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Glimpses of India

NCERT Class 10 · English Based on NCERT Class 10 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter presents three pen-portraits of different regions of India: Goa, Coorg (Kodagu), and Assam. It exists in the syllabus to showcase the cultural, geographical, and historical diversity of India through vivid descriptions of local traditions, livelihoods, and natural beauty. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that India's unity lies in its incredible diversity — each region has unique customs, cuisines, and histories that together form the fabric of the nation.
Key Concepts (12)
pader
The traditional Goan village baker who still carries on the family profession of bread-making.
e.g. In Goan villages, the pader is known for his jingling bamboo staff and his delivery of bread-bangles for children.
kabai
A single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees, worn by bakers in the Portuguese days.
e.g. The baker's peculiar dress was known as the kabai, and even today anyone wearing a half-pant below the knees is compared to a pader.
bol
A sweet bread that is a must as a marriage gift in Goan tradition.
e.g. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol.
bolinhas
Cakes that are a must for Christmas and other festivals in Goa.
e.g. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.
jackfruit-like appearance
A plump physique that was an open testimony to the prosperity of bakers and their families.
e.g. Even today any person with a jackfruit-like physical appearance is easily compared to a baker.
Coorg
Also known as Kodagu, the smallest district of Karnataka, famous for coffee, rainforests, and spices.
e.g. Coorg is coffee country, famous for its rainforests and spices, and is home to the fiercely independent Kodavus.
kuppia
The long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by Kodavus, resembling the kuffia worn by Arabs and Kurds.
e.g. The Kodavu dress known as kuppia supports the theory of Arab origin of the Coorgi people.
Kodavus
The people of Coorg, known for their martial traditions, hospitality, and being the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
e.g. The Kodavus are fiercely independent and the Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army.
Mahaseer
A large freshwater fish that abounds in the Kaveri river in Coorg.
e.g. Mahaseer — a large freshwater fish — abound in these waters of Coorg.
second-flush
The sprouting period for tea leaves that lasts from May to July and yields the best tea.
e.g. Rajvir correctly identified the second-flush period when he saw the tea-pluckers at work in Dhekiabari Tea Estate.
Bodhidharma
An ancient Buddhist ascetic from Indian legend who, according to the story, cut off his eyelids and ten tea plants grew out of them.
e.g. The Indian legend of Bodhidharma explains the origin of tea as a drink that banishes sleep.
Dhekiabari
The tea-garden managed by Pranjol's father in Upper Assam.
e.g. Rajvir and Pranjol drove to Dhekiabari Tea Estate to see the tea plantation.
How It Works
The baker's daily routine in Goa
  1. The baker sets out in the morning with a huge basket on his head.
  2. He makes a musical entry with the 'jhang, jhang' sound of his specially made bamboo staff.
  3. He bangs the bamboo on the ground with one hand while supporting the basket with the other.
  4. He greets the lady of the house with 'Good morning' and places his basket on the vertical bamboo.
  5. He delivers loaves to the maid-servant while children are pushed aside.
  6. He returns after emptying his basket, making a second round.
💡 Students often forget that the baker came twice a day — once in the morning and again after emptying his basket.
The legend of tea discovery (Chinese version)
  1. A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it.
  2. One day, a few leaves from twigs burning under the pot fell into the water.
  3. The leaves gave the water a delicious flavour.
  4. It is said those leaves were tea leaves.
💡 Students often confuse the Chinese legend with the Indian legend — the Chinese emperor story involves accidental discovery, while Bodhidharma's story involves a deliberate act.
The legend of tea discovery (Indian version)
  1. Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditations.
  2. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids.
  3. The leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.
💡 Students must remember that Bodhidharma's story is an Indian legend, not Chinese.
Tea plucking process in Assam
  1. Tea bushes are neatly pruned to the same height.
  2. Groups of tea-pluckers, with bamboo baskets on their backs and wearing plastic aprons, pluck the newly sprouted leaves.
  3. The second-flush period from May to July yields the best tea.
  4. A tractor pulls a trailer-load of tea leaves.
💡 The second-flush period is specifically May to July — students often write the wrong months.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the baker's dress across time periods
