Important Questions Chapter 10 English Rainbow Part 2 Class 12 Bihar Board बिहार बोर्ड

India Through a Traveller’s Eyes

Short Questions with Answers

1. Who wrote the essay “India Through a Traveller’s Eyes” ?

Answers : The essay India Through a Traveller’s Eyes was written by Pearl S. Buck.

2. What was Pearl S. Buck’s nationality?

Answers : Pearl S. Buck was an American by birth.

3. Which book is the essay an extract from?

Answers : The essay is an extract from Pearl S. Buck’s book My Several Worlds.

4. What does the word ‘colour’ remind the writer of?

Answers : The word ‘colour’ reminds the writer of the variety of hues in Indian life.

5. What race does the writer say all Indians belong to?

Answers : The writer says that all Indians belong to the Caucasian race.

6. Who was the first woman President of the United Nations General Assembly?

Answers : The first woman President of the United Nations General Assembly was an Indian.

7. Why were Indian intellectuals embittered before independence?

Answers : Indian intellectuals were embittered because they felt England broke its promises after World War I.

8. What did the intellectuals plan to do during World War II?

Answers : The intellectuals planned to rebel against England during World War II.

9. Why did Indians side with the English during World War II?

Answers : Indians sided with the English to choose civilization over barbarism represented by Nazism and Japanese aggression.

10. What was Gandhi’s main strategy to unite India for freedom?

Answers : Gandhi’s main strategy was to unite both peasants and intellectuals to work together for India’s independence.

11. What is the life expectancy mentioned in the villages under British rule?

Answers : The life expectancy in Indian villages under British rule was only twenty-seven years.

12. What moved the writer about the children in Indian villages?

Answers : The thin, big-bellied children with sad dark eyes in Indian villages deeply moved the writer.

13. How did the writer describe the Indian peasants?

Answers : The writer described Indian peasants as innately civilized despite their poverty.

14. What lesson did India teach the world through its independence?

Answers : India taught the world that non-violent methods could achieve noble goals.

15. What type of government does the writer believe India needed?

Answers : The writer believed India needed a government that prioritized the welfare of its people.

16. What is the writer’s view of Indian religious life?

Answers : The writer admired the Indian people’s simple acceptance and devotion to their religion.

17. What is the significance of Gandhi in the essay?

Answers : Gandhi is presented as a symbol of unity and non-violence in India’s freedom movement.

18. Why does the writer mention Kashmiri features?

Answers : The writer mentions Kashmiri features to highlight the diversity in India.

19. What does the writer criticize about colonialism?

Answers : The writer criticizes colonialism for corrupting both the rulers and the ruled.

20.What does the writer think of British rule in India?

Answers :  The writer believes British rule failed to uplift the Indian people and caused long-lasting harm.

Medium Questions with Answers

1. What did Pearl S. Buck learn about India in her childhood?

Answers : Pearl S. Buck learned about India from her Indian family doctor and his wife. She also read books about India and Buddhism, which her father taught her. These stories made her curious about India.

2. How does the writer describe the different types of Indian people?

Answers : The writer says Indian people have different skin colors, from fair in Kashmir to dark in the South. But she emphasizes that all Indians belong to the same Caucasian race. This diversity shows India’s rich heritage.

3. How did India influence the world after becoming independent?

Answers : India influenced the world by promoting non-violence and producing great leaders like Nehru. It showed strength in global leadership, like having the first woman President of the UN General Assembly. This brought respect for India worldwide.

4. Why did Pearl S. Buck visit India?

Answers : Pearl S. Buck visited India to meet young intellectuals in cities and peasants in villages. She wanted to hear their views on freedom and their plans for the future. Her visit was focused on understanding real Indian life.

5. Why were Indian intellectuals unhappy with British rule after World War I?

Answers : Indian intellectuals were unhappy because they felt Britain did not keep its promise to give India freedom after World War I. This made them feel betrayed and angry with British rule.

6. What did Indian intellectuals plan during World War II?

Answers : Indian intellectuals planned to rebel against England during World War II to gain freedom. Later, they supported England to fight Nazism and Japan, choosing civilization over barbarism.

7. What was Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom movement?

Answers : Gandhi brought peasants and intellectuals together to fight for freedom. He believed in non-violence and taught people to work as one. His ideas helped unite the country.

