Question 1

I. Tick the statements that are true.

1. The story is an account of real events.
2. The story hinges on a particular historical event.
3. Rajendra Deshpande was a historian.
4. The places mentioned in the story are all imaginary.
5. The story tries to relate history to science.

Accepted Answer

1. The story is fictional, so this is False.
2. The story is based around a historical event (Battle of Panipat), so True.
3. Rajendra Deshpande was a historian, True.
4. The places mentioned are real, so False.
5. The story relates history to science, True. — The story 'The Adventure' is a fictional narrative that uses a historical event (the Battle of Panipat) as a backdrop. Rajendra Deshpande is a historian character in the story. The places mentioned are real historical locations. The story attempts to link history and scientific concepts such as quantum theory and catastrophe theory.

Question 2

II. Briefly explain the following statements from the text.

1. "You neither travelled to the past nor the future. You were in the present experiencing a different world."
2. "You have passed through a fantastic experience: or more correctly, a catastrophic experience."
3. Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew with what he was witnessing around him.
4. "The lack of determinism in quantum theory!"
5. "You need some interaction to cause a transition."

Accepted Answer

1. This means that the experience was not actual time travel but a perception of a different reality existing in the present.
2. The experience was extraordinary and sudden, like a catastrophe, indicating a drastic change.
3. Gangadharpant was naturally comparing his known present with the historical past he was witnessing.
4. Quantum theory does not predict exact outcomes but probabilities, indicating lack of determinism.
5. Interaction is necessary to cause a change or transition in the state of a system, as per quantum mechanics. — Each statement reflects key themes in the story: the nature of time and reality, the suddenness of change (catastrophe), subjective experience, and scientific principles like quantum indeterminacy and interaction-induced transitions.

Question 3

Discuss the following statements in groups of two pairs, each pair in a group taking opposite points of view.

(i) A single event may change the course of the history of a nation.
(ii) Reality is what is directly experienced through the senses.
(iii) The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar.

Accepted Answer

Students should discuss and present arguments for and against each statement.

(i) For: Historical events like battles or discoveries have changed nations' courses. Against: History is complex and no single event solely changes it.
(ii) For: Empiricism holds that reality is sensory experience. Against: Reality may include things beyond senses, like thoughts or theoretical entities.
(iii) For: All seek knowledge and use observation and reasoning. Against: Methods differ; science relies on experiments, history on documents, philosophy on logic. — This question encourages critical thinking and understanding of epistemology and historiography by debating the nature of history, reality, and inquiry methods.

Question 4

(i) The story is called 'The Adventure'. Compare it with the adventure described in 'We're Not Afraid to Die...'

(ii) Why do you think Professor Gaitonde decided never to preside over meetings again?

Accepted Answer

(i) 'The Adventure' involves a fantastical journey through time and history, blending science and history, while 'We're Not Afraid to Die...' is a real-life sea adventure involving survival and courage. The former is intellectual and speculative; the latter is physical and emotional.

(ii) Professor Gaitonde likely decided never to preside again due to the traumatic and disruptive events during the seminar, including his disappearance and the chaos caused by the time-travel experience. — The comparison highlights different types of adventures—imaginary vs real. The professor's decision reflects the story's dramatic climax and consequences.

Question 5

In which language do you think Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib talked to each other? Which language did Gangadharpant use to talk to the English receptionist?

Accepted Answer

Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib likely spoke in Marathi or Urdu, common languages in their community and era. Gangadharpant probably used English to talk to the English receptionist. — The story mentions communities and their languages; Marathi and Urdu were widely spoken among Marathas and Mughals respectively, while English was used by the British and in official contexts.

Question 6

In which language do you think Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was written?

Accepted Answer

Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was likely written in Marathi, as 'Bakhar' is a form of historical narrative in Marathi literature. — Bakhars are Marathi historical chronicles, so it is logical that this text was composed in Marathi.

Question 7

There is mention of three communities in the story: the Marathas, the Mughals, the Anglo-Indians. Which language do you think they used within their communities and while speaking to the other groups?

Accepted Answer

Marathas likely used Marathi within their community; Mughals used Urdu or Persian; Anglo-Indians used English. For inter-community communication, they might have used a lingua franca such as Hindi or Urdu or English depending on context. — Different communities maintained their languages internally but used common languages or English for communication across groups.

