- Passage 1
The lonely traveller
Robbers were not the only hazard on long journeys: the traveller could feel homesick, or fall ill. Here is an excerpt from the Rihla:
I was attacked by the fever, and I actually tied myself on the saddle with a turbancloth in case I should fall off by reason of my weakness … So, at last we reached the town of Tunis, and the townsfolk came out to welcome the shaikh … and … the son of the Qazi … On all sides they came forward with greetings and questions to one another, but not a soul said a word of greeting to me, since there was none of them, I knew. I felt so sad at heart on account of my loneliness that I could not restrain the tears that started to my eyes, and wept bitterly. But one of the pilgrims, realizing the cause of my distress, came up to me with a greeting …
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: Why did the traveller tie himself to the saddle with a turban-cloth?
Answer: The traveller tied himself to the saddle in fear of falling off due to weakness from the fever.
Question 2: What town did the traveller finally reach?
Answer: The traveller reached the town of Tunis.
Question 3: Why did the townsfolk come out to welcome the shaikh and the son of the Qazi?
Answer: The townsfolk welcomed the shaikh and the son of the Qazi, but not the traveller, because he was not known to them.
Question 4: How did the traveller express his sadness upon reaching Tunis?
Answer: The traveller couldn’t restrain his tears and wept bitterly due to the loneliness he felt in the midst of the welcoming crowd.
Question 5: Who finally offered the lonely traveller a greeting?
Answer: One of the pilgrims, realizing the traveller’s distress, came up and offered him a greeting.
- Passage 2
In the footsteps of Ibn Battuta
In the centuries between 1400 and 1800 visitors to India wrote a number of travelogues in Persian. At the same time, Indian visitors to Central Asia, Iran and the Ottoman empire also sometimes wrote about their experiences. These writers followed in the footsteps of Al-Biruni and Ibn Battuta, and had sometimes read these earlier authors. Among the best known of these writers were Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi, who visited south India in the 1440s, Mahmud Wali Balkhi, who travelled very widely in the 1620s, and Shaikh Ali Hazin, who came to north India in the 1740s. Some of these authors were fascinated by India, and one of them – Mahmud Balkhi – even became a sort of sanyasi for a time. Others such as Hazin were disappointed and even disgusted with India, where they expected to receive a red-carpet treatment. Most of them saw India as a land of wonders.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: During what time period did visitors to India write travelogues in Persian?
Answer: Visitors to India wrote travelogues in Persian between the 15th and 18th centuries (1400-1800).
Question 2: Name a Persian writer who visited south India in the 1440s.
Answer: Abdur Razzaq Samarqandi visited south India in the 1440s.
Question 3: Who was Mahmud Wali Balkhi, and when did he travel extensively?
Answer: Mahmud Wali Balkhi was a traveler who journeyed widely in the 1620s.
Question 4: In the 1740s, which writer came to north India, and what was his name?
Answer: Shaikh Ali Hazin came to north India in the 1740s.
Question 5: How did Mahmud Balkhi express his fascination with India?
Answer: Mahmud Balkhi became a sort of sanyasi (ascetic) for a time, showcasing his fascination with India.
- Passage 3
The system of varnas
This is Al-Biruni’s account of the system of varnas:
The highest caste is the Brahmana, of whom the books of the Hindus tell us that they were created from the head of Brahman. And as the Brahman is only another name for the force called nature, and the head is the highest part of the … body, the Brahmana are the choice part of the whole genus. Therefore, the Hindus consider them as the very best of mankind.
The next caste is the Kshatriya, who were created, as they say, from the shoulders and hands of Brahman. Their degree is not much below that of the Brahmana. After them follow the Vaishya, who were created from the thigh of Brahman.
The Shudra, who were created from his feet . . .
Between the latter two classes there is no very great distance. Much, however, as these classes differ from each other, they live together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same houses and lodgings.
Questions / Answer:
Question 1: According to Al-Biruni, which caste is considered the highest?
Answer: The Brahmana caste is considered the highest.
Question 2: What part of Brahman’s body were the Kshatriya created from?
Answer: The Kshatriya were created from the shoulders and hands of Brahman.
Question 3: From which part of Brahman were the Vaishya created?
Answer: The Vaishya were created from the thigh of Brahman.
Question 4: What part of Brahman’s body were the Shudra created from?
Answer: The Shudra were created from Brahman’s feet.
Question 5: Despite the differences between the castes, where do they live according to Al-Biruni?
Answer: Despite their differences, the castes live together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same houses and lodgings.
📚 Why NCERT Solutions for Class 11th history ✨
History is not just about learning story or writing essays—it’s about developing an appreciation for stories, poems, and ideas. 🌈 Our solutions help students understand moral lessons, improve reading comprehension, and build their vocabulary. 📖 Each chapter’s summary and answers are explained in a way that’s easy to follow, making exam preparation a breeze! 🌟
Clear Your Doubts with CBSEJanta.com 🔍
Visit CBSEJanta.com to access detailed solutions for every chapter in your Class 6 English textbook! 📚 These solutions not only help you answer questions but also enhance your overall understanding of stories and grammar concepts. 💡
Download Our App for Easy Access 📱
Want to study on the go? 🚀 Download our app for instant access to Class 6 English NCERT solutions, practice questions, and much more! Whether at home or traveling, you can easily prepare for your exams and boost your English skills with CBSEJanta.com. 🌍
Always Thinks for Students ❤️
“Excel in Class 11th history with CBSEJanta.com! 🌟 Get FREE NCERT solutions for Honeysuckle and A Pact with the Sun. Visit CBSEJanta.com now or download our app for instant access to solutions and extra practice!” 📲