CBSE Class 12 History 2025 — Previous-Year Question Paper

Prabhavati Gupta is best known for which of the following roles ? (A) Wife of Ashoka and Promoter of Buddhist Sangha (B) Queen of Mauryan Empire and Promoter of Buddhism (C) Wife of Samudragupta and Poet of the Gupta Era (D) Daughter of Chandragupta-II and Wife of Vakataka King

The following picture shows the structure of a temple carved out of single piece of rock. Identify this temple correctly from the given options : [Picture: a temple carved out of a single piece of rock] Options : (A) Deogarh Temple (B) Kailashnatha Temple (C) Mahabalipuram Temple (D) Brihideshwara Temple [Note : The following question is only for Visually Impaired Candidates in lieu of Question No. 7 — In which of the following states Kailashnatha Temple is located ? (A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Tamil Nadu (C) Maharashtra (D) Andhra Pradesh]

Al-Biruni's major work 'Kitab-ul-Hind' is significant for its comprehensive study of India. Which of the following was the primary aim of this work ? (A) Promote Islamic teaching (B) Map geographical locations (C) Critique culture and traditions (D) Document Indian culture

Throughout his extensive travels, Ibn Batuta was able to explore unfamiliar cultures and societies. Which of the following competencies did he most likely develop ? (A) Leadership and Judicial Management (B) Cultural Competencies and Skills (C) Knowledge of Administration and Army (D) Scientific and Technical expertise

Which of the following statements regarding Colonel Colin Mackenzie are correct ? Choose the correct option : I. The ruins of Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by him. II. He was an official of East India Company. III. He prepared the first survey maps of the site. IV. He received information of Vijayanagara empire from the Duarte Barbosa. Options : (A) I, II and III (B) II, III and IV (C) I, III and IV (D) I, II and IV

Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the following : Column-I (Foreign Travellers) : a. Afanasi Nikitin | b. Domingo Paes | c. Abdur-Razzak | d. Nicolo de Conti Column-II (Countries) : I. Persia | II. Russia | III. Portugal | IV. Italy Options : (a, b, c, d) (A) III, IV, I, II (B) II, III, I, IV (C) I, II, IV, III (D) II, I, III, IV

Which of the following is a major source to understand agrarian history of 16th and 17th century India ? (A) Revenue records of Agra Delhi (B) Relationship between peasants and zamindars (C) Important chronicle - the Ain-e-Akbari (D) Types of agricultural crops grown at that time

Which one of the following statements is most appropriate regarding the zamindars of 16th and 17th century India ? (A) The zamindars were the exploitative class for the peasants. (B) The zamindars collected revenue on behalf of the state. (C) They always maintained cordial relations with the villagers. (D) The zamindars had small piece of lands for personal use.

In a modern city, a group of friends discusses the relevance of Kabir's teachings in today's society. Some believe these are outdated, while others see their significance in promoting equality and love. Which of the following scenario best reflects Kabir's relevance today ? (A) A debate on Kabir's historical context (B) A discussion dismissing spirituality irrelevant (C) Focus on societal norms and traditions only (D) Seeking simple connection with the divine

Which one of the following was the main cause of the Santhal Rebellion of 1855 ? (A) Imposition of the Summary Settlement (B) Cultural suppression by the British (C) Imposition of Western education (D) Heavy taxes and land annexation

Find the odd one out regarding the Permanent Settlement of 1793. (A) The Sunset law (B) The Burdwan's Auction (C) The Fifth Report (D) The Deccan Riots Commission

Match the Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option : Column-I (Leadership of the Revolt of 1857) : a. Shah Mal | b. Kunwar Singh | c. Birjis Qadr | d. Nana Sahib Column-II (Regions) : I. Lucknow | II. Kanpur | III. Baraut | IV. Arrah Options : (a, b, c, d) (A) II, III, IV, I (B) III, IV, I, II (C) III, II, I, IV (D) IV, II, III, I

Arrange the following historical events in a correct chronological order and choose the correct option : I. Making of the Constituent Assembly II. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre III. Quit India Movement IV. Gandhi-Irwin Pact Options : (A) II, III, I and IV (B) II, IV, III and I (C) III, II, I and IV (D) IV, III, I and II

Which one of the following was a key feature of the 'Subsidiary Alliance' introduced by Lord Wellesley in 1798 ? (A) Free Trade Policy brought by British (B) Maintenance of native army by British (C) Imposition of Western Customs by British (D) Protection of native territory by British

Which one of the following pair is correctly matched ? List-I (Name of Important Committees of Constituent Assembly) - List-II (Name of President) (A) Flag Committee - H.C. Mookerjee (B) Union Power Committee - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (C) Rules of Procedure Committee - S. Varadachariar (D) States Committee - J.B. Kripalani

Identify the member of the Constituent Assembly with the help of the following information : - He was the President of the Constituent Assembly. - He was the first President of the Independent India. (A) Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (B) Zakir Hussain (C) V.V. Giri (D) Rajendra Prasad

(a) "Ashokan inscriptions are the most significant sources to understand the administration of Ashoka." Explain the statement. OR (b) "The history of Mauryan empire has been constructed on the variety of sources." Explain the statement.

