Teachers recommend solving Kerala Syllabus Plus Two History Previous Year Question Papers and Answers Pdf March 2023 to improve time management during exams.
Kerala Plus Two History Previous Year Question Paper March 2023
Question 1.
Match Column ‘A’ with appropriate items from Column ‘B’.
| A | B |
| KunwarSing | Delhi |
| Bahadurshah-ll | Kanpur |
| Rani Lakshmi Bai | Arrah (Bihar) |
| Nana Sahib | Jhansi |
Answer:
| A | B |
| KunwarSing | Arrah (Bihar) |
| Bahadurshah-ll | Delhi |
| Rani Lakshmi Bai | Jhansi |
| Nana Sahib | Kanpur |
Answer any 4 questions from 2 to 7. Each carries 1 score.
Question 2.
Identify, the nation of Plato.
(a) China
(b) Iran
(c) India
(d) Greece
Answer:
(d) Greece
Question 3.
Name the author of Humayun Nama.
(a) Gulbadan Begum
(b) Abul Fazl
(c) Humayn
(d) Nurjahan
Answer:
(a) Gulbadan Begum
Question 4.
Which among the following Tinai is the coastal zone?
(a) Marutham
(b) Mullai
(c) Neithal
(d) Palai
Answer:
(c) Neithal
Question 5.
Identify the founder of Modern Travancore.
(a) Marthanda Varma
(b) Saktan Thampuran
(d) VeluThampi
(e) Pazhazzi Raja
Answer:
(a) Marthanda Varma
Question 6.
Identify the land ruled by Saktan Thampuran
(a) T ravancore
(b) Kochi
(c) Kozhikode
(d) Kannur
Answer:
(b) Kochi
Question 7.
In which year Vasco da Gama reached Calicut?
(a) 1497
(b) 1600
(c) 1604
(d) 1498
Answer:
(d) 1498
Question 8.
Arrange the following in chronological order: (4 × 1 = 4)
• Vaikom Satyagraha
• Kundara Proclamation
• Guruvayur Satyagraha
• Pazhassi Revolt
Answer:
Pazhassi Revolt-(1793 – 1805)
Kundara Proclamation (1809)
Vaikom Satyagraha (1924 – 25)
Guruvayoor Satyagraha (1931 -32)
Question 9.
Mark the following places on the outline map of ancient India provided. (4 × 1 = 4)
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjodaro
(c) Dholavira
(d) Kalibangan
Answer:
(a) Harappa
(b) Mohenjodaro
(c) Dholavira
(d) Kalibangen
Answer any 8 questions from 10 to 18. Each carries 2 scores. (8 × 2 = 16)
Question 10.
Write any two causes for the decline of the Harappan Civilization.
Answer:
Deforestation, Climatic change, Floods, change in the course of river/drying up river, overuse of land.
Question 11.
Distinguish between Endogamy and Ex-ogamy.
Answer:
Endogamy- Marriage\Vithinthe Gotra Exogamy – Marriage outside the Gotra.
Question 12.
Mention any two elements to be considered while analysing texts like Mahabharata.
Answer:
Language, content, Author, Date
Question 13.
Name the founders of the Vijayanagara em-pire.
Answer:
Harihara, Bukka
Question 14.
Write the names of any two dynasties of Vijayanagara empire.
Answer:
Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu
Question 15.
Write a short note on Mahanavamidibba.
Answer:
It is a massive platform rising from a base about 11,000 sq.ft, to a heights of 40 ft. There is evidence to that it supported a wooden structure. The base of platform is covered with relief carvings. Celebrations like Mahanavami are connected to Mahanavami Dibba. Mahanavami means the Great Ninth Day. This feast is known by different names in different regions. In North India it is ‘Dussehra’, in Bengal it is ‘Durga Pooja’ and in South India it is ‘Navaratri’. The Vijayanagara kings exhibited their glory and authority during this festival.
Mahanavami is celebrated with many rituals. Idol worship, veneration to the royal horse, animal sacrifice etc. were part of the rituals. The celebrations are made more enjoyable through dance performances, wrestling, processions with adorned horses, elephants,
chariots and soldiers. Nayakas and regional chiefs owing loyalty to the main King come with gifts for their king and his guests. All these rituals had their symbolic meanings. On the last day of the festival, a huge function was conducted in an open place. In that the King examines, his army and also those of the Nayaks.On this occasion, the nayaks give tribute to the king. Along with the tribute, the nayaks also gave the king plenty of expensive gifts.
