Class 10 English Unit 9: History and Culture Reading I: Pratap Malla

 

Unit 9: History and Culture

Getting Started

Let the students know about the pictures given in the text along with their historical and cultural significance.

Picture 1: Muktinath Temple, located in the Mustang district of Nepal, is a sacred site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Situated at an altitude of 3,710 meters in the Annapurna mountain range, it is renowned for its spiritual significance and natural beauty. The temple complex includes 108 water spouts and a sacred fire that burns continuously. Pilgrims visit Muktinath to seek blessings and perform rituals, believing it to be a place of liberation and salvation. The journey to the temple, which often involves trekking through picturesque landscapes, adds to the allure and mystique of this revered destination.

Picture 2: Ghale Gaun, a picturesque village located in the Lamjung district of Nepal, is a model of rural tourism. Nestled in the foothills of the Annapurna range, it offers stunning views of snow-capped peaks, including Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II. The village is predominantly inhabited by the Gurung community, known for their rich cultural heritage and hospitality. Visitors to Ghale Gaun can experience the traditional Gurung lifestyle, participate in cultural dances, and enjoy local cuisine. The village also serves as a gateway for trekking enthusiasts, providing a serene and culturally immersive experience amidst the natural beauty of Nepal.

Picture 3: Rodi Naach is a traditional dance form of the Magar community in Nepal, celebrated for its vibrant and lively expressions. It is typically performed during festivals, social gatherings, and special occasions, embodying the rich cultural heritage of the Magar people. The dance involves rhythmic movements, singing, and drumming, often accompanied by traditional musical instruments like the madal. Participants, dressed in colorful traditional attire, engage in coordinated steps and formations, creating a festive and communal atmosphere. Rodi Naach not only serves as a means of entertainment but also strengthens social bonds and preserves the cultural identity of the Magar community.

Picture 4: Kumari Prathaa

Kumari Pratha is a unique and ancient tradition of the Newar community in Nepal, where a young prepubescent girl is selected to be the living goddess, known as the Kumari. Revered as an incarnation of the Hindu goddess Taleju, the Kumari resides in the Kumari Ghar, a palace in Kathmandu's Durbar Square. The selection process is rigorous, involving various cultural and astrological criteria. The Kumari is worshipped during major festivals like Indra Jatra and Dashain, and her blessings are believed to bring prosperity and protection. Once the Kumari reaches puberty, she returns to normal life, and a new Kumari is chosen. This tradition reflects the deep spiritual and cultural values of the Newar community.

Reading I: Pratap Malla

Vocabulary

1.     regent /ˈriːdʒənt/ noun - temporary ruler

2.     reign /reɪn/ noun - period of rule

3.     aligned /əˈlaɪnd/ adjective - in line

4.     renovated /ˈrɛnəveɪtɪd/ verb - restored

5.     pinnacle /ˈpɪnəkl/ noun - highest point

6.     warding off /ˈwɔːdɪŋ ɒf/ verb - preventing

7.     replica /ˈrɛplɪkə/ noun - exact copy

8.     vastly-learned /ˈvɑːstli ˈlɜːnɪd/ adjective - very knowledgeable

9.     conferred /kənˈfɜːd/ verb - granted

10. patronized /ˈpætrənaɪzd/ verb - supported

11. hailed /heɪld/ verb - praised

12. invade /ɪnˈveɪd/ verb - attack

13. flourished /ˈflʌrɪʃt/ verb - thrived

14. console /kənˈsəʊl/ verb - comfort

15. grieving /ˈɡriːvɪŋ/ adjective - mourning

16. magnificent /mæɡˈnɪfɪsənt/ adjective - splendid

17. controversial /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃəl/ adjective - disputed

18. imprisoned /ɪmˈprɪzənd/ verb - jailed

A.         Complete the following sentences with the correct words from the text.

a.      Queen Rajendra Lakmi ruled the country as a regent because her son Rana Bahadur Shah was too young.

b.     Many buildings were renovated as they were destroyed by the earthquake.

c.      Many temples had their pinnacles made of gold.

d.     As the original trophy was stolen, they made a replica of it.

e.      Madhav Prasad Ghimire was conferred the title 'Rastrakavi in 2003.

f.       The government patronized Jhamak Kumari Ghimire for her contribution to Nepali literature.

g.     The British soldiers tried to invade Nepal but the brave Nepali people chased them away.