"The mid-first millennium BCE is considered as a significant turning point in the course of World History." Justify the statement.

(a) Analyse the causes that led to the ruin of Vijayanagara empire. OR (b) Analyse why was Amaranayaka system considered as a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara empire.

Examine the role of Panchayat in advocating for the rights of common people during the Mughal era.

"The rebellion of 1857 was seen as a war in which both Hindus and Muslims had equally to lose or gain." Analyse the statement.

Describe the role of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly.

(a) "There were specific features of the familial relationship during the Mahabharata period." Explain the statement with examples. OR (b) "The political power or kingship was rarely dependent on birth as Kshatriyas but also open to anyone who could muster support and resources." Explain the statement with the examples from sixth century BCE onwards.

(a) Explain the main beliefs and teachings of Guru Nanak Dev. OR (b) Explain the major beliefs and teachings of Chishtis during medieval India.

(a) Analyse the impact of national movement in India from 1915 to 1931 on the Indian masses. OR (b) Analyse the role of Gandhiji after independence of India.

Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow : (1+1+2=4) The most ancient system yet discovered About the drains, Mackay noted : "It is certainly the most complete ancient system as yet discovered." Every house was connected to the street drains. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out into the street drains. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning. It is a wonder of archaeology that "little heaps of material, mostly sand, have frequently been found lying alongside drainage channels, which shows... that the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared". From Ernest Mackay, Early Indus Civilisation, 1948 Drainage systems were not unique to the larger cities, but were found in smaller settlements as well. At Lothal for example, while houses were built of mud bricks, drains were made of burnt bricks. (31.1) Analyse the possible reason behind the uniformity in the drainage systems across the Harappan cities. (1) (31.2) Analyse the implications of finding little heaps of material, mostly sand, alongside drainage channels. (1) (31.3) Assess the impact of Harappan drainage system. (2)

Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow : (1+1+2=4) 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, such as those are whom I have been representing. (the Mughals) .... We should find the great Cities and the great Burroughs (boroughs) rendered uninhabitable because of ill air, and to fall to ruine (ruin) without anybodies (anybody) taking care of repairing them; the hillocks abandon'd, and the fields overspread with bushes, or fill'd with pestilential marishes (marshes), as hath been already intimated. (32.1) Mention any one prominent contribution of Bernier. (1) (32.2) How did Bernier describe the difference between European kingdom and the Mughal territories ? (1) (32.3) Explain Bernier's views on the socio-economic status of people under Mughal rule. (2)

Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow : (1+1+2=4) 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 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 in the area and a vastly extended and improved cultivation, of which the country is highly susceptible. Plantations of Asan and Palas, for Tessar (Tassar silk worms) and Lac, should occupy the place of woods to as great an extent as the demand will admit; the remainder might be all cleared, and the greater part cultivated, while what is not fit for the purpose, might rear Plamira (palmyra) and Mowa (mahua). (33.1) How did Buchanan describe the view of the lower Rajmahal hills ? (1) (33.2) Why did Buchanan believe that the area had high potential for improved cultivation ? (1) (33.3) How did Buchanan propose utilising the land for economic benefits ? (2)

(34.1) On the given political outline map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols : (i) Kalibanga - a mature Harappan site (1) (ii) Amravati - a Buddhist site (1) (iii) (a) Amber - a territory under the Mughals (1) OR (b) Bijapur - An important town of Medieval India (1) (34.2) On the same outline map, two places have been marked as A and B, as the centres of revolt of 1857. Identify them and write their names on the lines drawn near them. (2) [Visually Impaired alternative in lieu of Q.34: (34.1) Mention any one mature Harappan site in India. (1) (34.2) Mention any one Buddhist site in India. (1) (34.3) (a) Name any one territory under the Mughals. (1) OR (b) Name the capital of Vijayanagara empire. (1) (34.4) Write any two important centres of revolt of 1857. (2)]