Question 16.
Bring out the names of any two capitals of the Mughals.
Answer:
Agra, Fatehpursikri, Lahore, Shajahanbad
Question 17.
List out any two suggestions of the Cabinet Mission.
Answer:
These were the recommendations:
- Formation of an Indian Union including the British Provinces and the native states. India should remain one.
- Defence, Foreign Affairs and Communication should be handled by the Centre. Other matters may be administered by the Province and native states.
- The existing Provinces would be grouped into A, B and C. In A group there will be Provinces with Hindu majority. In the B group, there will be Provinces of Muslim majority from the North West region. In Group C, Muslim Majority Provinces of the North East, including Assam, will be included.
- A Constitution making Committee will be made. This Committee will be elected by the Provincial Assemblies.
- Until the Constitution is prepared, an Adhoc government will be formed in the Centre. It will consist of leaders of different political parties.
Partition soon became inevitable. Most Congress leaders were against it. But they had to finally agree to it. They knew that although it was undesirable it was inevitable. There were only two people who vehemently opposed partition – Gandhi and Frontier Gandhi (Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan).
Question 18.
What do you mean by Direct Action Day?
Answer:
After withdrawing its support to the Cabinet Mission plan, the Muslim Leagure decided on ‘Direct Action’ for winning its Pakistan, demand. It announced 16 August 1946 as ‘Direct Action Day’. On this day riots broke out in Calcutta, lasting several days and leaving several thousands of people dead. By March 1947 violence spread to many parts of northern India.
Answer any 2 questions from 19 to 21. Each carries 3 scores. (2 × 3 = 6)
Question 19.
List out any three limitations of inscriptional evidences.
Answer:
- Fade letters
- Inscriptions may be damaged or letter missing.
- No exact meaning
- Many inscriptions have not survived the revageoftime.
- Out look of those who commissioned it.
Question 20.
Prepare a short note on Kabir.
Answer:
Kabir occupies a significant place among the poet saints. The verses of Kabir have been complied in three district traditions – Kabir, Bijak, Kabir Granthavali and Adi Granth Sahib. Kabir poem have survived in several languages and dialects. Some of them are composed in Sant bhasha and Ulatbansi. He used different traditions to describe the ultimate reality. These include Islam: he described the ulti¬mate reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also good terms drawn from Vedantic traditions alakh, Nirakar, Brahman, Atman, etc. The term such as Shabda or Shunya were drawn from Yogic tradition.
Diverse and sometimes conflicting ideas are expressed in these poems. Some of his poem used Islamic ideas of monotheism and iconoclasm to attack Hindu polytheism and idol worship. Legacy of Kabir was claimed by several groups. Hagiographies within the Vaishnava tradition suggest that he was born a Hindu but was raised by a poor muslim family belonging to the community of weavers, who were relatively recent converts to Islam.
Question 21.
Write a short note in Kitab Khana.
Answer:
In Mughal India, the centre of manuscript pro¬duction was the imperial kitabkhana. Although kitebkhana can be translated as library, it was a scriptorium, that is, a place where the emperor’s collection of maniscripts was kept and new manscripts were produced.
Answer any 4 questions from 22 to 26. Each carries 4 scores. (4 × 4 = 16)
Question 22.
Explain the views of Megasthanese on the military administration of the Mauryas.
Answer:
Megasthenes says that to make the work of the army easy, there was a Committee with 6 sub-committees. Each subcommittee had the following responsibilities.
- 1 – supervised the navy.
- 2 – supervised transport and arrangements for food.
- 3 – was in charge of the footmen.
- 4 – controlled the cavalry.
- 5 – was in charge of the chariots.
- 6 – took care of the elephants.
The 2nd subcommittee had extensive duties. It had to prepare bullock carts for moving goods, ensure that the soldiers and animals got proper food, and employ servants and helpers to take care of the needs of soldiers.
Question 23.
Elucidate the structure of a stupa.
Answer:
Buddhism – semi circular mound – Anda- Harimika-Yashti-Chchetri
Question 24.
Explain the features of the Amaranayaka system of the Vijayanagara empire.
Answer:
In Vijayanagara Empire there was the system of “Amara Nayaka”. This system had many of the features of the “Iqta system’ of the Delhi Sultans. Amara Nayakas were military commanders. Vijayanagara kings gave them some regions to govern. These regions were called ‘Amara’.
