HSC 12th History June 2026 Board Paper Solution (J-270) | Maharashtra Board

Welcome to Omtex Classes! Are you preparing for your upcoming Maharashtra State Board 12th Arts exams? Practicing official board question papers is the best strategy to score high marks in History. Below is the complete, point-by-point model solution for the HSC 12th Standard History June 2026 Board Paper (Subject Code: J-270). We have solved all questions—including every option in the Concept Maps, Short Notes, Give Reasons, State Your Opinion, and Answer in Detail sections—strictly following the Maharashtra State Board (Balbharati) textbook and official evaluation scheme.

Q. 1. (A) Choose the correct alternatives and rewrite the statements : (6 Marks)

The first explorer to circumnavigate the African continent was (c) Bartholomew Dias.
The trading licence to do trade with Eastern countries was given to the company by (b) Queen Elizabeth I of England.
The political relations between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the British began due to the (b) Afzal Khan episode.
Hyderabad's struggle of freedom was led skillfully by (b) Swami Ramanand Tirth.
H.S. Williams was the first person to think of (d) African unity.
A legal agreement was signed in Geneva in 1947 which is known as (c) GATT.

Q. 1. (B) Find the incorrect pairs from every set in group 'B' and write the correct ones : (4 Marks)

(i) Set 1:

Incorrect Pair: (d) Declaration of Independence of America - George Washington
Correct Pair: (d) Declaration of Independence of America - Thomas Jefferson

(ii) Set 2:

Incorrect Pair: (d) Chauthai - One tenth income of the tax payer
Correct Pair: (d) Chauthai - One fourth of the total income of the tax payer

(iii) Set 3:

Incorrect Pair: (a) Bandung - Berlin Conference
Correct Pair: (a) Bandung - Bandung Conference

(iv) Set 4:

Incorrect Pair: (b) Bhau Katdare - Raigad Nisarg Mitra
Correct Pair: (b) Bhau Katdare - Sahyadri Nisarg Mitra

Q. 2. (A) Write the names of historical places / persons / events / countries : (4 Marks)

The treatise written by Varahmihir - Brihatsamhita
Charles II, King of England was engaged to - Princess Braganza (Princess Catherine of Braganza of Portugal)
The name of the group of nations including England, France, Russia, Italy and America in the First World War - Allied Powers (Allies)
The idea of Commonwealth Games was introduced by - Reverend Astley Cooper

Q. 2. (B) Choose the correct reasons and complete the sentences : (4 Marks)

The British wanted to gain control over Myanmar, because (b) it was very important for them to control the natural resources and market in Myanmar.
King Hari Singh asked India for help, because (a) to protect Kashmir from armed intruders from the Pakistan border.
United Nations Organization was established after the Second World War, (c) to maintain peace in all over the world.
India became the member of World Trade Organization, because (c) India adopted the policy of liberalization.

Q. 3. (A) Observe the given map and answer the questions based on it : (5 Marks)

What information does this map give?
Ans: The given map provides information about the Freedom Struggle of 1857, showing the territories under British control and the important centres of the Freedom Struggle of 1857 across India.
Name the important centres of freedom struggle located in present Maharashtra.
Ans: Nagpur, Aurangabad, Satara, and Kolhapur are the important centres of the freedom struggle of 1857 located in present-day Maharashtra.
Name the important centres of freedom struggle located in present Pakistan.
Ans: Peshawar, Lahore, Shikarpur, and Karachi are the important centres of the freedom struggle of 1857 located in present-day Pakistan.
Name the neighbouring country situated in southern part of India.
Ans: Sri Lanka is the neighbouring country situated in the southern part of India.
Name the island situated in Arabian Sea.
Ans: Lakshadweep Islands are situated in the Arabian Sea.

