The Queen Of The Village

Chapter: 4

1. In which tree was a machan put up?

Ans: Oak tree.

2. Where is Mokameh Ghat?

Ans: It is located on the banks of Ganga in eastern Bihar that was used to serve as
an important point for transportation of passengers and cargo to the rest of India.

3. Who is the ‘White sadhu’?

Ans: The unnamed narrator (Jim Corbett).

4. Who is the bania’s first costume?

Ans: A small boy accompanied by a even smaller sister who were proud possessor
of one piece.

5. How many pice maks an Anna?

Ans: pice is equal to one quarter of an Anna.

6. How do the villagers plough the narrow fields?

Ans: Using a short shaft along with a group of well – bred cattle or goats on the
hills.

7. Describe the dress of a high castle hill woman?

Ans: The dress of a high castle hill woman conduits. of solid gold band on their
neck along with a number of thin gold rings in the upper cartilage and from her
nose hangs a gold ring, five inches in diameter, the weight of which is partly
carried by a thin gold chain looped over her right ear. Her dress consists of a shawl
a tight – fitting bodice of warm material, and a voluminous sprint skirt.

9. What items are sold by the bania in his stall?

Ans: Atta, rice, dal, ghee, salt, stale sweets, potatoes, turnips, cigarettes, matches
and kerosene oil.

10. How do the inhabitants of Kumaon village get news of the outside world?

Ans: Telegram, radio and the well – informed packmen.

11. Describe the episode involving the sportsman from the time of his arrival
at the machan to his departure.

Ans: Following the first attack of the tiger, the local men under the advice of
Maggie, the sister of the unnamed speaker takes out a small group of men with a
machan to the dead remains of the hunt. On seeing the partially devoured body, the
group decides to tie the machan on the highest branch of the nearby oak tree and
wait for the tiger to attack it. In the meantime of the men waiting for the beast, they
come across a sportsman from Nainital who was there on a shooting spree. Being a
friend of Corbett, everyone listened to his decisions unquestionably as he told the
men to go away from the scene as he had committed it upon himself to sit up for
the tiger.

While these development were replaced to Nainital, the sportsman, believing that
the tiger was on longer nearby, took an ease of the situation. Following this, the
sportsmen fidgeted with the lantern that crashed to the ground and caught fire
which soon spread fiercely; as it was the dry mouth of May. In all panic over the
fire along with the fear of the lurking tiger, the sportsmen fled the scene, while
leaving behind his coat. Witnessing the massive fire, the sportsman ran to safety
with on fear of the men – eating tiger. Despite all attempts, the fire stayed for right
long hours and only receded after a heavy downpour of rain that eventually
distinguished it.

12. Would you agree that through the bania and his customers, Corbett
present a snapshot of life in a typical Kumaon village? Write a reasoned
answer.

Ans: Through the description of the bania’s shop and his customers, Corbett has
successfully presented a proper snapshot of life and the people in Kumon belong to
the depressed (marginal) sections of society who despite their oppressions,
struggles and discriminations were a simple, intensely proud and a peace – loving
community who were not only hardworking and brave but also genuinely
expressed a general sense of gratitude, affection, goodwill, honesty and
hospitability for all.

13. Describe the tow instances when the villagers display bravery and
courage.

Ans: The two instances that the villagers dispersed bravery and courage were after
the first attack of the men – eating tiger that left the human body of his hunt.
Fearing that it would compel the tiger to return to claim and take away his hunt, the
villagers despite the anxiety of the free tiger, took the wrapped body in a thick
blanket and tied it to the topmost branch of a thirty – foot rhododendron tree. The
second incident occurred when the tiger took the tied body remains from the tree
branch. Seeing this, the men followed the drag for half a mile despite a probable
attack for the beast. In both the cases, the villagers showed commendable courage
as they were completely unarmed to manage the ferocious animal.

14. Why did the villagers send Corbett a telegram? Why did it take him long
to arrive at the village?

Ans: The villager sent an urgent telegram to Corbett seeking help to fight the man
– eating tiger that was creating havoc in their villagers. However, with the long
transmission period of a telegram, even with urgent ones, Corbett arrival to the
situation was delayed. Further, after receiving the telegram, Corbett had to make an
arduous journey as had to travel thousand miles by rail and and road, while the last
twenty miles were to be covered on feet. These conditions delayed Corbett’s
arrival by a week.

15. It is generally held that Corbett was very sympathetic in his portrayed of
the hill people. D o you agree? Write a reasoned answer.

Ans: The assumption that Corbett was very sympathetic in his portrayal of the hill
people holds true; an idea that has been made evident in the story “The Queen of
the Village” where he provided a detailed presentation of the local people of the
Kumaon village across ages and situations; who despite their struggles,
discriminations and oppressions maintained gratitude, hospitability, goodwill and
affection towards others. This was because he had a firsthand experience with
them; most of whom belonged to the depressed section of society; yet were not
hostile and vengeance towards nature, animals and their fellow humans; with
whom they maintained a thread of reverence and brotherhood.