RBSE Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 8 Chanakya the Great

Rajasthan Board Solutions For Class 8 English Chapter 8 Chanakya The Great

Summary Of The Lesson

Once, a Buddhist monk visited Chanakya's house to ask for alms. Chanakya invited him inside. The monk was surprised to see how few things were in the house, only the bare necessities. He thought it was unusual for the Prime Minister of the great King Chandragupta to live like a simple holy man. Chanakya offered him food, and when the monk went to another room, he saw two ladies and no servants. One was Chanakya's mother, and the other, who was making chapatis, was his wife. Chanakya's mother served a simple meal. After eating, the monk asked if Chanakya had any children. Chanakya replied that he had a son studying in an ashram. To understand his surprise, the monk asked why Chanakya, despite being the Prime Minister, lived such a simple life.

Chanakya explained that it was his duty to serve his country and people. He wanted to ensure that no one in the Maurya Empire was unhappy. To earn a living, he copied books. After a long pause, the monk said that honest people like Chanakya still existed. He mentioned that there should be no suffering, but he had heard about robbers looting a nearby village, and the guards could do nothing. Chanakya assured the monk not to worry, saying he would go to the village with the king. After the monk left, Chanakya thought about the villagers and felt concerned. He told the king everything, and they went to the village. There, they learned that robbers had stolen everything, including bedding and blankets, making it hard for villagers to sleep in the cold. Chanakya promised to arrange blankets and assured them the robbers would be caught soon. When they returned to Patliputra, the capital city, he ordered blankets to be brought to his house. These blankets were kept in a corner of Chanakya's house.

Somehow, the robbers learned about the blankets and planned to steal them too. It was a cold night, but Chanakya's door was open. Everything was visible in the moonlight. The robbers searched for the blankets and noticed that Chanakya was covered with an old, holed blanket. They were shocked because he could have easily used one of the new blankets meant for distribution, and no one would have known. But, being an honest man, Chanakya did not use public property. The two robbers went outside to tell their gang members. All of them felt ashamed. The robbers then returned all the stolen goods and left them outside Chanakya's house. When Chanakya came out in the morning, he saw everything and understood what had happened. All the items were sent back to the village. After this incident, there were no more robberies in the Maurya Empire.

Difficult Words (कठिन शब्द)

Surprise- feeling contrary to expectation; अचरज, हैरत। Wealth- money and other possessions; धन, संपत्ति। Astonished- amazed; चकित होना। Right- correct; अधिकार। Earn- acquire; कमाना। Robbery- the crime of stealing; लूट, डाका। Livelihood- means of earning; निर्वाह करना। Ashamed- affected with shame; लज्जित, शर्मिंदा। Capital- the chief city of country; राजधानी। Suffering- be affected by; पीड़ित होना। Freedom- without anything stopping you; स्वतन्त्रता। Empire- group of countries under the ruler; साम्राज्य।

Glossary

Empire : a group of countries that all are controlled by one government

Livelihood : a means of earning money in order to live, living

Robbery: the crime of stealing money or goods from a bank, shop / store, person, etc. especially using violence or threats. 60

Chanakya The Great Textbook Questions Solved

Activity - I

A. Tick The Correct Alternative.

सही विकल्प पर निशान लगाइए।

Question 1. The bhikshu was astonished when he:
(a) saw the wealth of Prime Minister Chanakya
(b) came to know that food was ready
(c) saw Chanakya's mother preparing food
(d) saw no servant in Chanakya's room
Answer: (a) saw the wealth of Prime Minister Chanakya
In simple words: The monk was amazed to see how much wealth Prime Minister Chanakya had. This made him very surprised about Chanakya's simple lifestyle.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering multiple-choice questions, always re-read the passage to confirm the most accurate option, even if other options seem plausible.

Question 2. "I make copies of books to earn my livelihood.” Here 'livelihood' means:
(a) a piece of cloth put over somebody's face and head so that they cannot be recognised.
(b) a way of ruling
(c) complete silence
(d) earning in order to live
Answer: (d) earning in order to live
In simple words: 'Livelihood' means the way someone earns money or gets what they need to live each day. Chanakya copied books to support himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to context when defining words. The meaning of a word can change depending on how it's used in a sentence.

