Indigo Chapter 5 Class 12 2023

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Indigo
5 —Louis Fischer
About the Author Summary

Louis Fischer (1896 – 1970) was a Jewish-American Indigo is written by Louis Fischer, who narrates
journalist. Among his works were a contribution Gandhiji’s struggle at Champaran for the poor people.
to the ex-Communist treatise The God that Failed The peasants at Champaran were sharecroppers with
(1949), Life of Mahatma Gandhi (1982), as well as the British planters. The peasants produced Indigo
Life of Lenin, which won the 1965 National Book on 15% of the land area and according to an old
Award in History and Biography. The following is an agreement, they had to give it as rent to the landlords.
excerpt from his book The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. It was around 1917, the Germans started developing
The book has been reviewed as one of the best synthetic Indigo and this mitigated the requirement
books ever written on Gandhi by Times Educational of Indigo for British planters. In order to release
supplement. the peasants from the 15 per cent old agreement,
the British landlords demanded compensation from
Theme them. Most of the illiterate peasants agreed to it
except a few. During that period, Gandhiji appeared
The leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to secure in Champaran.
justice for oppressed people through convincing He looked into the matter, stood by the side of the
argumentation and negotiation. poor peasants and fought a long battle of one year,
managing to get justice for them. This made the
Justification of the Title peasants courageous and made them aware of their
fundamental rights. Gandhiji’s work at Champaran
The title ‘Indigo’ focuses our attention on the issue of
wasn’t just confined to political or economic struggle.
exploitation of indigo sharecroppers at the hands of
He also worked on social issues like arrangements for
cruel British planters. The British compelled them
education, health and hygiene for the families of the
through a long term agreement to plant indigo on
poor peasants. He taught them lessons of self-reliance
15 per cent of their land and surrender the entire
and self-dependence.
harvest as rent. After the development of synthetic
indigo by Germany, the British planters extracted
CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL
money from the peasants as compensation for
being released from the 15 per cent agreement. Role of Rajkumar Shukla
The peasants who wanted their money back filed 1. Poor, emaciated peasant from Champaran.

civil suits. Rajkumar Shukla persuaded Gandhi to 2. Contacted Gandhi in 1916 in Lucknow.
take up the case of Indigo sharecroppers. So indigo

3. Gandhi dismissed him.

sharecropping exemplifies the injustice of the British

and the Indians’ submission to British authority. 4. Shukla came to complain about the injustice and

The Champaran movement that centred on indigo the landlord system in Bihar.
sharecropping led to social and cultural upliftment 5. Shukla followed Gandhi to Cawnpore later at

of the peasants. Thus, the title ‘Indigo’ is highly Calcutta.

suggestive and appropriate. 6. Impressed by the sharecroppers tenacity and

story Gandhi relented.

Message The Issue
The story ‘Indigo’ highlights the unequal economic 1. Arable land in Champaran divided into estates

system that existed during colonial British rule. owned by Englishmen, worked by Indian tenants.
It resulted in Indian peasants suffering, while the 2. Chief commercial crop indigo.

British planters exploited them. It also highlights 3. Tenants to plant on 15% indigo.

the importance of Gandhi’s decision to take up their 4. To surrender entire indigo as rent.

case, which exposed the unjust system. 5. Synthetic indigo in market.

257

6. Landlords force new agreements. 2. Understands the issue e.g., meets Kriplani/

7. Ask for 15% compensation. lawyers/peasants.

8. Peasants resist, widespread unrest. 3. Connects with masses.

How Gandhi reached Champaran 4. Organised e.g., civil disobedience plan.

1. Went to Muzaffarpur with Shukla. 5. Fair leader e.g. won lawyers’ support.

2. Obtained complete information. 6. Visionary e.g., improves social, cultural

3. Discussed with Kriplani. backwardness of Champaran.

4. Met lawyers, chided them, understood legal
Type-I. Refe

angle. ence o on ex
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5. Met peasants sensed unrest. Read the extracts given below and attempt the

6. Realised peasant fear-striken. questions that follow:

7. Feels he should arm them with the tool of 1. When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram

courage, fearlessness.

in Sevagram, in central India, he said, “I will tell
Role of Lawyers you how it happened that I decided to urge the
1. They represented cases in courts, collected fee. departure of the British. It was in 1917.” He had

2. Gandhi criticised them for duping/misguiding gone to the December 1916 annual convention of

the peasants. the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow.
3. They gave legal support. There were 2,301 delegates and many visitors.

4. However, they were non-committed if he was During the proceedings, Gandhi recounted, “a

arrested. peasant came up to me looking like any other
5. Gandhi appealed for justice for sharecroppers peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said,

when arrested. ‘I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran,
6. Lawyers feel guilty of desertion. and I want you to come to my district’!’’ Gandhi

7. They supported Gandhi’s Civil Disobedience had never heard of the place. It was in the

Movement. foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the
8. They helped him file grievances against landlords. kingdom of Nepal.

Steps taken by Gandhi Questions
1. Approached British landlord association. (i) Gandhi had decided to urge the departure of

2. Commissioner, cold shouldered. the British. Which episode in his life does he

3. Proceeded to Motihari, got mass support from refer to here?

peasants, continued investigation. (a) His forming the Natal Indian Congress in

4. Served official notice to leave Champaran. Africa.

5. Signed, said would disobey the order. (b) His Satyagraha Movement.

6. Served summons, Motihari black with peasants. (c) The Champaran Sharecroppers Movement.

7. Peasants demonstrate outside courtroom. (d) The Quit India Movement.

8. Officials powerless, government baffled. (ii) Who came to see Gandhi at the annual

9. Gandhi was encouraged by mass support. convention in 1916 of the Indian National

10. Court arrest, says obeying voice of conscience. Congress Party?

11. Convinces lawyers to join movement. (a) Jawaharlal Nehru

12. Continues to collect legal evidence. (b) Kriplani

13. Government forced to set up Inquiry Commission. (c) Rajkumar Shukla

14. Meeting, deadlock over compensation. (d) Rajendra Prasad

15. Agrees to 25%, landlords learned they were not (iii) What did the poor peasant want from Gandhi?

above the law, peasants got courage. (a) To go with him to Champaran.

16. Battle of Champaran won. (b) To travel with Gandhi.

Qualities of Gandhi (c) To be Gandhi’s man-servant.

1. Appreciates loyalty/commitment. (d) To help Gandhi in his work.

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(iv) What personality of Shukla impressed Gandhi Situation 1 Situation 2 Situation 3 Situation 4

that he visited Champaran with him? Tariq is Sunita The bank Harpreet
(a) Shukla was irritating. unable to cannot get a employees was stuck

(b) Shukla was very demanding. manage the job because started between

(c) Shukla was resolute. front-end she has no protesting deciding
and the experience against whether

(d) Shukla was a coward.
backend and she their to go to

(v) What picture of peasants all over the country forums at can’t receding the USA

is represented in the extract? his company have any annual or the UK
(vi) The person indicated as ‘I’ in the first line of without any experience salary for higher
support. because she and other studies.

the extract is ....
has no job. incentives.
(a) Raj Kumar Shukla

(b) Louis Fischer (a) Situation 1 (b) Situation 2

(c) Gandhiji (c) Situation 3 (d) Situation 4

(d) J.B. Kriplani (iii) Based on the given context, choose the option

Answers that exemplifies a deceitful extortion, out of
(i) (c) The Champaran Sharecroppers Movement. the examples given below.

(ii) (c) Rajkumar Shukla
1. The artisans 2. The head of the

(iii) (a) To go with him to Champaran.

demonstrated artisan union

(iv) (c) Shukla was resolute.
for their rights, pretended to address

(v) The extract reflects that the Indian peasants
peacefully, on the all the problems

are generally poor and emaciated.
streets. faced by them.
(vi) (b) Louis Fischer
3. The head of the 4. The artisans in

2. They thought he would demand repayment in

artisan union came Hafrgunj decided

full of the money which they had illegally and
with goons and took to sell their wares
deceitfully extorted from the sharecroppers.
all the assets of the directly to the
He asked only 50 per cent. “There he seemed
poor artisans. government outlets.
adamant,” writes Reverend J.Z. Hodge, a British
missionary in Champaran who observed the (a) Option 1 (b) Option 2

entire episode at close range. “Thinking probably (c) Option 3 (d) Option 4
that he would not give way, the representative of

(iv) The deadlock broke because
the planters offered to refund to the extent of 25

per cent, and to his amazement Mr. Gandhi took (a) Gandhi’s settlement offer was worth

him at his word, thus breaking the deadlock.” considering.
This settlement was adopted unanimously by (b) All commission members agreed to adopt

the commission. (CBSE) the representative’s offer.

Questions (c) Reverend J.Z. Hodge’s intervention brought

(i) Gandhi knew that he would not get an both parties together.

agreement on the demand for 50% repayment. (d) The sharecroppers refused to be convinced

Choose the option that offers the correct by the commission.

justification for the assumption made above. (v) What character of Gandhi is reflected in the

(a) He had anticipated the negotiating tactics extract?

of the planter’s representative.
(a) He was an excellent negotiator.
(b) He had been informed about the depleting

(b) He never missed the opportunity to settle

funds of the planters.

the issue.
(c) He had taken the advice of the Reverend on
(c) He was never cooperative with the British

board.

(d) He had evaluated the commission’s attitude officials.

towards Indians. (d) Both (a) and (b)

(ii) Following are four real-life situations. Choose (vi) Who does ‘they’ refer to in the first line of the

the option that perfectly describes a deadlock. extract?
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Answers (c) T h e y c o u l d n o t g e t a l o n g w i t h t h e

(i) (a) He had anticipated the negotiating tactics sharecroppers.

of the planter’s representative. (d) The sharecroppers had a lot of complaints

(ii) (b) Situation 2 about the lawyers.

(iii) (c) Option 3 (iv) Why did Gandhi think that taking these cases

(iv) (b) All commission members agreed to adopt the to court did little good?

representative’s offer. (a) These were the cases that could not be

(v) (d) Both (a) and (b) fought about.

(vi) In the first line of the extract ‘they’ refers to the (b) The lawyers found these cases too baffling.

British planters. (c) The peasants were so crushed and fear-

stricken that law courts were useless.
3. The news of Gandhi’s advent and of the
(d) The peasants were only spending money

nature of his mission spread quickly through

Muzzafarpur and to Champaran. Sharecroppers and getting no results.
from Champaran began arriving on foot and by (v) How did Gandhi react on hearing the fees

conveyance to see their champion. Muzzafarpur received from the peasants?
lawyers called on Gandhi to brief him; they (vi) How did the peasants refer to Gandhi?

frequently represented peasant groups in court; (a) Mahatma (b) Bapu

they told him about their cases and reported the (c) Gandhi ji (d) Mohandas

size of their fee. Gandhi chided the lawyers for Answers
collecting big fee from the sharecroppers. He said, (i) (d) The sharecroppers wanted to see their
‘‘I have come to the conclusion that we should

champion who would fight for them.
stop going to law courts. Taking such cases to (ii) (a) To brief him about their cases and the size
the courts does little good. Where the peasants

of their fee.
are so crushed and fear-stricken, law courts are (iii) (b) They were collecting big fees from the
useless. The real relief for them is to be free from

sharecroppers.
fear.’’
(iv) (c) The peasants were so crushed and fear-
Questions

stricken that law courts were useless.
(i) Why did sharecroppes from Champaran come (v) When Gandhi heard that the lawyers had taken

to Muzzafarpur? fees from the peasants, he chided them.
(a) Everyone wanted to see the newcomer. (vi) (a) Mahatma

(b) Gandhi was put in prison the moment he 4. Most of the arable land in the Champaran

arrived in Muzzafarpur. district was divided into large estates owned by
(c) Gandhi made a request of wanting to talk Englishmen and worked by Indian tenants. The

to the sharecroppers. chief commercial crop was indigo. The landlords
(d) The sharecroppers wanted to see their compelled all tenants to plant three twentieths

champion who would fight for them. or 15 per cent of their holdings with indigo and
(ii) Why did the Muzzafarpur lawyers think it was surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. This
was done by long-term contract. Presently, the

necessary to meet Gandhi?
(a) To brief him about their cases and the size landlords learned that Germany had developed
synthetic indigo. They, thereupon, obtained

of their fee.
agreements from the sharecroppers to pay them
(b) To welcome Gandhi into their lawyer’s club
compensation for being released from the 15 per

as he was a lawyer.
cent arrangement.
(c) To tell Gandhi about the British landlord
Questions

and the sharecropping method.
(d) To ask Gandhi what he intended to do for (i) How were the estates of Chamaparan managed?

