UP Board Solutions Class 11 English Chapter 5 The Variety and Unity of India

Class 11 English Chapter 5 Question Answer Up Board The Variety And Unity Of India

Up Board Class 11th English Prose Chapter 5 Questions And Answers

कक्षा 11 अंग्रेजी पाठ 5 के प्रश्न उत्तर

These Solutions are part of UP Board Solutions for Class 11 English. Here we have given UP Board Solutions for Class 11 English Prose Chapter 5 The Variety and Unity of India.

Lesson At A Glance

This essay is an extract from the famous book “The Discovery of India' written by Jawaharlal Nehru. According to him the diversity of India is remarkable and it is so obvious that anybody can see it. He cites the example of the Pathan of the North-West and the Tamil in the Far South. They differ in face and figure, food and clothing and of course language. Yet with all these differences there is no mistaking the impress of India on the Pathan, as this is obvious in the Tamil.

The Pathan and the Tamil are two extreme examples; the others lie somewhere in between. All of them have their distinctive features, all of them have still more the distinguishing mark of India. The Bengalies, the Marathas, the Sindhis, the Kashmiris and so the others, have retained their peculiar characteristics for hundred of years, have still more or less the same virtues and failings of which old traditions or records tell us.

Today, when the conception of nationalism has developed, much more Indians in foreign countries inevitably form a national group and hang together for various purposes, in spite of their internal differences. An Indian Christian is looked upon as an Indian wherever he may go. An Indian Muslim is considered an Indian in Turkey or Arabia or Iran. It testifies the unity of India in its diversity.

पाठ का हिन्दी अनुवाद

1. The diversity of India ........ had developed.

भारत में विविधता बहुत अधिक है, यह स्पष्ट है, इसे कोई भी व्यक्ति ऊपर से देख सकता है। इसका सम्बन्ध शारीरिक रूप से और कुछ मानसिक आदतों तथा गुणों से भी है। बाहरी रूप से देखने में उत्तरी-पश्चिमी सीमा प्रान्त के पठान में तथा सुदूर दक्षिण तमिल निवासी में बहुत कम समानता है। उनकी नस्ल एक-सी नहीं है यद्यपि उनमें कुछ समानताएँ हो सकती हैं। फिर भी वे शक्ल में, काठी में, भोजन में, वस्त्रों में और वास्तव में भाषा में भिन्न होते हैं। उत्तरी-पश्चिमी सीमान्त प्रान्त में पहले से ही मध्य एशिया का प्रभाव है और कश्मीर के समान वहाँ के भी बहुत से रीति-रिवाज हिमालय के दूसरी ओर के देशों की याद दिलाते हैं। पठानों के लोकप्रिय नृत्य विशेष रूप से रूस के कोसेक नृत्य के समान हैं। फिर भी इन अन्तरों के होते हुए भी निःसन्देह, रूप से पठानों पर भी भारत का उतना ही प्रभाव है जितना तमिलों पर है। यह आश्चर्य की बात नहीं है, क्योंकि यह सीमा पार के देश और वास्तव में अफगानिस्तान भी हजारों वर्षों तक भारत से जुड़े रहे। पुरानी तुर्की जाति तथा अन्य जातियाँ जो अफगानिस्तान में तथा मध्य एशिया के भाग में रहती थीं, इस्लाम धर्म के आने से पूर्व अधिकांश रूप से बौद्ध धर्म की अनुयायी थीं और इससे भी पहले महाकाव्य के समय में हिन्दू थे । सीमान्त क्षेत्र पुरानी भारतीय संस्कृति का प्रमुख केन्द्र था और अब भी पुरानी ऐतिहासिक इमारतों, मठों और विशेष रूप से तक्षशिला के महान् विश्वविद्यालय के खण्डहरों से भरा पड़ा है जो (तक्षशिला का विश्वविद्यालय) दो हजार वर्षों पूर्व प्रसिद्धि की चरम सीमा पर था और पूरे भारत से भी तथा एशिया के भिन्न-भिन्न भागों से भी विद्यार्थियों को आकर्षित करता था। धर्म परिवर्तन से अन्तर तो पड़ा किन्तु यह परिवर्तन उस मानसिक पृष्ठभूमि को नहीं बदल सका जो उन क्षेत्रों के लोगों में पनप गई थी।