Q. 3. (B) Complete the concept maps (Any FOUR - All 6 Solved) : (8 Marks)

(i) European powers established colonies in India:

European Powers Established Colonies in India
1. Portuguese	2. Dutch	3. British	4. French

(ii) Social reformers and their organisations:

Social Reformer	Organisation
1. Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde	Depressed Classes Mission
Dr. Atmaram Pandurang	2. Prarthana Samaj
Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan	3. Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College (Scientific Society)
4. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar	Bahishkrut Hitkarni Sabha

(iii) Persons who participated in the liberation movement of Dadra and Nagar-Haveli:

Persons who Participated in the Liberation Movement of Dadra and Nagar-Haveli
1. Vishwanath Lavande	2. Rajabhau Wakankar	3. Sudhir Phadke	4. Nana Kajrekar

(iv) Founder countries of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):

Founder Countries of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
Yugoslavia (Given)	1. India	2. Egypt	3. Indonesia	4. Ghana

(v) Cities joined through Golden Quadrilateral (Suvarna Chatushkon Yojana):

Cities Joined through Golden Quadrilateral
1. Delhi	2. Mumbai	3. Chennai	4. Kolkata

(vi) Sponsorers working for eradication of Polio:

Sponsorers Working for Eradication of Polio
1. Government of India	2. World Health Organization (WHO)	3. UNICEF	4. Rotary International

Q. 4. (A) Write short notes (Any THREE - All 5 Solved) : (6 Marks)

(i) Cartaz

Meaning and Origin: Once the Portuguese established firm naval control over the Indian Ocean in the 16th century, they made it compulsory for Indian rulers and merchants to purchase a naval license from them before sailing on the Indian Ocean. This license document was called a 'Cartaz'.
Details Included: A Cartaz generally carried details such as the name of the vessel (ship), the name of the captain of the ship, the port of departure and arrival, and the list of weaponry carried on the ship for self-defence.
Consequences: If any Indian ship ventured into the sea without a Portuguese Cartaz, the Portuguese navy either seized the ship by force or sank it. The Portuguese navy was so powerful that even the mighty Mughals and the Sultanates in the south had to buy a Cartaz from them.

(ii) Vykom Satyagraha

Background: In Travancore (Kerala), people belonging to the scheduled castes (untouchables) were prohibited not only from entering the Shiva temple at Vykom (Vaikom) but also from walking on the public streets surrounding the temple.
Participation of Ramaswamy Naikar (Periyar) and Leaders: In 1924, an anti-untouchability movement known as the Vykom Satyagraha was launched by leaders like T. K. Madhavan, K. P. Kesava Menon, and K. Kelappan. Prominent social reformer Ramaswamy Naikar (Periyar) actively participated in the Vykom Satyagraha in Travancore and fought tirelessly against untouchability, earning the title 'Vaikom Veerar' (Hero of Vaikom).
Outcome: Mahatma Gandhi also visited Vykom in 1925 to support the satyagrahis and negotiated with the authorities. Eventually, the public roads around the temple were opened to all castes, marking a historic victory against untouchability.

(iii) Anusheelan Samiti

Foundation and Leaders: Anusheelan Samiti was an active secret revolutionary organization in Bengal that fought against British colonial rule. Aurobindo Ghosh and his brother Barindrakumar Ghosh were at the head of this organization, while Pramathanath Mitra served as its president.
Bomb-Making Centre at Maniktala: The organization had more than 500 branches and operated a secret bomb-manufacturing centre at Maniktala near Kolkata.
Assassination Attempt on Kingsford (1908): In 1908, two young revolutionaries of the Anusheelan Samiti, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, planned to assassinate an oppressive British magistrate named Kingsford at Muzaffarpur. However, the horse carriage on which they threw the bomb did not carry Kingsford, but two British women instead, who both died. Prafulla Chaki shot himself to avoid capture by the British police, while Khudiram Bose was arrested and hanged.

(iv) Cold War

Concept: Following the end of the Second World War in 1945, an era of intense ideological conflict, political distrust, and military rivalry began between two superpowers—the capitalist United States of America (USA) and the communist Soviet Union (USSR). Because there was no direct armed war fought between the two superpowers, American journalist Walter Lippmann termed this period the 'Cold War'.
Division of the World and Arms Race: Europe and the world were divided into two rival military camps—NATO (1949) led by the USA, and the Warsaw Pact (1955) led by Soviet Russia. The Cold War witnessed a dangerous nuclear arms race, space race, espionage, and proxy wars.
End of the Cold War (1991): In the late 1980s, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev introduced liberal policies of Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness). With the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Cold War came to an end.

(v) AYUSH

Establishment: In November 2014, the Government of India established the independent Ministry of AYUSH for the development and propagation of traditional Indian and alternative systems of medicine.
Full Form: The acronym AYUSH stands for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.
Objectives: The department works to upgrade educational standards in Indian systems of medicine, promote advanced research in medicinal plants, standardize drug quality control, and provide affordable, holistic healthcare to citizens.