(a) By sharecropping.

the sharecroppers.

(b) By growing indigo.
(iii) Why was Gandhi not happy with the lawyers?

(c) By the government.

(a) They were doing nothing to help the

(d) By big companies.

sharecroppers.

(b) They were collecting big fees from the (ii) How did the tenants pay their rent to the

landlords?

sharecroppers.
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(a) They paid the monthly due by cash. not a loyalty to abstractions; it was a loyalty to

(b) They gave 15% of the crop they grew to the living, human beings. In everything Gandhi did,

landlords. moreover, he tried to mould a new free Indian
(c) They grew indigo on 15% of their holdings who could stand on his own feet and thus make
India free. (CBSE)

and gave the whole indigo harvest as rent.

(d) They shared 50% of the crop with the Questions

landlord. (i) Choose the option listing the sentence that is

(iii) Why did the landlords no longer want them to the most appropriate example of an ‘act of

grow indigo? defiance’, from the following:
(a) People were no longer interested in indigo. She picked up the telephone terrified of what

(b) Germany had developed synthetic indigo. was about to come. She could hear nobody on

(c) Indigo cultivation was very difficult. the other side. Meanwhile, there was a thud

(d) Farmers all over the world started growng at the door loud enough to scare her. Curious

indigo. as she was, she wanted to open it as soon as
(iv) How did the sharecroppers get released from possible. Her mother tried to stop her several

growing indigo? times, but she went ahead, nevertheless.
(a) The landlords asked them not to grow indigo (a) She picked up the telephone terrified of

anymore. what was about to come.
(b) Settlement made between the British and (b) Meanwhile, there was a thud at the door

Gandhi.

loud enough to scare her.
(c) Excess rain started spoiling the crops. (c) Curious as she was, she wanted to open it

(d) The sharecroppers paid compensation to the

as soon as possible.

landlords.
(d) Her mother tried to stop her several times
(v) What was peculiar about the arable lands of

but she went ahead nevertheless.

Champaran?
(ii) Choose the correct option with reference to the
(a) Indigo was cultivated on the entire land.

two statements given below.

(b) Indigo was cultivated on 15% of the contract
Statement 1: His was not a loyalty to

lands.

(c) Only the small farmers were involved in the abstractions; it was a loyalty to living, human

indigo cultivation. beings.
(d) The British never allowed the tenants to Statement 2: Gandhi was a humanitarian at

cultivate indigo on the contract lands. heart.
(vi) What was unfair about the agreements obtained (a) Statement 1 is the cause of Statement 2.

by the planters from the sharecroppers? (b) Statement 2 is the effect of Statement 1.

Answers (c) S t a t e m e n t 2 c a n b e i n f e r r e d f r o m

(i) (a) By sharecropping. Statement 1.

(ii) (c) They grew indigo on 15% of their holdings (d) S t a t e m e n t 1 a n d S t a t e m e n t 2 a r e

and gave the whole indigo harvest as rent.

independent of each other.
(iii) (b) Germany had developed synthetic indigo.
(iii) The given extract DOES NOT talk about

(iv) (b) Settlement made between the British and

(a) details of the daily problems faced by

Gandhi.

human beings.
(v) (b) Indigo was cultivated on 15% of the contract
(b) efforts to relieve suffering of the common

lands.

(vi) The sharecroppers were forced to grow indigo, people.
(c) the reason for the occurrence of Champaran.

which was not fair.

5. But Champaran did not begin as an act of (d) Gandhi’s principles in the field of politics.

defiance. It grew out of an attempt to alleviate (iv) Which option showcases an example of action

the distress of large numbers of poor peasants. (A) result (R) from the passage?
This was the typical Gandhi pattern — his
(1) A = defiance (2) A = free Indians
politics were intertwined with the practical,
day-to-day problems of the millions. His was R = poor peasants R = free India
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(3) A = free India (4) A = defiance (d) He asked the landlords to come to a better

understanding with the tenants.
R = defiance R = free Indians
(ii) Who represented the peasants in the commission

(a) Option 1 (b) Option 2 which was appointed Lieutenant-Governor?

(c) Option 3 (d) Option 4 (iii) What evidence did the official inquiry bring out?

(v) Why is Champaran famous? (a) The farmers had not paid any commission

(vi) Tick the philosophy that Gandhiji did not to the landlords.

ascribe to— (b) The landlords had indeed exploited the

(a) upliftment of the poor sharecroppers.

(b) establishing schools for the illiterate masses (c) The sharecroppers did not want to be

(c) enhancing the health and hygiene released from growing indigo.

(d) using villagers to portray his power and (d) The landlords and the sharecroppers had

status

their vested interest.
Answers
(iv) How much refund did Gandhi agree to?
(i) (d) Her mother tried to stop her several times

(a) The complete 100% of the commissoin

but she went ahead nevertheless.

(ii) (c) Statement 2 can be inferred from (b) 75% of the commission

(c) 50% of the commission

Statement 1.

(iii) (a) details of the daily problems faced by human (d) 25% of the commission

beings.
(v) Gandhi represented the peasants in the inquiry

(iv) (b) Option 2 because:

(v) Champaran is famous for the first Satyagrah (a) the peasants had faith in him.

Movement in 1917. (b) he himself was a lawyer.
(vi) (d) using villagers to portray his power and

(c) he was a mass leader.

status

(d) he could speak better English.
6. Gandhi had four protracted interviews with the

(vi) Gandhiji had expected that he would be back

Lieutenant-Governor who, as a result, appointed

from Champaran in _________ .
an official commission of inquiry into the indigo
sharecroppers’ situation. The commission (a) a few days (b) two weeks

consisted of landlords, government officials, (c) a few months (d) one week

and Gandhi as the sole representative of the Answers
peasants. Gandhi remained in Champaran for (i) (a) He appointed an official commission of

an initial uninterrupted period of seven months inquiry into the indigo situation.

and then again for several shorter visits. The (ii) Gandhi alone represented that commission.

visit, undertaken casually on the entreaty of (iii) (b) The landlords had indeed exploited the

an unlettered peasant in the expectation that it sharecroppers.
would last a few days, occupied almost a year of (iv) (d) 25% of the commission

Gandhi’s life. The official inquiry assembled a (v) (a) the peasants had faith in him.

crushing mountain of evidence against the big (vi) (a) a few days

planters, and when they saw this they agreed, in
principle, to make refunds to the peasants. “But Type II. Tex -Based Ques ons
t
ti
how much must we pay?” they asked Gandhi.”
Questions I. Multiple Choice Questions

(i) What did the Governor do after four protracted 1. In the light of the following statement, pick

interviews with the Lieutenant-Governor? the option that lists characteristics of Gandhi.
(a) He appointed an official commission of “Gandhi never contented himself with large

inquiry into the indigo situation.

political or economic solutions.
(b) He assured Gandhi that he would talk to
He saw the cultural and social backwardness

the landlords.

in the Champaran villagers and wanted to do
(c) He called the landlords to have a talk with
something about it immediately.

them.

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1. pragmatic 2. obedient 10. Who received Gandhi at the Muzaffarpur

3. compassionate 4. philanthropic station?
(a) Shukla (b) J.B Kriplani

5. patient 6. dramatic

(c) Rajendra Prasad (d) Nehru

(a) 1, 3, 6 (b) 2,4,5 11. Gandhi____ the lawyers for collecting big fees

(c) 1,3,4 (b) 2,4,6 from the sharecroppers

2. Complete the statement about the form of the (a) condoned (b) rebuffed

chapter, ‘Indigo’. (c) chided (d) admired

The chapter ‘Indigo’ is _________ a Louis 12. What were the places visited by Gandhi

between his first meeting with Shukla and

Fischer book.
his arrival at Champaran?

(a) a preface to (b) the blurb for (a) Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna,

(c) the foreword of (d) an excerpt from

Muzaffarpur

3. Gandhi’s protest in Champaran is most (b) Calcutta, Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarnagar

appropriately a great model of (c) Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Gaya, Calcutta,

(a) power (b) leadership Patna, Muzaffarpur
(d) Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Patna and

(c) charity (d) sponsorship

Muzaffarnagar

4. When did Gandhiji go to Lucknow?
13. What did the peasants pay the British

(a) December 1917

landlords as rent?

(b) October 1916 (a) 25% of the crop

(c) February 1917 (b) Indigo

(d) December 1916 (c) 50% of their produce

5. What did he go to Lucknow for? (d) 10% of their indigo produce

(a) to attend the annual convention of the INC 14. What did the British landlords want from the

(b) to meet Rajendra Prasad peasants after synthetic indigo was developed?

(c) to look into the sharecropper’s problems (a) indigo as rent

(d) to go to Champaran via Lucknow (b) 15% of produce

6. What was the full name of the peasant from (c) money as compensation

(d) a new settlement

Champaran?

(a) J.B Shukla 15. What would be the impact of synthetic indigo?

(b) Rajkumar Shukla (a) prices of natural indigo would go down

(b) sharecroppers would lose their land

(c) Ramkumar Shukla

(c) british landlords would trouble them

(d) Roopkumar Shukla

further

7. In 1917, Gandhi and Shukla boarded a train
(d) demand for natural indigo would increase

in Calcutta for

16. Where is Champaran district situated?
(a) Patna (b) Ahmedabad

(a) in the south west of Orissa

(c) Cawnpore (d) Champaran

(b) in the foothills of the Himalayas in Bihar

8. Shukla led Gandhi to the house of a lawyer

(c) in the north east of Orissa

who later became the President of India. He

(d) in the south of Bihar
was

17. What did the peasants of Champaran grow?
(a) J.B Kriplani

(a) Wheat (b) Rice

(b) Rajendra Prasad

(c) Cotton (d) Indigo

(c) Zakir Hussain

18. Why was Gandhi not permitted to draw water

(d) Mahadev Desai

from Rajendra Prasad’s well?

9. Gandhi decided to go first to ____ to obtain (a) the servant thought Gandhi was another

complete information about the conditions of peasant
Champaran (b) as Rajendra Prasad was not at home

(a) Patna (b) Calcutta (c) Gandhi looked like a vagabond

(c) Muzaffarpur (d) Lucknow (d) Gandhi was a Harijan

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19. How did Gandhi begin his mission in 27. What was the beginning of liberation from fear

Champaran? of the British?
(a) he chided the lawyers (a) the people gathered in large numbers

(b) he tried to get the facts (b) the support of lawyers

(c) he met the peasants (c) gandhi’s presence

(d) he met the commissioner

(d) the prevailing laws

20. What happened when Gandhi visited the

28. The magistrate asked Gandhi to furnish bail

secretary of British landlord’s association?

for _____ minutes
(a) the secretary proceeded to bully him
(a) 30 (b) 60

(b) the secretary advised him forthwith to

(c) 90 (d) 120

leave Tirhut

(c) the secretary said that they could not give 29. Gandhi was informed by the magistrate that

the case

any information to an outsider
(d) the secretary was very helpful (a) had been dropped

21. What did the British Official commissioner (b) had been postponed

(c) was a weak one

advise Gandhi?

(a) to leave Tirhut (d) would be heard immediately

(b) to proceed to Motihari 30. Who were ready to follow Gandhi into jail?

(c) to go to the Secretary of British Landlords (a) peasants (b) lawyers

Association
(c) shukla (d) J.B. Kriplani

(d) to consult lawyers 31. How many peasants deposed?