2. The Pathan and....... even encouraged.

पठानों और तमिलों के दो बड़े उदाहरण हैं और अन्य सभी उदाहरण इनके बीच में हैं। इनमें से सभी के अपने-अपने विशेष लक्षण हैं और इससे भी अधिक उन सभी पर भारत की स्पष्ट छाप है। यह बात बड़ी आकर्षक है कि बंगालियों, मराठों, गुजरातियों, तमिलों, आन्ध्रावासियों, ओडिशावासियों, असमियों, कन्नड़ों, मलयालियों, सिन्धियों, पंजाबियों, पठानों, कश्मीरियों, राजपूतों और भारत के मध्यवर्ती प्रान्तों में रहने वाले हिन्दुस्तानी भाषा बोलने वाले लोगों ने अपने विशेष लक्षणों को सैकड़ों वर्षों तक कैसे बनाए रखा और उन्हीं विशिष्ट गुणों तथा अवगुणों (कमियों) को, जो हमें पुरानी परम्पराएँ तथा दस्तावेज बताती हैं, बनाए रखा और वे परम्पराएँ तथा दस्तावेज इतने समय तक भारतीय रहे और उनमें समान राष्ट्रीय विरासत तथा समान मानसिक एवं नैतिक गुण रहे। इस विरासत में कुछ जीती-जागती तथा प्रगतिशील बात थी जो रहन-सहन के ढंग में, जीवन के दार्शनिक दृष्टिकोण में तथा इसकी समस्याओं में विद्यमान रही। प्राचीन चीन के समय प्राचीन भारत स्वयं एक विश्व था। इसकी अपनी एक संस्कृति एवं प्राचीन सभ्यता थी जिसने अन्य सभी बातों को रूप प्रदान किया। उस पर विदेशी प्रभाव पड़े, बहुधा उस संस्कृति को प्रभावित भी किया और फिर उसी में विलीन हो गये । विघटनकारी प्रवृत्तियों ने भी जन्म लिया और इनसे एकता मिली। सभ्यता के प्रारम्भ से ही भारतीयों के मन में किसी-न-किसी प्रकार का एकता का स्वप्ने रहा है। वह एकता बाहर से थोपी गयी वस्तु नहीं मानी गई थी तथा आदतों की बाहरी समानता एवं धार्मिक विश्वासों का परिणाम नहीं थी। यह कोई गम्भीर बात थी और इसकी सीमा में धार्मिक विश्वासों की व्यापक सहनशीलता और रीति-रिवाजों को व्यवहार में लाया गया था और इस विविधता को स्वीकार किया गया एवं प्रोत्साहित किया गया।

