1

Class – XII Question Bank Sub – History(027)

Prepared by:-

General Instruction for question paper:

(i) Answer all the questions. Marks are indicated against each question.

(ii) Answers to questions carrying 2 marks (Part - A Questions 1 to 3) should not exceed 30 words each.

(iii) Answers to questions carrying 4 marks (Part - B Sections I, II) Questions 4 to 10 should not exceed 80 words each.

(iv) Answers to questions carrying 8 marks (Part - C Questions 11 to 14) should not exceed 350 words each with choice.

(v) Part - D has three sources based questions. Each carries 7 marks.

(vi) Map skill (Part E) will be of 5 marks. Test items will be of ‘identification and significance”. Attach the maps with the

answer scripts.

DESIGN OF THE QUESTION PAPER (2015-16)

The weight age or the distribution of marks over the different dimensions of the paper shall be as

follows:- Themes VSA

2marks

SA

4marks

Source

Based

7 marks

Map skill LA

8marks

Total

Book I(Ancient

India)

2(1) 4+4 7(1) 8(1) 25

Book II(Medieval

India)

2(1) 4+4 7(1) 8(1) 25

Book III(Modern

India)

2(1) 4+4 7(1) 8(1) 25

PROJECT WORK 20

MAP 5*1=5 05

2*3=6 4*6=24 7*3=21 5 8*3=24 100

Note: Value Based Question can be from Book I, II, III textbooks and carry 04 marks. Accordingly marks can be reduced

from weight age of the corresponding sections.

LIST OF MAPS

Book 1

1. P-2. Mature Harappan sites: Harappa, Banawali, Kalibangan, Balakot, Rakhigarhi, Dholavira, Nageshwar, Lothal,

Mohenjodaro, Chanhudaro, Kot Diji.

2. P-30. Mahajanapada and cities : Vajji, Magadha, Kosala, Kuru, Panchala, Gandhara, Avanti, Rajgir, Ujjain, Taxila, Varanasi.

3. P-33. Distribution of Ashokan inscriptions:

i) Kushanas, Shakas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Guptas ii) Cities/towns: Mathura, Kannauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha

iii) Pillar inscriptions - Sanchi, Topra, Meerut Pillar and Kaushambi.

iv) Kingdom of Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas.

4. P-43. Important kingdoms and towns:

i) Kushanas, Shakas, Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Guptas

ii) Cities/towns: Mathura, Kanauj, Puhar, Braghukachchha, Shravasti, Rajgir, Vaishali, Varanasi,

Vidisha

5. P-95. Major Buddhist Sites:

Nagarjunakonda, Sanchi, Amaravati, Lumbini, Nasik, Bharhut, BodhGaya, Shravasti, Ajanta.

Book 2

1. P-174. Bidar, Golconda, Bijapur, Vijayanagar, Chandragiri, Kanchipuram, Mysore, Thanjavur, Kolar, Tirunelveli, Quilon

2. P-214. Territories under Babur, Akbar and Aurangzeb: Delhi, Agra, Panipat, Amber, Ajmer, Lahore, Goa.

Book 3

1. P-297. Territories/cities under British Control in 1857:

2

Punjab, Sindh, Bombay, Madras Fort St. David, Masulipatam, Berar, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa,

Avadh, Surat, Calcutta, Dacca, Chitagong, Patna, Benaras, Allahabad and Lucknow.

2. P-305. Main centres of the Revolt: Delhi, Meerut, Jhansi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Azamgarh, Calcutta, Benaras, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Agra,

Avadh.

3. P-305. Important centres of the National Movement: Champaran, Kheda, Ahmedabad, Benaras, Amritsar, Chauri Chaura, Lahore, Bardoli, Dandi,

Bombay (Quit India Resolution), Karachi.

CHAPTER- 1

( BRICKS, BEADS AND BONES)

Sr. Important Questions and Answers Marks Page

No

1 Describe any two features of the Harappan cities.

Ans. Planned. Divided into citadel and lower tower

2

marks

5

2 List the raw material required for craft production in Harappan Civilisation and discuss

how these might have been obtained

Ans.Stone,clay,copper,tin,bronze,gold,faience,shell,carenelian,jasper,crystal,satellite,quartz,timber

They established settlement such as Nageshwar, Shortugahai and Balakot. They might have sent

expeditions to areas such as the Khetri region of Rajasthan(for copper) and South India(for gold)

2

marks

10

3

Mention any four items found in the graves of the Harappan.

Ans. Pottery, ornaments, jewellery, shell rings, priest stone, Beads. Copper mirror also found

2

marks

10

4

Give any two features of Harappan Script.

Ans. Not alphabetical as it has too many signs. Written from right to left as wider spacing on the

right and cramping on the left

2

marks

15

5

What are the causes of decline of Harappan Civilisation?

Ans. Change of climate, cutting of forests, excessive floods, the shifting of path or drying up of

rivers , overuse of landscape.

2/4

marks

17

6

Which evidences give us information about Harappan civilisation?

Ans. Remains of cities and towns, Beads, querns, stone blades and pots, burials of bones of

animals, seals and weights.

2

marks

17

7

Give two features of the Harappan settlements.

Ans. Large settlements with large and small buildings, planned network of roads and drainage

system.

2

marks

6

8 Describe the features of weights system of the Harappan Civilisation.

Ans. Made up of stone called Chert , cubical with new markings , binary denomination (1 , 2 , 4 ,

8 , 16 , 32…upto 12800).

2

marks

16

9 “Our knowledge about the Indus Valley Civilisation is poorer than that of the other

Civilisation” Explain it by your arguments?

Ans. YES. Because…….The script of that age has hitherto not been deciphered. The easy method

behind knowledge about other civilization.

2

marks

18

10 What were the confusion in the minds of Cunningham while studying Harran Civilization?

Ans. He used the accounts left by Chinese Buddhist pilgrims who had visited the subcontinent between the 4&7th CE. He thought that Indian history began with the first cities in the Ganga

valley In fact, Cunninghum’s main interest was in the archaeology of the Early Historic (c. sixth

century BCE-fourth century) and the later periods.

2

marks

19

3

11 What were the differences in the techniques adopted by Marshall and Wheeler in studying

Harappan Civilisation?

Ans. Marshall tended to excavate along regular horizontal units, measured uniformly throughout the mound, ignoring the stratigraphy of the site.

This meant that all the artefacts recovered from the same unit were grouped together, even if they were found at different stratigraphic layers. As a result, valuable information about the

context of these finds was irretrievably lost.

R.E.M. Wheeler, rectified this problem. Wheeler recognised that it was necessary to follow the

stratigraphy of the mound rather than dig mechanically along uniform horizontal lines.

2/4

marks

20

12 “Burials is a better source to trace social differences prevalent in the Harappan

Civilization”. Discuss.

Ans. 1. Studying burials is a strategy to find out social differences. 2. At burials in Harappan sites

the dead were generally laid in pits. Sometimes, there were differences in the way the burial pit

was made – in some instances; the hollowed-out spaces were lined with bricks. 3. Some graves

contain pottery and ornaments, perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in the afterlife.

Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women.

2 marks

09

13 Write a note on the Drainage system of the Harappa’s.

Ans. A well planned drainage system. The drains were made of mortar, lime and gypsum. Covered

with big bricks and stones which could be lifted easily to clean the drains. Smaller drains from

houses on both the sides of the streets came and joined a brick laid main channel. Bigger drains

which cleared the rain water were 2 and half feet to 5 feet in circumference. For sewage from the

houses, pits were provided at either side of the street. All this shows that the Indus Valley people took great care to keep their cities neat and clean.

4

marks

06

14 Discuss the functions that may have been performed by rulers in Harappan society.

Ans. Some archaeologists are of the opinion that Harappan society had no rulers and that

everybody enjoyed equal status. Others feel there was no single ruler but several.

There are indications of extraordinary uniformity of Harappan artefacts as evident in pottery seals weights and bricks.

Notably bricks though obviously not produced in any single centre were of a uniform ratio throughout the region, from Jammu to Gujarat.

Under the guidance and supervision of the rulers’ plans and layouts of the city were prepared. Big buildings palaces forts, tanks wells, canals, granaries were constructed.

Roads lanes and drains were also constructed and cleanliness was maintained under the overall supervision of the ruler.

The ruler might have taken interest in economy of the state or city states. He used to inspire the farmer to increase agricultural production.

He used to motivate the craftsmen to promote different handicrafts. Internal as well as external trade was promoted by the ruler.

He used to issue common acceptable coins or seals, weights and measurements.

During the natural calamity such as flood earthquake, epidemic etc. the ruler used to provide grains and other eatables to the affected people.

He used to play active role to defend cities or state from foreign attack.

4

marks

6

15 How can you say that the Harappan culture was an urban one?

Ans. We can say that the Harappan culture was an urban one, due to the following reasons:

The cities were well planned and thickly populated.

The roads were straight and wide.

The houses were made of burnt bricks and contained more than one storey.

Every house had a well and a bathroom.

The drainage system was excellent with house drains emptying into street drains.

The citadel of Harappa had public buildings.

Lothal had a dockyard and was an important trading centre.

After the decline of the Harappan culture, town planning was forgotten and there was absence of city life for about a thousand years.

4

marks

5

4

16 Write a short note on the agriculture technology of Harappans?

Ans. Agriculture was the chief occupation of the Harappans. The prevalence of agriculture is

indicated by finds of grains. But it is more difficult to reconstruct actual agricultural practices.

Archaeologists have found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan. Representations on seals

and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known, and archaeologist extrapolate from this

that oxen were used for ploughing. Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in

Cholistan and at Banawali. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two different crops were grown together.

4

marks

3,4

17 Discuss how archaeologist reconstructs the past.

Ans. 1. Material evidences, allows archaeologists to better reconstruct Harappan life. This material

could be pottery, tools, ornaments, household objects, etc.

2. Recovering artefacts is just the beginning of the archaeological enterprise. Archaeologists

then classify their finds.

3. The second, and more complicated, is in terms of function: archaeologists have to decide

whether, for instance, an artefact is a tool or an ornament, or both, or something meant for ritual

use.

4. An understanding of the function of an artefact is often shaped by its resemblance with

present-day things – beads, querns, stone blades and pots are obvious examples.

5. Archaeologists also try to identify the function of an artefact by investigating the context in which it was found.

6. The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to

reconstruct religious practices.

7. Attempts have also been made to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices by examining

seals, some of which seem to depict ritual scenes. Others, with plant motifs, are thought to indicate

nature worship.

8. Many reconstructions of Harappan religion are made on the assumption that later traditions

provide parallels with earlier ones. This is because archaeologists often move from the known to

the unknown, that is, from the present to the past.

9. Remains of crops, saddle querns or pit are studied to identify food.

10. Archaeologists observe the different layers of site and try to find out different things which give picture of socio-economic conditions, religions and cultural life of the past people.

8

marks

23

18 Numismatics is an important source for the historians to reconstruct the past. Give two

examples.

Ans. 1 Studying coins help to establish dynastic linkages.

2 The discovery of coins in certain areas can be used to reconstruct commercial networks.

3 The kind of metal used in minting throws valuable light on the economy of the particular

Period.

4 The inscriptions on the coins sometimes mention the titles of the Kings and describe their

Military achievements.

5 Any other relevant point.

2

marks

22

19 Historians trace the socio economic and religious beliefs of the Harappans by reconstructing

the past through the relics available: Ans. 1 The discovery of pots and querns in the Harappan sites and their burial sites provide

enormous information.

2 Traces of cotton, combined with the dresses depicted on seals and sculptures, give us an

Idea about the sartorial style of the Harappan people.

3 The female figures on seals indicate towards the phenomenon of worship of mother

Goddess.

4 Plant motifs seem to suggest the practice of nature worship.

5 The discovery of conical stones indicates linga worship and recurrence of a figure

surrounded by animals, points towards the existence of the cult of ‘proto-Shiva’.

6 The study of weights - measures and seals found in Harappan sites gives valuable

information about their economic status

7 Any other relevant points.

4

marks

22

20 Describe briefly how the centres of craft production are identified?

Ans. 1 Identifying raw material like stone, shells and metals etc.

2 Identifying unfinished craft objects like pottery, jewellery, beads, shell objects etc.

4

marks

10

&

map

5

3 Identifying rejected waste materials at the place of production like Chanchudaro Lothal,

Dholavira, Nageshwar and Balakot raw materials and rejected waste materials have been found.

21 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

(How Artefacts Are Identified) Processing of food required grinding equipment as well as vessels for mixing, blending and

cooking. These were made of stone, metal and terracotta. This is an excerpt from one of the

earliest reports on excavations at Mohenjodaro, the best-known Harappan site: Saddle querns

… are found in considerable numbers … and they seem to have been the only means in use

for grinding cereals. As a rule, they were roughly made of hard, gritty, igneous rock or

sandstone and mostly show signs of hard usage. As their bases are usually convex, they must

have been set in the earth or in mud to prevent their rocking. Two main types have been

found: those on which another smaller stone was pushed or rolled to and fro, and others with

which a second stone was used as a pounder, eventually making a large cavity in the nether

stone. Querns of the former type were probably used solely for grain; the second type

possibly only for pounding herbs and spices for making curries. In fact, stones of this latter

type are dubbed “curry stones” by our workmen and our cook asked for the loan of one from

the museum for use in the kitchen.

FROM ERNEST MACKAY, Further Excavations at Mohenjodaro, 1937.

Q1. Which types of querns have been found in Mohanjodaro?

Ans. Saddle querns

Q2. Write any two characteristics of saddle querns?

Ans. They found in considerable numbers. Made up of hard, gritty igneous rocks or

sandstone.

Q3. What are the two kinds of saddle?

Ans. Those on which another smaller stone was pushed or rolled to and fro used for grind

grains and cereals those with which a second stone was used as a pounder used for grind herbs and

spices

7

marks

4

22 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

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.

Q1. The drainage of which places have been found? Ans. Indus valley civilisation

Q2. What was the drawback in the sanitation system? Ans. The debris not always removed when the drains were clear

Q3. Except the drains, enumerate any four characteristics of these houses? Ans. Each house had a courtyard, bathroom and a well , floor made of bricks , few double stored

houses

7

marks

7

23 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Evidence of an “invasion” Deadman Lane is a narrow alley, varying from 3 to 6 feet in width … At the point where the

lane turns westward, part of a skull and the bones of the thorax and upper arm of an adult

were discovered, all in very friable condition, at a depth of 4 ft 2 in. The body lay on its back

diagonally across the lane. Fifteen inches to the west were a few fragments of a tiny skull. It is

to these remains that the lane owes its name.

7

marks

18

6

FROM JOHN MARSHALL, Mohenjodaro and the Indus Civilisation, 1931.

Sixteen skeletons of people with the ornaments that they were wearing when they died were

found from the same part of Mohenjodaro in 1925. Much later, in 1947, R.E.M. Wheeler,

then Director-General of the ASI, tried to correlate this archaeological evidence with that of

the Rigveda, the earliest known text in the subcontinent. He wrote: The Rigveda

mentions pur, meaning rampart, fort or stronghold. Indra, the Aryan war-god is called

puramdara, the fort-destroyer.

Where are – or were – these citadels? It has in the past been supposed that they were mythical

… The recent excavation of Harappa may be thought to have changed the picture. Here we

have a highly evolved civilisation of essentially non- Aryan type, now known to have

employed massive fortifications … What destroyed this firmly settled civilisation? Climatic,

economic or political deterioration may have weakened it, but its ultimate extinction is more

likely to have been completed by deliberate and large-scale destruction. It may be no mere

chance that at a late period of Mohenjodaro men, women, and children, appear to have been

massacred there. On circumstantial evidence, Indra stands accused.

FROM R.E.M. WHEELER, “Harappa 1946”, Ancient India, 1947.

In the 1960s, the evidence of a massacre in Mohenjodaro was questioned by an archaeologist

named George Dales. He demonstrated that the skeletons found at the site did not belong to

the same period: Whereas a couple of them definitely seem to indicate a slaughter, the bulk

of the bones were found in contexts suggesting burials of the sloppiest and most irreverent

nature. There is no destruction level covering the latest period of the city, no sign of extensive

burning, no bodies of warriors clad in armour and surrounded by the weapons of war. The

citadel, the only fortified part of the city, yielded no evidence of a final defence.

FROM G.F. DALES, “The Mythical Massacre at Mohenjodaro”, Expediton, 1964.

As you can see, a careful re-examination of the data can sometimes lead to a reversal of

earlier interpretations.

Q1. On what basis has it been called the dead man’s lane? Ans. Because of:- part of a skull. The bones of the thorax. Upper arm on adult.

Q2. What reasons have been given by R.E.M. Wheeler for the destruction of the

Harappan culture? Ans. The climatic changes or the social and economic deterioration might have weakened

the Harappan civilisation

Q3.Whom did he consider for the large destruction in Mohenjodaro and why? Ans According to Rigveda , Indra was puramdara, that is the fort destroyer

24 Cite examples to show that Harappan culture was an urban one.

Ans. Houses made up of bricks. Contained more than one story. Well planned cities. Excellent

drainage system. Wide roads and streets. Citadels. Cities had huge granaries. Dockyard was an

important trading centre.

4

marks

CHAPTER 2

( KINGS, FARMERS AND TOWNS )

1 Who was James Princep? What his contribution in the development of Indian epigraphy?

Ans. An officer of the East India Company. Decipher the ancient Brahmi and Kharosthi script.

2

marks

29

2 What do you mean by inscriptions? Why are they important?

Ans. Writing engraved on hard surface like stone, metal and pottery Knowledge about the rulers

and their achievements.

Scripts and language of that time. Land grant and economic condition.

Extent of the empire. Social and religious condition of kingdom.

2

marks

29

3 What languages and scripts were found in Ashokan inscriptions?

Ans. In Prakrit language while those in North-West of subcontinent were in Aramaic and Greek

2

marks

32

7

4 Name the new kingdoms that emerged in the Deccan and further South?

Ans. Chiefdoms of the Cholas, Cheras and Pandyas in Tamilakam i.e. present day Tamil Nadu,

Abdra Pradesh and Kerala

2

marks

35

5 Who was Harisena? What is he known for?

Ans. Harisena was a court poet Samundragupta. He is known for composition of Prayag

Prashashti (known as the Allahabad Piller inscription) in Sanskrit in the praise of Samundragupta.

2

marks

36,37

6 Who had written Harishcharita? What is it about? Ans. Banabhatta. Biography of Harshvardhna (the ruler of Kannauj)in Sanskrit

2 marks

40

7 Mention any two ways in which the inscriptions of land grants help us to understand rural

society in ancient times.

Ans. 1 To understand rural society as they provide some insight into the relationship between

cultivator and state. 2 Land grants were a part of strategy adopted by the ruling lineages to extend

agriculture to new areas.

2

marks

40,41

8 Mention any two features of administrative system Mauryans

Ans. 1 Central administration- King had control over legislative, executive, judiciary, army and

finance.

Provincial administration- The Empire was divided in to many provinces.

Local Government- There was a committee of 30 members to maintain rules and regulations in Pataliputra.

King used to run the administration with the help of high officials.

Five major political centres in the empire

Law and order system setup.

Organised army- a committee with six subcommittee for coordinating military activity.

To spread Dhamma , appointment of Dhamma Mahamattra.

Officers were appointed to manage the land revenue, irrigation and roads 17

Institution of spies was very strong and working effectively.

2/4/8

marks

34

9 How did the Maghdha become the most powerful Mahajanpada between 6th

– 4th

BCE?

Ans. 1) Magadha was a region where agriculture was especially productive. 2) Iron mines (in

present-day Jharkhand) were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.3)

Elephants, an important component of the army, were found in forests in the region. Also, The

Ganga and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and convenient communication. 4) The

policies of individuals: ruthlessly ambitious kings of whom Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda are the best known, and their ministers, who helped implement their policies.

2/4

marks

31

10 What is Northern Black Polished Ware?

Ans. A wide range of artefacts have been recovered from. These include fine pottery bowls and

dishes, with a glossy finish, known as Northern Black Polished Ware, probably used by rich

people, and ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, figurines, made of a wide range of materials –

gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell and terracotta.

2

marks

42

11 How do historians reconstruct the lives of the ordinary people?

Ans. Common masses or ordinary people left behind very few written information about lives.

i) Different types of food grains and animal bones have been found ii) remains of houses

and pots inform about daily life iii) certain inscriptions good source of knowing

about economic life of people v) changing agriculture tools and equipment throw some light on changing life v) Merchants guild vi) historians also use famous

folktales.

2/4

marks

12 List out some problems faced by epigraphist.

Ans. 1.Technical limitation. 2. Problem of deciphering. 3. Fundamental problem.

2

marks

48

13 Discuss the evidence of craft production in early historic cities.

Ans. A wide range of artefacts has been recovered from them. These include fine pottery bowls

and dishes, with a glossy finish, known as Northern Black Polished Ware, probably used by rich

2

marks

42

8

people, and ornaments, tools, weapons, vessels, figurines, made of a wide range of materials –

gold, silver, copper, bronze, ivory, glass, shell and terracotta. We find short votive inscriptions in a

number of cities. These mention the name of the donor, and sometimes specify his/ her occupation

as well. They tell us about people who lived in towns: washing folk, weavers, scribes, carpenters,

potters, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, officials, religious teachers, merchants and kings. These guilds

probably procured raw materials, regulated production, and marketed the finished product. It is

likely that craftsperson used a range of iron tools to meet the growing demands of urban elites.

14 What are Megaliths?

Ans. 1 Elaborate stone structures in central and south India in first millennium BCE.

2 These were kept on the burials. Dead were buried with a wide range of iron tools and weapons.

2

marks

28

15 Why six century BCE often consider as a major turning points in Indian history?

Ans. 1 An era associated with early states and cities, growing use of iron, the development of coin.

2 Also witnessed the growth of diverse system of thoughts including Buddhism and Jainism.

2

marks

29

16 Define Dhamma Mahamatta?

Ans. Special officers appointed by Ashoka. Appointed to spread the message of Dhamma.

2

marks

34

17 Write any two sources of Mauryan History

Ans. Arthashastra of Kautilya. Ashoka’s inscriptions.

2

marks

32

18 Who were Kushana? Ans. Kushanas were a clan of nomadic people living in China. ruled over a vast kingdom

extending from Central Asia to North-West India. First to issue gold coins in India.

2 marks

36

19 In which language and script, Ashokan script were written?

Ans. Language- Prakrit, Aramaic and Greek. Script- Prakrit in Brahmi, Greek , Aramaic and

Kharosthi.

2

marks

32

20 Who was a Gahapati?

Ans. Gahapati was the owner, master or head of a household. He was the owner of the resources-

land, animals and other things that belonged to the household.

2

marks

39

21 Discuss factors responsible for the rise of Magadha.

Ans. Powerful rulers- Bimbisara and Ajatasattu. Availability of iron. Fertile soil. Availability

of elephants in forest. Strong capital – Rajgir and Pataliputra

2

marks

31

22 Describe five features of mahajanpadas.

Ans. Maximum Mahajanapadas ruled by kings but some ruled by Ganas or Sanghas. Each had its

own capital often fortified.Permanent army recruited from the peasantry regular bureaucracies.

Dharmasutras laid down norms for kings and other people. Function of king to collect taxes and tributes from people.

2

marks

29

23 Explain main features of Ashoka’s Dhamma.

Ans. Respect to elders, love for young and kindness to servants. Religious tolerance to other

religions. Liberal policies towards Brahmanas, Shramanas.Appointment of Dhamma mahamattas.

4

marks

34

24 To what extant were agricultural practices transformed in the period under consideration.

Ans. Demand for taxes increased in the post 600 BC. Forced the farmers to increased productivity.

This resulted in the use of new tools and practices of agriculture. 1). Use of plough. 2). Use of spade. 3). Artificial irrigation.

4

marks

38

25 Describe the causes for the decline of Mauryan empire.

Ans. 1 Ashoka’s successors were weak and incapable. 2. Internal rivalries. 3. Vastness of the

empire was not within the control of his inefficient successor. 4. The distance from the central

capital encouraged the provincial governors to behave independently. 5. Last ruler Brithadratha

was killed by his army chief Pushyamittra Sunga.

4

marks

40,41

9

26 Analyse the character of “Ashoka the great”.

Ans. Service of humanity. Animals Safety. Public welfare. Ideal administration. Propaganda of

Budhism. Lover of peace. Art works. Ashoka’s dhamma. Religious tolerance.

4

marks

26 Explain how Kharosthi was deciphered?

Ans. The script used in inscriptions in the northwest, is different. Finds of coins of Indo-Greek

kings who ruled over the area (c. second-first centuries BCE) have facilitated matters. These coins

contain the names of kings written in Greek and Kharosthi scripts. European scholars who could read the former compared the letters. For instance, the symbol for “a” could be found in both

scripts for writing names such as Apollodotus. With Prinsep identifying the language of the

Kharosthi inscriptions as Prakrit, it became possible to read longer inscriptions as well.

4

marks

28,29

27 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

What The King’s Officials Did Here is an excerpt from the account of Megasthenes: Of the great officers of state, some …

superintend the rivers, measure the land, as is done in Egypt, and inspect the sluices by which

water is let out from the main canals into their branches, so that every one may have an equal

supply of it. The same persons have charge also of the huntsmen, and are entrusted with the

power of rewarding or punishing them according to their deserts. They collect the taxes, and

Superintend the occupations connected with land; as those of the woodcutters, the carpenters,

the blacksmiths, and the miners.

Q1. Explain the duties of great officers. Ans i) Superintend the rivers, measure the land, as is done in Egypt, and inspect the sluices

by which water is let out from the main canals into their branches,

ii) Charge also of the huntsmen, and are entrusted with the power of rewarding or

punishing them according to their duities. Q2. Which empire is Megasathenese referring to? Ans. The Maurayan empire

Q3. How many committees and sub-committees have been referred to by Megasathenese for

the conduct of military activities?

Ans. Six committees out of which one looked after the Navy. Second managed transport and

supply of material or the fifth and the sixth maintained respectively horses, chariots and the

elephants.

7

marks

34

28 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

In Praise Of Samudragupta This is an excerpt from the Prayaga Prashasti: He was without an antagonist on earth;

he, by the overflowing of the multitude of (his) many good qualities adorned by hundreds of good

actions, has wiped off the fame of other kings with the soles of (his) feet; (he is) Purusha (the

Supreme Being), being the cause of the prosperity of the good and the destruction of the bad (he

is) incomprehensible; (he is) one whose tender heart can be captured only by devotion and

humility; (he is) possessed of compassion; (he is) the giver of many hundred-thousands of cows;

(his) mind has received ceremonial initiation for the uplift of the miserable, the poor, the forlorn

and the suffering; (he is) resplendent and embodied kindness to mankind; (he is) equal to (the

gods) Kubera (the god of wealth), Varuna (the god of the ocean), Indra (the god of rains) and yama

(the god of death)…

Q1. Who wrote the above Prasathi? State the importance Ans. Harisena the court poet of Samudragupta. He was without an antagonist on earth;

he, by the overflowing of the multitude of (his) many good qualities adorned by hundreds of

good actions

Q2. Mention any three qualities of the ruler according to Prasasthi Ans. He is Purusha (the Supreme Being), the cause of the prosperity, incomprehensible; one

whose tender heart can be captured only by devotion and humility; (he is) possessed of compassion; (he is) the giver of many hundred

Q3. What is its original language? Ans. Sanskrit

7

marks

37

29 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows: 7

marks

38

10

The Sudarshana (Beautiful) Lake In Gujarat The Sudarshana lake was an artificial reservoir. We know about it from a rock inscription (c.

second century CE) in Sanskrit, composed to record the achievements of the Shaka ruler Rudradaman. The inscription mentions that the lake, with embankments and water channels, was

built by a local governor during the rule of the Mauryas. However, a terrible storm broke the

embankments and water gushed out of the lake. Rudradaman, who was then ruling in the area,

claimed to have got the lake repaired using his own resources, without imposing any tax on his

subjects. Another inscription on the same rock (c. fifth century) mentions how one of the rulers

of the Gupta dynasty got the lake repaired once again.

Q1. Mention about the irrigation system of the Mauryan Empire Ans The lake, with embankments and water channels, was built by a local governor during the

rule of the Mauryas.

Q2. Explain about the achievements of Rudradaman during the 2nd

century CE

Ans. The Shaka ruler Rudradaman built embankments and water lake

Q3. Mention the values demonstrated by Rudradaman that can be seen from the passage.

Ans. Great love and sympathy his subjects for this he got repaired the lake which was broken by

terrible storm

30 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The Orders Of The King Thus speaks king Devanampiya Piyadassi: In the past, there were no arrangements for disposing

affairs, nor for receiving regular reports. But I have made the following (arrangement).

Pativedakas should report to me about the affairs of the people at all times, anywhere,

whether I am eating, in the inner apartment, in the bedroom, in the cow pen, being carried

(possibly in a palanquin), or in the garden. And I will dispose of the affairs of the people

everywhere.

Q1. Name the ruler. What is meant by the term Pativedakas?

Ans. Ashoka. A reporter

Q2. What does he wants the Pativedakas to do? What is the purpose?

Ans. They report to the king about the affairs of the people at all times and anywhere during

the day and night

Q3. What does this inscription tell us about the nature of kingship of this period?

Ans. The nature of the kingship of this period was the welfare state which cares for the

welfare of the people or the subjects.

7

marks

47

CHAPTER 3

(KINSHIP, CASTE AND CLASS)

1 What do you mean by the term epic?

Ans. Epic means a larger poetic text which narrates the life and achievements of the heroes

or the past of a nation.

2

marks

77

2 Give Two Importance of Manusmriti?

Ans. (i) It gives vital information about law and social practices.

(II) It influences the Hindu way of life even today.

2

marks

58

3 Why the war Mahabharata was fought? What was its result?

Ans. The war of Mahabharata was fought to acquire land and authority. The war was won by

the Pandavas.

2

marks

60

4 What do you mean by term kula and Jati?

Ans. Sanskrit texts use the term kula to designate families and jati for the larger network of kinfolk.

2

marks

55

5 What is endogamy?

Ans. Endogamy refers to marriage within a unit. This could be a kin, group, caste or a group

living in the same locality.

2

marks

57

11

6 What did B.B.Lal note about the houses in the second phase of Mahabharata period

Explain?

Ans. B.B.lal has given a description about the houses in the second phase. He noted that within

the limited area excavated, no definite plans of houses were obtained, but walls of mud and mud

bricks were duly encountered. The discovery of mud plaster with prominent reed marks suggested

that some of the houses had reed walls plastered over with mud.

2

marks

75

7 Explain why paterliny may have been particularly important among elite families? Ans. While patriliny had existed prior to the composition of the epic, the central story of the

Mahabharata reinforced the idea that it was valuable. Under patriliny, sons could claim the

resources (including the throne in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died. Most

ruling dynasties (c. sixth century BCE onwards) claimed to follow this system, although there

were variations in practice: sometimes there were no sons, It describes a feud over land and power

between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, who belonged to a single ruling

family, that of the Kurus, a lineage dominating one of the janapadas (Chapter 2, Map 1).

Ultimately, the conflict ended in a battle, in which the Pandavas emerged victorious. After that,

patrilineal succession was proclaimed.

2 Marks

55,56

8 Discuss whether kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas.

Ans. According to the Shastras, only Kshatriyas could be kings. Their functions were to engage in

warfare, protect people and administer justice. But the kings in early states were invariably Kshatriyas. Several important ruling lineages probably had different origins as mentioned below.

The social background of the Mauryas, who ruled over a large empire, has been hotly debated.

While later Buddhist texts suggested they were Kshatriyas, Brahmanical texts described them as

being of “low” origin. The Shungas and Kanvas, the immediate successors of the Mauryas, were

Brahmanas. In fact, political power was effectively open to anyone who could muster support and

resources, and rarely depended on birth as a Kshatriya. Other rulers, such as the Shakas who came

from Central Asia, were regarded as mlechchhas, barbarians or outsiders by the Brahmanas. It is

also interesting that the best-known ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani,

claimed to be both a unique Brahmana (eka bamhana) and a destroyer of the pride of Kshatriyas.

2

marks

62

9 Why Exogamy was considered desirable for the continuity of patrilineage?

Ans. While sons were important for the continuity of the patrilineage, daughters were viewed rather differently within this framework. They had no claims to the resources of the household. At

the same time, marrying them into families outside the kin was considered desirable. This system,

called exogamy (literally, marrying outside), meant that the lives of young girls and women

belonging to families that claimed high status were often carefully regulated to ensure that they

were married at the “right” time and to the “right” person. This gave rise to the belief that

kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important religious duty of the father.

2+4

marks

57,58

10 Who were regarded as Mlechchhas? Name the best known Mlechchhas king ?

Ans. He was the Shakas who came from Central Asia, were regarded as mlechchhas, barbarians

or outsiders by the Brahmanas. Rudradaman, the best-known Shaka ruler (c. second century CE),

rebuilt Sudarshana lake. They familiar with Sanskritic traditions.

2

marks

62,63

11 Mention the two duties laid down in manusamriti for Chandalas? Ans. Handling of corpses and dead animals. They had to live outside the village, use discarded

utensils, and wear clothes of the dead and ornaments of iron. They could not walk about in villages

and cities at night. They had to dispose of the bodies of those who had no relatives and serve as

executioners.

2 marks

66

12 Name two ideal occupations of Brahmanas according to Dharamashastras

Ans. To study and teach Vedas and perform rituals. Give and receive gifts and give advice to the

rulers and government.