Q. 4. (B) Explain the following statements with reasons (Any THREE - All 5 Solved) : (9 Marks)

(i) The incident known as 'Boston Tea Party' happened during the American War of Independence.

The British Parliament imposed several unjust restrictions and heavy taxes—such as the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts—on the 13 American colonies without giving the colonists any representation in the British Parliament.
The American colonies strongly resisted this economic exploitation, raised the slogan "No Taxation without Representation", and boycotted British goods.
In 1773, the British Parliament gave the East India Company the monopoly to sell tea to the American colonies. To protest against this monopoly and tax on tea, local residents in Boston disguised as Native Americans boarded British merchant ships at Boston port in 1773 and dumped boxes of tea into the sea. This historic protest event is known as the 'Boston Tea Party'.

(ii) The 'Carnatic Wars' were fought between British and French.

England and France were arch-rivals in Europe and competed fiercely with each other to establish a monopoly over Indian trade and political supremacy in India.
Whenever war broke out between England and France in Europe, the British East India Company and the French East India Company clashed with each other in India as well.
Taking advantage of internal family disputes for the throne in the Carnatic region and Hyderabad, both the British and the French intervened on opposite sides to increase their political dominance. This led to three battles between them known as the 'Carnatic Wars' (1746–1763), in which the British ultimately defeated the French in the Third Carnatic War (Battle of Wandiwash, 1760).

(iii) The Second World War occurred.

Humiliating Treaty of Versailles: After the First World War, the victorious Allied nations imposed the harsh Treaty of Versailles (1919) on defeated Germany, seizing its colonies, reducing its armed forces, and imposing huge war reparations, which fueled intense resentment in Germany.
Rise of Militarism and Dictatorships: The rise of Nazism under Adolf Hitler in Germany and Fascism under Benito Mussolini in Italy promoted aggressive nationalism and expansionism. Meanwhile, Japan invaded Manchuria and China, and Italy attacked Ethiopia.
Failure of the League of Nations and Attack on Poland: The League of Nations proved too weak to stop the aggressive expansion of Germany, Italy, and Japan (the Axis Powers). Finally, when Germany invaded Poland on 1st September 1939, England and France declared war on Germany, sparking the Second World War.

(iv) The British granted independence to Myanmar in 1948.

The British had annexed Myanmar (Burma) after fighting three Anglo-Burmese Wars in the 19th century and brought its natural wealth and forest resources under British control.
During the Second World War, Japan captured Myanmar. Burmese nationalist leader Aung San initially raised the 'Burma Independence Army', but later realizing Japan's oppressive rule, he turned against the Japanese and helped the British recapture Myanmar in 1945.
After the Second World War, the British realized that they could no longer maintain their colonial hold in the face of strong nationalist resistance led by Aung San and the people of Myanmar. Therefore, the British granted independence to Myanmar on 4th January 1948.

(v) The Speed Post service has become more reliable and speedy.

The Indian Postal Department started the 'Speed Post' service in 1986, which transformed the nature of postal delivery across the country.
Under this service, more than three crore letters and parcels are delivered every month. When a customer posts a consignment, an SMS notification is sent to their mobile phone, and the customer can easily track the real-time location of their letter or parcel on the internet until final delivery.
Additionally, modern facilities such as online postage payment, custom packaging, free pick-up for bulk corporate customers, "Book Now, Pay Later", and passport delivery have made Speed Post extremely reliable and speedy.

Q. 5. State your opinion on the following statements (Any THREE - All 5 Solved) : (9 Marks)

(i) The European natural scientists of the 17th century laid the foundation of modern science.

Ans: I agree with this statement because the natural scientists of the 17th century revolutionized human thought:

Emphasis on Empirical Observation: Scientists of the 17th century broke away from medieval religious dogmas and emphasized proving scientific principles through actual empirical experiments (observation and experimentation) that remain valid regardless of time and space.
Formulation of Scientific Laws and Terminology: They converted newly discovered scientific rules into universal mathematical and scientific formulae and created a new scientific terminology.
Inventions and Scientific Institutions: Pioneers like Galileo, Kepler, and Newton advanced astronomy, physics, and mathematics, while institutions like the Royal Society (London) and Academy of Sciences (Paris) published research journals and encouraged scientific inquiry, thereby laying the solid foundation of modern science.

(ii) Portuguese established colonies in India.

