The Adventure Class 11 English Hornbill

Key Points of the Story

• Professor Gaitonde, a historian, travels on the Jijamata Express from Pune to Bombay to explore different versions of history, focusing on the Marathas and the East India Company.

• On the train, he meets Khan Sahib, who offers a new perspective on India.

• Gaitonde arrives at Victoria Terminus and is shocked to find the East India Company still operational.

• He searches for his son, Vinay, at the Forbes building but finds no trace of him, raising doubts about his family’s existence in this altered reality.

• At the Asiatic Society library, Gaitonde discovers that the Marathas won the Battle of Panipat, changing the course of history.

• He finds a crucial account of Vishwasrao’s near-death experience during the battle, which could have altered the outcome.

• Gaitonde attends a public lecture and causes chaos when he tries to take the presidential chair.

• After the incident, he returns to his familiar world and questions the nature of reality and history.

• Gaitonde discusses his experience with Rajendra Deshpande, who suggests that Gaitonde may have shifted between different realities due to a catastrophic event.

Detailed Summary

Introduction
The story begins aboard the Jijamata Express, traveling from Pune to Bombay. The train, faster than the Deccan Queen, offers scenic views, with the first stop at Lonavala. The peaceful journey sets the tone for what lies ahead.

Professor Gaitonde’s Journey
Professor Gaitonde, a historian, is traveling with a purpose. He plans to visit a library in Bombay to study history, particularly about the Marathas and the East India Company. He hopes his friend, Rajendra Deshpande, can help him make sense of things, though he wonders if Rajendra is still alive.

Arrival at Bombay
The train reaches Sarhad, where an Anglo-Indian man informs Gaitonde that the British Raj begins here. As the train moves closer to Bombay, Gaitonde notices the heavy colonial influence. Upon reaching Victoria Terminus, he is struck by the organized, clean station, and is surprised to see the East India House still standing, which contradicts his knowledge of history.

Search for His Son
In Bombay, Gaitonde searches for his son, Vinay Gaitonde, at the Forbes building, but is unable to find him. This leaves him questioning whether his family exists in this alternate version of reality, but he remains focused on his goal of visiting the Asiatic Society Library.

Discovering History
At the library, Gaitonde reads his own five-volume history. He discovers that the history he knows ends at the death of Aurangzeb. In a shocking revelation, he learns that the Marathas, not Abdali, won the Battle of Panipat, which drastically changed the balance of power in India and forced the East India Company to rethink its expansion.

The Marathas’ Influence
Gaitonde continues his reading and finds that the Maratha victory allowed them to establish control over much of northern India. The East India Company retreated and controlled only coastal cities, while the Marathas kept the Mughal Empire alive in Delhi, emphasizing the importance of modern science and education.

Further Research
Searching for more information, Gaitonde comes across Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, which mentions Vishwasrao's near-death during the battle. This passage intrigues him and adds more depth to his understanding of the battle's outcome.

Incident at Azad Maidan
Later, at Azad Maidan, Gaitonde impulsively takes the presidential chair during a lecture. His actions cause anger in the crowd, and despite his insistence on the importance of a chairperson, chaos ensues, and he disappears amidst the commotion.

A Strange Experience
After the incident, Gaitonde finds himself back in his familiar world, confused about the missing days. He shares his strange experience with Rajendra, who suggests that his thoughts on the battle might have triggered a shift in reality, proposing a theory of multiple realities.

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Conclusion

Rajendra explains that the Battle of Panipat was a pivotal moment in history and that small changes—like Vishwasrao's survival—could have altered its outcome. This leads to a discussion about the nature of reality and the possibility of multiple worlds, where different events could have unfolded. Gangadharpant reflects on his journey, realizing that the experiences were not only about learning history but also about understanding how small moments can radically change reality.

Theme

The theme of the chapter revolves around the nature of history and how it can change based on different circumstances and perspectives. It explores identity and the relationship between the past and present, questioning the significance of historical events. The chapter also highlights the importance of knowledge and the quest for understanding one’s roots and heritage.

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Message

The story conveys the idea that history is not a fixed narrative; it can be shaped by various influences and outcomes. It emphasizes the importance of inquiry and investigation to uncover truths that may differ from widely accepted beliefs. The chapter suggests that understanding one's history is crucial for personal identity and comprehension of the present world.

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Difficult Words

• Ghat: A steep slope or series of steps leading down to a river or a body of water.
• Anglo-Indian: A person of mixed British and Indian ancestry, often used to describe individuals during colonial times.
• Flourishing: Growing or developing in a healthy or vigorous way; thriving.
• Supremacy: The state or condition of being superior to all others in authority, power, or status.
• Puppet: A figure manipulated by a person, often used figuratively to describe someone who is controlled by others.
• Acumen: The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, often in a particular domain.
• Morale: The confidence, enthusiasm, and discipline of a person or group at a particular time.
• Transition: The process of changing from one state or condition to another.
• Determinism: The philosophical idea that all events, including moral choices, are determined completely by previously existing causes.
• Viable: Capable of working successfully; feasible.
• Respective: Relating to each of two or more things previously mentioned.
• Catastrophe: A sudden and widespread disaster or failure.
• Avidly: In an eager or enthusiastic manner.
• Riddle: A puzzling question or problem that requires thought to solve.
• Expenditure: The action of spending funds or resources.