2

marks

61

13 Mention one of the most challenging episodes of Mahabharta.

Ans. The marriage of Draupadi with the Pandvas. It is example of polyandry.

2

marks

68

14 Mention two characteristics of the cities in the Indian sub-continent as described by Ibn

Batuta.

Ans. Densely populated and prosperous. Crowded streets and bright and colourful markets.

2

marks

66

12

15 Mention any two rules about classification of people in terms of gotra under Brahmnical

practice around 1000BCE onwards

Ans. Each gotra was named after a Vedic seer. Women were expected to give up their father’s

Gotra and adopt that of their husband on marriage and members of the same gotra could not

marry.

2

marks

58

16 In what ways was the Buddhist theory of a social contract different from the Brahmanical

view of society derived from the Purusha sukta?

Ans. (I) The Purusha sukta says that four varnas emerged from the Purasha sukta . (II) These varnas where Brahamans, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudras.

(III) The Bramahans enjoyed the supreme position in the society.

(IV) The Kshatriyas where worriers, they ran the administration.

(IV) The Vaishaya were engaged in trade and the Shudras to serve the three Varnas.

(V) Only the birth was the basis of status and respect in the society. The Buddhism did not

accept this concept they believe that the inequality was artificial and temporary also rejected birth

as the basis of social prestige.

4/8

marks

VBQ

17 Explain the relationship between the Varna system and the occupation according to

Brahmanical texts. How did the Brahmanas reinforce these?

Ans. (I) Brahmanas- study and teach the vedas,perform sacrifices.(II) Kshtriyas–study the vedas

, get sacrifice performed and engage in warfare ,protect people and administer justice. (III)

Vaishyas-study the vedas, get sacrifices performed and engaged in agriculture and trade. (IV)

Shudras-assigned only one occupation-that of serving the three higher varnas.

The Bramanas enforced these by: (a) Divine origin. (b) Advising kings to enforce the order.

(c) Caste based on birth.

4/8

marks

61

18 The rules of the Brahmanical texts were not universally followed in ancient time. Justify.

Ans. Brahmanical texts were not universally followed in ancient times: (i) Women were expected

to give up the gotra of the father after marriage. However the women married satvahana rulers

continued to have names derived from others gotra. They did not adopt husband’s gotra. (ii)

According to the shastras only Kshatriyas could become rulers. But there were many ruling

families that claims to be Brahmanas or Vaishyas. (iii) There were population whose practices

were not influenced by Brahmanical ideas such as Nishadas, nomadic pastoralists. (iv) There were

instance of multiple occupations of the same caste such as silk weavers of Mandasor. (v) Instances of chandalas not accepting the life of degradation prescribed in the Shastras. (vi) Generally

marriage took place within the caste. Sometimes marriage took place outside the caste such as

Bhim and Hidimba. (vii) Women were not allowed to share the property of their father. Exceptions

are there such as Prabhavati Gupta.

4/8

marks

58

19 “The Mahabharata is a good source to study the social value of ancient times.” Prove it.?

Ans. Yes, (I) The Mahabharata gives a valuable description of the social values of the period as

essential. It is story between two set of warnings cousins and thus centre around conflict. (II)

Rules regarding Patriliny succession was followed (III) The Mahabharata reinforces the relations

between the caste and the occupation prescription between the caste and the occupation prescribed

in the Dharmashastras through stories. For example, the story of Eklavya. (IV) The Mahabharata

gives a vivid description of the caste system and interrelation of the different caste group. This is evident from the story of Hidimba’s marriage with Bhima. (V) The Mahabharata also provides

evidence to patriarchal society, for example Yudhishtira staking Draupadi, his wife in the game of

dice. (VI) Kanyadan or gift of daughter in marriage was considered an important religious duty of

the father. (VII) Different types of marriges were practiced in the society. (VIII) The Mahabharata

also gives two contrasting social norms in the relationship between the mother and son for

example (a) relationship between the Pandavas and their mother (b) the Kauravas and their

mother. (IX) It provides information about varna and different professions. (X) Elders were

dominating in the family.

4/8

marks

65

20 Discuss whether the Mahabharata could have been the work of single auther.

Ans. Generally families were patriliny. But exception was also there. Some of the Satavahana

rulers were polygynous (that is, had more than one wife). An examination of the names of women

who married Satavahana rulers indicates that many of them had names derived from gotras such

as Gotama and Vasistha, their father’s gotras. They evidently retained these names instead of adopting names derived from their husband’s gotra name as they were required to do according to

4/8

marks

60,67

13

the Brahmanical rules. What is also apparent is that some of these women belonged to the same

gotra. As is obvious, this ran counter to the ideal of exogamy recommended in the Brahmanical

texts. In fact, it exemplified an alternative practice, that of endogamy or marriage within the kin

group, which was (and is) prevalent amongst several communities in south India. Such marriages

amongst kinfolk (such as cousins) ensured a close-knit community. we have seen that Satavahana

rulers were identified through metronymics (names derived from that of the mother). Although

this may suggest that mothers were important, we need to be cautious before we arrive at any conclusion. In the case of the Satavahanas we know that succession to the throne was generally

patrilineal. However, women were allowed to retain the gifts they received on the occasion of their

marriage as stridhana (literally, a woman’s wealth). This could be inherited by their children,

without the husband having any claim on it. At the same time, the Manusmriti warned women

against hoarding family property, or even their own valuables, without the husband’s permission.

Women such as the Vakataka queen Prabhavati Gupta was a rich woman. However, cumulative

evidence – both epigraphic and textual – suggests that while upper-class women may have had

access to resources, land, cattle and money were generally controlled by men. In other words,

social differences between men and women were sharpened because of the differences in access

to resources.

21 “The Mahabharata is a story of changing relationship “ Discuss.

Ans. The Mahabharata is a story of changing relationship .It describes a feud over land and power between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, who belonged to Kuru clan the

ruler of the Kurus region. Ultimately, the conflict resulted ended in a battle, in which the Pandavas

emerged victorious and many innocent were killed. After that, patrilineal succession was

proclaimed. While patriliny had existed prior to the composition of the epic, the central story of

the Mahabharata reinforced the idea that it was valuable. Under patriliny, sons could claim the

resources (including the throne in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died. Most

ruling dynasties (c. sixth century BCE onwards) claimed to follow this system, although there

were variations in practice: sometimes there were no sons.

4/8

marks

55

22 Elaborate with example from the Mahabharata as to how it reflects the norms of family and

kinship of the ancient times.

Ans. Mahabharata reflects the norms of family and kinship of the ancient times by :- i) Patrilineal social structure. ii) Exogomy was practiced. iii) Highlights the patriarchal

control over property iv) polyandry may have been prevalent amongst ruling elites.

4

marks

77

23 Who composed the original oral story of Mahabharata? Describe the various stages through

which it composed between 5BCE-400CE?

Ans. It was composed by Bhatt-Sarthis Charioteer-bards popularly called as Sutas. Brahmans

began to write its story from 5th century BCE. Chiefdoms as the Kurus and Panchalas, around

whom the story of the epic revolves, were gradually becoming kingdoms. Between c. 200 BCE

and 200 CE Vishnu was growing in importance.

4

marks

74,75

24 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

A Tiger-Like Husband This is a summary of a story from the Adi Parvan of the Mahabharata: The Pandavas had

fled into the forest. They were tired and fell asleep; only Bhima, the second Pandava, renowned

for his prowess, was keeping watch. A man-eating rakshasa caught the scent of the Pandavas

and sent his sister Hidimba to capture them. She fell in love with Bhima, transformed herself into a

lovely maiden and proposed to him. He refused. Meanwhile, the rakshasa arrived and

challenged Bhima to a wrestling match. Bhima accepted the challenge and killed him. The others

woke up hearing the noise. Hidimba introduced herself, and declared her love for Bhima. She told

Kunti: “I have forsaken my friends, my dharma and my kin; and good lady, chosen your tiger-

like son for my man … whether you think me a fool, or your devoted servant, let me join you,

great lady, with your son as my husband.” Ultimately, Yudhisthira agreed to the marriage on

condition that they would spend the day together but that Bhima would return every night. The

couple roamed all over the world during the day. In due course Hidimba gave birth to a

rakshasa boy named Ghatotkacha. Then the mother and son left the Pandavas. Ghatotkacha

promised to return to the Pandavas whenever they needed him. Some historians suggest that the

term rakshasa is used to describe people whose practices differed from those laid down in

7

marks

65

14

Brahmanical texts.

Q1.Who was Hidimba?Why was she sent to pandava and what did she do? Explain.

Ans. Sister of man eating Rakshasha. He got the scent of the Pandavas and sent his sister

Hidimba to capture them. She fell in love with Bhima and proposed.

Q2.How did Hidimba plead with Kunti for her love? Ans. Hidimba introduced and declared her love for Bhima. She told Kunti: “I have forsaken

my friends, my dharma and my kin; and good lady, chosen your tiger-like son for my man …

Q3.Why were Pandavas sent to the forests?

Ans. Duryodhana sent pandava to the forest. He conspired to kill them.

25 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows

Draupadi’s Marriage Drupada the king of Panchal orginsed a competition where the challenges was to string a bow and hit a target : the winner would be chosen to marry his daughter Draupadi. Arjuna was victorious

and was garlanded by Draupadi. The Pandavas returned with her to their mother Kunti, who, even

before she saw them asked them to share whatever they had got .she realized her mistake when she

saw Draupadi, but her command could not be violated. After much deliberation, Yudhisthira

decided that Drupadi would be their common wife. When Drupda was told about this, he rotested.

However, the seer Vyasa arrived and told him that the Pandavas were in reality incarnations of

Indra, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi and they were thus destined for each other. Vyasa

added that in another instance a young woman had prayed to shiva for a husband, and in her

enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead of once. This woman was know reborned as Draupadi

and Shiva had fulfilled her desire Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to the marriage.

Q1.What was the competition organized by the Panchala king Drupada for the marriage

of his daughter? Ans. Drupada organized a competition where the challenge was to string a bow and hit a target.

Q2.What two explanations were given by Vyasa to convince king Drupada for Draupadi

being the common wife of the Pandvas?

Ans. Vyasa told that Pandvas were in reality incarnations of Indra. He also told that a women

was blessed by Lord Shiva to have five husband was now reborn as Draupadi.

Q3.What form of the marriage was Draupadi’s marriage to the pandvas? Give two views of

historians about the form of marriage.

Ans. It was an example of polyandry. Some historians believes that such kind of marriage were

perhaps prevalent in some section of societies. Some historians believe that such tradition was

present in the Himalayan region

7

marks

76

26 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Eight Forms Of Marriage Here are the first, fourth, fifth and sixth forms of marriage from the Manusmriti: First: The

gift of a daughter, after dressing her in costly clothes and honouring her with presents of jewels, to

a man learned in the Veda whom the father himself invites. Fourth: The gift of a daughter by the father after he has addressed the couple with the text, “May both of you perform your duties

together”, and has shown honour to the bridegroom. Fifth: When the bridegroom receives a

maiden, after having given as much wealth as he can afford to the kinsmen and to the bride herself,

according to his own will. Sixth: The voluntary union of a maiden and her lover … which springs

from desire … For each of the forms, discuss whether the decision about the marriage was taken

by (a) the bride,

(b) the bridegroom,

(c) the father of the bride,

(d) the father of the bridegroom,

(e) any other person

Q1. When was manusamriti compiled? Ans. Between 200BCE-200CE

Q2. What did the passage narrate about?

Ans. Norms about Marriages made by Brahmanas

Q3. How many of eight forms of marriages were considered good or condemned?

Ans. The first four marriages were considered good while later four were condemned because

these were practiced by those who did not have faith in Brahmnical norms.

7

marks

58

27 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows: 7 69

15

How could men and women acquire wealth? For men, the Manusmriti declares, there are seven means of acquiring wealth: inheritance,

finding, purchase, conquest, investment, work, and acceptance of gifts from good people. For women, there are six means of acquiring wealth: what was given in front of the fire (marriage) or

the bridal procession, or as a token of affection, and what she got from her brother, mother or

father. She could also acquire wealth through any subsequent gift and whatever her “affectionate”

husband might give her.

Q1. How men could acquire wealth according to Manusamriti?

Ans. Inheritance, finding, purchase, conquest, investment, work, and acceptance of gifts from

good people.

Q2. How women could acquire wealth according to Manusamriti?

Ans. Six means :- what was given in front of the fire (marriage) or the bridal procession, or as

a token of affection, and what she got from her brother, mother or father. also acquire wealth

through any subsequent gift and whatever her “affectionate” husband might give her.

Q3. Explain the result of having different ways of acquiring wealth by men and women Ans. Social differences between them were sharpened.

marks

28 VALUE BASED QUESTION

Can we identify points when kinship relations changed? At one level, the Mahabharata is a story

about this. It describes a feud over land and power between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas

and the Pandavas, who belonged to a single ruling family, that of the Kurus, a lineage dominating

one of the janapadas (Chapter 2, Map 1). Ultimately, the conflict ended in a battle, in which the Pandavas emerged victorious. After that, patrilineal succession was proclaimed. While patriliny

had existed prior to the composition of the epic, the central story of the Mahabharata reinforced

the idea that it was valuable. Under patriliny, sons could claim the resources (including the throne

in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died.

Q.1. In your opinion which values of life were violated in the Mahabharata?

Ans. No respect to women like Draupadi. Used unfear means in dice game. Patriliny was not

followed after Pandu. Seven warrior attacked Abhimanyu which is against rule.

4

marks

55

29 VALUE BASED QUESTION

While sons were important for the continuity of the patrilineage, daughters were viewed rather

differently within this framework. They had no claims to the resources of the household. At the

same time, marrying them into families outside the kin was considered desirable. This system,

called exogamy (literally, marrying outside), meant that the lives of young girls and women

belonging to families that claimed high status were often carefully regulated to ensure that they

were married at the “right” time and to the “right” person. This gave rise to the belief that

kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important religious duty of the father.

Q.1. Do you agree that denying the claim to the resources of the household to daughters was

against the value of equality amongst sons and daughters?

Ans. YES. Should be treated alike. Marrying them into families outside the kin was too against.

4

marks

56

CHAPTER 4

(THINKERS, BELIEFSAND BUILDINGS)

1 Mention four places associated with the life of the Buddha. Ans.i) Lumbini (birthplace of the Buddha) ii) Kapilvastu ( the Buddha was brought up here)

ii) Bodh Gaya ( the Buddha attained enlightenment here) 4. Sarnath- (the Buddha delivered

his first religious discourse here).

2 marks

96

2 What do you mean by Tri –ratna?

Ans- According to Jainism, Moksha or salvation can be attained by observing Tri- Ratna or three

jewels. These are- Right knowledge, Right faith, Right action.

2

marks

88,89

3 Into how many categories the religious sects that originated during the 6th century B.C.

Can be divided?

2

marks

85

16

Ans- The religious sects of the 6th century. B.C. can be divided into two categories:

1. The faiths which were openly against Vedic religion. 2. The faiths which did not oppose

Vedic religion openly but propagated new principles venerating one or the other old

divinity.

4 What do you mean by “Dharma Chakra Pravartana”?

Ans- Dharma Chakra Pravartana means ‘sitting in motion the wheel of Dharma’.The first religious

discourse or sermon delivered by Mahatma Buddha after attaining enlightenment at Mrig dav or Deer Park of Sarnath near Varanasi, is known as ‘ Maha chakra Pravartana’.

2

marks

100

5 Mention the various incarnations of Vishnu according to Vaishnavism.

Ans. According to Vaishnavism there are ten incarnations of Vishnu. These are: Matsya , Kurma,

Varsha, Narsimha, Vamana, Parsurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki.

2

marks

104

6 Mention the teachings of Mahatma Buddha?

Ans - According to Buddhist philosophy the world is transient ( anicca) and constantly changing it

is also soulless (anatta) as there is nothing permanent or eternal in it. Within this transient world,

sorrow is intrinsic to human existence. It is by following the path of moderation between severe

penance and self indulgence that human beings can rise above these worldly troubles. The Buddha

regarded the social world as the creation of humans rather than of divine origin. According to

Buddhist tradition, his last words to his followers were: “Be lamps unto yourselves as all of you must work out your own liberation”.

2/4

marks

91

7 What was the Budha Sangha? Discuss its characteristics.

Ans. 1. Budha founded organization of monks called “Sangha”.

2. These monks served as teachers of “Dhamma”. They believed a simple life.

3. They possessed only the essential things which were required for their survival.

4. Earlier only men were allowed to joined the ‘Sangha’, later on the women were allowed

for admission to the Sangha.

5. All the members were regarded as equal in the Sangha.

2/4

marks

92

8 How Buddhist text were prepared and preserved?

Ans. The Buddha used to give teachings through debate and discussion. Men, Women and

children attended these discussions and discussed what they heard. None of his teachings were

written down during his life time. After his death, his followers called a council of elders at

Vaishali. This council compiled all of his teachings. These complications were known as Tripitaka

which literally means the tree baskets to hold different types of text. Firstly they were transmitted orally and then written and classified according to their subject matter and length. When

Bhuddism spread to new lands like Srilanka, other texts like Mahavamsa and Dipavamsa were

written. Many Pilgrims like FaXian and Xuan Zang carried Buddhist texts with them to

disseminate the teachings of Buddha.

4

marks

86

9 Discuss how and why Stupas were built?

Ans. 1. Inscription found on the railings and pillars of stupas record donations made for building

and decorating them.

2. Some donations were made by kings such as the Satavahanas; others were made by guilds,

3. Such as that of the ivory workers who financed part of one of the gateways at Sanchi.

4. Hundreds of donations were made by women and men who mention their names.

5. Sometimes adding the name of the place from where they came, as well as their

occupations and names of their relatives. 6. Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis also contributed towards building these monuments.

Stupas were built for many reasons -

1. There were other places too that were regarded as sacred. This was because relics of the

Buddha such as his bodily remains or object used by him were buried there. These were mounds

known as stupas.

2. The tradition of erecting stupas may have been pre- Buddhist, but they came to be

associated with Buddhism.

3. Since they contained relics regarded as sacred, the entire stupa came to be venerated as

an emblem of both the Buddha and Buddhism.

4. By the second century, a number of stupas, including those at Bharhut , Sanchi and Sarnath

had been built.

4/8

marks

96

10 How was Budha’s presence shown through symbols?

Ans. The empty seat (Fig. 4.14) was meant to indicate the meditation of the Buddha. The stupa

2

marks

100

17

(Fig. 4.15) was meant to represent the mahaparinibbana. Another frequently used symbol was the

wheel (Fig. 4.16). This stood for the first sermon of the Buddha, delivered at Sarnath. As is

obvious, such sculptures cannot be understood literally – for instance, the tree does not stand

simply for a tree, but symbolises an event in the life of the Buddha.

11 What did Mahavira do to attain enlightenment?

Ans. Left home at the age of 30 and spent 12 years in forests and led a hard life.

2

marks

89

12 Write two similarities between Buddhism and Jainism. Ans. Both religions were initiated by princes. Common aim i.e. to attain nirvana and salvation.

2 marks

89

13 Why is the mid-first millennium BCE often regarded as a turning point in the world history?

Ans. Because it saw the emergence of thinkers such as Zarathustra in Iran, Kong Zi in China,

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in Greece, and Mahavira and Gautama Buddha, among many others,

in India. They tried to understand the mysteries of existence and the relationship between human

beings and the cosmic order. New kingdoms and cities were developing and social and economic

life was changing in a variety of ways in the Ganga valley .

2

marks

84

14 Summarise the central teachings of Jainism.

Ans.i)The entire world is animated: even stones, rocks and water have life. ii) Non-injury to living

beings, especially to humans, animals, plants and insects, is central to Jaina philosophy. iii) The

principle of ahimsa, emphasised within Jainism, has left its mark on Indian thinking as a whole. iv) the cycle of birth and rebirth is shaped through karma. v) Asceticism and penance are required to

free oneself from the cycle of karma. vi) Monastic existence is a necessary condition of salvation.

vii)Jaina monks and nuns took five vows: to abstain from killing, stealing and lying; to observe

celibacy; and to abstain from possessing property.

2

marks

89

15 Discuss the role of the Begums of Bhopal in preserving the Stupas at Sanchi.

Ans. The French sought Shahjahan Begum’s permission to take away the eastern gateway for a

museum in France. Englishmen also wanted to do the same. The rulers of Bhopal, Shahjahan

Begum and her successor Sultan Jahan Begum, provided money for the preservation of the ancient

site. She funded the museum that was built there as well as the guesthouse where John Marshal

lived and wrote the volumes. She also funded the publication of the volumes.

4

marks

83

16 Why do you think women and men joined the sangha? Ans. only men were allowed into the sangha, but later women also came to be admitted.

According to Buddhist texts, this was made possible through the mediation of Ananda, one of the

Buddha’s dearest disciples, who persuaded him to allow women into the sangha. The Buddha’s

foster mother, Mahapajapati Gotami was the first woman to be ordained as a bhikkhuni. Many

women who entered the sangha became teachers of dhamma and went on to become theris, or

respected women who had attained liberation. The Buddha’s followers came from many social

groups. They included kings, wealthy men and gahapatis, and also humbler folk: workers, slaves

and craftspeople. Once within the sangha, all were regarded as equal, having shed their earlier

social identities on becoming bhikkhus and bhikkhunis. The internal functioning of the sangha

was based on the traditions of ganas and sanghas, where consensus was arrived at through

discussions. If that failed, decisions were taken by a vote on the subject.

2 marks

92

17 How Buddhist texts were prepared and preserved?

Ans. i)The Buddha taught orally through discussion and debate. ii) Men and women (perhaps

children as well) attended these discourses and discussed what they heard.iii) After his death (c.

fifth-fourth century BCE) his teachings were compiled by his disciples at a council of “elders” or

senior monks at Vesali (Pali for Vaishali in present-day Bihar). Iv) These compilations were

known as Tipitaka. v)They were first transmitted orally and then written and classified

according to length as well as subject matter. vi)The Vinaya Pitaka included rules and

regulations for those who joined the sangha or monastic order; vii) the Buddha’s teachings were

included in the Sutta Pitaka; and viii )the Abhidhamma Pitaka dealt with philosophical

matters. Each pitaka comprised a number of individual texts. ix)Later, commentaries were

written on these texts by Buddhist scholars. As Buddhism travelled to new regions such as Sri

8

marks

86

18

Lanka, other texts such as the Dipavamsa (literally, the chronicle of the island) and

Mahavamsa (the great chronicle) were written, containing regional histories of Buddhism.

18 What are the main causes for the rapid growth of Buddhism?

Ans. i) Dissatisfaction with existing religious practices.

iii) Give importance on conduct and values

iv) The emphasis placed on metta (fellow feeling) and karuna (compassion).

v) People were confused by rapid social changes vi) The internal functioning of the sangha was based on the traditions of ganas & sanghas

Where consensus was arrived at through discussions. If that failed, decisions were

taken by a vote on the subject.

Any other relevant point.

8

Marks

92

19 Describe the main features of early temple. How the chief sculpture of Kailashnatha temple

at Ellora did expressed his amazement after its completion?

Ans. i) The early temple was a small square room, called the garbhagriha, with a single doorway

for the worshipper to enter and offer worship to the image. ii) Gradually, a tall structure, known as

the shikhara, was built over the central shrine. iii) Temple walls were often decorated with

sculpture. iv) Later temples became far more elaborate – with assembly halls, huge walls and

gateways, and arrangements for supplying water. v) One of the unique features of early temples

was that some of these were hollowed out of huge rocks, as artificial caves.vi) The tradition of building artificial caves was an old one. vii) Some of the earliest (Fig. 4.27) of these were

constructed in the third century BCE on the orders of Asoka for renounces who belonged to the

Ajivika sect. This tradition evolved through various stages and culminated much later – in the

eighth century – in the carving out of an entire temple, that of Kailashnatha (a name of Shiva). A

copperplate inscription records the amazement of the chief sculptor after he completed the temple

at Ellora: “Oh how did I make it!”.

4

marks

106,107

20 Value Based Question

How teachings of Buddha have been reconstructed?

Ans. From stories, found mainly in the Sutta Pitaka however never tried to convince people

through displays of supernatural power but reason and persuasion.

4

marks

21 Value Based Question What were the main issues that were topics of debates and discussions? Ans. the issues of rebirth, sacrificial tradition and a single ultimate authority were debated and

discussed by people and various teachers who have travelled from place to place.

4

marks

85

22 Value Based Question What is the value of teachings of Buddha in modern times?

Ans. very valuable. They are running after money and want to earn it by hook or by crook. Life

has become full of worldly troubles. Violent incidents take place everywhere. No one suffers for others. Buddha’s teachings can get rid of sufferings by following a path of modernisation. That’s

why Buddha told the followers to be humane and ethical.

4

marks

23 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Why were stupa’s built? “This is an excerpt from the Mahaparinibbana Sutta, part of the Sutta Pitaka: As the Buddha

lay dying, Ananda asked him: “What are we to do Lord, with remains of the Tathagata (another

name for the Buddha)?” The Buddha replied : “Hinder not yourselves Ananda by honouring the

remains of the Tathagata. Be zealous, be intent on your own good.” But when pressed further, the

Buddha said: “At the four crossroads they should erect a thupa (Pali for stupa) to the Tathagata. And whosever shall there place garlands or perfume …. Or make a salutation there, or become in

its presence calm of heart, that shall long be to them for a profit and joy.”

Q1.What are the Stupas ? Who advised the Ananda to build the Stupa?

Ans. The Stupas were the sacred places. They preserved the relics of the Buddha such as his

7

marks

96

19

bodily remains or the objects used by him. All these things were buried in the stupas.

Q2.From which chapter has this excerpt been taken? It is a part of which book? Ans. From the “ Mahaparinibbhana Sutta.” It was a part of the “Sutta Pitaka.”

Q3.Who was the Tathagata? What had he told about the importance of the stupa? Ans. Tathagata was another name for the Buddha. He told Ananda that the honour to his

worldly remains was not important. He laid stress on the importance of one’s good deeds. The

stupas should be erected on the holy places. If anybody placed garlands or perfume or saluted them, he will not only get the peace of mind but also profit and joy.

Q4.Name any three places where the Stupas have been built. Ans. The stpas were built at many places. The most important stupas existed at Bharhut,

Sanchi and Sarnath.

24 Define Hagiography, Chaitya, situ, Hinayana or Theraveda, 2

marks

89,95,

99,103

CHAPTER 5

THROUGH THE EYES OF TRAVELLERS

1 Name any two travellers who came India during the medieval period (11th to 17th C)?

Ans. 1. Al Biruni (11th Century) from Uzbekistan . 2. Ibn-Battuta (14th Century ) from North western Africa, Morocco. 3. Francois Bernier (17th Century) from France. passages from the

vedas the Purana, the Bhagavad Gita the works of Patanjali the Manusmriti etc., to provide an

understanding of Indian society.

2

marks

116

2 What was the Al-Biruni’s objective to came India?

Ans. (1) To help those who want to discuss religious questions with them.

(2) As a repertory of information to those who want to associate with them.

2

marks

116

3 Do you think Al-Biruni depended only on Sanskrit texts for his information and

understanding of Indian society?

Ans. Yes, Al-Biruni depended almost exclusively on the work of Brahmanas, often citing passages

from the Vedas the Purana, the Bhagavad Gita the works of Patanjali the Manusmriti etc., to

provide an understanding of Indian society.

2

marks

116

4 Name the Plants found in India which amazed Ibn-Battuta.

Ans. Coconut – He wrote that the nuts of coconut resemble a man’s head. He wrote about Paan

that the betel has no fruit and is grown only for the sake of his leaves...

2

marks

126

5 What was the more complex social reality which Bernier’s notice in the Mughal Empire?

Ans. (i) He felt that artisans had not incentive to improve the quality of their manufacturers

because profits were appropriated by the state. Thus production was on the verge of decline.

(ii) At the same time, he conceded that vast quantities of the world’s precious metals (gold &

silver) flowed into India in exporting manufactures.

2

marks

133

6 Write any two features described by Al-Bruni about caste system.

Ans. Four social categories were recognised. Brahamanas occupied the highest rank in the society.

2/8

marks

124

7 What steps were taken by the state to encourage merchants?

Ans. i) The efficiency of the postal system. ii) All trade routes were well supplied with inns and

guest houses.

2

marks

129

8 What were the “barriers” discussed by Al-Biruni that obstructed him understanding India?

Ans. 1. Problems of Language 2. Difference of religion beliefs and practices

3. Self-absorption and insularity of the local population

4

marks

124

9 According to Bernier, What were the evils-effects of the crown ownership of land?

Ans. (1) Absence of ownership of land, landholders could not pass on their land to their children. .

(2) It prevented the emergence of the “improving” landlords.

4

marks

131

20

(3) It led to the ruination of agriculture.

(4) It brought a continuous decline in the living standard of all sections of society.

(5) It led to the excessive oppression of the peasantry.

10 What did Bernier write about the Sati system?

Ans. (i) A cruel practice in which the widow was made to sit on the pyre of her husband alive.

(ii) She was forced to be sati. (iii) The people had no sympathy even for the child widows.

(iv) The cries of the women going to be a sati did not move anyone. (v) The Brahmans and the elderly women of the house participated in this practice.

4

marks

135,136

11 Who wrote ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’?Throw light in its main features?

Ans. The book ‘Kitab-ul-Hind’ was written by Al-Biruni. Its main features are –

1). It is written in Arabic. 2). Its language is simple and lucid. 3). It is written on the subject

such as regional, philosophy, astronomy, social life, laws etc. 4). It is divided into 80 chapters. 5).

Each chapter begins with a question and then description have given based in sanskritic traditions.

4

marks

116

12 Analyze the evidence for slavery provided Ibn-Battuta.

Ans. According to Ibn-Battuta –

1. Slaves like any other commodity, were openly sold in the markets. 2. They were also

regularly exchanged as gifts. 3. When Ibn-Battuta reached Sindh, he purchased horses,

camels and slaves. He wanted to offer them as gifts to sultan Muhammad Bin Tuglaq. 4. When he reached to Multan, he presented salves and horses with almonds and raisins to

the Governor of Multan. 5. Ibna-batuta says that Muhammad bin Tughlaq was so happy

with the sermon of a preacher named Nasiruddin that he gave him”ahundred thousand

tankas and two hundred slaves. 6. The sultan employed female slaves in his service and

also to keep a watch on his nobles. 7. The slaves were also engaged for domestic work.

But they were given low wages. 8. Ibn-Battuta found their services particularly

indispensable for carrying women and men on palanquins or dola. 9. It appears from Ibn-

Battuta’s account that there were considerable differentiations among slaves. 10. Some

female slaves in the service of the sultan were experts in music and dance.

8

marks

135

13 “Ibn Battuta was full of excitement to know about the unfamiliar” Give reasons.

Ans. By the time Ibn Battuta arrived in Delhi in the fourteenth century, the subcontinent was part

of a global network of communication that stretched from China in the east to north-west Africa and Europe in the west. As we have seen, Ibn Battuta himself travelled extensively through these

lands, visiting sacred shrines, spending time with learned men and rulers, often officiating as qazi,

and enjoying the cosmopolitan culture of urban centres where people who spoke Arabic, Persian,

Turkish and other languages, shared ideas, information and anecdotes These included stories about

men noted for their piety, kings who could be both cruel and generous, and about the lives of

ordinary men and women; anything that was unfamiliar was particularly highlighted in order to

ensure that the listener or the reader was suitably impressed by accounts of distant yet accessible

worlds. The best examples of Ibn Battuta’s strategies of representation are evident in the ways in

which he described the coconut and the paan, two kinds of plant produce that were completely

unfamiliar to his audience.

8

marks

126

14 Discuss the picture of urban centres that emerge s from the Bernier’s account Ans. During the seventeenth century about 15 per cent of the population lived in towns. This was,

on average, higher than the proportion of urban population in Western Europe in the same period.

In spite of this Bernier described Mughal cities as “camp towns”, by which he meant towns that

owed their existence, and depended for their survival, on the imperial camp. He believed that these

came into existence when the imperial court moved in and rapidly declined when it moved out. He

suggested that they did not have viable social and economic foundations but were dependent on

imperial patronage. As in the case of the question of landownership, Bernier was drawing an

oversimplified picture. There were all kinds of towns: manufacturing towns, trading towns, port-

towns, sacred centres, pilgrimage towns, etc. Their existence is an index of the prosperity of

merchant communities and professional classes. Merchants often had strong community or kin

ties, and were organised into their own caste-cum-occupational bodies. In western India these

groups were called mahajans, and their chief, the sheth. In urban centres such as Ahmedabad the mahajans were collectively represented by the chief of the merchant community who was called

the nagarsheth. Other urban groups included professional classes such as physicians (hakim or

8 marks

134

21

vaid), teachers (pundit or mulla), lawyers (wakil ), painters, architects, musicians, calligraphers

etc.

15 Give information about the three European travellers who had come to India in the 16th

and

17th

century.

Ans. See extra graph in Question 25…‘Comparative study of the three Travellers of the

Medival Period’

4

marks

122

16 Name the book written by Ibn Batuta. What was the observation about female slaves in the

sub continent?

Ans. Rihla. Expert in music and dance. Some employed by sultan to keep watch on nobles.

2+4

marks

118,135

17 According to Beriner, Crown ownership of land had disastrous consequences for the state

and society’’ Justify the statement.

