Class 10 English Notes Chapter 7 (Glimpses of India) – First Flight Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 7, 'Glimpses of India,' from your 'First Flight' book. This chapter is quite unique as it presents three distinct perspectives on different regions of India, highlighting their culture, history, and significance. For your government exam preparation, pay close attention to the specific details, cultural references, and key themes in each part.

Chapter 7: Glimpses of India

This chapter comprises three prose pieces:
I. A Baker from Goa (by Lucio Rodrigues)
II. Coorg (by Lokesh Abrol)
III. Tea from Assam (by Arup Kumar Datta)

The overarching theme is the rich cultural diversity and distinct identities of different parts of India.

Part I: A Baker from Goa

• Author: Lucio Rodrigues

• Setting: Goa, during the time when the Portuguese influence was still palpable, even after they left.

• Central Focus: The enduring importance and nostalgic remembrance of traditional Goan bakers, known as 'paders'.

• Key Points:

  • Portuguese Legacy: The tradition of baking loaves of bread was introduced by the Portuguese. Even though the Portuguese left India, the bakers and their furnaces continued to exist.
  • The Pader: The baker was an essential figure in Goan society. His arrival in the morning with the 'jhang, jhang' sound of his bamboo staff was eagerly awaited.
  • Importance of Bread: Bread was integral to Goan life.
    • Marriage gifts were meaningless without the sweet bread known as 'bol'.
    • Parties or feasts were incomplete without bread.
    • Sandwiches were prepared by the lady of the house for her daughter's engagement.
    • Cakes and 'bolinhas' (coconut cookies) were essential for Christmas and other festivals.
  • The Baker's Appearance:
    • In the past (Portuguese days), bakers wore a peculiar dress called the 'kabai' – a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees.
    • Later (during the author's childhood), bakers wore a shirt and trousers which were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants. Even today, anyone wearing such half-pants is jokingly referred to as dressing like a 'pader'.
  • Social & Economic Status: Baking was a profitable profession. Bakers and their families never starved. Their plump physique was often seen as a testament to their prosperity.
  • Monthly Accounts: Bakers maintained monthly accounts recorded on a wall in pencil. Bills were collected at the end of the month.
  • Nostalgia: The author fondly remembers the fragrance of fresh loaves and the excitement surrounding the baker's arrival.

• Important Terms: Pader (baker), Kabai (traditional dress), Bol (sweet bread for marriages), Bolinhas (coconut cookies).

Part II: Coorg

• Author: Lokesh Abrol

• Setting: Coorg (Kodagu), the smallest district of Karnataka, located midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore.

• Central Focus: Describing the scenic beauty, brave people, wildlife, and culture of Coorg.

• Key Points:

  • Geography & Climate: Described as a "piece of heaven," known for its evergreen rainforests, coffee plantations, and spice gardens. The best season to visit is from September to March.
  • The People (Kodavus):
    • Known for their fierce independence and martial traditions. They are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent.
    • Greek Theory: Part of Alexander's army might have settled here when return became impractical. Their martial traditions, marriage, and religious rites are distinct from mainstream Hindus.
    • Arabic Theory: Related to the long, black coat with an embroidered waist belt ('kuppia') worn by Kodavus, which resembles the 'kuffia' worn by Arabs and Kurds.
    • Hospitality: Kodavus are known for their warm hospitality.
    • Military Prowess: The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. General Cariappa, the first Chief of the Indian Army, was a Coorgi. Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
  • River Kaveri: Obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer, a large freshwater fish, abounds in these waters.
  • Wildlife: Rich biodiversity including elephants, kingfishers, squirrels, langurs, slender loris, macaques, and wild elephants.
  • Adventure Sports: Offers activities like river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Trekking trails are numerous.
  • Bylakuppe: Nearby lies Bylakuppe, India's largest Tibetan settlement, offering a glimpse into Buddhist culture with its monks and monastery.
  • Brahmagiri Hills: Offer a panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama.

• Important Terms: Kodavus (people of Coorg), Kuppia (traditional dress), Kuffia (similar Arab dress), Kaveri (river), Mahaseer (fish), Nisargadhama (island), Bylakuppe (Tibetan settlement), Brahmagiri Hills.