22. After Tirhut, where did Gandhi go? (a) about a hundred (b) about a thousand

(a) Lucknow (b) Motihari (c) about ten thousand

(c) Cawnpore (d) Ahmedabad (d) about hundred thousand

23. Who accompanied Gandhi to the Capital of 32. Gandhi was summoned by ______ the Lt.

Champaran? Governor
(a) Rajendra Prasad (b) Shukla (a) Sir Edward Gait (b) Sir Henry Gait

(c) several lawyers (d) crowd of peasants (c) Sir Richard Andrews(d) Sir Freer Andrews

24. Why did Gandhi start out on the back of an 33. How many times did Gandhi meet the Lt.

Governor?

elephant?
(a) a peasant had been maltreated in a village (a) four times (b) six times

nearby (c) eight times (d) ten times

(b) he set out to meet the secretary of British 34. What amount of repayment did the big

Landlords Association planters think Gandhi would demand?
(c) he set out to meet British official (a) repayment in full

commissioner (b) double the amount

(d) he was summoned by Sir Edward Gait, the (c) fifty percent of the amount

Lt. Governor (d) no payment, just an apology

25. What did the police superintendent’s 35. What was the result of Gandhi’s meetings with

messenger serve Gandhi? the Lt. Governor?
(a) an invitation (a) the Lt. Governor rejected Gandhi’s plea

(b) an official notice (b) an official commission of inquiry was

(c) summon to appear in court appointed

(d) an arrest warrant (c) a compensation of 25% was set

26. How did Gandhi behave with the officials (d) the Lt. Governor dropped the cases against

Gandhi

outside the court?
(a) demonstrated his power (b)was firm and 36. F o r h o w l o n g d i d G a n d h i r e m a i n i n

Champaran?

resolute
(c) he said that he would disobey the order (a) seven weeks (b) three months

(c) one and a half year (d) seven months

(d) cooperated with them

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37. Gandhi asked the big planters for ___ percent 21. (a) to leave Tirhut 22. (b) Motihari

refund to the peasants. 23. (c) several lawyers
(a) 10 (b) 25

24. (a) a peasant had been maltreated in a village

(c) 50 (d) 65

nearby

38. The representative of the planters offered to 25. (b) an official notice

refund ___ percent to the peasants

26. (d) cooperated with them
(a) 5 (b) 10

27. (a) the people gathered in large numbers

(c) 20 (d) 25

28. (d) 120

39. Why did Gandhi appeal for teachers?

29. (a) had been dropped 30. (b) lawyers

(a) to remove the cultural and social

31. (c) about ten thousand

backwardness

(b) to increase the literacy standard 32. (a) Sir Edward Gait

33. (a) four times 34. (a) repayment in full

(c) he did not trust teachers of Champaran

35. (b) an official commission of inquiry was

(d) he contended himself with large political

appointed

and economic solutions
40. Who volunteered to work in Champaran? 36. (d) seven months 37. (c) 50

(a) two disciples of Gandhi and their wives 38. (d) 25

(b) Kasturba and the eldest son of Gandhi 39. (a) t o r e m o v e t h e c u l t u r a l a n d s o c i a l

(c) Mahadev Desai and his wife backwardness

(d) Narhari Prasad and his wife
40. (a) two disciples of Gandhi and their wives

41. Kasturba taught rules of ____ 41. (c) personal cleanliness

(a) basic learning (b) mathematics 42. (a) miserable

(c) personal cleanliness (d) civil disobedience 43. (b) self-reliance

42. Health conditions in Champaran were II. Short Answer Questions

(a) miserable (b) tolerable

1. Who was Rajkumar Shukla? Why did he come

(c) under control (d) fairly good

to Lucknow?

43. What lesson did Gandhi teach by opposing
Ans. Rajkumar Shukla was a poor peasant from

Andrew’s stay in Champaran?

(a) british could not be trusted Champaran district in Bihar. He had come
to Lucknow, where a Congress session was

(b) self-reliance
being held, to complain about the injustice of

(c) civil disobedience
the landlord system in Bihar.

(d) a fight should always be amongst equals
2. Where is Champaran district situated? What

Answers

did the peasants grow there? How did they use
1. (c) 1,3,4 2. (a) a preface to their harvest?

3. (d) sponsorship 4. (d) December 1916 Ans. Champaran district of Bihar is situated in the

5. (a) to attend the annual convention of the INC

foothills of the Himalayas, near the kingdom

6. (b) Rajkumar Shukla 7. (a) Patna of Nepal. Under an ancient arrangement, the

8. (b) Rajendra Prasad 9. (c) Muzaffarpur Champaran peasants were sharecroppers.

10. (b) J.B. Kriplani 11. (c) chided They had to grow indigo on 15 per cent of the

12. (a) Cawnpore, Ahmedabad, Calcutta, Patna, land and give it to the English estate owners

Muzaffarpur as rent.
13. (b) indigo 3. How did the development of synthetic indigo

14. (c) money as compensation affect the English estate owners and the

15. (a) prices of natural indigo would go down Indian tenants?

16. (b) in the foothills of the Himalayas in Bihar Ans. The English estate owners saw that indigo

17. (d) indigo cultivation was no longer profitable.They

18. (a) The servant thought Gandhi was another wanted money from the sharecroppers as

peasant compensation for being released from the
19. (b) he tried to get the facts 15 per cent arrangement. They obtained

20. (c) the secretary said that they could not give agreements from their tenants to this effect
and extorted money illegally and deceitfully.

any information to an outsider
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4. How did the Indian peasants react to the new 10. Where did Gandhiji want to go? What

agreement released them from sharecropping happened to him on the way?
arrangement? Ans. Gandhiji wanted to go to a nearby village

Ans. T h e s h a r e c r o p p i n g a r r a n g e m e n t w a s where a peasant had been maltreated. He had

troublesome to the peasants. Many of them not gone far when the police superintendent’s
signed the new agreement willingly. Some messenger overtook him and ordered him to
resisted and engaged lawyers. Then they came return to town in his carriage. Gandhiji obeyed
to know about synthetic indigo. The peasants the order and returned with him.
wanted their money back. 11. ‘In consequence, Gandhi received a summons

5. Why do you think Gandhi was not permitted to appear in the court next day.’ Which events

to draw water from Rajendra Prasad’s well at of the previous day led to this state of affairs?
Patna? Ans. The police superintendent’s messenger served

Ans. The servants of Rajendra Prasad thought an official notice on Gandhi. It ordered him to

Gandhi to be another peasant. They did not quit Champaran immediately. Gandhi signed
know him. They were not certain whether he a receipt for the notice. He wrote on the receipt
was an untouchable or not. They feared that that he would disobey the order. Hence, he was
some drops from his bucket might pollute the summoned to appear in the court.
entire well. So, he was not permitted to draw 12. What according to Gandhi was the beginning

water from the well. of the poor peasants’ ‘Liberation from fear of
6. Why did Gandhi decide to go first to the British’ ?

Muzaffarpur before going to Champaran?
Ans. The next morning the town of Motihari

Ans. Gandhi wanted to obtain more complete was black with peasants. They had heard

information about conditions than Shukla was that a Mahatma who wanted to help them
capable of imparting. Muzaffarpur lawyers, was in trouble with the authorities. They
who frequently represented peasant groups spontaneously demonstrated, in thousands,
in courts, brief Gandhi about their cases. arround the courthouse. Gandhiji called their
7. Why did Gandhi chide the lawyers? What action of protest as their liberation from fear
of the British.

according to him was the real relief for the
sharecroppers? 13. Why did Gandhiji feel that taking the

Ans. Gandhi chided the lawyers for collecting big fee Champaran case to the court was useless?

from the poor sharecroppers. He thought that Ans. Gandhiji felt that taking the Champaran case

taking such cases to the court did little good to to the court was useless. Because the real relief
the crushed and fear-stricken peasants. The for the peasants would come only when they
relief for them, according to Gandhi, was to be become fearless. The peasants were in acute
free from fear. panic.
8. How did Gandhi begin his mission in 14. What was the “conflict of duties” in which

Champaran? How far did his efforts prove Gandhi was involved?
successful? Ans. First, he did not want to set a bad example as

Ans. He began by trying to get the facts. First, he a law breaker. Second, he wanted to render

visited the secretary of the British landlord’s the “humanitarian and national service” for
association. He told Gandhi that they could give which he had come. He respected the lawful
no information to an outsider. Then Gandhi authority, but disregarded the order to leave
called on the British official commissioner of to obey the voice of his conscience.
the Tirhut Division. The commissioner tried to 15. What according to Rajendra Prasad, was the

bully Gandhi and advised him to leave Tirhut. upshot of the consultations of the lawyers
9. How did Gandhi react to the commissioner’s regarding the injustice to sharecroppers?

advice? Where did he go and how did people Ans. They thought that Gandhi was a total stranger.

react to his arrival? Yet he was ready to go to prison for the sake of
Ans. Gandhiji did not leave Tirhut division. the peasants. On the other hand, the lawyers

Instead, he went to Motihari, the capital of were the residents of nearby districts. They
Champaran. Several lawyers accompanied also claimed to have served these peasants. It
him. At the railway station, a very large crowd would be shameful desertion if they should go
of people greeted Gandhi. home then.
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16. “Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first 21. Why did the big planters agree in principle to

time in modern India.” How? make refund to the peasants?
Ans. A case against Gandhi was initiated for Ans. The official inquiry assembled a huge quantity

disregarding government orders. The of evidence against the big planters. The
spontaneous demonstration of thousands crushing evidence forced the big planters
of peasants baffled the officials. The judge to agree in principle to make refund to the
was requested to postpone the trial. Gandhi peasants.
refused to furnish bail. The judge released 22. What amount of repayment did the big

him without bail. Several days later Gandhi planters think Gandhi would demand? What
received an official letter. The case against him did Gandhi ask? What amount was finally
had been dropped. Thus, civil disobedience had settled?
triumphed. Ans. They thought Gandhi would demand

17. What do you think, led Gandhi to exclaim “The repayment in full of the money they had
extorted from the sharecroppers. Gandhi

battle of Champaran is won”?
Ans. Gandhi was ready to go to jail fighting against asked only 50 per cent. The planters offered to
refund up to 25 per cent. Gandhi was adamant

the injustice to the sharecroppers. Many
on 50 per cent. The deadlock was broken when
prominent lawyers had come from all over
Gandhi agreed to a settlement of 25 per cent
Bihar to advise and help him. At first, they
refund to peasants.
said they would go back if Gandhi went to
prison. Later, they had consultations. They 23. How did the refund-settlement influence the

told Gandhi they were ready to follow him peasant-landlord relationship in Champaran?
into jail. This support made Gandhi extremely Ans. Before the settlement of the refund, the

happy and confident. This confidence led planters had behaved as lords above the law.
him to exclaim that the battle of Champaran Now the peasant saw that he had rights and
was won. defenders. He learned courage. Within a few
years, the British planters abandoned their
18. How did Gandhi and the lawyers try to secure
estates. The peasants became masters of the

justice for the sharecroppers?
land. There were no sharecropers now.
Ans. They started conducting a detailed enquiry
24. Which other spheres besides political or

into the grievances of the peasants.

economic fields received Gandhi’s attention
Depositions by about ten thousand peasants during his long stay in Champaran?
were written down. Notes were made on other
Ans. The cultural and social backwardness of the
evidence. Documents were collected. The

Champaran areas pained Gandhi. He appealed
whole area came alive with the activities of
for teachers. Several persons responded to
the investigators. The landlords raised loud
his call. Primary schools were opened in six
protests.
villages. Kasturba taught the ashram rules
19. What was the reaction of Gandhi and his on personal cleanliness and community

associates when he was summoned to the sanitation. With the help of a doctor and three
lieutenant governor? medicines, they tried to fight the miserable
Ans. In June, Gandhiji was summoned to Sir health conditions.

Edward Gait, the Lieutenant Governor. 25. “This was typical Gandhi pattern” observes

Anything could happen. Gandhi met his Louis Fischer. What do you learn about
leading associates before going. Detailed plans Gandhian politics from the extract ‘Indigo’?
for civil disobedience were chalked out in case Ans. Gandhi’s politics was intermixed with the
he should not return.

practical, everyday life of the millions of
20. What was the outcome of the four protracted Indians. This was not a loyalty to abstractions.

interviews Gandhiji had with the Lieutenant It was a loyalty to living human beings. In
Governor? everything Gandhi did, he tried to mould a
Ans. An official commission of enquiry into the new free Indian who could stand on his own
feet and thus make India free.

sharecroppers’ situation was appointed. This
commission consisted of landlords, government 26. Why was Gandhiji opposed to C.F. Andrews

officials and Gandhi as the sole representative helping him in Champaran?

of the peasants. Ans. During the Champaran action, Gandhi’s

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lawyer friends thought it would be good if C.F. Ans. One of the reasons was his accessibility.

