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QUESTION PAPER

2025 BOARD EXAM

CBSE CLASS 12-HUMANITIES HISTORY Board Paper 2025 — Set 5

2025

HISTORY

CLASS 12-HUMANITIES

CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2025 HISTORY

CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2025

HISTORY

(Solved)

Time allowed : 3 hours

Maximum Marks : 93

General Instructions :

Read the following instructions carefully and follow them :

This question paper contains 39 questions. All questions are compulsory.
This question paper is divided into 4 sections.
Section A – questions number 1 to 4 are case based questions
Section B – questions number 5 to 25 are multiple choice questions
Section C – questions number 26 to 33 are short answer
Section D – questions number 34 to 39 are long answer
There is no overall choice given in the question paper. However, an internal choice has been provided in few questions.
Use of calculator is NOT allowed.

Section A

Question 1. The Anguish of the King: When the king Devanampiya Piyadassi had been ruling for eight years, the (country of the) Kalingas (present-day coastal Orissa) was conquered by (him). One hundred and fifty thousand men were deported, a hundred thousand were killed, and many more died. After that, now that (the country of) the Kalingas has been taken, Devanampiya (is devoted) to an intense study of Dhamma, to the love of Dhamma, and to instructing (the people) in Dhamma. This is the repentance of Devanampiya on account of his conquest of the (country of the) Kalingas. For this is considered very painful and deplorable by Devanampiya that, while one is conquering an unconquered (country) slaughter, death and deportation of people (take place) there...

(1) How did Kalinga’s conquest change the king’s actions towards his subjects?

[1 Marks]

(2) How did king Devanampiya Piyadassi’s conquest of Kalinga influence his approach to governance?

[1 Marks]

(3) How did the king’s transformation shape the spread of Dhamma?

[2 Marks]

Question 2. Declining a royal gift: This excerpt from a sufi text describes the proceedings at Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s hospice in 1313: I (the author, Amir Hasan Sijzi) had the good fortune of kissing his (Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya’s) feet ... At this time a local ruler had sent him the deed of ownership to two gardens and much land, along with the provisions and tools for their maintenance. The ruler had also made it clear that he was relinquishing all his rights to both the gardens and land. The master ... had not accepted that gift. Instead, he had lamented: “What have I to do with gardens and fields and lands? ... None of ... our spiritual masters had engaged in such activity.” Then he told an appropriate story: “... Sultan Ghiyasuddin, who at that time was still known as Ulugh Khan, came to visit Shaikh Fariduddin (and) offered some money and ownership deeds for four villages to the Shaikh, the money being for the benefit of the dervishes (sufis), and the land for his use. Smiling, Shaikh al Islam (Fariduddin) said: ‘Give me the money. I will dispense it to the dervishes. But as for those land deeds, keep them. There are many who long for them. Give them away to such persons.”

(1) How does the response of the Shaikh reflect the Sufi values?

[2 Marks]

(2) What reason did the Shaikh give for refusing the land deeds?

[1 Marks]

(3) What did the ruler offer Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya?

[1 Marks]

Question 3. What taluqdars thought: The attitude of the taluqdars was best expressed by Hanwant Singh, the Raja of Kalakankar, near Rae Bareli. During the mutiny, Hanwant Singh had given shelter to a British officer, and conveyed him to safety. While taking leave of the officer, Hanwant Singh told him: Sahib, your countrymen came into this country and drove out our King. You sent your officers round the districts to examine the titles to the estates. At one blow you took from me lands which from time immemorial had been in my family. I submitted. Suddenly misfortune fell upon you. The people of the land rose against you. You came to me whom you had despoiled. I have saved you. But now – now I march at the head of my retainers to Lucknow to try and drive you from the country.

(1) How did Hanwant Singh express his dissatisfaction towards the British?

[1 Marks]

(2) How did Hanwant Singh’s statement reflect the sentiments of the taluqdars?

[2 Marks]

(3) Who did Hanwant Singh refer to as ‘the people of the land’?

[1 Marks]

Question 4.