3. Differences ..........the dominant religion.

मतभेद छोटे हों या बड़े, राष्ट्रीय समूह में भी सदा देखे जा सकते हैं चाहे वे एक-दूसरे के कितने ही निकट हों। उस समूह की आवश्यक एकता उस समय स्पष्ट हो जाती है जब इसकी तुलना किसी अन्य राष्ट्रीय समूह से की जाती है, यद्यपि सीमावर्ती प्रान्तों के पास इन निकट के समूहों में मतभेद बहुधा गायब हो जाते हैं या एक-दूसरे में मिल जाते हैं और आधुनिक विकास से प्रत्येक स्थान पर कुछ एकता पैदा होने लगती है। प्राचीन एवं मध्य काल में आधुनिक राष्ट्र का विचार विद्यमान नहीं था और सामन्ती, धार्मिक, प्रजातीय तथा सांस्कृतिक सम्बन्धों का अधिक महत्त्व था। फिर भी मैं सोचता हूँ कि लिखित इतिहास में किसी भी समय कोई व्यक्ति भारत के किसी भाग में घर जैसा अनुभव करता होगा और किसी अन्य देश में अनजान या विदेशी अनुभव करता होगा। उन देशों में जिन्होंने उसकी संस्कृति एवं धर्म को आंशिक रूप से भी स्वीकार कर लिया है वहाँ भी वह व्यक्ति अपने आपको कम अनजान अनुभव करता होगा। वे व्यक्ति जो ऐसे धर्म को मानते थे जो भारतीय उत्पत्ति का नहीं था और भारत में आकर बस गए थे वे कुछ पीढ़ियों के बाद निश्चित रूप से भारतीय हो गए; जैसे-ईसाई, यहूदी, पारसी, मुसलमान । इन धर्मों के वे भारतीय जिन्होंने अपना धर्म-परिवर्तन कर लिया, वे भी धर्म-परिवर्तन के बावजूद भारतीय बने रहे। ये सभी लोग अन्य देशों में भारतीय और विदेशी समझे जाते थे चाहे उनमें धार्मिक विचारों की समानता हो ।

4. All of us ...... heart of Asia.

आज जबकि राष्ट्रवाद की विचारधारा खूब पनप गई है, विदेशों में रहने वाले स्पष्ट रूप से अपना एक राष्ट्रीय समुदाय बनाते हैं। आन्तरिक मतभेदों के होते हुए भी वे भिन्न-भिन्न कार्यों में एक-दूसरे के साथ मिलकर कार्य करते हैं। भारतीय ईसाई कहीं भी चला जाए उसे भारतीय ही समझा जाता है। तुर्की, अरब, ईरान या । अन्य कोई ऐसे देश में जहाँ इस्लाम धर्म का प्रभुत्व है यदि कोई भारत का मुसलमान चला जाए, तो उसे भी भारतीय ही समझा जाता है।

Understanding The Text

Explanations

Explain the following passages with reference to the context :

Question 1. The diversity of India.... in the far South.
Answer: Reference: These lines have been taken from the lesson ‘The Variety and Unity of. India' written by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
[ N.B.: The above reference will be used for all explanations of this lesson. ]
Context: This essay has been taken from Nehru's famous book “The Discovery of India'. In this essay he explains how despite of cultural diversities, there is unity in India. Irrespective of caste, creed and religion, all people living in India call themselves Indian.
Explanation: In this passage the writer says that in India there is a lot of diversity from one corner of India to another. It is so clear that every body can see it outwardly. It can be seen in the physical appearance, physical traits and mental habits of the people of India. The author also mentions the examples of Pathans of North-West Frontier and the Tamils of South to show India's tremendous unity.
In simple words: India displays a remarkable diversity in physical traits, customs, and languages across its regions, yet a fundamental unity binds all its people as Indians.

🎯 Exam Tip: For passage explanations, always begin by identifying the source (lesson, author), then provide context for the passage, and finally, elaborate on its meaning, linking it back to the main theme.

Question 2. The frontier area was ........ areas had developed.
Answer: Context: In this essay Pt. Nehru explains how despite of cultural diversities there is unity in India. It can be seen in the physical appearance, physical traits and mental habits of the people of India. The writer gives some living examples to prove his statement.
Explanation: In this passage the writer tells the readers that in those times the frontier area was one of the centres of old Indian culture. The ruins of monuments and monasteries which are lying there even today are the proof of old Indian culture. In those days the university of Taxila was so famous that it attracted students from all over India as well as different parts of Asia. According to Nehru the changes of religion could not change entirely the mental backgrounds which the people of those areas had developed.
In simple words: The frontier region was a hub of ancient Indian culture, with historical ruins and Taxila University attesting to its past glory, and despite religious changes, the deep-rooted cultural identity remained.

🎯 Exam Tip: When discussing historical regions, mention specific evidence (ruins, institutions) to support your points about cultural significance and historical continuity.