Question 1. There was nothing in Chanakya's room
Answer: False
In simple words: Chanakya's room had some basic, necessary items, though they were few. So, it was not completely empty.

🎯 Exam Tip: When evaluating true/false statements, look for keywords like "nothing" or "everything" and check if they are fully supported by the text or if there are slight nuances.

Question 2. Chanakya had a large family
Answer: False
In simple words: Chanakya lived with only his mother and wife, and his son was in an ashram. This is not considered a large family.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand what terms like "large family" mean in the context of the story; sometimes, common phrases have specific implications within the narrative.

Question 3. Chanakya was a very powerful person.......
Answer: True
In simple words: Chanakya was the Prime Minister, which means he held a very important and powerful position in the empire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Prime Minister is a position of great power, so this statement is accurate based on his role.

Question 4. Chanakya believed in the freedom of thought
Answer: True
In simple words: Chanakya worked for the well-being of his people and his empire, which included ensuring their freedom and happiness, implying a belief in freedom of thought.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for general principles or values that a character upholds, as these often indicate their beliefs, even if not stated directly.

Question 5. Everyone was free to follow his religion in the days of Chandra Gupta ......
Answer: True
In simple words: The Maurya Empire, under leaders like Chandragupta and Chanakya, was known for allowing people to practice their own religions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall historical context or common knowledge about the era if the text doesn't explicitly state every detail.

C. Answer The Following Questions In One Sentence Each.

निम्न प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक वाक्य में दीजिए।

Question 1. Why was the bhikshu surprised?
Answer: The bhikshu was surprised to see the wealth of Chanakya, the Prime Minister of the Empire. This was unexpected for someone in such a high position.
In simple words: The monk was surprised to see how much wealth Prime Minister Chanakya had.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the immediate cause of the character's emotion as stated in the text for a precise answer.

Question 3. What did Chanakya do to earn his living?
Answer: Chanakya used to make copies of books to earn his living. This was his way of supporting himself and his family.
In simple words: Chanakya copied books to earn money.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the direct action mentioned in the story that contributed to his livelihood.

Question 4. What kind of life did Chanakya want for people?
Answer: Chanakya wanted that nobody should be unhappy in the Maurya Empire. He worked to ensure everyone's welfare and contentment.
In simple words: Chanakya wanted everyone in his empire to be happy.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the core desire or goal of the character regarding the well-being of others.

D. Answer The Following Questions In About 20 To 30 Words Each.

निम्न प्रश्नों के उत्तर 20-30 शब्दों में दीजिए।

Question 1. Why did Chanakya lead such a simple life?
Answer: Chanakya lived a simple life because he believed it was his duty to look after the empire and its people. He felt he had no right to use public belongings for his personal comfort. This showed his strong principles.
In simple words: Chanakya lived simply because he felt it was his duty to serve the country and people, not use public property for himself.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain both the character's sense of duty and their principle regarding public property to fully answer this question.

Question 2. Why were the robbers ashamed?
Answer: The robbers were ashamed because they saw Chanakya, the Prime Minister, sleeping with an old, holey blanket. This was despite knowing there were many new blankets nearby meant for distribution, which he chose not to use. His honesty deeply moved them.
In simple words: The robbers felt ashamed because Chanakya, who was honest, used an old blanket even though new ones were available for others.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the contrast between Chanakya's personal sacrifice and the public property available to him to explain the robbers' shame.

B. Match The Words In Column 'A' With Their Opposites In Column 'B'.

Question. Match the words in column 'A' with their opposites in column 'B'.
A                          B
wake up                 silently
look after                feeling of pain, unhappiness
suffering                 feeling shame or embarrassment
ashamed                 take care of somebody / something
quietly                   to stop sleeping somebody / something
Answer:
wake up - to stop sleeping somebody/ something
look after - take care of somebody/something
suffering - feeling of pain, unhappiness
ashamed - feeling shame or embarrassment
quietly - silently
In simple words: Even though the question asks for opposites, the provided answer matches the words in Column A with their correct meanings in Column B. These pairs show what each word actually signifies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always double-check if the question's instruction (e.g., "opposites") aligns with the content provided for matching. If there's a mismatch, answer according to the logical pairing present in the solution.

