1-“The friendship was not the outcome of any sudden impulse……..or you’ll spoil him, is what he used to say.”
Answer a.Alagu and Jumman were intimate friends.They used to till their lands in common, were partners in money lending business and used to take care of each other’s household, in case of either’s absence.
Question b. What was the secret of their mutual trust and confidence?
Answer b.The secret of their mutual trust and confidence was that they possessed common outlook and community of ideas.
Question c. What kind of teacher was Jumman’s father?What result did his percepts produce on his son?
Answer c.Jumman Sheikh’s father was a strict teacher who possessed conviction that” Don’t spare the rod or you will spoil him”. Due to the strict teaching of Jumman’s father, Jumman achieved scholarships and success in his life.
Question d. How were Alagu’s father’s views different from those of Jumman’s father? What effect did it have on Alagu’s education?
Answer d.Alagu’ father believed that a teacher’s blessings are necessary for transforming a student into a fine scholar and that his blessings can be attained by keeping his hookah fresh and feeding his children regularly. Alagu received the honor for his wealth but he lacked the quality of a learned man as Jumman.
Question e. Why were Alagu and Jumman respected in the village?
Answer e.Jumman Sheikh and Alagu Chowdhari were close friends who used to till their land in common and were partners in money lending business.Jumman was esteemed for his learning ability in the village whereas Algu was respected for his wealth.
2-“So long as the deed remained unregistered none was so obliging……….the deed was registered.”
Answer a.The old lady was Jumman’s maternal aunt and Jumman was her nephew. The understanding between Jumman and his maternal aunt was that the old lady would transfer all her property to her condition that she would be looked after by Jumman and his wife.
Question b. What type of treatment was given to the old lady before the deed was registered? How did things change after the deed was registered?
Answer b.Before the registration of the deed, the old lady’s every wish used to be fulfilled without any need to ask her nephew. Jumman was obliging towards her and concerned about all her requirements. But these things and attitudes did not retain for a long period of time. After the signing of the deed by the old lady, jumman, as well as his wife, became indifferent to their aunt. They were in the habit of illtreating her often.
Question c. Name the nephew’s wife.What was her attitude towards the old lady?
Answer c.The name of the nephew’s wife was Kariman. kariman used to treat her aunt in a pleasant manner before the registration of the deed. But as soon as the old lady signed the deed in the name of her nephew the attitude of Kariman also changed quickly. She often used to illtreat the old woman. The aged woman was continuously insulted and nagged by her. Kariman never used to serve her aunt meals without uttering any remarks full of bitterness and insults.
Question d. How did the old lady react to the changed situation? What did she ultimately demand of her nephew?
Answer d.The old lady patiently bore all the insults and daily humiliation as long as could in her old age.But at last she rose for her requirements. She demanded for a small allowance so that she could set up a small kitchen for herself.
Question e. What was her nephew’s reaction to her demands?
Answer e.Jumman reacted in a fierce manner to her demands and replied in a bitter manner that money does not grow on trees. The old lady was taunted for death did not conquer her till now.
Question f. What did the old lady threaten her nephew with?Did it affect him in any way? Why?
Answer f.The old lady threatened Jumman that if he would not fulfill her demands she would take her case before the panchayat. The threat did not produce any effect on Jumman as his position was such in the village that no one dared to go against him.
3-“For days after the incident the old woman could be seen,………many were moved.”
Answer a.The old lady was Jumman’s maternal aunt and Jumman was her nephew.The understanding between Jumman and his maternal aunt was that the old lady would transfer all her property to her condition that she would be looked after by Jumman and his wife. The aged woman went from village to village to narrate her tale of woe comprising of humiliation and insults hurled on her by Jumman and his wife.
Question b. Which incident is being referred to here?
Answer b.The incident of ill-treatment carried on Jumman’s aunt by Jumman and his wife. They always abused and illtreated her after the registration of land in the name of her nephew, Jumman.
Question c. What was the villager’s attitude towards the old woman?
Answer c.Most of the villager’s offered their verbal sympathy to her. Some of them cursed the hard times which had brought the old woman to such a miserable state whereas others advised her to patch up with her nephew.
