UP Board Solutions Class 11 English Chapter 3 Drought

UP Board Class 11th English Short Stories Chapter 3 Questions And Answers

कक्षा 11 अंग्रेजी पाठ 3 के प्रश्न उत्तर

Story At A Glance

The story ‘Drought takes place in the village called Kashipur. There was a landlord named Shibu Babu who was a cruel man. Gafur was a weaver who served Shibu Babu. Amina was Gafur's daughter and Mahesh was his bull whom he loved most. One year there was drought. The month of May was going to be ended yet there was no hope of rain and no clouds in the sky. There was no grass anywhere and the tanks had dried up. Gafur had nothing to feed his bull on. He had become so weak that his ribs could be counted. Gafur tied him in the sun lest the bull should enter anybody's field. Even Gafur's daughter could not prepare anything for eating because she had nothing in the house to prepare food.

It was very hot in June. Gafur started in search of any work. But he got no work. When he returned home, he could get neither food nor water. He was so much angry with his daughter that he slapped her. The girl said nothing. She took up the pitcher and went to bring the water. But she could not get water anywhere. In the meantime a servant of the landlord came to call him and said to him, “If you do not come with me, I shall drag you to the landlord." Gafur had to go. The landlord was very angry with him because Mahesh had spoiled her flowers and had wounded his daughter.

In the meantime Gafur heard a shriek of his daughter. He saw that the girl was lying on the ground. The pitcher had dropped down her head and Mahesh was sucking up the water. Gafur thought that Mahesh had pushed his daughter. So he struck hard on the bull's head. The animal died on the spot.

At midnight Gafur left his village and started to Fulbere with his daughter to get some work in the Jute Mill at Fulbere. Before his departure he went near the tree where he used to tie his bull with the rope. He wept bitterly to remember Mahesh.

कहानी पर एक दृष्टि

'Drought नामक कहानी काशीपुर नामक गाँव में घटित होती है। वहाँ शिब्बू बाबू नाम का एक जमींदार था जो बहुत अत्याचारी व्यक्ति था। गफूर एक जुलाहा था जो शिब्बू बाबू के यहाँ नौकरी करता था। अमीना गफूर की बेटी थी और महेश उसका बैल था जिसे वह सबसे अधिक प्यार करता था। एक वर्ष सूखा पड़ा। मई मास समाप्त होने को था, फिर भी बारिश की या आकाश में बादलों की कोई आशा नहीं थी। कहीं भी घास का नामोनिशान नहीं था और तालाब भी सूख गये थे। गफूर के पास अपने बैल को खिलाने के लिए कुछ भी नहीं था। वह इतना कमजोर हो गया था कि उसकी पसलियाँ गिनी जा सकती थीं। गफूर ने उसे धूप में बाँध दिया था कहीं वह किसी के खेत में घुस न जाए। गफूर की पुत्री भी खाने के लिए कुछ न बना सकी क्योंकि घर में खाना पकाने को कुछ भी नहीं था।

जून के महीने में भयंकर गर्मी थी। गफूर काम की तलाश में गया किन्तु उसे काम नहीं मिला। जब वह घर लौटकर आया तो उसे न खाना मिला और न पानी। वह अपनी बेटी पर इतना नाराज हुआ कि उसे थप्पड़ मार दिया। लड़की कुछ नहीं बोली-और घड़ा उठाकर पानी लेने चली गई। किन्तु उसे कहीं भी पानी नहीं मिला।

इतने में ही जमींदार का एक नौकर उसे बुलाने आया और उसने बताया कि यदि वह उसके साथ नहीं चलेगा। तब उसे घसीटकर ले जाया जाएगा। गफूर को जाना ही पड़ा। जमींदार उस पर बहुत नाराज हुआ, क्योंकि गफूर के बैल ने जमींदार के फूलों को नष्ट कर दिया था और उसकी लड़की को घायल कर दिया था। इसी बीच गफूर ने लड़की की चीख सुनी। उसने देखा कि लड़की जमीन पर गिरी पड़ी है। घड़ा उसके सिर से गिर गया है। महेश बिखरे हुए पानी को पी रहा है। गफूर ने अपने हल के सिरे से महेश के झुके हुए सिर पर चोट की। इससे बैल वहीं पर मर गया।

आधी रात के समय गफूर ने अपना गाँव छोड़ दिया और अपनी लड़की को लेकर फुलबेरी चला गया। उसे आशा थी कि वहाँ उसे पटसन के कारखाने में नौकरी मिल जाएगी। चलने से पहले वह उस वृक्ष के पास गया जहाँ महेश को रस्सी से बाँधा जाता था। वह महेश को याद करके बहुत रोया ।