Andrews stayed on in Champaran and helped Anyone and everyone could meet him at
them. Gandhi opposed this idea as it showed any time with their problem. Secondly, he
the weakness of their heart. Their cause was genuinely cared about solving their problems
just and they must rely upon themselves and patiently heard them out and recorded
to win this unequal fight. They should not their evidence. He proved his commitment
seek the support of Mr Andrews because he to their cause by spending almost a year
happened to be an Englishman. with them till he solved the problem. He was
27. The peasants were themselves the most crucial selfless, dressed like them, lived in their hut

agents in the success of the Champaran Civil with them and put himself first in facing the
Disobedience. Expand anger of the Britishers, willing to go to person,
Ans. It is a fact that the people responsible for the if required for their cause.

success of the Champaran Civil Disobedience III. Long Answer Questions
were the peasants themselves. If they had

not overcome their fear of the Britishers and 1. Why did Gandhiji consider freedom from fear

come out in such large numbers outsides the more important than legal justice for the poor
Motihari Court, they would not have been peasants of Champaran?

able to intimidate and overwhelm the British Or

rulers. What solution to the problems of the poor did

28. Gandhi makes it clear that money and finance Gandhi suggest? How far did the Champaran

are a secondary aspect of the struggle in movement help in this direction?
Champaran. Comment on aspect that you Ans. The sharecropper peasants had to grow indigo

think was most important for Gandhi. on 15 per cent of their holdings and surrender
Ans. For Gandhiji it was more important to show the indigo harvest as rent to the landlord.

the peasant that the Britishers were not above When Germany developed synthetic indigo,
the law. He wanted them to overcome their the British planters started extracting money
fear for the court and to break the image in illegally and deceitfully as compensation from
the minds for the peasants that the Britishers the peasants for being released from the 15 per
were infallible and could not be touched. cent arrangement. The peasants were made
Moreover their agreeing to surrender 25% of to sign new agreements and pay money. The
the compensation amount was a boost tot he planters behaved as lords above the law. Many
peasants because with the money the English peasants engaged lawyers at hefty fees and
were forced to surrender a part of their went to courts.
prestige. The Muzaffarpur lawyers briefed Gandhi

29. Gandhi was a lawyer himself. Examine about the peasants for whom they frequently

how his professional expertise helped in represented in courts. Gandhi realised that
Champaran. these peasants were badly crushed and
Ans. Gandhiji’s training as a lawyer was great help fear-stricken. Freedom from fear was more
important than legal justice for them. Gandhiji

towards the resolutions of the Champaran
issue. He knew that a case can be won in was ready to court arrest for them. Thousands
the court only if they had hardcore evidence of peasants demonstrated spontaneously
against the English and so out his arrival at around the court. The government had to
Muzzafarpur and later at Champaran. He release Gandhi without bail. This voluntary
spent all his time in collecting evidence and uprising of the peasants marked the beginning
investigating the cases of harassments of the of their liberation from the fear of the British.
peasants by the landlords. Therefore he was 2. Why was Gandhi summoned to appear in the

able to collect more than 10,000 depositions court? How did he gain his liberty?
and this mounting evidence against the Or

landlords forced them to acknowledge ‘Civil disobedience had triumphed, the first
their wrong doings and agree to pay some

time in modern India.’ Relate the events
compensation amount to the peasants. during Gandhi’s stay in Champaran that led
30. Explain the possible reasons for Gandhi’s to the triumph.

quick popularity among the peasants of Ans. Gandhi had reached Motihari, the Capital
Champaran.

of Champaran, to study the problems of the
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sharecropper peasants. He was on his way to peasants. The official inquiry assembled huge
a neighbouring village, where a peasant was quantity of evidence against the big planters.
ill-treated. On the way, he was stopped by They agreed, in principle, to make refunds to
the police superintendent’s messenger and the peasants. After consultation, a settlement
ordered to return to town. When he reached of 25 per cent refund to the farmers was
home, he was served with an official notice to agreed on. This was a moral victory of the
quit Champaran at once. Gandhi wrote on the peasants. They recognised their rights and
receipt that he would disobey the order. So learned courage.
Gandhi received a summons to appear in the Within a few years the British planters gave

court the next day. up their estates. These now went back to the
Next morning the town of Motihari was peasants. They became the masters of land.

black with peasants. Thousands of peasants Thus, indigo sharecropping disappeared.
demonstrated voluntarily outside the court. 4. How did Gandhi work for rural uplift during

The prosecutor requested the judge to postpone his stay in Champaran?
the trial. Gandhi protested against the delay. Ans. Gandhi wanted to do something to remove
He read out a statement pleading guilty. He

the cultural and social backwardness in
asked the penalty. The judge announced that Champaran villages. He appealed for teachers.
he would pronounce the sentence after a two- Two young disciples of Gandhi, Mahadev
hour recess. He asked Gandhi to furnish bail Desai and Narhari Parikh and their wives
for that period. Gandhi refused. The judge volunteered themselves for work. Several
released him without bail. After the recess, others responded from distant parts of the
the judge said that he would not deliver the country. Mrs. Kasturba Gandhi and Devdas,
judgement for several days. Meanwhile he Gandhi’s youngest son, arrived from the
allowed Gandhi to remain at liberty. Ashram. Primary schools were opened in
Several days later Gandhi received a letter. six villages. Kasturba taught the ashram

The case against him had been dropped. Thus, rules on personal cleanliness and community
civil disobedience had triumphed, for the first cleanliness. She also talked to women about
time in India. their filthy clothes.
3. Give an account of Gandhi’s efforts to secure Health conditions were miserable. Gandhi

justice for the poor indigo sharecroppers of got a doctor to volunteer his services for six
Champaran. months. Only three medicines were available:
Or Castor oil, quinine and sulphur ointment.
Anyone who showed a coated tongue was given

“Indigo sharecropping disappeared.” Which
a dose of castor oil; anybody with malaria fever

factors do you think, helped to achieve freedom
for the fear-stricken peasants of Champaran? received quinine plus castor oil; anybody with
skin eruptions received ointment plus caster
Ans. Gandhi went to Champaran on receiving oil.

reports of exploitation of the poor sharecropper
Thus, Gandhi never contented himself with
peasants at the hands of British planters. He

large political or economic solutions. He
began by trying to get the facts. The British
worked for total uplift of villages and the poor
landlords as well as the Commissioner of
sections of the society.
Tirhut were non-cooperative. Lawyers from
Muzaffarpur briefed him about the court cases 5. ‘Self-reliance, Indian independence and help

of these peasants. to sharecroppers were all bound together.’
Elucidate on the basis of reading ‘Indigo’ by
Gandhi and the lawyers collected depositions
Louis Fischer.

by about ten thousand peasants. Notes were
made on other evidence. Documents were Or

collected. The whole area throbbed with the ‘The Champaran episode was a turning-point

activities of the investigators and forceful in Gandhi’s life. Explain with examples from
protests of landlords. ‘Indigo’ by Louis Fischer.
The lieutenant governor summoned Gandhi. Ans. Gandhi stayed in Champaran for a long time.

The Champaran episode was a turning point

After four protracted interviews an official
commission of inquiry was appointed to look in his life. It was during this struggle in
into the indigo sharecroppers’ condition. 1917 that he decided to urge the departure of
Gandhi was the sole representative of the the British.

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Champaran episode did not begin as an act of secure justice for oppressed people through

defiance. It grew out of an attempt to make the convincing argumentation and negotiation.
sufferings of large numbers of poor peasants Gandhi had a magnetic attraction and great
less severe. Gandhi concentrated on their persuasive power. He could draw people of all
practical day to day problems. He analysed classes to himself and make them partners in
the root cause of the problem–fear, and tried the freedom movement. Even ordinary people
to eradicate it. The voluntary demonstration of were inspired to make contribution to the
the poor peasants against the government for freedom movement.
putting Gandhi in trouble was the beginning Gandhi emerges as a champion of the
of the end of their fear of the British.

downtrodden and the oppressed. Rural uplift
In everything Gandhi did, he tried to mould a was his favourite programme. His knowledge

new free Indian who could stand on his own of legal procedure and respect for law is
feet and thus make India free. He taught his also highlighted. He does not want to be a
lawyer friends a lesson in self-reliance by lawbreaker. At the same time he wants to
opposing the involvement of C.F. Andrews, render the humanitarian and national service
an Englishman in their unequal fight. His in obedience to the higher law of our being, the
help would be a prop. This would reflect their voice of conscience. He also appears as a polite
weakness. Their cause was just and they must and friendly person. Gandhi’s ability to read
rely on themselves to win the battle. Thus the minds of others made them speechless. He
self-reliance, Indian independence and help believed in self-reliance, just cause and purity
to sharecroppers were all bound together. of means to achieve India’s Independence.
6. Justify the appropriateness of the title ‘Indigo’ 8. Why is the Champaran episode considered

Give reason to support your answer. to be the beginning of the Indian struggle for
Ans. The title ‘Indigo’ is quite appropriate, to the Independence?

point and suggestive. It at once focuses our Ans. The Champaran episode began as an attempt

attention on the central issue–the exploitation to ease the sufferings of a large number of
of the indigo sharecropper peasants at the peasants. He got spontaneous support of
hands of cruel British planters. They compelled thousands of people. Gandhi declared that
them through a long term agreement to raise the British could not order him about in
indigo on 15 per cent of their landholding and his own country. Under his leadership, the
surrender the entire indigo harvest as rent. peasants became aware of their rights. Raj
After the development of synthetic indigo Kumar Shukla, a farmer of Champaran

by Germany, the British planters extracted helped him a lot in bringing about the change.
money from the peasants as compensation for Other peasants too fought courageously and
being released from the 15 per cent agreement. contributed in their own way to the movement.
The peasants who wanted their money back It resulted in their winning the battle of
had filed civil suits. The planters who behaved Champaran. The effects of Gandhi’s method of
as lords above the law and were dreaded by non-violence and non-cooperation proved very
the poor were obliged to surrender part of fruitful in this movement. Hence, it can be said
money and with it part of their prestige. that the Champaran episode is the beginning
The extract also points out the work done of the Indian struggle for independence.

by Gandhi and his associates to improve the 9. Patriotism is in political life what faith is in

economic, political, cultural and social life of religion. John F Kennedy said, “Ask not what
the indigo sharecroppers. Their education, your country can do for you, ask what you
health and hygiene also received due can do for your country”. Those who sacrifice
attention. The plight of indigo sharecroppers, their comfort for the welfare of the state get
their struggle under Gandhi’s leadership and recognition. Write an article on the topic
ultimate victory when Indigo sharecropping ‘Patriotism’. You can take ideas from the
disappeared from important landmarks. Thus, following hints:
the title ‘Indigo’ is highly suggestive and apt. “They thought, amongst themselves, that

7. What impression do you form about Gandhi Gandhi was totally a stranger, and yet he

on reading the chapter ‘Indigo’ ? was prepared to go to prison for the sake of

Ans. The chapter ‘Indigo’ pays a tribute to the the peasants; if they, on the other hand, being
not only residents of the adjoining districts

leadership shown by Mahatma Gandhi to
270 English Cor -X
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but also those who claimed to have served youngsters are misguided by the friends to
these peasants, should go home, it would be multiply their benefits within a short span
shameful desertion.” of time. One should always remember that
Ans. Patriotism corruption starts from the top. If the head of

Breathes there the man with soul so dead, the family is corrupt, the other members will
also imitate his actions. Our politicians and

who never to himself hath said,
bureaucrats are corrupt and unscrupulous.

this is my own native land!
They don’t have any moral authority. Such

—Scott corrupt politicians and bureaucrats should

Patriotism implies love for one’s nation. A be punished and the honest persons should

patriot is ready to sacrifice his comfort for the be rewarded if we intend to create a congenial
service of his nation. It was for his country’s atmosphere in our country. The system of
sake that Sardar Bhagat Singh kissed the justice is outdated and obsolete. It is said that
gallows. It was for the love for their land ‘justice delayed is justice denied’. People do not
that Shivaji, Rana Pratap and Guru Govind get justice in the court of law. If corruption is
Singh suffered untold hardships. True patriots not checked, the poor will be exploited without
respect other nations and religions but don’t any inhibition.
allow anyone to insult their nation. A great 11. Obstacles determine the quality of life.
philosopher said, “It is not gold that makes a