Question. Match the words in column 'A' with their opposites in column 'B'.
A                                        B
known                                  indisciplined
disciplined                            unknown
cold                                     noisily
quietly                                 earn
spend                                  sad/unhappy
happy                                  slavery
freedom                               hot
Answer:
known - unknown
disciplined - indisciplined
cold - hot
quietly - noisily
spend - earn
happy - sad/unhappy
freedom - slavery
In simple words: This list correctly pairs words with their opposite meanings. Knowing these antonyms helps in understanding how words relate to each other.

🎯 Exam Tip: When matching opposites, clearly identify the core meaning of each word before searching for its direct contrary term.

Activity - III

A. Now Join The Following Sentences Using "As / So Long As".

Question. Now join the following sentences using "as / so long as".
(i) This selfish world helps you. You are earning.
(ii) We cooperate others. Others cooperate us.
(iii) We are safe. We obey the rules of road.
(iv) We keep practicing. We'll win the match.
(v) Children obey parents. They progress very well in their life.
(vi) Ram will be successful. He studies regularly.
(vii) We will serve our country, Bharat. We are alive and healthy.
(viii) You are honest nobody harms you.
Answer:
(i) This selfish world helps you as long as you are earning.
(ii) As long as we cooperate with others, others cooperate with us.
(iii) As long as we obey the rules of the road, we are safe.
(iv) As long as we keep practicing, we'll win the match.
(v) As long as children obey parents, they progress very well in their life.
(vi) As long as Ram studies regularly, he will be successful.
(vii) As long as we are alive and healthy, we will serve our country, Bharat.
(viii) As long as you are honest, nobody harms you.
In simple words: We connect two sentences using "as long as" or "so long as" to show that one action or state depends on another. It means "if this happens, then that happens."

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that "as long as" sets a condition for the main clause to be true. The conditional phrase usually comes at the beginning or in the middle of the sentence.

If he had gone to Delhi, he would have seen the Red Fort.

If you had worked hard, you would have passed.

Such types of sentences are known as Conditional Clauses. They are probable, improbable, or wishes which could not be fulfilled because certain condition/conditions could not take place.

Now Complete The Sentences With Your Own Imagination.

Question. Now complete the sentences with your own imagination.
(i) If Prashant had come in time.......
(ii) If Raj had run fast, ..........
(iii) If Ashish had worked hard, ..........
(iv) If Jayashree had played well, ..........
(v) If Abhilasha head driven carefully, ..........
(vi) If Abhishek had gone to Chittoor, ..........
(vii) If you had invited me, ..........
Answer:
(i) If Prashant had come in time, he would have boarded the bus.
(ii) If Raj had run fast, he would have won the trophy.
(iii) If Ashish had worked hard, he would have got good marks.
(iv) If Jayashree had played well, she would have been selected for the nationals.
(v) If Abhilasha had driven carefully, she could have avoided the accident.
(vi) If Abhishek had gone to Chittoor, he would have met his childhood friend.
(vii) If you had invited me, I would have come.
In simple words: These are "if-then" sentences about things that could have happened but didn't. You finish them by imagining a logical result if the first part of the sentence were true.

🎯 Exam Tip: When completing conditional sentences, ensure the tense and logic of the second part match the condition set in the "if" clause. For unreal past conditionals (If had + past participle), the result should be "would have + past participle".

C. Arrange The Following Sentences In A Meaningful Order.

Question. Arrange the following sentences in a meaningful order.
(i) If the police/fast/ had 'run/ they/ the thief would have caught
(ii) Had studied/ if Geeta/ seriously, she/ the class/ would have topped
(iii) A letter/ if Kamla/ had written/ her mother/it/ would have got
(iv) If Harvinder/ politely, had asked heartily/ Nidhi/ would have helped
(v) If it/ timely/ had not rained/ would have dried/ the crops
Answer:
(i) If the police had run fast, they would have caught the thief.
(ii) If Geeta had studied seriously, she would have topped the class.
(iii) If Kamla had written a letter, her mother would have got it.
(iv) If Harvinder had asked politely, Nidhi would have helped heartily.
(v) If it had not rained timely, the crops would have dried.
In simple words: To arrange words into a meaningful sentence, find the subject, then the verb, and then the rest of the sentence parts in a way that makes logical sense.