Ans. He was a firm believer in the virtues of private property, and saw crown ownership of land as

being harmful for both the state and its people. He thought that in the Mughal Empire the emperor

owned all the land and distributed it among his nobles, and that this had disastrous consequences

for the economy and society. ii) Landholders could not pass on their land to their children. So they

were averse to any long-term investment in the sustenance and expansion of production. iii) The

absence of private property in land had, therefore, prevented the emergence of the class of

“improving” landlords (as in Western Europe) with a concern to maintain or improve the land. It

had led to the uniform ruination of agriculture, excessive oppression of the peasantry and a

continuous decline in the living standards of all sections of society, except the ruling aristocracy.

iv) Bernier saw the Mughal Empire – its king was the king of “beggars and barbarians”; its cities

and towns were ruined and contaminated with “ill air”; and its fields, “overspread with bushes” and full of “pestilential marshes”. And, all this was because of one reason: crown ownership of

land.

8 marks

130,131, 132

18 Explain the views of Beriner about a more complex social reality of the Mughal Empire.

Ans. Artisans had no incentives to improve the quality of manufacturer so they declined. At the

same time he conceded that vast quantity world precious metal flowed into India in exchange of

gold and silver. Merchants organised their own caste-cum-occupational bodies.

2

marks

133

19 What, according to Bernier, were the problems faced by peasants in the subcontinent? Do

you think his description would have served to strengthen his case?

Ans. i) lands little more than sand. ii) Barren mountains iii) Badly cultivated iv) Thinly populated

v) shortage of labourers vi) bad treatment by governors vii) more demand of the rapacious lords. No, because his description does not seen to be correct. He constantly compared Mughals India

with contemporary Europe

4

marks

131

20 “The conception of social pollution intrinsic to the caste system was contrary to the law of

nature” Examine Al-Biruni;s statement on Indian caste system.

Ans. Al-Biruni tried to explain the caste system by looking for parallels in other societies. He

noted that in ancient Persia, four social categories were recognised: those of knights and princes;

monks, fire-priests and lawyers; physicians, astronomers and other scientists; and finally, peasants

and artisans. In other words, he attempted to suggest that social divisions were not unique to India.

At the same time he pointed out that within Islam all men were considered equal, differing only in

their observance of piety. In spite of his acceptance of the Brahmanical description of the caste

system, Al-Biruni disapproved of the notion of pollution. He remarked that everything which falls into a state of impurity strives and succeeds in regaining its original condition of purity. The sun

cleanses the air, and the salt in the sea prevents the water from becoming polluted. If it were not

so, insisted Al-Biruni, life on earth would have been impossible. The conception of social

Pollution, intrinsic to the caste system, was according to him, contrary to the laws of nature.

4/8

marks

124,125

21 Value Based Question I ) Explain the unique system of communication in India which amazed Ibn Batuta with

special reference to the postal system?

Ans. It was of two kinds:- Uluq and Dawa

II) How far this postal system is relevant in contemporary India?

4

marks

129

22

Ans. Quite relevant. It is the symbol of all round and holistic progress.

22 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The Poor Peasants An excerpt from Bernier’s description of the peasantry in the countryside: Of the vast tracts of

country constituting the empire of Hindustan, many are little more than sand, or barren mountains,

badly cultivated, and thinly populated. Even a considerable portion of the good land remains

untilled for want of labourers; many of whom perish in consequence of the bad treatment they

experience from Governors. The poor people, when they become incapable of discharging the

demands of their rapacious lords, are not only often deprived of the means of subsistence, but are

also made to lose their children, who are carried away as slaves. Thus, it happens that the

peasantry, driven to despair by so excessive a tyranny, abandon the country. In this instance,

Bernier was participating in contemporary debates in Europe concerning the nature of state and society, and intended that his description of Mughal India would serve as a warning to those who

did not recognise the “merits” of private property.

Q1. What were the problems about cultivating land according to Beriner?

Ans. i) lands little more than sand. ii) Barren mountains iii) Badly cultivated iv) Thinly

populated v) shortage of labourers vi) bad treatment by governors vii) more demand of the

rapacious lords

Q2. Why did the peasantry abandon the land?

Ans. Due to excessive tyranny and bad treatment meted from the governors.

Q3. Explain the reasons given by Beriner for the exploitation of the peasants?

Ans. They were deprived of the means of subsistence and were also made to lose their children

who were carried away as slaves.

7

marks

131

23 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The Child Sati This is perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier: At Lahore I saw a most beautiful

young widow sacrificed, who could not, I think, have been more than twelve years of age. The

poor little creature appeared more dead than alive when she approached the dreadful pit: the agony

of her mind cannot be described; she trembled and wept bitterly; but three or four of the Brahmanas, assisted by an old woman who held her under the arm, forced the unwilling victim

toward the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands and feet, lest she should run away,

and in that situation the innocent creature was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my

feelings and to prevent their bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage …

Q1. Describe what Beriner saw at Lahore?

Ans. young widow sacrificed not more than twelve years of age.

Q2 How had the agony of the girl been described?

Ans. the agony of her mind be described in a very touchy manner. She appeared dead more

than alive when she approached the dreadful pit. She trembled and wept bitterly.

Q3. How and why was the girl forced towards the fatal spot?

Ans. Her husband was dead. It was customary at that time to burn alive a women whose husband had died. Three or four of the Brahmanas, assisted by an old woman who held her to

forced the unwilling victim toward the fatal spot.

7

marks

137

24 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The System Of Varnas This is Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas : The highest caste are the Brahmana, of whom

the books of the Hindus tell us that they were created from the head of Brahman. And as the

Brahman is only another name for the force called nature, and the head is the highest part of the

body, the Brahmana are the choice part of the whole genus. Therefore, the Hindus consider them

as the very best of mankind. The next castes are the Kshatriya who were created, as they say, from

the shoulders and hands of Brahman. Their degree is not much below that of the Brahmana. After them follow the Vaishya, who were created from the thigh of Brahman. The Sudra who were

created from his feet. Between the latter two classes there is no very great distance. Much,

however, as these classes differ from each other, they live together in the same towns and villages,

mixed together in the same houses and lodgings.

Q1. Explain Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas.

Ans. According to Al-Biruni, the higher caste are the Brahmana who were created from the head

of brahaman. Hindus consider them as the very best of mankind. The second castes are the

Kshatriya who were created from the shoulders and hands of Brahman. They are followed by the

7

marks

125

23

vaishya, who are created from the thigh of Brahman. Last caste was the Shudra who were created

from his feet.

Q2. Do you consider this type of division justified? Explain with reasons.

Ans. No, such type of division is not justified because no one is high or low by birth. Men

became high or low by his own karma.

Q3. How the system was not quit rigid in the real life? Explain.

Ans. It is right that this system was not quite rigid in the real life because these castes live together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same house and lodgings.

25 Comparative study of the three Travellers of the Medival Period

Names of the

Travellers

Al-Biruni Ibn-Batuata Francois Beriner

Date of Travelling 11th Century 14th Century 17th Century

Country which

they come

Uzbekistan NW Africa

Morocco

France

Book Wrote Kitab-Ul-Hind Rihla Travels in the

Mughal Empire

Book Language Arabic Arabic English

Reign of king

during visited

Sultan Muhammad of

Ghazni

Sultan Muhammad

bin Tuglaq

Sahjahan &

Aurangzeb

Subject matter on

which they wrote

Social & Religious

condition Indian

Philosophy,

Astronomy,

Metrology, Judiciary, Historical

knowledge,

Caste system.

The coconut & the

Paan. Indian cities &

agriculture.

Trade & commerce,

Communication & postal system,

slavery.

Sati Pratha,

ownership of land,

kinds of town, the

Imperial Karkhanas

Mugal Artisans

Authenticity of

work

Authentic Not Authentic Authentic

7

marks

CHAPTER- 6

( BHAKTI-SUFI TRADITIONS)

1 What does Bhakti movement mean ?

Ans. A series of Hindu saints & reformers started religious reform movements which adopted the

method of devotion ( Bhakti ) to achieve the salvation their method of expression of devotion

ranged from the routine worship of deities within temple & singing & chanting of devotional

composition.

2

marks

143

2 Who were Alavars and Nayanars?

Ans. In southern India the devotees of Vishnu were called Alvars and Shivas arte called Nayanars.

2

marks

144

3 Give the name of any four well known reformers of Bhakti movement ?

Ans. Ramanand swami, Kabir, Guru nanak dev, Mira Bai.

2

marks

164

4 What do you mean by Sufism?

Ans. The Sufis were Muslim saints Who left a great impact on the Indian society Sufism originated in Persia.

2

marks

153

5 What is the importance of Murshid in Sufi ideology?

Ans. According to Sufism, an individual must have a religious guide (Murshid) through whom he

can communicate with god. The pir is a ladder which enables a man to reach the goal of life

4

marks

153

24

Devotion to the Murshid is the worship of god.

6 The Chola rulers supported Brahmnical and Bhakti traditions.Give examples in support of

this.

Ans. Chola rulers supported Brahmanical and bhakti traditions, making land grants and

constructing temples for Vishnu and Shiva. In fact, some of the most magnificent Shiva temples,

including those at Chidambaram, Thanjavur and Gangaikondacholapuram, were constructed under

the patronage of Chola rulers. The Chola kings claimed divine support and proclaim their own

power and status by building splendid temples that were adorned with stone and metal sculpture to recreate the visions of these popular saints who sang in the language of the people.

4

marks

147

7 Who were Virashaivas and Lingayats ? OR

Who was Basavanna? OR

Who led a new religious movement in Karnataka? What were his followers known as?

Ans. a new movement in Karnataka, led by a Brahmana named Basavanna (1106-68) who was

initially a Jaina and a minister in the court of a Chalukya king. His followers were known as

Virashaivas (heroes of Shiva) or Lingayats (wearers of the linga). Lingayats continue to be an

important community in the region to date.

4

marks

147

8 Explain the meaning of Silsila in Sufism.

Ans.The word silsila literally means a chain, signifying a continuous link between master and

disciple, stretching as an unbroken spiritual genealogy to the Prophet Muhammad. It was through

this channel that spiritual power and blessings were transmitted to devotees.

2

marks

153

9 What do you know about Nalayira Divyaprabandham?

Ans. the compositions of the 12 Alvars were compiled in an anthology known as the Nalayira

Divyaprabandham (“Four Thousand Sacred Compositions”). The poems of Appar, Sambandar and

Sundarar form the Tevaram, a collection that was compiled and classified in the tenth century on

the basis of the music of the songs.

4

marks

144

10 In what context world Zimmi used?

Ans. zimmi is the word used for populations that did not describe to Islam under the muslim ruler.

It is in this context that the category of the zimmi, meaning protected (derived from the Arabic

word zimma, protection) developed for peoples who followed revealed scriptures, such as the Jews

and Christians, and lived under Muslim ruler ship. They paid a tax called jizya and gained the right

to be protected by Muslims.

4

Marks

149

11 Name those three poets or historians who visited Shaikh Nizamudin-ud-din Auliya which

represent that he tried to assimilate love traditions? Ans. Amir Hasan Sijzi and Amir Khusrau and the court historian Ziyauddin Barani were poets or

historian who adopted practice including bowing before the Shaikh, offering water to visitors,

shaving the heads of initiates, and yogic exercises, represented attempts to assimilate local

traditions.

4

marks

155

12 Describe the causes of the rise of Bhakti movement its Principals of Bhakti movement.

Ans. Causes1.Influence of Vaishnavism. 2. Evil practices of the Hindus. 3. Fear of sprit of Islam

4 Influence of sufi sects 5. Emergence of great reformers.

Principals 1 Faith in god 2.Good deeds 3. Universal Brotherhood. 4. Emotional worship

5.Condemned idol worship. 6.Opposed to the rigidity of caste system.7.Guru

Bhakti

4

marks

162

13 Discuss the influences & importance of Bhakti movement?

Ans. Religious Effects 1. Saked Hinduism. 2. Lowered the prestige of the Brahmins

3. Checked the propagation of Islam. 4. Emergence of Sikhism 5. Setback back to Buddhism

Social & Cultural Impact:

(a) Improvement in the social relation between Hindus & Muslims

(b) Uplift of lower class. (c) Promoted the spirit of social service

(d) Development of art in the society (e) Enrichment of Literature.

4

marks

155

14 What were the main Principles of Sufism?

Ans. 1. Worship of God. 2. Renunciation of worldly pleasure. 3. Non violence & pacifism 4. Love

of mankind 5. Importance of Murshid 6. Principle of Morality 7. Importance of singing & Dancing

in worship of Allah

4

marks

153

15 What were Attitude of the Nayanars & Alavars sects towards the caste? 4/8 143-45

25

Ans. Some historians are of the view that Alvars & Nayanaras started a movement of Protest

against the caste system & the dominance of Brahmans are at least made effort to reform them.

This view is supported by the fact, that these Bhakti reformers came from diverse social

background some of the belonged to lower classes such as Cultivators, Artism & untouchable some

of them Barman background. The Alvars & Nayanars claimed that their compositions were as

important as the Vedas. The Tamil songs of the Alvars are marked by such depth of feeling that

they are looked upon as vaishnava Vedas. The Nayanaras composed their devotional songs with the highest spiritual sentiments & set up shaivism on a strange tooting. These songs are still

popular in south India.

marks

16 Bhakti and Sufi traditions came as a challenge to Brahmnical norms. Support the statement

with two arguments.

Ans. Attacked orthodoxy in religion. They choose to preach in masses and advocated the equality

of humanity.

2

marks

143

17 Why do thousands of devotees visit dargahs to Muslim saints?

Ans. After death of saints became the centre of devotion for his followers. People sought their

blessing to attain material and spiritual benefits.

2

marks

153

18 Explain the teachings of Guru Nanak.

Ans. Teachings in the form of his hymns and teachings. This advocated a form of nirguna bhakti.

Repudiated the external practices of the religions. He rejected sacrifices, ritual baths, image

worship, austerities and the scriptures of both Hindus and Muslims. The Absolute or “rab” had no

gender or form. Proposed a simple way to connect to the Divine by remembering and repeating the Divine Name, expressing his ideas through hymns called “shabad” in Punjabi. Organised his

followers into a community. He set up rules for congregational worship (sangat ) involving

collective recitation.

4

marks

163,16

4

19 Explain the significance of Kabir’s poems and the traditions he drew to describe the ultimate

reality?

Ans. Survived in several languages and dialects; and some are composed in the special language of

nirguna poets, the sant bhasha. Others, known as ulatbansi (upside-down sayings), are written in a

form in which everyday meanings are inverted. Kabir drew on to describe the Ultimate Reality.

These include Islam: he described the Ultimate Reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also

used terms drawn from Vedantic traditions, alakh (the unseen), nirakar (formless), Brahman,

Atman, etc. Other terms with mystical connotations such as shabda (sound) or shunya (emptiness)

were drawn from yogic traditions.

4

marks

161

20 Expalin how the biography of the saint poetess Mirabai has been primarily construct. How

did she defy the norms of society? Ans. Biographies have been reconstructed primarily from the bhajans attributed to her, which were

transmitted orally for centuries. According to these, she was a Rajput princess from Merta in

Marwar who was married against her wishes to a prince of the Sisodia clan of Mewar, Rajasthan.

She defied her husband and did not submit to the traditional role of wife and mother, instead

recognising Krishna, the avatar of Vishnu, as her lover. Her in-laws tried to poison her, but she

escaped from the palace to live as a wandering singer composing songs that are characterised by

intense expressions of emotion. According to some traditions, her preceptor was Raidas, a leather

worker.This would indicate her defiance of the norms of caste society. After rejecting the comforts

of her husband’s palace, she is supposed to have donned the white robes of a widow or the saffron robe of the renouncer.

4/8

marks

164

21 Mention the two ideas of Brahmnical system challenged by the Lingayats.

Ans. i)Lingayats believe that on death the devotee will be united with Shiva and will not return to

this world. ii) Do not practise funerary rites such as cremation and ceremonially bury their dead.

iii) Challenged the idea of caste and the “pollution” attributed to certain groups by Brahmanas. iv)

Questioned the theory of rebirth.

4

marks

147

22 Explain the meaning of Sufi Silsila.

Ans. Sufi silsilas began to crystallise in different parts of the Islamic world around the twelfth

century. The word silsila literally means a chain, signifying a continuous link between master and

disciple, stretching as an unbroken spiritual genealogy to the Prophet Muhammad.

2

marks

153

23 Explain the features of Islamic religion which contributed to its spread through the sub- 8 151

26

continent.

Ans. They adopt moderate flexible policy towards their subject . The development that followed

the coming of Islam were not restricted to ruling aristocrats. All those people who adopted Islam

accepted in principal of the five pillars of the faith that there is one god, Allah. These universal

features were often overlaid with diversities in practice derived from sectarian affiliations (Sunni,

Shi‘a), and the influence of local customary practices of converts from different social milieus.

marks

24 Explain Chisti devotionalism with special reference to Ziyarat? Ans. When the shaikh died, his the practice of pilgrimage to tomb is called ziyarat . This was

because people believed that in death saints were united with God, and were thus closer to Him

than when living. People sought their blessings to attain material and spiritual benefits. Thus

evolved the cult of the sheikh revered as wali.

4 marks

153

25 Be-sharia and Ba-sharia.

Ans. there were some mystics in the Islam religion. They gave radical interpretation of the Sufi

ideals. Many of them hated by the Khanqah. They took to mendicancy and observed celibacy.

They ignored rituals and adopted asceticism in their lives. They were known by different names –

Qalandars, Madaris, Malangs, Haidaris, etc. Because of their deliberate defiance of the shari‘a

they were often referred to as be-shari‘a, in contrast to the ba-shari‘a sufis who complied with it.

2

marks

154

26 Discuss the similarities in Sufi and Bhakti traditions. Ans. I) Huminism. ii) Monotheism iii) Love for main kind iv) Praise for guru v) Tolerance

VBQ

27 Do you think that Jijya was the against the value of equality among people belonging to

different religions?

Ans. YES. As non-muslims were forced to pay it under the Muslim ulers. In India majority of the

people were non-muslims. By paying Jijya they were humiliated in their own country.

VBQ

28 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The One Lord Here is a composition attributed to Kabir:

Tell me, brother, how can there be

No one lord of the world but two?

Who led you so astray?

God is called by many names:

Names like Allah, Ram, Karim,

Keshav, Hari, and Hazrat. Gold may be shaped into

rings and bangles.

Isn’t it gold all the same?

Distinctions are only words

we invent …

Kabir says they are both

mistaken.

Neither can find the only

Ram. One kills the goat, the

other cows.

They waste their lives in disputation.

Q1.What is Kabir’s argument against the distinction made between gods of different

communities?

Ans. God gas different names to express.

Q2. Name any two scriptures in which verses, ascribed to Kabir, have been complied.

Ans. The Kabir Bijak and The Kabir Granthawali

Q3. How did Kabir described the ultimate reality?

Ans. He described the Ultimate Reality as Allah, Khuda, Hazrat and Pir. He also used terms

drawn from Vedantic traditions, alakh (the unseen), nirakar (formless), Brahman, Atman, etc.

7

marks

161

27

29 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Charkhanama A song set to the rhythm of the spinning wheel:

As you take the cotton, you do zikr-i jali

As you separate the cotton you should do zikr-i qalbi

And as you spool the thread you should do zikr-i aini

Zikr should be uttered from the stomach through the chest,

And threaded through the throat.

The threads of breath should be counted one by one, oh sister. Up to twenty four thousand.

Do this day and night,

And offer this to your pir as a gift.

Q1.What are the ideas and modes of expression used in this song?

Ans. To utter the divine name (zikr) while spinning cotton. As you spin cotton, you should do

zikr-i jail, zikr-i qalbi,and zikr-i aini. You should take divine name upto twenty four thousand

times during day and night and offer it your pir as a gift.

Q2.What do you understand by charkhanama?

Ans. A song that is set to the rhythm of the spinning wheel. Such songs were sung by women

while spinning.

Q3. In which regions such poems were composed? Ans. In Dakhni a variant of urdu in and around the towns of Bijapur, Karnatka?

7

marks

158

CHAPTER 7

(An Imperial Capital: Vijaynagara)

1 Hampi town is located in the bank of which river?

Ans. On the bank of Tunghbhadra river.

2

marks

170

2 Which goddess is called Pampa ?

Ans. Goddess Parvati.

2

marks

170

3 Who was Colin Mackenzie ? Mention his importance in Indian history ?

Ans. Working in British East India Company. Born in1754. a famous engineer, surveyor and humanist. Became the first Surveyer General of British India in 1815. Died in the year 1821.Began

to survey in the traditional culture and historical places of India in order to run administration of

Colonial India more smoothly and effectively.

2

marks

170

4 Mention the silent features of the temple of Hampi.

Ans. The temple of Hampi is well articulated with artistic pillars like structure. Magnificent

structure with gallery surrounded with pillars around divinity and the place of god is one of the

features of the temples. The main temple of Hampi is Vitthal and Hazareram.

2

marks

170-71

5 How did the water requirements problems solved in Vijayanagar empire ?

Ans. The natural reservoir are providing water for Vijayanagar is Tunghabhadra river. This river

was situated in the north-east direction of the kingdom. Many rivers from nearby mountain range

get merged into this river. Dams were built in almost all tributaries of rivers. Hauz were built in order to cope with the drastic climate in draught situation. This was stored in the beginning of the

15th century. This place was called Kamalapuram water reservoir.

2/4

marks

171

6 How many dynasties ruled over Vijaynagara Empire?

Ans. Four : Sangama Dynasty (1336-1485 CE). Saluva Dynasty (1485-1503 CE). Taluva

Dynasty(1503-1570 CE). Aravidu Dynasty (1570-1674 CE).

2

marks

173

7 Who were Amara Nayakas under the Rayas of Vijayanagara? What did they know?

Ans. Military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya. They collected taxes

and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area.These contingents provided the

2

marks

174

28

Vijayanagara kings with an effective fighting force with which they brought the entire southern

peninsula under their control. Some of the revenue was also used for the maintenance of temples

and irrigation works. The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the king annually and personally appeared

in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.

8 Write two features about the location of Vijayanagara location.

Ans. It stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme South of the peninsula. It lived

on in the memories of people living in the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab.

2

marks

170

9 Why was administration of Vijayanagara empire famous?

Ans. Based on the will of the people. Capable and honest administrative officers.

2

marks

174

10 Describe the condition of women in Vijayanagara Empire.

Ans. Women were respected. Took part in administration.

2

marks

181

11 State any two reasons for the decline of the Vijaynagara Empire.

Ans. Weak central government. Nadu (provinces) were given immense powers. The Mandlesh

were very powerful. Empire reached its zenith during Krishanadeva Raya.

2

marks

173

12 What do you know about Kamalapuram tank?

Ans. Kamalapuram tank was built in Vijayanagara in 15th centuary.Water from this tank didnot

only irrigated fields nearby but was also conducted through a channel to the “royal centre”.

2

marks

177

13 What methods have been used to study the ruins of Humpi over the last two centuries? Ans. The ruins at Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by an engineer and antiquarian named

Colonel Colin Mackenzie. An employee of the English East India Company, he prepared the first

survey map of the site. Much of the initial information he received was based on the memories of

priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi. Subsequently, from 1856,

photographers began to record the monuments which enabled scholars to study them. In an effort

to reconstruct the history of the city and the empire, historians collated information from these

sources with accounts of foreign travellers and other literature written in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil

and Sanskrit.

2 marks

171

14 What does the architecture of buildings like the Lotus Mahal and elephant stables tell us

about the rulers who commissioned them?

Ans. One of the most beautiful buildings in the royal centre is the Lotus Mahal, so named by

British travellers in the nineteenth century. An elevation is a vertical view of any object or structure. Number of rooms. It gives you an idea of features that cannot be seen in a photograph.

Notice the arches. These were probably inspired by Indo-Islamic techniques. and Navaratri or

Mahanavami (in peninsular India). The Vijayanagara kings displayed their prestige, power

and suzerainty on this occasion. The ceremonies performed on the occasion included worship of

the image, worship of the state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals. Dances,

Wrestling matches, and processions of caparisoned horses, elephants and chariots and soldiers, as

well as ritual presentations before the king and his guests by the chief nayakas and subordinate

kings marked the occasion.

2/4

marks

181

15 What do you think were the advantages and disadvantages of enclosing agricultural land

within the fortified area of the city?

Ans. Abdur Razzaq noted that "between the first, second and third walls there are cultivated

fields, gardens and houses. The detailed statements have been corroborated by present day archaeologists, who have also found evidence of an agricultural tract between the sacred centre and

the urban core. We knew different sources that in Vijayanagara empire and other southern kingdom agricultural tracts were incorporated within the fortified areas. Often, the objective of

Medieval sieges was to starve the defenders into submission. These sieges could last for several

months and sometimes even years. Normally rulers tried to be prepared for adverse situations or natural calamities by building large granaries within fortified areas. The rulers of Vijayanagara

adopted a more expensive and elaborate strategy of protecting the agricultural belt itself.

Whenever, Kingdom was attacked by the enemies at the time of reaping harvest they could easily brunt the dry crops of the farmers. But these fields were safe in ordinary situation from wild

4/8

marks

176-77

29

animals.

16 What do you think the significance of the ritual's associated with the Mahanavami dibba ?

Ans. The importance of the rituals associated with the Mahanawami dibba. Located on one of the

highest points in the city, the "Mahanawami dibba" is a massive platform rising from a base of

about 11000 sq. ft. to a height of 40 feet. Rituals associated with the structure probably coincided

with Mahanawami (Literally the great ninth day) of the ten-day Hindu festival during the autumn

months of September and October, known variously as Dushehra (northern India), Durga Puja (in Bengal) and Navaratri or Mahanawami (in Peninsular India). The Vijayanagara kings displayed

their prestige, power and suzerainty on this occasion. The ceremonies performed on the occasion included worship of the image, worship of the state horse, and the sacrifice of buffaloes and other

animals. Dancer, wrestling matches, and processions of caparisoned horses, elephants and chariots and soldiers, as well as ritual presentations before the king and his guests by the chief

nayakas and subordinate kings marked the occasion. These ceremonies were imbued with deep symbolic meanings on the last day of the festival the king inspected his army and the armies of the

nayakas in a grand ceremony in an open field. On this occasion the nayakas brought rich gifts for

the king as well as the stipulated tribute.

8

marks

180

17 What impression of the lives of the ordinary people of Vijayanagara can you cull from the

various descriptions in Vijayanagara empire.

Ans. Ordinary people of this empire scope different languages and followed different religious

tradition. Small traders and local merchant use to live in cities, trade centre, port town and villages.

Peasants, workers, slaves etc. Were including in ordinary people. These were ordinary Brahmans,

trader and women also. In the society there were a few low class people, who were non- influential. They were Dombar, Mana, Jogi, Paraiyan, Boi, Kallar etc. Some low caste people

were coverted to christianity due to the influence of the Portuguese’s. The evils of caste system and

untouchability were practiced in the society. The ordinary people of the Vijayanagar empire lived in ordinary houses. This is how the sixteenth century Portuguese traveller Barbosa described the

houses of ordinary people existed in the society. The men were sold and purchased. There were

some special rules for the slaves.

4/8

marks

172

18 Evaluate the importance of Amar Nayaka System in emergence of Vijayanagara Empire. Ans. There is a important role of this system to emerging the Vijayanagara empire. That shows in

the following points:

The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is likely that many features of this system were derived from the Iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.

The amara-nayakas were military commanders who were given territories to govern by the raya.

The collected taxes and other dues from peasants. A share of revenue was spent for the

maintenance of irrigation works and temples. The amar nayak retained part of the revenue for

personal use and for maintaining a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants. These contingents provided the Vijayanagara Kings with an effective fighting force with which they

brought the entire southern peninsula under their control. The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the

King annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty. Kings occasionally asserted their control over them by transferring them from one place to another.

Many of these nayakas established independent kingdoms in the 17th century.

4/8 marks

175

19 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

How Tanks Were Built? About a tank constructed by Krishnadeva Raya, Paes wrote: The king made a tank … at the

mouth of two hills so that all the water which comes from either one side or the other collects

there; and, besides this, water comes to it from more than three leagues (approximately 15

kilometres) by pipes which run along the lower parts of the range outside. This water is brought

from a lake which itself overflows into a little river. The tank has three large pillars handsomely carved with figures; these connect above with certain pipes by which they get water when they

have to irrigate their gardens and rice-fields. In order to make this tank the said king broke down a

hill … In the tank I saw so many people at work that there must have been fifteen or twenty

thousand men, looking like ants …

Q1. Where and why were tanks built by Krishandev Raya?

Ans. at most arid zones of peninsula. To store rainwater.

7

marks

177

30

Q2. Explain how the tanks were constructed?

Ans. By breaking down the hills.

Q3. Describe the most prominent waterworks among the ruins and who built these water

works?

Ans. Hiriya canal. It drew water from a dam across Tungbhadra and irrigated the cultivated

vally that separated sacred centre from the urban.

20 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Colin Mackenzie Born in 1754, Colin Mackenzie became famous as an engineer, surveyor and cartographer. In 1815

he was appointed the first Surveyor General of India, a post he held till his death in 1821. He

embarked on collecting local histories and surveying historic sites in order to better understand

India’s past and make governance of the colony easier. He says that “it struggled long under the miseries of bad management … before the South came under the benign influence of the British

Government”. By studying Vijayanagara, Mackenzie believed that the East India Company could

gain “much useful information on many of these institutions, laws and customs whose influence

still prevails among the various Tribes of Natives forming the general mass of the population to

this day”.

Q1. Who was Colin Meckenzie ?

Ans. Colin Mackenzie used to work in British East India Company. He took birth in 1754. He

is a famous engineer, surveyor and humanist.

Q2. Which ancient city was founded by Colin Meckenzie ?

Ans. Hampi

Q3. Why did he start the surveys?

Ans. He started the surveys in order to better understand India’s past and make governance of the colony easier.

Q4. In which stages Colin Meckenzie completed his work? 3

Ans. First of all he prepared the maps. He collected the information’s about the local

traditions from the priest of Virupaksha and Pampadevi temple.

7

marks

171

21 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Kings And Traders Krishnadeva Raya (ruled 1509-29), the most famous ruler of Vijayanagara, composed a work

on statecraft in Telugu known as the Amuktamalyada. About traders he wrote: A king should

improve the harbours of his country and so encourage its commerce that horses, elephants,

precious gems, sandalwood, pearls and other articles are freely imported … He should arrange that

the foreign sailors who land in his country on account of storms, illness and exhaustion are looked

after in a suitable manner … Make the merchants of distant foreign countries who import elephants

and good horses be attached to yourself by providing them with daily audience, presents and

allowing decent profits. Then those articles will never go to your enemies.

Q1. Explain the responsibilities of a king mentioned by Krishandeva Raya?

Ans. the king develops trade. Encourage trade facilities . Check on import and export

Q2. In what ways had Krishandeva Raya protected aarticles from going to hgis enemies?

Ans. Make the merchants of distant foreign countries to be attached himself by providing them with daily audience, presents and allowing decent profits. They were also looked after in case of

storms,illness,exaustion.

Q3. Explain the measures taken by the king to improve the conditions of his country?

Ans. Improve the harbours of his country and encourages its commerce and maintains trade

relation.

7

marks

173

22 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

A Sprawling City This is an excerpt from Domingo Paes’s description of Vijayanagara: The size of this city I do not

write here, because it cannot all be seen from any one spot, but I climbed a hill whence I could see

a great part of it; I could not see it all because it lies between several ranges of hills. What I saw from thence seemed to me as large as Rome, and very beautiful to the sight; there are many groves

of trees within it, in the gardens of the houses, and many conduits of water which flow into the

midst of it, and in places there are lakes; and the king has close to his palace a palm-grove and

other rich fruit-bearing trees.

Q1. From where is this excerpt taken?

Ans. Domigo Paes’s description.

7

marks

176

31

Q2. Why did the author not write about the Vijayanagara?

Ans. He couldnot see it from any completely from any one spot.

Q3. Write any three features of author’s description of Vijayanagara?

Ans. The city was situated between several ranges of hill. As large as Rome. Had many

graves of trees and gardens.

CHAPTER 8

(PEASANTS, ZAMIDARS AND THE STATE)

1 Mention various duties performed by state officials in the 16th century?

Ans. They collect land revenue, measure the lands and keep records etc.

2

marks

213

2 Who was the author of Ain-I Akbari?

Ans. Abul Fazl, a famous Persian author, gems of Akber’s court.

2

marks

197

3 Who were Raiyat? How many types of Raiyat?

Ans. They were peasants. There are two types of Raiyat - Khud-khasta and Pahi-khasta. Khud-

khasta – They were residents of the village in which they held their land. Pahi-khasta – They were

non-resident cultivators who belonged to some other village, but cultivated lands were else were on

a contractual basis.

2

marks

197

4

How many seasons of agriculture according to Ain?

Ans. Two major seasonal cycles – The kharif and the rabi. Kharif – rice and jawar. Rabi – wheat

and gram

2

marks

200

5 What was Jins-i-Kamil?

Ans. Literally perfect crops. Example - cotton and sugarcane.

2

marks

200

6 Why women were considered an important resource in agrarian society?

Ans. worked shoulder to shoulder with men in field. Spun yarn, made pottery and did embroidery.

2

marks

206

7 Mention the major crops of Western India during 17th

century. How did it come to India? Ans. Via Africa and Spain. Tomato, potatoes and chillies

2 marks

201

8 Mention any two steps taken by the Mughals to create the revenue as an administration

apparatus?

