Passage Based Questions: Through the eyes of travellers | History Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Passage - 1

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

The Child Sati

This was perhaps one of the most poignant descriptions by Bernier: At Lahore, I saw a most beautiful young widow being sacrificed, who is 12, as per my approximation. The poor little creature appeared more dead than alive when she approached the dreadful pit: the agony of her mind cannot be described: she trembled and wept bitterly, but three or four of the Brahmanas, assisted by an old woman who held her under the arm, forced the unwilling victim towards the fatal spot, seated her on the wood, tied her hands and feet, lest she should run away, and in that situation, the innocent creature was burnt alive. I found it difficult to repress my feelings and to prevent their bursting forth into clamorous and unavailing rage.

(i) Why did Bernier consider this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference between Western and Eastern societies?
Ans:  Bernier considered this treatment as a crucial marker of the difference between Western and Eastern societies because:
(a) In Western societies, women participated in administration, while in Eastern societies, women were boldly exploited.
(b) Women received education in the West, but in Eastern societies, social evils like sati, the purdah system, and child marriage persisted.
(c) Eastern societies were male-centric, while Western societies were more free from gender bias.

(ii) What role did Indian patriarchal society play towards this social evil?
Ans: (a) It was a male-dominated society where women had no rights and were ill-treated, discriminated against, and confined to the house.
(b) Social inequalities were prominent, leading to these social evils.

(iii) Compare the condition of the women of that era with today’s situation.
Ans: (a) In the medieval era, women had no rights, but today, practices like sati and slavery have been abolished.
(b) Today’s women are well-educated and assertive.
(c) In this era, women empowerment is prevalent, and women have economic, social, and political rights.

Passage - 2

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

The System of Varnas

This is Al-Biruni’s account of the system of Varnas. The highest caste are the Brahmanas. According to Hindu mythological books, they are created from the head of Brahma, and Brahman is only another name for the force called nature. The head is the highest part of the body. The Brahmanas are the choice part of the whole genus. Therefore, the Hindus consider them as the very best of mankind.

The next caste is the Kshatriyas, who were created from the shoulders and hands of Brahma. Their degree is not much lower than that of the Brahmana. After them, follow the Vaishyas, who were created from the thighs of Brahma. The Shudras were created from his feet. Between the latter two classes, there is not much difference. However, these classes differ from each other; they live together in the same towns and villages, mixed together in the same houses and lodgings.

(i) Why were the Brahmanas considered superior?
Ans: The Brahmanas were considered superior because:
(a) They were regarded as the highest caste.
(b) Hindu normative Sanskrit texts describe that they were created from the head of Brahma.
(c) Brahman is another name for the force called nature, and as the head is the highest part of the body, the Brahmanas were seen as the source of the whole genus and considered the best of mankind.

(ii) How did Al-Biruni disapprove of the notion of caste pollution?
Ans: (a) Al-Biruni considered all castes as equal.
(b) He believed the explanation of caste hierarchy was against the law of nature.
(c) He viewed the caste system as social pollution based on social apprehension.

(iii) Who lived together yet segregated? What impact did this have on society?
Ans: The different classes—Brahmanas, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras—all lived in the same towns and villages and mixed together while providing services. However, Shudras were ill-treated and were not allowed to mix freely in society.

Passage - 3

Direction: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

The Postal System in India

In India, the postal system is of two kinds: The horse post, called ‘Uluq,’ is run by royal horses stationed at distances of every four miles. The foot post has three stations per mile. It is called ‘dawa,’ that is, one-third of a mile. Now, at every third of a mile, there is a well-populated village outside which are three pavilions in which sit men with girded loins ready to start. Each of them carries a rod, two cubits in length with copper bells at the top. When the courier starts from the city, he holds the letter in one hand and the rod with its bells in the other; and he runs as fast as he can. When the men in the pavilion hear the ringing of the bell, they get ready. As soon as the courier reaches them, one of them takes the letter from him and runs at top speed, shaking the rod all the while until he reaches the next dawa. The same process continues until the letter reaches its destination. This foot post is quicker than the horse post and is often used to transport the fruit of Khurasan, which is much desired in India.

(i) Name the two kinds of postal systems.
Ans:  The two kinds of postal systems were:
(a) The horse postal system.
(b) The foot postal system.

(ii) Explain how the foot post worked.
Ans:  In the postal service on foot, there were three stages called Dawa, each covering one-third of a mile. A well-populated village was located every three miles, and outside each village, there were three pavilions where men waited to start their tasks. Each man had a long rod with copper bells at the top. When a courier began his journey, he held the letter in one hand and the rod with the bells in the other, running at full speed. Upon hearing the sound of the bell, the men in the pavilions would get ready. When the courier reached the pavilion, one man would take the letter and run quickly to the next station, repeating the process until the letter reached its destination.

(iii) How did the State encourage merchants in the 14th century?
Ans:  In the 14th century, the state encouraged traders by taking special steps such as providing sarais and rest houses along trade routes.