SOLUTIONS
2026 BOARD EXAM
CBSE Class 12 Humanities History Board Paper 2026 — Set 2 Solutions
2026
History
Class 12 Humanities
CBSE EXAMINATION PAPER-2026
HISTORY
(Solved)
General Instructions :
Read the following instructions carefully and follow them :
- This question paper contains 42 questions. All questions are compulsory.
- This question paper is divided into 4 sections.
- Section A – questions number 1 to 5 are case based questions
- Section B – questions number 6 to 28 are multiple choice questions
- Section C – questions number 29 to 36 are short answer
- Section D – questions number 37 to 42 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
Read the source given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The Malabar Coast (Present-day Kerala)
Here is an excerpt from Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, composed by an anonymous Greek sailor (First century CE): They (i.e. traders from abroad) send large ships to these market-towns on account of the great quantity and bulk of pepper and malabathrum (possibly cinnamon, produced in these regions). There are imported here, in the first place, a great quantity of coin; topaz... antimony (a mineral used as a colouring substance), coral, crude glass, copper, tin, lead ... There is exported pepper, which is produced in quantity in only one region near these markets.... Besides this there are exported great quantities of fine pearls, ivory, silk cloth, .... transparent stones of all kinds, diamonds and sapphires, and tortoise shell.
Archaeological evidence of a bead-making industry, using precious and semi-precious stones, has been found in Kodumanal (Tamil Nadu). It is likely that local traders brought the stones mentioned in the Periplus from sites such as these to the coastal ports.
(1) Mention the role of rivers in the promotion of trade.
[1 Mark](2) Why were large number of goods traded between India and other countries?
[1 Mark](3) Give reasons for the development of bead-making industry at Kodumanal.
[2 Marks]Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
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 [...] We should find the great Cities and the great Burroughs rendered uninhabitable because of ill air, and to fall to ruin without anybody taking care of repairing them; the hillocks abandoned, and the fields overspread with bushes, or filled with pestilential marshes, as hath been already intimated.
(1) Why did Bernier warn the European kings against following the Mughal model of kingship?
[1 Mark](2) Mention any one difference between Mughal and European land-ownership.
[1 Mark](3) How did Bernier’s description influence western theorists from the 18th century onwards? Explain.
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow:
On clearance and settled cultivation
Passing through one village in the lower Rajmahal hills, Buchanan wrote: The view of the country is exceedingly fine, the cultivation especially in the narrow valleys of rice winding in all directions, the cleared lands with scattered trees, and the rocky hills are in perfection; all that is wanted is some appearance of progress and a vastly extended and improved cultivation. Plantations of Asan and Palas, for Tessar (Tassar silk worms) and Lac, should occupy the place of woods to as great an extent as demand will admit; the remainder might be all cleared, and the greater part cultivated, while what is not fit for the purpose, might rear Palmyra and Mahua.
(1) How was the landscape described regarding cultivation?
[1 Mark](2) Which crops were recommended for expanding agriculture?
[1 Mark](3) Explain the proposal given by Buchanan for utilizing the land for economic development.
[2 Marks]
(1) Banawali – a mature Harappan site
[2 Marks](2) Kannauj – An important town from early states
[1 Mark](3) Ajmer – A city under Mughals
[1 Mark](4) Bidar – A medieval town
[1 Mark]
(1) Name any one town which was under the rule of Babur
[1 Mark](2) Mention any one Harappan site from the present state of Haryana.
[1 Mark](3) Mention any one medieval town.
[1 Mark](4) Name any two centres of Indian National Movement.
[2 Marks]Mumbai was a major centre because leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak were active there, inspiring many with their radical ideas.
Kolkata was also a key centre where Bipin Chandra Pal and other leaders worked to spread the Swadeshi movement of 1905-07, broadening the appeal of the movement among the middle classes.
These centres played a crucial role in uniting people and promoting nationalist ideas during the struggle against British rule, as mentioned in the case passage.
Section B
Assertion (A): Like Buddhism, Jainism also spread to many parts of India.
Reason (R): Jaina scholars produced literature in various languages like Tamil, Prakrit and Sanskrit etc.
Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Read the following statements regarding Buddhism teaching and choose the correct option:
I. The world is transient and constantly changing.
II. It is soulless and there is nothing eternal in it.
III. Sorrows and sufferings are intrinsic to human existence.
IV. Renouncing the world is essential for living. Codes:
Look at the given image and identify the ancient sculptural panel from the options:
The context mentions a rock-cut sculptural panel at Mahabalipuram , distinguishing it from sculptures at Brihadeshwa, Sanchi, or Amravati. Mahabalipuram is famous for its distinct rock-cut sculptures dating back to ancient times, which is why this option correctly identifies the ancient sculptural panel.