Question 8

Do you think that the ruled always adopt the language of the ruler?

Accepted Answer

No, the ruled do not always adopt the language of the ruler. While rulers may impose their language for administration, the ruled often retain their native languages and may use the ruler's language only for official or practical purposes. — Historical examples show that while colonial or ruling powers impose their languages, local languages persist and coexist, reflecting cultural identity and resistance.

Question 9

I. Tick the item that is closest in meaning to the following phrases.

1. to take issue with
(i) to accept
(ii) to discuss
(iii) to disagree
(iv) to add

2. to give vent to
(i) to express
(ii) to emphasise
(iii) suppress
(iv) dismiss

3. to stand on one's feet
(i) to be physically strong
(ii) to be independent
(iii) to stand erect
(iv) to be successful

4. to be wound up
(i) to become active
(ii) to stop operating
(iii) to be transformed
(iv) to be destroyed

5. to meet one's match
(i) to meet a partner who has similar tastes
(ii) to meet an opponent
(iii) to meet someone who is equally able as oneself
(iv) to meet defeat

Accepted Answer

1. to take issue with = (iii) to disagree
2. to give vent to = (i) to express
3. to stand on one's feet = (ii) to be independent
4. to be wound up = (ii) to stop operating
5. to meet one's match = (iii) to meet someone who is equally able as oneself — Each phrase is an idiomatic expression. 'To take issue with' means to disagree; 'to give vent to' means to express feelings; 'to stand on one's feet' means to be independent; 'to be wound up' means to stop operating; 'to meet one's match' means to encounter an equal opponent.

Question 10

II. Distinguish between the following pairs of sentences.

1. (i) He was visibly moved.
(ii) He was visually impaired.

2. (i) Green and black stripes were used alternately.
(ii) Green stripes could be used or alternatively black ones.

3. (i) The team played the two matches successfully.
(ii) The team played two matches successively.

4. (i) The librarian spoke respectfully to the learned scholar.
(ii) You will find the historian and the scientist in the archaeology and natural science sections of the museum respectively.

Accepted Answer

1. (i) 'Visibly moved' means emotionally affected in a way that can be seen.
(ii) 'Visually impaired' means having poor eyesight.

2. (i) 'Alternately' means one after the other in turns.
(ii) 'Alternatively' means as another option.

3. (i) 'Successfully' means with success.
(ii) 'Successively' means one after another in sequence.

4. (i) 'Respectfully' means with respect.
(ii) 'Respectively' means in the order given. — These pairs highlight differences between commonly confused words: visibly/visually, alternately/alternatively, successfully/successively, respectfully/respectively.

Question 11

What does the phrase 'blow-by-blow account' mean as used in the story?

Accepted Answer

A detailed, step-by-step description of events — The phrase 'blow-by-blow account' refers to a detailed narration of events as they happen, step by step. In the story, it is used to describe the detailed description of the Battle of Panipat.

Question 12

In the story, what is meant by the term 'morale booster'?

Accepted Answer

Something that increases confidence and enthusiasm — 'Morale booster' means something that raises the spirits, confidence, or enthusiasm of a group or individual. In the story, the Maratha victory was a morale booster for their army.

Question 13

What does the phrase 'relegated to' imply in the context of the story?

Accepted Answer

Assigned to a lower or less important position — 'Relegated to' means being demoted or assigned to a less important role. In the story, the trouble-maker Dadasaheb was relegated to the background in politics.

Question 14

What is the meaning of 'political acumen' as used in the story?

Accepted Answer

The ability to understand and make good judgments in politics — 'Political acumen' refers to sharpness and skill in understanding and handling political situations. Vishwasrao and Madhavrao combined political acumen with valour to expand their influence.

Question 15

What does the term 'de facto' mean in the context of the story?

Accepted Answer

In fact or in practice, though not officially recognized — 'De facto' refers to something that exists in reality, even if not legally or officially established. The Mughal regime was a de facto puppet under the Peshwas.

Jayant Narlikar

Jayant Narlikar — Study Notes

The Adventure

Understanding the Text

Talking about the Text

Practice Questions — Jayant Narlikar

All 12 Chapters in Hornbill