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CBSE CLASS XII
Q. 20. Read and answer the following.
On Horse and on foot
This is how Ibn Battuta described the postal system:
In India the postal system is of two kinds : The horse-post called ‘Uluq’,
is run by by royal horses stationed at distance of every four miles. The
Foot-post has three stations permit. It is called ‘dawa’, that is, one third
Of a mile ... Now, at every third of a mile there is a well populated village,
Outside which are three pavilions in which sit men with girded loins ready
to start. Each of them carries a rod, two cubits in length with copper
Bells at the top. When the courier starts from the city, he holds the letter
in one hand and the rod with its bells on the other; and he runs as fast
as he can. When the men in the pavilion hear the ringing of bell they
get ready. As soon as the courier reaches them one of them takes the
letter from his hand and runs at the top speed shaking the rod all the
While until he reaches the next dawa. And the same process continues
Till the letter reaches its destination. This foot-person is quicker than the
horse-post; and often it is used to transport the fruits of Khurasan which
are much desired in India.
- Name the two kinds of postal systems.
- Explain how the foot post worked.
- Why does Ibn-Battuta think that the postal system in India was efficient?
- How did the State encourage merchants in the 14th century? 1
O R
This is perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier;
At Lahore I saw a most beautiful young widow sacrificed, who could not, I think, have been more than 12 years of age. The poor little creature appeared more dead than alive when she approached the dreadful pit; the agony of her mind cannot be described; but 3 to 4 of brahamanas, assisted by an old woman who held her under the arm, forced the unwilling victim towards the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands and feet, lest she should run away, and in that situation the innocent creature was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my feelings and to prevent their bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage……………..
- what is the description given by Bernier
- What were the other problems related with women?
- Why certain women embraced death cheerfully?
- why European travelers and writers often highlighted the treatment of women as a crucial marker of difference between western and eastern society
Q. 21. Read and answer the following
TRADE BETWEEN THE HILL TRIBES AND THE PLAINS
This is how Abul Fazl describes the transactions between the hill tribes and the plains in the suba of Awadh ;
From the northern mountains quantities of goods are carried on the backs of men, of stout ponies and of goats, such as gold, copper, lead , musk, tails of the cow, honey, chuk, pomegranate seeds, ginger, long pepper, borax, turmeric, wax, woolen stuffs, wooden ware merlins and other articles. In exchange they carry back white and colored clothes, amber, salt, astofoetida, ornaments, glass and earthen ware.
- What are the modes of transport described in the passage?
- Why do you think they were used?
- Explain what each of the articles brought from the plains to the hills may have been used for
- How the life of tribal people transformed?
OR
- What according to the Bernier, were the problems faced by peasants in the subcontinent?
- What description he gave on Hindustan?
- What contemporary debates were there in Europe concerning state and society?
PART E
Q. 22. On the Given Map of India
- Mark and name any two important cities on the west coast
- Mark and name two kingdoms of southern India
- Mark and name one area of tension between Mughals and Safavid empire
Q. 23. Mark the extension of Aurangzeb’s reign,1707
Paper By Ms. Vinita
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