🎯 Exam Tip: Start by identifying the "if" clause and the main clause, then arrange the words within each clause correctly, keeping the subject-verb-object order in mind.

Activity - V

Listen To The Following Words Carefully.

Question 1. India is a country of great national and regional heroes/heroines. Rajasthan is no exception to it. Keeping this in view, write a brief life sketch of any national regional hero/heroine from the history of Rajasthan.
Answer: Maharana Pratap is a glorious figure, embodying courage, bravery, self-respect, patriotism, and a strong spirit of independence. It is difficult to believe that such a person truly existed. He became king in 1572 and fought for his homeland's independence and the preservation of Indian moral values until his last breath. He showed immense courage and bravery in the Battle of Haldighati. His incredible deeds continue to inspire and shine brightly in the hearts and minds of Indian people. His name will forever be remembered in Indian history. He truly stands as a symbol of unwavering resolve.
In simple words: Maharana Pratap was a brave and courageous king of Rajasthan. He fought hard for his country's freedom and values, always inspiring his people with his strength and patriotism.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a life sketch, include key events, character traits, and the impact of the person on history or society. Use strong adjectives to convey their significance.

Chanakya The Great Additional Questions For Practice

A. Tick The Correct Alternative.

सही विकल्प पर निशान लगाइए।

Question 1. Who was Chanakya?
(a) King
(b) Prime Minister
(c) Soldier
(d) Bhikshu
Answer: (b) Prime Minister
In simple words: Chanakya was the chief minister, a very important helper, for King Chandragupta.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify the specific role or position held by the character as mentioned in the story.

Question 2. The bhikshu was .......... to see Chanakya's wealth.
(a) surprised
(b) happy
(c) sad
(d) ashamed
Answer: (a) surprised
In simple words: The monk was amazed when he saw Chanakya's wealth, which was unexpected given his simple lifestyle.

🎯 Exam Tip: Look for clues in the text that describe the character's reaction or feeling to a particular situation.

Question 3. How many ladies were there in Chanakya's house?
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) four
Answer: (b) two
In simple words: There were two ladies in Chanakya's house: his mother and his wife.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to details about the number of people or items mentioned in the narrative.

Question 4. Who was the making chapatis?
(a) Chanakya
(b) Bhikshu
(c) mother
(d) wife
Answer: (d) wife
In simple words: Chanakya's wife was the one preparing the chapatis for the meal.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note specific actions performed by different characters to distinguish their roles.

Question 5. भोजन किसने परोसा?
(a) mother
(b) Chanakya
(c) wife
(d) king
Answer: (a) mother
In simple words: Chanakya's mother served the food to the monk.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to the role each family member plays in the narrative, especially in household tasks.

Question 6. How many children did Chanakya have?
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) four
Answer: (a) one
In simple words: Chanakya had one son, who was studying in an ashram.

🎯 Exam Tip: Extract precise numerical information when it's directly stated in the text.

Question 7. Who was the king of the Maurya Empire?
(a) Chandragupt
(b) Chanakya
(c) Bhikshu
(d) Surya Gupta
Answer: (a) Chandragupt
In simple words: The great King Chandragupta ruled the Maurya Empire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Distinguish between the king and his ministers or advisors as their roles are different.

Question 8. मौर्य साम्राज्य की राजधानी क्या थी?
(a) Patliputra
(b) Jaipur
(c) Delhi
(d) Rajasthan
Answer: (a) Patliputra
In simple words: Patliputra was the main city and capital of the Maurya Empire.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember important place names and their significance within the story's setting.

Question 9. Where did the king go with Chanakya?
(a) morning walk
(b) garden
(c) city
(d) village
Answer: (d) village
In simple words: The king went with Chanakya to the village to investigate the robberies.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the specific destination and purpose of character movements in the story.