In which of the following states Mahabalipuram temple is located ?
Mahabalipuram temple is located in Tamil Nadu. The context mentions the Cholas in Tamil Nadu who extended patronage to elaborate temples, indicating the association of such magnificent temple architecture with Tamil Nadu. Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock-cut temples and sculptures in Tamil Nadu.
Who among the following was appointed Qazi or Judge of Delhi by Sultan Mohd. Bin Tughlaq ?
Ibn Battuta traveled to Delhi in 1333 and was appointed as the qazi or judge of Delhi by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. The Sultan was impressed by Ibn Battuta's scholarship, which led to his appointment. None of the other options were mentioned as being appointed to this position by Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the provided context.
Identify the correct statements regarding the early Bhakti movement in South India:
I. Alvars and Nayanars travelled from place to place singing hymns in Tamil.
II. One of the major anthologies of compositions by the Alvars, "Amuktamalyada", is described as Tamil Veda
III. Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Andal were the women devotees of Nayanara and Alvar Tradition.
IV. Both Nayanars and Alvar saints were revered by the Vellala peasants.
Arrange the following dynasties in chronological order:
I. Saluva dynasty
II. Sangama dynasty
III. Aravidu dynasty
IV. Tuluva dynasty
The Sangama dynasty was the earliest and ruled until 1485. They were supplanted by the Saluva dynasty, which remained in power until 1503. Then the Tuluva dynasty took over, under whom Krishnadeva Raya ruled. Finally, the Aravidu dynasty came last. Therefore, the correct chronological order is Sangama (II), Saluva (I), Tuluva (IV), Aravidu (III).
Identify the Sufi Saint with the help of the following information:
• His Hospice was on the bank of river Yamuna in Delhi.
• His disciple was Amir Khusro.
• His disciples addressed him as Sultan-ul-Mashaikh.
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? Travellers of Medieval Period — Native Region
(A) Peter Mundi — Spain
(B) Antonio Monserrate — Portugal
(C) Abdal-Razzaq — Morocco
(D) Marco Polo — Italy
Marco Polo was a famous medieval traveller from Venice, Italy, who is known for his travels to Asia including China and India. The context mentions Marco Polo visiting from his home base in Venice in the late thirteenth century. Other options are not correct as per historical records: Antonio Monserrate was Spanish, not Portuguese; Ibn Battuta was from Morocco but Abdal-Razzaq is not mentioned as being Moroccan; Peter Mundi is not a well-known traveller associated with Spain.
How did the arrival of Santhals in the Raj Mahal hills affect the Paharias ?
Arrange the following historical events in chronological order:
I. Champaran Satyagraha
II. Kheda Satyagraha
III. Jallianwala Bagh Incident
IV. Rowlatt Act
Find the odd one out from the following:
(British Officers) — (Policy)
(A) Dalhousie — Doctrine of Lapse
(B) Cornwallis — Permanent Settlement
(C) Wellesley — Western Education
(D) Hardinge — Enfield rifles for soldiers
Which of the following statements regarding Nana Saheb are correct ?
I. Nana Saheb was the successor of Peshwa Baji Rao-II.
II. Nana Saheb joined the revolt of 1857 from Kanpur.
III. His rebellion collapsed in the beginning of 1857.
IV. Nana Saheb went to Nepal in 1857.
Who amongst the following was the head of the ‘Advisory Committee’ of the Constituent Assembly ?
B.R. Ambedkar was a very important member of the Constituent Assembly and served as the head of the Advisory Committee. He played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India, whereas the other options such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, and Sardar Patel held other significant roles but not as the head of the Advisory Committee.
Identify the British Officer with the help of the following information:
• Was a Physician.
• Organised Zoo in Calcutta.
• Did survey of Bengal.
• He assumed family name as Hamilton.
Francis Buchanan was a British physician who is known for conducting surveys of Bengal and for organising the Zoo in Calcutta. Additionally, he assumed the family name Hamilton, which matches the clues provided in the question. The other options do not fit all the given criteria.