Short Answer Type Questions

Answer One Of The Following Questions In Not More Then 30 Words:

Question 1. who was Gafur? What was the name of his daughter and his bull?
(गफूर कौन थी ? उसकी बेटी और बैल का क्या नाम था ?)
Answer: Gafur was a poor weaver. Amina was his daughter and Mahesh was his bull. (गफूर एक गरीब जुलाहा था। अमीना उसकी बेटी और महेश उसका बैल था।)
In simple words: Gafur was a struggling weaver whose daughter was Amina and his beloved bull was Mahesh.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember the key characters and their relationships for foundational understanding of the story.

Question 2. who was Mahesh ? How did Gafur feed him ? [Imp.]
(महेश कौन था ? गफूर उसे किस प्रकार खाना देता था ?)
Answer: Mahesh was the bull of Gafur. Gafur got some straw from the landlord for tilling his land. He fed his bull on this straw. (महेश गफूर का बैल था। गफूर को जमींदार की जमीन जोतने के लिए कुछ भूसा मिल जाता था। उसी को वह महेश को खाने के लिए देता था।)
In simple words: Mahesh was Gafur's bull, which he fed with straw provided by the landlord for tilling his fields.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Gafur's limited resources and the importance of Mahesh to his livelihood.

Question 3. What warning did Tarakaratna give to Gafur regarding Mahesh and what was his reply?
(महेश के सम्बन्ध में तारकरन ने गफूर को क्या चेतावनी दी और उसका क्या उत्तर था ?)
Answer: Tarakaratna warned Gafur that the landlord would flay him alive if the bull died. Gafur replied that he was suffering from fever. He would not let the bull go alone to graze because the paddies were still lying in the fields. So he might enter anybody's field. (तारकरत्न ने गफूर को चेतावनी दी कि जमींदार उसकी खाल खींच लेगा यदि उसका बैल मर गया। गफूर ने उत्तर दिया कि उसे बुखार आ रहा है। वह बैल को अकेले नहीं चरने देगा, क्योंकि खेतों में अभी धान पड़ा है। इसलिए वह किसी के खेत में घुस सकता है ।)
In simple words: Tarakaratna warned Gafur about severe punishment if the bull died, but Gafur stated he was ill and couldn't risk the bull damaging fields.

🎯 Exam Tip: Note the tension between Gafur and the authority figures, highlighting the socio-economic pressures he faced.

Question 4. what made Tarakaratma leave hurriedly?
(तारकरत्न जल्दी क्यों चला गया ?)
Answer: Tarakaratna had a bundle of rice and fruits in his hand. When the bull saw it, he moved towards him to eat it. Tarakaratna feared that the bull would attack him with his horns. So he left hurriedly. (तारकरत्न के हाथ में चावल और फलों की एक पोटली थी। जब बैल ने इसे देखा तो वह उसे खाने के लिए उसकी ओर मुड़ा। तारकरल को भय था कि बैल अपने सींगों से उस पर आक्रमण करेगा। इसलिए वह जल्दी से चला गया ।)
In simple words: Tarakaratna left quickly because Gafur's bull, attracted by the food he carried, moved towards him, making him fear an attack.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the immediate cause-and-effect in character interactions to show comprehension.

Question 5. What for did Gafur come to Banshi's shop secretly? [M. Imp.]
(गफूर छिपकैर बंसी की दुकान पर क्यों आया ?)
Answer: Gafur wanted to bring his bull from the police pen. He needed a rupee for it. So he went to Banshi's shop secretly to borrow a rupee from him. (गफूर को पुलिस के कांजीघर से अपना बैल छुड़ाना था। उसे इसके लिए एक रुपये की आवश्यकता थी। इसलिए वह बंसी की दुकान पर एक रुपया उधार लेने के लिए चुपचाप गया ।)
In simple words: Gafur secretly visited Banshi's shop to borrow a rupee, which he needed to retrieve his bull from the police pen.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recall Gafur's efforts and sacrifices to protect Mahesh, highlighting his affection for the bull.