Question 3. There was something..... synthesis.
Answer: Context: This lesson is taken from the well-known work of Nehru “The Discovery of India'. In this lesson Pt. Nehru says that India is a country of great diversity in physical appearance, fo clothing, social customs, rms, religion and language. Yet the Indian. culture has a great impress upon different people and it unites them.
Explanation: People of different religions and languages living in India remained Indians throughout the centuries. Foreign races came here but they also could not disrupt the national feelings of the Indians. Every person living in India was first Indian and then something else. Many years ago India was also a vast country like China. She had her own culture and assimilated much of the other cultures also. It has always been changing outwardly. Therefore, the Indian culture is called dynamic.
In simple words: Indian culture, despite its vast diversity in appearance, customs, and languages, has a unifying effect, continuously evolving and absorbing foreign influences while retaining a strong national identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the dynamic nature of Indian culture and its ability to absorb external influences without losing its core identity, which is key to its unity.

Question 4. Disruptive tendencies.... ............ encouraged
Answer: Context : Pt. Nehru says that India is a country of great diversity in physical appearance, food, clothing, social customs, religion and language. But it has a unique culture. It has a characteristic of synthesis. So many times foreign cultures influenced our culture but they were soon absorbed in it.
Explanation: In these lines the author explains how Indian culture became richer by the impact of other cultures. He says that the idea of unity has been very old in the minds of Indian people. This idea was not forcibly imposed upon Indians. It was also not based on certain set rules of religion. But it was based on a broad outlook. Indian culture learnt a lot from others and it also taught a lot to the others. Thus, it was very flexible and went on going richer and richer.
In simple words: Indian culture is characterized by synthesis, where diverse foreign influences were absorbed, enriching it without undermining the inherent, long-standing unity among its people, based on a broad, inclusive outlook.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the concept of 'synthesis' in Indian culture, highlighting how it embraces influences and fosters unity through a flexible and inclusive approach.

Question 5. Differences, big or small everywhere.
Answer: Context: Pt. Nehru says that the idea of unity has been very old in the minds of Indian people. This idea was not imposed upon them but it was based on a broad outlook. That is why all the Indians irrespective of their caste and religion have been united.
Explanation: In these lines Pt. Nehru says the difference in various groups are but natural. Each group is closely related with itself. But in a nation there are so many groups and each group has its own interests. But when these different groups come closer and have a common national feeling, these differences begin to fade away. They come closer with one another and become united. This process is called synthesis and it makes the unity and nation strong.
In simple words: Differences among groups are natural, but a shared national feeling helps these differences fade, fostering unity and strengthening the nation through a process of synthesis rather than forced conformity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Stress that national unity arises from a shared sense of belonging that transcends individual group differences, rather than from their elimination.

Question 6. Indian converts between them.
Answer: Context: The author says that India is a nation and in every nation there may be groups. So in India also there are many groups of different religions. But all the people of non-Indian origin who settled in India became particularly Indian. The Christians, Jews, Parsis, Moslems, etc., who have settled in India are first Indian and then anyone else.
Explanation: In these lines the author says that Indian culture has been secular. It is not related to any caste or religion. Many people changed their religion yet they called themselves Indians. They had always the feelings of nationalism. If they went to any other country of their own religion, there also they were looked as Indians. Thus, we see that Indian culture is something peculiar and different from the culture of other countries.
In simple words: Indian culture is secular, allowing diverse religious groups, including converts and settlers of foreign origin, to maintain their Indian identity and nationalistic feelings, distinguishing it from other nations.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight India's unique secular character and how it fosters a national identity that is independent of religious affiliation, even for those who adopted foreign religions.

Question 7. Today, when.....internal differences.
Answer: Context: Here the author says that in every nation there are many groups of differentian culture has been secular. It is not related with any caste or religion. Indian culture is something peculiar and different from the culture of other countries.
Explanation: In these lines the author says that the feelings of nationalism are deeply rooted in the hearts of all Indians. There are so many Indians who are living in foreign countries. They may have their own internal differences based on caste, creed or Tour. Yet inspite of these differences they form a national group there, i.e. a group of Indians and they have the feelings of indianism in them. Thus, this feeling of nationalism binds them together.
In simple words: Indians, whether at home or abroad, are bound by a strong sense of nationalism that transcends internal differences like caste or creed, leading them to form cohesive national groups.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize the pervasive nature of Indian nationalism, noting how it unites people even when they are in foreign lands and despite their diverse internal distinctions.

