ASSEB Class 12 History Solved Question Paper 2025 [AHSEC HS 2nd Year History Solved Paper]

Looking for the ASSEB Class 12 History Solved Question Paper 2025? You’re in the right place! This post provides a complete and well-organized solved question paper of AHSEC HS 2nd Year History 2025, prepared as per the official Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) syllabus and exam pattern.

📌 Overview of ASSEB Class 12 History Solved Question Paper 2025

• Subject: History

• Class: 12 (HS 2nd Year)

• Board: Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) / AHSEC

• Academic Year: 2025

• Format: Solved Question Paper (PDF & Online View)

2025

HISTORY

Full Marks: 80

Pass Marks: 24

Time: Three hours

The figures in the margin indicate full marks for the questions.

1. Answer the following questions: (any eight) 1x8=8

(i) Who is known as the Father of Indian Archaeology'?
Answer: Alexander Cunningham is known as the Father of Indian Archaeology.

(ii) Name one Janapada.
Answer: One Janapada was Kuru.

(iii) Who composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription?
Answer: Harisena composed the Allahabad Pillar Inscription.

(iv) Where was Buddha born?
Answer: Buddha was born in Lumbini.

(v) During whose reign Chinese traveller Hieu-Yen-Chang visited Assam?
Answer: Hiuen Tsang (Hieu-Yen-Chang) visited Assam during the reign of King Bhaskaravarman.

(vi) Who was the first prince of Assam to revolt against the British?
Answer: Gomdhar Konwar was the first prince of Assam to revolt against the British.

(vii) Who authored 'Rihla'?
Answer: Ibn Battuta authored 'Rihla'.

(viii) Who started the Virashaiva Tradition in Karnataka?
Answer: Basavanna started the Virashaiva Tradition in Karnataka.

(ix) Name the best-known woman poet of the Bhakti tradition.
Answer: Mirabai is the best-known woman poet of the Bhakti tradition.

(x) What is the Bell of Arms?
Answer: Bell of Arms is a place in the army where weapons and ammunition are stored.

(xi) Name the leader of the Vietnam War.
Answer: Ho Chi Minh was the leader during the Vietnam War.

(xii) Which country has the longest written Constitution?
Answer: India has the longest written Constitution.

2. Answer the following questions in brief: (any eight) 2x8=16

(i) Name any two important sites of Harappan Civilization.
Answer: Two important sites of the Harappan Civilization are Mohenjo-Daro, located in present-day Pakistan, and Dholavira, located in Gujarat, India. Both sites show well-planned streets and advanced drainage systems.

(ii) What were the two settlements of the Harappan Civilization?
Answer: The Harappan cities were divided into two parts: the Citadel and the Lower Town. The Citadel was built on a raised platform for special buildings, while the Lower Town was where common people lived.

(iii) Write any two vows of Jain monks and nuns.
Answer: Two vows taken by Jain monks and nuns are: (1) Ahimsa – not to harm any living being, and (2) Satya – to always speak the truth.

(iv) Name two cities of ancient Assam.
Answer: Two ancient cities of Assam were Pragjyotishpur, which was the capital of the Kamarupa kingdom, and Durjaya, an important city during the early medieval period.

(v) Name two important 'Tantra Sastra' of ancient Assam.
Answer: Two important Tantra Sastras of ancient Assam are the Yogini Tantra and the Kalika Purana. These texts are important for the study of local religious practices and deities.

(vi) What, according to the historians, were the two categories of Bhakti traditions?
Answer: Historians classify Bhakti traditions into two types: Nirguna Bhakti, which believes in a formless God, and Saguna Bhakti, which believes in God with form and qualities like Rama or Krishna.

(vii) Who discovered the ruins at Hampi and when?
Answer: The ruins at Hampi were discovered by Colonel Colin Mackenzie in 1800. He was a British officer who studied Indian history and collected ancient records.

(viii) Name any two types of land under Akbar.
Answer: Under Akbar, the two main types of land were: (1) Khalisa land – revenue from this land went to the royal treasury, and (2) Jagir land – given to nobles or officials as payment for their services.

(ix) Who introduced the permanent settlement in Bengal and when?
Answer: The Permanent Settlement was introduced in Bengal by Lord Cornwallis in 1793. It made zamindars the owners of land and fixed the land revenue permanently.

(x) What were Northern Black Polished ware?
Answer: Northern Black Polished Ware was a type of shiny black pottery used in ancient India between 700 BCE and 200 BCE. It was used mainly by rich people and shows signs of urban life and trade.

3. Answer the following questions: (Any Eight) 4×8=32

(i) Explain why the Harappan Civilization is called an urban civilization?
Answer: The Harappan Civilization is called an urban civilization because it had well-planned cities with straight roads, proper drainage systems, public buildings, granaries, and organized streets. People lived in brick houses, and trade and craft production were well developed. This shows signs of advanced city life.

