Class 12 History 2016 Board Exam

'Early Harappan archaeologists thought that certain objects which seems unusual and unfamiliar may have had a religious significance'. Substantiate.

'One of the most distinctive features of the Harappan cities was the carefully planned drainage system'. Elaborate.

"Archaeologists have no proper response for the central authority of the Harappans." Substantiate.

What does Ashokan inscriptions tell about the Mauryas ? Describe the limitations of the inscriptions evidences.
OR
State any three features of Mahajanpadas. How did Magadha become the powerful Mahajanpada ? Explain.

Read the following excerpt carefully and answer the questions that follow :
Draupadi's Marriage
Drupada, the king of Panchala, organised a competition where the challenge was to string a bow and hit a target; the winner would be chosen to marry his daughter Draupadi. Arjuna was victorious and was garlanded by Draupadi. The Pandavas returned with her to their mother Kunti, who, even before she saw them, asked them to share whatever they had got. She realised her mistake when she saw Draupadi, but her command could not be violated. After much deliberation, Yudhisthira decided that Draupadi would be their common wife. When Drupada was told about this, he protested. However, the seer Vyasa arrived and told him that the Pandavas were in reality incarnations of Indra, whose wife had been reborn as Draupadi, and they were thus destined for each other. Vyasa added that in another instance a young woman had prayed to Shiva for a husband, and in her enthusiasm, had prayed five times instead of once. This woman was now reborn as Draupadi, and Shiva had fulfilled her prayers. Convinced by these stories, Drupada consented to the marriage.
(5.1) How does this story reveal that mother was considered as the highest guru ?
(5.2) Why didn't Kunti save Draupadi from the dire situation ?
(5.3) Why did Drupada and Sage Vyasa decide Draupadi's strange marriage with five men ?

Why are Buddhist Stupas said to be "stories in stone" ? Explain.

How was the fate of Amravati stupa different from the Sanchi stupa ? Explain.

Why were the Europeans during the nineteenth century interested in the Stupas ? Give two reasons.

How do the principles of Jainism influence Indian thinking ?

Read the following extract carefully and answer the questions that follow :
A warning for Europe
Bernier warned that if European kings followed the Mughal model :
Their kingdoms would be very far from being well-cultivated and peopled, so well built, so rich, so polite and flourishing as we see them. Our kings are otherwise rich and powerful; and we must avow that they are much better and more royally served. They would soon be kings of deserts and solitudes, of beggars and barbarians, such as those are whom I have been representing (the Mughals) ... We should find the great Cities and the great Burroughs (boroughs) rendered uninhabitable because of ill air, and to fall to ruine (ruin) without any bodies (anybody) taking care of repairing them; the hillocks abandon'd, and the fields overspread with bushes, or fill'd with pestilential marishes (marshes), as hath been already intimated.
(15.1) In what ways did Bernier condemn Mughal rulers ?
(15.2) What contrasts do the account of Bernier and Abul Fazl's Ain-i-Akbari ?
(15.3) 'Pride has its fall if power and negligence of duty rules any one'. Explain the statement in relevance to the Bernier's warning.