Ans: Yes, the Portuguese were the first European colonial power to establish colonies in India:

Following Vasco da Gama's arrival at Calicut in 1498, the Portuguese took advantage of the lack of unity among Indian kings and the absence of navies among local rulers to establish their strongholds along the Indian coast.
By 1608, the Portuguese had established colonies on the western coast of India at Diu, Daman, Chaul, Goa (including Sashti and Bardesh), Honnavar, Gangoli, Basrur, Mangalore, Kannur, Kodungallur, Kochi, and Kollam, and on the eastern coast at Nagapattinam, Mylapore (San Thome), and Hugli in Bengal.
Goa served as the capital of the Portuguese empire in the East, headed by a Viceroy and Commander-in-Chief (Capitao-i-Geral), and they maintained control over the Indian Ocean through their strong navy and the Cartaz system.

(iii) The policies adopted by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad are considered progressive.

Ans: The policies implemented by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda Princely State were truly progressive and ahead of his time:

Free and Compulsory Education and Support to Untouchables: He made primary education free and compulsory in Baroda State, opened schools and hostels for untouchable and tribal students, and provided financial scholarships to deserving students like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for higher studies.
Progressive Social Laws: He legally banned child marriage and polygamy, legalized widow remarriage, enacted legislation granting women the right to divorce and a share in their father's and husband's property, and encouraged inter-caste dining.
Village Administration and Libraries: He passed a resolution that every village in his state must have a Gram Panchayat and a library, and started physical training, technical schools, and fine arts institutions.

(iv) The process of decolonisation began in the African continent.

Ans: The process of decolonisation in the African continent in the 20th century liberated millions of people from European colonial exploitation:

During the 19th century, European imperial powers had partitioned the entire African continent among themselves at the Berlin Conference (1884–85) to exploit its minerals, natural resources, and people.
The spread of Western education in Africa produced nationalist leaders who became aware of democratic values and self-rule. Moreover, the five Pan-African Congresses (from 1919 in Paris to the 1945 African Unity Conference at Manchester) united African leaders against colonialism.
After the Second World War weakened European imperial powers like Britain and France, independence movements intensified across Africa, leading to the gradual decolonisation and independence of African nations one after another between the 1950s and 1990s.

(v) Tourism industry is a continuously developing field.

Ans: I strongly agree that the tourism industry in India is a continuously developing and dynamic sector:

Rich Cultural and Natural Heritage: India is blessed with ancient temples, forts, caves, UNESCO World Heritage sites, pilgrimage centres, hill stations, coastlines, and biodiversity hotspots that attract millions of domestic and international tourists.
Institutional Support and Facilities: In 1966, the Government of India established the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) to provide quality hotels, transport, duty-free shops, and entertainment facilities for tourists. Campaigns like "Incredible India" and "Atithi Devo Bhava" have boosted global tourism to India.
Economic Growth and New Avenues: Modern developments such as heritage walks, eco-tourism, agro-tourism, medical tourism, and adventure sports have made tourism a major source of foreign exchange and employment for guides, translators, hotel staff, transport operators, and local artisans.

Q. 6. Answer the following questions in detail (Any TWO - All 3 Solved) : (10 Marks)

(i) Explain in detail about the causes of the rise of colonialism.

Ans: Colonialism refers to the occupation of the land of a less developed distant nation by a powerful developed nation to establish political and economic control over it. The major causes of the rise of colonialism are as follows:

1. Industrial Revolution: The Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century. With the use of machines, production increased manifold. Domestic markets in European countries were not sufficient to consume the massive surplus of manufactured goods, compelling Europeans to find new overseas markets.
2. Requirement of Raw Materials: To keep their factories running continuously and to compete with rival nations, European industrial nations needed a steady, cheap supply of raw materials (such as cotton, iron, coal, and rubber). Establishing direct control over colonies guaranteed a monopoly over raw materials.
3. Investing Surplus Capital: The capitalist class in Europe accumulated immense profits from trade and industrialization. Since markets in Asian and African countries were less developed, European capitalists looked for secure colonies where they could invest their surplus capital profitably.
4. Sources of Minerals: Countries in Asia and Africa had rich natural deposits of gold, diamonds, silver, coal, and iron ore, which attracted European powers to colonize these regions.
5. Geographic Importance: European nations realized that certain strategic ports and islands in Asia and Africa—such as Malta, Gibraltar, Aden, Singapore, and Andaman-Nicobar—were vital for controlling international sea trade routes. Hence, they conquered these strategic locations.
6. Availability of Labour: European merchants needed large numbers of labourers at very low wages. As the slave trade declined, establishing colonies in densely populated Asia and Africa ensured an abundant supply of cheap local labour.
7. Feeling of Racial Superiority: European colonizers claimed a racial superiority and assumed the self-proclaimed responsibility of "civilizing" the people of Asia and Africa, while also using colonization to propagate Christianity.