Question 6. In spite of being very poor Gafur threw away a ten rupee note, why?
(गरीब होने के बावजूद गफूर ने दस का नोट फेंक दिया. क्यों ?)
Or
Why did Gafur not accept the ten rupee note from the butcher? [Imp.]
(गफूर ने कसाई से दस रुपए का नोट लेने से मना क्यों कर दिया?)
Answer: Gafur was very poor. But he loved his bull very much. So he could not bear his separation. So when the purchaser came, he threw away the ten rupee note at him. (गफूर बहुत गरीब था। लेकिन वह अपने बैल को बहुत प्यार करता था। इसलिए वह उसका वियोग सहन नहीं कर सका। जब खरीददार आया तब उसने दस रुपये का नोट उस पर फेंक दिया ।)
In simple words: Despite his poverty, Gafur refused a ten-rupee note from the butcher because he loved his bull deeply and could not bear the thought of selling him.

🎯 Exam Tip: This question explores Gafur's emotional depth and priorities beyond financial needs. Emphasize his bond with Mahesh.

Question 7. who was Amina? Who slapped her and why?
(अमीना कौन थी ? उसे थप्पड़ किसने मारा और क्यों ?)
Answer: Amina was the daughter of Gafur. Gafur scolded and slapped her because he was very hungry and Amina could not give him food. (अमीना गफूर की पुत्री थी। गफूर ने उसे थप्पड़ मारा, क्योंकि वह भूखा था और अमीना उसे खाना नहीं दे सकी ।)
In simple words: Amina was Gafur's daughter, and Gafur slapped her out of intense hunger and frustration when she couldn't provide him with food.

🎯 Exam Tip: Understand the desperation and extreme conditions that led to Gafur's uncharacteristic behavior towards his daughter.

Question 8. Gafur loses his self-control for the second time'. when and why ?
('गफूर दूसरी बार अपना आत्म-नियन्त्रण खो देता है।' कब और क्यों ?)
Answer: The messenger of the landlord asked Gafur to go to the landlord at once and said, “It's master's order to drag you to him and give you a good thrashing.” Gafur could not bear it. So he lost his self-control and said that he was not a slave and he Would not go. (जमींदार के दूत ने गफूर से तुरन्त जमींदार के पास जाने को कहा तथा यह भी कहा, “मालिक की आज्ञा है। कि तेरी खूब पिटाई करू और खींचकर ले जाऊँ ।” गफूर इसे सहन नहीं कर सका। उसने पुनः आत्म-नियन्त्रण खो दिया और कह दिया कि मैं गुलाम नही हूँ और मैं नहीं जाऊँगा।)
In simple words: Gafur lost self-control when the landlord's messenger threatened to drag him and beat him, as he refused to be treated like a slave.

🎯 Exam Tip: Identify instances of Gafur's emotional breaking points, which often stem from indignity and oppression.

Question 9. why did Gafur kill the bull ? [M. Imp.]
(गफूर ने बैल को क्यों मार डाला ?)
Or
Who killed Mahesh and why ?
(महेश को किसने मारा और क्यों ?)
Answer: Gafur killed Mahesh (bull) because he doubted that Mahesh had attacked his daughter Amina. (गफूर ने महेश (बैल) को मारा क्योंकि उसे यह सन्देह था कि महेश ने उसकी पुत्री अमीना पर आक्रमण किया है ।)
In simple words: Gafur killed Mahesh because he mistakenly believed his bull had attacked his daughter Amina.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a crucial plot point; clearly explain Gafur's tragic misunderstanding and its devastating consequence.

Question 10. Amina, dear, comelet's go.” who says these words and why? [Imp.]
(“प्रिय अमीना, आओ. अब हम चलें ।” यह शब्द कौन कहता है और क्यों ?)
Answer: Gafur says these words. He is afraid that he would not be able to pay the penalty to the landlord. So he decides to leave the city. (यह शब्द गफूर कहता है। उसे भय है कि वह जमींदार को जुर्माना नहीं चुका पाएगा। अतः उसने नगर को छोड़ने का निश्चय कर लिया ।)
In simple words: Gafur says these words to Amina, deciding to leave the village because he fears he cannot pay the penalty to the oppressive landlord.

🎯 Exam Tip: Connect this dialogue to Gafur's dire circumstances and his ultimate decision to seek a new life.

Question 11. What did Gafur ask God to do? [M. Imp.]
(गफूर ने भगवान् से क्या करने को कहा ?)
Answer: Gafur asked God never to forgive the landlord who neither let his bull eat the grass nor drink the water. (गफूर ने भगवान् से कहा कि जमींदार को कभी क्षमा न करना जिसने उसके बैल को न तो घास खाने दी और न पानी पीने दिया ।)
In simple words: Gafur prayed to God, asking Him never to forgive the cruel landlord who deprived his bull of food and water.