Part III: Tea from Assam

• Author: Arup Kumar Datta

• Setting: Assam, primarily focusing on a train journey and a tea estate.

• Central Focus: The vast tea plantations of Assam and the legends surrounding the discovery of tea.

• Characters:

  • Pranjol: A youngster from Assam whose father manages a tea garden.
  • Rajvir: Pranjol's classmate from Delhi, visiting Assam for the first time.

• Key Points:

  • The Journey: Rajvir is fascinated by the scenic beauty seen from the train – paddy fields giving way to vast stretches of tea bushes. He observes the "sea of tea bushes" stretching as far as the eye could see.
  • Assam - The 'Tea Country': Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.
  • Legends of Tea Discovery:
    • Chinese Legend: A Chinese Emperor discovered tea by chance when leaves from a twig burning under his pot of boiling water fell into it, giving it a delicious flavour. The word 'chai' is from Chinese.
    • Indian Legend: Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.
  • Tea Plucking: Rajvir observes groups of tea-pluckers with bamboo baskets on their backs, wearing plastic aprons, plucking the newly sprouted leaves.
  • Sprouting Season: The period from May to July is the second-flush or sprouting period, yielding the best tea.
  • Rajvir's Knowledge: Pranjol's father is initially surprised but impressed by Rajvir's prior research and knowledge about tea.
  • Dhekiabari Tea Estate: The tea garden managed by Pranjol's father.

• Important Terms: Chai (tea), Bodhidharma (Buddhist ascetic), Second-flush (best tea sprouting season), Dhekiabari (name of the tea estate).

Overall Message for Exam Preparation:

Focus on the unique cultural elements (dress, food, traditions), geographical features, historical connections (Portuguese, Greek/Arabic theories), key figures (General Cariappa, Bodhidharma), specific terminology related to each region, and the legends associated with tea. Understand how each part contributes to the larger picture of India's diversity.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. In 'A Baker from Goa', what was the traditional single-piece long frock worn by bakers called?
   a) Pao
   b) Bol
   c) Kabai
   d) Kuffia

2. According to 'A Baker from Goa', which sweet bread was essential for marriage gifts?
   a) Bolinhas
   b) Bol
   c) Pao
   d) Cake

3. The people of Coorg are possibly descendants of which two groups, according to the text?
   a) British and French
   b) Greeks and Arabs
   c) Portuguese and Dutch
   d) Mughals and Persians

4. What is the name of the traditional long, black coat with an embroidered waist belt worn by the Kodavus?
   a) Kabai
   b) Kuffia
   c) Sherwani
   d) Kuppia

5. Which river obtains its water from the hills of Coorg?
   a) Ganga
   b) Yamuna
   c) Kaveri
   d) Brahmaputra

6. In 'Tea from Assam', who was visiting Assam for the first time?
   a) Pranjol
   b) Pranjol's father
   c) Rajvir
   d) Arup Kumar Datta

7. According to the Indian legend mentioned in 'Tea from Assam', tea plants grew from what part of Bodhidharma?
   a) Hair
   b) Fingernails
   c) Eyelids
   d) Tears

8. The best tea is considered to come from which period?
   a) First-flush or winter season
   b) Monsoon season
   c) Second-flush or sprouting period (May-July)
   d) Autumn harvest

9. What sound announced the arrival of the 'pader' in Goa?
   a) Ringing of a bell
   b) Blowing of a horn
   c) 'Jhang, jhang' sound of his bamboo staff
   d) Shouting 'Bread for sale!'

10. Which is the smallest district of Karnataka, often called a "piece of heaven"?
    a) Mysore
    b) Mangalore
    c) Coorg (Kodagu)
    d) Bylakuppe

Answer Key:

1. c) Kabai
2. b) Bol
3. b) Greeks and Arabs
4. d) Kuppia
5. c) Kaveri
6. c) Rajvir
7. c) Eyelids
8. c) Second-flush or sprouting period (May-July)
9. c) 'Jhang, jhang' sound of his bamboo staff
10. c) Coorg (Kodagu)

Study these notes carefully, focusing on the details. Understanding the cultural nuances and specific facts presented in each part will be beneficial for your exams. Good luck!