The governing of these regions was done by the Amaranayaks. They collected taxes of different kinds from the famers, traders, artisans and big merchants. A big portion of the income was used for their personal needs. The other part was spent in maintaining horses and elephants. A small portion was also spent on maintaining temples and irrigation. Amaranayakas rendered military help to the kings of Vijayanagara. It was by using this military might that the kings brought the Southern Peninsula under their control.
Amaranayakas were to give the king tribute every year. They also had to visit the king and give him gifts to show their loyalty to him. To show that the king had power over them, he used to transfer amaranayakas to different places. Even then by the 17th century the amaranayakas became powerful and some of them started challenging the authority of the king. Some even established independent states. This caused the slow disintegration of Vijayanagara.
Question 25.
Who wrote Akbar Nama? Prepare a short note on it.
Answer:
Abul Fazl was the writer of Akbarnama. Abul was born and brought up in Agra. He was well- versed in Arabic, Persian, Greek Philosophy and Sufism. He was a scholarly debater and had independent thinking. He severely criticised the views of conservative ulamas. Akbar was attracted by these qualities of Abul Fazl and so he appointed him as his advisor and spokesman. Akbar’s intention was to release the nation from the control of orthodox ulamas. As a palace historian, Abul Fazl was able to formulate ideas related to the adminis¬tration. Akbar liked him very much.
Akbar Nama is divided into three books of which the first two are chronicles. The third book is Akbari. The first two volumes ! contain the history of mankind from Adam to S one celestial cycle of Akbar’s life. The second volume closes in the forty-sixth regnal years of Akbar. The objective of Akbar Nama I was to provide a detailed account of Akbar’s regin. At fhe same time it gives a detailed picture of all aspects of Akbar’s empire – geographic, social, administrative and cultural without reference to chronology.
Question 26.
Explain any two early struggles of Mahatma Gandhi.
Answer:
Champaran Satyagraha-1917- Bihar-Indigo peasents Kheda peasent satyagraha -1918 – Gujarath Ahmedabad mill strike -1918 – Gujarath
Answer any 2 questions from 27 to 29. Each carries 5 scored. (2× 5 = 10)
Question 27.
Analyse the causes for the rise of Megadha as a powerful Mahajanapada.
Answer:
Fertile land, Iron deposits, use of elephants in war, Ganges and its tributaries, powerful rulers, strategic position of capitals.
Question 28.
Explain the main teaching of Buddha.
Answer:
- Entire world is animated
- Ahimsa
- Cycle of karma
- Asceticism
- Penance
Question 29.
Assess the main principles of Virashaiva tradition in Karnataka.
Answer:
From 9th century to the 13 century, some powerful Chola Kings ruled the country. They sup¬ported the Brahmin-Piety traditions. They made land-gifts. They built Vishnu and Siva temples. It was they who built some of the most imposing Siva temples at Chidambaram, Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram. Some very beautiful bronze idols of Siva were also made at this period. It was the Nayanars who gave encouragement to the sculptors. The Chola Kings encouraged the Nayanars and Azhvars. There were some economic motives behind this. It was the Vellalar farmers who made the economic base for the Chola rule. Naturally the rulers wanted the support of the Vellalar farmers, who respected Azhvars and Nayanars. That is why the Chola Kings gave their full support to the Azhvars and Nayanars.
Chola kings often claimed divine support. They tried to proclaim their glory by building huge and beautiful temples. These temples were adorned with idols made of stone and metals. The tried to translate the dreams of the popular poets of the hymns into reality. The Kings also encouraged recitations of the Saiva hymns in Tamil in their temples. They also took the initiative to collect these hymns and make it into a book form (Thevaram). The Chola King named Paranthakan I, got the metallic idols of Appar, Sanbandhar and Sundarar made and they were placed in a Siva Temple. An inscription dated 945 shows this. During festivals, the idols were carried in processions.
In the 12th century, a new pious movement came up in Karnataka. A Brahmin named Basavanna (1106-1168) was the leader of this movement. Virashaiva Movement is also called Lingayat. In the beginning Basavanna was a believer of Jainism. He had also served as a minister under King Bijala of Chalukya. Because of serious differences of opinion, Basavanna decided to quit Jainism and with his son-in-law he formed the Virashaiva Movement. His followers were called Virasaivas or Lingayats.