Hermits feel convinced that ‘sweet are the
nation great. It is the sacrifice and martyrdom uses of adversity’. Problems are opportunities.
of patriots that raises a nation to the heights Elucidate the saying taking ideas from the
of glory.” India is a land where patriots are given lines:
in abundance. It got its freedom only because

of the efforts of its patriots. Patriotism is a “Events justified Gandhi’s position. Within a

religion and an ideal. It is an ideology that few years the British planters abandoned their
guides the people of a nation. It is a feeling estates, which reverted to the peasants. Indigo
and a bond that unites the people of various sharecropping disappeared.”
sects, beliefs and backgrounds together. A Ans. Sweet are the Uses of Adversity

patriot must not be narrow minded. He should The Bible proclaims that ‘Man is born unto

develop an international progressive outlook. trouble, as the sparks fly upward’. Adversity
It would be pertinent to quote the words of is the first path that leads towards the truth.
Seneca here, “No one loves his country for its Emerson opines that ‘every calamity is a spur
size or eminence, but because it is his own.” and valuable hint’. But one cannot forget the
10. Undoubtedly, only a socially just country truth that ‘there is no wind that always blows
a storm’. Problems are only opportunities

has the right to exist. In the modern world
justice is a concept. Muscle is the reality. in work clothes. Every individual aspires
Corruption has become the way of the world. to attain phenomenal success in this era of
The destitute are exploited ruthlessly. People consumerism. No one can refuse to accept the
feel that ‘to make a living, craftiness is better fact that material pleasures and prosperity
than learnedness’. Write an article on the topic bring happiness. But one cannot dare to ignore
mentioned above taking ideas from the given the significance of trying circumstances. One
lines: wishes to be away from the situations which
“Gandhi protested against the delay. He can be troublesome and irksome. But one must
not despair in those situations and should face

read a statement pleading guilty… when the
court reconvened, the judge said he would not the music of life. Prosperity makes a person
deliver the judgement for several days.” lazy and ease loving. Adversity, on the other
Ans. Corruption in Contemporary India hand, though trying and full of hardships,
has a chastening effect. One’s character and

Corruption has engulfed all the educated,
personality become dynamic and vibrant if one

skilled and semi-skilled workers. Corruption
fights bravely against the odd circumstances.
means dishonesty and illegal behavior
It will not be wrong if we say that “as gold
especially of the people in authority. A person
shines in fire, man shines in adversity’.
resorts to corruption because of his poverty,
lack of moral strength and other psychological “If you are distressed by anything

and financial problems. Moreover, the path external, the pain is not due to

of righteousness is full of thorns. Some of the the thing itself, but to your own

n igo 271
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estimate of it; and this you have them the path to becoming responsible world

the power to revoke at any moment” leaders. Based on your understanding of

—Marcus Aurelius Gandhi’s own leadership skills, write a speech,
as Gandhi, addressing the students about

12. Education sets the tone of a nation. Joseph
the qualities that every leader and politician

Addison has rightly said, “What sculpture to
a block of marble, education is to the soul”. should nurture.
But the quality of education is deteriorating Dear students, you are all leaders of social

gradually. Discuss the defects of our education change. I see many bright and enthusiastic
system in your own words. Do remember the faces that assure me that our future is in good
following expressions: hands. I have learnt from my own experience...
“Gandhi never contented himself with large (continue).........

political or economic solutions. He saw the Ans. Leadership is all about serving those who

cultural and social backwardness in the need you, trust you and have faith in you. A
Champaran villages… He appealed for true leader always leads by example. Before
teachers.” expecting others to do something the leader
Ans. Defects of our Education System has to do it first. Leadership is not about

“Education is the ability to listen to almost power but about alleviating the sorrows, the
problems and the suffering of those who are

anything without losing your temper or your
self-confidence’’. Education does not mean marginalized by society. Those who have no
teaching people to know what they do not power, the poor’s the downtrodden, those who
know; it means teaching them to behave as need support. And most importantly all this
they do not behave, says John Ruskin. The has to be done without expectation of any kind.
prime objective of our education system is to No expectation of being recognized and lauded
develop a child’s over all personality. It should for deeds. Every effort should be directed
train not only the mind, but also the body and towards lessening the hardships of those who
soul. Unfortunately, our present education have no one to turn to. Following different
system fails to achieve these objectives. The schools of thought, philosophies do not have
present education system does not make a a place here. Loyalty to abstract ideas to be
child creative. It makes him a crammer. A replaced by loyalty to living human beings.
child/pupil has to mug up nearly 200-300 14. Let us assume it was Rajendra Prasad who
pages a year to pass his examination. Students

informed Charles Freer Andrews of Gandhi’s
are not given any practical training. They decision and the reasons for other leaders’
never go to laboratories to verify the theories. support of him. Thinking creatively of how
Moreover, the present admission system Andrews would have responded and pen down
has become the laughing stock of society. the discussion you think would have taken
The school authorities have a provision for place Rajendra Prasad and Andrews.
those tiny tots who seek admission to pre-
Ans. Dr. Prasad: Dear Charles, I want to convey
nursery. This is the height of absurdity.

to you Gandhiji decision of not including you
We need not the people who can only read
in the fight against the British rulers. He is
and write. Our nation requires engineers,
scientists, technicians and doctors. Vocational truly appreciative of your offer to stand by the
education is the need of the hour but not at Indians, but he feels it will be unfair to use you
the cost of values. An educated man should as the prop our fight against the unjust British
not have only bookish knowledge. He must laws. He feels including you would mean that
have the knowledge of practical things. Maria we do not have faith in this fight and feel that
Montessori conceived that ‘The first idea that our fight is not a righteous one. He wants us
the child must acquire in order to be actively to have faith in our abilities and become self-
disciplined is that of the difference between reliant. He wants very Indian to connect to
good and evil; and the task of the educator the inner strength, courage and power that
lies in seeing that the child does not confound lies within them and become courageous and
good with immobility, and evil with activity’. fearless of the British might. In his opinion
13. Imagine Gandhi were to deliver a speech that is the only why we can get freedom from

to students in present day India showing this oppression.
272 English Cor -X

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Poets and Pancakes

6 ——Asokamitran
About the Author

Ashokmitran was born in Secunderabad on 22 Summary
September 1931. He spent the first twenty years
The story “Poets and Pancakes” is a passage
of his life there. His real name was Jagadisa
from Asokamitran’s book “My Years with Boss”.
Thyagarajan. He moved to Chennai in 1952 after the
Asokamitran talks about his days at the Gemini
death of his father. His father’s friend, S.S. Vasan Studio. The Gemini Studios produced many films,
who was a film director and the owner of Gemini which impacted the aspect of Indian life. Here,
Studios, invited him to work at Studios. He worked Asokamitran talks about a trendy make-up brand
for more than a decade at the Gemini Studios. named Pancake. This material was bought and
used in the studio. He also names the few actresses
Theme who used the brand. The Gemini Studios used the
An account of the events and personalities in a film Pancake brand excessively and ordered truckloads
company in the early days of Indian cinema. of their commodities.
He talks about the office boy whose task was to slap

Justification of the Title paint onto the faces of the players at the time of
crowd-shooting. He states that the office boy once
Gemini studio has some great poets like SDS
yearned to be a director, actor, screenwriter, or
Yogiar, Sangue Subramanyam, Harindranath
lyricist. However, he blamed his disgrace on Subbu.
Chattopadhyaya. They were insignificant poets but

In those days, the author worked inside a cubicle

thought themselves as they are excellent. They were
and had the job of gathering newspaper cuttings
not talented but wasted lots of money of Vasan.
which, according to others, was unimportant. Thus,
Gemini studio also was the most influential film the office boy would come to bother him with his
producing organization of India, where over 600 complaints. The office boy was probably jealous of
staff worked, the Gemini Studios made movie Subbu’s growth. Subbu was very close to his boss.
for Tamilnadu and other southern Indian states. When the boss had any problem in doing a scene in a
Pancakes was the make-up material that Gemini film, Subbu could recommend several practical ideas.
studios bought in truck-loads. So the title ‘Poets and As Subbu was Brahmin, the author thought he had
Pancakes’ is apt and appropriate. the upper hand. Though Subbu was always beside his
boss, he was also a member of the story department.
Message Besides poets and writers in the story department,
The message of the lesson is simple and straight. there existed a lawyer too. Formally he was known
Everyone should be dedicated to their profession as a legal adviser. However, people called him the
irrespective of caste, colour or creed. This is what opposite of it. Once the legal adviser unconsciously
happened in Gemini studios where the artists were destroyed the career of a talented actress.
always busy in their own assignment how small or big In the story of Poet and Pancakes, the narrator talks
position they had. They had no political association or about another guest who visited Gemini Studios.
inclination, they were rather united with a common He was an Englishman. Some thought him to be a
goal of making movies. Moreover, when MRA tried poet or an editor. The Boss, Mr. Vasan, greeted the

to influence about communism it failed to produce Englishman. He read out a long speech expressing
effects on the artists, so one unity counts at every freedom and democracy. Then the Englishman
step. conversed. His accent baffled everyone. They could
273

not understand the purpose of his visit, and it had the ability to look cheerful at all times, could
remained a mystery. be ‘inspired when commanded’, was tailor-made for

Years later, when the writer left the Gemini studios, films, had a separate identity as a poet and actor, had
he did not have much money but had much free time. a genuine love for bothers, was charitable, always
So, discounted goods on sale interested him. Once the seen with the Boss, attached to Story.
writer came across a book that had six essays written Department. Story Department – assembly of poets
and writers wore khadi.
by six famous men who wrote about communalism.
A lawyer(legal adviser) – referred to as ‘the opposite’-
The authors of the book were Richard Wright, Louis

caused the end of a brief and the brilliant career
Fischer, and Stephen Spender. As the writer read
of a talented actress, looked ‘alone and helpless’, a
Stephen’s name, it reminded him of the days when man of cold logic in a crowd of dreamers, close to the
Spenders visited Gemini Studios. Boss, wore pants, coat and a tie, attached to Story

Finally, in the summary of Poets and Pancakes, we Department, lost his job when the Story Department
can see the notions of the film industry, particularly was closed down.
in India. Gemini studios –a favourite haunt of poets, an

Talking about Indian cinema, we receive a lot of excellent mess which supplied good coffee, Congress
films every year but the success of a movie solely rule meant prohibition, almost everyone radiated
depends upon the other people working backstage. leisure, wore Khadi and worshipped Gandhi, averse
If these people are not there, then it is not even to Communism.
possible for us to have good films. India has films in Visit of MRA (a kind of counter-movement to
International Communism) in 1952- presented two
multiple languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Telugu,

plays ‘The Forgotten Factor’ and ‘Jotham Valley’ in
Kennedy, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, and so on. The Indian
a professional manner impressed Madras and Tamil
film industry is a global enterprise. Indian movies drama community.
are famous all around the world and people love to Another visitor – a poet from England, tall man,
watch them.

very English, addressed ‘a more dazed and silent
audience’, visit remained an unexplained mystery,
CHAPTER IN A NUTSHELL staff did not know whether he was a poet or an editor.
The Gemini studio was located in Madras (Chennai). Author’s conviction about prose-writers –‘prose

The writer recounts his years in the company. writing is for the patient, persistent, persevering
The make-up department was in the upstairs of drudge’, short story contest by a British periodical
a building that was believed to have been Robert ‘The Encounter’-found in the British Council Library
Clive’s stables. almost untouched by readers’, discovered Stephen
Pancake was the brand name of the make-up Spender was the editor.
material used by the artists in Gemini Studios. The author bought ‘The God That Failed’ years later

The make-up room had the look of a hair -cutting –six essays describing the disillusionment of six
salon with incandescent lights at all angles around eminent men of letters with Communism, Stephen
half a dozen large mirrors, the writer speaks about Spender one among them, the author suddenly
the ‘fiery misery’ ‘of those subjected to make-up. realized the relevance of his visit to Gemini studios.
There was a great deal of ‘national integration’ in the
Type I. Refe ence o on ex
department and a strict hierarchy was maintained
r
t
C
t
t
there. Read the extracts given below and attempt the
The players who played the crowd were the questions that follow:
responsibility of the ‘office boy’ in his early forties, a 1. The make-up room had the look of a hair-cutting

frustrated person, who turned all his anger towards salon with lights at all angles around half a
Kothamanagalam Subbu. dozen large mirrors. They were all incandescent
The author’s job was to cut out newspaper clippings lights, so you can imagine the fiery misery
and store them in files. of those subjected to make-up. The make-up
Most people including the ‘boy’ thought author was department was first headed by a Bengali who
doing ‘next to nothing’. became too big for a studio and left. He was
S S Vasan (Editor of Tamil weekly ‘Ananada succeeded by a Maharashtrian who was assisted
Vikatan’) was the owner of the Studios. by a Dharwar Kannadiga, an Andhra, a Madras
Subbu was the No.2. at Gemini Studios – a Brahmin, Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and the

274 English Cor -X
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usual local Tamils. All this shows that there was (vi) The Bengali make-up man left because

a great deal of national integration long before (a) the weather troubled him

A.I.R. and Doordarshan began broadcasting (b) he became too proud of his fame
programmes on national integration. This gang

(c) he became too fat
of nationally integrated make-up men could turn

(d) he became too tall
any decent-looking person into a hideous crimson

Answers
hued monster with the help of truck-loads of
pancake and a number of other locally made (i) (c) It had lights at all angles and half a dozen

potions and lotions. large mirrors.
Questions (ii) The lights were all incandescent lights and the

(i) How did the make-up room get the look of a heat they produced was terrible.

