of the inscriptions has also
been a big problem, such as the description by Ashoka that there was no system
of collecting reports by the rulers before him.
Question 5. Write a short
note on the drainage system of Harappan civilization.
Answer. Harappan drainage system
1. Drains and streets were constructed in a planned manner.
2. Under the Harappan civilization, gypsum slurry was used for the
construction of drains.
3. The drains were covered with bricks so that the garbage could be
avoided.
4. Special arrangements were also made for rain water drainage.
Question 6. What were the
main features of Ashoka's Dhamma?
Answer. Ashoka's Dhamma was not a religion but it was a set of some
general rules according to which a person could lead a satisfied and happy
life. For the propagation of religion, officials named Dharma Mahamat were
appointed and this Dhamma Mahamat used to go to different areas and propagate this
religion and inspire people to live according to the rules of this religion.
Some of the salient features of Ashoka's Dhamma are as follows -
1. Respect your elders.
2. To be kind to slaves and servants.
3. Believing in the principle of non-violence.
4. Respecting all religions.
5. To respect scholars and brahmins.
6. To lead a sinless life and give charity.
7. To treat the younger ones with love.
8. To follow the customs like love, charity, kindness by abandoning
the customs like birth, death, marriage, fasting.
Question 7. How was the
Buddhist theory of social contract different from the Brahmanical view
described in the Purusha Sukta?
Answer. The difference between the Buddhist social contract theory and
the brahminical approach described in the Purusha Sukta -
1. According to the Buddhist social contract, the office of the king
was chosen by the people under the social contract, whereas according to the
Purusha Sukta it was a divine arrangement.
2. According to the Buddhist social contract, human action is involved
in creating economic and social relations, while the Purusha Sukta states the
origin of the four varnas from the body of Brahma.
3. According to the Buddhist social contract, if humans were
responsible for maintaining a system, they could also bring about changes in it
in the future, whereas according to the Purusha Sukta it was a divine order.
Question 8. Why were
rulers eager to show their relationship with Sufi saints? Explain.
Answer. The rulers were eager to show their relationship with the Sufi
saints, for which the main reasons are as follows-
1. The piety, scholarship and faith of the people in the Sufi saints.
2. Most of the subjects were not believers of Islam and had faith in
Sufi saints.
3. The rulers also wanted to show their relationship with Sufi saints
because the inclination of the general public was very much towards Sufi
saints.
Question 9. To what
extent did religious beliefs play a role in determining the course of 1857?
Answer. We can understand the role of religious beliefs in determining
the events of 1857 as follows:
1. The activities of Christian evangelists and the threat of
conversion had become too great.
2. The company's interference in the religious and cultural sphere had
created a sense of insecurity among the people.
3. Apart from religion, socially, culturally, politically and
economically alien, heartless and oppressive systems were being imposed.
Question 10. Mention the
salient features of Mohenjodaro.
Answer. Some of the main features of Mohenjodaro are as follows -
1. Mohenjodaro was a planned city and it was an urban centre. The city
was divided into two parts, one smaller but built on the height and the other a
larger part but built below. These were named as Durg and Lower City
respectively. The fort was surrounded by a wall separating it from the lower
city.
2. The lower city was also surrounded by a wall. Many buildings were
built on high platforms which served as foundations.
3. The construction work was first planned and then it was implemented
because after the construction of the platforms, the construction work was
limited to a certain area on the platforms.
4. Bricks were made by drying in the sun or by baking in a kiln. It
had a definite shape whose length and breadth were 4 times and twice the height
respectively. This was also a symptom of planning.
5. The drainage system was excellent as the streets and the road cut
each other at right angles.
6. The huge bath was also a major feature of Mohenjodaro. It is a
rectangular reservoir built in the courtyard, which is surrounded on all sides
by a corridor. These huge baths were used for some kind of special ritual bath.