The Queen of the Village
I. Answer these questions in one or two words.
1. In which tree was a machan put up?
Ans: The machan was put up in an oak tree.
2. Where is Mokameh Ghat?
Ans: Mokameh Ghat is on the bank of the river Ganga in eastern Bihar.
3. Who is the ‘White Sadhu’?
Ans: Jim Corbett is known as the ‘White Sadhu’.
4. Who is the bania’s first customer?
Ans: A small boy is the bania’s first customer.
5. How many pice make an anna?
Ans: Four pice make an anna.
II. Answer these questions in a sentence or two.
1. How do the villagers plough the narrow fields?
Ans: The villagers plough the narrow fields using a small plough with a short handle. They use strong mountain-bred cows to pull the plough and prepare the land for cultivation.
2. Describe the dress of a high-caste hill woman.
Ans: A high-caste hill woman wears several ornaments such as a solid gold band around her neck, thin gold rings in the upper cartilage of her ears, and a large gold nose ring supported by a thin chain over her ear. Her dress usually consists of a shawl, a tight-fitting bodice made of warm material, and a long, voluminous skirt.
3. How did the tiger kill his first victim?
Ans: The tiger’s first victim was a twelve-year-old girl. While she was with her mother, the tiger suddenly attacked her, severed her head from her body, and carried the body away into the forest.
4. What items are sold by the bania in his stall?
Ans: The bania sells various everyday items such as atta, rice, dal, ghee, salt, stale sweets, potatoes, turnips, cigarettes, matches, and kerosene oil.
5. How do the inhabitants of Kumaon villages get news of the outside world?
Ans: The inhabitants of Kumaon villages receive news of the outside world through telegrams, radio, and travelling packmen. Among these, packmen are considered the most reliable sources of information because they travel long distances and visit many places.
III. Answer these questions briefly.
1. Describe the episode involving the sportsman from the time of his arrival at the machan to his departure.
Ans: A sportsman arrived in the village claiming to be a friend of Jim Corbett and offered to shoot the man-eating tiger. The villagers built a machan for him in an oak tree, and he waited there with his companions. However, when the tiger appeared and carried away its prey, the sportsman failed to shoot it and later pretended that he had not seen the tiger.
Later that night, he accidentally dropped a lantern from the machan, which started a forest fire during the dry month of May. The fire spread rapidly until rain finally extinguished it. The next morning, the sportsman and his companions quietly left the village without helping the villagers.
2. Would you agree that through the bania and his customers, Corbett presents a snapshot of life in a typical umaon village?
Ans: Yes, through the bania and his customers, Corbett presents a realistic picture of everyday life in a Kumaon village. The small shop becomes a meeting place where villagers gather, buy essential goods, and share news and experiences. Through these simple interactions, Corbett portrays the economic conditions, social relationships, and daily routines of village life.
3. Describe the two instances when the villagers display bravery and courage.
Ans: The villagers first showed bravery when they tried to rescue a woman attacked by the tiger by shouting and chasing it away. Their quick action prevented the tiger from carrying away the body immediately.
The second instance of courage occurred when the villagers followed the tiger’s trail into the forest to find the remains of the victim. Despite being unarmed and aware of the danger, they tracked the tiger and later built a machan to trap it.
4. Why did the villagers send Corbett a telegram? Why did it take him long to arrive?
Ans: The villagers sent Jim Corbett a telegram requesting his help to kill the man-eating tiger that was terrorizing their village. However, it took him a long time to arrive because he had to travel nearly a thousand miles by train and road, and the final twenty miles had to be covered on foot. These difficulties delayed his arrival by several days.
IV. Answer these questions in detail.
1. Do you think that “The Queen of the Village” is an appropriate title? Discuss.
Ans: Yes, “The Queen of the Village” is an appropriate title for the story. The title refers to a buffalo that was highly valued and admired by the villagers. The animal was strong, beautiful, and extremely productive, providing a large quantity of milk every day.
Because of its importance to the village economy and daily life, the buffalo was treated with great respect and affection. The villagers considered it a symbol of pride and prosperity, and therefore they called it the “Queen of the Village.”
2. It is generally held that Corbett was very sympathetic in his portrayal of the hill people. Do you agree?
Ans: Yes, Jim Corbett was very sympathetic in his portrayal of the hill people. In his writings, he presents them as simple, hardworking, and kind-hearted individuals who live in difficult conditions but maintain strong values of honesty, courage, and hospitality.
Corbett had lived among the people of Kumaon for many years and developed a deep understanding and affection for them. His descriptions highlight their bravery, community spirit, and respect for nature. Through his stories, he shows genuine admiration and compassion for their way of life.