History (027) · Class XII · Chapter-wise Board Questions

(D) 4, 3, 1, 2

(B) IV, II, III, I

Nageshwar – a mature Harappan site

Banawali – a mature Harappan site

(C) I, III & IV

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

Lothal - A mature Harappan site

(D) Meluhha referred to a trading area of Harappa.

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

Dholavira located and labelled (see answer map).

(C) Punjab and Sindh had higher rainfall than Shortughai.

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

Kalibangan located and labelled (see answer map).

(B) Mesopotamian Region

(D) R.E.M. Wheeler

Kalibangan located and labelled (see answer map).

(C) This script has not been deciphered so far.

(C) Banawali and Cholistan

Kalibangan – located on the map (see answer map).

(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct reasoning of (A).

(C) Use of Bricks

Rakhigarhi – located on the map (see answer map).

(A) Presence of Central authority

(A) Statements I and II are correct.

Kalibanga − Harappan site

(C) Examining burial customs

Banawali – Indus Valley Site

(D) Bulls were usually used in agriculture.

(B) R.E.M. Wheeler

Lothal − A Mature Harappan site

(A) Surplus Production

Lothal − A mature Harappan site

(A) I and II

(C) I and IV

(C) Priest-King

Kalibangan − Harappan site

(D) Shortughai

Banawali (located on the map).

(C) S.N. Roy

(D) Deep water reservoirs have been found in Sindh for irrigation.

Dholavira (located on the map).

(C) Kalibangan

(D) I, II and IV are correct

Dholavira (located on the map).

(D) Alexander Cunningham

(D) I-d, II-c, III-a, IV-b

(A) Most of the Harappan sites were located in semi-arid lands.

(D) R.E.M. Wheeler

(B) This script was written from left to right.

Banawali – located on the map (see answer map).

(B) Semi-arid land

(D) 700

Kalibangan – located on the map (see answer map).

(C) Haryana

(C) S.N. Roy

(D) iii and iv

(B) Khetri

Kalibangan : Indus Valley Site – Rajasthan (see attached map)

(C) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(B) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

Rakhigarhi – Mature Harappan Site (see attached map)

(B) Haryana

(D) Alexander Cunningham

Kalibangan – a mature Harappan site (see attached map)

(A) (iii) (i) (ii) (iv)

Dholavira – A mature Harappan site (see attached map)

(B) Alexander Cunningham

Dholavira

(B) Lothal

(C) Archaeo-botanists

Rakhigarhi located and labelled (see answer map).

Lothal located and labelled (see answer map).

(A) I, II and III

(B) Bharuch

Nageshwar located and labelled (see answer map).

1. John Marshall marked a major change in the Indian archaeology.
2. He was a professional archaeologist.
3. He was interested in spectacular finds.
4. He excavated along regular horizontal units.
5. He ignored the stratigraphy of the site.
6. All the artefacts recovered from the same unit were grouped together.
7. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed) (3×1=3)

1. Seals and sealings facilitated long distance trade.
2. Seals were pressed on wet clay.
3. The sealing also conveyed the identity of the sender.
4. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. A stone statue was labelled as the “priest-king”.
2. Archaeologists familiar with Mesopotamian history draw parallels in the Indus region.
3. They may be religious figures holding political power.
4. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. The prevalence of agriculture is indicated by finds of grain.
2. Representations on seals and terracotta sculpture indicate that the bull was known to them. Archaeologists extrapolate from this that oxen were used for ploughing.
3. Terracotta models of the plough have been found at sites in Cholistan and at Banawali.
4. Archaeologists have also found evidence of a ploughed field at Kalibangan (Rajasthan), associated with Early Harappan levels.
5. The field had two sets of furrows at right angles to each other, suggesting that two different crops were grown together.
6. Traces of canals have been found at the Harappan site of Shortughai in Afghanistan.
7. Water drawn from wells was used for irrigation.
8. Water reservoirs found in Dholavira (Gujarat) may have been used to store water for agriculture.
9. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

1. Harappan seals usually have a line of writing, probably containing the name and title of the owner.
2. The motif (generally an animal) conveyed a meaning to those who could not read.
3. Most inscriptions are short, the longest containing about 26 signs.
4. Although the script remains undeciphered till date.
5. It was evidently not alphabetical (where each sign stands for a vowel or a consonant) as it has just too many signs – somewhere between 375 and 400.
6. It is apparent that the script was written from right to left as some seals show a wider spacing on the right and cramping on the left.
7. It is found on the variety of objects on which writing has been found: seals, copper tools, rims of jars, copper and terracotta tablets, jewellery, bone rods, even an ancient signboard.
8. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

Harappan Beads :

1. Variety of materials were used to make beads (stones like carnelian, jasper, crystal, quartz and steatite), (metals like copper, bronze and gold) and shell, faience and terracotta.
2. The shapes were numerous (disc, cylindrical, spherical, barrel, segmented).
3. Decorated with painting, incising and designs etched onto them.
4. Different techniques were used for making beads according to the material.
5. The red colour of carnelian was obtained by firing the yellowish raw material at various stages of production. Grinding, polishing and drilling completed the process of making beads and jewellery.
6. Nageshwar and Balakot were important production centres. Procurement of materials for craft production suggests trade relations with Mesopotamia, Bahrain, Oman etc.
7. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

Burial :

1. In Harappan sites dead were generally laid in pits.
2. Some were buried in hollowed out spaces which were lined with bricks (perhaps to indicate social differences).
3. Some graves contain pottery and ornaments perhaps indicating a belief that these could be used in afterlife.
4. Jewellery has been found in burials of both men and women.
5. On the whole Harappans did not believe in burying precious things with the dead.
6. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

1. There is evidence that by c. 1800 BCE most of the Mature Harappan sites in regions such as Cholistan had been abandoned.
2. Simultaneously, there was an expansion of population into new settlements in Gujarat, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh.
3. Disappearance of the distinctive artefacts of the civilisation like weights, seals, special beads.
4. Writing, long-distance trade, and craft specialisation also disappeared.
5. In general, far fewer materials were used to make far fewer things. House construction techniques deteriorated and large public structures were no longer produced.
6. Overall artefacts and settlements indicated a rural way of life, that was called late Harappan.
7. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

1. Seals were affixed on the knots of the bags.
2. This was done for the security purpose.
3. It also gives the identity of the sender,
4. If the bag reached with its sealing intact, it meant that it had not been tampered.
5. Seals and sealings facilitated long distance trade and communication.
6. Motifs on the seal conveyed the meaning to those who could not read.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. There are indications of complex decisions taken and implemented.
2. Extraordinary uniformity of Harappan artefacts e.g. pottery, seals etc.
3. Evidence of planned urban centre and town planning.
4. Similarity of weights, ratio of bricks, etc. These proofs show there could be only one authority.
5. A stone statue was labelled as the Priest king.
6. Large building found at Mohenjodaro is labelled as Palace.
7. Some Archeologists believed that Harappan society had no rulers.
8. Some other believed there were several rulers.
9. Mobilization of labour for construction activities.
10. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. Early archaeologists labelled unusual or unfamiliar objects having a religious significance.
2. Terracotta figurines of women, heavily jewelled with elaborate head-dresses regarded as mother goddesses.
3. Rare stone statuary of men labelled as the “priest-king”.
4. Many structures have been assigned ritual significance like the Great Bath, fire altars found at Kalibangan and Lothal.
5. Attempts have been made to reconstruct religious beliefs and practices by examining seals, some of which seem to depict ritual scenes.
6. Seals with plant motifs indicate nature worship.
7. Some animals – such as the one-horned animal, often called the “unicorn” – depicted on seals are seen as mythical, composite creatures.
8. In some seals, a figure shown seated cross-legged in a “yogic” posture, sometimes surrounded by animals, has been regarded as a depiction of “proto-Shiva”.
9. Conical stone objects have been classified as lingas.
10. Many reconstructions of Harappan religion are made on the assumption that later traditions provide parallels with earlier ones.
11. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. Square or rectangular shaped seals made of steatite.
2. Provide evidence of writing (script not deciphered) and craftsmanship.
3. Indicate the existence of authority which issued/exercised power.
4. Evidence of trade with Mesopotamia, Harappan seals found in Mesopotamia and vice versa;
5. Image of boat on seals.
6. May reflect the beliefs of the Harappans-humped bull, proto-Shiva.
7. Any other relevant point.

(Any 3 points to be assessed)

1. The settlement was divided into two sections, one smaller but higher and the other much larger but lower. (Citadel and the Lower Town)
2. Buildings were constructed on mud brick platforms.
3. The lower town was separated from the upper town and was walled.
4. Detailed planning is indicated in the use of bricks of a standardized ratio for all construction.
5. Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate grid pattern.
6. The drainage system was carefully planned.
7. Streets and drains were laid out first and then houses built. Every house had at least one wall along a street.
8. The construction would require mobilisation of labour on a very large scale.
9. Any other relevant point.

Any 3 points to be assessed.

Harappan script

1. Not deciphered till date
2. Not alphabetical
3. Had too many signs — (375 — 400)
4. Script written from right to left
5. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

Harappan drainage system

1. Well planned Grid system
2. Every house was connected to the street drain.
3. Channels were made of bricks set in mortar
4. Loose Bricks that could be removed for cleaning
5. Intervals with sumps for cleaning
6. Solid matters settled into cesspit while waste water flowed down into the street drain.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. Most Harappan sites are located in semi-arid lands, where irrigation was probably required for agriculture.
2. For irrigation, traces of canals have been found at Shortughai in Afghanistan, but not in Punjab or Sindh.
3. Water drawn from wells used for irrigation.
4. Water reservoirs were found in Dholavira for the purpose of irrigation or to store water for agriculture.
5. Any other relevant point.

Explain any three points.

1. The dead were laid in pits.
2. Sometimes pits had differences.
3. Some pits were lined with bricks.
4. Some graves contained pottery and ornaments.
5. Jewellery has been found in graves of both men and women.
6. In some cases the dead were buried with copper mirror or jasper beads etc.
7. It appears that Harappans did not believe in burying precious things with the dead.
8. Any other relevant point.

Explain any three points.

1. By looking for the raw material such as stone nodules, shells, copper ores etc.
2. Looking for unfinished objects – rejects and waste materials
3. By looking for broken material.
4. Waste was used for craft work.
5. Large waste pieces for making small objects.
6. Any other relevant points.

