Class 11 summary of the chapter silk
road
Answers
SILK ROAD
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Middleton teaches geography at Oxford University and is a fellow of St Anne's College. He is a Royal Geographical Society award-winning writer, and the author of Travelogues.
Dr Nick Middleton's background is in the physical side of geography but his interests span the entire subject. His academic role is supplemented by his work as an environmental consultant and freelance author having written more than 200 articles in journals, magazines and newspapers, and 16 books. He has also co-written and edited another nine volumes.
SUMMARY IN ENGLISH
Leaving Ravu:
The author left Ravu in the company of Daniel and Tsetan. Before leaving the place, Lhamo gave him a gift. She gave him a long-sleeved sheepskin coat. Their next destination was Mount Kailash and Tsetan knew a short cut. He said the journey would be smooth if there was no snow.
The sight of Drokbas:
As they passed by the hills, they could see the lonely drokbas tending their flocks. There were men and women, well wrapped. They would pause and stare at their car, occasionally waving as they passed.
The Tibetan Mastiff:
As they passed the nomad’s tents there were the Tibetan mastiffs. They would explode into action as they neared the tents. They barked furiously and completely fearless. They would chase the car for some distance and would then go back.
Ice blocking their way:
The turns became sharper and bumpier. The sudden and unexpected fall of snow started blocking their way. Both the author and Daniel got out of the car for Tsetan to drive it safely, taking sharp bends. They were at 5210 meters above the sea level. The icy top layer of the snow was very dangerous; the car could slip off the road. The snow continued blocking their way. As they reached 5515 meters above the sea level, the atmospheric pressure became very low and Tsetan opened the lid of the petrol tank to release the evaporated fuel. The author experienced severe headache.
The town of Hor:
By late afternoon, they had reached the small town of Hor. Daniel returned Lhasa and Tsetan repaired the flat tyre of the car. Hor was grim, miserable place. There was no vegetation whatsoever, just dust and rocks. There was the accumulated refuse everywhere. Unlike the past, the place no longer appeared holy.
Reaching Darchen:
By 10.30 p.m., they reached a guesthouse in Darchen. The author had a very troubled night. His sinus were blocked and he was not able to get enough oxygen and finding it difficult to sleep. Most of the night he sat up and was not able to sleep.
Visiting the Medical College:
The next day Tsetan took him to the Darchen Medical College. The doctor told him it was just cold and the altitude giving him troubles. He gave him some medicine and that night he was able to sleep well.
Tsetan leaving for Lhasa:
Tsetan left the author in Darchen and went away. He did not mind if the author would die in Darchen. He was a good Buddhist and believed in life after death. However, he was worried it could affect his business, as he may not get more tourists to be accompanied.
Dry Darchen:
Like Hor Darchen was dusty and heaps of refuse could be seen all around. There were not many shops in Darchen. The town appeared to be sparsely populated. He felt lonely, as they were not any pilgrims. He had reached there very early in the season.
Meeting Norbu:
The author wanted to reach Mount Kailash to do kora. But he didn’t want to do it alone. He was looking for someone who could speak or understand English. One day he was sitting in a café. When Norbu saw him reading an English book he came and introduced him to the author. He was a Tibetan, but worked in Beijing at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He too was there to do kora. But he was not a religious person. Both of them decided to climb Mount Kailash.
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Answer:
The author of the story, Nick Middleton, describes his journey to Mount Kailash in Silk Road. In order to complete his Kora, the author wishes to visit Mt. Kailash. Thus, he hires Tsetan so that he gets someone for driving him up to the mountain. While he was parting with Lhamo, he receives a long-sleeved sheepskin coat. In order to get companionship, the author takes Daniel with him till Darchen.
Upon starting their journey, Tsetan takes a short-cut to the south-west. He says it is a direct route to Mt. Kailash. In order to reach their destination, they would have to cross the high mountain passes. However, Tsetan assures them that due to lack of snow, it would be easy to do so. On their way, they cross through a small number of gazelles, a herd of wild asses and shepherds that were tending the flocks.
Upon reaching the hill, they notice dark tents. They learn they were nomad’s homes and see a Tibetan mastiff guarding the tents. When they reach near the tents, the dogs with large jaws ran after their car. Upon entering the valley, they witness mountains and rivers covered in snow and ice.
The ride on the hill starts turning sharper and bumpier. As they reached higher, the author could feel the pressure and noticed they were at 5210 meters above sea level. After clearing the first hurdle of snow-filled roads, they were on and about. The author starts feeling uneasy due to height and pressure. At around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, they stop for lunch.
Finally, they reach a small town ‘Hor’ in late afternoon. The author took a break in Hor and sat at the local café sipping on tea. During this time, Tsetan got the car fixed and Daniel left for Lhasa. The author did not like Hor too much. Upon resuming the journey, they stay the night at a guest house in Darchen. We see how he suffers from nose-congestion due to the altitude change and chilly weather. He goes to see a Tibetan doctor and receives a five-day course medication.
After that, he feels better and enjoys his stay at Darchen where he meets another pilgrim, Norbu. As Darchen had no pilgrims, the author finds relief and decides to complete his pilgrimage with him. Finally, they hire yaks for their luggage and Norbu gives up while collapsing across the table and laughing. Norbu’s says it would not be possible for him and he also had a big tummy.
Explanation: