Read the passage given below and complete the statements that follow:
(1) Before reviewing the specialties of Pratap, it is necessary to understand how he himself was a very special person. None of his contemporary kings had character like him or accomplished success like him. Pratap had become a patron of Indian cultural tradition by dint of his extraordinary patriotism, bravery and firmness of character. He might not have accomplished encouraging results from the point of view of political or material gains, but he made up for all his failures with significant accomplishments.
(2) Despite his failures, he grew up after so many wars and finally he achieved such a glory that he is said to be “one to be remembered in the morning” even after so many years. Analysis of the personality of such a person and evaluation of his contributions cannot be done on the basis of temporary successes or failures. His entire life should be viewed as such. Pratap was among those people who won despite their failures. Even today, his name is first among those who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
(3) Had Pratap desired so, he would have spent this life comfortably by entering into an alliance with Akbar. But he did not do it. He deliberately chose a sacrificial path for himself, his family, his subjects and nobles. Not only this, he himself became such an icon of inspiration that all his followers tolerated their travails with a smile. Come of the family members of Pratap - his brothers Shakti Singh, Sagar and Jagmal had joined hands with Akbar. But such people were negligible in number. Most of the people of hiskingdom supported himprofusely.
(4) Pratap had to spend most of his life in the mountains. Forests and caves gave him more protection to provide which his forts and palaces had failed. Pratap had shown extraordinary foresight in bringing the Bhils on a par with his own caste-men. Had the Bhils not supported him, he would not have been successful in his efforts. Pratap and his descendants honored the Bhils in all possible manners and made a figure of the Bhil a permanent feature of the royal insignia of Mewar along with that of the Rajputs.
(5) Pratap not only set up an organization to oppose the Mughal emperor but also established close contact with the neighboring kings so that they were always willing to sacrifice themselves in the struggle for independence. In this regard, there was no issue of Hindus and Muslims. Neither was this war between Hinduism and Islam. It was a conflict between imperialism and independence. Hence it is that many Muslim rulers were also with Pratap. If any of his allies drifted away due to Akbar’s fear, he would bring them back to his fold instantly. Those who supported him once, would come back even after joining hands with Akbar. Such was the fascinating personality and strength of Pratap.
(6) Leadership of Pratap in the battle of Haldighati is said to be defective. Except for that one occasion, Pratap always showed a great understanding in times of both peace and war. Pratap accomplished great success in guerilla warfare. Through it he always put his enemies in trouble and was never captured by them. It is not an ordinary feat to wage a war with Akbar, the great and keep him at bay for 12 long years. Despite a huge army and great warriors, Akbar failed to kill or capturePratap.
(7) Pratap saved himself from the urge to sacrifice his life. It is not a small matter. The prevalent Rajput tradition was to sacrifice one’s life in case of failure. But had Pratap not escaped from Haldighati alive, he would not have been revered as a great freedom fighter even after centuries. It was more important to save oneself and continue to fight instead of sacrificing one’s life in the battleground.
(8) Pratap paid attention to the administration of his kingdom and never neglected his responsibilities. The failure in Haldighati did not throw him down in the dumps. Soon he got busy in planning to launch the next attack. Even in a difficult situation, he continued to ensure the safety of his people, suppress the opponents and grant new estates to his nobles. Pratap got enough time for reconstruction and administration after the invasion of 1584-85 under the leadership of Raja Jagannath Kachhwaha.
(9) Generally, it is said that the history of Mewar would have been different if Uday Singh were not there between Rana Sanga and Pratap. The history is replete with such evaluation of “ifs” and “buts”. Indeed, it is the best way to judge any person’s contribution by reviewing the situation. It is worthwhile to consider the situation: What would have happened to Mewar, had Pratap not been there between Uday Singh and Amar Singh? And why only Mewar, what would have happened to India? Let us advance the pages of history a bit.
(10) During the fag end of his life, Pratap concentrated on reconstruction. Public life began evolving after the devastation of war. After Pratap, Amar Singh continued the process - he streamlined the division of posts among his nobles, reduced uncertainty and increased confidence among the public and gave a new form to the military organization.
a. Through his patriotism, bravery and character Pratap became _________
b. Analysis of the personality of a great man cannot be done on the basis of _________
c. Pratap’s life would have been comfortable if he .
d. Pratap’s brothers _________, _________ and __________ had joined hands with Akbar.
e. Pratap would not have been successful without the support of .
f. Pratap’s war was not between Hinduism and Islam but between ______ and .
g. In spite of the failure at Haldighati, Pratap achieved great success in ________.
h. The contemporary Rajput tradition was to in case of failure.
(i) Find words from the passage which mean the same as each of the following:
(i) filled (para 9)
(ii) focused (para 10)
a. a patron of Indian culture
b. temporary successes and failures
c. entered into an alliance with Akbar
d. Shakti Singh, Sagar and Jagmal
e. the Bhils
f. Imperialism and Independence
g. ensuring the safety of people, suppressing opponents and granting estates to nobles
h. sacrifice one’s life
(i) (i) replete
(ii) concentrated
Couldn't generate an explanation.
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