(Any three points to be explained)

1. It seems that streets and drains were laid out first and then houses built along them on “grid” pattern.
2. Streets and drains cross at right angles.
3. Every house was connected to the street drains.
4. The main channels were made of bricks set in mortar and were covered with loose bricks that could be removed for cleaning.
5. In some cases, limestone was used for the covers.
6. House drains first emptied into a sump or cesspit into which solid matter settled while waste water flowed out into the street drains.
7. Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning.
8. 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.
9. Any other relevant points.

(Any three points to be explained)

1. Many methods and strategies used to procure raw material.
2. Clay was locally available.
3. Stone, timber and metal was procured from outside.
4. Transportation of goods and people by land routes, sea routes.
5. They established settlements (any one)
   • Nageshwar and Balakot for shells.
   • Shortughai, in far-off Afghanistan, for lapis lazuli.
   • Lothal was near sources of carnelian.
   • Steatite (from south Rajasthan and north Gujarat).
   • Metal like copper (from Rajasthan).
6. They sent expeditions to areas where raw material was available such as (any one)
   • Khetri region of Rajasthan (for copper)
   • South India (for gold).
7. They communicated with local people.
8. Harappan micro-beads found in these areas show such contact.
9. Contact with distant lands – (any one)
   • Copper was probably brought from Oman.
   • Distinctive Harappan jar found at Omani sites.
   • Mesopotamian texts mention contact with different regions eg Dilmun (Bahrain), Magan and Meluhha.
10. Bullock cart used for transport.
11. Boats used on rivers/seas.
12. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. The Harappans ate a wide range of plant products.
2. Grains like wheat, barley, lentil, chickpea and sesame were found at Harappan sites.
3. Millets are found from sites in Gujarat.
4. Finds of rice are rare.
5. Dietary practices are reconstructed from finds of charred grains and seeds, studied by archaeo-botanists (specialists in ancient plant remains).
6. The Harappans consumed animal products.
7. Bones of animals have been found at the Harappan sites.
8. Bones of wild species have been found.
9. Bones of fish and fowl are also found.
10. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

• Urban Centres at Harappa were well planned.
• The drains were properly laid down.
• Roads and streets were laid down along an approximate grid pattern.
• Streets with drains were laid out first and then the houses were built.
• For domestic waste water to flow into street drains every house needed to have at least one wall along the street.
• Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained. 3

Seals and Sealings:

• They were used to facilitate long distance communication.
• On the mouth of a bag of goods, which is tied with a rope, seals were pressed, leaving an impression.
• If the bag reaches with sealing intact, it means it has not been tampered with.
• The sealing also conveyed the identity of the sender.
• Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained. 3

1. Mohenjo-Daro had the Citadel and the Lower Town
2. The Citadel was walled and was constructed on mud brick platforms.
3. The Lower Town was also walled.
4. Signs of planning include bricks of a standardised ratio.
5. One of the most distinctive features of Harappan cities was the carefully planned drainage system.
6. Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate “grid” pattern, intersecting at right angles.
7. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses built along them.
8. If domestic waste water had to flow into the street drains, every house needed to have at least one wall along a street.
9. The Lower Town buildings were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides.
10. The courtyard was probably the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.
11. There were no windows in the walls along the ground level.
12. The main entrance does not give a direct view of the interior or the courtyard.
13. Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, with connected drains. Some houses have remains of staircases to reach a second storey or the roof.
14. Many houses had wells, often in a room that could be reached from the outside.
15. According to Scholars the total number of wells in Mohenjo-Daro was about 700.
16. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained.

1. Archeological records provide no immediate answer on the central authority of Harappa.
2. A large building found at Mohenjodaro was labeled as a palace by archeologist but no spectacular finds were associated with it.
3. A stone statue was labeled which was known as the priest king. This is because archeologists were familiar with Mesopotamian history and its priest king and have found parallels in the Indus region.
4. But archeologists didn’t explain whether those who performed ritual practices also held political powers.
5. Some archeologists opine that Harappan society had no rulers and everybody enjoyed equal status.
6. Others feel that there was no single ruler but separate ruler for separate city.
7. Yet others argue that there was a single state, given the similarity in artefacts, the evidence for planned settlements, the standardized ratio of brick size and the establishment of settlements near sources of raw material.
8. The last theory seems the most plausible, as it is unlikely that entire communities could have collectively made and implemented such complex decisions.

(Any other relevant point)

There is no doubt that that the archaeological findings provide no immediate answer to the Harappa’s central authority. Many views have been given regarding the central authority. Following are some of them:

• A large building found at Mohenjodaro but no spectacular finds were associated with it.
• A stone statue was found at the site of Mohenjodaro which have been labelled as the ‘priest king’.
• But so far, the ritual practices of Harappan people have not been understood.
• There is no clear evidence to know whether those who performed ritual practices also held some political power.

(Any three points to be described)

Harappans maintained trade relations with other parts of the world in the following ways:

• Archaeological findings have given clue that Harappans had trade relations with Western Asia.
• Copper was imported from Oman. Chemical analyses have shown that both the Omani copper and Harappan artefacts have traces of nickel indicating a common origin of copper.
• A distinctive type of Harappan vessel coated with a thick layer of black clay has been found at some Omani sites.
• Harappan weights, seals, dice and beads etc. have also been found from the Mesopotamian sites.
• Meluhha, a harappan site is also mentioned in Mesopotamian texts. Copper, gold, carnelian, lapis lazuli and varieties of wood were imported from this site.

(Any three points to be described)

Harappan town planning has many features like modern town planning. Followings are some of them:

1. The most distinctive feature of the Harappan Civilisation was the development of urban centres. Mohenjodaro is the most famous site of Harappan Civilisation.
2. The settlement was divided into two sections i.e. Citadel and the Lower Town. Citadel was smaller but higher. It was walled part of the city which was separated from the lower town. Here the buildings were constructed with mud and bricks platform.
3. The second part of the city was called the Lower Town. The lower town was also walled. Several buildings were built on platforms, which served as foundations.
4. Mohenjodaro had a well-planned drainage system. The roads and the streets were laid out along an approximate ‘grid’ pattern, intersecting at right angles.
5. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses were built along them. Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, with drains connected through the walls to the street drains.

(Any three points)

1. The weight system of Harappan civilisation was a great innovation.
2. The trade requires a regulation of exchange and of weights and measures.
3. Exchanges were regulated by a precise system of weights.
4. Weights were made of a stone called chert and generally cubical with no markings. The lower denominations of weights were binary i.e. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc.
5. The decimal system was followed in higher denominations.
6. The smaller weights were used for weighing the jewellery and beads. Metal scale-pans have also been found at various sites of Harappan civilisation.

(Any three points)

31.1

1. Urban planning and engineering skills.
2. Possible presence of central authority.
3. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be assessed

31.2 Harappan Civilization had established regular maintenance practices for their drainage system, but the debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared.

31.3

1. The advanced Harappan drainage system suggests a highly organised society with strong emphasis on public health and cleanliness.
2. The integration of every house into the drainage network implies a relatively egalitarian approach to urban amenities, where sanitation services were accessible to all residents.
3. The infrastructure likely improved the quality of life by reducing waste related health issues and promoting a cleaner living environment.
4. Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be assessed

(1+1+2=4)

(31.1)

Provided model for research of Harappan origins.

Any other relevant point.

(31.2)

The DNA of the Harappans has continued till today and a majority of the South Asian population appears to be their descendants, it is a critical step forward in unraveling the mysteries of India’s past.

Any other relevant point.

(31.3)

1. The reconstructed facial features of the Harappans, male and female, show remarkable similarity with the modern population of Haryana.
2. This study has indicated unbroken continuity for 5000 years in this region.

Any other relevant point.

(31.1)

1. Geographical importance.
2. River as source of water for basic needs,
3. For agriculture,
4. Fertility of the soil,
5. Fishing
6. For trade and travel
7. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be assessed.

(31.2)

Harappan sites have been classified into different categories as:

1. Regional Centers.
2. Agricultural villages.
3. Ports.
4. Manufacturing centres/centres of craft production.
5. Size of the settlement.
6. Location of the Settlement etc.
7. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be assessed.

(31.3)

1. Sustenance of life and development of civilization
2. Source of livelihood.
3. Fishing,
4. Trade
5. The Sites /cities of the civilization were abandoned when the rivers dried out or changed course.
6. Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be assessed.

(31.1) How do archaeologists classify their finds? (1)

1. Archaeologists classify their finds: On the basis of material, such as stone, clay, metal, bone, ivory, etc.
2. In terms of function : Archaeologists have to decide whether an artefact is a tool or an ornament, or both, or something meant for ritual use.
3. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be explained.

(31.2) How do archaeologists use present day analogies to understand ancient artefacts? (1)

1. Archaeologists reconstruct the past by a study of the artefacts which they unearth such as seals, coins, and remains of buildings, clay pots or burnt grains.
2. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be explained.

(31.3) How had Ernest Mackay described Saddle Quern in his book? (2)

1. Saddle quern was used for grinding material with one’s hand.
2. It was produced by rocking or rolling the hand stone using parallel motions.
3. Pushing and pulling the hand stone which forms a shape looking like a saddle.
4. Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be explained.

(31.1)

• Ernest Mackay was an archaeologist.
• He wrote Early Indus Civilization.
• He elaborated on drainage system of Indus valley civilization.
• Any other relevant point.

Any one point (1)

(31.2) The little heaps of material found alongside drainage channels show that:

• There was a proper system of cleaning.
• Very long drainage channels were provided at intervals with sumps for cleaning.
• It also showed that debris was not always carted away when the drain was cleared.
• Any other relevant point.

Any one point (1)

(31.3) The 'grid' meant:

• Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate grid pattern.
• They were intersecting at right angles.
• It seems that streets with drains were laid out first and then houses built along them.
• Domestic waste water was connected with the street drains to flow.
• Any other relevant point.