(ii) Which 'smriti' laid down the duties of the Chandals? What were the duties of a Chandal according to the text?
Answer: The Manusmriti laid down the duties of the Chandals. According to the text, Chandals had to live outside the village, wear old clothes, eat in broken utensils, and serve the upper castes by doing work like disposing of the dead and cleaning.

(iii) Discuss the causes of the rise of Magadha.
Answer: Magadha rose to power due to many reasons: 

(1) It had fertile land and plenty of iron for weapons. 

(2) It was located near rivers which helped in transport and trade. 

(3) Strong rulers like Bimbisara and Ajatashatru expanded the kingdom. 

(4) A powerful army and good administration also helped Magadha grow.

(iv) Write a note on the Buddhist texts.
Answer:  The Buddhist texts are important religious writings that help us understand the life, teachings, and philosophy of Gautama Buddha. The most important collection of these texts is called the Tripitaka, which means "Three Baskets." These were originally written in the Pali language and are considered sacred by the Theravada school of Buddhism.

1. Vinaya Pitaka – This part contains rules and guidelines for monks and nuns. It explains how they should live, behave, and follow discipline in monasteries.

2. Sutta Pitaka – This is the largest part of the Tripitaka. It contains sermons, dialogues, and teachings of the Buddha on topics like suffering, peace, kindness, and the path to enlightenment.

3. Abhidhamma Pitaka – This part includes philosophical and psychological analysis of Buddhist teachings. It explains ideas like the nature of the mind and mental processes in detail.

These texts not only tell us about religion but also give valuable information about ancient Indian society, politics, culture, and the status of women and common people at that time.

(v) Discuss about the Paik system under the Ahoms.
Answer: The Paik system was a labour system used by the Ahoms. Every adult male, called a Paik, had to give service to the state for a certain period. They worked as soldiers, farmers, builders, or boatmen. It helped the Ahom kingdom without needing a regular army or taxes.

(vi) What did Bernier state regarding land ownership in India?
Answer: Bernier, a French traveler, said that in India, the king was the owner of all land. Farmers had no secure land rights and could be removed any time. He thought this system was bad for agriculture and stopped progress.

(vii) Write briefly about the popular practice of Islam.
Answer: Popular Islam included the practices followed by ordinary Muslims, such as visiting shrines of saints (Sufis), offering prayers, observing festivals like Eid, and following simple rituals. It also included local traditions mixed with Islamic beliefs.

(viii) Discuss the role of the Zamindars in Mughal period.
Answer: During the Mughal period, Zamindars were landowners who collected taxes from farmers and gave a part to the state. They kept law and order in their areas and maintained local power. Sometimes they acted independently and even challenged the Mughals.

(ix) What arguments were put forward by the members of the Constituent Assembly in favour of a strong Central Government?
Answer: Members argued that a strong Central Government was needed to keep India united, maintain law and order, protect the country from foreign attacks, and manage economic development. They feared that a weak centre might lead to divisions and conflicts.

(x) Write a note on the Santhals.
Answer: The Santhals are a tribal group mainly found in Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal. They live in villages, grow crops, and follow their own customs and language. In 1855–56, they revolted against British oppression and moneylenders in what is known as the Santhal Rebellion.

(xi) Write a brief note on the Revolt of 1857.
Answer: The Revolt of 1857 was the first major rebellion against British rule in India. It began with Indian soldiers (sepoys) and spread to different parts of North India. Causes included unfair policies, disrespect to Indian customs, and anger among soldiers and rulers. It was finally crushed by the British.

(xii) Why was 'salt' destroyed by the colonial government? Why did Mahatma Gandhi consider the salt tax more oppressive than other taxes?
Answer: The British destroyed local salt production to force Indians to buy heavily taxed British salt. Gandhi saw this as unfair because salt is used by everyone, especially the poor. He believed taxing a basic need like salt was cruel and used it in the Salt March protest.

(xiii) Describe briefly the Accounts of Assam by Shihabuddin Talish.
Answer: Shihabuddin Talish was a Mughal writer who described Assam during the Mughal-Ahom war. He wrote about the bravery of the Ahoms, the difficult terrain, and how Mughal soldiers suffered due to weather and lack of food. His accounts give a picture of life in Assam during the 17th century.

(xiv) Discuss about the revolts against the British during the first half of 19th century in Assam.
Answer: In the early 19th century, many revolts took place in Assam against British rule. These included uprisings by the Moamarias, the revolt led by Gomdhar Konwar, and resistance by tribal groups like the Khasis. People were unhappy with British policies, land revenue, and loss of power.

4. Read the given passages carefully and the questions that follow: 6×3=18

(a) How are artifacts identified?