✗ The baker wore a kabai in the author's childhood.
→ The kabai was worn in the Portuguese days. When the author was young, bakers wore a shirt and trousers that were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.
✓ In the Portuguese days, bakers wore a kabai (a single-piece long frock). When the author was young, bakers wore a shirt and trousers shorter than full-length but longer than half pants.
⚠ Mixing up the must-have items for different occasions
✗ Bolinhas are a must for marriage gifts.
→ Bolinhas are a must for Christmas and other festivals, not for marriage gifts. The sweet bread 'bol' is a must for marriage gifts.
✓ Marriage gifts require the sweet bread 'bol', while cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas and other festivals.
⚠ Incorrect origin story for Kodavus
✗ The Kodavus are definitely of Greek descent.
→ The text presents two theories — Greek or Arabic descent — but does not confirm either. It says 'possibly of Greek or Arabic descent' and presents both as stories.
✓ The people of Coorg are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent. One story says a part of Alexander's army settled there; another theory draws support from the kuppia resembling the Arab kuffia.
⚠ Misidentifying the location of Coorg
✗ Coorg is a district in Kerala.
→ Coorg, or Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka, not Kerala.
✓ Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka, situated midway between Mysore and Mangalore.
⚠ Confusing the two legends of tea
✗ The Chinese emperor cut off his eyelids to discover tea.
→ The Chinese emperor story involves leaves falling into boiling water by accident. The eyelid story belongs to the Indian legend of Bodhidharma.
✓ The Chinese legend says tea leaves accidentally fell into boiling water. The Indian legend says Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids, from which tea plants grew.
Compare & Contrast
Dress
Baker in Goa (Portuguese days)
Baker in Goa (author's childhood)
In Portuguese days, bakers wore a kabai (single-piece long frock). In the author's childhood, bakers wore a shirt and trousers shorter than full-length but longer than half pants.
Origin story
Chinese legend of tea
Indian legend of tea
The Chinese legend involves accidental discovery when tea leaves fell into boiling water. The Indian legend involves Bodhidharma cutting off his eyelids, from which ten tea plants grew.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Short Answer (2-3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks) — typically from one of the three sections, or a comparative question across sections.
Most asked: Importance of the baker in Goan society · Dress and lifestyle of the Goan baker · Location and people of Coorg (Kodavus) · Legends of tea discovery · Tea plantations in Assam
Don't skip: Describe the importance of the baker in Goan village life.; What are the legends associated with the discovery of tea?; Describe the people, culture, and natural beauty of Coorg.
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The Goan baker, known as pader, still carries on the family profession of bread-making using age-old furnaces.
  2. The baker's bamboo staff made a jingling thud that heralded his arrival in the morning.
  3. Children in Goa longed for bread-bangles and sweet bread, not the loaves for elders.
  4. The baker's dress in Portuguese days was a kabai, a single-piece long frock.
  5. Bakers in Goa had a plump physique, which was an open testimony to their prosperity.
  6. Coorg, or Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka, famous for coffee, rainforests, and spices.
  7. The Kodavus are possibly of Greek or Arabic descent and are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a licence.
  8. The kuppia worn by Kodavus resembles the kuffia worn by Arabs and Kurds.
  9. The Kaveri river obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg.
  10. Over eighty crore cups of tea are drunk every day throughout the world.
  11. Assam has the largest concentration of tea plantations in the world.
  12. The second-flush period from May to July yields the best tea.
  13. The Chinese legend says tea was discovered when leaves fell into boiling water.
  14. The Indian legend says Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids and ten tea plants grew out of them.
  15. Tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C.
  16. Tea came to Europe only in the sixteenth century and was drunk more as medicine than as a beverage.
  17. The presence of the baker's furnace in a Goan village is absolutely essential for festivals and ceremonies.
  18. Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as bol.
  19. Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas and other festivals in Goa.
  20. The baker collected his bills at the end of the month, and accounts were recorded on a wall in pencil.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. The elders in Goa are nostalgic about which period in history?