Read the following statements regarding Buddhism teaching and choose the correct option:
I. The world is transient and constantly changing.
II. It is soulless and there is nothing eternal in it
III. Sorrows and sufferings are intrinsic to human existence.
IV. Renouncing the world is essential for living. Codes:
According to Buddhist teachings, the world is transient and constantly changing (anicca), and it is soulless with nothing eternal in it (anatta). Sorrows and sufferings (dukkha) are intrinsic to human existence. However, Buddhism emphasizes following a middle path rather than outright renouncing the world, so statement IV is not entirely accurate as renouncing the world is not considered essential for living according to Buddhism.
Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option :
The correct matching is a with iii, b with ii, c with iv, and d with i because according to the given context and the typical structured format of matching questions, this option aligns the terms correctly. The other options either mismatch the pairs or assign incorrect numbers to the corresponding letters.
Section C
Buddha, originally known as Siddhartha, tried different ways to find the truth and end suffering. At first, he practiced extreme bodily mortification which almost led to his death. Realizing these methods were not effective, he abandoned them. Then, he chose to meditate deeply under a Bodhi tree for several days with great focus and determination. Finally, through this meditation, he attained enlightenment, gaining profound knowledge and understanding about life and suffering. After this, he became known as the Buddha or the "Enlightened One". He then spent the rest of his life teaching the Dhamma, the path to righteous living and salvation. His teachings spread widely and inspired many to follow the path of peace and wisdom.
The Kauravas and Pandavas were cousins belonging to the Kuru family. The main cause of their conflict was a dispute over the throne and kingdom after the death of their grandfather. Dhritarashtra, the father of the Kauravas, was blind, which led to questions about his ability to rule. The Pandavas, being the sons of Pandu, were rightful heirs but the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana, did not accept this.
Other causes include jealousy and rivalry, as the Pandavas were praised for their qualities and virtues, making the Kauravas envious. The game of dice played by the Kauravas against the Pandavas, where the Pandavas lost their kingdom and were sent to exile, further intensified the conflict.
Thus, greed for power, issues of succession, jealousy, and betrayal were key reasons that led to the battle of Mahabharat, in which the Pandavas ultimately emerged victorious and established patrilineal succession.
Historical sources like the Mahabharata epic and archaeological findings in Hastinapura support these events.
Early in the morning of 11th May, during the holy month of Ramzan, sepoys arrived at the gates of the Red Fort demanding the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar's blessings for their revolt. The emperor had just finished his prayers and meal before the fast began, when he heard the commotion. Surrounded by sepoys who had entered without observing court etiquette, Bahadur Shah had no choice but to give his blessings. This act gave legitimacy to the rebellion as it was now carried on in the name of the emperor. The city of Delhi had clearly come out of British control, with widespread violence against Europeans and rich residents. The days following saw North India remain quiet initially before the news of Delhi's fall spread, encouraging rebels from across North India to join the defense of the capital.
Section D
1. Planned City Layout: Mohenjodaro was a well-planned city divided into two parts, the Citadel and the Lower Town. The city had a grid-like pattern with streets intersecting at right angles, showing advanced town planning.
2. Residential Buildings: Houses were built around courtyards with rooms on all sides. The courtyard served as a common area for activities like cooking and weaving, especially in hot weather. The houses were mostly made of baked bricks.
3. Privacy and Security: Most houses had no windows at ground level indicating a concern for privacy and security.
4. Drainage System: The city had an efficient drainage system with covered drains running alongside the streets, showing an advanced understanding of sanitation.
5. Public Buildings: The city had large public buildings like the Great Bath that might have been used for religious or ceremonial purposes.
6. Water Management: Wells were found in many houses ensuring access to water. Water management was a significant feature of Mohenjodaro's architecture.
7. Absence of Palaces and Temples: Despite large buildings, no clear evidence of palaces or temples was found, suggesting a different social or political structure.
Overall, the architecture of Mohenjodaro reflected advanced urban planning, concern for hygiene, privacy, and efficient use of space making it unique among ancient urban centres.
Several factors are believed to have contributed to the decline of this ancient civilisation. These include climatic changes such as long-term droughts, which reduced water availability. Other causes are deforestation and soil degradation due to overuse of the land for agriculture. Natural disasters like excessive floods and shifting or drying up of rivers, especially the Saraswati river, disrupted the urban centres. These environmental changes made it difficult to sustain large populated cities leading to gradual abandonment.
Evidences of the collapse:
The end of Harappan civilisation is marked by certain archaeological evidences. There is a disappearance of their unique seals and writing script in later layers of excavation. Pottery and beads lose their earlier standardised forms. The use of weights, which was once uniform, becomes localised. Cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro show signs of decline and eventual abandonment. These changes suggest the breaking down of the centralised Harappan state and the loss of cultural unity. The civilisation transformed into smaller regional cultures and the urban phase ended.