Ans. Daftar of the dewan supervises fiscal system. Officials and record keeper became a decisive

agent in shaping agrarian relations.

2

marks

213

9 Mention the factors that accounted for the constant expansion of agriculture during 16th

and

17th

centuries.

Ans. Excess of land. Availability of workers. Dynamism of farmers. Development of artificial

means of irrigation

2

marks

198

10 Name the two techniques based on animal power that expanded agriculture during the

Mughal times.

Ans. Firstly they use wooden plough. Secondly used drill by pair of oxen. Thirdly used narrow

iron blade.

2

marks

200

11 What were jama and hasil?

Ans. Jama was the amount assessed where as was the amount received or collected.

2

marks

213

12 Write any two limitation of Ain-i-Akbari.

Ans. Error in totalling. No uniform collection.

2

marks

220

13 What was the Jati Panchayat?

Ans. arbitrated civil disputes between members of different castes. decided whether marriages

were performed according to the norms laid down by a particular caste group. In most cases,

except in matters of criminal justice, the state respected the decisions of jati panchayats.

2

marks

203

14 Describe the functions of panchayat?

Ans. 1. Community welfare – Construction of bund or digging the cannel which peasants usually

could not afford to do on their own. 2. Arrangements against natural calamities, like floods,famine,

Droughts etc. 3. Regulate rural societies, like marriage and caste. 4. To ensure that caste

boundaries among the various communities .5. Punishment – Example - to levy fines and inflict

4

marks

202

32

from the community.

15 Describe Ain-i-Akbari?

Ans. 1. Vision of Akbar’s empire. 2. Strong ruling class. 3. The organization of the court,

administration and the army.4. Included detailed revenue, records – with the help of Todarmal tried

to reorganized the hole revenue system. 5. Useful description of agrarian society.

4

marks

217

16 What were the roles played by women in agrarian society?

Ans. 1. Women worked shoulder to shoulder with men in fields. 2. Women sowed, weeded,

threshed and winnowed the harvest. 3. Craft production – such as spinning yarn, sifting and

kneading clay for pottery and embroidery. 4. Some restriction during some days of month – women were not allowed to touch the plough or the potter’s wheel in western India. 5. Produce

children and look after them.

4

marks

206

17 How land revenue was fixed?

Ans. 1. It consisted of two stages - Jama and Hasil. Jama was the amount assessed and Hasil the

amount collected. 2. Both cultivated and cultivable land measured in each province. 3. Prepared

annual record of the number of cultivators in each village 4. Officials were appointed to measure

land revenue. 5. The Diwan, who was responsible for supervising the fiscal system of the empire.

4

marks

213

18 Explain the salient features of zabti system?

Ans. 1. Measurement of land was compulsory. 2. Classification of land:- Polaj, Parauti, Chachar,

Banjar. 3. Calculation of the average products. 4. Fixation of state share. 5. Commutation into cash.

6. Collection of land revenue.

4

marks

214

19 Who were zamindars? What were their functions?

Ans. Zamindars were the part of rural society, who lived on agricultural production had milkiyat

belongs to upper caste. New Zamindars emerged from lower caste. Functions of Zamindars: 1. Collect revenue. 2. Mediate between king and peasant. 3.

Maintain military. 4. Developed agricultural land. 5. Give money to farmers for agriculture. 6. Sell

their own agricultural produce. 7. Make an arrangement for weekly or fortnightly market in the

villages. 8. Making arrangement for repairing roads and water sources.

8

marks

211

20 “Ain-i-Akbari is an extraordinary document of its time.” Explain.

Ans. The Ain was part of a larger project of history writing commissioned by Akbar. The Ain-i

Akbari, was organised as a compendium of imperial regulations and a gazetteer of the empire. The

Ain gives detailed accounts of the organisation of the court, administration and army, the sources

of revenue and the physical layout of the provinces of Akbar’s empire and the literary, cultural and

Religious traditions of the people. Along with a description of the various departments of Akbar’s

government and elaborate descriptions of the various provinces (subas) of the empire, the Ain

gives us intricate quantitative information of those provinces. Collecting and compiling this

information systematically was an important imperial exercise. It informed the emperor about the varied and diverse customs and practices prevailing across his extensive territories. The Ain is

therefore a mine of information for us about the Mughal Empire during Akbar’s reign. The Ain is

made up of five books (daftars), of which the first three books describe the administration. The

mulk-abadi gives a fascinating, detailed and highly complex view of agrarian society in northern

India.

4/8

marks

217-18

21 Zamidars were the central figure in medieval India.” Justify the statement.

Ans. The zamindars were landed proprietors who also enjoyed certain social and economic

privileges by virtue of their superior status in rural society. they performed certain services

(khidmat) for the state. . Control over military resources was another source of power. Most

zamindars had fortresses (qilachas) as well as armed contingent comprising units of cavalry,

artillery and infantry. Mughal countryside as a pyramid, zamindars clearly constituted its very

narrow apex. Abu’l Fazl’s account indicates that an “upper-caste”, Brahmana-Rajput combine had already established firm control over rural society. It also reflects a fairly large representation from

the so-called intermediate castes, as we saw earlier, as well as a liberal sprinkling of Muslim

zamindaris. Contemporary documents give an impression that conquest may have been the source

of the origin of some zamindaris. The dispossession of weaker people by a powerful military

chieftain was quite often a way of expanding a zamindari. It is, however, unlikely that the state

would have allowed such a show of aggression by a zamindar unless he had been confirmed by an

imperial order (sanad). More important were the slow processes of zamindari consolidation, which

are also documented in sources. These involved colonisation of new lands, by transfer of rights, by

order of the state and by purchase. A combination of factors also allowed the consolidation of clan-

or lineage-based zamindaris. Peasant-pastoralists (like the Sadgops)carved out powerful zamindaris

in areas of central and south western Bengal. Zamindars spearheaded the colonisation of

agricultural land, and helped in settling cultivators by providing them with the means of

8

marks

211-12

33

cultivation, including cash loans. The buying and selling of zamindaris accelerated the process of

monetisation in the countryside. In addition, zamindars sold the produce from their milkiyat lands.

There is evidence to show that zamindars often established markets (haats) to which peasants also

came to sell their produce.

22 What were the important functions of the panchayat in the Mughal Era?

Ans. 1.collection of funds. 2. Regarding caste boundaries. 3. Authority to levy taxes.

4

marks

23 Discuss the merits and demerits of Mansabdari system.

Ans. Merits:- 1.Qualification as bases of ranks. 2. Forceful army. 3. Good on revolt. 4. Ban on corruption

Demerits:- 1.Luxurious life. 2. Misuse of Money. 3. Loyality of the soldiers.

8

marks

214

24 Examine the role of women in Mughal society.

Ans. Work shoulder to shoulder in the fields, sowed, weeded, threshed and winnowed the harvest.

Nonetheless biases. Menstruating women were not allowed to touch the plough or the potter’s

wheel in western India, or enter the groves where betel-leaves (paan) were grown in Bengal.

Commercialised the product, the greater the demand on women’s labour to produce it. In fact,

peasant and artisan women worked not only in the fields, but even went to the houses of their

Employers or to the markets if necessary. They were child bearers in a society dependent on

labour. Marriages in many rural communities required the payment of bride-price rather than

dowry to the bride’s family. Remarriage was considered legitimate both among divorced and widowed women. The importance attached to women as a reproductive force also meant that the

fear of losing control over them was great. They could inflict dr aconian punishments if they

suspected infidelity on the part of women. Documents from Western India – Rajasthan, Gujarat

and Maharashtra – record petitions sent by women to the village panchayat, seeking redress and

justice. Wives protested against the infidelity of their husbands or the neglect of the wife and

children by the male head of the household, the grihasthi. While male infidelity was not always

punished, the state and “superior” caste groups did intervene when it came to ensuring that the

family was adequately provided for. In most cases when women petitioned to the panchayat, their

names were excluded from the record: Petitioner was referred to as the mother, sister or wife of the

male head of the household. Amongst the landed gentry, women had the right to inherit property.

Instances from the Punjab show that women, including widows, actively participated in the rural

land market as sellers of property inherited by them. Hindu and Muslim women inherited zamindaris which they were free to sell or mortgage. Women zamindars were known in eighteenth-

century Bengal. In fact, one of the biggest and most famous of the eighteenth-century zamindaris,

that of Rajshahi, had a woman at the helm.

8

marks

206,20

7

25 Why Ain-i-Akbari remains important even today?

Ans. Provides glimpses into structure and organisation of Mughal. The central purpose of the Ain

was to present a vision of Akbar’s empire where social harmony was provided by a strong ruling

class. The Ain- i Akbari was the culmination of a large historical, administrative project of

classification undertaken by Abu’l Fazl at the order of Emperor Akbar. It was completed in 1598,

the forty-second regnal year of the emperor, after having gone through five revisions. The Ain was

part of a larger project of history writing commissioned by Akbar.The Ain gives detailed accounts

of the organisation of the court, administration and army, the sources of revenue and the physical layout of the provinces of Akbar’s empire and the literary, cultural and religious traditions of the

people. Along with a description of the various departments of Akbar’s government and elaborate

descriptions of the. Gives information about the people,their profession and trades and on imperial

establishment of the empire. Historians reconstruct social fabric of India at that time.

8

marks

217,21

8

26 What was the economic value of the agriculture in the Mughal Empire?

Ans. encouraged crops to earn more revenue. Fiscal system was supervised by Diwans. Land was

classified and fixed. Peasants could pay land revenue in cash.

4

Marks VBQ

200

27 Do you think the view of the panchayats had a great political value as it follows democratic

rules?

Ans. yes. Based on democracy. Had powers to levy taxes and expulsion from the community for

serious crimes.

4

Marks VBQ

202

28 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows: 7 215

34

Cash Or Kind The Ain on land revenue collection Let him (the amil-guzar) not make it a practice of taking only in cash but also in kind. The latter is effected in several ways. First, kankut: in the Hindi language

Kan signifies grain, and kut, estimate. If any doubts arise, the crops should be cut and estimated in

three lots, the good, the middling and the inferior and the hesitation removed. Often, too the land

taken by appraisement, gives a sufficiently accurate return. Secondly, batai, also called bhaoli, the

crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the presence of the parties. But in the

case several intelligent inspectors are required; otherwise, the evil-minded and false are given to

Deception. Thirdly, khet-batai when they divided the fields after they are sown. Fourthly, lang

batai; after cutting the grain, they form it in heaps and divide it among themselves, and each

takes his share home and turns it to profit.

Q1. Explain the term Kankut?

Ans. In the Hindi language Kan signifies grain and kut means estimate.

Q2. Explain the system of batai or bhaoli system of land revenue collection? Ans. The crops are reaped and stacked and divided by agreement in the parties. But in this

cash several intelligent inspectors are required, otherwise, the evil minded and false are given to

deception.

Q3. Explain the system of lang batai?

Ans. After cutting the grain they from it in heaps and divide it among themselves, and each

takes his share home and turns it to profit.

Q4. Which system of revenue collection, do you think, is better and why?

Ans. Long Batai, because they divided equal among themselves and get profit.

marks

29 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Irrigating trees and fields This is an excerpt from the Babur Nama that describes the irrigation devices the emperor observed

in northern India: The greater part of Hindustan country is situated on level land. Many though its

towns and cultivated lands are, it nowhere has running waters … For … water is not at all a

necessity in cultivating crops and orchards. Autumn crops grow by the downpour of the rains

themselves; and strange it is that spring crops grow even when no rains fall. (However) to young trees water is made to flow by means of buckets or wheels … In Lahore, Dipalpur (both in present-

day Pakistan) and those other parts, people water by means of a wheel. They make two circles of

rope long enough to suit the depths of the well, fix strips of wood between them, and on these

fasten pitchers. The ropes with the wood and attached pitchers are put over the wheel-well. At one

end of the wheel-axle a second wheel is fixed, and close to it another on an upright axle. The last

wheel the bullock turns; its teeth catch in the teeth of the second (wheel), and thus the wheel with

the pitchers is turned. A trough is set where the water empties from the pitchers and from this the

water is conveyed everywhere. In Agra, Chandwar, Bayana (all in present-day Uttar Pradesh) and

those parts again, people water with a bucket … At the well-edge they set up a fork of wood,

having a roller adjusted between the forks, tie a rope to a large bucket, put the rope over a roller,

and tie its other end to the bullock. One person must drive the bullock, another empty the bucket.

Q1.Comppare the irrigation devises observed by Babur with what you have learnt about

irrigation in Vijaynagar (Chapter 7)

Ans. water flowed in buckets or wheels. In Lahore, Dipalpur (both in present-day Pakistan)

and those other parts, people water by means of a wheel. On the other hand tanks and canal were

used for irrigation.

Q2. What kind of recourses would each of these systems required?

Ans. Means of a wheel:- Rope,wood, pitcher, wheel-axle, wheels, Bullock.

Means with a bucket:- Bucket, forks of wood, roller, rope, bullock, two persons.

Q3. Which systems could ensure the participation of peasants in improving agricultural

technology?

Ans. Water by means of wheel”. Because peasants wanted to improve irrigation facilities to

increase production.

Q4. How much rain was required for the crops of rice, wheat and millets?

Ans. 40 inches or more while millets required less.

7

marks

199

30 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The jama

7

marks

215

35

This is an excerpt from Aurangzeb’s order to his revenue official, 1665: He should direct the amins

of the parganas that they should discover the actual conditions of cultivation (maujudat),

village by village, peasant-wise (asamiwar), and after minute scrutiny, assess the jama, keeping in

view the financial interests (kifayat) of the government, and the welfare of the peasantry.

Q1. Why do you think the emperor insisted on a detailed survey?

Ans. because the Ain compiled the aggregates of lands during Akbar;s rule, efforts to

measures lands continued under subsequent emperor.

Q2. Were all areas measured successfully? If not, what was the reason?

Ans. Yes. There was huge forest area in the sub-continent which could not be measured.

Q3. What was the policy of the Mughals at the time of fixing revenue? Was this objective

realised?

Ans. The attempt of the state was to maximise its claims.

CHAPTER 9

( KINGS AND CHRONOCLES )

1 Clarify the word meaning of Kornish?

Ans. Kornish was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the Courtier placed the palm of his

right hand against his forehead and bent his head, It suggested that the subject placed his head the

seat of the senses and the mind into the hand of humility; presenting it to the royal assembly.

2

marks

237

2 Name the dynasty which ruled India during 1526 to 1707. Name the founder of this dynasty?

Ans. Mughal dynasty and founder of this dynasty was Babur.

2

marks

225

3 What is meant by the term Kitabkhana?

Ans. The literal translation of the term Kitabkhana is library. It was a scriptorium that is a place

where the emperors’ collection of manuscripts was kept and manuscripts were produced.

2

marks

227

4 Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Give some such

people engaged in the task.

Ans. Manuscripts involved a number of people performing a variety of tasks. Among them were

paper marker, calligrapher, gliders, painters, bookbinders.

4 marks

228

5 Babur’s memories were return in which language?

Ans. Babur’s memories Tuzuk-i-Babari were originally written in Turkish. They were translated

in Persian as Babur Nama .

4

marks

252

6 Why Akbar is considered the greatest of all the Mughal emperors?

Ans. adopted policy of expansion and consolidation. Checked the expansionist design of the

Uzbeks of Turan and Safavdis.

4

marks

225

7 Who were Chaghtai turks?

Ans. descendents of the eldest son of Ghenghis Kahan.

4

marks

226-27

8 What is shab-i-barat? Ans. Shab-i barat is the full moon night on the 14 Shaban, the eighth month of the hijri calendar,

and is celebrated with prayers and fireworks in the subcontinent. It is the night when the destinies

of the Muslims for the coming year are said to be determined and sins forgiven.

4 marks

238

9 Describe the role played by the women of the imperial household in the Mughal Empire.

Ans. In the Mughal household a distinction was maintained between wives who came from royal

families (Begams) and other wives(aghas) who were not of noble birth. Apart from wives

numerous male and female slaves populated the Mughal household: The tasks they performed

varied from the most mundane to those requiring skill tact and intelligence. After NurJahan

Mughal queens and princesses began to control significant financial resources. Shahjahana’s

daughter Jahanara and Roshanara enjoyed an annual income often equal to the high imperial

4

marks

243-44

36

mansabdars. Jahanara in addition received revenues. From the port city of Surat, which was a

lucrative centre of overseas trade.

10 Write a short note on Badshah Nama.

Ans. Badshah Nama Chronicle of a king based on the history of Shahjahan’s reign is an important

chronicle among official histories. Abdul Hamid Lahori, a pupil of Abul Fazal is known as its

author. It is modelled of 10 lunar years each. Lahori wrote the first and second daftars comprising

of first two decades of Shahjahan’s reign (1627- 1647) But due to infirmities of age he was unable to write the 3rd volume. Volume of the 3rd decade of the emperor’s rule was chronicle by historian

waris. In 1944 the first time painting of Badshah Nama were exhibited in New Delhi, London and

Washington.

4

marks

231

11 Describe the process of manuscript production in the Mughal court.

Ans. Paper making. Skill writing. Guilders. Miniature painting. Than Book Binding.

4

marks

227

12 In what ways the daily routine and special festivities associated with the Mughal court have

conveyed a sense of the power of the emperor?

Ans. By representing the status of the court.2) In form of salutation of emperor.3)Jharokha

darshan.4)Meetng heldby sulan in Diwan-i-iAam and Diwan-i-khaas.5) By hounoring the

mansabdaars on special occasion with special gifts and jagir.

4

marks

239-41

13 What were the concerns that shaped Mughal policies and attitudes towards regions outside

the subcontinent?

Ans. Concern about Safavids and Qandahar. The Ottomans: pilgrimage and trade. Jesuitd at the

Mughal Court

4/8 marks

249-50

14 Describe the major features of the Mughal provincial administration. How did the centre

control the province?

Ans. Governor the head and reported directly to emperor. Each suba divided into sarkar. Three

semi hereditary officers look after the local administration named as Qanungo (revenue record

keeper), chaudhar (revenue collector) and the Qazi. Each department of administration maintained

a large support staff of clerks, accountants, auditors, messengers, and other functionaries who were

technically qualified officials, functioning in accordance with standardised rules and procedures,

and generating copious written orders and records.

4/8

marks

247

15 What were the distinctive features of the Mughal nobility? How was their relationship with

the emperor? Ans. The Akbar Nama bequeathed a vision of empire. The imperial organisation was dependent on

several different institutions to be able to function effectively. Corps of officers also referred

to by historians collectively as the nobility. The nobility was recruited from diverse ethnic and

Religious groups. This ensured that no faction was large enough to challenge the authority of the

state. The officer corps of the Mughals was described as a bouquet of flowers (guldasta) held

together by loyalty to the emperor. In Akbar’s imperial service, Turani and Iranian nobles were

present from the earliest phase of carving out a political dominion. All holders of government

offices held ranks (mansabs) comprising two numerical designations: zat which was an indicator of

position in the imperial hierarchy and the salary of the official (mansabdar), and sawar which

indicated the number of horsemen he was required to maintain in service. Akbar also established

spiritual relationships with a select band of his nobility by treating them as his disciples (murid). For members of the nobility, imperial service was a way of acquiring power, wealth and the

highest possible reputation. A person wishing to join the service petitioned through a noble, who

presented a tajwiz to the emperor. If the applicant was found suitable a mansab was granted to him.

The mir bakhshi (paymaster general) stood in open court on the right of the emperor and presented

all candidates for appointment or promotion, while his office prepared orders bearing his seal and

signature as well as those of the emperor. There were two other important ministers at the centre:

the diwan-i ala (finance minister) and sadr-us sudur (minister of grants or madad-i maash, and in

charge of appointing local judges or qazis). The three ministers occasionally came together as an

advisory body, but were independent of each other. Akbar shaped fiscal and monetary institutions

of the empire. Nobles stationed at the court (tainat-i rakab) were a reserve force to be deputed to a

province or military campaign. They were duty-bound to appear twice daily, morning and evening,

to express submission to the emperor in the public audience hall. They shared the responsibility for guarding the emperor and his household round the clock.

8

marks

244-46

37

16 Identify the elements went into the making of the Mughal ideal of kingship.

Ans. Divine light was transmitted to the king which became the source of spiritual guidance for

the subject. 2) A unifying force:- Mughal chronicles present the empire as comprising many

different ethnic groups as Hindus ,Muslims etc.3) Idea of sulh-i-kul as the cornerstone of the

enlighted rule. 4) Akbar abolished the tax on pilgrimage in 1563 and jazia in 1564 as the two were

based on the religious discrimination. 5) Gave grants to support the buildings and maintenance of

places of worship.6) Sovereignty as a social contract:- protected the life, property, honour, faith .

4

marks

245-46

17 What steps did Sher Shah Suri take to promote trade and commerce?

Ans. Maintain peace law and order.2) Construction of big roads. 3) Protection on roads. Incentive

to trade. 5) New land system.

4

marks

225

18 Discuss the merits and demerits of the Mansabdari Sytem.

Ans. Merits of the Mansabdari System:- 1. Control on revolts. 2. Qualification as basis of ranks.

3. Ban on Corruption 4. Forceful army 5. Emotional unity

Demerits of Mansabdari System :- 1. Misuse of money 2. Disloyalty of the soldiers towards

the empire 3. Luxurious life of mansabdars 4. High salary of mansabdars created pressure on govt.

5. Less number of horsemen than the prescribed number affected the effectiveness of military.

6. Lack of direct link between emperor and soldiers.

4

marks

246

19 Examine the importance and limitation of Ain-i-Akbari. OR

Explain why Ain-i-Akbari remains as an extra ordinary document of its time even today?

Ans. Importance:- It is a crystal clear mirror depicting historical and administrative project of

classification undertaken by Abul Fazal. It consist of five daftars. Its officially sponsored

document. The oral testimonials were cross checked. A comprehensive and logical historical

document known as Akbarnama.

Limitation:- Data collection was not appropriate. 2) Mny subas were given importance over

other. 3) Highlighted the glaring errors particularly transcriptional errors in the Ain hence.

4 marks

231,32

20 To what extent was the concern of the Mughal administration to keep their records?

Ans. The mir bakhshi (paymaster general) stood in open court on the right of the emperor and

presented all candidates for appointment or promotion. There were two other important ministers at

the centre: the diwan-i ala (finance minister) and sadr-us sudur (minister of grants or madad-i

maash, and in charge of appointing local judges or qazis). The three ministers occasionally came together as an advisory body. Akbar shaped the administrative fiscal and monetary institutions of

the empire. Nobles stationed at the court (tainat-i rakab) were a reserve force to be deputed to a

province or military campaign. They were duty-bound to appear twice daily, morning and evening,

to express submission to the emperor in the public audience hall. They shared the responsibility for

guarding the emperor and his household round the clock.

4

marks

246

21 Describe the growth of architecture under the Mughal.

Ans.

Rulers Architectural

interest

Buildings Remarks

1. Babur Yes Mosque in Kabuli

Garden (Panipat) and

Sambhal in

Ruhelkhand

Written

Autobiopography

‘Baburnama’

2. Humayun Yes but did not get proper time

Mosque in Agra and at Fatehbaad in

Hissar

3. Akbar Yes, man of peace

order and wealth

Diwan-i-aam, khas,

Jahangir Mehal,

Akbari mehal,

Buland Darwaza,

jama maszid, tomb of

Sheikh Salim Chisti,

Panch Mahal, Jodha

Bai’s palace, Birbal

Made with red stone

4

marks

38

Palace,

4. Jahangir Yes Akbar’s tomb known

as Sikandra near

Agra

Fond of planting

garden

5. Shah Jahan Yes Diwan-i-aam, khas,

Sawan Bhadon,Moti

Maszid

Fine model of

masonry,walls

engraved with costly

stones

6. Aurangzeb Interest not shown Shahi Maszid at

Lahore

Deemed it as an

extravagant

22 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Darbar-I-Akbari Abul fazl gives a vivid account of Akber’s darbar.Whever his majesty (Akber) holds court (darbar)

a large drum is bitten, the sounds of which accompanied by divine praise. In this manner people of

all classes received notice. His majesty’s sons and grand children the grandees of the court, and all

other men who have admittance attend to make the kornish and remains standing in their proper

place learned men of renowned and skillful machines pay their respect. And the officers of justice present their reports. His majesty with his usual insights gives orders and settlers everything in a

satisfactory manner. During the whole time skillful gladiator’s and wrestlers from all countries

hold themselves in readiness and singers male and female are in waiting. Claver jugglers and funny

tumblers also are annexations to exhibit their dexterity and agility.

Q1. Describe the main activities taking place in the court?

Ans. Main activities taking place in the darbar are :

1. Beating of the drum. To announced holding of dewan-i-am. 2. Divine praise to establish

emperor as “insane-i- kamil” 3. The emperor sons, grand children and other grandees take their

positions according to status, hierarchy and proximity to the king. 4. All attending court women

standing to pay respect and offer salutation to the king. 5. Learned men, mechanics, officers of

justice present report to the king for review and update. 6. Gladiators, wrestlers, singers, women in waiting to exhibit their skill and for royal patronage.

Q2. What was the significant of the darbar procedures?

Ans. The dauber procedures reflected the status and power of the emperors.

Q3. Define the term “Kornish”.

Ans. “Kornish” was a form of ceremonial salutation in which the courtier placed the palm of

his right hand against his forehead and bent his head.

Q4. Explain the term “Jharokha Darshan.”

Ans. “Jharokha Darshan” showing of the emperor to the public from the palace balcony. It was

introduced by Akbar with the objective of broadening the acceptance of the imperial authority.

7

marks

23 “The heart of the Mughal empire was its capital’. Explain with example.

Ans. True. Here court assembled. Capital cities shifted during 16th and 17th century. Babur took

over Agra. 2) Akbar decided to build a new capital at Fatehpur Sikri.In1585 capital was shifted to

Lahore. Main purpose was to control north-west under. 3) Shah Jahan moved the court, army, household from Agra to Shahjahanabad in 1648. Shah Jahan pursued sound fiscal policies and

accumulated enough money to indulge his passion for building. 4) Shah jahan was a new addition

to the old residential city of Delhi

4

marks

236

24 Describe how the Humayun Nama’ of Gulbadan Begam gives us the glimpses of the Mughal

Imperial household.

Ans. the Mughals is the Humayun Nama written by Gulbadan Begum. Gulbadan was the daughter

of Babur, Humayun’s sister and Akbar’s aunt. Gulbadan wrote fluently in Turkish and Persian.

When Akbar commissioned Abu’l Fazl to write a history of his reign, he requested his aunt to

record her memoirs of earlier times under Babur and Humayun, for Abu’l Fazl to draw upon. What

Gulbadan wrote was no eulogy of the Mughal emperors. Rather she described in great detail the

conflicts and tensions among the princes and kings and the important mediating role elderly

women of the family played in resolving some of these conflicts.

4

marks

243

25 Describe the expansion and consolidation of Mughal empire under Jalaudin Akbar(1556-

1605)

Ans. consolidated his empire, making it the largest, strongest and richest kingdom of his time.

Akbar succeeded in extending the frontiers of the empire to the Hindukush mountains, and checked

the expansionist designs of the Uzbeks of Turan (Central Asia) and the Safavids of Iran.The three

rulers maintained and consolidated the various instruments of governance.

4

marks

225

39

26 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

In Praise Of Taswir Abu’l Fazl held the art of painting in high esteem: Drawing the likeness of anything is called

taswir. His Majesty from his earliest youth, has shown a great predilection for this art, and gives it

every encouragement, as he looks upon it as a means both of study and amusement. A very large

number of painters have been set to work. Each week, several supervisors and clerks of the

imperial workshop submit before the emperor the work done by each artist, and His Majesty gives

a reward and increases the monthly salaries of the artists according to the excellence displayed. …

Most excellent painters are now to be found, and masterpieces, worthy of a Bihzad, may be placed

at the side of the wonderful works of the European painters who have attained worldwide fame.

The minuteness in detail, the general finish and the boldness of execution now observed in pictures are incomparable; even inanimate objects look as if they have life. More than a hundred painters

have become famous masters of the art. This is especially true of the Hindu artists. Their pictures

surpass our conception of things. Few, indeed, in the whole world are found equal to them.

Q1. How did Mughal emperor Akbar encourage painting?

Ans. By appointing many painters in the royal court. And giving awards and increased their

salaries also.

Q2. Why did he patronise painting?

Ans. he considered it as medium of entertainment

Q3. Write any two features of the painting made by Hindu painter?

Ans. Displayed minuteness, finish and boldness. Also made inanimate things.

7

marks

229

27 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

Nobles At Court The Jesuit priest Father Antonio Monserrate, resident at the court of Akbar, noticed: In order to

prevent the great nobles becoming insolent through the unchallenged enjoyment of power, the King summons them to court and gives them imperious commands, as though they were his slaves.

The obedience to these commands ill suits their exalted rank and dignity.

Q1. What does father Monserrate’s observation suggest about the relationship between

Mughal emperor and his officials?

Ans. He suggests that the emperor was supreme and he controlled the nobles in such a way

that they had to obey the order of the emperor in all conditions. No one can challenge his position.

Q2. How did the emperor control his nobles?

Ans. personally reviewed changes in their mansabdari. By changing their mansabs. By

establishing spiritual relationship.

Q3. Describe two functions of the noble?

Ans. Participated in military campaign with their armies. Also served as officers of the state.

7

marks

245

28 Read the following passage given carefully and answer the question that follows:

The Accessible Emperor In the account of his experiences, Monserrate, who was a member of the first Jesuit mission, says:

It is hard to exaggerate how accessible he (Akbar) makes himself to all who wish audience of him. For he creates an opportunity almost every day for any of the common people or of the nobles to

see him and to converse with him; and he endeavours to show himself pleasant-spoken and affable

rather than severe towards all who come to speak with him. It is very remarkable how great an

effect this courtesy and affability has in attaching him to the minds of his subjects.

Q1. What do you know about Jesuit Moserrate?

Ans. Religious preacher came from Europe in 16th century to visit the court of Akbar.

Q2. What was the role of Jesuit Mission in 16th

century?

Ans. The part of a trade process and empire building.

Q3. How did Akbar treat those who came to meet?

Ans. He was soft spoken and available for all. His courtesy and affability had a deep impact on

the minds of his subject

7

marks

25

29 Value Based Question 4 245,46

40

How the policies and achievement of Akbar proved valuable for the Mughal Empire?

Ans. Idea of sulh-i-kul as the cornerstone of the enlightened rule. Akbar abolished the tax on

pilgrimage in 1563 and jazia in 1564 as the two were based on the religious discrimination. Gave

grants to support the buildings and maintenance of places of worship. Sovereignty as a social

contract:- protected the life, property,honour,faith

marks

30 Value Based Question How did Akbar prove the social link among the people?

Ans. He was soft spoken and available for all. His courtesy and affability had a deep impact on the

minds of his subject

4

marks

THEME - 10

( COLONIALISM AND RURAL SOCIETY: EVIDENCE FROM OFFICIAL REPORTS )

Sr.

No.

Important Questions and Answers Marks Page

No 1 What was Permanent Settlement?

Ans.This system of land revenue assessment and collection was introduced by Lord Cornwalis in

1793 It is known as Permanent Settlement because revenue once assessed was never revised.

In this system the right to collect land revenue was given to landlords (Zamindars) permanently. The

amount of revenue had been fixed in permanent settlement. If the Zamindar failed to pay the British

Government then the land was auctioned to the highest bidder.

2

marks

258

2 Explain the Ryotwari system of revenue. Ans. The revenue system that was introduced in the Bombay Deccan came to be known as

Ryotwari. In this system, the revenue was directly settled with the ryot. The average incomes from different types of soil was estimated. The revenue-paying capacity of the ryot was assessed and

a proportion of it was fixed as the share of the state.

This assessment was for a period 30 years and was revised after that.

2

marks

277

3 What was a “Deeds of Hire”?

Ans. When debts mounted the peasants were unable to pay back the loan to the moneylender.

They had no option but to give over all land under their possession, carts and animals to the money

lenders. But without animals they could not continue to cultivate. So they took land on rent and

animals on hire.

Now they had to pay for them which had originally belonged to them. He had to sign a document

called “Deed of Hire” stating very clearly that these animals and carts did not belong to the peasants.

2

marks

283

4 Who were Santhals? What are the two features of their lives?

Ans. They were the tribes living in the foothills of Rajmahal hills. They cultivated their fields by plough they were migrants from neighbouring areas. Their settlement was encouraged by British

government to counter the influence of Paharias and to expand agriculture in this area.

Paharias wanted to create their own dreamland Damin – i - koh area in this area.

2

marks

271

5 What do you understand by Deccan riots commission?

Ans. The commission which was set up to investigate the riots of Deccan’s farmer in 1875. It was

set up by the government of Bombay due to immense pressure of Government of India.

Its report was presented in 1878 before the British Parliament.It tried to establish thatpeasant unrest

was due to the exploitation by the local money lender and zamindars and not the wrong policies of

British government in India.

2

marks

275

6 Describe the life style of Pahariyas Ans. Location :Late 18th century revenue records tell us much about the life of Paharias.They lived in

and around foot hills of Rajmahal hills,subsisting on forest produce and practicing shifting agriculture.

They scratched the ground lightly with hoes, cultivated the cleared land for few years, then left it fallow so that it could recover its fertility, and moved to a new area The Paharias cleared patches of

forest by cutting bushes and burning the undergrowth. They grew a variety of pulses and millets for

consumption on these patches of land which were rich in potash from ash.