  • A. The British colonial days
  • B. The Portuguese colonial days and their famous loaves of bread ✓
  • C. The French colonial period
  • D. The Dutch colonial era

Answer: B — The opening line clearly states 'our elders are often heard reminiscing nostalgically about those good old Portuguese days, the Portuguese and their famous loaves of bread.'

Q2. What is the primary reason children ran to meet the baker every morning?

  • A. To buy loaves for their mothers
  • B. To get bread for breakfast
  • C. To choose and eat bread-bangles, a special bread item ✓
  • D. To help carry the baker's basket

Answer: C — The text explicitly states 'What we longed for were those bread-bangles which we chose carefully. Sometimes it was sweet bread of special make.'

Q3. Which of the following statements is correct according to the passage?

  • A. Paders completely disappeared after the Portuguese left
  • B. The father paders are alive but their sons abandoned the profession
  • C. Paders continue to exist, though fathers may have died, and sons carry on the family profession ✓
  • D. Paders only exist in museums now

Answer: C — The text states 'Maybe the father is not alive but the son still carries on the family profession,' showing continuity of the tradition.

Q4. What was the traditional dress of Goan bakers called?

  • A. Kabai—a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees ✓
  • B. Shirt and full-length trousers
  • C. Half pants reaching above the knees
  • D. Half pants reaching just below the knees

Answer: A — The passage defines the traditional dress as 'the kabai. It was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees.'

Q5. Which of the following is described as 'a must' for Christmas and other festivals in Goa?

  • A. Sweet bread called bol
  • B. Cakes and bolinhas ✓
  • C. Sandwiches
  • D. Bread-bangles

Answer: B — The text explicitly states 'Cakes and bolinhas are a must for Christmas as well as other festivals.'

Q6. How were the baker's monthly accounts recorded in those days?

  • A. In a written ledger book kept at home
  • B. On some wall in pencil ✓
  • C. On paper slips given to customers
  • D. In a shop account register

Answer: B — The passage states 'Monthly accounts used to be recorded on some wall in pencil,' showing an informal recording system.

Q7. What does the author imply by comparing a plump person's appearance to that of a baker?

  • A. The person is lazy and inactive
  • B. The person is wealthy and well-fed, reflecting prosperity ✓
  • C. The person works in the baking profession
  • D. The person is unhealthy and overweight

Answer: B — The text explains that bakers were prosperous with 'plump physique' that was 'an open testimony' to their success and happiness.

Q8. Which musical sound announced the baker's arrival in the neighborhood?

  • A. 'Thud and jingle' of his bamboo staff
  • B. 'Jhang, jhang' sound of his specially made bamboo staff ✓
  • C. Bell ringing while walking
  • D. Whistling a traditional tune

Answer: B — The passage describes 'The baker made his musical entry on the scene with the 'jhang, jhang' sound of his specially made bamboo staff.'

Q9. What does 'bol' symbolize in Goan wedding traditions according to the passage?

  • A. It is just a regular bread item with no significance
  • B. It is a sweet bread that makes marriage gifts meaningful and cannot be replaced ✓
  • C. It is only eaten by the bride
  • D. It is a modern addition to wedding customs

Answer: B — The text states 'Marriage gifts are meaningless without the sweet bread known as the bol,' showing its essential symbolic role.

Q10. What is the overall tone of the author when recalling his childhood experiences with the baker?

  • A. Negative and critical of past traditions
  • B. Indifferent and detached from the memories
  • C. Nostalgic, affectionate, and appreciative of the baker's role in his life ✓
  • D. Angry about the baker's business practices

Answer: C — Phrases like 'jingling thud woke us up,' 'I can still recall the typical fragrance,' and describing the baker as 'friend, companion and guide' reveal a nostalgic and affectionate tone.

Flashcards

What does 'pader' mean in the context of this text?

Pader is the Goan term for a traditional baker or bread-seller who has been an important figure in Goan society since Portuguese times.

Why did children eagerly wait for the baker every morning?

