Q1 of 24 Page 1

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


More from this chapter

All 24 →
1

Read the poem given below and answer the questions that follow:

All human things are subject to decay,


And, when fate summons, monarchs must obey:


This Flecknoe, found who, like Augustus, young


Was called to empire, and had governed long:


In prose and verse was owned without dispute,


Through all the realms of Nonsense, absolute.


This aged Prince now flourishing in peace,


And blest with issue of a large increase,


Worn out with business, did at length debate


To settle the succession of the State:


And pondering which of all his sons was fit


To reign, and wage immortal war with Wit,


Cried, ‘Tis resolved; for Nature pleads that he


Should only rule who most resembles me:


Chadwell alone my perfect image bears, Mature in dullness from his tenderyears.


Chadwell alone, of all my sons, is he


Who stands confirmed in full stupidity.


The rest to some faint meaning makes pretense, But Chadwell never deviates into sense.


Come beams of Wit on other souls may fall, strike through, and make a lucid interval; But Chadwell’s genuine night admits no ray, His rising fogs prevail upon the day:


Besides, his goodly fabric fills the eye,


And seems designed for thoughtless majesty: Thoughtless as monarch oaks, that shade the plain, And, spread in solemn state, supinely reign.’


(a) Who is Flecknoe compared to? What is common between the two?


(b) What has Flecknoe decided to settle? Why?


(c) What qualities does he expect in his successor?


(d) Whom does he select and why?


(e) What is Shadwell compared to? Why?


2

(a) (i) Prepare a speech in 80 - 100 words on the topic, ‘Only hard work pays in life’.

(ii) ‘Indian Railways is one of the largest public sector enterprises in


India. The condition of our railway stations and our trains is not world class. Write an article in 80 - 100 words on ‘How can we improve our railway system’?


(b) Write a debate in 150 - 200 words either for or against the topic, ‘Heavy school bags are a physical as well as mental burden’.


OR


We believe that rivers are holy and yet we pollute them. Individuals, industry and even government agencies are responsible for this pollution. Write an article in 150 - 200 words on ‘River Pollution’.


3

The following paragraph has not been edited. There is one word missing in each line. Write the missing word along with the words that come before and after. Ensure that the word that forms your answer is underlined.











































































Word before



Missing word



Word after



Now that Ram the blue



Ram



has



the



Umbrella - a gift Bina, as



he tells everyone - he often



(ii)



asked to go out into sun,



(iii)



or the rain, and a result



(iv)



he looks much better. uses



(v)



the umbrella chase away



(vi)



pigs or goats. It always



(vii)



left open outside shop



(viii)



and anyone wants to



(ix)



borrow it have it.



(x)



3

Read the conversation given below and complete the paragraph that


follows.


Beena: Mini, where were you yesterday?


Mini: I went to see the book fair.


Beena: Why didn’t you tell me before going? I also wanted to go.


Mini: I am sorry. I did not know that.


Beena asked Mini where _______(i) . Mini replied that ____(ii) . Beena ____(iii)___ because ___(iv) _____ Mini felt sorry and said that ____(v) .