Question d. When and where was the panchayat held?What arrangements did Jumman make for it?
Answer d.At last, the woman approached Jumman’s friend, Alagu. She requested him to attend the panchayat when her will come up in the panchayat.
Question e. How did the person respond to the lady’s request?
Answer e.Alagu agreed to attend the panchayat as per the old lady’s request but asked her to excuse him from being part of the proceedings in the panchayat.
4-“You know,members of the panchayat, that three ago I executed……..wife without any help[ from Jumman.”
Answer a.The old lady who has called the panchayat to take up her case against her nephew is the speaker in these lines. The speaker is Jumman’s maternal aunt.
Question b. What kind of abuse and insults was the speaker subjected to?
Answer b.Jumman’s aunt was subjected to the abuses and insults for food and clothes. She was not given any respect and importance in the village.
Question c. What did the speaker demand from the members of the panchayat?
Answer c.The speaker demanded that the justice should be done to her.If she was in the wrong, she should be punished, but if her nephew Jumman was wrong he should be corrected.
Question d. When and where was the panchayat held?What arrangements did Jumman make for it?
Answer d.The panchayat was held in the evening under the village tree. Jumman made all the arrangements for the panchayat such as getting the culprit laid and providing a good supply of pan, elaichi, and hookah.
Question e. Describe the panchayat scene in your own words.
Answer e.Tha panchayat was held under the tree after the sunset. Jumman made the best arrangements for the people. A carpet was laid with the regular supply of pan, hookahs and elaichi. Live charcoal was kept glowing to feed the chillums of the guests. Another panchayat was going among the birds. In another corner, the village children were shouting, crying, and quarreling with each other.
5-“That is how Alagu Chowdari became the head-panch…………for her folly in their heart of hearts.”
Answer a.Alagu Chowdhary became the head panch when he was nominated by Jumman’s aunt as the panchayat system stipulated the nomination of a head panch acceptable to both the parties. Jumman’s aunt nominated Alagu because she was sure that he will not kill his friendship.
Question b. What was Jumman’s reaction at Alagu’s nomination as the head-panch? Why?
Answer b.Jumman was delighted at the nomination of Alagu as the head panch because he knew that Alagu being his ultimate friend would not go against him.
Question c. Why didn’t Jumman himself propose anybody’s name as nominee for the head-panch?
Answer c.Jumman did not propose anybody’s name as nominees for the head panch because majority of the people who attended the panchayat did not have a favoured opinion of Jumman.
Question d. What did Alagu say to the old woman after his nomination?What did she reply?
Answer d.Alagu told the old lady about his friendship with Jumman and indirectly reminded her of the repercussions of appointing him as the head pinch. The old lady replied that she was well aware of Alagu’s friendship with Jumman and she also knew that Alagu won’t kill his conscience for the sake of his friendship with Jumman.
Question e. Describe how Alagu carried on with his proceedings as the head-panch.
Answer e.As the head panch, Alagu began the proceedings by addressing Jumman and telling him that although they had earlier helped each other in times of difficulty, but now since he was the panch, both Jumman and his aunt were equal in his eyes.
Question f. What was Jumman’s first reaction to Alagu’s proceedings? What did he say in his defence?
Answer f.Jumman’s first reaction to Alagu’s proceedings was that Alagu was only pretending to be fair and just. In his defence, Jumman said that he had been carrying all his obligations towards his aunt like a son would be doing for his mother.
6-“He knew law as well as any lawyer………….while Jumman was wonderings.”
Answer a.’He’ in the extract refers to Alagu. Alagu gained knowledge of law visiting the courts often in connection with his business and by observing the legal proceedings there.
Question b. Who was Ramadhan Misra?Why was he in exultation?
Answer b.Ramadhan Misra was the resident of another village. Misra bore grudge against Jumman for the latter had settled some of Ramadhan tenants in his own village. He was excited to see Alagu defeating Jumman in his cross-examination.
Question c. What was Jumman wondering about ?Why?