(ii) Write in detail about the 'Goa liberation movement.'

Ans: Goa had been under Portuguese colonial rule for nearly 450 years since 1510. Even after India gained independence from the British in 1947, Portugal refused to leave Goa. The Goa Liberation Movement unfolded through the following major phases:

1. Early Awakening and Dr. T. B. Kunha (1928): In 1928, the Goa Congress Committee was founded in Mumbai under the leadership of Dr. T. B. Kunha (Father of Goan Nationalism) to fight against Portuguese imperialism and create political awareness among Goans.
2. Civil Disobedience Movement of 1946: In 1946, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia launched a Civil Disobedience Movement in Goa by defying the Portuguese ban on public meetings at Margao. He was arrested and deported by the Portuguese. Dr. T. B. Kunha, Purushottam Kakodkar, and Dr. Ram Hegde were also arrested; Dr. Kunha was deported to Portugal for 8 years. After returning to Mumbai, he started the newspapers Azad Goa and Swatantra Goa.
3. Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti (1954): In 1954, the Goa Vimochan Sahayak Samiti was formed in Pune under the leadership of Keshavrao Jedhe, N. G. Gore, and Jayantrao Tilak to support the liberation struggle. Acharya P. K. Atre used his daily newspaper 'Maratha' to give momentum to the movement.
4. Peaceful Satyagrahas (1954–1955): Volunteers under the leadership of N. G. Gore and Senapati Bapat entered Goa and hoisted the Indian national flag at the Panaji fort. Pandit Mahadevshastri Joshi, Shirubhau Limaye, Peter Alvares, and Sudha Joshi also led satyagrahas in Goa. The Portuguese police brutally shot dead several unarmed satyagrahis, including Karnail Singh Benipal and Hirve Guruji.
5. Armed Struggle by Azad Gomantak Dal: Revolutionary youth formed the Azad Gomantak Dal under Vishwanath Lavande, Rajabhau Wakankar, Sudhir Phadke, Nana Kajrekar, Prabhakar Sinari, and Mohan Ranade. After liberating Dadra and Nagar-Haveli in 1954, they launched armed attacks on Portuguese police stations in Goa. Mohan Ranade was wounded, captured by the Portuguese, and kept in prison in Portugal until 1969.
6. Operation Vijay (December 1961): When peaceful negotiations failed and public outrage grew over Portuguese atrocities, the Government of India launched military action code-named 'Operation Vijay' in December 1961. The Indian Army entered Goa, and aided by local people who showed them the routes and prevented the Portuguese from blowing up bridges, the Portuguese forces surrendered within 48 hours. On 19th December 1961, Goa was liberated and became an integral part of India.

(iii) Write the information about South Asian Association for Regional Co-Operation (SAARC).

Ans: The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) is an important regional organization of South Asian nations:

1. Background and Establishment: In 1980, the then President of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman, initiated the idea of forming a regional organization of South Asian countries. In 1981, the foreign secretaries of seven nations met in Colombo (Sri Lanka), followed by a meeting of foreign ministers in New Delhi in 1983. Finally, on 8th December 1985, SAARC was formally established at the first summit held in Dhaka (Bangladesh).
2. Member Nations, Observers, and Headquarters:
- The seven founding members were India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Maldives.
- In 2007, Afghanistan joined as the 8th member nation.
- Nine countries/organizations—Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the USA—have been granted Observer status.
- The permanent Secretariat (Headquarters) of SAARC is situated in Kathmandu, Nepal.
3. Main Objectives of SAARC:
- To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and raise their standard of living.
- To accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region.
- To foster mutual trust, understanding, and collective self-reliance among South Asian nations.
- To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims.
4. Key Programmes and Achievements:
- Under SAARC, an Agricultural Information Centre was set up in Bangladesh, a Meteorological Research Centre in Dhaka, a Tuberculosis Eradication Centre in Kathmandu, and a Documentation Centre in New Delhi.
- To boost regional trade, SAARC nations signed the SAPTA (SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement) in 1993 and later signed the SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) agreement in 2004.
- To tackle social challenges, SAARC declared 1990 as the 'SAARC Year of the Girl Child' and 1991–2000 as the 'SAARC Decade of the Girl Child'.