Any two points (2)

1. The most unique feature of the Harappan civilisation was the development of urban centres.
2. Mohenjo-daro was the most important urban centre of that time.
3. Although the first site to be discovered was Harappa.
4. The Settlements were divided into two sections – the lower town and the citadel.
5. Lower town was walled with several buildings on the platform.
6. The Citadel was the upper portion. Once the platforms were in place, all building activity within the city was restricted to a fixed area on the platforms. So it seems that the settlement was first planned and then implemented accordingly.
7. These cities had carefully planned drainage system.
8. Roads and streets were laid down along the grid pattern.
9. Every house had its own bathroom.
10. A large rectangular tank was also built perhaps for the public bath
11. Other signs of planning include bricks, which, whether sun-dried or baked, were of a standardised ratio, where the length and breadth were four times and twice the height respectively.
12. Residential buildings were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides.
13. They were concerned for privacy: there are no windows in the walls along the ground level.
14. Any other relevant point

Any eight points to be assessed (8×1=8)

Causes of the Collapse :

1. Several explanations have been put forward.
2. Climatic changes took place damaging the civilisation.
3. Deforestation was another cause.
4. Excessive floods caused much harm to the civilisation.
5. shifting and/or drying up of rivers
6. Overuse of the landscape.
7. Combined impact of all the causes may have led to the collapse.

Evidences :

1. Evidence shows that by 1800 BCE most of the mature Harappan sites were abandoned.
2. Evidence of disappearance of distinct artefacts of the civilisation.
3. Weights, Seals, beads, trade all disappeared.
4. House construction techniques deteriorated.
5. Disappearance of script and pottery.
6. Decline and abandonment of cities.
7. Any other relevant point

Any eight points to be assessed (4+4=8)

1. Harappa had the Citadel and the lower town.
2. Both were walled around but citadel was constructed on mud platforms.
3. Roads and street were laid out in a grid pattern. They intersected at right angles.
4. The lower town was walled.
5. Building were built on platforms.
6. Efficient drainage system is an important feature.
7. Many houses had wells, which could be reached from outside.
8. Mohenjodaro had 700 wells.
9. Citadel had structures used for public purposes – grainaries, warehouse.
10. Lower town had residential buildings.
11. Houses were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides.
12. courtyard was the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.
13. No windows in the walls along the
14. The main entrance does not give direct view of the interior or the courtyard.
15. Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, that was connected with street drains.
16. The great bath was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides
17. Sign of planning include bricks of a standardized ratio.
18. Efficient drainage system is an important feature.
19. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be explained).

1. Cunningham was the first director- general of the ASI.
2. Cunningham confusion- with regard to discovery of Harappan artefacts.
3. He missed the significance of Harappan seal. As he used the account left by the Chinese Buddhist pilgrims to locate early settlements.
4. Daya Ram Sahni – Discovered Seals at Harappa in layers which wre older than early historic levels and understood their significance.
5. Rakhal Das Bannerji – found similar Seals at Mohenjo-daro, and understood these sites were part of a single archaeological culture.
6. S.N. Roy- authored ‘The Story of Indian Archaeology’, highlighting Marshal’s view point.
7. John Marshall – Marshal brought experience of working in Greece and Crete.
8. He looked for pattern of everyday life.
9. He excavated along regular horizontal units.
10. In 1924, John Marshall, announced the discovery of new civilization to the world.(Indus valley)
11. R.E.M. Wheeler – He recognized that it was necessary to follow the stratigraphy of the mound.
12. R.E.M wheeler classified objects according to the layer of soil where it was found.
13. Wheeler specialist from the subcontinent and abroad have been jointly working at both Harappa and Mohen jodaro.
14. Vasant Shinde -He began archaeogenetic research at Rakhigarhi .
15. B.B.Lal and thapar began excavation at Kalibangan.
16. R.S. Bisht-began excavation at Dholavira
17. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be explained)

Harappa urban planning

1. Citadel
2. Lower-town
3. Drainage
4. Domestic architecture which involves 700 wells, courtyard, kitchen staircase, etc.
5. Great Bath
6. Warehouse
7. Roads and their planning, the grid pattern.
8. Dockyard at Lothal.
9. Mackay’s quote and his admiration of the efficient construction of drains.
10. The various materials used for construction like gypsum, limestone, mortar.
11. Any other relevant point

Any eight to be assessed

Role of Archaeologists in the discovery of Harappa:

1. Cunningham’s confusion to be discussed.
2. Daya Ram Sahni discovered seals at Harappa in 1921.
3. Rakhal Das Banerjee discovered seals at Mohenjodaro in 1922.
4. John Marshall announced the discovery of a new civilization.
5. S. N. Roy noted it in his book – the story of Indian archaeology.
6. R.E.M. Wheeler suggested the following of stratigraphy for the survey.

(Role of any four archaeologists to be assessed)

Causes

1. By c. 1800 BCE most of the Mature Harappan sites in regions of Cholistan were abandoned.
2. They expanded into new settlements in Gujarat, Haryana and western UP.
3. There were climatic changes.
4. Area got deforested.
5. There were excessive floods
6. Shifting and/or drying up of rivers
7. Overuse of the landscape.
8. Perhaps the Harappan state came to an end.
9. Theory of invasion given by J.Marshall (Deadman’s Lane) & R.E.M.Wheeler (Vedic reference)
10. Any other relevant point

Evidences

Transformation (decline) of material culture is evident in:

1. Disappearance of the distinctive artefacts– weights, seals, beads.
2. Writing, long-distance trade, and craft specialisation disappeared.
3. Far fewer materials were used to make far fewer things.
4. House construction techniques deteriorated
5. Large public structures were no longer produced.
6. Shift from standardised weights to the use of local weights.
7. Decline and abandonment of cities.
8. Shift to a rural way of life in the Late Harappan period.
9. Any other relevant point

Any eight to be assessed

1. There is uniformity of Harappan artefacts – pottery, seals, weights and bricks.
2. Bricks, throughout, were of uniform ratio.
3. Settlements were set up in specific locations for getting raw material.
4. Craft centres flourished
5. Labour was mobilised for making bricks and construction of massive walls and platforms.
6. The town planning - division of town as citadel and lower town indicates decision making.
7. The excellent drainage system.
8. Palace- A large building found at Mohenjodaro was labelled as a palace by archaeologists but no spectacular finds were associated with it.
9. Priest-King- A stone statue from Mohenjodaro is called the “priest-king” as it seemed similar to Mesopotamian history and its “priest-kings”
10. Equal Status - Some archaeologists say that Harappan society had no rulers, that everybody enjoyed equal status.
11. Several Rulers - Some opine that Harappan civilization did not have a single ruler. Mohenjodaro and Harappa had separate rulers.
12. Single State - given the similarity in artefacts, evidence of town planning, standardized bricks, establishment of settlements near sources of raw materials, some archaeologists argue that Harappan sites were a part of one single state.
13. As of now, the last theory is most acceptable.
14. It is unlikely that entire communities collectively made and implemented such complex decisions.
15. Any other relevant point.

Any eight to be assessed.

1. Harappa had the Citadel and the Lower Town respectively.
2. The Citadel was walled and was constructed on mud brick platforms.
3. The Lower Town was walled.
4. Buildings were built on platforms.
5. Building activity was restricted to a fixed area on the platforms.
6. Signs of planning include bricks of a standardised ratio.
7. Sundried and baked bricks were used.
8. Efficient drainage system is an important feature.
9. Roads and streets were laid out in a “grid” pattern.
10. They intersected at right angles.
11. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses built along them.
12. Every house had one wall along a street for domestic waste water to flow into the street drains,
13. Lower town had residential buildings.
14. Houses were centred on a courtyard, with rooms on all sides.
15. Courtyard was the centre of activities such as cooking and weaving.
16. No windows in the walls along the ground level – concern for privacy.
17. The main entrance does not give a direct view of the interior or the courtyard.
18. Every house had its own bathroom paved with bricks, that was connected with street drains.
19. Some houses have remains of staircases to reach a second storey or the roof.
20. Many houses had wells, which could be reached from the outside.
21. Mohenjo Daro had 700 wells.
22. Citadel had structures used for public purposes – granaries, warehouse.
23. The Great Bath was a large rectangular tank in a courtyard surrounded by a corridor on all four sides.
24. There were two flights of steps on the north and south leading into the tank,
25. There were rooms on three sides, one had a large well.
26. Water from the tank flowed into a huge drain.
27. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be explained)

1. Cunningham was the first Director-General of the ASI.
2. Cunningham’s confusion – with regard to discovery of Harappan artefacts (to be explained)
3. Daya Ram Sahni – Discovered seals at Harappa in layers which were older than early historic levels and understood their significance.
4. Rakhal Das Banerji – Found similar seals at Mohenjo-Daro, and understood these sites were part of a single archaeological culture
5. S.N. Roy – authored ‘The Story of Indian Archaeology’, highlighting Marshall’s view point.
6. John Marshall brought experience of working in Greece and Crete.
7. He looked for patterns of everyday life.
8. He excavated along regular horizontal units.
9. He ignored the stratigraphy leading to loss of valuable information.
10. In 1924, John Marshall, announced the discovery of a new civilization in the Indus valley to the world.
11. R.E.M. Wheeler – took over as Director-General of the ASI in 1944.
12. Wheeler recognized that it was necessary to follow the stratigraphy of the mound.
13. He brought military precision to the practice of archaeology.
14. Specialists from the subcontinent and abroad have been jointly working at both Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.
15. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be explained)

(B) Mauryas –successors of Mahapadmananda

(D) Pataliputra

Kashi – early state

(D) Kushana rulers

(C) (a) (ii), (b) (iv), (c) (i), (d) (iii)

Kannauj – An important town from early states

(A) Both (A) & (R) are correct & (R) is correct

(B) II, IV, I & III

(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

None of the options given in the Question is correct. Hence one mark to be awarded to the students who have attempted the Question.

(A) Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is correct explanation of Assertion (A).

(B) II, III, IV, I

(C) II, IV, III, I

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

Varanasi located and labelled (see answer map).

(C) III, IV, I, II

(D) Daughter of Chandragupta-II and Wife of Vakataka King

(D) Shungas and Kanvas

(C) Kushana

(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

(B) Pataliputra – Riverine route; Ujjayini – Land route; Puhar – Coastal route; Mathura – Land route

(B) Samudragupta

(B) Sarnath

(B) The Shungas and the Kanvas were the immediate successors of the Mauryas.

(A) Ashoka’s Lion Capital

(D) I, II and III are correct.

(B) Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas

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

(D) Asoka

(B) I and II

(D) Gupta dynasty

Ujjain (located on the map).

(A) I, II and IV are correct

(C) II, I, IV, III

Meerut Pillar.

(The marking-scheme answer map does not mark this item.)

(B) II, I, III and IV

(A) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Varanasi (located on the map).