(iii) (c) The staff consisted of a Bengali, a

hair-cutting salon?

(a) A lot of hair-cutting was going on in the Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras
Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and

make-up room.
(b) Most of the make-up men were barbers and Tamils.

slowly they gave it a look of a salon. (iv) (b) It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up

(c) It had lights at all angles and half a dozen was needed to look good in the movies.

large mirrors. (v) (b) In the Gemini Studio

(d) People came to the make-up room to get (vi) (b) he became too proud of his fame

their hair cut and trimmed.
2. This man of the make-up department was
(ii) How did those subjected to make-up suffer a

convinced that all his woes, ignominy and neglect

fiery misery? were due to Kothamangalam Subbu. Subbu was
(iii) Why was there national integration long the No. 2 at Gemini Studios. He couldn’t have

before A.I.R and Doordarshan in the make-up had a more encouraging opening in films than
department? our grown-up make-up boy had. On the contrary
(a) Make-up of different states were practised he must have had to face more uncertain and

here. difficult times, for when he began his career,
(b) They did make up for actors and actresses there were no firmly established film producing

from different states companies or studios. Even in the matter of
(c) The staff consisted of a Bengali, a education, specially formal education, Subbu

Maharashtrian and an Andhra, a Madras couldn’t have had an appreciable lead over our
Indian Christian, an Anglo-Burmese and boy. But by virtue of being born a Brahmin — a
Tamils. virtue, indeed!— he must have had exposure to
(d) The staff studied the various types of make- more affluent situations and people. He had the

up from different states and applied them ability to look cheerful at all times even after
on the actors. having had a hand in a flop film. He always had
(iv) Why did the make up men make the actors look work for somebody — he could never do things

like hideous crimson hued monsters? on his own— but his sense of loyalty made him
(a) They had a lot of make-up potions and identify himself with his principal completely

lotions and wanted to use them.

and turn his entire creativity to his principal’s
(b) It was indoor shooting and heavy make-up advantage.

was needed to look good in the movies.
Questions
(c) They loved putting on make-up and
(i) What was the office boy from the make-up

plastered it on their faces.

(d) They thought they were looking very department convinced of Subbu?

beautiful and presentable with it, so they (ii) What is the appreciable lead that Subbu had

applied more and more. over the make-up department office boy?
(v) Where was the make-up room located? (a) He had a more encouraging opening in films.

(a) In Chennai (b) He did not have to face uncertainties and

(b) In the Gemini Studio difficult times like the office boy.

(c) In Mumbai (c) He was better educated than the office boy.

(d) In Andhra Pradesh (d) He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin.

Po ts an Pan ak s 275
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c
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(iii) What was unique about Subbu? Questions

(a) He always had a frown on his forehead. (i) Why were Moral Re-Armament army not good on

(b) He looked cheerful all times even if he had the trapeze?

a hand in flop film. (a) While doing their act on the trapeze they

(c) He was always cutting papers and sticking kept falling down.

them in a file. (b) The trapeze was not tied properly and thus

(d) He did not have a single good word to say they could not perform well.

to anyone. (c) They were not a circus group, they were a

(iv) How did Subbu work at Gemini Studios? theatre group.

(a) All his creativity was towards his principal’s (d) Their idea was to make people laugh while

advantage. performing so they kept falling down.
(b) He was seen lazing around doing nothing (ii) What was admirable about the theatre plays of

for hours.

Moral Re-armament army?
(c) He set himself up to supervise the office boy
(iii) What did the Tamil plays copy from the MRA?

of the make-up department.

(d) He was a story writer and was always (iv) Why did the big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan

simply play into the hands of the M.R.A.?

writing new scripts.
(v) What does the expression ‘Subbu was the No. (a) They were international and represented

many nations.

2 at the Gemini studios’, mean?
(b) They put up plays which the big bosses of
(vi) Subbu was ‘tailor-made’ for film because of his

Madras highly appreciated.

(a) creativity and resourcefulness
(c) They were a kind of counter-movement to

(b) cheerful personality

international communism.

(c) loyalty to his principal
(d) They were the best comedy theatre roaming

(d) involvement with all parts of film-making

round the whole world.

Answers
(i) He was convinced that all his woes, ignominy (v) ‘Simple homilies‘ means ........

(a) stories about homes

and neglect was due to Subbu.

(ii) (d) He had the virtue of being born a Brahmin. (b) a tedious moralizing lecture

(c) an exciting story

(iii) (b) He looked cheerful all times even if he had

(d) a horror story

a hand in flop film.

(iv) (a) All his creativity was towards his principal’s (vi) The tone of the writer in these lines is....

advantage. (a) ironical (b) humorous

(v) It means that Subbu was the 2nd important (c) sad (d) cheerful

person in the studio. Answers
(vi) (a) creativity and resourcefulness (i) (c) They were not a circus group, they were a

3. They weren’t very good on the trapeze and their theatre group.

acquaintance with animals was only at the dinner (ii) Their set and costumes were first-rate and the
table, but they presented two plays in a most

audience was terribly impressed by them.
professional manner. Their ‘Jotham Valley’ and (iii) The Tamil plays copied from the MRA a scene
‘The Forgotten Factor’ ran several shows in Madras

of sunrise and sunset with a bare stage.
and along with the other citizens of the city, the
Gemini family of six hundred saw the plays over (iv) (c) They were a kind of counter-movement to

and over again. The message of the plays were international communism.
usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets and (v) (b) a tedious moralizing lecture

costumes were first-rate. Madras and the Tamil (vi) (b) humorous

drama community were terribly impressed and for 4. And years later, when I was out of Gemini Studios
some years almost all Tamil plays had a scene of

and I had much time but not much money, anything
sunrise and sunset in the manner of ‘Jotham Valley’ at a reduced price attracted my attention. On the
with a bare stage, a white background curtain and
footpath in front of the Madras Mount Road Post
a tune played on the flute. It was some years later
Office, there was a pile of brand new books for
that I learnt that the MRA was a kind of counter-
movement to international Communism and the fifty paise each. Actually they were copies of the
big bosses of Madras like Mr. Vasan simply played same book, an elegant paperback of American
into their hands. origin. ‘Special low-priced student edition, in
276 English Cor -X

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connection with the 50th Anniversary of the successfully recreated the mood and manner of
Russian Revolution’, I paid fifty paise and picked the Devadasis of the early 20th century. He was
up a copy of the book, The God That Failed. Six an amazing actor-he never aspired to the lead
eminent men of letters in six separate essays roles-but whatever subsidiary role he played in
described ‘their journeys into Communism and any of the films, he performed better than the
their disillusioned return’. supposed main players. He had a genuine love
Questions for anyone he came across and his house was a
(i) What was the book “The God that Failed” all permanent residence for dozens of near and far
relations and acquaintances.

about?

Questions
(ii) Why did the book assume tremendous
(i) Which of these statements is NOT TRUE about

importance for the author?

Subbu?
(a) One of the writers was Ignazio Silione
(a) His literary accomplishments stole the

(b) One of the writers was Stephen Spender.

limelight from his films.

(c) One of the writers was Richard Wright.
(b) He was a gifted poet and writer and his

(d) One of the writers was Louis Fischer.

literary works were noteworthy.

(iii) What enlightenment did the author get? (c) He was selfless in nature and was empathetic

(a) He felt sorry for Stephen Spender. towards others.

(b) He now understood why Stephen spender (d) He never hankered after lead roles and

came to Gemini Studios. performed minor roles in films.
(c) He understood why the office boy was (ii) The word ‘sprawling’ has been used with the

always unhappy about Subbu.

word ‘novel’. Pick the option with which the
(d) He understood why he himself had to keep word ‘sprawling’ CANNOT be used.

tearing papers and gluing them in a file. (a) Metropolis (b) Handwriting

(iv) Who was the “God That Failed”? (c) Campus (d) Portrait

(a) The big bosses of Madras Gemini studios. (iii) The phrase ‘deftly etched’ shows that Subbu

(b) Stephen Spender

(a) created the roles delicately.

(c) Subbu

(b) was skilful in creating the characters.

(d) Communism

(c) pondered beyond necessity about the

(v) ‘Six eminent men of letters means .... characters.

(a) six famous people (b) six men (d) gave very little thought to the characters.

(c) six well-known writers (iv) Pick the option that best describes Subbu

(d) six famous letters writers according to the extract.

(vi) Why was the book low-priced? 1. Benevolent 2. Powerful

Answers 3. accomplished 4. Witty

(i) It was the book of essays by six authors 5. Generous 6. Temperamental

(a) 4, 5 & 6 (b) 2, 3 & 4

about their journey to communism and their

(c) 1,3 & 5 (d) 3 ,4 & 6
disillusioned return.

(ii) (b) One of the writers was Stephen Spender. (v) What does the expression ‘dwarfed his literary

achievements’ means ?

(iii) (b) he now understood why Stephen spender
(vi) Another word for ‘subsidiary role’ is.....

came to Gemini Studios.

(a) supporting (b) leading
(iv) (d) Communism

(c) comic (d) villanous

(v) (c) six well-known writers

Answers

(vi) The book was low priced because it was printed (i) (a) His literary accomplishments stole the

in memory of the Russians Revolution.

limelight from his films.
5. His success in films overshadowed and dwarfed (ii) (d) Portrait

his literary achievements-or so his critics felt. (iii) (b) was skilful in creating the characters.

He composed several truly original ‘story poems’ (iv) (c) 1,3 & 5

in folk refrain and diction and also wrote a (v) It means that his writing ability was made less

sprawling novel Thillana Mohanambal with important.
dozens of very deftly etched characters. He quite (vi) (a) supporting

e
d
c
e


6. Barring the office boys and a couple of clerks, (c) are creative and need to have free time to

everybody else at the Studios radiated leisure, a weave their thoughts.
pre-requisite for poetry. Most of them wore khadi (d) begin poetic compositions in rushed way and

and worshipped Gandhiji but beyond that they end in a relaxed manner.
had not the faintest appreciation for political (v) What does the phrase ‘radiated leisure’ mean?
thought of any kind. Naturally, they were all

(vi) ‘he had no compunction’ means ....
averse to the term ‘Communism’. A communist

(a) He did not have sorrowful feelings.
was a godless man-he had no filial or conjugal

love; he had no compunction about killing his (b) He did not think twice before doing

own parents or his children; he was always out something.
to cause and spread unrest and violence among (c) He was thoughtful and careful before taking

innocent and ignorant people. Such notions, any action.
which prevailed everywhere else in South (d) He was indifferent to the activities taking

India at that time also, naturally, floated about place around them.
vaguely among the khadi-clad poets of Gemini Answers
Studios. Evidence of it was soon forthcoming. (i) (b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice

Questions against ‘hinsa’ or violence.
(i) Pick the option that uses the same figure of (ii) (c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot

speech as ‘A communist is a godless man.’ be inferred.
(a) She is as determined as Gandhi when it is (iii) (b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time.

a fight against injustice.
(iv) (b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they

(b) She is a Gandhi when she raises her voice do.

against ‘hinsa’ or violence. (v) It means ‘enjoying free time’.