8. How did the writer feel about Indian villages?

Answers : The writer was shocked to see the extreme poverty in Indian villages. The children looked thin, weak, and sad, which deeply moved her. She thought the condition was worse than in China.

9. How did British rule affect people’s life span in India?

Answers : British rule left people so poor that their average life span was only twenty-seven years. This showed how badly colonialism had harmed Indian society.

10. What lesson did India teach the world by gaining independence?

Answers : India taught the world that freedom can be achieved through non-violence. It showed that noble goals can only be reached with noble methods.

11. What does the writer say about Indian family life?

Answers : The writer says Indian families are close-knit, with strong respect for elders and leaders. Families value unity and selflessness, which she admired during her visit.

12. What impressed the writer about Indian hospitality?

Answers : The writer liked how Indians treated guests, like serving food on fresh banana leaves. They made sure everything was clean, showing their respect and care for others.

13. How does the writer compare Indian and Chinese peasants?

Answers : The writer says Indian peasants are very poor but are civilized because of their cultural background. Chinese peasants were richer, but they lacked the same depth of culture.

14. How did colonial rule affect the Indian people’s mindset?

Answers : Colonial rule made Indians dependent and less confident. Many felt helpless and believed it was the rulers’ responsibility to take care of them, which held them back.

15. Why does the writer think Gandhi’s work was greater than America’s revolution?

Answers : Gandhi achieved freedom without violence, which the writer sees as a bigger moral success. She thinks this was more meaningful than the war-driven independence of America.

Long Questions with Answers

1. How does the writer describe Kashmir and its people?

Answers : The writer describes Kashmir as a beautiful place with people who have fair skin, auburn hair, and blue or green eyes. Their features are classic, like those of the Greeks. This diversity shows India’s rich heritage. Kashmir is an example of India’s natural and cultural beauty.

2. What did the writer think about India’s leaders after independence?

Answers : The writer admired Indian leaders like Nehru, who used education and wisdom to lead the country. She also appreciated the first woman President of the UN General Assembly, who was Indian. These leaders brought respect to India on a global level. They showed confidence and idealism.

3. What was the worst effect of British colonialism according to the writer?

Answers : The writer felt the worst effect of colonialism was the poverty in Indian villages. Children were malnourished, and the average life span was just twenty-seven years. Colonial rulers focused on their own benefit, not the people’s welfare. This left Indians exhausted and dependent.

4. Why did Gandhi succeed in uniting Indians for freedom?

Answers : Gandhi united peasants and intellectuals by teaching them to work together. He believed in non-violence and fairness, which inspired trust in his leadership. His methods brought people from different backgrounds together for a common goal. This unity made India’s freedom struggle strong and successful.

5. How does the writer describe her visit to an Indian village family?

Answers : The writer visited a family where the paralyzed elder brother lived in a cage to help villagers with advice. The family showed respect for traditions and care for their community. She observed their simple life with meaningful customs. This reflected the values of Indian family life.

6. What does the writer say about religion in Indian life?

Answers : The writer says religion is a constant part of Indian life, influencing daily behavior and decisions. She admires how Indians follow their faith freely and sincerely. Religion brings both good and bad aspects to life, but its deep presence is unique. She finds their devotion meaningful.

7. Why does the writer highlight the book Come, My Beloved?

Answers : The writer highlights Come, My Beloved because it reflects Indian culture and struggles. She feels Indian readers understand its message of sacrifice and idealism better than Americans. The book emphasizes the cost of achieving noble goals. It shows India’s depth of understanding.

8. What solutions does the writer suggest for India’s problems?

Answers : The writer suggests digging wells and improving agriculture to solve India’s water and farming problems. She believes that a government focused on the people’s welfare can bring change. Indians also need to regain confidence and take initiative. Self-reliance is key to overcoming colonial damage.

9. Why does the writer compare the Indian and Chinese peasants?

Answers : The writer says Indian peasants are very poor but deeply civilized because of their cultural upbringing. Chinese peasants were wealthier but lacked the same cultural refinement. She felt Indian villagers had a unique strength and wisdom. This showed India’s deep-rooted philosophical traditions.

10. What lesson did India teach the world through its independence?

Answers : India taught the world that non-violence and unity can achieve freedom. Gandhi’s methods showed that noble goals need noble ways to achieve them. Unlike wars that bring destruction, India’s bloodless revolution set a moral example. This lesson remains important for humanity.