IMPORTANT QUESTION PAPER - BOARD EXAM 2026
SUBJECT: HISTORY (38)
Time: 3 Hrs. | Max. Marks: 80
Q. 1. (A) Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the statements: [6 Marks]
(1) The first seafarer to circumnavigate the African continent was ______.
(2) In 1440 ______ started the printing press.
(3) It was made obligatory for the Indian Rulers to get license (Cartaz) for sailing on Indian ocean by the ______.
(4) The Satyashodhak Samaj was founded by ______.
(5) The first conference of Asian and African countries was held in 1955 at ______ in Indonesia.
(6) Headquarters of SEATO was located at ______.
Q. 1. (B) Find the incorrect pairs in group ‘B’ and write the correct ones: [4 Marks]
(1) Group ‘A’ vs Group ‘B’
- (i) Kunwar Singh — Lucknow
- (ii) Nanasaheb Peshwa — Kanpur
- (iii) Queen Lakshmibai — Jhansi
- (iv) Chimasaheb — Kolhapur
Corrected Pair: Kunwar Singh — Bihar (or Begum Hazrat Mahal — Lucknow)
(2) Group ‘A’ vs Group ‘B’
- (i) Christopher Columbus — Discovery of America
- (ii) Vasco-da-Gama — Discovery of China
- (iii) Mungo Park — Discovery of Africa
- (iv) Abel Janszoon Tasman — Discovery of New Zealand
Corrected Pair: Vasco-da-Gama — Discovery of India (Calicut)
(3) Group ‘A’ vs Group ‘B’
- (i) "Do boond Zindagi ke" — Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan
- (ii) "Let’s all learn, Let’s all progress" — Sarvashiksha Abhiyan
- (iii) "Come and Play" — Scheme for development of sports
- (iv) "Atulya Bharat" — Advertisement Campaign to boost tourism
Corrected Pair: "Do boond Zindagi ke" — Pulse Polio Campaign
(4) Group ‘A’ vs Group ‘B’
- (i) Burma Independence Army — Aung San
- (ii) Pan-African Congress — W.E.B. Du Bois
- (iii) Internal autonomy to colonies — Winston Churchill
- (iv) Indian Independence Movement — Mahatma Gandhi
Corrected Pair: Winston Churchill — Opposed to giving autonomy (Atlantic Charter context). Or correct leader for autonomy.
Q. 2. (A) Write the names of historical places/persons/events: [4 Marks]
- An engineer who successfully sailed the steamboat named ‘Clermont’:
Ans: Robert Fulton - The fort built by the British at the north of Chennai:
Ans: Fort St. George - Code name of military mission planned by the Indian Army for liberation of Goa:
Ans: Operation Vijay - The place where the Portuguese stored ammunition:
Ans: Panaji (or specific arsenal location)
Q. 2. (B) Choose the correct reasons and complete the sentences: [4 Marks]
(1) Ravindranath Tagore gave up his title (Sir) because he wished —
(2) The League of Nations was established after the First World War because —
(3) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj levied octroi on the salt trade to —
Specific Textbook Answer: To make the salt imported by the Portuguese/British costlier and protect local salt manufacturing.
(4) No country was included in the ANZUS treaty except Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America because —
Q. 3. (A) Observe the given map (1857 Revolt) and answer the questions: [5 Marks]
- How many colonies are shown in this map? (Question from American Colonies Map variation) / To which topic is this map related? (1857 Map)
Ans (1857 Map): The map is related to the Freedom Struggle of 1857. - Name the ocean that lies on the east coast of India.
Ans: Bay of Bengal. - Name any one place on the eastern side of India involved in the revolt of 1857.
Ans: Barrackpore / Calcutta. - In the uprising of 1857, write the name of any one place, presently in Maharashtra.
Ans: Satara / Nagpur / Kolhapur. - Name any one centre of independence struggle of 1857 in present Bangladesh.
Ans: Dacca (Dhaka) / Chittagong.