🎯 Exam Tip: This highlights Gafur's deep sense of injustice and his emotional appeal against the landlord's cruelty.

Question 12. what would have happened if it had been a good year?
(यदि वह सुखद वर्ष होता तो क्या होता ?)
Answer: If it had been a good year, there would have been no tragedy. (यदि यह एक सुखद वर्ष होता तो कोई दुर्घटना नहीं होती ।)
In simple words: If it had been a good year with no drought, the tragic events of the story would not have occurred.

🎯 Exam Tip: Recognize the overarching theme of the story—how environmental disaster exacerbates human suffering and conflict.

Question 13. What do you think of the title ? Suggest any other that may suit it.
(कहानी के शीर्षक के विषय में आप क्या सोचते हैं ? इसके लिए कोई दूसरा उपयुक्त शीर्षक सुझाइए।)
Answer: The title ‘Drought' of this story is quite appropriate. The whole story centres round the drought and its after effects. All the tragedy was due to drought. Another suitable title may be “Cruelty of the Landlord." (Drought' इस कहानी के लिए पूरी तरह उपयुक्त शीर्षक है। पूरी कहानी सूखे और उसके प्रभाव के चारों और घूमती नजर आती है। समस्त दुःखद घटनाएँ इसी सूखे के कारण हुईं। इस कहानी के लिए दूसरा उपयुक्त शीर्षक हो सकता है-"जमींदार की निर्दयता ।")
In simple words: The title 'Drought' is fitting as the story revolves around the drought and its tragic consequences, though "Cruelty of the Landlord" could also be a suitable alternative.

🎯 Exam Tip: Analyze how the title reflects the story's main theme and consider alternative titles that capture other significant aspects.

Question 14. Describe the helplessness of Gafur in sustaining his family
(अपने परिवार के भरण-पोषण में गफूर की असहायता का वर्णन कीजिए ।)
Answer: Gafur became helpless to sustain his family because there was nothing to eat for himself and his only girl, Amina. And there was nothing to feed his bull on. This was caused by drought. He started to search for any work but got no work. (गफूर अपने परिवार का भरण-पोषण करने में असहाय हो गया था क्योंकि स्वयं के तथा अपनी इकलौती बेटी अमीना को खाने के लिए कुछ नहीं था और अपने बैल के खिलाने के लिए भी कुछ नहीं था। यह सूखा के कारण था। वह किसी काम की तलाश में भी गया लेकिन उसे काम नहीं मिला ।)
In simple words: Gafur was helpless to support his family due to the drought, which left him with no food for himself or his daughter Amina, no feed for his bull, and no work opportunities.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the direct impacts of the drought on Gafur's family and his futile attempts to find work.

Question 15. How unfair was the landlord to Gafur? What did it result in ?
(जमींदार गफूर के प्रति कितना अन्यायी था? इसका क्या परिणाम हुआ ?)
Answer: Landlord was very unfair to Gafur. He did not give Gafur straw for his bull at the time of drought, he did not allow him to take water from the tank and was very rude. It resulted in the death of bull. (जमींदारे गफूर के प्रति बहुत अन्यायी था। उसने सूखे के समय गफूर को बैल के लिए भूसा नहीं दिया, उसने उसे तालाब से पानी नहीं लेने दिया और अत्यन्त अभद्र था। इसको परिणाम हुआ बैल की मृत्यु तु।)
In simple words: The landlord was extremely unfair, denying Gafur straw, water for his bull, and being rude, which ultimately led to the bull's death.

🎯 Exam Tip: Detail the landlord's specific acts of cruelty and connect them directly to the tragic demise of Mahesh.

Question 16. How did the drought affect the village Kashipur? Comment in the light of the story Drought ? [Imp.]
(काशीपुर गाँव को सूखे ने कैसे प्रभावित किया? ‘सूखा' नामक कहानी के प्रकाश में विवेचना कीजिए ।)
Answer: One year in Kashipur in the month of May there was a fearful drought. There was no hope of rain. Tanks had dried up. There was no grass and no water in the village. The animals were starving. (एक वर्ष काशीपुर में मई के महीने में भयंकर सूखा पड़ा। बारिश की कोई आशा नहीं थी। तालाब सूख गए थे। गाँव में न कहीं घास थी और न पानी । पशु भूख से मर रहे थे ।)
In simple words: The drought severely impacted Kashipur by drying up tanks, eliminating grass and water, and causing widespread starvation among animals.

🎯 Exam Tip: Describe the environmental and agricultural devastation caused by the drought to highlight its central role in the narrative.