Answer c.Jumman was wondering how his friend, Alagu who was talking to him cordially a moment ago was now trying to bring before in the panchayat his faults. He found it difficult to understand for which old grievance, Alagu was trying to take revenge on him.
Question d. What was the verdict of the panchayat?What effect did it have on Jumman?
Answer d.THe panchayat’s verdict was that Jummanhad to pay a monthly allowance to his aunt. In case of a non-alliance with the panchayat’s verdict, the deed transferring from her aunt to Jumman will be considered null and void. Jumman was stunned to hear the verdict. He could not understand how his friend Alagu, whom he trusted so much had suddenly turned to an enemy by producing a verdict against him.
Question e. How did the villagers react to the panchayat’s verdict?
Answer e.The villagers were full of praise for Alagu for his sense of fairness and justice. They said that Alagu has separated truth from falsehood.
Question f. What was the result of the panchayat’s verdict on Jumman’s relationship with his close friend?
Answer f.The verdict spoiled the relationship that existed between Jumman and Alagu. The two friends avoided seeing each other and if htey happened to meet by chance, they behaved like enemies, Jumman kept on thinking about how to take revenge on Alagu.
7-“With one bullock desd,Alagu had now no use for the other………..decided to sell it.”
Answer a.Alagu purchased the pair of bullocks a year ago from the Bateshwar fair.The bullocks had beautiful long curved horns and were of western breed.They ere so attractive that they remained the enemy and rage of the whole village for months together.
Question b. How did the death of one of the bullocks affect the relationship between Alagu and Jumman?
Answer b.The death of one of the bullock’s further strained the already strained relationship between Alagu and Jumman. Jumman connected the death of the bullock as God’s punishment on Alagu for his treacherous conduct of giving the verdict against Alagu.
Question c. Whom did Alagu sell the other bullock to? At what price was the bullock sold, and what was the understanding concerning the sale?
Answer c.Alagu sold the other bullock to Samjhu Sahu, a cart driver . The bullock was sold at one hundred and fifty rupees. It was agreed that SAmjhu Sahu, the buyer would pay the price in a month’s time.
Question d. How was the bullock’s life at his new master’s different from his life at Alagu’s? What effect did it have on the animal’s health?
Answer d.The bullocks led a miserable life at their new master, Sahu’s place. He was overworked and forced to undertake the trips to the town without any rest and full feed.
8-“So it happened with Sheikh Jumman………….breadth from the path of truth.”
8-“So it happened with Sheikh Jumman………….breadth from the path of truth.”
Answer a.Sahu nominated Jumman as the head panch. He did so because he was aware of the hostility between Alagu and Jumman. He thought Jumman would not favour Alagu.
Question b. What was Alagu’s reaction at Jumman’s nomination as the head-panch?Why did he feel so?
Answer b.On hearing Jumman’s name as the head panch in the Alagu’s heart began to sink, his face turned pale and as if he received a sudden blow. He felt so because he was aware that Jumman had been waiting for revenge.
Question c. How were Jumman’s personal feelings involved in the Alagu-Sahu case?
Answer c.As Jumman became the head panch in the Alagu Sahu, he realised the gravity of his office. He knew since he was sitting on the throne of justice, he should not utter anything but the truth. He was conscious of the fact that as a judge, his words carry the same respect as the words of God.
Question d. What was the issue on which the members of the panchayat differed in the case?
Answer d.THe members of the panchayat differed on the issue of whether Alagu should be paid any reduction in the price taking into the consideration the loss suffered by Sahu.
Question e. What verdict did Jumman pronounce?
Answer e.Jumman pronounced the verdict that Sahu had to pay the full amount for the ox he bought from Alagu, because when he bought the cattle, it was in good health and the ox died of slow starvation and overwork.
Question f. Was Jumman’s verdict fair?What effect did it have on his relationship with Alagu?
Answer f.Yes, Jumman’s verdict was absolutely fair as it was Samjhu Sahu’s greed to earn more profit that made him overwork his ox, without giving the animal rest and proper food. The verdict once again brought the two friends closer. Alagu was overwhelmed at Jumman’s fairness dispensing justice.
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