Short answer questions - 3 markers

Describe any three sources to know about Harrapan civilization

Describe any three of the following:

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i. The Harappan seal

ii. Distinctive Artefact

iii. Beads, Weights, Blades

iv. Terracotta Bull

v. Copper Tools

vi. Reservoir At Dholavira

vii. Faience Pots

viii. A Terracotta Figurine

ix. “Priest-King” Stone Statue

x. Any other relevant point

Describe any three features of Harrapan drainage system

(Any three to be examined:)

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i. Harappan cities had the carefully planned drainage system

ii. Roads and streets were laid out along an approximate “grid” pattern, intersecting at right angles

iii. Streets with drains were laid out first and then houses were built along them

iv. Drainages were made with burned bricks

v. The drains were made of mortar, lime and gypsum

vi. They were covered with big bricks and stones which could be lifted easily to clean the drains

vii. Lime stones were used as cesspits

viii. Any other relevant point

“Magadha was the most powerful mahajanapada.” Examine the statement

i. Magadha was a region where agriculture was productive.

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

iii. Iron mines were accessible and provided resources for tools and weapons.

iv. Elephants, an important of the army, were found in forests in the region

v. Ambitious kings, of whom Bimbisara, Ajatasattu and Mahapadma Nanda are the best known, and their ministers, who helped implement their policies

vi. Any other relevant point

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(Any three points to be examined)

Analyze the concept of the Asiatic mode of production as stated by Karl Marx.

i. The idea of Bernier based on differences between Mughal India and Europe on the lack of private property was further developed by Karl Marx as the concept of the Asiatic mode of production

ii. Marx argued that in India (and other Asian countries), before colonialism, surplus was appropriated by the state.

iii. This led to the emergence of a society that was composed of a large number of autonomous and egalitarian village communities.

iv. The imperial court presided over these village communities, respecting their autonomy as long as the flow of surplus was unimpeded.

v. This was regarded as a stagnant system

vi. Any other relevant point

Describe the features of water resources of Vijayanagar empire.

i. The natural basin of Vijayanagar was formed by the river Tungabhadra.

ii. A number of streams flow down to the river from these rocky outcrops

iii. Embankments were built along the streams to create reservoirs

iv. Elaborate arrangements were made to store rainwater

v. The most important tank was Kamalapuram tank.

vi. One of the most prominent waterworks was the Hiriya canal.

vii. The canal drew water from a dam across the Tungabhadra

viii. Water resources irrigated the cultivated valley that separated the “Sacred Centre” from the “Urban Core”.

ix. Any other relevant point

“The power of the Jotedars was more effective than that of the zamindars.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments.

i. Jotedars were located in the villages unlike zamindars

ii.Jotedars exercised direct control over a considerable section of poor villagers

iii.They fiercely resisted efforts by zamindars to increase the jama of the village

iv.They prevented zamindari officials from executing their duties

v.They mobilised ryots who were dependent on them

vi.They deliberately delayed payments of revenue to the zamindar.

vii.Jotedars were often amongst the purchasers in the auction of land

viii. Any other relevant point

“Art and literature helped in keeping alive the memory of 1857.” Explain with examples from Indian perspective.

i. The leaders of the revolt were presented as heroic figures leading the country into battle

ii. It helped in rousing the people to righteous indignation against oppressive imperial rule

iii. Heroic poems were written about the velour of Lakshmi Bai

iv. Rani fought for the freedom of her motherland.

v. Rani of Jhansi was represented as a masculine figure chasing the enemy, slaying British soldiers and valiantly fighting till her last

vi. In popular prints Rani Lakshmi Bai is usually portrayed in battle armor, with a sword in hand and riding a horse - a symbol of the determination to resist injustice and alien rule

vii. Subhadra Kumari Chauhan wrote: “Khoob lari mardani woh to Jhansi wali rani thi”

viii. Any other relevant point

‘Rumours and prophesies played an important role in the Revolt of 1857.’ Explain the statement with example

i. Cartridges of the Enfield rifles -Bullets coated with the fat of cows and pigs and that biting those bullets would corrupt their caste and religion.

ii. Flour-According to rumors the British had mixed the bone dust of cows and pigs into the flour that was sold in the market.

iii. Chapattis -Reports came from various parts of North India that chapattis were being distributed from village to village.

iv. Lota and khalasi issue- khalasi from a lower caste asked a Brahmin sepoy to give him some water from his container of water. The sepoy refused to give him his container saying that touch by a lower caste would pollute the water.

v. Any other relevant point