On the given political outline map of India (on page 23), locate and label the following with appropriate symbols

(1)

Lothal-A mature Harrapan site

[1 Marks]

(2)

Agra − A territory under the Mughals

[1 Marks]

(3)

Amravati − A Buddhist site

[1 Marks]

(4)

Panipat − A territory under the Mughals

[1 Marks]

(5)

On the same political outline map of India, two places which were under the control of British during 1857 have been marked as A and B. Identify them and write their names on the lines drawn near them.

[2 Marks]

(6)

Name one Buddhist site in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

[1 Marks]

(7)

Mention one mature Harappan site in Gujarat

[1 Marks]

(8)

Mention any one territory which was under the control of Mughals in Northern India.

[1 Marks]

(9)

Name two places which were under the British control during 1857.

[2 Marks]

(10)

Name any important town of ancient India.

[1 Marks]

Section B

Question 5. Assume you visit a museum and find a Harappan seal depicting a bull. What might this suggest about Harappan beliefs and practices?

[1 Marks]

(A) Bulls were considered important for protection.
(B) Bulls were usually used in agriculture.
(C) Bulls were considered as the symbol of wealth.
(D) Bulls were associated with warfare with Oman.

Question 6. Who among the following was an ex-army Brigadier and Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1944?

[1 Marks]

(A) John Marshall
(B) R.E.M. Wheeler
(C) S.N. Roy
(D) Alexander Cunningham

Question 7.

Two statements labelled as Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below.

Read them carefully and select the correct option

Assertion (A): In ancient India, Gotra system was a way to trace lineage. Reason (R): Gotra was an exogamous unit, marriage within the same Gotra was not allowed.

[1 Marks]

(A) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(B) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
(C) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
(D) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

Question 8.

Find the odd one out from the following regarding the Buddhist texts:

[1 Marks]

(A) Dipavamsa, Mahavamsa, Sutta Pitaka
(B) Sutta Pitaka, Abhidhamma Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka
(C) Uttaradhyayana Sutta, Sutta Pitaka, Vinaya Pitaka
(D) Ashokavadana, Mahavamsa, Jatakas

Question 9.

Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option with reference to Mahabharata.

[1 Marks]

(A) a-i, b-iii, c-iv, d-ii
(B) a-ii, b-iv, c-iii, d-i
(C) a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i
(D) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii

Question 10.

Identify the ruler of ancient India with the help of following information:

• He was the most powerful of the Gupta rulers.

• He was a patron of art and Sanskrit literature.

• He was considered equal to the Gods by his people.

[1 Marks]

(A) Samudragupta
(B) Chandragupta
(C) Srigupta
(D) Kumaragupta

Question 11.

In reference to the picture provided below, where is the lion capital of the Ashoka Pillar located?

[1 Marks]

(A) Kushinagar
(B) Sarnath
(C) Lumbini
(D) Bodh Gaya

Question 12. Why did Ibn Battuta find Indian agriculture very productive? Identify the most appropriate reason from the following:

[1 Marks]

(A) Skilled and experienced farmers
(B) Lack of pests and insects
(C) Year round rainfall and soil quality
(D) Fertile soil and irrigation system

Question 13. Kabir emphasized ‘Nirguna Bhakti’. What does this concept imply about Kabir’s spiritual beliefs?

[1 Marks]

(A) He believed in a personal God with attributes.
(B) He emphasized the importance of rituals and ceremonies.
(C) He advocated for a hierarchical relation between God and humans.
(D) He believed in the oneness of God.

Question 14. Which of the following is the correct statement regarding Vijayanagara Empire?

[1 Marks]

(A) Vijayanagara was the name of both, city and empire.
(B) The Vijayanagara Empire was founded by Harihara in the 13th century.
(C) The empire stretched between rivers Kaveri and Tungabhadra.
(D) Vijayanagara fell to ruins in the 15th century.

Question 15.

Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option. Column I (Community during Mughal Empire) Column II (Role)

[1 Marks]

(A) a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i
(B) a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
(C) a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
(D) a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv

Question 16. Which of the following is the most important contribution of Krishnadeva Raya?

[1 Marks]

(A) He subdued the Mughal rulers.
(B) He expanded the Vijayanagara Empire.
(C) He built the Thanjavur temple.
(D) He kept the military control flexible.

Question 17. Who among the following was the mentor of Amir Khusrau?

[1 Marks]

(A) Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti
(B) Shaikh Salim Chishti
(C) Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya
(D) Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar

Question 18.