Q. 3. (B) Complete the concept maps (Any FOUR): [8 Marks]
(1) The spread of the British Empire was in these continents:
(2) Social Reformers and their organizations:
| Reformer | Organization |
|---|---|
| Swami Dayanand Saraswati | Arya Samaj |
| Raja Ram Mohan Roy | Brahmo Samaj |
| Swami Vivekananda | Ramkrishna Mission |
| Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan | Scientific Society / Aligarh Movement |
(3) Newspapers published by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar:
(4) Princely states and colonies merged in India after independence:
Q. 4. (A) Write short notes (Any THREE): [6 Marks]
(1) Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj: Explain his role in social equality, reservation policy in Kolhapur state, support for Dr. Ambedkar, and educational reforms.
(2) Decolonisation: Define the process where colonies gained independence from imperial powers, specifically in Asia and Africa after WWII.
(3) Speed Post: Discuss the modernization of the Indian postal service and its impact on communication.
(4) Boston Tea Party: Explain the protest by American colonists against the British tax on tea, a key event leading to the American Revolution.
Q. 4. (B) Explain the following statements with reasons (Any THREE): [9 Marks]
- Industrial Revolution first began in England.
Reason: Availability of iron and coal, humid climate suitable for textiles, large colonies to supply raw materials and buy finished goods, and political stability. - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj decided to attack the region of Bardesh.
Reason: To curb the Portuguese activities, protect his subjects from Portuguese atrocities (forced conversions), and secure the Konkan coast. - Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar determined to work for creating a society based on "Freedom, Equality and Fraternity".
Reason: To eradicate the caste system, remove untouchability, and ensure human rights and dignity for the depressed classes. - The cold war began between America and Russia.
Reason: Ideological differences (Capitalism vs Communism), the arms race after WWII, and the struggle for global dominance.
Q. 5. State your opinion (Any THREE): [9 Marks]
- The contribution of Krantisinha Nana Patil is significant in the Indian freedom struggle.
Opinion: Mention the 'Prati Sarkar' (Parallel Government) in Satara, his underground activities, and how he empowered the rural masses against British rule. - India is a leading country in the field of space research.
Opinion: Discuss ISRO's achievements (Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan), cost-effective satellite launches, and self-reliance in space technology. - All of us have the responsibility of taking care of our Heritage places.
Opinion: Heritage places are symbols of our history and culture. Preserving them promotes tourism and passes knowledge to future generations. Neglect leads to irreversible loss.
Q. 6. Answer the following questions in detail (Any TWO): [10 Marks]
(1) Explain the conflict between the Portuguese and Maratha Empires.
Key Points: Shivaji Maharaj's naval expansion, Portuguese support to Maratha enemies (Siddhis), Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's campaign against Goa, and the battle of Vasai under Chimaji Appa.
(2) Write in detail about the movement for liberation of Goa.
Key Points: Dr. T.B. Cunha's role, formation of Goa Congress Committee, diplomatic efforts by Indian Govt, Operation Vijay (1961), and final surrender of Portuguese forces.
(3) Explain the causes and effects of European Crusades.
Key Points: Religious zeal to reclaim Jerusalem, Pope's appeal. Effects: Contact with the East, rise of trade, decline of Feudalism, introduction of new crops/sciences to Europe.
Q. 7. Answer in detail with the help of given points (Any ONE): [15 Marks]
(1) Write about the Quit India Movement of 1942.
- (a) Mumbai Session: Held at Gowalia Tank Maidan (August Kranti Maidan), passed the Quit India Resolution on 8th August 1942.
- (b) Appeal by Mahatma Gandhi: Gave the slogan "Do or Die", urged people to consider themselves free and non-violently resist British rule.
- (c) Its impact: Mass uprisings, underground radio (Usha Mehta), parallel governments (Patil, Chavan), showed the British that they could no longer rule India against the will of the people.
(2) Write in detail about the British East India Company:
- (a) Foundation: Established in 1600 under a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I.
- (b) Powers: Monopoly over trade in the East, power to wage war, sign treaties, and maintain armies.
- (c) Administrative structure: Factories (trading posts), Officers (factors/writers), evolution into a political power after Plassey and Buxar.
12th History Board Papers with Solution
HSC History
- History - March 2025 - English Medium View Answer Key
- History - March 2025 - Marathi Medium View Answer Key
- History - March 2025 - Hindi Medium View Answer Key
- History - March 2024 - English Medium View Answer Key
- History - March 2024 - Marathi Medium View Answer Key
- History - March 2024 - Hindi Medium View Answer Key