OccupationsTheir life was closely linked to the forests as they were hunters, food gatherers,

shifting cultivators, charcoal producers, silkworm rears. From the forests they collected Mahua (a

flower) for food, silk cocoons and resin for sale, and wood for charcoal production.

Life style: Their hutswere located in the shade of the Tamarind groves and the rested in the

4

marks

275

41

shade of the Mango groves. Their chiefs maintained the unity of the groups, settled disputes and led

his people in the battle against other tribes & the settled agriculturists

Paharias raids: They fought with settled agriculturists especially in times of scarcity.

Zamindars, settled agriculturists and traders had to pay regular protection money to the Paharia chiefs

to prevent Paharia raids in their territories.

7 What are the problems of using official sources in writing about the history of peasants?

Ans. Following are the problems in using official sources in writing about the history of peasants : Only the Official Viewpoint: These are official sources and reflect only British official

concerns and interpretation of all events from the outlook and angles of the English. For example, the

Deccan riots commission was specifically asked to judge whether the level of Government revenue

demand was the cause of the revolt.

Poor Image Of India: Most of the events, revolts and happening have been presented in a

biased manner. The colonial Government and official had their own political, economic,

religious, cultural and social interest. They had always tried to present a poor picture of

Indian Society, people, tradition, culture and even the achievements.

Manipulating Facts : The sources have been presented and recorded in such a clever manner

& with false evidences that the administrative failure of the East India company is hidden.

For example, the Deccan Riot Commission alters evidences to give authenticity to the report

of the commission. The Commission tried to prove to the British Parliament and the British industrialists that The East India Company’s Government was not responsible for

Deccanpeasants unrest.

Indian Moneylenders & Zamindars: The Indian moneylenders and the zamindars were

blamed for miserable condition of peasants by British colonial records. Their high rates of

interest &undue collection were given as reasons for peasant unrest.

Verification From Other Sources: Official reportsare invaluable sources for the

reconstruction of history because of the large amount of statistical data given in these reports.

But they have to be always cross checked fromother sources like newspapers, unofficial

accounts, legal records and where possibleoral sources.

4 marks 285

8

Who were Jotedars? Why was the Jotendars a powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal ?

Ans. The Jotedars a power figure in many areas of rural Bengal because :- 1. Rich Peasants were called Jotedars. The group of rich farmers were known as Jotedars.

While several Zamindars were facing a crisis at the end of the 18th century, Jotedars were

consolidating their position in the villages. For example, in rural area of North Bengal we get

reference about a rich class of peasant they were known as Jotedars.

2. Causes for Rise of the Jotendars as powerful figure in many areas of rural Bengal were: By

the early nineteenth century, Jotedars had acquired vast areas of land-sometimes as much as

several thousand acres.

3. They controlled local trade as well as moneylending, exercising immense power over the

poorer cultivators of the region

4. Control Over Share CroppersA large part of their land was cultivated through share

croppers (adhiyars or bargadars) who brought their own plough, laboured in the field, and handed over half the produce to the Jotedars after the harvest.

4 marks 261

9 Why Zamindars defaulted on payments?

Ans. The reasons for failure to pay promised revenue to the British Govt. were:

1. The initial revenue demand was more than 50% were very high, because the company felt

that if the demand was fixed for all time to come they would never be able to claim for high

shares in the condition of increased income.

2. This high demand was imposed in the 1790s, at that time the prices of agricultural

produce were depressed, making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the

zamindar. Zamindars could not collect the rent, so they could not pay the revenue to the

East India Company

3. The revenue was fixed, regardless of the harvest, and had to be paid in cash and by the

sunset of a fixed date. Sunset laws were made for this purpose.

4. The permanent settlement initially limited the power of the Zamindars to collect rent from the ryot and manage his zamindari.

4

marks 260

10 Why did the Santhals revolted against the British rule?

1. Ans. The Santhals revolted against the British rule due to following reasons: The land that

Santhals had brought under cultivation was slipping away from their hands.

4

marks

270

42

2. The state was levying heavy taxes on the land that the Santhals had cleared, money lenders

(dikus) were charging them high rates of interest.Moneylenders were taking over the land

from Santhals when debts remained unpaid.

3. Zamindars were asserting control over the Damin – i - koh area. By the 1850s, the Santhals

felt that the time had come to rebel against Zamindars, money lenders and the colonial state

in order to create an ideal world for themselves where they would rule.

4. It was after the Santhal Revolt (1855-56) that the Santhal Pargana was created, carving out 5,500 sq. miles from the districts of Bhagalpur and Birbhum.

11 Why did the Fifth report become the cause of intense debate in England? Explain.

Ans. It was a report of the administration and the activities of the East India Company to the

British Parliament. Parliament raised objections on the activities of the EIC in India.

The industrialists and some other groups in Britain wanted to end the monopoly of EIC in

Chinese & Indian trade and Indian administration. They wanted to revoke the Royal Charter

which gave the company the monopoly rights.

Private traders wanted a share in the trade with India and china. Industrialists wanted

cheaper raw materials, more investment areas and larger markets. So they tried to prove the

inefficiency of EIC

All incidents of misrule, greed and corruption by the company were highlighted and

debated by these groups in the British Parliament and in the British press. A series of regulatory Acts

passed by the British Parliament forced EIC to send regular reports. The Fifth report was the 5th report in this series of reports.

4

marks

263

12

Value Based Question Q. A: Why did the end of the American Civil war increase the hardship of the Indian Peasant in

the Deccan?

1. Ans. As the Civil War ended, cotton production in America revived and Indian cotton

exports to Britain steadily declined.

2. Export merchants and sahukars in Maharashtra were no longer gave long-term credit. They

could see the loss in demand for Indian cotton and cotton prices fell. They demanded

repayment of outstanding debts.

3. In the new revenue settlement, the demand was increased dramatically: from 50 to 100 per

cent

Q. B: What values could have prevented the clash between the peasant and the moneylenders?

Ans. Value points - Empathy-Consideration for peasants - Compassion - Fair play

4

marks

280

13 What steps taken by the British East India Company to control the Zamindars ?

1. Ans. The British East India Company took the following steps mainly to maintain its control

over the Zamindars:

2. Reducing Zamindars Influence: Disbanded the Zamindar’s troops

a) Abolished Custom duties and Cutcheries: (Courts) were brought under the supervision

of collector appointed by the East India Company.

b) Lost Control over Panchayats: The power to deliver local judgement was also taken

away from zamindars. In fact zamindars control and leadership over peasants through

local caste and other panchayats weakened because :-

3. They lost their power to organize local police.

4. With the passing of time the British Collectorate emerged as an alternative centre of

authority, severely restricting the zamindar’s powers.

5. In case a Raja (powerful zamindars) failed to pay the land revenue, a Company official was

quickly dispatched to his zamindari with instruction “to take charge of the District and to

use the most effective methods to destroy all the influence and the authority of the

zamindar and his officers”.

6. Some of the scholars believe that some trouble creaters were also used to reduce the

influence of Rajahs. For example, when the zamindar despactched their amlah (collector of

revenue or representative of zamindar). Some notorious people use to create problem for

zamindars. Some ryots deliberately delayed payment of revenue to the zamindar.

7. e. Rich ryots , village headmen, Jotedars and Mandals-were only often happy to see the

Zamindar in trouble. The zamindar could not easily exercise his power over these people.

8

marks

260

14 Source Based Questions. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Referring to the condition of zamindars and the auction of lands, the Fifth Report stated.

7

marks

43

The revenue was not realized with punctuality, and lands to a considerable extent were

periodically exposed to sale by auction. In the native year 1203, corresponding with 1796 - 1797, the

land advertised for sale comprehended a jumma or assessment of sicca rupees 28, 70, 061, the

extent of land actually sold bore a jumma or assessment of 14,18, 756 and the amount of

purchase money sicca rupees 17,90, 416,. In 1204 corresponding with 1797-98 the land advertised was

for sicca rupees 26, 66, 191 the quality sold was for sicca rupees 21, 47, 580. Among the defaulters

were some of the oldest families or the country. Such were the rajahs of Nuddea, Rajeshaye Bishenpore (all districts of Bengal), and others, the dismemberment of whose estates at the end of

each succeeding year threatened them with poverty and ruin, and in some instances presented

difficulties to the revenue officer, in their efforts to preserve undiminished the amount of public

assessment.

Q1. Why did Zamindars defaulted on payments? 3

1. Ans. The revenue demand was very high.

2. The high demand was imposed the 1790’s, a time when the prizes of agriculture produce

were depressed making it difficult for the ryots to pay their dues to the zamindars.

3. The revenue was invariable regardless of the harvest and had to be paid regularly.

Q2. Name some of the oldest families who were defaulters in payment? 2

Ans.The Rajas of Nuddea, Rajeshaye, Bishenpore (all district of Bengal) were some of the defaulters

could not pay revenue in time.

Q3. What was fifth report? 3

1. Ans. Fifth report is one amongst a series of report of the administrative activities of the East

India company sent to the British parliament.

2. It content 1002 pages of which over 800 pages were appendices that reproduced petitions of

zamindars and ryots.

3. Reports of collectors, statistical reports on revenue returns and notes on the revenue and

judicial administration of Bengal and Madras,written by officials.

15 Source Based Questions.

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Deeds of hire When debts mounted the peasant was unable to pay back the loan to the moneylender. He had no

option but to give over all his possessions – land, carts, and animals – to the moneylender. But without

animals he could not continue to cultivate. So he took land on rent and animals on hire. He now had to pay for the animals which had originally belonged to him. He had to sign a deed of hire stating very

clearly that these animals and carts did not belong to him. In cases of conflict, these deeds could be

enforced through the court. The following is the text of a deed that a peasant signed in November

1873, from the records of the Deccan Riots Commission: I have sold to you, on account of the debt

due to you, my two carriages having iron axles, with their appurtenances and four bullocks … I have

taken from you on hire under (this) deed the very same two carriages and four bullocks. I shall pay

every month the hire thereof at Rupees four a month, and obtain a receipt in your own handwriting. In

the absence of a receipt I shall not contend that the hire had been paid.

Q1. How did peasants pay back the loan to the moneylender? 3

1. Ans. When debts mounted the peasant was unable to pay back the loan to the moneylender.

2. He had no option but to give over all his possessions – land, carts, and animals – to the moneylender.

3. But without animals he could not continue to cultivate. So he took land on rent and animals

on hire

Q2. What was the “Deed Of hire”? Explain. 3

1. Ans. “A deed of hire “ stated very clearly that the land, animals and carts did not belong to

peasant.

2. In cases of conflict, these deeds could be enforced through the court. For example on account

of the debt due to the moneylender, the peasant’s two carriages with iron axles, and their

appurtenances and four bullocks were taken from on hire under the deed.

3. The peasantpaid every month the hire price at the rate of Rupees four a month, and obtained a

receipt in the moneylenders own handwriting. In the absence of a receipt the hire will not be

7

marks 283

44

treated as paid.

Q3. What was the relationship between the peasant and the moneylender? 1

Ans. The “Deed of hire” was always in favour of the moneylender and the peasent was always

exploited because he wasn’t educated, could not go to the court, he had no money to repay the debt, so

he finally lost everything to the moneylender.

16 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

A Ryot Petitions

This is an example of a petition from a ryot of the village of Mirajgaon, Taluka Karjat, to the

Collector, Ahmednagar, Deccan Riots Commission: The sowkars ( sahukars ) … have of late begun

to oppress us. As we cannot earn enough to defray our household expenses, we are actually forced to

beg of them to provide us with money, clothes and grain, which we obtain from them not without

great difficulty, nor without their compelling us to enter into hard conditions in the bond. Moreover

the necessary clothes and grain are not sold to us at cash rates. The prices asked from us are generally

twenty-five or fifty per cent more than demanded from customers making ready money payments …

The produce of our fields is also taken by the sowkars , who at the time of removing it assure us that it will be credited to our account, but they do not actually make any mention of it in the accounts. They

also refuse to pass us any receipts for the produce so removed by them.

Q1. What kind of injustice was experienced by the ryots? 2

1. Ans. Refusal of loan by the moneylender .Peasant had no option but to give over all his

possessions – land, carts, and animalsto the moneylender.Moneylender violated the rules.

2. Deccan Riot Commission established that moneylender charged Rs. 2000 as interest on a

loan of Rs.100

Q2. Why was the harvest taken away by the moneylender and why was it not credited to the

peasants account? 3

1. Ans. Moneylender manipulated laws& forged documents.

2. The farmer’s harvest was taken the moneylenders as payment of the loan given by him to the farmer, but nothing about it was ever mentioned in the loan account of the peasant.

3. The peasant paid every month the hire price but did not get a receipt in the moneylenders

own handwriting. In the absence of a receipt the hire was not be treated as paid.

Q3. Give details of the commission that investigated the petitions of the peasants? 2 1. Ans. The Government of India ordered the government of Bombay to set up an enquiry

commission to investigate into the causes of Deccan Riots.

2. This report of the commission was presented to the British parliament in 1878.

7

marks 282

17 How did the zamindars managed to retain control over their zamindaris?

Ans. Faced with very high revenue demand and possible auction of their estates, zamindarsfound

ways of surviving the pressures. Theyfoundthe followingways.

1. Fictitious sale of zamindaris was one of the methods.Zamindars agents manipulated the

auctions. The revenue demand of the Company was deliberately unpaid, and unpaid balances

were allowed to increase. 2. Zamindars made benami purchases. Of the total sales at the auctions, over 15 per cent

were fictitious. When a part of the estate was auctioned, the zamindar’s men bought the

property, bidding more than other purchasers.

3. New false buyers refused to pay up the purchase money, so the estate had to be resold.

Once again it was bought by the zamindar’s agents, once again the purchase money was not

paid, and once again there was an auction. This process was repeated endlessly.Finally the

estate was sold at a low price back to the zamindar. Zamindar never paid the full revenue

demand and the Company could not recover the unpaid balances .

4. Zamindars transferred some of his zamindari to female relativesbecause the Company

had decreed that the property of women would not be taken over.

5. Outsiders not allowed. When people from outside the zamindari bought an estate at an auction, they could not always take possession. At times their agents would be attacked by

lathyals of the former zamindar

6. People supported zamindars.The sale of the zamindari disturbed peoples sense of identity,

their pride. The zamindars therefore were not easily displaced

7. Rules of revenue payment were made flexible. After 1790s zamindars consolidated their

power. As a result, the zamindar’s power over the villages was strengthened.

8. The Jotedars consolidated their power in the countryside during the Great Depression of

8

marks 263

45

the 1930s that zamindars finally collapsed.

18 Who was Francis Buchanan? How did his account help in understanding the history of the

countryside?

1. Ans. Francis Buchanan was a physician who came to India and served in the Bengal Medical

Service (from 1794 to 1815). For a few years he was surgeon to the Governor-General of

India, Lord Wellesley. 2. During his stay in Calcutta he organised a zoo that became the Calcutta Alipore Zoo; he was

also in charge of the Botanical Gardens for a short period.

3. On the request of the Government of Bengal, he undertook detailed surveys of the areas

under the jurisdiction of the British East India Company. His report focused on what

crops could be cultivated, which trees cut down, and which ones grown. His assessment for

expansion of agriculture, increasing taxation and the commercial concerns of the East

India Company.

4. Buchanan’s account valuable source but he was an employee of the British East India

Company. He marched everywhere with a large army of people – draughtsmen, surveyors,

palanquin bearers, coolies. The costs of the travels given by the East India Company because

it needed the information that Buchanan was expected to collect. Buchanan had specific

instructions about what he had to look for and what he had to record.

4

marks

266

THEME - 11

( REPRESENTATION OF 1857 )

1 “Rumours and prophecies played a part in moving people to action.” Justify the statement in

the context of the revolt of 1857.

1. Ans. Rumours about bullets of new Enfield rifles being coated with the fat of cows and

pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt the Indian soldier’s caste and religion was the

immediate cause of the revolt of 1857.

2. One rumour which originated in third week of January 1857 when a “low-caste” khalasi

working in the magazine in Dum Dum had asked a Brahmin sepoy for a drink of water from

his lota. The sepoy refused saying that the “lower caste’s” touch would pollute the lota. The

khalasi said in anger, “You will soon lose your caste, as you will have to bite cartridges

covered with the fat of cows and pigs.”

3. The rumours said that the British had mixed the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour

that was sold in the market. In towns and cantonments, sepoys and the common people

refused to touch the atta. 4. There was fear and suspicion that the British wanted to convert Indians to Christianity.

Panic spread fast.

5. The prophecy that British rule would come to an end on the centenary of the Battle of

Plassey, on 23 June 1857.

6. In north India chapattis were being distributed from village to village. A person would come

at night and Distribute chapatti to the watchman of the village and asking him to make five

more and distribute to the next village,

7. We cannot understand the power of rumours and prophecies in history we do not know

whether they are factually correct or not. But they reflect about the minds of people who

believed them – their fears and apprehensions, their faiths and convictions.

8. Rumours circulate only when they resonate with the deeper fears and suspicions of people.The rumours in 1857 begin to make sense when seen in the context of the policies

the British followed from the late 1820s. British adopted policies aimed at “reforming”

Indian society by introducing Western education, Western ideas and Western institutions

and even promoted conversion to Christianity.

4

marks 294

2 The Revolt of 1857 broke out in a mutiny. Justify your answer briefly.

1. Revolt began in afternoon of 10 May 1857 The sepoys in the cantonment of Meerut broke

out in mutiny. It began in the lines of the native infantry it spread very fast to the cavalry and

then to the city. The ordinary people of the town and surrounding villages joined the sepoys.

One group of sepoys arrived at the gates of the Red Fort early in the morning on 11 May.

Another group of sepoys entered Delhi, and the ordinary people of the city joined them.

Europeans were killed in large numbers. The rich of Delhi were attacked and looted. Sepoys

declared Bahadur Shah Zafar as their leader.

8

marks 289

46

2. Ans. Similarity in patternThe sepoys began their action with a signal.In many places it was

the firing of the evening gun or the sounding of the bugle. They first seized the bell of arms

and plundered the treasury. They then attacked government buildings – the jail, treasury,

telegraph office, record room, bungalows and burnt all records.Proclamations in Hindi, Urdu

and Persian were put up in the cities calling upon the population, both Hindus and Muslims,

to unite, rise and exterminate the firangis.Bell of arms is a storeroom in which weapons are

kept. 3. Everything and everybody connected with the white man became a target.. When

ordinary people began joining the revolt, the targets of attack widened. In major towns like

Lucknow, Kanpur and Bareilly, ordinary people joined the sepoys in attacking the British

,moneylenders and the rich. Peasants saw them as oppressors and allies of the British. In most

places their houses were looted and destroyed. The mutiny in the sepoy ranks quickly became

a rebellion. There was a general opposition of all kinds of authority and hierarchy.

4. Planning and coordination resulted in similar action. In the months of May and June, the

British had no answer to the actions of the rebels. Individual Britons tried to save their own

lives and the lives of their families. British rule “collapsed like a house made of cards’’.

3 Why was the revolt particularly widespread in Awadh? What promoted the peasants, taluqdars

and zamindars to join the revolt?

1. Ans. The conquest of Awadh happened in stages. The Subsidiary Alliance had been imposed on Awadh in 1801. The Nawab had to disband his army & allow the British to post

their troops in Awadh .Nawab had to follow the advice of the British Resident attached to the

court. The Nawab dependent on the British to maintain law and order He lost control over the

rebellious chiefs and taluqdars.

2. British decided to take Awadh because :

a) The soil in Awadh was good for producing indigo and cotton.

b) The region was centrally located and could be developed into the largest market of Upper

India.

c) By the 1850sall the major areas of India like the Maratha lands, the Doab, the Carnatic, the

Punjab and Bengalhad been conquered. The takeover of Awadh in 1856 wouldcomplete the

process of British conquest of India 3. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah was dethroned and exiled to Calcuttaon false charge of bad

governance but people loved the nawab and followed him to Kanpur singing sad songs.

4. Loss of livelihoodThe removal of the Nawab led to the ending of the court and its culture.

The musicians, dancers, poets, artisans, cooks, retainers, administrative officials etc. lost their

livelihood.

5. The taluqdars of the region lost their power, armies, forts, and freedom. The British were

unwilling to tolerate the power of the taluqdars. Many of these taluqdars were loyal to the

Nawab of Awadh. They joined Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow to fight the British.

6. Awadh were actually heavily overassessed The increase of revenue demand in some

places was from 30 to 70 per cent. So taluqdars & peasants were angry with

annexation.Under the British, the peasant had to pay more revenue and methods of collection were more harsh.

7. The problems of the peasants were shared by the sepoys as majority of the sepoys were

recruited from the villages of Awadh and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Many of them were

Brahmins or from the “upper” castes. Awadh was, in fact, called the “nursery of the Bengal

Army’’ The sepoys complained of low pay and the difficulty of getting leave and humiliating

treatment by European officers. They were sent on overseas assignments.The issue of greased

cartridges became the immediate cause of the revolt.

8. Zamindars lost their control over their lands and resources. They had to pay assessed

revenue to the British Govt. and their zamindari was auctioned if they failed to pay the

revenue.

8

marks

296

4 What were the Rebel proclamations in 1857? What did rebels want? To what extent did the

vision of different social groups differ?

1. Ans. Rebels made the following proclamations in 1857: a) Regarding Zamindars . The British Government has imposed high revenue demand. They

have disgraced and ruined several zamindars, by public auction zamindars are summoned

into court, arrested, put in goal and disgraced. Besides the resources of the zemindars are

annually taxed with the subscription for schools, hospitals, roads, etc. After the end of British

4

marks

364

47

rule the zamindars powers will be restored.

b) Regarding Merchants . British Government has monopolised the trade of all the fine and

valuable goods, such as indigo, cloth, and other articles of shipping, leaving only the trade of

small items to the people.The profits of the traders are taxed, with postages, tolls and

subscriptions for schools, etcThe merchants were imprisonedon the complaint of ordinary

men. The rebels promised that if the merchants support them then the trade of every article,

both by land and water will be opened to the Indian merchants. c) Regarding Public Servants . Under the British Government, Indians employed in the civil

and military services had little respect, low pay, and no influence. All the high paying and

responsible posts of dignity in both the departments were reserved for Englishmen They

shouldleave their loyalty to the British government and support the rebels for their better

future.

d) Regarding Artisans. English manufactures imported into India hadresulted in loss of

livelihood for the weavers, the cotton dressers, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the

shoemakers, etc. If they support the rebels thenthey will be employed in the service of the

kings, the rajahs, and the rich.

e) Regarding Pundits, Fakirs and Other Learned Persons. They were guardians of the

Hindus and Muslims. Europeans are the enemies of both the religions. Rebels wanted the

unity of all the communities in this holy war. 2. The rebels wanted to restore that old world.The proclamations completely rejected

everything associated with British rule or firangi raj as they called it. They criticised the

British for the annexations& broken treaties.

3. The fear that the British wanted to destroy the caste and religions of Hindus and Muslims and

wanted to convert them to Christianity led people to believe many of the rumours that

circulated at the time.

4. In many places the rebellion against the British resulted in an attack on all those who were

seen as supporters of the British.The rebels humiliated the rich of a city. In the villages they

burnt account books and set on fire the moneylenders’ houses

5 Discuss the extent to which religious beliefs shaped the events of 1857.

1. Ans. Conservative Indians were angered by the various social reforms initiated by the

British. The abolition of sati, legalizing of widow remarriages were regarded as unwanted interference in Indian Social.

2. Indian sentiments were also hurt by the Christian Missionaries.

3. In 1850, the government passed the Hindu property law under which even after converting

to Christianity one could inherit one's ancestral property.

4. The people's resentment was further fuelled by the Maulvis and Brahmins whose cry that

their respective religions were in danger cloaked their selfish interests as these classes now

lost their former importance.

5. The issue of greased cartridges added fuel to fire and became immediate cause of the revolt

6. Solders forced to go on overseas assignment were excommunicated from their castes. They

had to perform purification ceremony.

7. Many sadhus and fakirs also propagated the ideas of revolution. 8. Distribution of chapatis and lotus were also efforts in trying to restore the old order.

4

marks

294

6 Why did the mutinous sepoys in many places turned to erstwhile rulers to provide leadership to

the revolt?

Ans.

1. To fight the British, leadership and organisation were required. So the rebels sometimes

turned to Indian rajas & zamindars. For example the sepoys of Meerut rushed to Delhi and

appealed to the old Mughal emperor to accept the leadership of the revolt. Bahadur Shah’s

first reaction was one of horror and rejection .But under pressure from sepoys agreed to be

the nominal leader of the rebellion.

2. In Kanpur, the sepoys and the people of the town forcedNana Sahib, the successor to

Peshwa Baji Rao II, to join the revolt as their leader.

3. In Jhansi, rani Lakshmi Bai was forced by the popular pressure to accept the leadership of the uprising.

4. Kunwar Singh, a local zamindar in Arrah in Bihar was proclaimed as the leader of the

people

5. In Awadh,people were disappointed with the removal of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and the

annexation of the state by the British. People at Lucknow celebrated the fall of British rule

8

Marks

293

48

by and appointed Birjis Qadr, the young son of the Nawab, as their leader.

6. Not everywhere were the leaders people of the court – ranis, rajas, nawabs and taluqdars.

Most of the times the message of rebellion was carried by ordinary men and women and in

some places by religious men too. For example reports from Meerutshowed the involvement

a fakir riding on an elephant and instructing the sepoys.

7. After the annexation of Awadh, there were many religious leaders and so called prophets

preaching the destruction of British rule. 8. Local leaders spoke to the peasants, zamindars and tribals to revolt. For example Shah Mal

mobilised the villagers of pargana Barout in Uttar Pradesh andGonoo, a tribal cultivator of

Singhbhum in Chotanagpur, became a rebel leader of the Kol tribals of the region.

7 What measures were undertaken to ensure unity among the rebels?

Ans.

1. The rebel proclamations in 1857 repeatedly appealed to all sections of the population,

irrespective of their caste and creed.

2. Many of the proclamations were issued by Muslim princes or in their names but these also

respected the sentiments of Hindus. The rebellion was seen as a war in which both Hindus

and Muslims had to fight together.

3. The proclamation issued under the name of Bahadur Shah appealed to the people to join

the fight under the banner of both Muhammad and Mahavir .The ishtahars talked about the

pre-British Hindu-Muslim past and glorified the coexistence of different communities under the Mughal Empire..

4. Unity between Hindus and Muslim could not be broken by British. In Bareilly in

December 1857, the British spent Rs 50,000 to incite the Hindu population against the

Muslims, but the attempt failed.

5. The administrative structures established by the rebels were aimed at meeting the

demands of war. In Awadh, the resistance to the British lasted longest, plans of counter-

attack were made by the Lucknow court and hierarchies of command lasted till early 1858.

6. A panchayat composed of native officers drawn from each regiment were a nightly

occurrence in the Kanpur sepoy lines. This suggests is that some of the decisions were taken

collectively.

4

Marks

301

8 Discuss the evidence that indicates planning and coordination among the rebels.

Ans.

1. The similarity in the pattern of the revolt in different places was due to planning and

coordination. There was communication between the sepoy lines of various cantonments.

The 7th Awadh Irregular Cavalry refused to accept the new cartridges in early May, then they

wrote to the 48th Native Infantry and awaited the 48th Native Infantry’s order.

2. Sepoys or their messengers moved from one station to another planning and talking about

the rebellion & spreading the ideas of revolution. The pattern of the mutinies and the

evidence suggests some sort of planning and coordination but we do not know how were the

plans made? Who were the planners?

3. Captain Hearsey of the Awadh Military Police reported one incident that the panchayat of

native officers from each regiment decided important matters on the basis of collective decisions. Charles Ball,also wrote that panchayats were a nightly occurrence in the Kanpur

sepoy lines.

4. The sepoys lived in lines and shared a common lifestyle and many of them came from the

same caste sotogether they decided their own future. The sepoys designed of their own

rebellion.

4 Marks

290

9 What steps did the British take to quell the revolt?

Ans.

1. The British passed a series of laws to help them quell the insurgency (before sending out

troops forreconquering North India) by a number of Acts, passed in May and June 1857.

2. The whole of North India was put under martial law.

3. The normal processes of law and trial were suspended rebellion had only death

punishment. All British military officers and ordinary Britons were given the power to try

and punish Indians suspected of rebellion. 4. Armed with these newly made special laws and the reinforcements brought in from

Britain, the British began the task of suppressing the revolt. Theyrecognised the symbolic

value of Delhi. So the British started a two way attack. One force moved from Calcutta into

North India and the other from the Punjab (which was largely peaceful )for reconquering

8

Marks

306

49

Delhi.

5. British attempts to recover Delhi beganby September 1857 end the city was finally

captured. The losses on both sides were heavy. That rebels from all over North India came to

Delhi to defend the capital.

6. In the Ganegtic plain the uprising that had huge popular support. Britishhad to

reconquer the area village by village. As the village people were hostile.

7. In Awadh, three-fourths of the adult male population was involved in rebellion. This area was brought under control byalmost after one year in March 1858.

8. The British used military power on a large scale. In large parts of Uttar Pradesh, big

landholders and peasants foughtas united so the British tried to break up the unity by

promising to give back to the big landholders their estates. Rebel landholders were

dispossessed and the loyal rewarded. Many landholders died fighting the British or they

escaped into Nepal where they died of illness or starvation.

10 What do visual representation of the revolt of 1857tell us? How do historians analyse these

representations?

Ans.

1. There are very few records on the rebels’ point of view. There are some rebel

proclamations, notifications and letters written by rebel leaders. Most rebels were common

people who have not left any records. 2. Most accounts only project British point of view. Official accounts by colonial

administrators and military men, information in their letters .diaries, autobiographies and

official histories. We can see the official mind-set and the changing British attitudes through

the memos and notes, assessments of situations, and reports that were produced.

3. British views have now been collected in a set of volumes on mutiny records. These tell

us about the fears and anxieties of officials and their views of the rebels.

4. British newspapers and magazines narrated in detail the violence of the mutineersand

these stories forced the British public demand punishmentand revenge.

5. The pictorial images produced by the British and Indians: paintings, pencil drawings,

etchings, posters, cartoons, bazaar prints. British pictures offer a variety of images that were

meant to arouse anger and a range of different emotions and reactions. Some of them celebrate the British heroes who saved the English and punished the rebels.

6. “Relief of Lucknow”, waspainted by Thomas Jones Barker in 1859. It shows the rebel

forces in besieged Lucknow.Henry Lawrence, the Commissioner of Lucknow, collected

the Christian population and took refuge in the heavily fortified Residency. Lawrence was

killed but the Residency continued to be defended under the command of Colonel Inglis.

On 25 September James Outram and Henry Havelock arrived, to defend British garrisons.

On Twenty days later Colin Campbell, who was appointed as the new Commander of

British forces in India, rescued the British garrison in Lucknow. Barker’s painting

celebrates the moment of Campbell’s entry.In British accounts the siege of Lucknow

became a story of survival, heroic resistance and the ultimate victory of British power..

At the centre of the canvas are the British heroes – Campbell, Outram and Havelock. The

gestures of the hands of those around lead the spectator’s eyes towards the centre. The heroes

stand on a ground that is well lit, with shadows in the foreground and the damaged Residency

in the background. The dead and injured in the foreground are testimony to the suffering

during the siege, while the triumphant figures of horses in the middle ground emphasise the

fact that British power and control had been re-established. To the British public such

paintings were reassuring. They created a sense that the time of trouble was past and the

rebellion was over; the British were the victors Britain Newspaper reports publishedthe tales

of violence against English women and their honour it shaped public imagination, feelings

and attitudes to the revolt.

7. Paintings and cartoons tell about the viewsof those who appreciated or criticised the images,

and bought copies and reproductions to put up in their homes. These images reflected the

emotions and feelings of the times in which they were produced.

8. They shaped sensibilities of the people. Fed by the images that circulated in Britain, the

8

Marks

307

50

public sanctioned the most brutal forms of repression of the rebels. On the other hand,

nationalist imageries of the revolt helped shape the nationalist imagination

12 Examine any two sources, one visual and one text, from the chapter. What do they tell us about

the victor and the vanquished?

Ans.

1. “In Memoriam” was painted by Joseph Noel Paton two years after the mutiny. The

British government was asked to protect the honour of innocent women and ensure the safety

of helpless children. Artists painted visual representations of trauma and suffering. English

women and children are huddled in a circle, looking helpless and innocent, waiting for–

dishonour, violence and death. “In Memoriam” only suggests violence It arouses anger and

against the rebels. It represents the rebels as violent and brutish, but the rebels are invisible in

the picture. In the background the British rescue forces arrive as saviours.

2. Miss Wheeler stands firmly at the centre, defending her honour, single-handedly killing the

attacking rebels. In all such British paintings the rebels are like demons. Here, four strong

males with swords and guns are shown attacking a woman. The woman’s struggle to save her

honour and her life, has a deeper religious meaning also: it is a battle to save the honour of

Christianity. The book lying on the floor is the Bible.

3. In Britain, demands for punishment & revenge grew louder. Visual representations and

news about the revolt created a class which demanded violent repression and revenge as both

necessary and just Threatened by the rebellion, the British felt that they had to demonstrate

their invincibility.