Short Answer Type Questions

Answer the following questions in not more than 30 words :

Question 1. What things make the diversity of India obvious?
(कौन-सी बातें भारत की विविधता को स्पष्ट करती हैं ?)
Or
What is the essential unity in diversity of Indian culture?
(वास्तविक एकता में भारतीय संस्कृति की विविधता क्या है ?)
Answer: Physical appearance, physical traits and mental habits of the people of India make the diversity of India obvious. Yet the people call them Indians. (भारत के लोगों की शारीरिक बनावट, उनके शारीरिक लक्षण तथा उनकी मानसिक प्रवृत्तियाँ भारत की विविधता को स्पष्ट करती हैं। फिर भी लोग स्वयं को भारतीय कहते हैं ।)
In simple words: India's diversity is evident in its people's varied physical appearances, traits, and mental habits, yet a unifying Indian identity prevails.

🎯 Exam Tip: When answering about diversity, list specific examples like physical traits and cultural habits, and then quickly pivot to how unity overrides these differences.

Question 2. what is the speciality of Indian culture ?
(भारतीय संस्कृति की क्या विशेषता है ?)
Answer: Unity in diversity is the speciality of Indian culture. (विभिन्नता में एकता भारतीय संस्कृति की विशेषता है ।)
In simple words: The unique characteristic of Indian culture is its ability to maintain unity amidst vast diversity.

🎯 Exam Tip: This is a core concept; define "unity in diversity" as the central theme whenever asked about Indian culture's specialty.

Question 3. What things does the author mention as examples of India's tremendous unity?
( भारत की विशाल एकता के उदाहरण के रूप में लेखक किन बातों का उल्लेख करता है ?)
Answer: The author mentions the examples of Pathans of North-West Frontiers and the Tamils of South to show India's tremendous unity. (भारत की विशाल एकता को प्रदर्शित करने के लिए लेखक उत्तरी-पश्चिमी सीमा प्रान्त के पठानों तथा दक्षिण के तमिलों का उदाहरण देता है ।)
In simple words: Nehru uses the contrasting examples of Pathans from the North-West and Tamils from the South to illustrate India's profound unity despite regional differences.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember specific examples like the Pathans and Tamils as key illustrations of India's unity in diversity; they are strong evidence from the text.

Question 4. What kept India united in the past?
( भूतकाल में कौन-सी बात ने भारत को संगठित रखा ?)
Answer: Common national heritage and common moral and mental qualities kept India united before the coming of the modern idea of nationalism. (समान राष्ट्रीय धरोहर और समान नैतिक एवं मानसिक गुणों ने आधुनिक राष्ट्रवादी विचारधारा के आने से पूर्व भारत को संगठित रखा।)
In simple words: India's unity in the past was maintained by a shared national heritage and common moral and mental attributes, predating modern nationalism.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on the historical factors – common heritage and moral qualities – that fostered unity before the modern concept of nationalism took hold.

Question 5. How and where do we see the impress of India on the people belonging to different parts of the country?
(देश के भिन्न-भिन्न भागों में रहने वाले लोगों पर हम भारत की छाप कैसे और कहाँ देखते हैं ?)
Answer: We see the impress of India on the people belonging to different parts of the country in their manners, customs and traditions. They look peculiarly Indian when we compare them with the people of same faith living in other countries. (हमें देश के भिन्न-भिन्न भागों में रहने वाले लोगों पर भारत की छाप उनके तौर-तरीके, रीति-रिवाज और परम्पराओं में देखते हैं। वे विशेष रूप से भारतीय दिखाई देते हैं जब हम उनकी तुलना उसी धर्म के उन लोगों से करते हैं जो अन्य देशों में रहते हैं।)
In simple words: The distinct "Indian impress" is visible in the unique manners, customs, and traditions of people across different regions, making them distinctly Indian even when compared to co-religionists abroad.

