HISTORY & CIVICS QUESTION PAPER

Maximum Marks: 60  |  Duration: 2½ Hours
General Instructions:
• Attempt only the number of questions/sub-parts indicated in each section.
• Write answers clearly and neatly.
• All the best!

SECTION A: KEY TERMS (6 marks)

Choose any six of the following key terms and write their meaning/definition in 1–2 sentences each: (1 mark each)

  1. Dynasty
  2. Empire
  3. Gandhara Art
  4. Mahajanapadas
  5. Republic
  6. Dhamma
  7. Brahmi
  8. Mahamatras
  9. Octroi
  10. Transitional

SECTION B: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (6 marks)

Choose any six of the following and write the correct option: (1 mark each)

1. The 16 large and powerful states that flourished around the 6th century BCE were called
(a) Janas
(b) Bhagas
(c) Mahajanapadas
(d) Sanghas
2. Which mahajanapada gradually became the most powerful by conquering several others?
(a) Avanti
(b) Vatsa
(c) Kosala
(d) Magadha
3. Under Bimbisara and Ajatashatru, the early capital of Magadha was
(a) Pataliputra
(b) Vaishali
(c) Rajagriha
(d) Taxila
4. The most important factor that helped create bigger and stronger settlements in the Later Vedic period was
(a) Extensive use of iron tools and weapons
(b) Large-scale horse breeding
(c) Arrival of foreign traders
(d) Construction of large temples
5. A key feature of republican mahajanapadas was that they were governed by
(a) A hereditary king with full powers
(b) An elected assembly or council
(c) A single powerful military leader
(d) A group of wealthy merchants
6. In the Mauryan administration, districts were supervised by officers known as
(a) Rajjuka
(b) Pradeshika
(c) Yukta
(d) Senapati
7. Buddhist monasteries where monks lived, studied and meditated were called
(a) Stupas
(b) Chaityas
(c) Viharas
(d) Sanghas
8. Chandragupta II of the Gupta dynasty is popularly known as
(a) Maharajadhiraj
(b) Vikramaditya
(c) Devaputra
(d) Sakari
9. During the Gupta period, provinces were administratively called
(a) Vishayas
(b) Bhuktis
(c) Janapadas
(d) Mandalas
10. The famous Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana was
(a) Fa-Hien
(b) Marco Polo
(c) Xuan Zang (Hiuen Tsang)
(d) Ibn Battuta

SECTION C: MATCH THE FOLLOWING (5 marks)

Attempt any one set only. (Each correct match = ½ mark)

Set I

1. Rest houses for travellers
(a) Dhamma
2. Policy of righteousness promoted by Ashoka
(b) Senapati
3. Commander-in-chief of the army
(c) Viharas
4. Buddhist monastic residences
(d) Dharamashalas
5. National emblem on Indian currency
(e) Chakra

OR

Set II

1. Founder of the Gupta Empire
(a) Harisena
2. Title meaning ‘King of Kings’
(b) Chandragupta I
3. Ruler who performed Ashvamedha
(c) Maharajadhiraj
4. Allahabad Pillar inscription author
(d) Samudragupta
5. Court poet of Samudragupta
(e) Prashasti

SECTION D: PICTURE STUDY (5 marks)

(Referring to the university ruins shown in the attached picture image1.jpeg)

  1. Name the university depicted in the picture. (1)
  2. Who established/founded this university? (1)
  3. Mention any two special or unique features of this university. (2)
  4. Name the famous Chinese pilgrim who studied at this university for several years. (1)

SECTION E: VOLUNTARY [V] / MANDATORY [M] FUNCTIONS (5 marks)

Classify the following as Voluntary [V] or Mandatory [M] functions of Municipal bodies: (1 mark each)

  1. Supply of clean drinking water
  2. Development and upkeep of public parks & gardens
  3. Appointment of qualified doctors in municipal hospitals
  4. Organising plantation of trees along roads
  5. Running public transport services

SECTION F: GIVE ONE WORD / ONE NAME ANSWERS (4 marks)

Answer any four of the following: (1 mark each)

  1. Founder of the Mauryan Empire
  2. Last ruler of the Nanda dynasty
  3. Teacher/advisor who helped Chandragupta Maurya defeat the Nandas
  4. Greek general defeated by Chandragupta Maurya
  5. Chinese pilgrim who visited India during Chandragupta II’s reign
  6. Author of the Prayag Prashasti

SECTION G: TRUE / FALSE + CORRECTION (4 marks)

Choose any four statements. Write (T) or (F). Rewrite the false ones correctly: (1 mark each)

  1. Many powerful janapadas eventually developed into mahajanapadas.
  2. Bhaga was the land tax collected from farmers.
  3. Pataliputra became the new capital of Magadha under Udayin.
  4. Ashoka’s dhamma meant strict following of only Buddhist rituals.
  5. The Gupta Empire extended over the whole of South India.
  6. Harsha’s empire collapsed into warring states immediately after his death.
  7. Municipal Corporations are established only in small towns.
  8. The minimum age to contest municipal elections is 21 years.

SECTION H: NAME THE FOLLOWING (5 marks)

Answer any five of the following: (1 mark each)

  1. Chinese traveller who described Gupta society vividly
  2. Author of the famous Panchatantra stories
  3. Ancient Indian scholar who wrote a standard Sanskrit grammar
  4. Famous mathematician-astronomer of the Gupta period
  5. Metal pillar that has remained rust-free for over 1,600 years
  6. Title earned by Chandragupta II after defeating the Sakas
  7. University founded by Kumaragupta

SECTION I: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (10 marks)

Answer any five of the following in 3–5 sentences each: (2 marks each)

  1. List four major sources of information about the Mauryan Empire.
  2. What welfare activities did Ashoka introduce for the benefit of his people?
  3. Explain why Chandragupta Maurya is called the first unifier of India.
  4. Describe any four important principles of Ashoka’s dhamma.
  5. How did the Mauryan Empire organise its administration (mention provinces & key officers)?
  6. Write a short note on the achievements of Samudragupta as described in the Prayag Prashasti.
  7. Give a brief account of the Iron Pillar at Mehrauli and its significance.
  8. State any four differences between Mauryan and Gupta administration.
  9. Explain the three tiers of urban local self-government in India.
  10. Describe the roles of Mayor, Commissioner and Councillors in a Municipal Corporation.

SECTION J: GIVE REASONS (10 marks)

Answer any five of the following: (2 marks each)

  1. Why did Ashoka adopt the policy of dhamma vijaya after the Kalinga war?
  2. Why was Magadha able to emerge as the strongest mahajanapada?
  3. Why could Alexander not advance further into India to conquer Magadha?
  4. Why did science and mathematics flourish greatly during the Gupta period?
  5. Why were the capital cities of mahajanapadas usually surrounded by strong walls and moats?
  6. Why did the Gupta Empire remain largely confined to northern India?
  7. Why can a Municipal Council be dissolved before completing its full term?
  8. Why did Chandragupta II earn the title ‘Sakari’?