(C) II, I, III and IV

(A) Rajagaha

(A) Prabhavati Gupta

(A) Lion Capital

Kaushambi – located on the map (see answer map).

(D) Rudradaman

(C) Ashoka

Mathura

Rajgir

(D) Vakataka

(C) Mauryas, Shakas and Guptas

Ujjayini : A Mahajanpad – Madhya Pradesh (see attached map)

(A) Maurya

(D) (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)

Kannauj – Ashokan Inscription (see attached map)

(D) She was the daughter of Chandragupta II.

(C) Chandragupta Maurya

(C) I, III, II and IV

(B) Rudradaman I

(D) (i), (ii) and (iii)

(B) Kushana dynasty

(A) Most inscriptions were in Prakrit language.

Magadha

(D) Between the sixth and the fourth centuries BCE, Panchala became the most powerful mahajanapada.

Magadha located and labelled (see answer map).

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

1. Megasthanes account
2. Arthashastra of Kautilya
3. Inscriptions of Ashoka
4. Jaina texts
5. Buddhist texts
6. Archaeological finds
7. Puranic literature
8. Sanskrit literary works
9. Sculpture
10. Ashokvadana
11. Coins
12. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. There were five major political centres in the empire with the capital Pataliputra.
2. The provincial centres of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali and Suvarnagiri, all mentioned in Asokan inscriptions.
3. The vast empire have had a uniform administrative system.
4. The regions included within the empire were just too diverse. Imagine the contrast between the hilly terrain of Afghanistan and the coast of Orissa.
5. The administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres.
6. Both Taxila and Ujjayini being situated on important long-distance trade routes.
7. Suvarnagiri (literally, the golden mountain) was possibly important for tapping the gold mines of Karnataka.
8. Communication along both land and riverine routes was vital for the existence of the empire.
9. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
10. Asoka also tried to hold his empire together by propagating dhamma.
11. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

Prabhavati Gupta :

1. She had access to land as Vakataka Queen.
2. She granted lands to Brahmanas.
3. She might have done it to increase land under cultivation.
4. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

1. The term ‘Dhamma’ was coined by Ashoka and his messages were written on rocks.
2. Dhamma stands for respect towards elders and generosity towards Brahmins.
3. It means treating servants and slaves kindly.
4. It also means respect for every religion.
5. It treated animals with love and sympathy.

1. Magadha was a region where agriculture was very productive.
2. Magadha was rich in minerals especially in iron ore and forest resources.
3. Elephants for the use of army were available in the forests of Magadha.
4. Ganga and its tributaries, not only provided water for drinking but also means of transportation.
5. Early Buddhist and Jaina writers who wrote about Magadha attributed its power to 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.
6. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed)

1. Ashoka’s messages have been inscribed on stone surfaces- natural rock polished pillars.
2. Five major political centres of administration have been mentioned.
3. Same messages found in all the inscriptions from the North west to Orissa.
4. He used the inscriptions for propagating his idea of Dhamma.
5. This included respect to elders, generosity to Brahmins etc.
6. He instructed to treat slaves and servants kindly.
7. Promoted respect for all religions and traditions.
8. Mentions appointment of Pativedakas to report to the king.
9. Most inscriptions were in Prakrit, Greek and Kharosthi were used in the northwest.
10. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed

1. Archaeological finds like sculptures, monasteries.
2. Contemporary works like Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
3. Account of Megasthenes.
4. Buddhist literature.
5. Jaina works.
6. Puranic literature.
7. Sanskrit literary works.
8. Inscriptions of Ashoka—edicts and pillars.
9. Asokavadana.
10. Punch marked coins.
11. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed

1. Arthashastra
2. Edicts of Ashoka
3. Puranic literature
4. Buddhist and Jains Literature
5. Indica by Megasthenese
6. Archeological finds- sculptures etc.
7. Sanskrit texts
8. Monastries
9. Ashokavadan
10. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. The account of Megasthenes (the Greek ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya),
2. Arthashastra by Kautilya or Chanakya
3. Archaeological findings specially sculpture, monasteries etc
4. Jaina texts
5. Buddhist texts
6. Puranic literature
7. Punch marked coins
8. Ashokavadana
9. Inscriptions of Ashoka
10. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be assessed

Sources to know about Mauryan Empire

1. Kautilya’s Arthashastra.
2. Megasthenes’ Indica.
3. Buddhist and Jain literature.
4. Inscriptions of Ashoka.
5. Punch marked coins of the Mauryas.
6. Asoka’s dhamma and his dhamma mahamattas.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three to be assessed

Sources of History of Mauryan Empire

1. Kautilya’s Arthashastra
2. Indica of Megasthenes
3. Buddhist, Jaina, Puranic and Sanskrit literary work
4. Ashoka’s Inscription on rocks and pillars
5. Archaeological finds especially sculpture
6. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

1. Archaeological findings.
2. Contemporary works account of Megasthenes (Indica description of the court of Chandragupta Maurya)
3. Arthashastra composed by Kautilya or Chanakya.
4. Buddhist, Jain, puranic literature and Sanskrit literary work.
5. Inscription of Ashoka.
6. Sculptures.
7. Any other relevant point.

Explain any three points.

Three features of Mahajanapadas:

1. Most Mahajanapadas were ruled by kings,
2. Some, known as ganas or sanghas, were oligarchies, where power was shared by a number of men.
3. Rajas controlled resources such as land.
4. Each Mahajanapada had a capital city.
5. Capital city was fortified.
6. Maintaining fortified cities, armies and officers required resources.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three to be assessed.

Causes of the growth of Magadha power:

1. Region of Magadha had fertile soil and agriculture was productive.
2. Iron mines were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.
3. Elephants, an important component of the army were found in forests in the region.
4. Ganga and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and convenient communication.
5. Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda were ambitious and powerful rulers whose policies led to growth of Magadha.
6. Rajagaha, capital of Magadha was a fortified settlement.
7. Later the capital was shifted to Pataliputra.
8. Any other relevant point

Any three to be assessed.

1. Agriculture was especially productive in Magadha region.
2. In Magadha, iron mines were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.
3. Elephants (an important component of the army), were found in forests of this region.
4. The Ganga and its tributaries provided a means of cheap and convenient communication.
5. Buddhist and Jaina writers who wrote about Magadha attributed its power.
6. The ambitious kings of whom Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda are the best known, and their ministers, who helped implement their policies.
7. Strategic location of the capital Rajgir/Patliputra
8. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained.

1. These were the capitals of Mahajanapadas.
2. Virtually all major towns were located along routes of communication.
3. Some towns such as Pataliputra were situated on riverine routes.
4. Others, such as Ujjayini, were situated along land routes.
5. Yet others, such as Puhar, were near the coast, from where sea routes began.
6. Many cities like Mathura were bustling centers of commercial, cultural and political activity.
7. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained.

1. Exchanges were facilitated by the introduction of coinage.
2. Punch-marked coins were the earliest to be used. They were made of silver and copper, – eg Mauryan coins.
3. Merchants, bankers and townspeople also issued coins.
4. Images and names of kings on coins – Indo-Greeks & Kushanas,
5. The first gold coins were issued by the Kushanas.
6. These gold coins were identical in weight with those issued by contemporary Roman and the Parthian rulers.
7. Hoards of Roman coins have been found. Coins were used for long-distance trade.
8. Coins were also issued by tribal republics of Punjab and Haryana called the Yaudheyas.
9. Gold coins were issued by the Gupta rulers.
10. Coins made of silver, copper and gold.
11. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be described)

A. James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi scripts used in the earliest inscriptions and coins. (1)

B. He found that most of these mentioned a king referred to as Piyadassi – meaning "pleasant to behold" – Asoka.

• He gave a new direction to investigations into early Indian political history.
• European and Indian scholars started using inscriptions and texts to reconstruct the lineages of major dynasties that had ruled the subcontinent.
• The broad contours of political history were in place by the early decades of the twentieth century.
• Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be explained (2)

(31.1) (1)

1. Natural transport routes
2. Cheap and efficient transport
3. Connectivity
4. Any other relevant point

(31.2) (1)

1. Large amount of goods were trade between India and other countries because India being a rich country provided many articles like pepper, cinnamon, crude, topaz minerals and many other articles for trade.
2. Other countries needed these goods so the trade flourished.
3. Any other relevant point

(31.3) (2)

1. Archaeological evidence proves that precious and semi precious stones were found in Kodumanal in Tamil Nadu.
2. Some precious stones were brought from many other sites along the coast.
3. The availability of these stones gave rise to the setting of bead making industry.
4. Any other relevant point

(31.1)

1. The conquest of Kalinga had a great impact on the King.
2. He regretted the violence and suffering caused during the conquest.
3. He devoted himself to Dhamma.
4. He appointed Dhamma Mahamatas.
5. He became compassionate, generous.
6. He preached non-violence.
7. He instructed his people to be humane, respectful, ethical.
8. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be assessed.

(31.2)

1. It led the king to devote himself to Dhamma.
2. He became compassionate, generous.
3. He started to preach non-violence.
4. He stopped the killing of animals in his kitchen.
5. He instructed his people to be humane, respectful, ethical.
6. Any other relevant point.

Any one point to be assessed.

(31.3)

1. He appointed Dhamma Mahamatas.
2. Adopting and promoting Dhamma.
3. Pillars, rock edicts.
4. He sent ambassadors to various places.
5. He stopped the killing of animals in his kitchen.
6. Dhamma became the guiding principle.
7. Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be assessed.

(31.1)

1. Enhanced administrative efficiency.
2. Located on trade routes.
3. Any other relevant point.

(Any one point to be explained.)

(31.2)

1. Xuang provided valuable insights into the city of Patliputra.
2. City was ruined.
3. Small population.
4. Any other relevant point.

(Any one point to be explained)

(31.3)

1. It was the capital of the Magadha empire.
2. It was situated on the bank of the river.
3. It served as an administrative city.
4. It was used as trading centre.
5. It was productive
6. Iron mines
7. Elephants captured for army.
8. Any other relevant point.