Arrange the following in chronological order and choose the correct option:

I. Visit of François Bernier in India

II. Visit of Abd al-Razzaq in India

III. Visit of Ibn Battuta in India

IV. Visit of Al-Biruni in India

[1 Marks]

(A) IV, III, II, I
(B) III, IV, II, I
(C) I, II, IV, III
(D) II, I, III, IV

Question 19. Fill in the blank with the appropriate option from the following: The __________ was established by the British government in 1875 to investigate the economic distress and role of East India Company in Bombay and the Deccan.

[1 Marks]

(A) Regulating Act
(B) Pitts India Act
(C) Fifth Report
(D) Deccan Riots Commission

Question 20. Which of the following was not the provision of the ‘Limitation Law’ passed by the British in 1859?

[1 Marks]

(A) The loan bonds signed between the money-lenders and ryots would have validity of three years.
(B) The money-lenders and ryots used to renew the bonds after every three years.
(C) The law was to check the accumulation of interest over time.
(D) Ryots were given permanent stakes in land as interlopers.

Question 21. Why were the British keen to annex the territory of Awadh? Choose the correct option from the following:

[1 Marks]

(A) To suppress the nationalist movement in Awadh.
(B) To get access to Awadh’s rich resources.
(C) To strengthen their control in the west in India.
(D) To enhance British military control in Central India.

Question 22. From the following identify, the local leader of Singhbhum who led the cultivators to join the Revolt of 1857.

[1 Marks]

(A) Shah Mal
(B) Birjis Qadr
(C) Gonoo
(D) Kunwar Singh

Question 23.

Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option.

[1 Marks]

(A) a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii
(B) a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
(C) a-iv, b-ii, c-iii, d-i
(D) a-iii, b-iv, c-ii, d-i

Question 24. Why was the 1929 Lahore Session of Congress significant? Choose the correct option from the following:

[1 Marks]

(A) For British alliance
(B) For Purna Swaraj
(C) For Rowlatt Act
(D) For Gandhiji’s leadership

Question 25.

Which of the following dynasties did King Ashoka belong to ?

[1 Marks]

(A) Satavahana
(B) Maurya
(C) Gupta
(D) Nanda

Section C

Question 26. Examine the duties to be performed by Kshatriyas as codified in Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras in ancient India.

[3 Marks]

Question 27. Examine any three ways evolved by Brahmanas to enforce the norms of the Varna order in ancient India.

[3 Marks]

Question 28. Explain the views of archaeologists on the religious beliefs of the Harappans.

[3 Marks]

Question 29. Analyse the observations, critical insights and reflections provided by Bernier while he travelled in Mughal India.

[3 Marks]

Question 30. “Ibn Battuta’s accounts provide important insights into the Indian society of that time.” Justify the statement.

[3 Marks]

Question 31. “The Vitthala temple of Vijayanagara was known for its unique architecture.” Explain the statement with examples.

[3 Marks]

Question 32. Examine the major activities of Gandhiji in Indian politics from 1924 to 1928.

[3 Marks]

Question 33. Describe any three features of the Ryotwari system.

[3 Marks]

Section D

Question 34. ‘The Buddha was considered as one of the most influential teachers of his times.’ In the light of this statement, explain his teachings.

[8 Marks]

Question 35. Explain the features of Puranic Hinduism in ancient India.

[8 Marks]

Question 36. ‘The role of women in the Mughal agrarian society was significant.’ Explain the statement giving examples.

[8 Marks]

Question 37. ‘The Ain-i-Akbari is an extraordinary document of the Mughal Empire.’ Explain the statement giving examples.

[8 Marks]

Question 38. Describe the views of the members of the Constituent Assembly on division of powers between the Centre and the States.

[8 Marks]

Question 39. Describe the ideals expressed in the ‘Objectives Resolution’ by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly.

[8 Marks]

Paper Details

CBSE Board Exam 2025

Class

CLASS 12-HUMANITIES

Subject

HISTORY

Year

2025

Set

Set 5

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2024 Set-2

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2024 Set-3

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2024 Set-4

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2024 Set-5

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2025 Set-2

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2025 Set-3

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2025 Set-4

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2025 Set-5

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2025 Set-6

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