Children ran to meet the baker not for loaves but for bread-bangles, a special bread item they could choose and enjoy themselves.

What is 'bol' according to the passage?

Bol is a sweet bread that is a must-have as a marriage gift and is considered meaningless for weddings without it.

Describe the traditional dress of old Goan bakers called 'kabai'.

The kabai was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees, the distinctive traditional dress worn by Portuguese-era bakers.

How was the baker's monthly billing system organized?

The baker collected his bills at the end of the month, with accounts recorded on walls in pencil as a monthly credit system.

What does the author mean by calling a plump person a 'jackfruit-like appearance'?

It is a comparison suggesting the person is as round and full-bodied as a jackfruit, referencing the baker's prosperous and well-fed appearance.

Name three occasions when bread products are essential in Goan life.

Marriage gifts (bol), festivals like Christmas (cakes and bolinhas), and engagements (sandwiches) are three occasions requiring bread products.

How did the baker announce his arrival in the neighborhood?

The baker announced his arrival with a musical 'jhang, jhang' sound made by banging his specially-made bamboo staff on the ground.

What is the author's tone when describing childhood memories of the baker?

The author's tone is nostalgic and affectionate, fondly recalling the baker as a friend and companion of childhood days.

Why does the author say 'the tiger never brushed his teeth'?

The author uses this humorous comparison to justify why children did not brush their teeth after eating bread, thinking it unnecessary.

Important Board Questions

According to the passage, what was the relationship between children and the baker during the author's childhood? Name two reasons why children eagerly waited for the baker's arrival every morning. [2 marks]

Refer to the text where the baker is described as 'friend, companion and guide.' Identify what specifically children wanted from the baker—it was not loaves but bread-bangles, and they were excited by the musical sound of his bamboo staff.

How do the examples of 'bol,' 'cakes and bolinhas,' and 'sandwiches' prove that bread products were essential to Goan social and cultural life? Explain your answer with reference to the text. [3 marks]

Explain the three specific occasions mentioned: (1) bol as marriage gift makes gifts meaningful, (2) cakes/bolinhas for Christmas and festivals are a 'must,' (3) sandwiches for daughters' engagements. Show how bread products were integral to celebrations and social customs, not just food items.

Write a detailed account of the baker's profession in old Goa, covering aspects like: (a) how he conducted his business, (b) his social and economic status, (c) how the profession has changed and continued, and (d) what the author's nostalgic tone reveals about the cultural significance of this profession. Support your answer with evidence from the passage. [5 marks]

Address: (a) business methods—selling twice daily, monthly bill collection recorded on walls, musical bamboo announcement; (b) prosperity—never starved, plump physique, family looked happy; (c) continuity—sons carry on father's profession, furnaces still burn, though dress evolved; (d) significance—baker was friend/guide, essential for village celebrations, Portuguese heritage preserved. Use direct quotes to strengthen analysis.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Glimpses of India

Q1. Assertion (A):

The baker was an important and integral part of Goan village life during the author's childhood.

Reason (R):

Bread was essential for marriages, festivals, engagements, and celebrations, making the baker's presence absolutely necessary in the village.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true, and the reason correctly explains why the assertion is valid. The passage explicitly states that marriage gifts are meaningless without sweet bread, parties lose charm without bread, sandwiches are necessary for engagements, and cakes are a must for festivals. These facts directly establish the baker's importance, making this a complete and accurate assertion-reason pair.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The traditional dress of Goan bakers, called the kabai, left a lasting impression on Goan culture and fashion terminology.

Reason (R):

The author mentions that anyone wearing half pants reaching below the knees is compared to a pader because of the distinctive clothing style.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true. The assertion is valid—the kabai did leave a cultural impression. The reason is also true—the passage confirms the half-pants comparison. However, the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion's truth. The lasting cultural impression comes from the baker's overall prominence and distinctive appearance, not solely from the half-pants comparison. The reason describes a consequence rather than the cause of the cultural impact.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The fire in the traditional baker's furnaces in Goa has been completely extinguished in modern times.