( Any two points to be explained)

(31.1)

1. Land grant was made to Acharya Chanalsvamin for religious merit.
2. Any other relevant point

(Any one point to be assessed) (1)

(31.2)

1. Queen Prabhavati owned land and also granted it.
2. According to religious texts such as the Dharmshastra and Dharmasutras women were not allowed to own property.
3. This rule was not universal.
4. Any other relevant point

(Any one point to be assessed) (1)

(31.3)

1. The inhabitants of the village of Danguna were instructed to obey the grantee’s all commands.
2. this village was not to be entered by soldiers and policemen;
3. (it is) exempt from (the obligation to provide) grass, (animal) hides as seats, and charcoal (to touring royal officers);
4. exempt from (the royal prerogative of) purchasing fermenting liquors and digging (salt);
5. exempt from (the right to) mines and khadira trees;
6. exempt from (the obligation to supply) flowers and milk;
7. (it is donated) together with (the right to) hidden treasures and deposits (and)
8. together with major and minor taxes …”
9. Any other relevant point.

(Any 2 points to be assessed.) (2)

(31.1) Who was referred to as Devanampiya Piyadassi? (1)

King Ashoka was referred to as Devanampiya Piyadassi.

(31.2) How did Devanampiya’s approach differ from past arrangements regarding the handling of affairs? (1)

1. He started arrangement for disposing all kinds of affairs which were decided by the King/ central authority earlier.
2. He started process of receiving regular reports.
3. Any other relevant point

Any one point

(31.3) In what way did Devanampiya receive reports and disposed of the affairs of the people? (2)

1. Devanampiya made arrangements that Pativedakas used to report to the king.
2. The king made himself available for disposing the affairs of the people at any time of day or night and at any place.
3. Any other relevant point

Any two points to be explained.

(31.1) Kautilya or Chanakya is the author of Arthashastra.

(31.2) Elephants are traced in the forests by following the course of urine and dung scattered in the forests with the help of 5 or 7 female Elephants.

(31.3)

• Elephants were captured to raise the military strength of elephants by the Maurya rulers.
• According to Greek sources, the Mauryan ruler had a standing army of 9,000 elephants.

(31.1) Megasthenes was the Greek Ambassador to the court of Chandragupta Maurya. (1)

(31.2) The role of supervisory staff was important for the State as well as for the public welfare because they supervised rivers, measured lands, inspected water channels. (1)

(31.3) It was helpful to understand how the king ruled, his relations with the public, his control over his State and his relation with the neighbouring rulers. (2)

1. There are limits to what epigraphy can reveal.
2. There are technical limitations: the letters are very faintly engraved.
3. Inscriptions may be damaged or letters missing.
4. It may not always be possible to understand the exact meaning of certain words.
5. Several thousand inscriptions have been discovered but all have not been deciphered.
6. Several inscriptions must have existed but only a fraction of it have survived the ravages of time.
7. Not everything that was significant politically or economically was recorded in inscriptions.
8. The content of inscriptions almost invariably projected the perspective of the person(s) who commissioned them.
9. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be assessed) (8×1=8)

Sources:

1. To reconstruct Mauryan history, the historians have used variety of sources such as archaeological finds especially sculpture.
2. Contemporary works such as writings of Megasthenes.
3. Kautilya’s Arthashastra is another source.
4. Buddhist texts
5. Jain texts
6. Puranic literature.
7. Sanskrit literary works.
8. Ashokvadana
9. Inscriptions of Ashoka on rocks and pillars.
10. Coins
11. Any other relevant point.

(Any five points to be assessed)

Administration:

1. For administrative purpose the state was divided into five major centres.
2. The capital centres were very carefully chosen.
3. These regions were diverse, like the coast of Odissa and hilly terrain of Afghanistan.
4. Administrative control was strong in the areas around capitals.
5. Communication along both land and riverine routes were improved.
6. Army was important to ensure peace and keep their frontiers under control.
7. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
8. Any other relevant point.

(Any three points to be assessed) (5+3=8)

1. According to Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras only Kshatriyas could be the kings.
2. The Brahmanical prescription was not followed universally.
3. Several important ruling lineages probably had different origins.
4. There are several examples where the people of other caste and even low origin became the rulers.
5. The Buddhist texts suggest the social background of the Mauryas as Kshatriyas, while Brahmanical texts describe them as being of “low” origin.
6. The Shungas and Kanvas who ruled were Brahmins.
7. Shakas who came from Central Asia were regarded as Mlechchhas.
8. Some powerful mlechchhas were familiar with Sanskritic traditions.
9. The Satavahana dynasty claimed to be Brahmanas-- for e.g Gotami Puta Siri Satakani claimed to be a unique Brahmin and a destroyer of the pride of the Kshatriyas.
10. All this shows that anyone who could muster support can be a king.
11. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be assessed

1. Land grants were recorded on copper plates and stone, as to who received land.
2. Most of the inscriptions showing land grants are in Sanskrit.
3. Other land grant inscriptions were in local language i.e Tamil, Telugu etc.
4. Prabhavati Gupta was the daughter of a powerful ruler and she gave land grants.
5. Prabhavati had the access to land, being powerful lady.
6. Land grants were given to rural peasants and Brahmins.
7. Land grants might be a part of the strategy to expand cultivable areas.
8. Some feel that land grants were the sign of a weak ruler, because they were losing control over the samantas.
9. The records that have survived are generally about the religious institutions or Brahmanas.
10. There were regional variations in the sizes of the land donated.
11. The villagers were expected to obey the new lord of the village and pay him all dues.
12. Agarahara land was granted to a Brahmin which was usually exempted from the taxes.
13. It provide some insight in to the relationship between the cultivators and the state.
14. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be examined.

1. Shifting to plough agriculture in fertile areas of river valleys.
2. The iron-tipped ploughshares were used.
3. Alluvial soils of Ganga Valley with good amount of rainfall made the growing of crops very well.
4. Production of paddy dramatically increased
5. Introduction of transplantation for paddy cultivation.
6. Semi-arid areas could not adopt the improved technology.
7. The hilly tracts of North east and some central parts practised hoe agriculture.
8. Another strategy used was irrigation.
9. Use of wells, tanks and canals.
10. Because of these variations the benefits were uneven.
11. Communities as well as individuals organised the construction of irrigation work.
12. Any other relevant point

Any eight points to be examined

1. Histories of the ancient rulers have been reconstructed from literature, coins and inscriptions, including prashastis.
2. Technical limitations: Sometimes the letters are very faintly engraved and thus, there is uncertainty of reconstructions.
3. Inscriptions may be damaged or letters missing.
4. It is not always easy to be sure about the exact meaning of the words used in inscriptions, some of which may be specific the particular place or time. This has lead the scholars constantly debating and discussing alternative ways of reading inscription.
5. Few are still not deciphered.
6. Problem of deciphering: Although several thousand inscriptions have been discovered, not all have been deciphered, published and translated.
7. Besides many more inscriptions must have existed, which have not survived the ravages of time. Therefore, what is available at present is probably only a fraction of what was inscribed.
8. Fundamental problem: is not everything that we may consider politically or economically significant was necessarily recorded in inscriptions.
9. For example, routine agricultural practices and the joys and sorrows of daily existence find no mention in inscriptions, which focus more often than not on mental problem grand, unique events.
10. Besides the content of inscriptions almost invariably protects the perspective of the persons who commissioned them.
11. Inscription need to be authenticate with other perspectives to arrive at a better understanding of the past.
12. Epigraphy alone does not provide a full understanding of political and economic history for which historians often questioned both old and new evidence.
13. Mostly focused grand events of the state.
14. Commissioned by king, eg. Ashoka’s inscriptions/ edicts/ devanampiya, often translated as “beloved of the gods” and piyadassi, or “pleasant to behold”. The name Asoka is mentioned in some other inscriptions.
15. Mostly deals with land grants- eg. Prabhavati Gupta’s land grant in the thirteenth (regnal) year. It has been engraved by Chakradasa
16. An agrahara example to land grant by Brahmans, inscribed outside temple walls.
17. Any other relevant points.

Any 8 points to be assessed.

1. Coins act as an important archaeological source.
2. Punch-marked coins made of silver and copper (c. sixth century BCE onwards) were amongst the earliest to be minted and used.
3. Material use indicates economic condition.
4. Numismatists have studied these and other coins to reconstruct possible commercial networks.
5. Coins were issued by kings, merchants, bankers and townspeople.
6. The first coins to bear the names and images of rulers were issued by the Indo-Greeks.
7. The widespread use of gold coins indicates the enormous value of the transactions that were taking place.
8. The kushanas, however, issued the largest hoards of gold coins first gold coins first century CE. These were virtually identical in weight with those issued by contemporary Roman emperors and the Parthian rulers of Iran.
9. Coins were also issued by tribal republics such as that of the Yaudheyas of Punjab and Haryana.
10. These coins facilitated long-distance transactions from which kings also benefited.
11. Gold coins were issued by the Gupta rulers. The earliest issues are remarkable for their purity.
12. Coins depicted hierarchies of the ruling kings.
13. From c. sixth century CE onwards, finds of gold coins taper off.
14. Any other relevant points.

Any 8 points to be assessed

1. This was the period when early states and cities started growing.
2. Janapadas and Mahajanapadas developed.
3. Each Mahajanapada was ruled by a king.
4. Each Mahajanapada had a fortified capital city.
5. They had bureaucracy.
6. Rules for governance existed.
7. Rulers started collection of taxes.
8. Rulers developed trade and commerce.
9. Ruler maintained armies.
10. Use of iron.
11. Use coins.
12. Diverse systems of thought like Jainism, Buddhism, Ajivika etc developed.
13. The Brahmanas composed Dharmasutras in Sanskrit.
14. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be explained

1. Historians find historical evidence from inscriptions.
2. They studied the statements made in the inscriptions.
3. Inscriptional evidence is the base for reconstructing history.
4. There are technical limitations to inscriptional evidence.
5. Letters are very faintly engraved.
6. Reconstructions are uncertain.
7. Some inscriptions are damaged.
8. Letters are missing.
9. It is difficult to understand the meaning of the inscription.
10. Many inscriptions have not been deciphered.
11. Many inscriptions have not been published.
12. Many inscriptions have not been translated.
13. Many inscriptions have not survived ravages of time.
14. Many inscriptions are available in fragments.
15. Many important developments were probably not recorded.
16. Inscriptions do not mention the lives of ordinary people.
17. They focus more on grand, unique events.
18. History from the top - reflects the perspective of the person(s) who commissioned them.
19. It is a tedious process and prone to misinterpretation.
20. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be explained

Methods of deciphering inscriptions of Maurya period:

1. James Prinsep, an officer in the mint of the East India Company, deciphered Brahmi and Kharosthi, two scripts used in the earliest inscriptions.
2. James Prinsep matched the inscriptions in terms of content, style, language and paleography.
3. He also discovered that Asoka is the name of the ruler and devanampiya and piyadassi are titles used for Asoka in many inscriptions.
4. He noted that Asoka, Devanampiya and Piyadasi are different names of the same ruler.
5. Any other relevant point.