🎯 Exam Tip: Emphasize cultural indicators – manners, customs, traditions – as the visible signs of India's unifying influence on its people, regardless of their location or religious affiliation.

Question 6. How do we know that the North-West Frontier Area was one of the strongholds of Indian culture?
(हम यह बात कैसे जानते हैं कि उत्तरी-पश्चिमी सीमान्त प्रान्त भारतीय संस्कृति का प्रमुख केन्द्र था ?)
Answer: Ruins of old monuments, great University of Taxila, epics and Buddhist literature tell us that the North-West Frontier Area was strong holds of Indian culture. (प्राचीन मठों के खण्डहर, तक्षशिला विश्वविद्यालय, महाकाव्य तथा बौद्ध साहित्य हमें बताते हैं कि उत्तरी-पश्चिमी सीमान्त प्रान्त भारतीय संस्कृति का प्रमुख केन्द्र था ।)
In simple words: Historical evidence like ancient ruins, Taxila University, epics, and Buddhist literature confirms the North-West Frontier Area's strong connection to Indian culture.

🎯 Exam Tip: When providing evidence for historical claims, list specific examples such as monuments, educational institutions, and literary works to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge.

Question 7. Why did the changes in religion fail to undermine the basic unity of India?
( धार्मिक परिवर्तन भारत की मूलभूत एकता को नष्ट करने में क्यों असफल रहे ?)
Answer: India, widest tolerance of belief and custom was practised. The people acknowledged and accepted every variety and encouraged it. (धार्मिक परिवर्तन भारत की मूलभूत एकता को नष्ट करने में असफल रहे, क्योंकि भारत में धर्म और रीति-रिवाजों के प्रति अत्यधिक सहिष्णुता थी। लोग हर प्रकार की विविधता को स्वीकार करते थे और इसे प्रोत्साहित करते थे ।)
In simple words: Religious changes failed to disrupt India's unity because of the deep-seated tradition of broad tolerance and acceptance of all beliefs and customs.

🎯 Exam Tip: The key point here is India's historical tolerance; emphasize how this ingrained trait allowed religious diversity without fracturing national unity.

Question 8. What kind of unity has the Indian mind been dreaming of since the dawn of history?
(इतिहास के आरम्भ से भारतीय किस प्रकार की एकता का स्वप्न देख रहे हैं ?)
Answer: The Indian mind has been dreaming of a deeper inner firm uniformity since the dawn of history. (इतिहास के आरम्भ से भारतीय लोग गम्भीर दृढ़ समानता का स्वप्न देख रहे हैं।)
In simple words: Since ancient times, the Indian psyche has aspired to a profound, intrinsic uniformity that binds its diverse people together.

🎯 Exam Tip: Highlight the idea of an "inner firm uniformity" as the long-cherished dream, indicating a unity deeper than superficial differences.

Question 9. How are modern developments tending to produce a certain uniformity between the various communities of India ?
(आधुनिक विकास के कार्य किस प्रकार भारत की भिन्न-भिन्न जातियों के बीच समानता पैदा करने की ओर लगे हुए हैं ?)
Answer: In modern development the people of various communities of India are not giving much importance to their religious or racial bonds but they give more importance to their national feelings, i.e. they are Indians. (आधुनिक विकास के कार्यों में भारत के भिन्न-भिन्न समुदायों के लोग अपने धार्मिक या जातीय बन्धनों को महत्त्व नहीं देते, बल्कि वे राष्ट्रीय भावना को अधिक महत्त्व देते हैं अर्थात् वे भारतीय हैं।)
In simple words: Modern advancements foster uniformity by encouraging Indians to prioritize national identity over religious or racial affiliations, thus strengthening a collective Indian sentiment.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on modern nationalism as a unifying force, explaining how it shifts focus from communal identities to a broader national one.