Tantric is connected with the adoration of Devis (goddesses). Rituals of this kind were in existence in many parts of the subcontinent. Both men and women could participate in them. When these traditions were carried out, differences of Jati and Varna were ignored. In other words, there was no discrimination of gender, Varna or Jati in Tantric. The Tantric ideas greatly influenced Saivism and Buddhism. The followers of Tantric rituals ignored the authority of the Vedas. They tried to uphold their favourite God Vishnu or Siva. They were in conflict with the principles of Buddhism and Jainism.
Answer any 2 questions from 30 to 32. Each carries 8 scores. (2 × 8 = 16)
Question 30.
Explain the main features of Harappan town planning based on the following hints:
• Citadel
• Lower Town
• Great Bath
• Domestic architecture
Answer:
History has left behind a number of evidences that Harappan civilization was an urban civili zation.
The greatest site of Harappan civilization is Mohenjo Daro. This was discovered after Harappa. It is from Mohenjo Daro that evidences of town planning, dwellings and seals of the Harappan civilization were discovered. This big city is situated in the Larkana District of Sindh on the shore of River Sindhu. The meaning of Mohenjo Daro is “The Mound of the Dead”. The excavations done here brought to light the remains of a well planned city. This city was divided into two parts – The Citadel and the Lower Town.
The Citadel : Citadel is a small manmade platform. It is located on the western side of the city. Citadel is the highest part of the city. There are two reasons for the unusual height of the citadel. First of all it is built on a higher ground. Secondly its buildings are constructed on the bricks made of earth. The citadel is protected by building walls around it. There are many big buildings in the citadel. They have been used various special purposes. The main buildings of the citadel are The Warehouse, and the Great Bath.
The Warehouse : The biggest building of Mohenjo Daro is its warehouse of bam. The lower part of this building is built with bricks. It can still be seen. The upper portion of the warehouse is made of wood. With the passage of most of it is ruined. The warehouse was used to store the leftover food grains.
The Great Bath : The most important structure in the citadel of Mohenjo Daro is the Great Bath. It is in rectangular shape. The pond is in the yard which is surrounded by corridors on all four sides. To get into the pond there are steps on the northern and southern sides. The bottom of the pond is made watertight using bricks and lime paste. This prevents the water from seeping down and making the pond dry. There are rooms on 3 sides of the pond. There was a big well in one of the rooms.
The water for the pond was brought from this well. There were provisions for filling the pond with water and to make the dirty water flow out into drains. Historians think that the Great Bath had a religious importance. They think that this Great Bath was used for ritual baths. The Great Bath shows the importance the Harappans gave to cleanliness. It also shows their engineering and technical skills.
Lower Town : Domestic Architecture: The Lower Town was just below the citadel. This was also protected by walls. People lived here. ‘ Here we can see good examples of domestic architecture. The houses were made of bricks. The houses were ordered in the Grid System. The houses were built along both sides of the road, with adequate space between houses. The doors and windows were opened to face the central yard. It is believed that the yard was used for cooking and also weaving.
The houses did not have doors and windows that faced the street. All the houses had bathrooms. They were paved with bricks. The drainage system was excellent. Houses were different in size. There were single room and double room houses. There were also houses with more than two storeys. To get to the top stories there were staircases.
Big houses had wells. It was dug in a room in such a way that even outsiders could draw water from it. Experts estimate that Mohenjo Daro had some 700 wells. Houses were built on raised platforms. The settlements were well planned. The bricks were made to certain specifications. The same kind of bricks was used in most constructions.
The drainage system: The drainage system in the Harappan citiep was excellent. The drain of each house was linked to the drainage canal outside. The drainage canals were covered with bricks or sheets of rock. In some places they covered the drainage canals with limestone slabs. It was possible to clean the canals by removing the top coverings. There were manholes in the public drainage.
It is believed that the drainage was made first and then came the houses. The drainage system shows the engineering skill of the Harappan people.-It shows they had a town administration. It also shows how much importance they gave to hygiene and health. The drainage system was not limited to big cities. Even the settlements in places like Lothal had drainages.
Question 31.
Prepare an essay on the revolt of 1857 held in Awadh.
Hints:
• Importance of Awadh
• Grievances of the Talukdars
• Grievances of the Peasants
• Grievances of the Sepoys
Answer:
The taking over of Awadh by the British made I; the local kings, talukdars, peasants and sepoys very unhappy and angry. By taking over Awadh, not only the Nawab but also many talukdars lost their jobs. The talukdars had many estates and fortresses in the villages of Awadh. They had been in control of these lands for generations. They had much power in the villages. They also used to keep small army units with them. Some even had armies numbering up to 12,000 soldiers. Even the small ones had 200 footmen.