Reason (R):

The author states that traditional bread-baking is no longer a profitable profession.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false. The passage clearly states: 'Those age-old, time-tested furnaces still exist. The fire in the furnaces has not yet been extinguished.' This directly contradicts the assertion. Additionally, the reason is also false. The passage states that baking 'was a profitable profession in the old days,' using past tense, but does not explicitly say it is unprofitable now—it only suggests changes in circumstances. Neither the assertion nor the reason is correct.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Glimpses of India

Case Study:

In a research project about traditional Indian professions, students conducted interviews with three generations of Goan bakers. They documented that the grandfather's generation (1950s-1970s) had thriving businesses, the father's generation (1980s-2000s) experienced moderate decline due to commercial bakeries, and the current generation (2020s) operates part-time while pursuing other income sources. However, all three generations maintain the traditional furnaces and continue baking for local festivals and celebrations. The local community still values their bread for weddings and cultural events, but demand has reduced from daily purchases to occasional orders.

Q1. Based on the research data, what can be concluded about the profession's current status?

  • A. Traditional baking has completely disappeared from Goa
  • B. The profession has evolved but persists due to cultural significance and community ties ✓
  • C. Modern commercial bakeries have entirely replaced traditional bakers
  • D. Traditional bakers refuse to adapt to modern times

Answer: B

Q2. How does the current generation of bakers differ from the grandfather's generation in terms of economic dependence?

  • A. The current generation earns more money than the grandfather's generation
  • B. The current generation works part-time and pursues other income sources, unlike the grandfather's full-time bakery business ✓
  • C. The current generation has abandoned baking entirely
  • D. The grandfather's generation never made any profit from baking

Answer: B

Q3. Why do local communities still utilize traditional bakers despite the availability of commercial bakeries?

  • A. Commercial bakeries do not exist in Goa
  • B. Traditional bread is superior in quality to commercial bread
  • C. Cultural significance and traditional practices in festivals and celebrations create continued demand ✓
  • D. Traditional bakers force the community to buy from them

Answer: C

Q4. What does the persistence of furnaces across three generations suggest about the profession's cultural value?

  • A. The furnaces have no cultural significance
  • B. The profession is maintained primarily for financial profit
  • C. The profession carries cultural importance that motivates families to preserve it despite economic changes ✓
  • D. Modern bakers are forced to maintain furnaces against their will

Answer: C

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Glimpses of India

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 31/1/1 · 3 marks

How are the cultural and social fabric of Goa closely knit together with the traditional baker and his bread?

CBSE 2026 · Set 31/3/1 · 3 marks

The people of Coorg are said to be descendants of the Arabs. Elaborate.

CBSE 2026 · Set 31/2/1 · 3 marks

In 'Glimpses of India – Part I (Goa)', how is the baker portrayed as a symbol of cultural nostalgia and changing times?

CBSE 2026 · Set 31/1/1 · 6 marks

Both, Rajvir in 'Tea from Assam' and Valli in 'Madam Rides the Bus' are motivated by a strong desire to experience the world beyond their everyday life. How do their respective journeys reflect their curiosity, enthusiasm for discovering new things and shape their understanding of the world around them?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/1/1 · 3 marks

Explain the reasons for Rajvir's excitement on seeing the plantation and Pranjol's lack of enthusiasm.

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/1/2 · 3 marks

How does the author support the view that the people of Coorg are possibly of Arabic descent?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/1/3 · 3 marks

What according to Rajvir was the Indian legend about the origin of tea?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/2/1 · 3 marks

How does the description of the baker's lifestyle in the past evoke a sense of nostalgia?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/2/2 · 3 marks

How did the baker herald his arrival every morning?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/2/3 · 3 marks

Why is the baker very important to the village folk ?

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/3/1 · 3 marks

The portrayal of the baker's attire and role in the village emphasize the cultural and social significance of bread-making within the community. Elaborate.

CBSE 2025 · Set 31/3/2 · 3 marks

Why does the author refer to Coorg as the kingdom of heaven?

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