Q18.According to the priests, Pertab Singh lost his ___forever. (A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh) *
caste
life
youth
death
Answers
Answer:
This ballad shows the folly of the Hindu caste system. Sir Pertab Singh was the king of Jodhpore. It was the first year of his rule when a rider came to his palace. This rider was a young Englishman. He was every inch a soldier. On seeing him Pertab's heart lit up with joy. The two became fast friends. Now the two friends spent most of their time together. They told each other their stories of love and adventure. Thus they passed their days joyfully, But unfortunately, after some days, Pertab's friend died all of a sudden. The kings heart was filled with sorrow. The shadow of grief spread over his palace Next morning the Englishman's dead body was placed in a coffin. It was to be carried to the place of burial. But there arose a problem. There were only three men of his race and creed in all Jodhpore. They could not find a fourth one to carry the bier. Religion did not allow a Hindu to carry the bier of a foreigner. So they requested the king to send a sweeper. A sweeper, they said, had no caste to lose were filled with surprise. They told the king that he would lose his caste if he did so. But the king paid no heed to what they said. No loss could be greater to him than the loss of his friend. Without caring for what the people said he became the fourth pall-bearer. He carried the bier of his friend in the sight of all Jodhpore. Next morning some Brahmins came to Pertab Singh. They said that a very fearful thing had happened. The king had lost his caste for what he had done. At this the king flew into a rage. He said that his caste was above the caste of any Brahmin or Rajput. It was immortal. It was wide as the world, free as the air, and pure as the pool of death. It was the caste of all noble hearts. It was the caste of a true soldier. Sir Pertab Singh had no fear of losing it.