Q. 7. Answer the following questions in detail with the help of given points (Any THREE - All 5 Solved) : (15 Marks)

(i) Write the information about geographical discoveries and explorers :

(a) Ibn Batuta

Ibn Batuta was a renowned 14th-century scholar and famous medieval traveller from Morocco who travelled across Africa, West Asia, India, Maldives, Sumatra, and China for 30 years.
He gained fame for following his personal rule of never travelling twice on the same route.
His accounts and travelogue were extremely helpful in understanding medieval trade routes, geography, administration, and social life across Asia and Africa.

(b) Captain James Cook

Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy was a famous 18th-century explorer who set foot on the lands of New Zealand and Australia.
He inspected and accurately mapped the islands of the Pacific Ocean and prepared detailed nautical maps.
Within a period of three years, Captain Cook sailed nearly 60,000 nautical miles, paving the way for British colonial expansion in Australia and New Zealand.

(c) Bartholomew Dias

Bartholomew Dias was a Portuguese explorer who set out in 1487 under the patronage of King John II of Portugal to find a sea route to India.
In 1488, he became the first explorer to circumnavigate the African continent by reaching its southern tip.
He initially named the southern tip of Africa the 'Cape of Storms' due to severe weather, but the King of Portugal later changed its name to the 'Cape of Good Hope' because it offered hope of reaching India by sea.

(ii) Explain the relation between Portuguese and Marathas :

(a) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj first came into contact with the Portuguese when he established control over Kalyan and Bhiwandi. Alarmed by his creation of a strong Maratha Navy, the Portuguese initially helped Siddi of Janjira, though they later signed treaties of friendship with the Marathas in 1663 and 1670.
Portuguese Governor General Gonsalo Martez even remarked regarding Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's military genius during the siege of Chakan: "He is much more to be feared than the Mughal Emperor."
To protect the local salt trade in Swarajya from cheap Portuguese salt, Shivaji Maharaj levied heavy octroi on Portuguese salt and defeated the Portuguese during the siege of Phonda fort (Goa) in 1675.

(b) Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj

Because the Portuguese joined hands with Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb against the Marathas, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj decided to teach the Portuguese a lesson and attacked Revdanda in 1683.
While the Portuguese laid siege to the Maratha fort of Phonda, Maratha commander Yesaji Kank defended it heroically, and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj launched a fierce counter-attack that forced the Portuguese Governor to retreat.
Pursuing the retreating Portuguese army, Sambhaji Maharaj invaded Goa, captured the fort of St. Estevao (Juve), and brought the Portuguese to the verge of defeat. However, on receiving news that the Mughals had attacked South Konkan, he had to return from the doorstep of Goa to defend Raigad.

(c) Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj

During the reign of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj, the conflict between the Marathas and the Portuguese was renewed when Husain Ali Sayyad (representative of the Mughals in the Deccan) granted the Marathas the right to collect Chauthai from the Kalyan-Bhiwandi region, which the Portuguese refused to honour.
Chimaji Appa, the younger brother of Peshwa Bajirao I, was assigned the responsibility of leading the campaign against the Portuguese in North Konkan (1737–1739).
Chimaji Appa conquered the fort of Thane and Sashti (Salsette) island in March 1737, while Shankaraji Phadke entered Vasai island. After a heroic two-year siege of the heavily fortified Vasai Fort, the Marathas defeated the Portuguese completely in 1739.

(iii) Write about Indian National Congress :

(a) Background

After the Freedom Struggle of 1857, British economic exploitation, heavy taxation, famines, and racial discrimination created widespread discontent across India.
At the same time, the spread of Western education, railway and telegraph networks, and nationalist newspapers inspired educated Indians to form political organizations such as the Bombay Association, East India Association, Madras Native Association, and Indian Association, which paved the way for an all-India political organization.

(b) Foundation

On 28th December 1885, the first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was held at Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit Pathshala in Mumbai.
It was attended by 72 delegates from different provinces of India. Vyomeshchandra Bannerjee (W. C. Bonnerjee) was the first President of this session, and retired British officer Allan Octavian Hume (A. O. Hume) played a significant role in its establishment.