(c) She, like Gandhi, feels that the Earth is (vi) (c) He was thoughtful and careful before taking

crying for deliverance.

any action
(d) She lives a life of opulence and calls herself

a follower of Gandhi. Type II. Tex -Based Ques ons
t
ti
(ii) Based on the extract, choose the correct option

with reference to the two statements given I. Multiple Choice Questions

below.
1. ‘In any case, there was this man in the
Statement 1: At Gemini Studios, the poets had

make-up department who would wish the

a profound knowledge about Communists.
direst things for Subbu’. Here ‘direst things’
Statement 2: Communists were responsible for
refers to something that is

anarchy and discontent in the country.

(a) urgent (b) desperate
(a) Statement 1 is true but Statement 2 is false.

(c) disastrous (d) dreadful

(b) Statement 1 is false but Statement 2 is true.

(c) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 cannot 2. Pick the quote which best describes Subbu’s

be inferred. role in Gemini Studios based on the story.
(d) Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 can be 1. Life’s too short to hang out with people who

inferred. aren’t resourceful.

(iii) Why do you think leisure is a pre-requisite for 2. The more a person limits himself, the more

resourceful he becomes.

poetry?
(a) Poetry means freedom of expression. 3. Success is not about your resources. It’s

(b) One can enjoy poetry when there’s free time. about how resourceful you are with what
you have.

(c) In order to write poetry, one needs free time.
4. Resourcefulness: Seeing where you want to

(d) Poetry means freedom from work.

go and taking the first step.

(iv) Asokamitran says that leisure is a pre-requisite
(a) Option 1 (b) Option 2

for poetry. He says this because poets

(a) need to relax for a period of time before (c) Option 3 (d) Option 4

composing lines. 3. ‘An extremely talented actress, who was also

(b) maintain a leisured pace in all tasks they extremely temperamental, once blew over on

do. the sets’.
278 English Cor -X
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Pick the idiom that matches best with ‘blew (c) A jewellery shop

over’ (d) A hair-cutting salon

(a) At one’s wits end 11. For whom was Gemini studio making films?

(b) Get bent out of shape (a) For English people

(c) Lave the blues (b) For illiterate

(d) Experience pins and needles (c) For elderly peole

4. ‘Often he looked alone and helpless-a man of (d) For simple Tamilians who have no interest

in English poetry

cold logic in a crowd of dreamers....’ it can be
inferred that the man 12. Why is the Englishman’s visit referred as

(a) rationalised every thought before it was unexplained mystery?
(a) Because of his appearance

spoken.

(b) failed to consider human emotions and (b) Because of his dress

(c) Because of his hairstyle

social dynamics.

(c) was critical of what others did around (d) Because of his unfamiliarity and baffled

looks

him.
13. Who was the Englishman?

(d) egoistic and always thought other lacked

(a) Salman Rushdie

reason.

(b) D.H Lawrence
5. What does his book “My Years with Boss” talk

(c) George Orwell

of ?

(d) Stephen Spender- Editor of a British
(a) his job

Periodical—The Encounter

(b) The nature of his boss
14. What was MRA?

(c) His environment

(a) British Army

(d) Impact of movies on every aspect of life in

(b) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter

India.

movement to International Communism
6. Who was Greta Garbo? (c) A wing of Indian Army

(a) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner

(d) A drama company

(b) A German actress

15. Why was MRA invited to Gemini studio?

(c) A French actress

(a) To show their play

(d) A Bengali actress

(b) Because of political affiliations

7.

What was Asokamitran’s job in the studio? (c) Because of political influence

(a) To arrange pancakes (d) None

(b) To arrange make-up kits 16. Why did everybody in the studio think of

(c) To serve water giving some work to the author?

(d) To cut out newspaper clippings on a wide (a) Because of the idle appearance of his work

variety of subjects and store them in files. (b) Because he was an office boy

8. What has Asokamitran brought up through (c) Because he was a helper

this write up? (d) None

(a) Topics of film industry 17. Why did the office boy in the make-up room

(b) Topics of make-up industry come to the author?

(c) Topics of gossip (a) Because he was unemployed

(d) Topics of heroines (b) Because of his interest in literary arts and

9. Who was the founder of Gemini studio? film making

(a) Mr. S.S Vasan (c) To earn money

(b) English man (d) To do make-up

(c) A Tamil boy 18. Why was the author praying for crowd

(d) A director shooting at all times?

10. What has been the make-up room compared (a) To attract the crowd

to? (b) To avoid people

(a) A make up company (c) To avoid Epical narrations

(b) A parlour (d) None

e
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19. Why was Subbu a trouble shooter? 27. What does the expression ‘ fiery misery’ mean?

(a) Because of his gossip style (a) The glow of lights

(b) Because of his flattery (b) The bright lights

(c) Ability to mix up with everyone (c) The bright colorful dresses of heroines

(d) Because of his problem resolving quality (d) Discomfort to the actors in the make-up

20. In this lesson, what is the purpose of humor room

and satire used by the author? 28. What things attracted the audience in the

(a) To highlight human abilities plays staged by MRA?

(b) To show capabilities (a) Their jewellery

(c) To show varied capacities (b) Their make up

(d) To show and highlight human infancies (c) Their dialogues

and flaws (d) Their sets and costumes

21. How was Kothamanglam Subbu treated in the 29. Why was Subbu termed as ‘many sided

Gemini studio? genius’?
(a) With hatred (a) for his flattery

(b) Rudely (b) for his gossiping

(c) Disrespectfully (c) for his interaction with others

(d) With high respect (d) for his ability to create and manage things

22. How does the author come to know that Answers

English author was Stephen Spender? 1. (d) dreadful 2. (c) Option 3

(a) From a painting 3. (b) Get bent out of shape

(b) From the newspaper 4. (b) failed to consider human emotions and social

(c) From a television show dynamics.

(d) From a book- The God that failed 5. (d) Impact of movies on every aspect of life in

23. What is the example of National Integration India.
6. (a) A Swedish actress- an Oscar winner

in Poets and Pancakes?

(a) Make-up department of Gemini 7. (d) To cut out newspaper clippings on a wide

variety of subjects and store them in files.

(b) Rehersal room
8. (a) Topics of film industry

(c) Office of Gemini studio

9. (a) Mr. S.S Vasan

(d) None

10. (d) A hair-cutting salon

24. Why was Subbu considered number 2 at

11. (d) for simple Tamilians who have no interest

Gemini studio?

in English poetry
(a) Because of his flattery
12. (d) Because of his unfamiliarity and baffled

(b) Because of his abilities

looks

(c) Because of creative skills
13. (d) Stephen Spender- Editor of a British

(d) None

Periodical–The Encounter

25. The boy in the make up room was jealous of
14. (b) The Moral Rearmament Army- a counter

whom?

movement to International Communism
(a) Actors
15. (b) Because of political affiliations

(b) Author

16. (a) Because of the idle appearance of his work

(c) The visitor

17. (b) Because of his interest in literary arts and

(d) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the

film making

boss
18. (a) To avoid Epical narrations
26. What does the expression ‘made to look ugly’

19. (d) Because of his problem resolving quality

refer to ?

20. (d) To show and highlight human infancies and
(a) Make-up done to look presentable before

flaws

camera
(b) Faces made by actors 21. (d) With high respect

22. (d) From a book- The God that failed

(c) Faces nade by office boy

(d) Arrangements in the make-up room 23. (a) Make-up department of Gemini

280 English Cor -X
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24. (c) Because of creative skills Ans. The ‘boy’ in the make-up department would

25. (d) Subbu’s success and his closeness to the boss barge into Ashokamitran’s cubicle to enlighten

26. (a) Make-up done to look presentable before him on how great literary talent was being

camera. allowed to go waste in a department fit only
27. (d) Discomfort to the actors in the make-up for barbers and perverts. The author felt sick
of his ‘epics’ and prayed that he remained busy

room
28. (d) Their sets and costumes with making-up players for the crowd scenes.

29. (d) For his ability to create and manage things 6. What general observation does the author

make about the behaviour of the frustrated

II. Short Answer Questions people and why?

1. Why does the author mention the names of four Ans. The author says that a frustrated person

heroines? What does he want to emphasize by always directs his anger towards a single
singling out one of them? person openly or covertly. He does so to
Ans. The author mentions Greta Garbo, Miss Gohar explain the conduct of the ‘boy’ in make-up
department towards Subbu as the former

and Vyjayantimala, the top heroines in 1950’s
and 1960’s, who must have used pancake— held the latter responsible for all his woes,
thick make-up for the face. Rati Agnihotri, ignominy and neglect.
who came in the eighties may not have even 7. ‘Here was a man who could be inspired

heard of it. He wants to emphasize that he is when commanded.’ What example is given to
talking of the early 1950s. illustrate it and what does it highlight?
2. What purpose does the description of the Ans. The producer would ask Subbu how to do

location of the make-up department and the scene of the rat, who has fought the
interior of the make-up room of Gemini tigress underwater and killed her, tending
Studios serve? her offsprings lovingly. This is a ludicrous
Ans. The make-up department of the Gemini situation, but Subbu felt inspired and would
suggest four ways of the rat pouring affection

Studios was on the upper floor of a building
that was believed to have been Robert Clive’s on its victim’s offsprings. When asked about
stables. The make-up room had the look the effectiveness of the scene, Subbu would
of a hair cutting salon with lights at all come out with fourteen more alternatives.
angles around half a dozen large mirrors. 8. Why does Asokamitran call Subbu “a charitable

This reflects the poor working conditions as and improvident man” ?

compared to the facilities available in modern Ans. Subbu had a genuine love for anyone he came

air conditioned make-up rooms. across. His house was a permanent residence
3. “A strict hierarchy was maintained in the for dozens of near and far relations and

make-up department.” Explain. acquaintances. Subbu was not even conscious
Ans. The chief make-up man attended to the chief that he was feeding and supporting so many
of them. Hence the writer calls Subbu ‘a

actors and actresses, his senior assistant the
‘second’ hero and heroine, the junior assistant charitable and an improvident man.’
the main comedian, and so forth. The players 9. What explanation does the author offer for

who played the crowd were the responsibility Subbu having enemies?
of the office boy. Ans. The author suggests that it might be because

4. What explanation does Asokamitran offer for of his intimacy with the Boss or because
his general demeanour resembled that of

the practice of the make-up men who could
‘turn any decent–looking person into a hideous a sycophant. It may have been due to his
crimson hued monster’ ? readiness to say nice things about everything.

Ans. Ashokamitran explains that those were the 10. What did the lawyer do when an extremely

talented but temperamental actress once blew

days of mainly indoor shooting. Then he makes
a humorous remark. The sets and studio lights over the sets? What was its result?
needed the girls and boys to be made to look Ans. The lawyer quietly switched on the recording

ugly in order to look presentable in the movie. equipment. When the actress paused for
5. “Soon I was praying for crowd-shooting all the breath, he played back the recording. She
was struck dumb on hearing her own voice.

time.” What forced Ashokamitran to make this
remark? She never quite recovered from the terror she
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felt that day. It marked the end of a brief and 16. How did the staff of Gemini Studios react to

brilliant acting career. the MRA’s arrival?
11. What made the lawyer lose his job? What does Ans. The staff had a nice time hosting two hundred

the writer find so funny about the situation? people of all hues and sizes of at least twenty
Ans. One day the Boss closed down the Story nationalities. The author found it a pleasant

Department. As a result, the lawyer, who change from the usual collection of crowd
was on the attendance rolls of the Story players waiting to be slapped with thick layers
Department, lost his job along with other of make-up by the office-boy in the make-up
writers and poets. The writer calls its “the only department.
instance in all human history where a lawyer
lost his job because the poets were asked to go 17. What was the suspense about “another visitor”

home.” Gemini Studios was to welcome?
12. What does Asokamitran consider a pre- Ans. It was said that the visitor was a poet from

requisite for poetry? What evidence do you England. The staff was eager to know about
find of its existence at the Gemini Studios? the poet. It was then said that he was not a
Ans. According to Asokamitran, leisure is a pre- poet but an editor. Vasan, the Boss, being the

requisite for poetry. The Gemini Studio had a editor of the popular Tamil weekly ‘Ananda
relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. It was the Vikatan’ was giving him a big reception. Thus
favourite haunt of many distinguished poets, there was a suspense about the visitor.
who met over a cup of coffee. 18. What do you learn about the literary taste
13. They were all averse to the term ‘Communism’.

of the staff of Gemini Studio as for English

What notion prevailed in South India about poetry was concerned?
Communists at that time?
Ans. The staff at Gemini Studios was quite simple.
Ans. A communist was regarded as a Godless man.

