Class 11th English Chapter- 8th Term- 2 (Silk Road ) Important question
1- Who was Lhamo? What farewell gift did she give to author ?
- Ans. Lhamo was a Tibetan women who had set up a tent fore pilgrims near Raru. She was honest and helpful. She offered a long sleeved sheep skin coat as a farewell gift.
2- What impression did the two towns Hor and Darchen leave on the author’s mind ?
- Ans. Hor was a small town, close to Mansarovar lake. It was a miserable place, with no greenery. The author found the place in contrast to the accounts he had read about lake Mahasrovar. He drank some herbal tea in the cafe there. The author's next half was at Darchen. It was also a dusty place with heaps of rubble and litter lying here and there. His cold had become worse and he could not breathe. He stayed awake all right. The town had a couple of general stores which sold Chinese goods
3- Who was Norbu? How did the other strike friendship with Norbu ?
- Ans. Norbu was a Tibetan scholar who used to write articles about holy lake. He was working at an academy in Beijing. It was his first to the place. He knew a bit of English. This brought him closer to author. He was don't practising Buddhist. He suggested that they should hire some yaks to carry their luggage and start their journey. He turned out to be an ideal companion.
4- Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts. Explain.
- Ans. Tibetan mastiffs were popular in China’s imperial courts as hunting dogs. They were brought along the Silk Road in ancient times as payment of tax from Tibet. They were huge black dogs also used as watchdogs. They exploded into action like bullets when roused. They were furious and fearless.
5- The author’s experience at Hor was in stark contrast to earlier accounts of the place.
- Ans. According to the earlier accounts, the town, on the shore of Lake Manasarovar, was abundant in natural beauty. A Japanese monk who had arrived there in 1900 was so moved by the sanctity of the lake that he burst into tears. A couple of years later, the hallowed waters had a similar effect on another traveller. However, now it was a grim and miserable place. There was no vegetation whatsoever, but only dust and rocks liberally scattered with years of accumulated rubbish left by tourists.
6-The author was disappointed with Darchen. Explain.
- Ans. The author was indeed disappointed in Darchen as the place was dusty, partially derelict and punctuated by heaps of rubble and rubbish left behind by tourists. Further, even though the place was full of people, there were no tourists or pilgrims in whose company he could complete his kora.
7- Tsetan’s support to the author during the journey. Elaborate.
- Ans. Tsetan was a good and efficient driver. He drove the car very carefully. During the journey, he spoke to the author giving information about the places they were visiting. He was very caring. At Darchen when he found that the author was not well, Tsetan took him to the medical college and got medicine for him. He was also a good Buddhist.
8- Justify the title ‘Silk Road’.
- Ans. The ‘Silk Road’ is not single highway, but a network of overland routes linking Europe with Asia, making trade possible between those with a passion for silk, horses and exotic fauna and flora. Just about every transaction imaginable has occurred along its many trails over the centuries. It’s a thread that links East and West, a network of veins that pumped new lifeblood into mighty empires, a fabled route trodden by innumerable adventurers through the ages. Yet, underlying this romantic trail is one of the most extraordinary tracts of land on this planet, a vast region separating China from the Mediterranean world that rates as one of the least hospitable areas on Earth.
- It was the difficulty of crossing such unforgiving territory that kept East and West apart for so long, allowing them to develop in their own distinct ways. The author records the challenges and hardships he faced in the Silk Road regions as they are now. The reader finds it refreshing to traverse such vast tracts of the natural world that remain largely unchanged from earlier days.
9- Briefly comment on the author’s meeting with Norbu.
- Ans. The author was feeling rather lonely without Tsetan, who had gone back with the car to Lhasa. There weren’t any pilgrims at Darchen as he had reached the place too early in the pilgrimage season. The author was sitting in the only cafe in Darchen when he met Norbu. The author was delighted to meet Norbu since he was also planning to do the kora. Now, he had a companion with whom he could also complete his pilgrimage.
10- What difficulties did the author encounter and overcome when he set out to reach Mount Kailash ?
- Ans. The author set out from Ravu to complete the Kora. to the destination "Mount Kailash, "beyond Mansarovar lake he had to face many difficulties. Rocks, snow and height problems made the journey risky.
- On the way, they came across several mountaineous animals. He saw nomad’s tents with huge Tibetan dogs guarding them. The author had his first physical problem when he felt the pressure mounting up in his ears. When Tsetan saw snow lying across the tracks, he sprayed dirt on the frozen surface to make it rough and safe. By afternoon they reached the small town of Hor. It was dusty, dry and rocky At Darchen he had cold and mountain sickness. He took some medicine from Tibetan doctor. The next day he met Norbu, who could speak English. Both decided to continue their "Kora" together.