Read Lesson - Glimpses of the Past

Before you read

Here are some pictorial glimpses of the history of our country from 1757 to 1857. These pictures and ‘speech bubbles’ will help clarify your understanding of the conditions that led to the event known as the First War of Independence in 1857.

1. Look at picture 1 and recall the opening lines of the original song in Hindi. Who is the singer? Who else do you see in this picture?

2. In picture 2 what do you understand by the Company’s “superior weapons”?

3. Who is an artisan? Why do you think the artisans suffered?(picture 3)

4. Which picture, according to you, reveals the first sparks of the fire of revolt?

Answer the following questions.

1. Do you think the Indian princes were short-sighted in their approach to the events of 1757?

2. How did the East India Company subdue the Indian princes?

3. Quote the words used by Ram Mohan Roy to say that every religion teaches the same principles.

4. In what ways did the British officers exploit Indians?

5. Name these people.

(i) The ruler who fought pitched battles against the British and died fighting.

(ii) The person who wanted to reform the society.

(iii) The person who recommended the introduction of English education in India.

(iv) Two popular leaders who led the revolt (Choices may vary.)

6. Mention the following.

(i) Two examples of social practices prevailing then.

(ii) Two oppressive policies of the British.

(iii) Two ways in which common people suffered.

(iv) Four reasons for the discontent that led to the 1857 War of Independence.

In comics what the characters speak is put in bubbles. This is direct narration.When we report what the characters speak, we use the method of indirect narration.

Study these examples.

First farmer: Why are your men taking away the entire crop?

Second farmer: Your men have taken away everything.

Officer: You are still in arrears. If you don’t pay tax next week, I’ll send you to jail.

 The first farmer asked the officer why his men were taking away the entire crop.

 The second farmer said that their men had taken away everything.

 The officer replied that they were still in arrears and warned them that if they did not pay tax the following week, he (the officer) would send them (the farmers) to jail.

1. Change the following sentences into indirect speech.

(i) First man: We must educate our brothers.

Second man: And try to improve their material conditions.

Third man: For that we must convey our grievances to the British Parliament.

The first man said that _________________

The second man added that _____________

The third man suggested that ______________

(ii) First soldier: The white soldier gets huge pay, mansions and servants.

Second soldier: We get a pittance and slow promotions.

Third soldier: Who are the British to abolish our customs?

The first soldier said that __________________________

The second soldier remarked that ___________________

The third soldier asked _____________

2. Look at the pictures.

(i) Ask one another questions about the pictures.

•  Where is the fox?  How did it happen?
•  What is the fox thinking?  Who is the visitor?
•  What does she want to know? What is the fox’s reply?
•  What happens next? Where is the goat?
•  Where is the fox now?  What is the goat thinking?

(ii) Write the story in your own words. Give it a title.________

3. Read the following news item.

Based on this news item, write a paragraph on what you think about this new metho of teaching history.

4. Find the chapters in your history book that correspond to the episodes and events described in this comic. Note how the information contained in a few chapters of history has been condensed to a few pages with the help of pictures and ‘speech bubbles’.

5. Create a comic of your own using this story.

Once the Sun and the Wind began to quarrel, each one saying that he was stronger than the other. At last they decided to test each other’s strength. A man with a cloak around his shoulders was passing by. The Wind boasted, “Using my strength I can make that man take off the cloak.” The Sun agreed. The Wind blew hard. The man felt so cold that he clasped his cloak round his body as tightly as possible.

Now it was the turn of the Sun which shone very hot indeed. The man felt so hot that he at once removed the cloak from his body. Seeing the man taking off the cloak, the Wind conceded defeat

Do you have a pet cat? Have you ever noticed anything mysterious about it? It is not easy to say whether every cat is a mystery, but Macavity is one, for sure. What is it that makes him a perfect mystery cat? Read the poem and find out.

Macavity’s a Mystery Cat: he’s called the Hidden
Paw —

For he’s the master criminal who can defy the Law.

He’s the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad’s despair:

For when they reach the scene of crime — Macavity’s not there!

Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,

He’s broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity.

His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare,

And when you reach the scene of crime — Macavity’s not there!

You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air —

But I tell you once and once again, Macavity’s not there!

Macavity’s a ginger cat, he’s very tall and thin;

You would know him if you saw him, for his eyes are sunken in. His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed; His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed.

He sways his head from side to side, with movements like a snake;

And when you think he’s half asleep, he’s always wide awake.

Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity,

For he’s a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity.

You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square —

But when a crime’s discovered, then Macavity’s not there!

T.S. Eliot

defy: disobey or resist openly

Scotland Yard: the headquarters of the London police force

Flying Squad: a group of police or soldiers ready to move into action quickly

levitation: floating in the air without support

fiend: devil

feline: of, or relating to, a cat

depravity: moral corruption

1. Read the first stanza and think.

(i) Is Macavity a cat really?

(ii) If not, who can Macavity be?

2. Complete the following sentences.

(i) A master criminal is one who ___________________

(ii) The Scotland Yard is baffled because ___________________

(iii) ___________________ because Macavity moves much faster than them.

3. “A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through”.

(Jules Verne)

Which law is Macavity breaking in the light of the comment above?

4. Read stanza 3, and then, describe Macavity in two or three sentences of your own.

5. Say ‘False’ or ‘True’ for each of the following statements.

(i) Macavity is not an ordinary cat.

(ii) Macavity cannot do what a fakir can easily do.

(iii) Macavity has supernatural powers.

(iv) Macavity is well-dressed, smart and bright.

(v) Macavity is a spy, a trickster and a criminal, all rolled in one.

6. Having read the poem, try to guess whether the poet is fond of cats. If so, why does he call Macavity a fiend and monster?

7. Has the poet used exaggeration for special effect? Find a few examples of it and read those lines aloud.