Any two points to be explained.

The limitations of Inscriptional Evidence :

1. There are technical limitations in studying the Inscriptions.
2. In some Inscriptions letters are very faintly engraved.
3. Some Inscriptions are damaged.
4. In some Inscriptions letters are missing.
5. Reconstructions are uncertain.
6. It is not easy to be sure about the exact meaning of the words used in inscriptions.
7. Several thousand inscriptions were made but only some hundreds have been discovered.
8. All are not deciphered, published and translated.
9. Politically and economically significant matters are recorded in inscriptions but routine agricultural practices and the joys and sorrows of daily existence are not found in inscriptions.
10. Any other relevant point.

Any six points to be explained.

Sources to know about Mauryan period:

1. Sources include archaeological finds, especially sculptures, buildings, monasteries, etc.
2. The account of Megasthenes called Indica, which survives in fragments.
3. The Arthashastra, composed by Kautilya.
4. Later Buddhist, Jaina and Puranic literature.
5. Sanskrit literary works have been written about the Mauryas.
6. The Inscriptions of Asoka on rocks and pillars.
7. Any other relevant point.

Any four points to be explained.

Administrative structure of the Mauryan Empire :

1. There were five major political centres in the empire – the capital Pataliputra and the provincial centres of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali and Suvarnagiri, all mentioned in Asokan Inscriptions.
2. Administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres.
3. These centres were carefully chosen, both Taxila and Ujjayini being situated on important long-distance trade routes.
4. There was a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
5. Of these, one subcommittee looked after the navy, the second managed transport and provisions, the third was responsible for foot-soldiers, the fourth for horses, the fifth for chariots and the sixth for elephants.
6. Asoka also tried to hold his empire together by propagating dhamma, the principles of which were simple and universally applicable.
7. Special officers, known as the Dhamma Mahamatta, were appointed to spread the message of dhamma.
8. Asoka appointed Pativedakas to collect people’s needs and report to the king directly.
9. Any other relevant point.

Any four points to be explained.

The main features of Mauryan administration are as follows:

• There were five major political centres in the empire i.e., the capital Pataliputra and the provincial centres of Taxila, Ujjayini, Tosali and Suvarnagiri.
• It is likely that administrative control was strongest in areas around the capital and the provincial centres.
• These centres were carefully chosen, both Taxila and Ujjayini being situated on important long-distance trade routes, while Suvarnagiri (literally, the golden mountain) was possibly important for tapping the gold mines of Karnataka.
• The communication system existed along both land and riverine routes. It was very vital for the existence of the empire.
• As the journeys from the centre to the provinces could have taken a long time, there was arrangement for provisions as well as protection for the travellers.
• It is obvious that the army was an important means for ensuring the security. Megasthenes mentions a committee with six subcommittees for coordinating military activity.
• Of these, one looked after the navy, the second managed transport, the third was responsible for foot-soldiers, the fourth for horses, the fifth for chariots and the sixth for elephants.
• The activities of the second subcommittee were rather varied i.e. arranging for bullock carts to carry equipment, procuring food for soldiers and fodder for animals, and recruiting servants and artisans to look after the soldiers.

Between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE, Magadha (in present-day Bihar) became the most powerful mahajanapada. Modern historians explain this development in a variety of ways:

• Magadha was a region where agriculture was especially productive.
• Besides, iron mines (in present-day Jharkhand) were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.
• 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.
• However, early Jain and Buddhist writers who wrote about Magadha attributed its power to the policies of individuals, ruthlessly ambitious kings of whom Bimbisara, Ajatashatru and Mahapadma Nanda are the best known, and their minister, who helped implement their policies.
• The two capitals, i.e. Rajagaha (Rajgir) and Pataliputra (Patna) of Magadha had their own advantages.
• Rajagaha was a fortified settlement, located amongst hill, thus, was not easily captured. Pataliputra was easily communicable through the Ganga and its tributaries.
• The growth of Magadha culminated in the emergence of the Mauryan Empire. Chandragupta Maurya, who founded the empire (c. 321 BCE), extended control as far northwest as Afghanistan and Baluchistan, and his grandson Asoka, arguably the most famous ruler of early India, conquered Kalinga (present-day coastal Orissa).

1. From the early centuries of the Common Era, we find grants of land being made, many of which were recorded in inscriptions. Some of these inscriptions were on stone, but most were on copper plates which were probably given as a record of the transaction to those who received the land.
2. The records that have survived are generally about grants to religious institutions or to Brahmanas.
3. Most inscriptions were in Sanskrit. In some cases, and especially from the seventh century onwards, part of the inscription was in Sanskrit, while the rest was in a local language such as Tamil or Telugu.
4. One such inscription provides detail about Prabhavati Gupta. She was the daughter of Chandragupta II. She was married into another important ruling family, that of the Vakatakas, who were powerful in the Deccan.
5. The inscription indicates that Prabhavati had access to land, which she then granted. This may have been because she was a queen, and her situation was therefore exceptional.
6. The inscription indicates that Prabhavati had access to land, which she then granted. This may have been because she was a queen, and her situation was therefore exceptional.
7. Land grants such as this one have been found in several parts of the country. There were regional variations in the sizes of land donated – ranging from small plots to vast stretches of uncultivated land – and the rights given to donees (the recipients of the grant).
8. The impact of land grants is a subject of heated debate among historians. Some feel that land grants were part of a strategy adopted by ruling lineages to extend agriculture to new areas.
9. Others suggest that land grants were indicative of weakening political power: as kings were losing control over their samantas, they tried to win allies by making grants of land.

So, we can say that land grants provide some insight into the relationship between cultivators and the state.

Numismatics is the study of coins, including visual elements such as scripts and images, metallurgical analysis, and the contexts in which they have been found. The study of coins has helped the numismatists to reconstruct the possible commercial networks in the following ways:

1. To some extent, exchanges were facilitated by the introduction of coinage. A wide range of goods like salt, grain, cloth, metal ores and finished products, stone, timber, medicinal plants, etc. were carried from one place to another. These certainly required some kind of currency for exchange. Hence, these led to the development of coinage across the trading cultures.
2. Punch-marked coins made of silver and copper (6th century BCE onwards) were amongst the earliest to be minted and used. These have been recovered from excavations at a number of sites throughout the sub-continent. Numismatists have studied these and other coins to reconstruct possible commercial networks.
3. Attempts made to identify the symbols on punch-marked coins with specific ruling dynasties, including the Mauryas, suggest that these were issued by kings. It is also likely that merchants, bankers, and townspeople issued some of these coins.
4. The first gold coins were issued in the 1st century CE by the Kushanas. These were virtually identical in weight with those issued by contemporary Roman emperors and the Parthian rulers of Iran have been found from several sites in North India and Central Asia.
5. The widespread use of gold coins indicates the enormous value of the transactions that were taking place. Besides, hoards of Roman coins have been found from archaeological sites in South India.
6. It is obvious that networks of trade were not confined within political boundaries. South India was not a part of the Roman empire, but there were close connections through trade.
7. Coins were also issued by tribal republics such as that of the Yaudheyas of Punjab and Haryana (c. first century CE). Archaeologists have unearthed several thousand copper coins issued by the Yaudheyas, pointing to the latter’s interest and participation in economic exchanges.
8. Some of the most spectacular gold coins were issued by the Gupta rulers. The earliest issues are remarkable for their purity. These coins facilitated long-distance transactions from which kings also benefited.

(C) Ashtadhyayi

(B) He ensured no intermarriage amongst members of the four varnas.

(C) Eklavya offered his right thumb to Drona As Guru Dakshina

(C) Dhritrashtra

(C) Patriliny Succession

(D) Ekalavya

(B) Gifts received at the time of marriage and from relatives

(D) Ghatotkacha

(C) These norms were not followed universally.

(C) Vakataka

(B) It has been reinterpreted across various contexts.

(B) They contain compiled stories

(A) Manusmriti

(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).

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

(C) Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani

(C) It researched all regional variations of the text

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

(B) (ii), (iii) and (iv)

(B) Medicine (Ayurveda)

(D) Polyandry – Woman having several husbands

(B) Grammar

(D) 1-(ii), 2-(iv), 3-(iii), 4-(i)

(C) V.S. Sukthankar

(C) Ghatotkatch

(C) Polygyny

(D) Hidimba

(C) Work on Medicine

(B) Fa Xian

(B) Eklavya

(D) Panini

(B) Western and Deccan India

(B) Dhritrashtra

(D) Raja Gotami-puta Siri Satakani

(B) Bhima

(A) 1 - b, 2 - c, 3 - d, 4 - a

(D) Manusmriti

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

(D) B.B. Lal

1. There was a feud over land and power between two sets of cousins.
2. They belonged to a single ruling family.
3. People had the preference for Pandavas to rule
4. This irritated Duryodhan, the Kuru prince.
5. This conflict ended in a war.
6. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be assessed (3×1=3)

1. Language – written in Sanskrit, translated in various languages.
2. Didactic- sections that contain prescriptions about social norms.
3. Between c. 200 and 400 CE - large didactic sections resembling the Manusmriti were added. This is attributed to a sage named Vyasa
4. Text on authority and governance, conflicts
5. The original story was probably composed by charioteer-bards known as sutas.
6. These compositions circulated orally.
7. From the fifth century BCE, Brahmanas took over the story and began to commit it to writing.
8. Socio-cultural element- reflects social hierarchy and gender role in the text.
9. Dynamic text- Several stories that originated in specific regions or circulated amongst certain people found their way into the epic.
10. The central story of the epic was often retold in different ways.
11. Family structures and forms of marriage.
12. Intended Language – written in Sanskrit, translated in various languages.
13. Didactic audience.
14. Mahabharata stories were depicted in sculpture and painting.
15. Provided themes for a wide range of performing arts – plays, dance and other kinds of narrations.
16. Any other relevant points.

Any 3 points to be assessed.