4. The image of allegorical female figure of justice with a sword in one hand and a shield

in the other with aggressive posture, anger and the desire for revenge shows the British

attitude. She is trampling sepoys under her feet and a lot of Indian women with children bent with fear. There were many other pictures and cartoons in the British press that demanded

brutal repression of the rebels. This was expressed in the cruel way in which the rebels were

executed. They were blown from guns, or hanged from the gallows. Images of these

executions were widely circulated through popular journals.

5. No time for clemency cartoon. At a time when the call was for vengeance, pleas for

moderation were mocked. When Governor General Canning declared that a gesture of

leniency and a show of mercy would help in winning back the loyalty of the sepoys, he was

mocked in the British press. In one of the cartoons published in the pages of Punch, a British

journal of comic satire, Canning is shown as a looming father figure, with his protective hand

over the head of a sepoy who still holds an unsheathed sword in one hand and a dagger in the

other, both dripping with blood

6. The leaders of the revolt were presented as heroic figures leading the country into

battle, against oppressive imperial rule. Heroic poems were written about Rani Laxmibai

who, with a sword in one hand and the reins of her horse in the other, fought for the freedom

of her motherland. Rani of Jhansi was represented as a masculine figure chasing the enemy,

slaying British soldiers and bravely fighting till her last. Children in many parts of India grow

up reading the lines of Subhadra Kumari Chauhan: “Khoob lari mardani woh to Jhansi wali

rani thi” (Like a man she fought, she was the Rani of Jhansi). In popular prints Rani Lakshmi

Bai is usually portrayed in battle armour, with a sword in hand and riding a horse – a symbol

of the determination to resist injustice and alien rule.

7. The images show how the painters who saw those events felt, and what they wanted to

convey.

8. Nationalist Imageries The national movement in the twentieth century drew its inspiration

from the events of 1857. A whole world of nationalist imagination was woven around the

revolt. It was celebrated as the First War of Independence in which all sections of the

people of India came together to fight against imperial rule. Art and literature, & the

writing of history, has kept alive the memory of 1857.

8

Marks

309

13 What were the policies and administrative causes of the Revolt of 1857?

Ans. (a) Imperialist policy of the British administrators.

(b) Doctrine of Lapse

(c) Abolition of pensions and Titles.

(d) Disrespect to the Mughal Emperor.

(e) Annexation of Awadh

4

Marks

Explain

all the

points

304

51

(f)Misuse of Subsidiary alliance.

14 What were the causes of the failure of the 1857 Revolt?

Ans. (a) Breaking out before of the fixed date.

(b) Co-operation of the native states to the British.

(c) Lack of co-operation from the Elite.

(d) Limited resources of the Rebels.

(e)Absence of a common ideal.

(f) Diplomacy of the British.

4

Marks

Explain

all the

points.

304

15 Discuss the nature of revolt of 1857

Ans. (A) Only a Sepoy mutiny – (i) The main ground for the uprising had been prepared by the soldiers.

(ii) Important and immediate causes of the revolt was the use of greased cartridges.

(iii) The revolt did not spread throughout the country.

(iv) The revolt did not enjoy the cooperation and support of the common people.

(B) First war of Independence –

(i) Lakhs of artisans, farmers and soldiers struggled united against the British rule.

(ii) Hindu and Muslim took actively part in the movement.

(iii)The masses took active part in the struggle against the British at almost all centres of

uprisings.

(i)It had country wide presence.

(C) First war of Independence – (i) Modern historians believe that it was neither. It was a sepoy mutiny in most parts of South

India

(ii) In North and North western India it was a mass civil disobedience movement with some

evidence of planning and coordination.

(iv) In North Eastern parts of the country its impact could only be seen in some pockets.

4 Marks

16. What were the military causes of 1857 revolt?

Ans. Political & Administrative Causes :- (a) Imperialist policy of the British administrators.

(b) Doctrine of Lapse

(c) Abolition of pensions and Titles.

(d) Disrespect to the Mughal Emperor. (e) Annexation of Awadh

(f) Misuse of Subsidiary alliance.

Economic Causes :-

(a) Drain of wealth

(b) Destruction of Indian industries, trade & commerce.

(c) Exorbitant rate of land revenue.

(d) Resumption of Inami or rent-free lands.

(e) Unemployment and poverty among the masses.

Social Causes :- (a) Maltreatment of the Indians.

(b) Interference in the social life of Indians. (c) Spread of Western Education.

(d) Propagation of Christianity.

Military Causes :-

(a) Unrest among the Indian soldiers.

(b) Increase ratio of Indian soldiers.

(c) faulty distribution of troops.

(d) General Service Enlistment Act.

(e) Greased cartridges.

8

Marks

Explain

all the

points

Page

17 Source based Questions :-

Read the following passage and answer the following questions given below: We get significant information from Azamgarh proclmattion. 25 Aug, 8157 as to what the rebels wanted.

Section III. Regarding Public servants It is not a secret things, that under the British Government, native employed in the civil and military

7

marks

302

52

service have little respect, low pay and no manner of influence; and all he post of dignity and

emolument in both the departments are exclusively bestowed on Englishmen ….Therefore, all the

native in the British service ought to be alive to their religion and interest, and adjuring their loyalty to

the English side with the Badshahi Government and obtain salaries of 200 and 300 rupees for the

present, and be entitled to high post in the future……

Section IV – Regarding Artisans. It is entitled that the Europeans, by the introduction of English articles into India, have thrown the

weavers, the cotton dressers, the carpenters, the blacksmiths, and the shoemakers, etc., out of employ,

and have engrossed their occupations, so that every description of native artisan has been reduced to

beggary. But under the Badshahi Government the native artisans will exclusively be employed in the

service of the kings, the rajas, and the rich; and this will no doubt ensure their prosperity therefore,

these artisans ought to renounce the English Service

Q1. How did the introduction of English affect the artisans?2 Ans. The Artisans were affected in the following manner:-

They were deprived of their employment as the old rulers and nobility declined.

The cheap machine-made goods of Britain captured the Indian markets. Consequently, they

lost their overseas and Indian markets too.The native artisan was reduced to beggary.

Q2. How would the condition of the artisan improve under the Badshahi Government? 1

Ans. Under the Badshahi Government, the native artisans will exclusively be employed in

theservice of the kings, the rajas and the rich.

Q3. Why were the public servants dissatisfied with the British Government? 2

Ans. Under the British government, natives employed in the civil and military service

They had no respect.

Their salaries were low.

They had no decision making power or influence.

Q4. What did the rebel proclamation repeatedly appeal for? 2

Ans. The rebel proclamation repeatedly appealed that the Indians should take care of their religion

and interests and they should side with the Badshahi government.

Chapter- 12 COLONIAL CITIES

URBANISATION, PLANNING AND ARCHITICTURE

1 What purpose did mapping serve to the colonial government?

Ans.

1. Mapping helped to understand the landscape and know the topography and thus helped them

to exert better control over a region. Town maps in particular provided information regarding

the location of hills, rivers and vegetation. It was necessary for planning structures for

defence purpose.

2. Maps showed the location of ghats, alignment of roads and density of houses which were

used to see commercial possibilities and to plan for taxation policy.

2

Marks

320

2 Explain how conversion of census data into convenient statistical data by the British in India

was riddled with ambiguities in the late nineteenth century?

Ans. 1. The census commissioners made categories for classifying different sections of population.

2. However this classification was usually arbitrary and failed to hold the fluid and overlapping

identities of people.

2

Marks

321

3 Why were hill stations set up? Name three hill stations set up by the British?

Ans.

1. Hill stations were set up as secure places for military cantonments, to guard the frontiers and

to launch campaign against enemy rulers. They had climates which reminded the rulers about

their home towns.

2. Shimla, Mount Abu and Darjeelingwere the three of the many hill stations established by

British

2

Marks

327

4 How did the prominent Indian merchants establish themselves in the colonial cities? 2 341

53

Ans. 1. Indian merchants established themselves by investing in new ventures such as cotton mills in

Bombay.

2. They patronised building activity in the city. For example, the university hall in Bombay was

made with money donated by a rich Parsee merchant Sir Cawasjee Jehangir Readymoney.

Marks

5 Name the region where the Lottery Committee initiated town planning during 18th

century.

Mention any one feature of it. 1. During the 18th century the Lottery Committee initiated town planning in Calcutta.

2. The Lottery committee commissioned a new map of the city to get a broader picture of

Calcutta.

2

Marks

336

6 What were Civil Lines during the colonial rule?

Ans.

i. British attitudes in India were shaped by a constant fear of rebellion after the Revolt of

1857. They felt that towns needed to be better defended, and white people had to live in more

secure and segregated enclaves, away from the threat of the “natives”.

ii. White people began to live in the Civil Lines .Pasturelands and agricultural fields around

the older towns were cleared, and new urban spaces called “Civil Lines” were set up.

2

Marks 340

7 Why were the records of the colonial cities preserved?

Ans. 1. To know the change in population and to have data on different demographic trends.

2. For reconstructing the history of growth of the colonial cities and for the purpose of town

planning.

2

Marks 341

8 Write the common characteristics of the three colonial cities Bombay, Calcutta and Madras?

1. The English East India Company established their administrative and trade centres in these

cities. Ports developed near these cities.

2. They were restructured as White and Black settlement areas, with most facilities in the White

settlement areas.

2

Marks 343

9 What role did lottery committee play in development of Calcutta?

1. It raised funds for improvement of the city through public lotteries. It got a new map of

Calcutta.

2. Building of roads in Indian part of city and clearing the river bank of encroachments.

2

Marks 336

10 What is the difference between cities and villages?

1. Main activities of villages were agriculture, domesticating animals and foraging in the

forest for food.

2. Main occupations of towns were artisanal activities, traders, paid labour, white collar

jobs etc. towns dominated the villages. They prospered on surplus and the taxes acquired

from agriculture. The towns & cities were fortified showing their separation from villages.

2

Marks

Page

11 (Value Based Question)

Read the following passage carefully. Answer all the questions given after it.

Amar Katha (My Story) .

Binodini Dasi (1863-1941) was a pioneering figure in Bengali theatre in the late nineteenth and early

twentieth centuries and worked closely with the dramatist and director Girish Chandra Ghosh (1844-

1912). She was one of the prime movers behind the setting up of the Star Theatre (1883) in Calcutta

which became a centre for famous productions. Between 1910 and 1913 she serialised her

autobiography, Amar Katha (My Story). A remarkable personality, she exemplified the problem

women faced in recasting their roles in society. She was a professional in the city, working in multiple

spheres – as an actress, institution builder and author – but the patriarchal society of the time scorned

her assertive public presence.

4

Marks

Page

54

Q1. What were the achievements of Binodini Das? Why was she regarded with suspicion? 2

Ans. The achievements of Binodini Das were that she was well read and the main inspiration in the

setting up of the Star Theatre (1883) in Calcutta which became a centre for famous productions.

Between 1910 and 1913 she serialised her autobiography, Amar Katha . She was regarded with

suspension because conservative people thought that an educated women would threaten the traditional social order.

Q2. What values do you infer from this passage? 2

Ans. The values inferred from this passage are individualism, humanism and rationalism. The belief

that every individual had the right to progress. Women are also individuals and they should not be

confined to the four walls of the house.

12 Which new types of cities emerged? What function did they serve?

Ans.

1. By the 18th century , madras, Calcutta and Bombay had become important ports and cities.

The settlement that came up here were convenient points for collecting goods. The English

East India Company built its factories (i.e. mercantile offices) there and because of

competition among European companies fortified there settlement for protection. In

Madras, Fort St. George, in Calcutta Fort William and in Bombay the Fort marked out

the areas of British settlement which were known as ‘White town’. The Indian Merchants, artisan and other women who had economic dealings with Europeans merchants lived outside

their fort. These forts in settlement of train own known as ‘Black Towns’.

2. After 1850s cottons mills were setup by Indian merchants and businessmen in Bombay and

European – owned jute mills were established in Rishra (1855) on the outskirts of Calcutta.

3. Kanpur, Specializing in leather ,wood crafts and cotton textile and Jamshedpur ,

specializing in steel were prominent cities.

4. In 1864 Viceroy John Lawrence officially moved his councils to Shimla and made it his

winter capital.

4

Marks 324

13 Why did prominent Indian merchants try to establish themselves in the colonial city?

Ans. Prominent Indian merchant establish themselves in colonial city in different phases. They

establish themselves in all the three colonial cities i.e., Madras (Channai), Bombay (Mumbai) and

Calcutta (Kolkata).

i. All these Indian merchants tried to establish their relation with the agents of the

company. As all these colonial cities were trade and administrative centres. The Indian

merchants wanted to easily establish their relation with the Europeans. There cities had

various comforts such as modern hotels, restaurant, lodging, boarding, transport facilities,

roadways and shipping.

ii. Prominent Indian merchant played active role in collecting opium from different places

of Rajasthan and Malwa, when Bombay become a major centre of opium trade with China

They brought opium on horses, ponies, camels by road transport etc. They earned money as

middle man between farmers , companies agents and officials. Not only East India Company

but some of the government official and later or other European also participated in illegal

trade of opium. The Indian prominent merchants become very rich. They constructed big

building in all big cities of colonial period. iii. When the industrial revolution in England expanded, these colonial cities became the entry

point for British manufacture goods and exported Indian raw materials (which was to

be used in large scale in industries of England). Prominent Indian merchant also had a share

in these trade activities.

iv. With the introduction of railways in 1853 there was a change in the fortunes of towns. Economic activity gradually shifted away from traditional towns which were located along

old routes and rivers. Every railway station became a collection depot for raw materials and a

distribution point for imported goods. For example Mirzapur located on the Ganges, which

specialized in collecting cotton goods from the Deccan, declined when a railway link was

made to Bombay. With the expansion of the railway network, railway workshops and

railways colonies were established Railways towns like Jamalpur, Waltair and Bareilly developed.

v. The Indian merchants comprised of the people of different communities and castes

such as Parsi, Marwari, Konkani, Arbs, Gujarati. Baniyas, Boras and Jews. Some of the

members of this community invested money in big modern industry, shipping and Airlines

also. They donated money for construction of inns, wells, tanks, temples, Mosque,

Churches and other places of religion and worships.

4

Marks 324

55

14 Why was the hill stations developed in India by British?

Ans. British developed hill stations because of the following reasons:-

1. Defence need of British army. It provided better view of surrounding areas.

2. Strategic places of Army. It kept them safe from their enemies.

3. Cool climate was nearer to their home climate.

4. Hill stations were free from epidemics and had a healthy climate. They were not over

crowded like the plains. 5. Home away home for British where they developed British type townships.

4

Marks 336

15 Assess the impact of health and defence needs on town planning in Colonial Calcutta.

Ans. In 1756, Sirajudula the Nawab of Bengal sacked the small fort which the British traders had

built to house their goods. Consequently when Sirajudaula was defeated in the Battle of Plassey, the

British built a new fort. Fort William could not be easily attacked.

i. Defence need. Around Fort William, a vast open space was left which came to be known as

the Maidan or garer-math. This was done so there would be no obstructions to a straight time

of fire from the Fort against an advancing enemy army.

ii. English Settlement in Calcutta. Soon the British began to move out of the Fort and build

residences along the periphery of the Maidan. This was how the English Settlement in

Calcutta started taking shape. The vast open space around the Fort became Calcutta’s first

significant town planning measure.

iii. Lord Wellesley was concerned about the conditions that existed in the Indian part of the city

the fith, overcrowding and the poor drainage. He wrote a minute (an administrative order) in

1803 on the need for town planning and set up various committees for this purpose. It was

believed that creating open places in the city would make the city healthier. Consequently

many bazaars, ghats, burial ground and tanneries were cleared or removed.

iv. The Lottery Committee. After Wellesley’s departure, the Lottery Committee carried on

with the work of Town Planning. In its drive to make the Indian areas cleaner, the committee

cleared the river bank of encroachment and pushed the poor to the outskirts of Calcutta. The

outbreak of cholera and plague epidemics in the 19th century gave a further impetus to town

planning. The government believed that there was a direct link between living conditions

and the spread of disease. Densely built up areas were regarded as insanitary as it obstructed

sunlight and circulation of air.

4

Marks

324

16 What was the condition of the cities during the colonial rule in India?

Ans. i. New class of laborious poor and workers were emerging. Rural labourers were migrating

to the cities for employment. Many were migrating due to the attractive city life. A large

number of labours were coming to the hill stations where plantation of tea and coffee were done.

ii. Colonial rulers conducted surveys. They collected the statistical data and published the

governmental reports from time to time.

iii. Architecture of the buildings was changed. Maps of Madras, Bombay and Calcutta were

quite different from the old ones

iv. Caste barriers and regional differences in cities were diluted because of education, public

transport, public parks, cinemas and other sources of entertainment. A free and cosmopolitan

culture emerged in the cities.

v. There were a number of opportunities for women in the cities. Some social reformers

supported women educations which was opposed by the orthodox opposed it. Gradually the

participation of women in public places increased. They entered into the new occupations of

the cities as maid, factory labourers, teachers, actress etc.

4

Marks

329

17 Describe the growth of cantonments in India

Ans. i. For the defence of their Empire, the British Government established cantonments at

strategic places. They also built cantonment on the borders of the many important native states to check the disturbance in these states and to control the activities of the rulers.

2

Marks 326

56

ii. In 1765, Lord Robert Clive initiated the policy of building cantonments for British

troops to keep them “cantoned ” in one place, to enforce discipline and military way of

life and also to keep them in a sanitized environment. During that time there were 62

cantonments in India. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the most important cantonments in

India were at Lahore, Peshawar, Ferozpur, Agra, Bareily, Jallandhar, Jhansi, Nagpur,

Bombay, Calcutta, Madras and Delhi. The newly established cantonment at Bhatinda is the

largest of the 62 cantonments in the country.

iii. It is entrusted with the task of administration of cantonments and management of defence

lands both inside and outside the cantonments. The cantonments are administered by the

Cantonment Boards. The Cantonment Boards are autonomous bodies functioning under the

overall control of the Central Government in the Ministry of Defence under the provisions of

Cantonments Act, 1924.

iv. Cantonment Boards provided mandatory civic duties like provisions of Public health,

sanitation, primary education, street lighting, etc.

18 What are the different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city?

Ans. The different colonial architectural styles which can be seen in Bombay city are:-

(A) The new classical / The neo-classical

Its characteristics included construction of geometrical structure fronted with lofty pillars It was

derived from a style that was originally typical of buildings in ancient Rome, and was subsequently revived, re-adapted and made popular during the European Renaissance. Examples of this style are

the:- 1 The Town Hall in Bombay , 2 Elphinstone Circle / Horniman Circle

(B) The neo-Gothic

It is characterised by high-pitched roofs, pointed arches and detailed decoration. The Gothic style had

its roots in buildings, especially churches, built in northern Europe during the medieval period.

Examples of this style are;- 1 The Secretariat , 2 University of Bombay , 3 High Court of

Bombay , 4 Victoria Terminus

(C)The Indo-Saracen

A new hybrid architectural style which combined the Indian with the European styles. “Indo” was

shorthand for Hindu and “Saracen” was a term Europeans used to designate Muslim. Examples of this

style are:- 1 The Gateway of India , 2 The Taj Mahal Hotel

8

Marks 342

19 To what extent are census data useful in reconstruction patterns of urbanization in the colonial

context ?

Or

“A careful study of census reveals some fascinating trends in urbanization in 19th

century”.

Support the statement with facts.

Ans. Census data are very useful in reconstructing pattern of urbanization in the colonial context. Due

to the following reasons:-

i. The colonial government believed in colour and racial discrimination. There census data

provide us the exact number of population as well as the total population of while and

blacks.

ii. This data made it easy for planning towns, designing their layout, make provisions for

future expansion, keeping in view living standards, needs and style of the whites as well as

of the blacks.

iii. This data also tell us the total number of people that had been adversely affected by deadly

diseases.

iv. Census data provide us complete information about total number of different communities,

their language, their works and means of livelihood as well as about their caste and

religion .

v. The growth of cities was mentioned through regular head counts. By the mid nineteenth

century several local censuses had been carried out in different regions.

vi. The first all-India census was attempted in 1872. Thereafter, from 1881, decimal (conducted

every ten years) census become a regular feature. This collection of data is a valuable source

for studying urbanization in India.

vii. When we look at these reports it appears that we have solid data to measure historical

8 Marks

328

57

change. The endless pages of tables on disease and death, or the enumeration of people

according their age, sex, caste and occupation, provide a vast mass of figures that creates an

illusion of concreteness.

viii. But historians have, found that these figures can be misleading. Before we use these figures

we need to understand who collected the data, and why and how they were gathered. We also

need to know what was measured and what was not.

Or

Ans.

i. From 19th century to the first two decades of 20th century the ratio of urban population

was very low and had remained stagnant.

ii. From 1900 to 1940the urban population increased from 10% to 13%

iii. There were important variations in the pattern of urban development in different parts.

iv. The smaller towns had limited opportunity to grow economically. On the other hand

Calcutta, Madras and Bombay as new commercial and administrative centres were

growing at the expense of other existing urban centres. These cities became the hub of

colonial economy.

20 Assess the impact of health and defence needs on town planning in Colonial Calcutta

Ans.

i. Defence Requirement In 1756, Sirajudula the Nawab of Bengal sacked the small fort which

the British traders had built to house their goods. So when Sirajudaula was defeated in the

Battle of Plassey, British built a new fort. Fort William could not be easily attacked. Around

Fort William, a vast open space was left which came to be known as the Maidan or garer-

math. This was done so there would be no obstructions to a straight time of fire from the Fort

against an advancing enemy army. Soon the British began to move out of the Fort and build

residences along the periphery of the Maidan. This was how the English Settlement in

Calcutta started taking shape. The vast open space around the Fort became Calcutta’s first

significant town planning measure.

ii. Lord Wellesley’s concern about the conditions that existed in the Indian part of the city

the filth, overcrowding and the poor drainage etc. He wrote a minute (an administrative

order) in 1803 on the need for town planning and set up various committees for this purpose.

iii. Need for open spaces. It was believed that creating open places in the city would make the

city healthier. As a result many bazaars, ghats, burial ground and tanneries were cleared or

removed. After Wellesley’s departure, the Lottery Committee carried on with the work of

Town Planning. In its drive to make the Indian areas cleaner, the committee cleared the river

bank of encroachment and pushed the poor to the outskirts of Calcutta.

iv. The outbreak of cholera and plague epidemics in the 19th century speeded up the

process of town planning. The government believed that there was a direct link between

living conditions and the spread of disease. Densely built up areas were regarded as

insanitary as it obstructed sunlight and circulation of air.

4

Marks

335

21 Source based question.

Read the following passage carefully and answer all the questions given after it.

E Escaping to the country side.

(Page No. 3/8 Part III)

This is how the famous poet Mirza Ghalib described what the people of Delhi did when the British

forces occupied the city in 1857. Limiting the enemy and driving him before them, the vectors (i.e. the British) overran the city in all direction. All whom they found in street they cut down. For two to

three days every road in the city from the Kashmiri gate to Chandni Chowk, was a battle field. Three

gates, the Ajmeri, the Turcoman and the Delhi were still held by the rebels at the naked spectacle of

this vengeful wrath and malevolent hatred the colour fled from men’s faces and a vast concourse of

men and women…. took to precipitate flight through these three gates. Seeking the little villages and

shrewdness outside the city, they drew breath to wait until such time as might favour their return.

Q1 Who was Mirza Ghalib? What has he written about the people of Delhi when the British

forces occupied the city in 1857? 2

7

Marks

Page

58

Ans. Mirza Ghalib was a famous Urdu Poet of Delhi in 19th Century. The People of Delhi were

driven by the British. Some rebels faced the British forces for two or three days. They kept under their

control the gates of Delhi- the Ajmeri gate, the Turocaman gate and the Delhi gateMass scale killing

of people made people’s faces colourless with terror. . A vast number of men and women of Delhi ran

through different gates of the city to save their lives.

Q.2 Describe the Role of the ‘British forces, just after occupying the city?3 Marks

Ans. Seeking the little villages and shrines outside the city, the people of Delhi hid there to wait until they could return to their homes. Smiting the Mughal forces, other rebellious troops and the people of

Delhi the British troops occupied most parts of the city in last days of the meeting of 1857, the forces

engaged themselves in overrunning the city in all direction. All whom they found in the street they cut

down. For two or three days every road in the city from the Kashmiri Gate to Chandni Chowk was a

battlefield, after three days most of the rebels were forced to find way to seek shelters in little villages

and shrines.

Q.3 Write the names of all historical gates mention in the above passage?2Marks

Ans. The three gates of Delhi were - the Ajmeri gate, the Turocaman gate and the Delhi gate. They

were defended by the rebels for some time.

Chapter- 13

MAHATMA GANDHI THROUGH CONTEMPORARY EYES

1 ‘Non Cooperation was a form of Protest’. Evaluate this statement

Ans. 1. Gandhiji was one of the greatest personality of the world. His main principles were – Truth

and Non Violence. Gandhiji decided to start non- cooperation as a unique form of protest

against the British rule. He hoped that by coupling non-cooperation with khilafat, Hindu and

Muslims could collectively bring an end to colonial rule. During NCM (Non Coorperation

Movement) Students stopped going to school and colleges run by the British Government.

Lawyers refused to attend the court. The working class went on strike in many towns and cities.

2. Hill tribe in Northern Andhra violated the forest laws.Farmers in Awadh did not pay

taxes. These protest movements were sometime carried out in defence of the local

nationalist leadership By the Analysis of the above mentioned facts it can be said that this

was the first freedom struggle, in which most of Indian classes,castes and communities

participated to protest against the British rule.

2

Marks

349

2 How did Mahatma Gandhi transform the nature of the National movement?

Or

Examine the role of Gandhiji as a political leader and as a social reformer.

Ans. 1. Gandhiji transformed the nature of the National movement by the following thoughts,

methods ideology, working styles, movements etc.

i. The main principles of his philosophy were Satyagraha, Non- violence,Peace, True sympathy

for the poorest.

ii. Social reform in the form of empowerment of the women and marginalised groups like

Harijans. He opposed untouchablility.

iii. Communal Harmony and Hindu Muslim unity.

iv. Development of Indian Rural areas and promoting the interest of the rural people. He

motivated the rich people to think, and to act in favour of downtrodden.

v. He stressed on both equally and purity of aim and means.

vi. He launchedsocial reconstruction programme and stressed the importance of cottage

Industry, Charkha , Spinning wheels, Khadi etc

2. He opposed colour, caste and racial discrimination. Gandhiji utilized southAfrica as practical lab for his ideological andphilosophical development. He raised his voice against

wrong policies and injustice done by the government of South Africa. He used Satyagraha in

South Africa and in several places in India too.

3. Gandhiji returned to India in 1915. Till that time Indian National congress was only

effective in urban areas .Only people of educated middle classes supported it. He knew very

well that without the support of the rural people ( labour, ordinary men and women and

8

Marks 335

59

young boys and girls ) freedom struggle against the British power would be very difficult to

succeed. British rule had resulted in poverty, hunger, low quality of life ,illiteracy,

superstitions , social disunity and disharmony.

4. Gandhiji successfully led the Champaran , Ahmedabad and Kheda movements which

established him as the leader of the masses.

5. Gandhiji was a true economist and social reformer. He advocated theuse of charkha and

khadi. He stressed the importance of cottage and very smallscale industries. 6. He changed National movement into a mass movement.Non –cooperation, Civil

disobedience and Quit India movementswere supported by all sections of Indian society.

7. His simplicity and ascetic life style made him a Mahatma .His stress on morality and truth

earned him many followers and many of his enemies too appreciated his strength of

character.

8. Gandhi was a cleaver politician too. He made very effective use of symbols like Charkha

and khadi.

(a) To involve the rural people

(b) To reduce the gap between manual labour and white collar jobs.

3 What were the causes of Rowlett Satyagraha?

Or

What was the Jallianwala incident?

Ans. 1. In 1919, During the Great War of 1914-18, the British had imposed censorship of the press

and permitted detention without trial. On the recommendation of a committee headed by

Sir Sidney Rowlatt the “Rowlatt Act” imposed many restrictions on Indians

2. The Government of India Act 1919 was passed by the British government under much

protest from the Indians. It expected public agitation on the issue. Therefore Rowlett Act was

invoked. It (a) banned public meetings and speeches (b) carrying of fire arms (c)

detention without trial

3. Gandhiji started an all India campaign against the “Rowlatt Act”. As a result in the towns of

North and West India, life came to a standstill. Shops shut down and schools closed in

response to the bandh call. The protests were particularly intense in the Punjab, where

many men had served on the British side in the War they were expecting to be rewarded for their service but were disappointed. The Rowlatt Act made people angery.

Gandhiji was detained while going to the Punjab, many prominent local Congressmen were

arrested.

4. To protest against this act all over India the Indians started the Rowlett Satyagraha. One such

peaceful gathering in Amritsar was addressed by Dr. Satya Pal and Dr. Saifuddin

Kichlu.They were arrested by police. Next day at Jallianwalla Bagh on 13 April, a peaceful

gathering of the people was fired upon by Brigadier General Dyer Of British police. More

than four hundred people were killed in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The Rowlatt

satyagraha made Gandhiji a truly a national leader. This incident roused the anger of all

Indians.

4

Marks 349

4 Which three movements were led by Gandhiji before launching of the Non- cooperation

movement?

Ans. Three movements lead by Gandhiji before Non Cooperation movement were:-

1. Champaran satyagraha At the annual Congress in Lucknow in December 1916, Gandhiji

was approached by a peasant from Champaran in Bihar, who told him about the harsh

treatment of peasants by British Indigo planters. Mahatma Gandhi spent much of 1917 in

Champaran, trying to obtain for the peasants

a) Security of tenure

b) The freedom to cultivate the crops of their choice.

2. In 1918, Gandhiji was involved in two campaigns in his home state of Gujarat.

a) First, he intervened in a labour dispute in Ahmedabad between mill workers and

owners,He supported the textile mill workers demanding better wages and better working

conditions.

b) Then he joined peasants in Khedawho were asking the state for the remission of taxes

because of the failure of their harvest.

3. The success of the movements in Champaran, Ahmedabad and Kheda established Gandhiji as

a nationalist leader with a deep sympathy for the poor. But these were all localised struggles.

4

Marks

349

60

5 What were the causes of the non- cooperation movement?

Ans. Gandhiji called for a campaign of “non-cooperation” with British rule because of the following

reasons:-

1) To protest against the Jallianwala Massacre

2) To support the Khilafat movement of the Ali brothers

3) To demand for Swaraj which the British government had promised during the First World War but refused to grant when the war ended.

4) To increase the mass base of the national movement by addressing the problems of all

sections of Indian society.

4

Marks

350

6 Why did Gandhi Support Khilafat movement In 1919?

Or

Describe the circumstances under which the Ali Brothers started the Khilafat Movement in

1920. Why was this movement withdrawn?

1. To make the struggle more mass based he joined hands with the Khilafat Movement started

by Ali brothers .Ali brothers were trying to restore the Caliphate, as it was a symbol of

Pan-Islamism. The khalafat movement ended in 1921 when there was military rebellion (in

which Turkey was made a Republic) the Caliphate was abolished by the Turkish ruler

Mustafa Kemal Attaturk.

2. Gandhiji hoped that by joining non-cooperation with Khilafat, India’s two major religious

communities, Hindus and Muslims, would unite to end the colonial rule.

2

Marks

350

7 What were the methods of Non- cooperation Movement?

Ans.Methods of Non- cooperation Movement were promoting Swadeshi & Boycotting British

Goods, institutions and government.

Boycott

1. People were asked to stop attending schools, colleges and law courts, and they did not pay

taxes. They were told to give up all voluntary association with the (British)

Government”. Gandhiji said if non-cooperation was effectively carried out, India could

win swaraj within a year.

a) Students stopped going to schools and colleges run by the government.

b) Lawyers refused to attend court.

c) The working class went on strike in many towns and cities: according to official figures,

there were 396 strikes in 1921, involving 600,000 workers and a loss of seven million

workdays.

d) The villagers too protested. Hill tribes in northern Andhra violated the forest laws. Farmers

in Awadh did not pay taxes. Peasants in Kumaon refused to carry loads for colonial

officials.

e) These protest movements were sometimes carried out in against the wishes of local

leadership. Peasants, workers, and others interpreted and acted upon “non-cooperate” in their

own ways.

f) Picketing of shops selling foreign goods and lighting bonfire of foreign goods by ordinary

men, women and children.

g) “Non-cooperation,” wrote Mahatma Gandhi’s American biographer Louis Fischer, “became

the name of an period in the life of India and of Gandhiji. Non-cooperation was negative

enough to be peaceful but positive enough to be effective. It had denial, renunciation,

and self-discipline. It was training for “self-rule.”

h) Swadeshi was promoted in every way like goods, industry, culture & language, institutions,

ideas etc.

8

Marks 350

8 Why was non- cooperation movement called off?

Ans.

1) In February 1922, a group of peasants attacked and burnt a police station in the village of

Chauri Chaura, in the United Provinces (now, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal). 23

policemen were burnt alive by a violent mob.

2

marks 351

61

2) This incident made Gandhiji call off the non- cooperation movement altogether. He said “No

provocation, “can possibly justify brutal murder of men who were defenceless and who

had been killed by the mob.”

9 What were the Effects or Consequence of the Non-Cooperation Movement?

Ans. 1) The British Government was shaken for the first time since the Revolt of 1857. During

the Non-Cooperation Movement thousands of Indians were put in jail. Gandhiji himself was arrested in March 1922, and charged with sedition. Gandhiji was imprisoned for six years.