(c) Moderate and Extremist Thought Process

Moderate Thought Process: Early leaders of the Congress like Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta, and Surendranath Banerjee believed that if they placed the grievances and demands of Indians (such as representation in legislature, reduction in military expenditure, and employment of Indians in civil services) before the British government through constitutional means like petitions and resolutions, the British would grant them justice.
Extremist Thought Process: Leaders like Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) felt that mere petitions and resolutions were ineffective and insisted that Indians must actively agitate for Swarajya. Following the Partition of Bengal (1905), they championed the four-point programme of Swarajya, Swadeshi, Boycott, and National Education. Ideological differences between the Moderates and Extremists reached a peak at the Surat Session in 1907, leading to a split before they reunited at the Lucknow Session in 1916.

(iv) Write information about the impact of World Wars on India :

(a) First World War (1914–1918)

Contribution of Soldiers and Money: Britain dragged India into the First World War without consulting Indian leaders. A total of 10,96,013 Indian soldiers were sent by the British to fight on various fronts across Europe, West Asia, and Africa, and 17 Indian soldiers (including Khudadad Khan) were honoured with the prestigious Victoria Cross for their bravery. India provided ₹19 billion worth of war assistance in the form of food grains, clothes, ammunition, and funding.
Industrial and Economic Impact: India's Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) supplied steel rails for constructing railway tracks in the war zones, and Indian trade in jute, textiles, hides, and minerals grew rapidly. However, ordinary citizens suffered from severe price rises (inflation), shortage of daily essentials, and heavy war taxes.
Political Impact: Indian soldiers returning from Europe gained confidence after seeing that European armies were not invincible. In 1917, Edwin Montagu declared that Indians would gradually be given self-governance, leading to the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919), though its inadequacies fueled the Non-Cooperation Movement.

(b) Second World War (1939–1945)

Forced Involvement and Congress Resignation: In September 1939, Viceroy Lord Linlithgow announced that India had joined the Second World War on the side of England without consulting Indian representatives. Protesting this unilateral decision, the Indian National Congress ministries in the provinces resigned.
Military Contribution and Wartime Production: Over 25 lakh Indian soldiers fought against the Axis forces across North Africa, Europe, and Asia. 31 Indian soldiers and officers—including Yeshwant Ghadge and Namdeo Jadhav from Maharashtra—were awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary bravery. To meet wartime demands, the British established naval and air force training centres and munitions factories in India, though hoarding and war expenditure caused acute food scarcity and inflation.
Final Push for Independence: During the war, Mahatma Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement (1942) inside India, while Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose led the Azad Hind Sena (INA) against the British on India's eastern border. Although Britain won the Second World War, its economy and military power were exhausted. Following the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) uprising in 1946, Britain realized it could no longer rule India and granted independence on 15th August 1947.

(v) Write about India's defence affairs policy :

(a) Kargil War (1999)

In 1999, anundeclared war broke out between India and Pakistan when Pakistani troops infiltrators crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied strategic mountain peaks in the Kargil-Dras sector of Ladakh.
The Indian Army launched 'Operation Vijay' (supported by the Indian Air Force) and fought heroically in extreme high-altitude terrain to evict the Pakistani intruders and recapture all Indian peaks by July 1999.
The Kargil War exposed the need for modernization in India's defence preparedness, intelligence gathering, military training, and rapid equipment procurement, leading to major defence reforms.

(b) Make in India

Historically, India depended heavily on importing weapons, aircraft, and defence hardware from foreign countries. To achieve self-reliance in the defence sector, the Government of India emphasized indigenous defence manufacturing under the 'Make in India' policy.
Under this policy, Indian public sector undertakings (like DRDO and HAL) and private Indian industries are encouraged to design and manufacture modern weapons, missiles, fighter aircraft, naval ships, and artillery within India.
This reduces India's dependence on foreign nations during wartime, saves valuable foreign exchange, and enables India to export defence equipment to other countries.

(c) Job Opportunities

The promotion of indigenous defence production under 'Make in India' and the establishment of defence industrial corridors have generated thousands of new job opportunities for Indian youth in engineering, technology, manufacturing, and scientific research.
Furthermore, the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and paramilitary forces (such as BSF, CRPF, ITBP, and CISF) provide honourable and stable career opportunities for young men and women across the country to serve the nation.

HSC 12th History June 2026 Question Paper (J-270)

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