Question 10. What things does the author recall to memory when he thinks of India?
(भारत के विषय में जब लेखक सोचता है तब उसके मस्तिष्क में क्या-क्या बातें आती हैं ?)
Answer: When the author thinks of India, he recalls to memory the broad fields, villages, towns and cities and rivers, the Himalayas and the valleys of Kashmir. (जब लेखक भारत के विषय में सोचता है तब उसके मस्तिष्क में लम्बे-चौड़े खेतों की, गाँवों, कस्बों तथा नगरों की, नदियों, हिमालय पर्वत तथा कश्मीर की घाटियों की याद आ जाती है।)
In simple words: When Nehru contemplates India, his mind conjures images of its diverse landscapes—from vast plains and urban centers to majestic Himalayas and serene Kashmir valleys.

🎯 Exam Tip: Provide a diverse list of geographical features and settlement types to convey the breadth of India's physical landscape that inspires the author.

Question 11. which two pictures does Nehru mention here? How would they be correct?
(नेहरू जी कौन-से दो चित्रों का वर्णन करते हैं ? वे कैसे ठीक होंगे ?)
Answer: One is the picture of mountain background and another is of a hot subtropical country. Both pictures would be correct because India spreads from the tropics to the temperate regions. (एक चित्र पहाड़ों की पृष्ठभूमि का है और दूसरा समशीतोष्ण प्रदेश का। दोनों चित्र ठीक होंगे, क्योंकि भारत गर्म प्रदेश से समशीतोष्ण प्रदेश तक फैला हुआ है ।)
In simple words: Nehru describes India through two contrasting images: a mountainous region and a hot subtropical land, both accurate as India's geography spans tropical to temperate zones.

🎯 Exam Tip: Explain that both images are correct by referencing India's vast geographical spread from tropical to temperate climates, justifying the contrasting depictions.

Question 12. What was Taxila famous for in ancient India according to Jawaharlal Nehru ?
(जवाहरलाल नेहरू के अनुसार प्राचीन भारत में तक्षशिला किसलिए प्रसिद्ध था ?)
Answer: In ancient India the great university of Taxila was famous for education. About two thousand years ago this university was at the height of its fame. Students from all over India as well as different parts of Asia came to study here. (प्राचीन भारत में महान् यूनिवर्सिटी तक्षशिला अपनी शिक्षा के लिए प्रसिद्ध थी। लगभग दो हजार वर्ष पहले यह यूनिवर्सिटी अपनी प्रसिद्धि की ऊँचाई पर थी। भारत के सभी भागों से वे एशिया के विभिन्न भागों से विद्यार्थी यहाँ पढ़ने आते थे ।)
In simple words: Taxila was renowned in ancient India as a prestigious university, attracting students from across India and Asia for its excellent education two millennia ago.

🎯 Exam Tip: Focus on Taxila's status as a premier educational hub, highlighting its antiquity and wide appeal to students from diverse regions.

Question 13. what is meant by the expression The Variety and Unity of India'?
(“The variety and unity of India' अभिव्यक्ति का क्या अर्थ है ?)
Answer: The expression means that although the people of India have different cultures, languages, religions and beliefs, yet they are emotionally one. (इस अभिव्यक्ति का अर्थ है कि यद्यपि भारतीयों में सांस्कृतिक, भाषाई, धार्मिक विभिन्नताएँ हैं, फिर भी उनमें भावात्मक एकता है ।)
In simple words: "The Variety and Unity of India" signifies that despite diverse cultures, languages, and religions, Indians share a fundamental emotional and national unity.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly define the expression by emphasizing the coexistence of cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity with an underlying emotional and national cohesion.

Vocabulary

Choose the most appropriate word or phrase that best completes the sentence :

Question 1. Disruptive tendencies gave rise immediately to an attempt to find a
(a) synthesis
(b) unity
(c) analysis
(d) uniformity
Answer: (a) synthesis
In simple words: Disruptive tendencies led to efforts to find a 'synthesis,' which means combining different ideas to form a new, coherent whole.