The British refused to accept the autonomy and authority of the talukdars. Soon after they took over Awadh, they dispersed the armies of the talukdars and destroyed their fortresses. The land tax system also was not liked by the talukdars. The British enforced the new tax system in 1856. This was called the Summary Settlement of 1856. This was enforced with the concept that the talukdars had no permanent ownership of the land. The British saw them as encroachers who got the ownership of the land using all kinds cheating and even force.
The British wanted to avoid the talukdars and make settlements with the real owners of the land. They thought this would reduce exploitation of the farmers and increase the government’s income. But in reality none of these happened. The officials soon realized that the tax imposed on the farmers was much more than their capacity to pay. In short the Summary Settlement was a failure. It satisfied neither the farmers nor the talukdars.
As talukdars lost their positions, their social status was lost. The relations between them and the farmers were ruined. Before the take¬over by the British there was cordiality between the talukdars and the farmers. Although the talukdars were strict, they often behaved like the guardians of peasants. They helped peasants in their needs. They also gave peasants loans during festivals. Peasants also showed loyalty to talukdars. But the coming of the British spoiled all these. The farmers got no consideration from the British. The British charged them heavy tax and used strict methods to collect it. During crop failure, or times of trouble, or feasts, the British never helped the peasants.
The ousted talukdars wanted to get back their lost estates and power. They became the strongest enemies of the British. In places like Awadh, where the revolt was the worst, the talukdars and the farmers were in the forefront of the revolt. Many of the talukdars were loyal to the Nawab. They joined Begum Hazrat Mahal, the wife of the Nawab, in her fight against the British. Even in failure, the talukdars did not abandon the Begum. The taking over of Awadh by the British made the sepoys also unhappy. Many o f.them were from Awadh itself. They did not like the idea of their birthplace getting into the hands of the British.
The Sepoys had many problems and complaints. They had small salaries. The places they had to stay and the food they got were not of good quality. It was also difficult to get leave. The chances of promotion were limited. They did not get any foreign service allowance for working outside India. The journeys across the seas were not liked by many, because some religions prohibited such journeys. They also were unhappy because the British did not allow many of them to wear headcovers and also beards.
Question 32.
Analyse the major struggles for independence held under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Areas to considered:
• Non-Cooperation Movement
• Salt Satyagraha
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi made India’s national move-ment into a mass movement. The Non-coop-eration movement was the first mass move-ment organised by Gandhiji in India under In-dian National Congress. He hoped that by coupling non-cooperation with Khilafat, India’s two major religious communities, Hindus and Muslims, could collectively bring an end to colonial rule.
As part of the Non-cooperation movement students stopped going to schools and colleges run by the government. The working class went on strike in many towns and cities. The countryside was seething with discontent too. Hill tribes in northen Andhra violated forest laws. Farmers in Awadh did not pay taxes. Peasant in Kumaun refused to carry loads for colonial officials. Peasants, workers, and others interpreted and acted upon the call to ‘non cooperate’ with colonial rule in ways that best suited their interests, rather than conform to the dictates laid down from above.
It entailed denial, renunciation and self discipline. It was training for self rule. As a consequence of the Non-cooperation movement the British Raj was shaken to its foundations for the first time since the Revolt of 1857. Then in February 1922, a group of peasants attacked and torched a police station in the hamlet of Chaurichaura in the United provinces. Several constables perished in the conflagration. This act of non violence prompted Gandhiji to call off the altogether. During the non cooperation movement thousands of Indians were put in jail.
Another mass movement organised by Gandhiji under the leadership of the Congress was the Salt Satyagraha. Mahatma Gandhi announced that he would lead a march to break one of the most widely disliked laws in British India, which gave the state a monopoly in the manufacture and sale of salt. His picking on the salt monopoly was another illustration of Gandhiji’s tactical wisdom.
On 12 March 1930, Gandhiji began walking from his ashram at Sabarmati towards the ocean. He reached his destination three weeks later, making a fistful of salt as he did and thereby making himself criminal in the eyes of the law. Meanwhile, parallel salt marches were being conducted in other parts of the country.
This event brought Mahatma Gandhi to world attention. It was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large numbers. It was the salt march which forced upon the British the realisation that their Raj would not last for ever, and that they would have to devolve some power to the Indians. By the Gandhi-lrwin pact of 1931 Gandhiji called off the civil disobedience movement and agreed to participate in the second round table conference. As a result all prisoners were released and salt manufacture was allowed along the coast.