2) Gandhiji had changed Indian nationalism as a mass movement. It was no longer a

movement of professionals and intellectuals; now, hundreds of thousands of peasants,

workers, women, students, artisans, middle class professionals, old zamindars and

businessmen joined the national movement.Swadeshi and Boycott were two simple methods

of protest hereafter they were used in every mass movement.

3) Gandhiji became the leader of masses. Gandhi dressed like them, lived like them, and

spoke their language and even identified with them. Gandhiji became the leader of the

masses , he wore a simple dhoti or loincloth. worked on the charkha (spinning wheel) and

promoted Khadi and cottage industry. The act of spinning helped Gandhiji in breaking the

boundaries of the traditional caste system that existed between mental labour and manual labour.

4) First time some Indian industrieswas set up with Indian capitalin response to Gandhi’s

call of Swadeshi.An Indian school system like Shantiniketan by Rabindranath Tagore were

set up. Labour unions started.

4

Marks

352

10 Why had Simon Commission come to India? Why did Indians oppose it?

1) John Simon commission was appointed in1927 to look into the functioning of the

Government of India Act of 1919.And to enquire into conditions in the colony It came to

India in 1928

2) In 1928, there was an all-India campaign in opposition to Simon Commission, opposed it

because:-

a) All its members were British Parliamentarians, there were no Indian members.This was considered to be a direct insult to the Indians.

b) It did not talk about granting of swaraj

c) Hostile demonstrations were held in all the major cities and towns. There were also clashes

between the demonstrators and the police in several places.In one such incident Lala Lajpat

Rai was severely injured ( and later died )when a lathi was blown by the police to break up

the gathering at Lahore.

d) Gandhiji did not himself participate in this movement, but he gave it his blessings.

4

Marks 355

11 What did Gandhi do between 1922 to1928?

Or

What was Gandhi’s Social reconstruction programme?

Ans.

1) Mahatma Gandhi was released from prison in February 1924, and till 1929 he devoted his

attention to his social reform work, social constructive program and promotion of home-spun cloth ,khadi. & The abolition of untouchability.

2) Gandhiji was a social reformer and a politician. He believed Indians had to get rid of social

evils such as child marriage and untouchability. Indians must have tolerance for Indians of

other communities.

3) He promoted Hindu-Muslim unity. Indians needed to become self-reliant .

4) The core elements of the constructive programme that Gandhi believed would be necessary

for the transformation & liberation of India involved programmes to grant equality, liberate

education,and promote Swaraj.Gandhis constructive programme gave emphasis to :

a) Sustainable development

b) Development of Cottage Industry

c) Antidote to environment problems d) Formation of Local Self Govt.

e) Universalization of Primary Education

f) Empowering women

g) Breaking the bridge between tauchable & untouchable

4

Marks 355

62

12 What is the importance of the Lahore session of Indian National Congress?

Ans. In December 1929, Congress annual session was held in the city of Lahore. following important

things took place there:

1) The election of Jawaharlal Nehru as President of INC, signifying the passing of

responsibilities of leadership to the younger generation.

2) The commitment to “Purna Swaraj”, or complete independence.

3) Announcement that First “Independence Day” would be celebrated On 26 January 1930, with the national flag being hoisted in different parts of the country, and patriotic songs would be

sung.

2

Marks 355

13 When & How was the First Independence day celebrated?

Ans. 1) First “Independence Day” was celebrated On 26 January 1930, with the national flag was

hoisted in different parts of the country, and patriotic songs were sung.

2) Gandhiji issued instructions that all the meetings should be held at the same time in all the

places.” Gandhiji suggested that the time of the meeting be advertised in the traditional way,

by the beating of drums.

3) The rest of the day would be spent “in doing some constructive work, like spinning, or

service of ‘untouchables’, or reunion of Hindus and Muslims, or prohibition work, or all

these

4) Participants took a pledge about the inalienable right of the Indian people to freedom, “If any government takes away these then the people have a further right to change the government

it”.

4

Marks 355

14 What were the methods of Civil disobedience movement?

Ans.

1) On 12 March 1930 Gandhi with 78 followers marched from Sabarmati Ashram to the Dandi

coast. He reached Dandi in three weeks. He made a fistful of salt was arrested. At the same

time parallel salt marches were being conducted in other parts of the country. Salt a common

commodity of use by rich and poor alike was chosen as a symbol of British exploitation. It

connected all Indians to the national movement.

2) He wanted to break the most widely disliked Salt law. It gave the state a monopoly in the

manufacture and sale of salt. His picking on the salt monopoly was another example of Gandhiji’s wisdom. Salt was used by all Indian household but

3) People were stopped from making salt even for domestic use. People were forced to buy it

from shops at a high price. The state monopoly over salt was deeply unpopular; by making it

his target, Gandhiji hoped to get the support of a large group against British rule.

4) Most Indians understood the significance of Gandhiji’s challenge, the British Raj did not.

Gandhiji had given advance notice of his “Salt March” to the Viceroy Lord Irwin, but he

ignored it.

5) Methods of civil Disobedience Movement were:-

a) Like Non-cooperation, there was a officially sanctioned nationalist campaign, and many

other streams of protest. Peasants broke the hated colonial forest laws that kept them and

their cattle out of the woods in which they had once roamed freely. b) In some towns, factory workers went on strike.

c) Lawyer’s boycotted British courts

d) Students refused to attend government-run educational institutions. Gandhiji’s call had

encouraged Indians of all classes to show their own anger with colonial rule.

e) The British responded by arresting 60,000 Indians including Gandhiji.On 5 April 1930,

Mahatma Gandhi spoke at Dandi: British did not have the courage to arrest the army of peace

8

Marks 357

15 What was the result of the Round Table Conferences?

Ans.

1) The British government called three “Round Table Conferences” in London. The first

“Round Table Conference” was held in November 1930, but without the pre-eminent

political leader in India, was a wasted exercise.

2) Gandhiji was released from jail in January 1931 and he had several long meetings with the

Viceroy Irwin. These resulted in signing of “Gandhi-Irwin Pact’, according to the terms of this pact ,civil disobedience movement was called off, all prisoners were released, and salt

manufacture was allowed along the coast. This pact was criticised by radical nationalists, as

Gandhiji was unable to get from the Viceroy Lord Irwin, a promise of political independence

or Dominion status for Indians. He only got an assurance of talks towards that end.

Each

could be

for 2 to

4 Marks

360

63

3) Gandhi agreed to attend the Second Round Table Conference was held in London in the

latter part of 1931. Here, Gandhiji represented the Congress. His claims that his party

represented all of India was challengedby three parties;-the Muslim League, which claimed

to stand for the interests of the Muslim minority; from the Princes, who claimed that the

Congress had no stake in their territories and from the brilliant lawyer and thinker B.R.

Ambedkar, he argued that Gandhiji and the Congress did not really represent the lowest

castes. The Conference in London failed.British refused to grant Dominion status to India. Gandhiji returned to India and resumed civil disobedience.

4) The new Viceroy, Lord Willingdon, was deeply unsympathetic to Gandhi.He concluded the

Third Round Table Conference with the representatives of Indian Princely states and the

representatives of communal parties. Result was the announcement of Government Of India

Act 1935.

16 What were the results of 1939 Elections?

1) The Government of India Act 1935 promised some form of representative government. 1939

elections, held on the basis of a restricted franchise, the Congress won a comprehensive

victory.

2) Now eight out of 11 provinces had a Congress “Prime Minister”, working under the

supervision of a British Governor. The offer was refused. In protest, the Congress ministries

resigned in October 1939.

2

Marks 362

17 What was Individual Satyagraha?

Ans. 1) Through 1940 and 1941, the Congress organised a series of individual satyagrahas to

pressurise the British to promise freedom once the II World War had ended.

2) They feared that government will arrest the all the leaders as soon as Satyagraha started so

they individually lead the movement so that it could for longer duration.

2

Marks 362

18 What is the importance of the Lahore session of Muslim League held in 1940?

Ans.

1) At the Lahore session of Muslim League held in 1940 Muslim League propounded its Two

Nation Theory according to this theory Hindus and Muslims were two nations trapped in

one and they could not coexist therefore creation of the state of Pakistan for Muslims was

necessary.

2) In March 1940, the Muslim League passed a resolution demanding a measure of

autonomy for the Muslim-majority areas of the subcontinent. The political landscape was now becoming complicated: it was no longer Indians versus the British; it had become a

three way struggle between the Congress, the Muslim League, and the British.

2

Marks 362

19 ‘The Quit India Movement was truly a mass movement’. Justify this statement with suitable

arguments.

Ans. 1) Due to the failure of the Cripps mission, Gandhiji decided to launch his third major

movement against British rule. This was called Quit India Movement. This was to be a

mass struggle on non- violent lines under leadership of Gandhiji. But on the Next day of the

approval of Quit India resolution. (8August,1942) Gandhi and other main congress leaders

were arrested.

2) The younger activist organized demonstrations and strike in factories, schools and

colleges in all parts of the country. 3) Socialist members of the congress such as Jaya Prakash Narain and Ram Manohar Lohia,

Aruna Asif Ali were particularly active in the underground resistance. In some areas such

as Satara and Midnapur “Independent governments were proclaimed.

4) The movement took the form of a violent outbreak. The government succeeded in crushing

the movement yet it took more than 12 months to suppress this rebellion,Quit India

Movement was truly a mass movement. It inspired hundreds of thousands of ordinary

people.

4

Marks 363

20 Where ever Gandhiji went, rumours spread of his miraculous power.” Explain with examples.

Ans.

Following rumours were spreading about Gandhiji’s miraculous powers:-

1) Some people said that he had been sent by the King to solve the problems of the farmers,

and that he had the power to overrule all local officials. Others said that Gandhiji’s power

was superior to that of the English king, and now with his coming the British rulers would run from the district.

2) There were stories reporting bad consequences for those who opposed him.Some

8

Marks 354

64

examples of these rumours are:-

a) The villagers who criticised Gandhiji and found their houses falling apart or their crops

failing.

b) There were rumours that those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi met with some tragedy.

Example a gentleman from Gorakhpur city questioned the need to ply the charkha . His

house caught fire.

c) In April 1921 some people were gambling in a village of Uttar Pradesh. Someone told them to stop. One member of the group refused and abused Gandhiji. The next day his goat was

bitten by four of his own dogs.

d) In a village in Gorakhpur, the peasants resolved to give up drinking liquor. One person did

not keep his promise. When he started for the liquor shop brickbats started to rain in his

path. Then he spoke the name of Gandhiji and the brickbats stopped flying.

3) He was called “Gandhi baba”, “Gandhi Maharaj”, or simply as “Mahatma”, Gandhiji

appeared as a saviour to Indian peasant. Gandhiji could rescue them from high taxes and

oppressive British officials and restored dignity and freedom of their lives.

21 Explain the sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Mahatma Gandhi and

the history of National Movement of India.

Ans.

1) The progress of Gandhiji’s march to the Dandi shore was recorded by the secret reports

filed by the police officialsappointed to monitor his movements. The speeches he gave at the

villages on the way, in which he spoke to the local officials to resign from government

employment and join the freedom struggle.

2) The police spies reportsThey said that Gandhiji’s meetings were very well attended, by

villagers of all castes, and by women as well as men. They observed that thousands of

volunteers were helping in the nationalist cause. Many officials joined him after they had

resigned from their posts with the colonial government.

3) Third source thatreported the progress of the Salt March was the American newsmagazine,

Time.In the beginning it made fun of Gandhiji’s looks, writing about his “spindly frame” and

his “spidery loins”. In its first report on the march, Time was doubtfulof the Salt March

reaching Dandi. It reported that Gandhiji “sank to the ground” at the end of the second day’s

walking.

4) The magazine within a week it had changed its mind. The large popular following that the

march had got Time, made the British rulers “desperately anxious”. Gandhiji was now

saluted as a “Saint” and “Statesman”, who was using “Christian acts as a weapon

against men with Christian beliefs

8

Marks 359

22 Evaluate the importance of Civil Disobedience Movement in the freedom struggle of India.

Ans.

The Salt March was notable for three reasons. 1) Civil Disobedience Movement started with the Dandi March on 12 March,1930. Gandhi

with 78 of his followers marched from Sabarmati Ashram to the Dandi coastto challenge

the monopoly of British government on manufacturing and sale of Salt.

2) First, it was this event that first brought Mahatma Gandhi to world attention. The march

was widely covered by the European and American press.

3) Second, it was the first nationalist activity in which women participated in large

numbers. The socialist activist Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay had persuaded Gandhiji not to

restrict the protests to men alone. Kamaladevi was herself one of many women who were

arrested for breaking the salt or liquor laws.

4) Third, and perhaps most significant, it was the Salt March which forced upon the British

the realisation that their Raj would not last forever, and that they would have to give

some power to the Indians.

4 Marks

357

23 How did Mahatma Gandhi seek to identify with the common people?

Ans.

8 Marks

354

65

Gandhiji’s connect with common people

1) He was called “Gandhi baba”, “Gandhi Maharaj”, or simply as “Mahatma”, Gandhiji

appeared as a saviour to Indian peasant. Gandhiji could rescue them from high taxes and

oppressive British officials and restored dignity and freedom of their lives.

2) Gandhiji’s popularity among the poor, and peasants was also due to his simple lifestyle.

3) His cleaver use of symbols like the dhoti and the charkha. Mahatma Gandhi was by caste

a merchant, and by profession a lawyer; but his simple lifestyle and love of working with his hands allowed him to identify with labouring poor and they loved him.

4) Gandhiji spread nationalist message in Hindi

5) Gandhiji looked like them, understood them and related to their lives. Mahatma Gandhi’s

mass appeal was genuine but much of his success in broadening the mass basis of

nationalism was a result of his careful planning and organization.

6) New branches of the Congress were set up in various parts of India. A series of “Praja

Mandals” were established to promote the nationalist ideas in the princely states. Thus

the provincial committees of the Congress were based on linguistic regions & not on the

artificial boundaries of British India.

7) Nationalism was accepted all over India and was supported by all social groups.

8) Congress had prosperous businessmen and industrialists as its supporters. Indian

entrepreneurs realised that, in a free India they will have better opportunities. Some entrepreneurs, such as G.D. Birla, supported the national movement openly; others did so

indirectly. Gandhiji’s admirers were both poor peasants and rich industrialists.

24 Why did the Cripps Mission fail?

Ans. In the spring of 1942, Churchill sent one of his ministers, Sir Stafford Cripps, to India to

try and sign an agreement with Gandhiji and the Congress. Talks broke down because

1) Congress wanted that before it helped the British defend India from the Axis powersthe

Viceroy must first appoint an Indian as the Defence Memberin his Executive Council.

Congress wanted immediate self-rule The Congress stopped talks with Cripps and, guided by

Gandhi, the national leadership demanded immediate self-government in return for war

support. Gandhi said that Cripps' offer of Dominion Status after the war was a "post-dated

cheque", .Congress didn't want India’s disintegration but according to Cripps proposals,

provinces could opt out of the Indian Union, which was definitely not acceptable to Congress

Nationalists.

2) The Muslim League : Did not like the machinery for the creation of a constituent assembly

and the procedure to decide on the accession of provinces to the Union. In short they felt that

the proposals denied to the Muslims the right to self-determination and the creation of

Pakistan.

3) In short the proposals drafted by Cripps turned out to be too radical for Churchill and the

Viceroy, and too conservative for the IndiansMahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru had

both been strongly critical of Hitler and the Nazis.

4) So Congress promised support to the war effort if the British, in return, promised to grant

India independence once hostilities ended.

4

Marks 362

25 What were the basic principles of Gandhian Nationalism?

Ans. 1) Mahatma Gandhi’s role in national movement was important. The growth of “Gandhian

nationalism” also depended on support of his followers. Between 1917 and 1922, a group

of highly talented Indians attached themselves to Gandhiji. They included Mahadev Desai,

Vallabh Bhai Patel, J.B. Kripalani, Subhas Chandra Bose, Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal

Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Govind Ballabh Pant and C. Rajagopalachari.

2) These close associates of Gandhiji came from different regions as well as different religious

traditions.These supporters inspired countless other Indians to join the Congress and

work for it.

3) Mahatma Gandhi was released from prison in February 1924, and till 1929 he devoted his

attention to social reform work ,social constructive program and promotion of ,khadi., the

abolition of untouchability. Gandhiji was a social reformer and a politician. He believed

Indians had to get rid of social evils such as child marriage and untouchability.

4

Marks 365-66

66

4) Indians must have tolerance for Indians of other communities. He promoted Hindu-Muslim

unity. Indians also needed to become self-reliant .

26 Source Based Question

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:

Charkha

Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly critical of the modern age in which machine enslaved humans and

displaced labour. He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines

and technology. The spinning wheel, moreover, could provide the poor with supplementary income

and make them self-reliant.

What I object to, is the craze for machinery as such. The craze is for what they call labour saving

machinery. Men go on “saving labour”, till thousands are without work and thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. I want to save time and labour, not for a fraction of mankind, but for all; I want

the concentration of wealth, not in the hands of few, but in the hands of all.

YOUNG INDIA, I3 NOVEMBER 1924

Khaddar does not seek to destroy all machinery but it does regulate its use and check its weedy

growth. It uses machinery for the service of the poorest in their own cottages. The wheel is itself an

exquisite piece of machinery.

YOUNG INDIA, 17 MARCH 1927

Q1. Why was Mahatma Gandhi a critic of machines? 3 Ans. He objected to, the craze for machinery and “saving labour”, because thousands of

people lose their work due to machines and they are thrown on the open streets to die of starvation. He wanted to save time and labour for all mankind. He wanted the concentration

of wealth in the hands of all.

Q2. For Gandhiji, what was the importance of charkha? 2 Ans. He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines and

technology. The spinning wheel could provide the poor with supplementary income and

make them self-reliant.The wheel is itself an exquisite piece of machinery.

Q3. What arguments were given by Mahatma Gandhi in favour of Khaddar? 2

Ans.Khaddar does not seek to destroy all machinery it regulates its use and checks its weedy

growth. It uses machinery for the service of the poorest in their own cottages. Khaddar is

long lasting and a mark of self- reliance.

7

Marks Page-

352

27 Source Based Question

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:

The Miraculous And The Unbelievable

Local newspapers in the United Provinces recorded many of the rumours that circulated at that time. There were rumours that every person who wanted to test the power of the Mahatma had been

surprised:

1 Sikandar Sahu from a village in Basti said on 15 February that he would believe in the Mahatmaji

when the karah (boiling pan) full of sugar cane juice in his karkhana (where gur was produced) split

into two. Immediately the karah actually split into two from the middle.

2 A cultivator in Azamgarh said that he would believe in the Mahatmaji’s authenticity if sesamum

sprouted on his field planted with wheat. Next day all the wheat in that field became sesamum. There

were rumours that those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi invariably met with some tragedy.

1 A gentleman from Gorakhpur city questioned the need to ply the charkha. His house caught fire.

2In April 1921 some people were gambling in a village of Uttar Pradesh. Someone told them to stop.

Only one from amongst the group refused to stop and abused Gandhiji. The next day his goat was bitten by four of his own dogs.

3In a village in Gorakhpur, the peasants resolved to give up drinking liquor. One person did not keep

his promise. As soon as he started for the liquor shop brickbats started to rain in his path. When he

spoke the name of Gandhiji the brickbats stopped flying.

FROM SHAHID AMIN, “GANDHI AS MAHATMA”, SUBALTERN STUDIES III,

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS, DELHI.

Q1. Who was Shahid Amin? Which famous book had he written? 2

7 Marks

Page-353

67

Ans. Shahid Amin is a historian. He wrote “GANDHI AS MAHATMA”, SUBALTERN

STUDIES III,

Q2. Why and when were the above mentioned rumours compiled? 2

Ans. Local newspapers in the United Provinces recorded many of the rumours that circulated at

that time. There were rumours that every person who wanted to test the power of the Mahatma had

been surprised.Historian Shahid Amin has traced the image of Mahatma Gandhi among the peasants

of eastern Uttar Pradesh to analyse why people accepted these rumours.

Q3. Mention any three rumours regarding the miraculous power of Gandhiji.Which tragedies

had victimized those who opposed Mahatma Gandhi? 3

Ans. Agentleman from Gorakhpur city questioned the need to ply the charkha. His house caught

fire. In April 1921 some people were gambling in a village of Uttar Pradesh. Someone told them to

stop. One from the group refused to stop and abused Gandhiji. The next day his goat was bitten by

four of his own dogs.

In a village in Gorakhpur, the peasants agreed to give up drinking liquor. One person did not keep

his promise. As soon as he started going to the liquor shop brickbats started to fall in his path. When

he spoke the name of Gandhiji the brickbats stopped flying.

28 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow

Why the Salt Satyagraha? Why was salt the symbol of protest? This is what Mahatma Gandhi wrote:

The volume of information being gained daily shows how wickedly the salt tax has been designed. In

order to prevent the use of salt that has not paid the tax which is at times even fourteen times its value,

the Government destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably. Thus it taxes the nation’s vital necessity; it

prevents the public from manufacturing it and destroys what nature manufactures without effort. No

adjective is strong enough for characterizing this wicked dog-in-the-manger policy. From various

sources I hear tales of such wanton destruction of the nation’s property in all parts of India. Maunds if

not tons of salt are said to be destroyed on the Konkan coast. The same tale comes from Dandi.

Wherever there is likelihood of natural salt being taken away by the people living in the neighbor

hood of such areas for their personal use, salt officers are posted for the sole purpose of carrying on destruction. Thus valuable national property is destroyed at national expense and salt taken out of the

mouths of the people. The salt monopoly is thus a fourfold curse. It deprives the people of a valuable

easy village industry, involves wanton destruction of property that nature produces in abundance, the

destruction itself means more national expenditure, and fourthly, to crown this folly, an unheard-of tax

of more than 1,000 per cent is exacted from a starving people. This tax has remained so long because

of the apathy of the general public. Now that it is sufficiently roused, the tax has to go. How soon it

will be abolished depends upon the strength the people.

THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI (CWMG), VOL. 49

Q1. Why was salt the symbol of protest? 2

Ans. The salt tax was at times even fourteen times its value. The Government destroyed the salt it

could not sell profitably. It taxes the nation’s vital necessity; it prevents the public from manufacturing

salt and destroys what nature manufactures without effort Poor people are further impoverished by this tax. It also aims at humiliating the Indians. Salt is a

common commodity used both by the rich and the poor so it unitedt all Indians against the British

Q2. Why was salt destroyed by the Colonial Government? 2

Ans. The British Government destroys the salt it cannot sell profitably. It prevents the public from

manufacturing salt and destroys what nature manufactures without effort. Maunds if not tons of salt

are destroyed on the Konkan coast. The same tale comes from Dandi.Wherever there is likelihood of

natural salt being taken away by the people living in the neighbor hood of such areas for their personal

use, salt officers are posted for the sole purpose of carrying on destruction. Thus valuable national

property is destroyed at national expense and salt.

Q3. Why did Mahatma Gandhi consider the salt tax more oppressive than other taxes? 3

Ans.. The salt monopoly is a fourfold curse. It deprives the people of a valuable easy village

industry, involves wanton destruction of property that nature produces in abundance, the destruction

itself means more national expenditure, and fourthly a tax of more than 1,000 per cent is exacted from

a starving people.

This tax has remained so long because of the apathy of the general public. Now that it is sufficiently roused, the tax has to go.

How soon it will be abolished depends upon the strength the people. It is also a cause of

national humiliation.

7

Marks

Page-

357

68

29

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow

Ambedkar On Separate Electorates

In response to Mahatma Gandhi’s opposition to the demand for separate electorates for the Depressed

Classes, Ambedkar wrote:

Here is a class which is undoubtedly not in a position to sustain itself in the struggle for existence. The

religion, to which they are tied, instead of providing them an honourable place, brands them as lepers,

not fit for ordinary intercourse. Economically, it is a class entirely dependent upon the high-caste

Hindus for earning its daily bread with no independent way of living open to it. Nor are all ways

closed by reason of the social prejudices of the Hindus but there is a definite attempt all through our

Hindu Society to bolt every possible door so as not to allow the Depressed Classes any opportunity to

rise in the scale of life. In these circumstances, it would be granted by all fair-minded persons that as

the only path for a community so handicapped to succeed in the struggle for life against organised

tyranny, some share of political power in order that it may protect itself is a paramount necessity …

Q1. Who was Dr. Ambedkar? 2

a) Ans. He was an exponent of Indian Constitution, a lawyer and a supporter of the rights of the

Dalits and marginalized groups.

b) He was the chairman of the drafting committee of the constitution.

Q2. In response to the arguments given by Mahatma Gandhi, what arguments were given by

Ambedkar in favor of separate electorates to the Depressed Classes? 3

Ans. Following arguments were given by Ambedkar in favour of separate electorates:-

a) Dalit is a class which is not in a position to sustain itself in the struggle for

existence. The Hindu religion instead of giving them an honourable place, finds

them unfit for ordinary interactions

b) Economically, this class is entirely dependent upon the high-caste Hindus for

earning its daily bread. They have no independent way of earning their living.

c) They were the victims of social prejudices of the Hindus. Hindu Society does not

to allow the Depressed Classes any opportunity to rise in the scale of life. They must

be given separate electorates.

Q3. Suggest some other ways to provide an honourable position to Depressed Classes. 3

Ans

a) Giving the Dalits a share in political power.

b) By providing them opportunities to earn their living in an independent manner. c) Generating awareness and by giving them equal status as well as equal opportunities

Page-

361

30 Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow

The problem with separate electorates

At the Round Table Conference Mahatma Gandhi stated his arguments against separate electorates for

the Depressed Classes:

Separate electorates to the “Untouchables” will ensure them bondage in perpetuity… Do you want the

“Untouchables” to remain “Untouchables” forever? Well, the separate electorates would perpetuate

the stigma. What is needed is destruction of “Untouchability”, and when you have done it, the bar

sinister, which has been imposed by an insolent “superior” class upon an “inferior” class, will be destroyed. When you have destroyed the bar sinister to whom will you give the separate electorates?

Q1. When and in which Round Table Conference Mahatma Gandhi had opposed the separate

electorates for the Depressed Classes? 2

a) Ans. In the Second Round Table Conference Mahatma Gandhi Opposed the separate

electorate for the depressed classes

b) He opposed it because he felt that such a step would keep them away from other classes and

they will forever be treated as untouchable.

Q2. What arguments were given by Mahatma Gandhi against separate electorates to the

Depressed Classes? 2

7

Marks

Page-

360

69

a) Ans. The destruction of “Untouchability” is needed and when it is done there is no need to

treat them as separate.

b) If separate electorate is made for the depressed classes then the “superior” class will always

treat them as an inferior” class, theneven the separate electorates cannot solve their problem

Q3. Which parties and on what grounds had opposed the statement of Mahatma Gandh in the

Round Table Conference that the Congress represented the whole of India? 3

a) Ans. Dr.B.R. Ambedkar, members of the Muslim League and the representatives of the Princely states countered Gandhi’s claim that the Congress party represented all Indians.

b) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar treated Congress as the party of upper class and Zamindars class.

Therefore it could not be the representative of depressed classes. In spite being numerical

majority depressed classes needed Separate electorate to ensure their political representation.

c) The Muslim league also called congress a Hindu majority party. Hence they too demanded

separate electorate for Muslims.

Chapter- 14

PARTITION THROUGH ORAL SOURCES

1 How far these values are relevant in contemporary India to resolve communalism?

Ans. 1) Communalism is still a serious problem in India. It is a mind set in which the secular

problems are also projected as the religious problems. Intolerance towards other religions is

also a root cause of this problem.

2) State must deal with communal cases very strictly. Communal harmony must be maintained

at all cost.

2

Marks 393

2 What is meant by the term Holocaust?

Ans.

1) Holocaust is a term used for mass scale destruction and slaughter by the German Nazis in the

occupied territories. 2) As Holocaust means destruction or slaughter on a mass scale. Many scholars have used this

term for loot, Arson, killings during the partition. This comparison is not accurate because

the German Holocaust was state sponsored but in India it was a sudden expression of anger,

hurt and revenge.

2

Marks

400

3 What was Lucknow pact?

Ans.

1) The Lucknow pact of December 1916 was an understanding between the Congress and the

Muslim league.

2) They decided to fight the British together. The congress accepted the Muslim League’s

demand for separate electorates

2

Marks 383

4 What is Pakistan resolution?

Ans.

1) In 1940 the Muslim League moved a resolution demanding a measure of autonomy for the Muslim majority areas.

2) Congress was opposed to it because it divided the people

2

Marks 386

5 What was the attitude of the Indian National Congress towards second world war?

Ans.

1) The Indian National Congress was ready to help Britain if they make a clear declaration to

free India after the second world war. Leaders of congress disliked Nazi activities.

2) But the British government refused to do so. They only made vague promises for after the

end of the war.

2

Marks 381

6 What was the impact of separate electorates for Muslims on the communal politics?

Ans.

i)The Muslims could elect their own representatives in reserved constituency

. ii) They can favour the people belonging to their own religious groups.

2

Marks 383

7 Why was the Cabinet missions sent to India? What were the main proposals of its plan?

Ans.

British Cabinet Mission of 1946 to India aimed to discuss and plan for the transfer of power from the British Government to Indian leadership, providing India with independence. formed at the initiative

of Clement Attlee, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The mission consisted of Lord Pethick-

Lawrence, the Secretary of State for India, Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade, and A.

8

Marks 389

70

V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty. Lord Wavell, the Viceroy of India, did not participate.

Cabinet mission was sent to India to suggest a solution for the Indian problem.

1) -A united Dominion of India would be given independence.

2) Muslim-majority provinces would be grouped - Sind, Punjab,Baluchistan and North-West

Frontier Province would form one group, and Bengal and Assam would form another.

3) Hindu-majority provinces in central and southern India would form another group.

4) The Central government, stationed in Delhi, would be empowered to handle nationwide affairs, such as defense, currency, and diplomacy, while the rest of powers and responsibility

would belong to the provinces, coordinated by groups.

Failure of Cabinet missions

1) Congress and League rejected the cabinet mission’s proposal.

2) Muslim league walked out of the Interim government & gave a call for Direct Action.

Congress protested against the League’s attempt at creating a deadlock.

3) British did not try seriously to resolve the differences.

8 What was the impact of partition on Indian women.

Ans. Impact of partition of India on Indian Women :

1) Harrowing experience of women – Abduction, sold, forced to settle down to a new life etc.

a. They were brutally tortured and beaten

b. They found the governments of both India and Pakistan insensitive to their

problems. 2) Government’s insensitivity to the feelings of women especially at the time of recovery.

3) According to one estimate, 30,000 women were “recovered” overall, 22,000 Muslim women

in India and 8000 Hindu and Sikh women in Pakistan, in an operation that ended as late as

1954

4) Women were not able to voice their opinion due to social pressures. Many wanted to come

back to their families but due to social pressures could not come back.

5) Killing of women by the family members in the name of saving honour of women and their

families .

6) Forcing women to commit suicide to save themselves from falling into the hands of enemies.

Their suicide was treated as martyrdom. when the men feared that “their” women – wives,

daughters, sisters – would be violated by the “enemy”, they killed the women themselves. 7) Dishonouring women of a community seen as dishonouring the community itself and the

family were the common modes of taking revenge.

8) They were not allowed to re-settle their life according to their own wish.

8

Marks

384

9 What are the strengths and limitations of oral history? How has it helped in understanding

Partition of India better?

Ans. Strengths of oral history:- 1) It helps us grasp experience and memories in detail and reveals the dark secrets.

2) It enables historians to write richly textured, vivid accounts of events like partition.

3) Oral history also allows historian to broaden the boundaries of their discipline. It talks about

the areas outside the formal records.

4) Many historians argue the uniqueness of personnel experience makes generalization difficult.

Historical richness increases due to personal details and memories.

Limitations

1) Many historians feel that oral history is more of fiction.

2) They think Oral accounts are concerned with indirect issues and small personal experiences,

it has no impact on the larger process of history.

3) It is abstract. If there is no evidence to prove it then it’s not concrete.

4) Most often it’s not chronological account of events.

It has helped in understanding Partition of India better because:-

1) Women related issues of Partition , their abduction and their recovery both are painful

issues. Formal records do not give us much information about what these women or their

families went through.

2) How Hindus and Muslims helped their friends and strangers belonging to other communities

even at the cost of their own life. 3) How some people stayed back because uncertainty was better than unknown

4) It gives us the point of view of common men and women. It is very different from impersonal

official records.

8

Marks 400

10 Describe the events leading to the partition of India.

Ans. 8

Marks

383

71

1) Communal politics of Communal parties like Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha

2) Hindu-Muslim conflict throughout medieval and modern times also had a long history of

sharing, and of mutual cultural exchange. But the changed circumstances of 1940 to 1946

shaped people’s thinking.

3) In 1940 Lahore resolution of Muslim League demanded creation of Pakistan based on Two

Nation Theory.

4) After the 1939 resignation of the congress ministriesJinnah and his colleagues in the

Muslim League worked patiently at expanding their influence. It was in these years that

the League began to make a mark in the Punjab and Sind, provinces where it had

previously had scarcely any presence. In June 1944, with the end of the war in sight,

Gandhiji was released from prison. Later that year he held a series of meetings with

Jinnah, seeking to bridge the gap between the Congress and the League but most of these

talks failed.

5) In 1945, a Labour government came to power in Britain and committed itself to granting

independence to India.