🎯 Exam Tip: For fill-in-the-blanks, choose the word that best completes the meaning of the sentence, considering the context of the passage (e.g., 'synthesis' fits the idea of merging differences).

Question 2. Some kind of a dream of unity has occupied the mind of India since the ..... of civilization.
(a) dawn
(b) beginning
(c) daybreak
(d) birth
Answer: (a) dawn
In simple words: The idea of unity has been central to India's consciousness from the very 'dawn' or beginning of its civilization.

🎯 Exam Tip: Pay attention to synonyms; 'dawn' is the best fit here to convey the earliest period of civilization.

Question 3. Differences big or small, can always be noticed even with in a ....... group, however closely bound together it may be.
(a) national
(b) international
(c) religious
(d) social
Answer: (a) national
In simple words: Even within a closely-knit 'national' group, minor differences are always noticeable.

🎯 Exam Tip: Consider the scope of the sentence; 'national' best describes the type of large, diverse, yet bound-together group being discussed in the context of India.

Question 4. An Indian Christian is looked upon as ......... wherever he may go.
(a) a foreigner
(b) a Christian
(c) an Indian
(d) an American
Answer: (c) an Indian
In simple words: An Indian Christian is universally recognized and regarded as 'an Indian,' regardless of their location.

🎯 Exam Tip: The core idea of the passage is unity in diversity, so the answer should reinforce the national identity over religious one.

Question 5. All of us, I suppose, have ....... pictures of our native land and no two persons will think exactly alike.
(a) developing
(b) slipping
(c) fading
(d) varying
Answer: (d) varying
In simple words: Each person holds 'varying' or different mental images of their homeland, reflecting individual perspectives.

🎯 Exam Tip: The phrase "no two persons will think exactly alike" directly implies that their pictures/perceptions will be 'varying'.

Question 6. The Pathans and the Tamils are two extreme examples; the others lie ........ in between.
(a) nowhere
(b) anywhere
(c) somewhere
(d) out there
Answer: (c) somewhere
In simple words: The diverse populations of India fall 'somewhere' between the two extreme examples of Pathans and Tamils.

🎯 Exam Tip: This refers to a geographical or categorical range; 'somewhere' accurately captures the intermediate positioning of other groups.

Question 7. That ...... was not conceived as something imposed from outside, a standardization of externals or even of beliefs.
(a) unity
(b) single
(c) benefit
(d) unanimously
Answer: (a) unity
In simple words: The 'unity' of India emerged organically from within, rather than being imposed externally or through forced standardization.

🎯 Exam Tip: The sentence describes a concept that is not external or standardized; 'unity' is the overarching theme that fits this description in the context of the essay.

Question 8. The of India is tremendous; it is obvious; it lies on the surface and anybody can see it.
(a) unity
(b) relation
(c) diversity
(d) position
Answer: (c) diversity
In simple words: The 'diversity' of India is vast and immediately apparent, easily observable to anyone.

🎯 Exam Tip: The adjectives "tremendous" and "obvious," combined with "lies on the surface," strongly point to 'diversity' as the best fit, highlighting its visible nature.

Question 9. Today when the conception of realism has developed, much more Indians in foreign countries form a national group.
(a) definitely
(b) naturally
(c) obviously
(d) inevitably
Answer: (d) inevitably
In simple words: With the rise of nationalism, Indians abroad 'inevitably' form national groups, driven by a shared identity.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Inevitably' suggests a natural and unavoidable consequence, aligning with the idea that shared nationality naturally leads to group formation.

Question 10. Ancient India, like ancient China, was a world in itself, a culture and a civilization which gave ...... to all things.
(a) sense
(b) sensitivity
(c) sign
(d) shape
Answer: (d) shape
In simple words: Ancient India, a self-contained civilization, profoundly influenced and gave 'shape' or form to all aspects of life within its domain.

🎯 Exam Tip: 'Gave shape' implies influencing and structuring, which fits the role of a foundational culture and civilization.