Processing of food required grinding equipment as well as vessels for mixing, blending and cooking. They were made of stone, metal and terracotta. This is an excerpt from one of the earliest reports an excavations at Mohenjodaro, the best- known Harappan site:

Saddle querns...are found in considerable numbers... and they seem to have been the only means in use for grinding cereals. As a rule, they were roughly made of hard, gritty, igneous rock or sandstone and mostly show signs of hard usage. As their bases are usually convex, they must have been set in the earth or in mud to prevent their rocking. Two main types have been found: those on which another smaller stone was pushed or rolled to and fro, and others with which a second stone was used as a pounder, eventually making a large cavity in the nether stone. Querns of the former type were probably used solely for grain: the second type possibly only for pounding herbs and spices for making curries. In fact, stones of this latter type are dubbed "curry stones" by our workmen and our cook asked for the loan of one from a museum for use in the kitchen. (From Ernest Mackay, Further Excavations at Mohenjo-daro, 1937).

Questions:

(i) What was the equipment used for grinding cereals?
Answer:  Saddle querns were used for grinding cereals.

(ii) What were the materials used for making grinding equipment?
Answer: The grinding equipment was made of hard, gritty, igneous rock or sandstone. Some were also made of stone, metal, and terracotta.

(iii) What were the types of grinding equipment? How were they used?
Answer:  There were two main types of grinding equipment:

1. One type used a smaller stone pushed or rolled to and fro on a larger stone. This type was probably used only for grinding grain.

2. The second type used a stone as a pounder, which created a cavity in the lower stone. This was likely used for pounding herbs and spices to make curries.

(b) Ibn Battuta's account of Delhi: 1+2=3

The city of Delhi covers a wide area and has a large population... The rampart around the city without parallel.

The breadth of its wall is eleven cubits; and inside it are houses for night sentry and gate-keepers. Inside the ramparts, there are storehouses for storing edibles, magazines, ammunition, ballistas and siege machines. The grains that are stored (if there ramparts) can last for a long time, without rotting... In the interior of the rampart, horsemen as well as infantrymen move from one end of the city to another. The rampart is pierced through by windows which open on the side of the city, and it is through these windows that light enters inside. The lower part of the rampart is built of stone; the upper part of Brichs. It has many towers close to one another. There are twenty eight gates of this city which are called darwaza, of there, the Budaun Darwaza is the greatest; inside the Mandui Darwaza there is a grain market..It (the city of Delhi) has a fine cemetery in which graves have domes over them, and those that do not have a dome, have an arch, for sure. In the cemetery they sow flowers such as tuberose, jasmine, wild rose etc; and flowers blossom there in all seasons.

Questions:

(i) How many gates were there in the city of Delhi? Name the greatest gate.
Answer: There were twenty-eight gates in the city of Delhi. The Budaun Darwaza was the greatest gate.

(ii) Give a brief description of the ramparts of Delhi as described by Ibn Battuta.
Answer: According to Ibn Battuta, the ramparts of Delhi were very strong and wide, with a thickness of eleven cubits. The lower part was made of stone, and the upper part was made of bricks. Inside the ramparts were houses for guards, storage rooms for food and weapons, and paths where soldiers could move. There were also windows for light and many towers built close together.

(iii) How was the cemetery of Delhi?
Answer: The cemetery of Delhi was beautifully maintained. The graves had domes or arches over them. Flowers like tuberose, jasmine, and wild roses were planted there, and they bloomed in all seasons.

(c) “The real minorities are the masses of this country."

Welcoming the objectives Resolution introduced by Jawaharlal Nehru, N. G. Ranga said: Sir, there is a lot of talk about minorities. Who are the real minorities? Not the Hindus in the so-called Pakistan provinces, not the Sikhs, not even the Muslims. No, the real minorities are the masses of this country. There people are so depressed and oppressed and suppressed till now that they are not able to take advantage of the ordinary civil rights. What is the position? You go to the tribal areas. According to law, their own traditional law, their tribal law, their lands cannot be alienated. Yet our merchants go there, and in the so-called free market they are able to snatch their lands. Thus, even though the law goes against this snatching away of their lands, still the merchants are able to turn the tribal people into veritable slaves by various kinds of bonds, and make them hereditary bond-slaves. Let us go to the ordinary villages. There goes the money-lender with his money and he is able to get the villages in his pocket. There is the landlord himself, the zamindar, and the malguzar and there are various other people who are able to exploit their villages. There is no elementary education even among the people. These are the real minorities that need-protection and assurances of protection. In order to give them the necessary protection, we will need much more than this Resolution.

Questions:

(i) Who are according to N. G. Ranga the real minorities?
Answer:  According to N. G. Ranga, the real minorities are the poor and oppressed masses of the country.

(ii) Why are they the real minorities?
Answer: They are the real minorities because they are depressed, oppressed, and suppressed. They do not enjoy even the basic civil rights. In tribal areas, merchants take away their land unfairly and make them bond-slaves. In villages, moneylenders, landlords, and zamindars exploit poor villagers. These people are kept uneducated and powerless.

(iii) Why do they need protection?
Answer: They need protection because they are easily exploited by powerful people. They lack education, resources, and legal support, so they are unable to defend their rights or improve their condition on their own.

5. (i) Draw a map of India and locate any three important centers of Revolt of 1857. 3+3=6

Answer: 

Or

(ii) Draw a map of India and locate any three great Mahajanapadas. 3+3=6

Answer: 

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