Kings, Farmers & Towns: Class 12 Previous Year Questions

Kings, Farmers & Towns questions asked in CBSE board exams

Repeated questions first. Open the free app to see each question as it appeared in the paper, with its marking scheme.

1. (a) “Although epigraphy is an important source of reconstructing history yet there are limits to what it can reveal.” Justify the statement with suitable arguments. 8 OR (b) “Historians have used a variety of sources to reconstruct the history of the Mauryan e…
   Board 20268 markscase-based
2. Fill in the blank with the appropriate option given below : 1 In the ancient period, each city had a history of its own, _________ began as a village but in fifth century B.C.E the Magadhan rulers shifted their capital from Rajagaha to this settlement. Options…
   Board 20261 markMCQ
3. Who among the following rulers issued the first gold coins ? 1 (A) Vakataka rulers (B) Mauryan rulers (C) Gupta rulers (D) Kushana rulers
   Board 20261 markMCQ
4. Explain any three sources to know about Maurya Empire.
   Board 20253 marksshort answer
5. (a) Examine the nature and characteristics of the land grants in ancient Indian society. 8 OR (b) Examine the various strategies used to enhance agricultural output from the sixth BCE onwards.
   Board 20258 markslong answer
6. (a) “Ashokan inscriptions are the most significant sources to understand the administration of Ashoka.” Explain the statement. 3 OR (b) “The history of Mauryan empire has been constructed on the variety of sources.” Explain the statement.
   Board 20253 marksshort answer
7. “The mid-first millennium BCE is considered as a significant turning point in the course of World History.” Justify the statement.
   Board 20253 marksshort answer
8. Prabhavati Gupta is best known for which of the following roles ? 1 (A) Wife of Ashoka and Promoter of Buddhist Sangha (B) Queen of Mauryan Empire and Promoter of Buddhism (C) Wife of Samudragupta and Poet of the Gupta Era (D) Daughter of Chandragupta-II and W…
   Board 20251 markMCQ
9. Page 3 of 23 2. Read the following statements about the Mauryan Empire : I. The growth of Magadha culminated in the emergence of the Mauryan Empire. II. Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire. III. Kautilya was the successor of Chandragupta Maurya. IV.…
   Board 20241 markMCQ
10. (34.1) On the given political outline map of India (on page 23), locate and label the following with appropriate symbols : 3 1=3 (i) Mathura A place of Ashokan inscription. (ii) Rajgir The capital of early State of Magadha. (iii) (a) Chandragiri Where Aravidu …
    Board 20235 markslong answer
11. (a) How were the inscriptions of Maurya period deciphered ? Explain the limitations of epigraphy. 2 + 6= 8 OR (b) How do Historians come to know about Maurya period ? Explain the administrative structure of Mauryan empire. 4 + 4 =
    Board 20233 marksshort answer
12. Which of the following dynasties queen Prabhavati belonged to ? 1. (A) Gupta (B) Maurya Kushana (C) (D) Vakataka
    Board 20231 markMCQ
13. Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : 1+1+2=4 Capturing elephants for the army The Arthashastra lays down minute details of administrative and military organisation. This is what it says about how to capture elephants: Guards of elephant…
    Board 20234 markscase-based
14. Who among the following was the first ruler to inscribe messages to his subjects and officials ? (a) Chandragupta (b) Samudragupta (c) Ashoka (d) Bindusara
    Board 20231 markMCQ
15. Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the ruling dynasties of India ? (A) Kushans, Mauryas and Guptas (B) Mauryas, Guptas and Shakas (C) Mauryas, Shakas and Guptas (D) Guptas, Shakas and Mauryas *^ FEREEEK (A) (B) (C) (D) : fa ea fe f…
    Board 20231 markMCQ
16. 1 On the given political map of India, locate and label the following with appropriate symbols: 3 a. Kalibangan, a Harappan site b. Calicut, where Abdur Razzaq was sent as an ambassador by the ruler of Persia c. Sarnath, where Gautam Buddha taught his first se…
    CBSE practice 2023-245 markslong answer
17. A Explain how land grants provide some insight into the relationship between cultivators and the state. 8 OR 28. B How has the study of coins helped the Numismatists to reconstruct possible commercial networks?
    Sample paper 2026-278 markslong answer
18. Land grants during the rule of Chandragupta II provide some insights into the relationship between which of the following pairs. a. Artisans and hunter-gatherers b. Fishermen and samantas. c. Pastoralists and officials d. The state and cultivators
    CBSE practice 2023-241 markMCQ
19. Read the following lines and identify the source from which these are taken. In five ways should a master look after his servants and employees … by assigning them work according to their strength, by supplying them with food and wages, by tending them in sick…
    Sample paper 2026-271 markMCQ
20. 'One means of claiming high status was to identify with a variety of deities.' (a) What do the above lines imply about the new notions of kingships? (1) (b) Give two examples of what the states did to establish the new style of kingships between 200 to 300 AD.…
    CBSE practice 2022-233 marksshort answer

Practise all 36 Kings, Farmers & Towns questions with answers →

Other Class 12 History chapters

Frequently asked questions