6) Viceroy, Lord Wavell, brought the Congress and the League together for a series of

talks.

7) Early in 1946 fresh elections were held to the provincial legislatures. The Congress swept

the “General” category, but in the seats specifically reserved for Muslims the League

won an overwhelming majority. The political polarisation was complete.

8) A Cabinet Mission sent in the summer of 1946 failed to get the Congress and the League

to agree on a federal system that would keep India together while allowing the

provinces a degree of autonomy.

9) After the talks broke down, Jinnah called for a “Direct Action Day” to press the League’s

demand for Pakistan.

10) On the designated day, 16 August 1946, bloody riots broke out in Calcutta. The violence

spread to rural Bengal, then to Bihar, and then across the country to the United

Provinces and the Punjab. In some places, Muslims were the main sufferers, in other

places, Hindus.

11) In February 1947, Wavell was replaced as Viceroy by Lord Mountbatten. Mountbatten

called one last round of talks, but when these too proved inconclusive he announced that

British India would be freed, but also divided. The formal transfer of power was fixed for

15 August

11 What is communalism? Ans. Communalism is a particular kind of politicisation of religious identity, an ideology that seeks

to promote conflict between religious communities. In the context of a multi-religious country, the

phrase “religious nationalism” can come to acquire a similar meaning. In such a country, any attempt

to see a religious community as a nation would mean sowing the seeds of antagonism against some

other religion/s.

1) Most of us have a religion, and caste may play an important role in our lives. In other words,

our identities have numerous features, they are complex.

2) There are times, when people attach greater significance to religion. This in itself is not being

communal.

3) Communalism refers to a politics that seeks to unify one community around a religious

identity and is hostile to another community. It seeks to define this community identity as fundamental and fixed. It attempts to consolidate this identity and present it as natural – as if

people were born into the identity, as if the identities do not evolve through history over time.

In order to unify the community, communalism suppresses distinctions within the community

and emphasises the essential unity of the community against other communities.

4) One could say communalism nurtures a politics of hatred for an identified “other”– “Hindus”

in the case of Muslim communalism, and “Muslims” in the case of Hindu communalism.

This hatred feeds a politics of violence. Communalism, then, is a particular kind of

politicisation of religious identity, an ideology that seeks to promote conflict between

religious communities. In the context of a multi-religious country, the phrase “religious

nationalism” can acquire a similar meaning. In such a country, any attempt to see a religious

4 Marks

385

72

community as a nation would mean sowing the seeds of antagonism against some other

religion/s.

12 Examine the factors responsible for the growth of communalism in India. Ans. At the outset it must be admitted that in spite of strenuous efforts made by the congress leaders

and rationalists, communalism could not be checked. Ultimately communalism won when India was

divided and Pakistan was created on the communalism two nations theory. It may be stated that

communalism grew on account of the following ‘Divide and Rule’ policy of the British. Jinnah was

not the sole originator of this theory of two nations. The policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ encouraged Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to fight for the right of the Muslims. Lord Curzon in 1905 encouraged the Muslims

when he divided Bengal and created a Muslim majority province. Iqbal in 1930 also favoured separate

treatment for the Muslims. The Hindu Mahasabha established in 1916 also worked on communal lines

following factors led to communalist tendencies.

(1) Divide and Rule Policy of the British.

(2) Fear of the Muslim minority of its Suppression the Hindu majority.

(3) Overemphasis on the glory of ancient India.

(4) Emergency of political parties on communal lines.

(5) Separate electorate for Muslims.

(6) Lack of education among the Muslim community.

(7) Frustration of the Muslim league on its inability to win election in1937.

(8) Demand for partition of India at the Lahore session of the Muslim league in 1940. (9) Direct Action by the Muslim league in 1946 and Communal riots.

8

Marks

385

13 Pointing upon the destruction or slaughter on Mass scale at the time of partition compare

Indian holocaust with Germany?

Ans.

1) Because several hundred thousand people were killed and innumerable women raped and

abducted. Millions were uprooted, transformed into refugees in alien lands. Estimate of

casualties were 2,00,000 to 50,00,000. In all probability, some 15 million had to move across

hastily constructed frontiers separating India and Pakistan.

2) Stripped of their local or regional cultures. They were forced to begin picking of their life

from scratch. There fire partition is considered as holocaust. The Survivers themselves have

often spoken of 1947 through other words like maashal (Martial law), mara-mari, raula or

hullar. 3) Though the people do not see any difference between the events of India and Germany

Afterall this much difference we find that in 1947-48,

4) The sub contitnent did not witness the state driven extermination as was the case with Nazi

Germany where various model of killing were used. The ethnic cleansing That characterized

the partition of India was carried out by self- styled representative of religious communities

rather than by state agencies.

4

Marks

381

14 ‘The Partition of India was indispensable’. Explain?

1. Ans. By the strength of Indian National Congress and power of mass movement ultimately

British Government agreed to free India in 1947. But freedom could come with the partition

of India in two separate countries India and Pakistan. The causes for acceptance of the

Independence with partition were as under:

2. The British had been following a policy of creating feelings of bitterness among the different communities in India. This policy of Divide and Rule aimed to check the growth of

Nationalism .When they failed in their objectives, they decided to divide the country and

leave it. The attitude of Mr. Jinnah, the most prominent leader of the Muslim League, led to

the partition of the country. He preached that the Hindus and Muslims were two separate

nations. Hence they could notpull well together.

3. The British government followed the policy of appeasement towards the Muslims. They

asked the Muslim League leaders to ask for more and more concession. They encouraged the

Muslim to stress their demand for PakistanThe recommendation of the various mission sent

by the British Government to solve the Indian Problem indirectly accepted the Muslim

demand of Pakistan.The failure of Interim Government also made the partition of the country

inevitable.

4. In the absence of cooperation between the two major parties of the country, the Muslim League and the Congress, the Government could not be run effectively. Lastly we can say

that unwillingnessof leaders for working together for freedom, Hindu Muslim Riots, etc.

made the partition of India inevitable.

8

Marks

387

16 Explain the British policy of Divide and Rule. 4 394

73

Ans. British policy of divide and rule:

1) Muslims were generally looked upon with suspicion initially, especially after the Wahabi and

1857 revolts, and were subjected to repression and discrimination by the Government. The

introduction of English education had undermined Arabic and Persian learning which added

further to the economic backwardness and exclusion of the Muslims from service.

2) After the 1870s, with signs of the emergence of Indian nationalism and growing politicisation

of the educated middle classes/ the Government reversed its policy of repression of Muslims and gave concessions, favours and reservations to the Muslims and used them against

nationalist forces.

3) The Government used persons like Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to counter the growing influence

of the Congress. In the beginning Sir Syed Khan had a broadminded and reformist outlook

but later he started supporting the colonial British government, telling the Muslim masses to

stay away from the Congress. He also started talking of separate interests of Hindus and

Muslims.

4) Later British government promoted The Muslim League (1906-7) and granted Communal

Electorate (1909) to the Muslims to weaken the power of congress and other nationalists.

Marks

17 Why did some people think of partition as a very sudden development?

Ans. 1) The suddenness of Partition Muslim League itself was vague about its demand in 1940.

There was a very short time – just seven years – between the first formal demand for a measure of autonomy for the Muslim-majority areas of the subcontinent and Partition. No

one knew what the creation of Pakistan meant. 2) Many who migrated from their homelands in 1947 thought they would return as soon as

peace prevailed again. In the beginning Muslim leaders did not seriously raise the demand

for Pakistan as a sovereign state. In the beginning Jinnah may have seen the Pakistan idea

as a bargaining point, useful for blocking possible British concessions to the Congress and

gaining additional favours for the Muslims.

3) The pressure of the Second World War on the British delayed talks for independence for

some time.

4) The Quit India Movement which started in 1942, and continued despite repression. It

created pressure on British Raj to tell its officials to start talks with Indian parties about the transfer of power.

5) In l945, the British agreed to create an entirely all Indian member central Executive

Council, except for the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as a step

towards granting full independence.

6) Discussions about the transfer of power failed due to Jinnah’s demand that the League had an

absolute right to choose all the Muslim members of the Executive Council and that there

should communal veto in the Council, with decisions opposed by Muslims needing a

twothirds majority.

7) A large section of the nationalist Muslims supported the Congress (its delegation for

these discussions was headed by Maulana Azad), and in West Punjab members of the

Unionist Party were largely Muslims. The British had no intention of annoying the Unionists who still controlled the Punjab government and had been consistently loyal to the British.

8) Results of the Provincial elections of 1946. The Congress swept the general

constituencies, capturing 91.3 per cent of the non-Muslim vote. The League’s won all 30

reserved constituencies in the Centre with 86.6 per cent of the Muslim vote and 442 out of

509 seats in the provinces. The League established itself as the dominant party among

Muslim votersto prove its claim as the “sole spokesman” of India’s Muslims. Though the

voters were only 10 to 12 per cent of the population in the provincial elections and only one

per cent in the elections for the Central Assembly.

8

Marks 387

18 How did ordinary people view partition?

Ans.

1) The experiences of ordinary people during the Partition were written by many writers.

Women were raped, abducted, sold, often many times over, forced to settle down to a new

life with strangers in unknown circumstances. Dishonouring women of a community was

seen as dishonouring the community

2) Deeply traumatised by all that they had undergone, some began to develop new family bonds

8

Marks

397

74

in their changed circumstances. But the governments of both the countries tried to restore to

their families.

3) At times, therefore, when the men feared that “their” women – wives, daughters, sisters –

would be violated by the “enemy”, they killed the women themselves or forced them to

commit suicide. Then they called them martyrs.

4) In Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Central India and the Deccan the Partition was most bloody

and destructive. In the Punjab large scale displacement of Hindus and Sikhs eastwards into India from West Punjab and of almost all Punjabi-speaking Muslims to Pakistan happened in

a short period of two years between 1946 and 1948.

5) Many Muslim families of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Hyderabad in Andhra

Pradesh continued to migrate to Pakistan in 1950s and 1960s.

6) Most of these Urdu-speaking people, called Muhajirs (migrants) in Pakistan moved to the

KarachiHyderabad region in Sind

7) In Bengal the migration meant moving across a porous border. Unlike the Punjab, the

exchange of population in Bengal was not total. Many Bengali Hindus remained in East

Pakistan while many Bengali Muslims continued to live in West Bengal.

8) Later Bengali Muslims (East Pakistanis) rejected Jinnah’s two-nation theory by creating

Bangladesh

19 Examine the views of Gandhi against the Partition of India.

Ans. 1) Mahatma Gandhi knew that his voice was a lone voice. He was opposed to the idea of

Partition. He wished that Hindus and Muslims should have mutual talks. He appealed to the

Muslim League to regard all Indians as equal. When 1946 communal riots happened he went

to different parts of India to end the violence.

2) Hindus and Muslims are born of the same soil. They have the same blood, eat the same food,

drink the same water and speak the same language. They have everything in common.

3) He was convinced that the Pakistan demand by the Muslim League was un-Islamic and he

called it sinful.

4) Islam stands for the unity and brotherhood of mankind, not for destroying the oneness of the

human family. Those who divided India into warring religious groups are enemies of Islam

and India. Gandhi considered partition wrong.

8

Marks

387

20 Why is partition viewed as an extremely significant marker in South Asian history? 1) Ans. It changed the socio political history of South Asia

2) Three new states were created by the name of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.For South

Asian history, it meant independence for India and Pakistan. Unfortunately, it also

inaugurated Indo-Pakistani tension. Conflict between Hindus and Muslims had existed on the

subcontinent, to a greater or lesser degree, for many centuries, but the partition brought that

conflict to the international level and the results is three wars, in 1948, 1965, and 1971, as

well as the Kargil conflict of 1999.

3) Many existing native princely kingdoms were integrated in India and Pakistan.

4) British colonialism ended from India and Sri Lanka too became independent in 1948

5) It marked the beginning of a global trend towards decolonization.

8

Marks

379

21 ‘The Partition of India was indispensable’.Explain?

1) Ans. By the strength of Indian National Congress and power of mass movement ultimately

British Government agreed to free India in 1947.But freedom could only be given with the

partition of India in two separate countries India and Pakistan.

2) The causes for acceptance of the Independence with partition were as under: The British had

been following a policy of creating feelings of bitterness among the different communities in

India. This policy of Divide and Rule aimed to check the growth of Nationalism .When they

failed in their objectives, they decided to divide the country and leave it.

3) The attitude of Mr. Jinnah, the most prominent leader of the Muslim League, led to the

partition of the country. He preached that the Hindus and Muslims were two separate nations.

Hence they could not pull well together.

4) The British government followed the policy of appeasement towards the Muslims. They

asked the Muslim League leaders to ask for more and more concession. 5) They encouraged the Muslim to stress their demand or Pakistan.The recommendation of the

various mission sent by the British Government to solve the Indian Problem indirectly

accepted the Muslim demand of Pakistan.

6) The failure of Interim Government also made the partition of the country inevitable.

8

Marks

387

75

7) In the absence of cooperation between the two major parties of the country, the Muslim

League and the Congress, the Government could be run effectively.

8) Lastly we can say that unwilling of leaders for in dealing with, Hindu Muslim Riots , was an

essential cause of partition of India.

22 Source Based Questions

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

“A voice in the wilderness”

Mahatma Gandhi knew that his was “a voice in the wilderness” but he nevertheless continued to

oppose the idea of Partition:But what a tragic change we see today. I wish the day may come again

when Hindus and Muslims will do nothing without mutual consultation. I am day and night tormented

by the question what I can do to hasten the coming of that day. I appeal to the League not to regard

any Indian as its enemy … Hindus and Muslims are born of the same soil. They have the same blood,

eat the same food, drink the same water and speak the same language.

SPEECH AT PRAYER MEETING, 7 SEPTEMBER 1946,

CWMG, VOL. 92, P.139

But I am firmly convinced that the Pakistan demand as put forward by the Muslim League is un-

Islamic and I have not hesitated to call it sinful. Islam stands for the unity and brotherhood of

mankind, not for disrupting the oneness of the human family. Therefore, those who want to divide India into possible warring groups are enemies alike of Islam and India. They may cut me to pieces

but they cannot make me subscribe to something which I consider to be wrong.

HARIJAN, 26 SEPTEMBER 1946, CWMG, VOL. 92, P.229

Q1.Why did Mahatma Gandhi oppose partition?What did Mahatma Gandhi appeal to Muslim

League? 2

Ans. Hindus and Muslims are born of the same soil. They have the same blood, eat the same food,

drink the same water and speak the same language.

He appealed to Muslim League not to regard any Indian as its enemy … Hindus and Muslims

are born of the same soil

Q2. Which action of Muslim League was termed as sinful by Mahatma Gandhi? Which

arguments had he put forward for it? 1+1=2 1) Gandhi said that he is convinced that the Pakistan demand forwarded by the Muslim League

is un-Islamic and. Gandhi had no hesitation to call it sinful

2) He argued that Islam stands for the unity and brotherhood of mankind, not for disrupting the

oneness of the human family. Therefore, those who want to divide India into possible warring

groups are enemies of Islam and India.

Q3. Why did Congress accept partition? 2

Ans.Congress accepted Partition because it was helpless in the circumstances. It could not

convince the Muslim League.

The Direct action Plan of Muhammad Ali Jinnah resulted in All India communal riots. None

could stop it. British were packing their bags. Muslim league was busy in the preparations of

Pakistan.

7

Marks

390

23 Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

What “recovering” women meant Here is the experience of a couple, recounted by Prakash Tandon in his Punjabi Century, an

autobiographical social history of colonial Punjab:In one instance, a Sikh youth who had run amuck

during the Partition persuaded a massacring crowd to let him take away a young, beautiful Muslim

girl. They got married, and slowly fell in love with each other. Gradually memories of her parents,

who had been killed, and her former life faded. They were happy together, and a little boy was born.

Soon, however, social workers and the police, laboring assiduously to recover abducted women, began

to track down the couple. They made inquiries in the Sikh’s home-district of Jalandhar; he got scent of

it and the family ran away to Calcutta. The social workers reached Calcutta. Meanwhile, the couple’s

friends tried to obtain a stay-order from the court but the law was taking its ponderous course. From

Calcutta the couple escaped to some obscure Punjab village, hoping that the police would fail to

shadow them. But the police caught up with them and began to question them. His wife was expecting

again and now nearing her time. The Sikh sent the little boy to his mother and took his wife to a sugar-

7

Marks

Page-

395

76

cane field. He made her as comfortable as he could in a pit while he lay with a gun, waiting for the

police, determined not to lose her while he was alive. In the pit he delivered her with his own hands.

The next day she ran high fever, and in three days she was dead. He had not dared to take her to the

hospital. He was so afraid the social workers and the police would take her away.

Q1. From which book had this excerpt been taken? Who was its author? 1

Ans. This excerpt has been taken from‘Autobiographical social history of colonial Punjab’ by Prakash Tandon

Q2. How were Sikh youth and Muslim girl married? 2

Ans. A Sikh youth during the Partition persuaded a massacring crowd not to kill a Muslim girl

and to let him get married to that young, beautiful Muslim girl.

They got married, and slowly fell in love with each other. Gradually memories of her

parents, who had been killed, and her former life faded

Q3. Why were the police and administration after the couple? 2

Ans. social workers and the police were trying to recover abducted women, so they began to

track down the couple. They made inquiries in district of Jalandhar and were told that the family had

ran away to Calcutta.

The social workers reached Calcutta. The couple’s friends tried to obtain a stay-order from

the court. From Calcutta the couple escaped to some remote Punjab village, but the police

caught up with them and began to question them.

Q4. On which dark aspect of the recovery of the women does this passage throw the light? 2

Ans. Many women went missing during Partition. Some of them were forced to get married to

the people of different religion. They settled down in their new lives. Some had children and families

with whom they were living comfortably.

When the governments of India and Pakistan tried to recover these women many did not

want to return because they could not face their families and felt humiliated. Some had

adjusted in their new lives and did not wish to return but the law was forcing them to return

these women experienced much pain. Dark aspect of the recovery was that both the time they

had to act against their own wishes.

24 Read the passage and answer the questions that follow

A small basket of grapes

This is what Khushdeva Singh writes about his experience during one of his visits to Karachi in 1949:

My friends took me to a room at the airport where we all sat down and talked… (and) had lunch

together. I had to travel from Karachi to London … at 2.30 a.m. … At 5.00 p.m. … I told my friends

that they had given me so generously of their time, I thought it would be too much for them to wait the

whole night and suggested they must spare themselves the trouble. But nobody left until it was dinner time … Then they said they were leaving and that I must have a little rest before emplaning. … I got

up at about 1.45 a.m. and, when I opened the door, I saw that all of them were still there …They all

accompanied me to the plane, and, before parting, presented me with a small basket of grapes. I had

no words to express my gratitude for the overwhelming affection with which I was treated and the

happiness this stopover had given me.

Q1. Who was Khushdeva Singh? How did his friends show their affection to him during his visit

to Karachi? 2

1) Ans. Khushdeva Singh, a Sikh doctor specialising in the treatment of tuberculosis, posted at

Dharampur in presentday Himachal Pradesh. Immersing himself in his work day and night,

the doctor provided that rare healing touch, food, shelter, love and security to numerous

migrants, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu alike. 2) His friends treated him with love and affection .They stayed with him most of the evening

and then when he was resting and waiting for his delayed flight, they waited outside his room

and in the early morning flight saw him off with a basket of grapes.

Q2. How was Khushdeva Singh seen as symbol of humanity and harmony? 2

1) Ans. He worked on humanitarian grounds and the religious identity of a person had no

impact on him. He helped all those were in need.

2) Even when he went to Pakistan he was only looking for his friends and not the people of a

7

Marks

Page-

399

77

hostile country.

Q3. This source is an example of oral history. How does oral history help historians reconstruct

events of the recent past? Give two points? 1+1=2

1) Ans. Women related issues of Partition their abduction and their recovery both are

painful issues. Formal records do not give us much information about what these women

or their families went through.

2) How Hindus and Muslims helped their friends and strangers belonging to other

communities even at the cost of their own life.

25 Read the following passage given carefully. Answer the questions that follow.

Without a short being fired

This is what moon wrote : For over twenty-four hours riotous mobs were allowed to rage through this

great commercial city unchallenged and unchecked. The finest bazaars were burnt to the ground

without a shoot being fired to disperse the incendiaries (i.e. those who stirred up conflict). The . . .

District Magistrate marched his (large polices) force into the city and marched it out again without

making any effective use of it at all. . . . . Q1.To which event does the source refer to? Describe what the mobs were doing? 1

Ans. It refers to an event at the time of Partition. The mob were looting the market and trade

centres.

Q2. Why did Amritsar became the scene of bloodshed later in 1947 ? 2

Ans. The British officials did not act to stop these unlawful and violent activities. The district

administration had no control over the city.

Q3. What was the attitude of the soldiers and policeman towards the mob? 2

Ans. The Indian soldiers had started behaving as Hindu, Muslims or Sikhs. They were helping the

people of their community.

Q4. Give one example to show how Gandhi tried to bring about communal harmony? 2

Ans. He advised the people of Hindu and Muslim communities at Delhi to maintain trust on each

other.

7

Marks

392

THEME- 15

The Making Of The Constitutionthe Beginning Of A New Era

1 Who moved the crucial ‘Objectives Resolution’?

Ans. The Crucial Resolution was moved by Jawaharlal Nehru.

2

Marks

419

2 Why was the new constitution of Independent India introduced on 26 January1950 ?

Ans. Because it was the 20th anniversary of the historical day on which the Congress had declared

Complete Independence as its final goal

2

Marks

406

3 Which were the two main dissents of the Indian Constitution?

Ans. i) Its being written primarily in English. ii) Requirement of no educational qualification for any of the post enshrined in it.

2

Marks

419

4 When was the Drafting Committee formed? Who was its chairman?

Ans. The Drafting Committee was formed on 29 August 1947. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

was its chairman.

2

Marks

421

5 When and under which scheme the Constituent Assembly was formed?

Ans. The Constituent Assembly was formed in October 1946 as per the Cabinet Mission Scheme.

2

Marks

430

6 When and under whose Presidentship the first session of all India States People’s Conference

was held ?

Ans. The first session of all India States People’s Conference was held in 1927 under the

Presidentship of Diwan Bahadur, M. Ramchan Rai the renowned leader of Ellore

2

marks

7 Why did Mahatma Gandhi think Hindustani should be the National language?

1) Ans. By the 1950s, the Congress had accepted that Hindustani ought to be the national

language. Mahatma Gandhi felt that everyone should speak in a language that common

people could easily understand.

2) Hindustani a blend of Hindi and Urdu was a popular language of a large section of the

4

Marks

425

78

people of India, and it was a composite language enriched by the interaction of diverse

cultures.

3) Over the years it had incorporated words and terms from very many different sources, and

was therefore understood by people from various regions.

4) This multi – cultural language, Mahatma Gandhi thought would be the ideal language of

communication between diverse communities: it could unify Hindus and Muslims, and

people of the north and south.

8 Why is the Indian constitution acceptable to the Indian people even today? Ans: a) The Indian Constitution is acceptable to all because it was based on a broad consensus

and did not reflect the views of the drafting committee alone.

b) Even though there was no universal adult Franchise at that time. The constituent assembly

consisted of people of all regions and communities making it a miniature India.

c) Eminent people like Maulana Azad and women like Sarojini Naidu played an important

part in the constituent assembly as did people of all casts and creeds.

d) Furthermore, the constituent assembly worked in a systematic and open manner.

e) The basic principles were agreed upon, then a draft constitution was prepared for discussion.

f) The draft constitution was discussed thoroughly clause by clause for nearly 3 years before

being finalized.

g) Every individual is free to follow. Preach, or profess his/ her own religion. There is nostate

religion.

4 Marks

9 How was the term minority defined by different groups? Ans. The term minority was defined by different groups in the following ways:

i). Ambedkar demanded separate group for the minority races.

ii). Hindus and Sikhs, live in so-called Pakistan were not considered asminority race.

iii). Members demanded the representation on behalf of the minority in the Constitution.

iv). Nagappa demanded minority status for the Harijans.

v). Ambedkar demanded separate Constitution for the minorities.

4 Marks

420

10 What was the ‘language controversy, before the Constitution Assembly and how did it seek to

resolve the controversy?

Ans. 1. Language Controversy:

• Hindustani (Hindi+Urdu) started getting separate due to communal parties.

• Language became politicized for communal identity.

2) R.V. Dhulkar supported Hindi to be made language of the Constitution. 3) It created a furor (debate) in the Constituent Assembly which was mediated by Pt.Jawahar lal

Nehru.

4) Solutions:

• Proceeded slow to make Hindi as the National Language.

• Some supported official work to be continued for 15 years in English.

5) After implementation of the Constitution and Provinces to choose regional languagefor daily

work.

• Constituent Assembly :

• i. Hindi – Not National Language.ii. But not Rajbhasha

8

Marks 427

11 What was was the Objectives Resolution?What were the ideals expressed in the

Objectives Resolution?

Ans. It was Jawaharlal Nehru who presented Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly on 13th December, 1946. He proposed that the National Flag of India be a ‘horizontal tricolour of saffron

, white and dark green in equal proportion’,with a wheel in navy blue at the centre. It outlined and

defined the ideals andobjectives of the Constituitiion which are as follows:

1. India was declared as independent sovereign Republic.

2. It assured justice , equality, liberty and fraternity to all its citizens.

3. It provided adequate safeguards to minorities.

4. It referred to the wellbeing of the backward and depressed classes.

5. India would combine the liberal ideas of democracy with socialist idea of economic

Justice.

6. India would adopt that form of government which would be acceptable to its people. No

imposition from the British would be accepted by the Indian people.

7. India would be a federation. 8. India would work for world peace and human welfare.

8

Marks 411

12 Read the given passage carefully and answer the Questions that follow – 7

Marks 419

79

“There cannot be any divided loyalty”

“Govind Ballabh Pant argued that in order to become a loyal citizen. People had focusing only on the community and the self. For the success of Democracy one must train himself in the art of self–

discipline. In democracies one should care less for himself and more for others. There can not be any

divided loyalty. All loyalties must exclusively be centred round the State. If in a democracy, you

create rival loyalties, or you create a system in which any individual or group, instead of suppressing

his extravagance, cares nought for larger or other interests, then democracy is doomed.’’

Q1. Give three attributes of a loyal citizen in a democracy according to G. B. Pant. 1 Ans. i) He must train himself in the art of self discipline.

ii) He should care less for himself and more for others.

Q2. What do you understand by ‘Separate Electorate’? 2

Ans. Under provisions of the government of India Act, 1909. Separate electorateswere made for

the Muslims. Only Muslims could be elected from these constituencies. According to the British

Administrators it was done in order to safe guard the interests of the Muslims minority.

Q3. Why was the demand for Separate Electorate made during the drafting of the

Constitution? 2

Ans. Some members of the Constituent Assembly felt that a meaningful participationof the

minorities in the governance could be ascertained only by the system ofseparate electorates. They

made a strong plea to continue this system.

Q4.Why was G. B. Pant against this demand? Give two reasons. 2

Ans. Govind Ballabh Pant felt that –

i) If, by the system of the Separate Electorate, the minorities are isolated for ever, they can

never be able to convert themselves into a majority.

ii) The minorities, if they are returned by Separate Electorates, can never have anyeffective

voice in the governance.

13 Read the given passage carefully and answer the Questions that follow –

“That is very good, Sir – bold words, noble words”

Somnath Lahiri said: Well, Sir, I must congratulate Pandit Nehru for the fine expression he gave to the spirit of the Indian

people when he said that no imposition from the British will be accepted by the Indian people.

Imposition would be resented and objected to, he said, and he added that if need be we will walk the

valley of struggle. That is very good, Sir – bold words, noble words. But the point is to see when and

how are you going to apply that challenge. Well, Sir, the point is that the imposition is here right now.

Not only has the British Plan made any future Constitution … dependent on a treaty satisfactory to the

British but it suggests that for every little difference you will have to run to the Federal Court or dance

attendance there in England; or to call on the British Prime Minister Clement Attlee or someone else.

Not only is it a fact that this Constituent Assembly, whatever plans we may be hatching, we are under

the shadow of British guns, British Army, their economic and financial stranglehold – which means

that the final power is still in the British hands and the question of power has not yet been finally decided, which means the future is not yet completely in our hands. Not only that, but the statements

made by Attlee and others recently have made it clear that if need be, they will even threaten you with

division entirely. This means, Sir, there is no freedom in this country.

As Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel put it some days ago, we have freedom only to fight among ourselves.

That is the only freedom we have got … Therefore, our humble suggestion is that it is not a question

of getting something by working out this Plan but to declare independence here and now and call upon

the Interim Government, call upon the people of India, to stop fratricidal warfare and look out against

its enemy, which still has the whip hand, the British Imperialism – and go together to fight it and then

resolve our claims afterwards when we will be free.

Q1. Who was Somnath Lahiri? 1

Ans, He as an Indian statesman and a leader of Communist Party of India. He was a member of Constituent Assembly of India from Bengal and later served as a Member West Bengal legislative

assembly.

Q2. For which thing had Somnath Lahiri congratulated Pt. Nehru? 2

Ans. He congratulates Pundit Nehru for the fine speech he gave about the spirit of the Indian

people Nehru said that no imposition from the British will be accepted by the Indian people.

Imposition would be resented and objected to by the members of assembly. Lahri calls them bold

7 Marks

414

80

words, noble words. But expresses doubt on application of that challenge. He feels that already

the British Plan has made any future Constitution … dependent on a treaty satisfactory to the

British and in future too all disputes will be referred to the Federal Court in England.

Q3. Why did Somnath Lahiri feel that the Constituent Assembly was working under the shadow

of the British? 2

Ans.He felt this because the constituent assembly was constructes in 1946 when India was still

under British rule. Constituent Assembly, may make plans but it is under the shadow of British guns, British Army, their economic and financial stranglehold. The final power is still in the

British hands and the question of power transfer has not yet been finally decided, which means

the future is not yet completely in Indians hands. He felt that, there was no freedom in this

country.

Q4. How did Somnath Lahiri call upon the people of India to fight against the British plans? 2

Ans.He said to declare independence first and called upon the Interim Government, caledl upon

the people of India, to stop fratricidal warfare and look out against their enemy the British, who

still has the whip hand, the British Imperialism must go. Together Indians must fight it and then

resolve their claims afterwards when they will be free.

14 Read the given passage carefully and answer the Questions that follow –

“The British element is gone, but they have left the mischief behind”

Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel said:

It is no use saying that we ask for separate electorates, because it is good for us. We have heard it long

enough. We have heard it for years, and as a result of this agitation we are now a separate nation …

Can you show me one free country where there are separate electorates? If so, I shall be prepared to

accept it. But in this unfortunate country if this separate electorate is going to be persisted in, even

after the division of the country, woe be tide the country; it is not worth living in. Therefore, I say, it is

not for my good alone, it is for your own good that I say it, forget the past. One day, we may be united

… The British element is gone, but they have left the mischief behind. We do not want to perpetuate that mischief. (Hear, hear). When the British introduced this element they had not expected that they

will have to go so soon. They wanted it for their easy administration. That is all right. But they have

left the legacy behind. Are we to get out of it or not?

Q1. Who was Sardar Valllabh Bhai Patel? 1

Ans. He was an Indian barrister and statesman, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress

and one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. India’s first Home minister and Deputy prime

Minister.

Q2. Why had Sardar Patel said, “The British element is gone, but they have left the mischief

behind?” 2

Ans. He said that “The British element is gone, but they have left the mischief behind” because

in India if separate electorate is going to be in practice, even after the division of the country, then this

country is not worth living in. we would be continuing wrong policies.

Q3. What was the most serious result of separate electorates? 2

Ans. The partition Of India into two countries and the massing killing of people in the event is

the most serious result of separate electorates. People’s hearts were divided.

Q4.What arguments were given by Sardar Patel against the demand for separate electorates?

Ans. He was against it. He said it is not for anyones good so we must forget the past. One day, we may be united .The British have gone, but they have left the mischief of separate electorates behind. It would continue to divide people.

7

Marks

417

15 Read the given passage carefully and answer the Questions that follow –

There Cannot Be Any Divided Loyalty

Govind Ballabh Pant argued that in order to become loyal citizens people had to stop focusing only on

the community and the self:

For the success of democracy one must train himself in the art of self-discipline. In democracies one

should care less for himself and more for others. There cannot be any divided loyalty. All loyalties

must exclusively be centred round the State. If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties, or you create

7

Marks

419

81

a system in which any individual or group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares nought for

larger or other interests, then democracy is doomed.

Q1. What do you understand by ‘Separate Electorates’? 2

Ans.Reserved constituencies or seats for a particular group in the election. British had introduced

separate electorates for Muslims first and for Dalits later.

Q2. Why was the demand for separate electorates made during the drafting of the Constitution? 2

Ans. So that it could be made part of the new constitution. Most members of Constituent

assembly opposed it.

Q3. Give three attributes of a loyal citizen in a democracy according to G.B. Pant. 3 Ans. For the success of democracy one must train himself in the art of self-discipline. In

democracies one should care less for himself and more for others.

There cannot be any divided loyalty. All loyalties must exclusively be cantered round the

State.

If in a democracy, you create rival loyalties, or you create a system in which any individual

or group, instead of suppressing his extravagance, cares not for larger or other interests, then

democracy is doomed.

82

1

83

2

84

3

85

4

86

5

87

6

88

7

89

8

90

9

91

10