Question 10. How many robbers went inside Chanakya's house?
(a) one
(b) two
(c) three
(d) four
Answer: (b) two
In simple words: Two robbers went inside Chanakya's house to steal the blankets.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay close attention to numerical details in the narrative, such as the number of characters involved in an action.

B. Answer The Following Questions In One Sentence.

निम्न प्रश्नों के उत्तर एक वाक्य में दीजिए।

Question 1. Who came at Chanakya's door for bhiksha?
Answer: A Buddhist monk came to Chanakya's door for alms (bhiksha). He was seeking food and charity.
In simple words: A Buddhist monk came to Chanakya's house to ask for food.

🎯 Exam Tip: State the character's identity and their reason for visiting clearly and concisely.

Question 2. What did the bhikshu see in the room?
Answer: The bhikshu looked around and saw only a few basic things for daily use, some pots, and bedding in the room. This showed Chanakya's simple lifestyle.
In simple words: The monk saw only a few simple items like pots and bedding in the room.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the observed items accurately and briefly as mentioned in the text.

Question 3. How many people live with Chanakya?
Answer: Two people, his mother and his wife, lived with Chanakya. His son was away in an ashram.
In simple words: Chanakya lived with two people: his mother and his wife.

🎯 Exam Tip: Ensure you include all individuals living in the household, based on the story details.

Question 4. How many hours did Chanakya spend with public?
Answer: Chanakya spent twelve hours with the public to listen to their difficulties. He dedicated a significant portion of his day to public service.
In simple words: Chanakya spent twelve hours each day listening to people's problems.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide the exact number of hours mentioned, as it signifies his dedication.

C. Answer the Following Questions in 20 to 30 Words.

Question 1. What did robbers decide when they came to know what Chanakya was doing?
Answer: The robbers decided to steal as many blankets as they could from Chanakya's house. They made this plan when they learned that Chanakya had brought blankets for the villagers to protect them from the cold. This showed their greed even when facing someone so honest.
In simple words: The robbers decided to take the blankets from Chanakya's house after they found out he had stored them for the villagers.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing character decisions, always mention both the decision and the reason or trigger behind it to show complete understanding.

Question 2. Why were robbers astonished?
Answer: The robbers were very surprised because they saw many new blankets in the room, yet Chanakya, the Prime Minister, was sleeping under an old blanket with holes, on a straw bed. This simple lifestyle of Chanakya amazed them, as it clearly showed his deep honesty and integrity.
In simple words: They were surprised because Chanakya, despite having new blankets in his room, was sleeping with an old, torn blanket on a straw bed.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on contrasting details (new blankets vs. old blanket) to highlight the reason for astonishment and Chanakya's character.

Question 3. What did Chanakya see in the morning?
Answer: Early in the morning, when Chanakya woke up and went outside, he saw all the stolen goods that the robbers had taken, lying outside his house. The robbers, filled with shame after seeing his honesty, had quietly returned everything they stole.
In simple words: In the morning, Chanakya saw all the stolen items that the robbers had returned lying outside his house.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the scene Chanakya observed and infer the reason behind the goods being there based on the story's context.

Question 4. What did Chanakya do to help the public?
Answer: Chanakya dedicated twelve hours every day to the common people. He listened carefully to their difficulties to find solutions and provide help. This direct interaction helped him understand the true needs of his empire and ensure their welfare.
In simple words: Chanakya spent twelve hours daily listening to people's problems and helping them solve them.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the dedication and proactive approach Chanakya took to serve the citizens of his empire.

D. Answer the Following Question in 40 to 50 Words.

Question 1. On the basis of this Chapter write few lines about Chanakya.
Answer: Chanakya was the Prime Minister of the powerful Mauryan Empire. He lived a very simple life, earning his livelihood by copying books. He strongly believed it was his duty to care for the empire and its people, and that he should not use public property for himself. He wanted everyone in the Mauryan Empire to be happy and free from worries.
In simple words: Chanakya, the Mauryan Prime Minister, lived a simple life, earned money by copying books, and dedicated himself to serving his people and empire without using public resources for personal gain. He wished for everyone's happiness.

🎯 Exam Tip: When writing a character sketch, include details about their role, lifestyle, core beliefs, and main motivations as shown in the chapter.