NCERT Book Class 10 English First Flight Ch 7 Glimpses of India pdf Part B
Glimpses of India
Part B
Coorg
Coorg is coffee country, famous for its rain-forests and spices
MIDWAY between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore sits a piece of heaven that must have floated from the kingdom of GOD. This land of rolling hills is populated by a proud people of martial (military) men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
Coorg, or Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, is home to evergreen rainforests, spices and coffee plantations. Evergreen rainforests cover thirty per cent of this district. During the monsoons, it rain heavily enough to keep many visitors away. The season of joy commences from September and continues till March. The weather is perfect, with some showers thrown in for good amount. The air breathes of refreshing coffee. Coffee estates and royal bungalows stand ease under tree canopies in prime corners. The independent people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. As one story goes, a part of Alexander’s army moved south along the coast and settled. These people married amongst the locals and their culture is apparent in the martial traditions, marriage and religious rites, which are distinct from the Hindu mainstream. The theory of Arab origin draws support from the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus. Known as kuppia, it resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Coorgi homes have a tradition of hospitality, and they are more than willing to recount numerous stories of bravery related to their sons and fathers. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army, and the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. Even now, Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
The river, Kaveri, obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters. Kingfishers dive for their catch, while squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the wet and the flow effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts.
The most careless individuals become converts to the life of high-energy adventure with river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. Birds, bees and butterflies are there to give you company. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy. I do, however, prefer to step aside for wild elephants
The climb to the Brahmagiri hills brings you into a view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. A walk across the rope bridge leads to the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama. Running into Buddhist monks from India’s largest Tibetan settlement, at nearby Bylakuppe, is a bonus. The monks, in red and yellow robes, are amongst the many surprises that wait to be discovered by visitors searching for the heart and soul of India, right here in Coorg
Question 1: Where is the Coorg situated? How does the author describe it?
Answer: Coorg is Midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is the smallest district of Karnataka. The author describes Coorg as a piece of heaven. It must have drifted from the kingdom of God. This is a land of rolling hills inhabited by a proud race of martial men, beautiful women and wild creatures.
Question 2: What is the story about Kodavu people’s descent ?
Answer: According to a story, the descent of the people of Coorg is Greek. A part of Alexander’s army settled there as the return was impossible. They married amongst the locals. Their culture is seen in marital traditions, marriages and religious rites. According to another story, their descent is Arabs. They wear a black coat called kuppia. It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Question 3: How do we know that Coorgis or the Kodavu people we’re of the Arab descent ?
Answer: The Coorgis or the Kodavu people wear a long black coat. It has an embroidered waist belt. It is known as kuppia. It resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds. Thus they are believed to be the descent of the Arab.
Question 4: The people of Coorg are traditionally courageous and brave. Explain.
Answer: The people of Coorg are traditionally courageous and brave. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. The first chief of Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgis. Moreover Kodavus are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
Question 5: What is Kuppia and Kuffia?
Answer: Kuppia is the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, i.e., Coorgi people. Kuffia is traditionally worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.
Question 6: Explain in brief about the Coorgi people’s valour and bravery. – Valour – great courage in the face of danger, especially in battle.
Answer: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent and brave. They are always willing to recount the tales of valour related to their sons and fathers. They are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.
Question 7: How is the wildlife of Coorg?
Answer: Coorg has a bountiful (large in quantity) and varied wildlife. It has fish like the Mahaseer, birds like kingfisher and animals like Malabar squirrel, langur, macaque, slender loris and elephant. Besides, bees and butterflies are also to be seen there.
Question 8: What are the high energy adventures that are available in Coorg?
Answer: The high energy adventures that are available in Coorg are river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking.
Question 9: Describe the animals that can be seen and are available in Coorg.
Answer: In Coorg, squirrels and langurs drop partially eaten fruit for the mischief of enjoying the splash and the ripple effect in the clear water. Elephants enjoy being bathed and scrubbed in the river by their mahouts. Macaques, Malabar squirrels, langurs and slender loris keep a watchful eye from the tree canopy.
Question 10: How can one have a panoramic (wide) view of Coorg?
Answer: One can have a panoramic view of Coorg by climbing on to the top of the Brahmagiri hills.
Question 11: Describe the Tibetan settlement in Coorg.
Answer: In the sixty-four-acre island of Nisargadhama in Coorg, there is a Tibetan settlement near Bylakuppe. The monks can be seen in red and yellow robes.
Important Questions
1. Describe Coorg in about 40-50 words.
Coorg is a place blessed by nature. It is surrounded by beautiful hills of Brahmagiri. It is covered with the evergreen rainforests and receives heavy rainfall. Many animals and birds live in these forests. It is famous for its coffee.
2. Where is Coorg located? When should one visit it?
Coorg is located midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is the smallest district in Karnataka. It receives heavy rainfall. So, the best time to visit it is from September to March.
3. Write two characteristics of the people of Coorg.
The people of Coorg are fiercely independent and brave. Coorgi houses have a tradition of hospitality. The Coorg Regiment is the most decorated in the Indian army. They feel proud in sharing the courageous tales of their sons and fathers.
4. What are the various stories regarding the origin of the Kodavu people?
Or
How are Kodavu people’s Arab descent?
The two theories regarding the descent of Kodavu people are:
- Kodavus are of Greek origin. A part of Alexander’s army settled here and married among the locals. Their descendants are called Kodavus.
- Kodavus are of Arab origin. They wear the same traditional dress Kuppia i.e., a long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt, as the Kuffia of the Arabs and the Kurds.
5. How have the people of Coorg contributed to the Indian Army?
Coorgis are fiercely independent and brave. Tales of courage and fighting spirit of the Coorgis have earned them immense respect. The Coorg regiment is one of the Indian Army, was also a Coorgi.
6. What attracts visitors to Coorg?
The nature in its purest form, the evergreen forests, the hills and river Kaveri, the various adventure sports, the bio-diversity and India’s largest Tibetan settlement – are among some of the attractions of Coorg.
7. What are the various adventure sports available in Coorg?
Coorg’s river offers perfect setting for various water sports like – river rafting, canoeing, etc. the mountains provide an adventurous terrain for rappelling, rock climbing and mountain biking. The numerous trails here are a favourite with trekkers.
8. What does the author refer to as ‘bonus’? Why
One climbs the Brahmagiri hills to get a panoramic view of the entire landscape of Coorg. But when he walks a little more, he is pleased to find the Nisargadhama. Above all, the largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe is a surprising bonus. The author calls it a bonus as it is the least expected here.
9. What are the many surprises that wait to be discovered’ in Coorg?
The Coorg’s natural beauty, its forests and coffee plantations, the bio-diversity and the sports facilities etc. are the common attractions of Coorg. But the panoramic view of Coorg from the Brahmagiri hills, the Nisargadhama and the India’s largest Tibetan settlement at Bylakuppe are some of ‘the many surprises that wait to be discovered at Coorg’.
10. Why is the climb to the Brahmagiri an important part of a visit to Coorg?
The climb to the Brahmagiri hills offers the panoramic view of the entire misty landscape of Coorg. Besides, it leads to Nisargadhama and then, to Bylakuppe – the hidden surprises for the visitors. Thus, it is important to climb the Brahmagiri hills while visiting Coorg.