Class 6 English Chapter 8 Practice Question Answers - A Pact with the Sun

Q1: What idea did Tansen have?
Ans: Tansen said that if someone sings Raga Megh at the same time, it would bring rain.

Q2: What did Akbar often do to hear Tansen?
Ans: Emperor Akbar often would walk into Tansen’s house to hear him practice.

Q3: Where did Tansen hide and what did he do?
Ans: Tansen hid behind a tree and roared like a tiger.

Q4: Who was Tansen?
Ans: Tansen was a famous musician that our country has produced.

Q5: What was the last wish of Tansen’s father?
Ans: Tansen’s father’s last wish was that Tansen should visit Mohammad Gaus of Gwalior.

Q6: What do you know about Tansen’s family?
Ans: Tansen married Hussaini. She was one of the ladies in the court of Rani Mrignaini. The couple had five children who were all musicians.

Q7: Why did Akbar ask Tansen to join his court?
Ans: Tansen learnt music from Swami Haridas for eleven years. He himself became a famous singer. Sometimes he sang before Emperor Akbar. Akbar was so impressed that he asked Tansen to join his court in 1556.

Q8: What was Tansen famous for?
Ans: Tansen was famous for his singing talent. He was the greatest musician India has ever produced.

Q9: Why did Swami Haridas say Tansen was ‘talented’?
Ans: Swami Haridas said Tansen was ‘talented’ because he frightened the little group by roaring exactly like a tiger and even Swami Haridas was not able to differentiate between the sound.

Q10: What bright idea did Shaukat have?
Ans: Shaukat Miyan wanted Tansen to sing Raga Deepak because it could burn the singer to ashes.

Q11: (i) What happens if Raga Deepak is sung properly?
(ii) Why did Tansen’s enemies want him to sing the raga?
Ans: (i) If Raga Deepak is sung properly, the air becomes so hot that the lamps are lighted. The heat bums the singer also to ashes.
(ii) Tansen’s enemies were jealous of him. Therefore, they wanted him to sing the Raga and die of heat.

Q12: “Very well, my lord, but give me time to prepare myself.” Who wanted to prepare and for what?
Ans: Tansen had requested Emperor Akbar to give him time to prepare. He wanted time to train his daughter Saraswati and her friend Rupwati to sing Raga Megh which would bring rain and extinguish the fire caused after singing Raga Deepak. Thus, Tansen would be saved from burning to ashes.

Q13: What do you know about Tansen’s childhood?
Ans: Tansen was the son of a singer Mukundan Misra. The singer and his wife lived in Behat, a village near Gwalior. Tansen was the only child of his parents and was very naughty in his childhood. He used to play in the forest where he learnt to imitate the calls of birds and animals perfectly.

Q14: Discuss ‘nature is a perfect teacher’ for a child.
Ans: Tansen was a legendary singer. He observed nature so closely and learnt various sounds in the forest. He imitated them so perfectly that he scared Swami Haridas and his disciple. The experience laid foundation stone of his successful career. He prepared his daughters to sing Raga Megha to counter the burning impact of Raga Deepak and they became his savior. Therefore we can say that co-existence, peaceful mind and wisdom can be earned when a person lives close to the nature.

Q15: (i) What steps did he take to save himself?
(ii) Did his plan work? How?
Ans: (i) Tansen was a little worried as well as afraid. He took two steps for his safety. He requested the king to give him some time. Next, he taught his daughter and her friend to sing Raga Megh.
(ii) Yes, Tansen’s plan worked. His singing made the environment hot. Flames shot up and lighted the lamps. Just then, the two girls started singing Raga Megh. The rains came down suddenly and saved Tansen’s life.

Q16: How did the jealous courtiers plan to harm Tansen? How did the great musician save his honour as well as official position?
Ans: Tansen was a talented musician. He came to the notice of Emperor Akbar. Tansen was honored with a place in Akbar’s court. The jealous courtiers decided to ruin him. They demanded that Tansen should sing Raga Deepak. They knew that the Raga would burn him to ashes. However, Tansen accepted the challenge. He trained two girls to sing Raga Megh to bring rain and put out the fire. Tansen was thus saved wisely.

Q17: Tansen’s patience and perseverance saved his life. How?
Ans: Tansen presented himself as a man who was passionate about his music. He didn’t fight with anyone. His status grew in the eyes of Emperor Akbar. His patience made him win in every situation. The promptness and wisdom saved him from evil plans. His works in the field of music are admired till date. No one has ever equalled in his brilliance and perseverance.

Q18: Whom do you think to be the greatest musician of India? Give details about him.
Ans: We think Tansen to be the greatest musician of India. He was the only child of Mukandan Misra and his wife. They were the residents of Behat near Gwalior. Tansen was a naughty and mischievous child and scared visitors in a forest when they were passing through the forest. Swami Haridas a great saint told his father that Tansen could be a good singer. Tansen lived with Haridas for eleven years. He became a great singer. He married Hussaini and had five children. Tansen became famous and his glory spread far and wide. He sang before Akbar who was impressed with him. He went to Akbar’s court in 1556. He became Akbar’s favourite.

Q19: What do you know about Tansen’s life before he joined Akbar’s court?
Ans: Tansen was the son of Mukandan Misra and his wife. The family lived near Gwalior. His talent was spotted by Swami Haridas. He lived with his guru for eleven years. He joined Mohammad Ghaus who took him to the court of Rani Mrignaini. Tansen married Hussaini. He impressed Emperor Akbar with music.

Q20: What was the plan of jealous courtiers and how did they learn their lesson?
Ans: The courtiers were extremely jealous of Tansen and they wanted to ruin Tansen. One of the courtiers Shaukat Miyan wanted him to sing Raga Deepak so that he could be burnt to ashes. For this purpose, he approached Akbar to order Tansen to sing Raga Deepak. Tansen knew that his life could be saved if somebody would sing Raga Megh at the same time. He taught his daughter and her friend Rupwati to sing it. When Tansen started singing, people cried out in terror as flames shot up and lighted the lamps. The two girls began to sing Raga Megh and at once it started raining. Tansen’s life was saved. Akbar understood the entire plan of the courtiers and punished them. Thus, the courtiers learnt their lessons.