Question

“What a very peculiar name!” Sir William Jones pondered the name of the ship that had carried him for five

months from England to India. He and his wife Anna Maria were now travelling up Hugli, on their way to

Calcutta. India was so new to them-her skies, seas, birds and animals were so alien, “Oh ! Look, there‟s a

tiger, come down to drink water from the river!” Anna Maria had pointed out with awe anddelight. She was

excited as her husband decided to move to this new country.For Sir Willian Jones, this journey satisfied a

deep-seated longing, for he had an obsession with this land. India-her literature, beauty and history had

attracted him for years. Indeed the whole of Asia, and many were the hours he had spent, reading every book

he could lay his hands on. Yet, to his starved mind, there seemed to be so little material. He began to prepare

a document, setting out everything he wished to study. “The history of the ancient world, traditions, modern,

politics and geography of Hindustan,” he added, “Indians, agriculture, medicine, wild life, natural products

of India…..” the list went on.

1) What did Sir Willian Jones find peculiar?

2) He had an obsession with this land. Which land is referred to here?

3) How long were the husband and wife travelling by ship?

4) How did Anna Maria feel during their travel?

5) Which things had attracted Sir Willian Jones to India?​

Answer 1

Answer:

1. He found the name of the ship peculiar

2. Asia

3. 5 months

4. Excited

5. The history of the ancient world, traditions, modern,politics and geography of Hindustan,” he added, “Indians, agriculture, medicine, wild life, natural products of India.