The only English poets they knew or heard of

He had no love for children or his wife. He had
were Wordsworth and Tennyson. The more
no pricking of conscience about killing his own
parents or his children. He was always out to literate ones knew of Keats, Shelley and
cause and spread unrest and violence among Byron. One or two might have come to know
innocent and ignorant people. about Eliot.
14. What notion was in the air about the Moral- 19. What did even “the most well-informed” among

the staff come to know about the visiting poet?

Rearmament Army? How did it prove absurd?

What did the author learn later about the Ans. The surmise was that the poet was the editor

MRA? of a daily. It was fuelled by the fact that top
Ans. Someone called this two hundred strong group men of ‘The Hindu’ were taking the initiative.
Even the most well informed among the staff

an international circus. This description was
absurd. First, they were not very good on came to know that he was not from ‘The
the trapeze. Secondly, their acquaintance Manchester Guardian’ or the ‘London Times.’
with animals was only at the dinner table. 20. ‘Prose-writing is not and cannot be the true

Some years later, the author learnt that the pursuit of a genius.’ Who does the author think
MRA was a kind of counter movement to it fit for and why?
international communism. Ans. The author thinks that prose-writing is for the

15. How did the people of Madras and those at the patient, persistent, persevering hard worker.
His heart is so shrunken that nothing can

Gemini Studios respond to the plays staged by
the Moral Rearmament Army? break it. Rejection slips do not mean anything
Ans. The people of Madras and those at the Gemini to him. He at once sets about making a fresh
copy of the long prose piece. Then, he sends

Studios were ‘terribly’ impressed. Their two
plays ‘Jotham Valley’ and ‘The Forgotten it to another editor. He encloses postage for
Factor’ ran for several shows. The Gemini the return of the manuscript. He regards it a
family of six hundred saw the plays over and boring, tiring and hard work.
over again along with the other citizens. For 21. What kind of effect does Asokamitran’s style

some years almost all Tamil plays presented of writing have on the reader?
the scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner Ans. Ashokamitran has used gentle humour to

of ‘Jotham Valley.’ highlight the weaknesses and eccentricity of
282 English Cor -X
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the people at the Gemini Studio. This creates for the audience to understand what he was
an interesting picture of the people involved saying as the former did not understand
with film making there and the way films English.
were made as compared to the films made in III. Long Answer Questions
modern times.

1. The ‘Office-boy’ in the make-up department
22. Discuss the significance of the make-up room

of Gemini Studios has the shades of a typical

in the chapter, ‘Poets and Pancakes’.
universal character lured by glitter and
Ans. The make up room symbolized true national glamour and doomed to frustation. Discuss.

integration with people from all over the Or
country working together in harmony to cover

Attempt a pen-portrait of the ‘office-boy’
the actors with make-up. It was also a place

highlighting his aspirations, odd jobs and
where a clear hierarchy was maintained in disillusionment as well as his universal
the manner the make-up was done to cover dimensions.
the actors. The chief make-up man only
Ans. The ‘office-boy’ wasn’t exactly a ‘boy’; he was
applied make-up on the lead actors; the senior

in his early forties. He had entered the studios
assistant took care of the second lead; the years ago. He had hoped to become a star
junior assistant dealt with the comedian while actor, a top screen writer, director or lyrics
the actors in the crowd were taken care of by writer. At present he had to slap paint on the
the ‘office boy’. faces of the players who played the crowd. He
23. ‘In all instances of frustration, you will always closed every pore on the surface of the face

find the anger directed towards a single person by applying make-up. He felt dissatisfied and
openly or covertly...’ disillusioned. He considered the make-up
Do you think it is right to direct our anger department fits only for barbers and perverts.
He felt frustrated that his great literary talent

towards someone who is not responsible for
the cause of anger? Justify. was being allowed to go waste. He was a bit
of poet too. He had got good formal education
Ans. The answer can be answered in both ‘Yes’ or
and had an encouraging opening in films.

‘No’ with justification
However, in spite of his start, he did not
No, I don’t feel it is correct to express one‘s advance an inch from his position as ‘office-

anger at someone who has not harmed you in boy’.
anyway because that person is often unaware He has shades of universal characters. He is
of the reason for your anger. For example

typical specimen representing the youth lured
Subbu had not directly pushed ahead of the by glitter and glamour of films, struggling
office boy but had been promoted by the hard to make a name and then doomed to
owner by virtue of Subbu being a Brahmin. frustration.
Moreover Subbu was also very hard working, 2. How would you describe Subbu a trouble
creative and resourceful apart from being a

shooter or a sycophant?
good writer. All reasons why he deserved to
Or
move ahead at the studio.

Give an estimate of Subbu’s qualities of head
Yes, because it is very upsetting to see

and heart and the reasons for his success.

someone else go ahead of you especially if you
think you are more deserving. The office boy Ans. Kothamangalam Subbu was the No. 2 at

had been an old hand at the studio but he had Gemini Studios. Though officially on the
not been promoted yet Subbu went ahead just rolls of Story Department, he was always
because he was a Brahmin. with the Boss. He had the ability to look
cheerful at all times. His sense of loyalty
24. The people left in ‘utter bafflement’ after the
made him identify himself with his principal

English poet’s speech. Mention two things
the speaker could have kept in mind before completely. He turned his entire creativity to
addressing an audience to avoid such a his advantage. He was tailor-made for films.
reaction: Give your rationale for it. Film making was quite easy with Subbu
Ans. The speaker could have talked about his around. He could suggest many alternatives to
baffled producers. He could be inspired when

interest and experience with Communism.
Also an interpreter would have made it easier commanded. He had a literary bent of mind
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too. He was a poet and had composed several For some years, almost all Tamil plays had

original ‘story poems’. He had also written a a scene of sunrise and sunset in the manner
novel. His success in films overshadowed and of ‘Jotham Valley’ with a bare stage, a white
dwarfed his literary achievements. He was an background curtain and a tune played on the
amazing actor also, but confined himself to flute. This was the impact of the plays staged
playing supporting roles. He loved whosoever by the MRA on Madras in general and the
he met. He was charitable and improvident Tamil drama community in particular.
and played permanent host to dozens of 5. “In a moment I felt a dark chamber of my

persons. His success was envied by frustrated mind lit up by a hazy illumination.” Which
people like the ‘office-boy’. incident is being referred to by the author,
3. Narrate the incident in which the legal adviser Asokamitran? What conclusion does he arrive
at?

was instrumental in causing the end of a brief
and brilliant acting career. Ans. An English poet (or editor) had been invited

Ans. Gemini Studios had an extremely to Gemini Studios. He addressed a dazed and
silent audience for an hour about the thrills

talented actress. She was also extremely
and travails of an English poet. His accent
temperamental. Once she blew over on the
defeated any attempt to understand what
sets and gave vent to her feelings against the
he was saying. The audience felt baffled—
producer. Every-body was stunned. The lawyer
what was an English poet doing in a studio
quietly switched on the recording equipment.
making Tamil films? His visit remained an
When the actress paused for breath, the unexplained mystery.
lawyer played back the recording. There was
Years later, the author read the editor’s name
nothing incriminating or unmentionably foul

on the magazine ‘The Encounter’. He also
in the actress’s tirade against the producer.
came across copies of ‘The God that Failed’—a
But she was struck dumb on hearing her
collection of six essays against communism.
voice again though the sound equipment. One of the six contributors was Stephen
She was a girl from the countryside and raw Spender. He was the poet that came to
and immature at worldly affairs. She lacked Gemini Studios. Suddenly the book assumed
wordly experience and sophistication that tremendous significance. The dark chambers
persons in position of importance generally of his mind were illuminated. The reaction
acquire. The result was that she never quite to Stephen Spender at Gemini Studios was
recovered from the terror she felt that day. no longer a mystery. The Boss may not be
This is how a brief and brilliant acting career concerned with Spender’s poetry, but he was
had unwittingly been brought to a sad end by aware of the god that failed.
the legal adviser. 6. How does humour and satire enliven the

4. Narrate how the Moral Re-Armament army account of the events and personalities at

was welcomed at the Gemini Studios. What Gemini Studios as portrayed by Asokamitran
impact did the MRA have on people of Madras in ‘Poets and Pancakes’ ?

in general and those at Gemini Studios in Ans. Ashokamitran uses gentle humour and mild

particular? satire to make his account interesting and
Ans. The staff of Gemini Studios had a nice readable. He uses a rambling and chatty style,

time hosting two hundred strong Moral Re- making transitions from one thought to another
Armament army led by Frank Buchman. In and thus preparing us for a gentle tickle as he
fact, MRA could not have found a warmer moves on to the next item. For example, he
host in India than the Gemini Studios. They makes fun of the make-up applied to artists
presented two plays—‘Jotham Valley’ and which can change any decent-looking person
‘The Forgotten Factor’ in a most professional into a hideous crimson hued monster. The
manner. The message of the plays were explanation is equally laughter provoking—
usually plain and simple homilies, but the sets the sets and studio lights needed the girls and
and costumes were first rate. These plays ran boys to be made to look ugly in order to look
several shows in Madras. The citizens of the presentable in the movie. The portraits of the
city and Gemini family of 600 saw the plays “office-boy” of make-up department, Subbu the
No. 2 and the legal adviser have many deft
over and over again.
284 English Cor -X
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II

touches of humour. The purpose of the visits The art of film making has undergone a lot

of the Moral Re-Armament army and that of change. Real animals have been replaced
of the English poet (or editor) is beyond the by computer graphics and a lot of the visuals
comprehension of even the most enlightened are created by computers and technology. The
ones like the author. The baffled reaction of directors are educated and trained and every
the Gemini Studios staff arouses humour. The aspect of film making is meticulously planned
mild satire is also directed at people who are before execution. The days of a proprietor
averse to communism and go to any length to owned studio has almost been replaced by
oppose it. production houses who seen the show.
7. Imagine Asokamitran witnesses a film 8. After reading this story, you are impressed by

the author’s use of gentle humour to point out

shooting and visits a film set of present day
Bollywood. human foibles. Evaluate whether using such
humour contributes towards bringing about
As Asokamitran write a diary entry penning
change in people’s attitude and accepting their

down the transformation you notice between
foibles.
film making of yesteryears and today.
Ans. Humour always succeeds where critical
Ans. Film making has changed drastically in the

remarks fail. Humour helps make light of

last few decades. The actors no longer have to weakness of character or something wrong
sweat it our in hot furnace like make-up rooms with society. The text highlights the weakneses
of the past. They now have fancy, luxurious, prevalent in the film making process in the
air-conditioned vanity vans where they can past. The loud make-up that made the actors
prepare for their shoots in privacy. The make- look ugly to the manner in which films were
up artists are educated, skilful and trained made without proper planning and with
and their make-up no longer makes them spontaneous ideas generated on the sets all
look horrendous but actually enhances their point to the flaws in the system. By pointing
beauty and makes them look much better and out these flaws, the writer points to the area
glamorous than their real selves. requiring attention.
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About the Author Summary

3. Gandhi dismissed him.

of the peasants. Thus, the title ‘Indigo’ is highly Calcutta.

story Gandhi relented.

case, which exposed the unjust system. 5. Synthetic indigo in market.

266 English Cor -X

268 English Cor -X

272 English Cor -X

Poets and Pancakes

About the Author

He talks about the office boy whose task was to slap

In those days, the author worked inside a cubicle

276 English Cor -X

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Indigo Chapter 5 Class 12 2023

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Indigo Chapter 5 Class 12 2023

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

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Did you find this document useful?

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Indigo Chapter 5 Class 12 2023

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D:\EG_English-12_(Core)\Open_Files\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)\03_Sec-C1_(Prose)

\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6  Reader’s Sign _______________________ Date __________

About the Author Summary

3. Gandhi dismissed him.

of the peasants. Thus, the title ‘Indigo’ is highly Calcutta.

story Gandhi relented.

case, which exposed the unjust system. 5. Synthetic indigo in market.

266 English Cor -X

268 English Cor -X

272 English Cor -X

Poets and Pancakes

About the Author

He talks about the office boy whose task was to slap

In those days, the author worked inside a cubicle

276 English Cor -X

You might also like

\ 02-Aug-2022 Bhandari Proof-6 Reader’s Sign _____________ Date