1. Varna system- divisions of the four main varnas
2. Nishadas – forest dwellers. eg. Ekalavya
3. Rakshasa – Bhim’s marriage with Hidimba
4. Untouchable and chandalas
5. Mlechchhas- Rulers, such as the Shakas were regarded as, barbarians or outsiders by the Brahmanas.
6. Satavahanas- interesting that the best-known ruler of the Satavahana dynasty, Gotami-puta Siri-Satakani, claimed to be both a unique Brahmana and a destroyer of the pride of Kshatriyas.
7. Presence of non-Kshatriya Kings in power.
8. Gotra- same gotra marriage.
9. Succession patrilineal- prabhavati
10. Women- Issues of ownership, Women could not claim a share of these resources. eg. Prabhavati gupta and Draupadi.
11. Jati- Goldsmith or suvarnakara, which did not easily fit into the fourfold varna system.
12. Marriage system
13. Any other relevant points.

Any 3 points to be assessed.

1. The team, led by V S Sukthankar, a noted sanskritist, started working in 1919.
2. The critical edition was published in several volumes and had 13,000 pages.
3. The team collected Sanskrit manuscripts of the text written in various scripts from different parts of the country.
4. They compared verses from each manuscript.
5. Two things became apparent:
   1. There were several common elements in the Sanskrit versions of the story.
   2. Also, there were enormous regional variations.
6. They selected common verses and published these in several volumes.
7. Regional variations were also recorded.
8. The variations were documented in footnotes and appendices to the main text.
9. Taken together, more than half the 13,000 pages are devoted to these variations.
10. The project was completed in 47 years.
11. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed

1. Endogamy/Gotra endogamy –marriage within the gotra.
2. Exogamy/Gotra Exogamy- marriage outside the gotra.
3. Polygyny was the practice of a man having several wives.
4. Polyandry was the practice of a woman having several husbands For eg Draupadi’s marriage
5. Polygamy was the practice of more than one spouse.
6. Manusmriti mentions eight forms of marriage.
7. Marriage outside the Brahmanical system- Bhima’s marriage to Hidimba
8. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be assessed.

1. Kshatriyas were to engage in warfare.
2. They were to protect the people.
3. They had to administer justice to the common man.
4. They had to study Vedas.
5. They had to get sacrifices performed.
6. Make gifts.
7. Kings were mainly Kshatriyas.
8. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. Brahmanas asserted and proclaimed that the Varna order was of divine origin.
2. They advised the king to ensure the implementation of Varna order.
3. They said that the status was determined by birth.
4. Brahmanas referred to the Pursha Sukta hymn to enforce the varna order.
5. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be assessed.

1. Endogamy refers to marriage within a unit-this could be a kin group, caste, or a group living in the same locality.
2. Exogamy refers to the marriage outside the unit.
3. Girls were married at the right time and to the right person.
4. Kanyadaan was an important religious duty of the father.
5. women were give up their father s gotra and adopt of their husbands on marriage
6. Polyandry is the practice of a man having several wives. – Arjuna.
7. Polygamy is the practice of a woman having several wives - Draupadi
8. Dharamasutras and Dharamashastras recognized eight forms of marriages.
9. The first four were considered as good while remaining were condemned.
10. Rules were not followed same everywhere.
11. Any other relevant point

(Any three points to be explained)

1. Families are usually parts of larger networkers of people defined as relatives.
2. Families ties are often regarded as” natural’ and based on blood but they are defined in many different ways.
3. Some societies regard cousins as being blood relations, whereas other do not.
4. Mahabharata describes a feud over land and power between two groups of cousins, the Kaurvas and the Pandavas who belonged to same ruling family.
5. Their conflict ended in a battle, in which Pandavas emerged victorious and they proclaimed patrilineal succession.
6. Idea of Patriliny had existed before the feud of Kaurvas and Pandavas, the story of Mahabharata reinforced the ideal of Patriliny.
7. Under Patriliny, sons could claim the resources of their father when the latter died. (including the throne in the case of kings)
8. Most of the ruling dynasties from 6th century BCE claimed to follow this system.
9. In some situation brothers succeeded one another.
10. In exceptional circumstances women inherited the throne.
11. Rules of marriages: According to Manusmriti eight forms of marriages were in practices.
12. Role of mother-: mother’s advice Kunti and Gandhari
13. Depicts various social situation- Draupadi marriage .
14. know about desire for sons.
15. Gotra of women
16. Respect was shown on the basis of hierarchy.
17. Any other relevant point

(Any three points to be explained)

1. Texts allow us to piece together attitudes and practices that shaped social histories.
2. The text also contains sections laying down norms of behaviour for various social groups
3. Socio-cultural element- reflects social hierarchy and gender role in the text.
4. Family structures
5. Patriliny
6. Position of Women as mothers and wives.
7. Types of marriage.
8. Rules of marriage.
9. Varna system- divisions of the four main varnas
10. Integration beyond the varnas - Nishadas – forest dwellers. eg. Ekalavya
11. Integration beyond the varnas -Rakshasa – Bhim’s marriage with Hidimba Untouchable and chandalas.
12. Presence of non-Kshatriya Kings in power.
13. Gotra norms.
14. Any other relevant point.

Any 3 points to be assessed.

Mahabharata, dynamic text.

1. Performing Arts.
2. Written in a variety of languages.
3. Several stories.
4. Sculptural form.
5. Painting
6. Bhagavad Gita.
7. Righteous path of action.
8. Reference of Kunti O Nishadi.
9. Any other relevant point

Any three to be assessed

Critical edition of Mahabharata:

1. V.S. Sukthankar and scholars initiated the task.
2. Collected scripts from various regions.
3. Selected the common and differential aspects.
4. 13,000 pages were published.
5. Regional variations were found.
6. Variations were reflective.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three to be assessed

1. Patriliny means tracing descent from father to son, grandson etc.
2. Under patriliny, sons could claim the resources (including the throne in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died.
3. In the conflict between the Pandavas & Kauravas, the Pandavas emerged victorious and patrilineal succession was proclaimed.
4. Most ruling dynasties (c. sixth century BCE onwards) claimed to follow this system.
5. Mantras in Rig Veda show the importance of patriliny.
6. This practice was followed by wealthy men and Brahmanas.
7. Any other relevant point

Any three points to be explained

Mahabharata, a Dynamic text:

• Available in various Languages.
• Several stories.
• Epic retold in various ways.
• Depicted in Sculpture.
• Paintings of Mahabharata.
• Plays, dance and narrations.
• Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained. 3

1. The growth of the Mahabharata did not stop with the Sanskrit version.
2. Over the centuries, versions of the epic were written in a variety of languages through an ongoing process of dialogue between peoples, communities, and those who wrote the texts.
3. Several stories that originated in specific regions or circulated amongst certain people found their way into the epic.
4. The central story of the epic was often retold in different ways.
5. Episodes of Mahabharata were depicted in sculpture and painting.
6. Mahabharata also provided themes for a wide range of performing arts – plays, dance and other kinds of narrations.
7. It is a combination of narrative and didactic aspects.
8. Mahabharata is meant to be dramatic moving story
9. It contains social message.
10. Bhagavad Gita is a part of Mahabharat which contains and advise of Shri Krishna to Arjuna.
11. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained.

1. Language – The original version of the Mahabharata was in Sanskrit.
   * Sanskrit used in the epic is simpler than the Vedic Sanskrit.
2. Content – Historians classify the contents of Mahabharata under two broad heads – narrative and didactic.
   Epic revolved around 2 warring cousins,
3. Author – The original story was probably composed by charioteer-bards known as sutas.
   It is attributed to a sage named Vyasa.
4. Dates of Mahabharata –
   * Sutas circulated the story orally for many decades.
   * Brahmanas took to writing the story much later.
5. Intended audience
6. Kind of text – Didactive and narrative
7. Dynamic Text
8. Regional variations – Many regional variations of also been found.
9. Socio cultural context in which the text was written
10. Any other relevant point

(Any three points to be explained.)

• Chinese Buddhist monk Fa Xian wrote that "untouchables" had to sound a clapper in the streets so that people could avoid seeing them.
• Another Chinese pilgrim, Xuan Zang observed that executioners and scavengers were forced to live outside the city.
• They had to live outside the village.
• According to them a few scriptures mentioned the rules for life as:
  1. They had to use discarded utensils.
  2. They had to wear clothes of the dead.
  3. They had to wear only ornaments made of iron.
  4. They could not walk about in villages and cities at night.
  5. They had to dispose of the dead bodies of those who had no relatives.
  6. They had to serve as executioners.
  7. Any other relevant point.

Any three points to be explained. 3

The work of compilation of Mahabharata started in 1919 under the leadership of noted scholar V.S. Sukthankar. A team comprising dozens of scholars initiated the task of preparing a critical edition of the Mahabharata. The various stages of compiling Mahabharata were:

• Scholars collected Sanskrit manuscripts of the text, written in a variety of scripts, from different parts of the country.
• Scholars compared verses from each manuscript. They selected the verses that appeared common to most versions.
• These common verses were published in several volumes, running into over 13,000 pages.
• The project took 47 years to complete.

(Any three points to be described)

(31.1)

1. The basic cause of conflict was to have supremacy over land and power.
2. Kurus were a dominating group and wanted power to rule under all circumstances.
3. Any other relevant point.

(Any one point to be assessed) (1)

(31.2)

1. By making peace Duryodhan will honour his parents and well-wishers.
2. Greed and anger drag a man away from his profits.
3. There is no good in a war, no law (dharma), no profit or happiness.
4. There is no victory at the end of the war.
5. Any other relevant point.

(Any one point to be assessed) (1)

(31.3)

1. He wanted to be the ruler.
2. He was jealous and greedy.
3. He did not want to make peace with the Pandavas.
4. Any other relevant point.

(Any two points to be assessed) (2)

(31.1)

1. Jewels and clothes symbolize honour towards bride and bridegroom.
2. To provide financial assistance to the bride and bridegroom.
3. As it was directly related with status in society.
4. Any other relevant point.

(Any one point to be assessed)

(31.2)

1. It reflected father’s approval and blessings.
2. Any other relevant point.

(31.3) It influenced

1. The custom of performing rituals in marriages.
2. Practice of Dowry.
3. Role of wealth in marriage.
4. Any other relevant point.

(Any two points to be assessed)

(31.1) How was love for music expressed in the inscription? (1)

It was pleasing to the ear, attachment to music.

Any other relevant point.

Explain any one point.