Decline after Krishandeva Raya's death: After his death in 1529, the Vijayanagara Kingdom began to decline. Internal strain arose within the empire's structure due to rebellious nayakas or military chiefs, which weakened central authority. Although the kingdom remained militarily prepared, the unity and stability were compromised. Succession disputes weakened the kingdom further and even the Sultan of Bijapur intervened to resolve these disputes, indicating internal weakness. Ultimately, this decline culminated in the sacking of the city of Vijayanagara in 1565, marking the end of its golden period.
Conclusion: Therefore, under Krishandeva Raya, Vijayanagara saw unparalleled peace, military success, cultural growth, and political stability, but after his death, internal conflicts and weakening leadership led to its decline.
Vijaynagara was one of the most powerful and well-fortified cities of medieval India. The fortifications were impressive due to their scale, complexity, and strategic planning.
Examples of Fortification:
1. Multiple Lines of Fortification: Vijaynagara had three lines of fortification protecting different parts of the city. The first line protected the agricultural belt to safeguard food production. The second line enclosed the inner urban complex, and the third line surrounded the royal centre.
2. Massive Walls and Gates: The fortification walls were thick and high with strong gates that controlled access. These gateways were heavily fortified to prevent enemy entry.
3. Aqueducts for Water Supply: To sustain the fortified city, aqueducts were built to channel water into royal and urban centres.
4. Granaries and Storage: Within the fortifications, large granaries ensured that the city could withstand long sieges.
5. Architectural Features: The fortifications included well-planned gopurams (temple towers) and watchtowers which served both religious and military purposes.
Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi, a fifteenth-century diplomat, described Vijaynagara as a splendid and strongly fortified city. Despite the eventual sacking of the city, the architectural tradition of building palatial and fortified structures was continued by later rulers called Nayakas.
Conclusion: The impressive fortifications of Vijaynagara with multiple defensive walls, strategic location of granaries, gates, aqueducts, and watchtowers made it one of the most secure and well-planned medieval cities in India.
The vision of the Constitution of India was shaped by many important events and debates that took place before and during its framing between 1946 and 1949.
1. The Objectives Resolution of 13 December 1946: This was introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru in the Constituent Assembly and laid down the fundamental ideals of the Constitution. It emphasized justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became the guiding principles for the new nation.
2. Experience Under British Rule: The Indian people had experienced many colonial laws such as the Acts of 1909, 1919, and 1935 which were imposed by the British colonial government without full participation from Indians. These Acts had limited powers for Indians and showcased the need for a sovereign democratic constitution.
3. History of Freedom Struggle: The struggle for independence, led by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, emphasized the importance of democracy, social justice, and equality. These ideals influenced the vision to create a Constitution that healed divisions caused by caste, community and class.
4. Diverse Society and Unity: The Constituent Assembly had to consider the vast diversity of India, with different religions, languages, cultures, and social groups. The vision aimed at creating a political unity that embraced this diversity while establishing a democratic framework.
5. Democratic Institutions: India had to nurture democratic institutions in a society previously governed by hierarchy and colonial rule. The Constitution was designed to empower the people through representative government and safeguard their rights.
These events, debates, and experiences collectively shaped the vision of the Indian Constitution as a document that stands for justice, equality, liberty, fraternity, democracy, and unity in diversity.
During the Constituent Assembly debates, several strong arguments were presented against the creation of separate electorates. Firstly, many leaders like Sardar Patel and others saw separate electorates as a divisive tool deliberately introduced by the British to create religious and social divisions among Indians, thus weakening the unity of the nation.
Secondly, it was argued that separate electorates would perpetuate the social stigma and discrimination, especially for the Depressed Classes or "Untouchables." Mahatma Gandhi strongly opposed separate electorates for them, stating that such a system would ensure their bondage in perpetuity and prevent their integration into society as equal citizens.
Thirdly, leaders like Pant described the demand for separate electorates as suicidal because it would isolate minorities permanently from the mainstream political process, making them vulnerable and depriving them of an effective voice in governance.
Overall, the consensus against separate electorates was based on the belief that they would create divisions, weaken national unity, prolong social stigma, and isolate communities rather than integrate them.
Hence, the idea was rejected with a focus on creating a unified democratic electoral system that would promote equality and national integration.
Other Years — History