(31.2) How did individuals demonstrate their mastery in the science of Vedic astronomy? (1)

Through self-possession the science of (Vedic) astronomy was mastered.

Any other relevant point.

Explain any one point.

(31.3) In what ways did the various talents mentioned in the inscription contribute to the overall fabric of society? (2)

1. Development of different skills.
2. Development of different occupation.
3. Intermixture of tradition/culture
4. Promoting a sense of tolerance and harmony
5. Development of the social values.
6. Any other relevant point.

Explain any two points.

31.1 She asked Yudhisthira if he had lost himself before staking her.

31.2 An unfree husband could not stake his wife.

31.3

1. She has a strong character - fighting for her rights.
2. Women have the right to ask questions about injustice.
3. She is questioning the elders – patriarchy.

(1+1+2=4)

(31.1) (1)

1. Hidimba belonged to Rakshasa clan who were man eaters and beyond the four varnas.
2. Any other relevant point.

(31.2) (1)

1. Kunti approved Hidimba’s plea on the condition that Bhima would spend the day with Hidimba but would return at night to the Pandavas.
2. Any other relevant point.

(31.3) (2)

1. Kunti was a farsighted person who knew that Hidimba and her child would be a great help in their need.
2. Same thing happened – Ghatotkacha promised to return to the Pandavas when they needed him.
3. Any other relevant point.

(31.1) Gandhari’s last appeal to her eldest son was not to set his mind to war.

(31.2) Greed and Anger are the two vices which a King should conquer as they drag a man away from his profits.

(31.3)

1. Duryodhana did not listen to his mother’s advice so it had no impact. This shows that he was disrespectful, disobedient, lacked farsightedness, overconfident, ambitious and had no control over greed and anger.
2. It also reveals his pride and hatred for Pandavas which ultimately led to destruction of his entire lineage.

1. The growth of the Mahabharata did not stop with the Sanskrit version.
2. The epic was written in a variety of languages.
3. The epic was an ongoing process of dialogue between peoples, communities, and those who wrote the texts.
4. Several stories that originated in specific regions or circulated amongst certain people found their way into the epic.
5. The central story of the epic was often retold in different ways.
6. Many episodes were depicted in sculpture and painting.
7. It provided themes for a wide range of performing arts – plays, dance and other kinds of narrations.
8. It is depicted in sculpture and relief carvings – Temples.
9. Bhagavad Gita.
10. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be assessed.

1. Familial ties are often regarded as “natural” and based on blood, they are defined in many different ways.
2. Some societies regard cousins as being blood relations, whereas others do not.
3. Patriliny means tracing descent from father to son, grandson leading to patrilineal succession.
4. In exceptional circumstances, women such as Prabhavati Gupta exercised power.
5. Sons were important for the continuity of the patrilineage.
6. Daughters had no claims to the resources of the household.
7. Daughters were married outside the kin. This system was called exogamy.
8. Kanyadana or the gift of a daughter in marriage was an important religious duty of the father.
9. People were classified into gotras.
10. Women were expected to give up their father’s gotra and adopt that of their husband on marriage.
11. Members of the same gotra could not marry.
12. Satavahana rulers were identified through metronymics (names derived from that of the mother).
13. It is suggested that mothers were important but we need to be cautious before we arrive at any conclusion.
14. Proper social roles: Drona and Eklavya, Bhim and Hidimba.
15. Any other relevant point.

Any eight points to be assessed.

1. 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.
2. Most ruling dynasties claimed to follow this system, although there were variations in practice: sometimes there were no sons in some situations brothers succeeded one another.
3. Sometimes other kinsmen claimed the throne, and, in very exceptional circumstances, women such as Prabhavati Gupta exercised power.
4. The concern with patriliny was not unique to ruling families. It is evident in mantras in ritual texts such as the Rigveda. It is possible that these attitudes were shared by wealthy men and those who claimed high status, including Brahmanas.
5. The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras recognised as many as eight forms of marriage. Of these, the first four were considered as “good” while the remaining were condemned. It is possible that these were practised by those who did not accept Brahmanical norms.
6. 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.
7. Endogamy or marriage within the kin group, which was prevalent amongst several communities in south India. Such marriages amongst kinfolk (such as cousins) ensured a close-knit community.
8. Satavahana rulers were identified through metronymics (names derived from that of the mother).
9. According to the Shastras, only Kshatriyas could be kings. However, several important ruling lineages probably had different origins. The social background of the Mauryas, who ruled over a large empire.
10. Other rulers, such as the Shakas who came from Central Asia, were regarded as mlechchhas, barbarians or outsiders by the Brahmanas.
11. 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.
12. He also claimed to have ensured that there was no intermarriage amongst members of the four varnas. At the same time, he entered into a marriage alliance with the kin of Rudradaman.
13. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be assessed)

1. In 1919, under the leadership of Indian Sanskritist, V.S. Sukthankar. A team comprising dozens of scholars initiated the task of preparing a critical edition of the Mahabharata.
2. It meant collecting Sanskrit manuscripts of the text, written in a variety of scripts, from different parts of the country.
3. The team worked out a method of comparing verses from each manuscript.
4. They selected the verses that appeared common to most versions and published these in several volumes, running into over 13,000 pages.
5. The project took 47 years to complete.
6. Two things became apparent: there were several common elements in the Sanskrit versions of the story, evident in manuscripts found all over the subcontinent.
7. There were enormous regional variations in the ways in which the text had been transmitted over the centuries.
8. These variations were documented in footnotes and appendices to the main text. Taken together, more than half the 13,000 pages are devoted to these variations.
9. These variations are reflective of the complex processes that shaped early (and later) social histories – through dialogues between dominant traditions and resilient local ideas and practices.
10. These dialogues are characterised by moments of conflict as well as consensus. Our understanding of these processes is derived primarily from texts written in Sanskrit by and for Brahmanas.
11. Subsequently, scholars began studying other traditions, from works in Pali, Prakrit and Tamil. These studies indicated that the ideas contained in normative Sanskrit texts were on the whole recognised as authoritative.
12. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be assessed)

1. The ideal of social frame work was laid down by the Brahminical class in the Varna order.
2. Brahmins at the top of social ladder were supposed to study Vedas and perform sacrifices.
3. Brahmins were followed by Kshatriyas, Vaish and Shudras.
4. The kings were supposed to be Kshatriyas but it was not true universally.
5. Jati was another term within the social categories.
6. Some categories challenged this system like nishads and they were ordered to go and live in the jungles.
7. Ekalavya belonged to this category.
8. Some were considered untouchables and their activities were considered polluting and they were designated as Chandals.
9. Manusmriti laid down the duties of Chandals.
10. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be assessed)

1. Patriliny existed before Mahabharata but Mahabharata reinforced the ideas of patriliny.
2. Under patriliny the sons could claim resources including the throne.
3. Most of the ruling dynasties followed the idea of patriliny.
4. In some cases where there was no son, brothers succeeded the throne.
5. Sons were important for the continuity of patrilineage.
6. The daughter could not claim the resources of the parents except the gifts given to them on marriage.
7. Different types of marriages like endogamy and exogamy and polygamy and polyandry were prevalent in the early societies.
8. At the same time, marrying them into families outside the kin was considered desirable.
9. This system, called exogamy literally, marrying outside.
10. Any other relevant point.

(Any eight points to be assessed)

1. Families are usually parts of larger networks of people defined as relatives.
2. Familial ties are often regarded as “natural” and based on blood but they are defined in many different ways.
3. Some societies regard cousins as being blood relations, whereas others do not.
4. The Mahabharata describes a feud over land and power between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, who belonged to a single ruling family.
5. The Pandavas emerged victorious and they proclaimed patrilineal succession.
6. While Patriliny had existed before the feud of Kauravas and Pandavas, the story of Mahabharata reinforced the ideal of patriliny.
7. Under patriliny, sons could claim the resources (including the throne in the case of kings) of their fathers when the latter died.
8. Most of the ruling dynasties from 6th Century BCE claimed to follow this system.
9. There were variations in practicing patriliny.
10. In some situations, brothers succeeded one another.
11. Sometimes other kinsmen claimed the throne.
12. In exceptional circumstances, women inherited the throne or ancestral property, e.g Prabhavati Gupta.
13. The Brahmins laid down the codes of social behaviour.
14. The Brahmanical prescription was not followed by everybody.
15. Many common people followed these rules.
16. There were eight different kinds of marriages – e.g. Draupadi’s marriage, Bhīma’s marriage to Hidimba.
17. Gotra rules were not followed by all ruling dynasties – e.g. Satavahanas.
18. Mothers had an important place in the family. But their advice was not always upheld - eg Kunti and Gandhari.
19. Respect was shown on the basis of hierarchy- caste and gender.
20. Any other relevant points.

Any eight points to be assessed

Familial relations during Mahabharata period

1. Kinship and blood relationships
2. Tradition and rituals
3. Gotra system and each gotra named after a vedic seer
4. Endogamy and exogamy
5. Polyandry for example marriage of Draupadi with the Pandavas and Polygyny for example many Satavahana rulers had more than one wife
6. Metronymics example is the list of successive generations of teachers and students given in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
7. Eight forms of marriage which recognized by the Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras
8. Guru-Shishya relationships was quite prevalent
9. Importance of sons for the continuity of the patrilineage
10. No claims of daughters on the resources of household
11. Kanyadaan was considered as an important religious duty of the father
12. Codes of social behavior were laid down in Dharmashastras and Dharmasutras for example is Manusmriti
13. Any other relevant point

Any eight points to be explained

Mahabharata as Dynamic text

1. Authors —
   • Composition by charioteer bards/sutas which was circulated orally
   • Later Brahmans began to commit to writing and the author of Mahabharata is traditionally considered as Sage Vyas
2. Dates – a phase of the composition text between c. 200 BCE and 200 CE.
3. Didactic (section that contains rules and regulations about social norms) and Narrative portions (section containing stories)
4. Language – Simpler Sanskrit than that of the Vedas and the Prashastis, later written in variety of languages
5. Search for convergence – vivid description of battles, forest, palaces and settlements.
6. Role of the archaeologist, Dr. B. B. Lal.
7. Episode of Draupadi’s marriage with the Pandavas related to polyandry
8. Ongoing dialogue between peoples
9. Stories from Mahabharata reflect in various Performing art — Music, Dance, Theatre; Sculpture; Painting; Narrative; Bhagavad Gita
10. Any other relevant point