B.          Choose the best alternative.

a.      Why did Pratap Malla keep his father in jail?

i.       Pratap Malla was insane.

ii.     Pratap Malla wanted to be the king soon.

iii.  Pratap Malla's father was insane.

iv.   Pratap Malla had no experience in administration

b.     What made Kantipur a strong state during Pratap Malla's reign?

i.       Pratap Malle's bravery

ii.     Pratap Malla's diplomacy

iii.  Pratap Malla's love for poetry

iv.   Pratap Malla's love for art and culture

c.      Which of the following was not renovated by Pratap Malla

i.       Pashupati Nath               iii. Temple of Taleju

ii.     Temple of Degutale         iv. Temple of Budhanilkantha

d.     According to the text, which of the following did not happen during Pratap Malla's reign?

i.       trade with India and China       

ii.     Invasion of Kantipur

iii.  promotion of art and culture     

iv.   presence of learned men at the palace

C.    Answer these questions.

a.      Name two countries that had trade with Kantipur.

India and China were the two countries that had trade with Kantipur.

b.     How did Pratap Malla keep his kingdom safe from Lalitpur and Bhaktapur?

Pratap Malla kept his kingdom safe from Lalitpur and Bhaktapur with the help of his diplomatic ideas as he used to take a side for them based on his benefits.

c.      Where did Pratap Malla place the image of Lord Hanuman? Why?

Pratap Malla placed the image of Lord Hanuman at the gate of the palace, Hanumandhoka. He did this to ward off the evils.

d.     Pratap Malla conferred himself with the title 'Kabeendra'. Do you think this title suits him? Give reasons.

Keeping the title 'kabeendra' for himself is very much appropriate for him because he could compose poems in many languages such as Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, Sanskrit, etc.

e.      Pratap Malla used to invite the intellectuals to his palace. What does this indicate about his personality as a king?

Invitation of the intellectuals in the palace reveals his respect towards them as he was interested in learning and promoting literature.

D.   Pratap Malla contributed a lot to Nepali culture during his reign. Can you name some of them which still exist?

Pratap Malla, who reigned as the king of Kantipur (modern-day Kathmandu) in the 17th century, made several significant contributions to Nepali culture. Some of his contributions that still exist today include:

ü Rani Pokhari: A historic pond in the heart of Kathmandu, built-in 1670 to console his queen after the death of their son. The pond and the temple in the middle (Balgopaleshwar Temple) are notable landmarks.

ü Hanuman Dhoka Palace: Although originally built earlier, Pratap Malla expanded and beautified this palace complex, which served as the royal palace of the Malla kings.

ü Swayambhunath Stupa: He is credited with installing the large Vajra (thunderbolt scepter) at the base of the Swayambhunath Stupa, one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Nepal.

ü Kumari Ghar: The house of the Living Goddess (Kumari) in Kathmandu was constructed during his reign.

ü Pratap Dhvaja: A statue of Pratap Malla in a praying posture, located in the Durbar Square of Kathmandu, is an enduring symbol of his piety and contribution to art and culture.

ü Kal Bhairav: The giant stone image of Kal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva, located in Kathmandu Durbar Square, was placed there during his reign.

ü Pashupatinath Temple Renovations: Pratap Malla undertook renovations and expansions at the Pashupatinath Temple, an important Hindu shrine.

ü Stone Inscriptions: He left several multilingual stone inscriptions, including one at Hanuman Dhoka, showcasing his knowledge and interest in languages and literature.

Pronunciation

Pronounce the following phrases with an apostrophe. Take the help of a dictionary or your teacher. Then, put the words in the right columns.

/s/	/z/	/iz/
Dick's house	Luna's pet	Ramesh's phone
the aircraft's black box: /ði ˈeəkrɑːfts blæk bɒks/	Lisa's essay: /ˈliːzəz ˈɛseɪ/	Thomas's job: /ˈtɒməsɪz dʒɒb/
my parents' wedding: /maɪ ˈpeərənts ˈwɛdɪŋ/	children's shoes: /ˈtʃɪldrənz ʃuːz/	Socrates' philosophy: /ˈsɒkrətiːz fɪˈlɒsəfi/
a week's work: /ə wiːks wɜːk/	girls' excitement: /ɡɜːlz ɪkˈsaɪtmənt/	princess's necklace: /ˈprɪnsɛsɪz ˈnɛklɪs/
	Nepal's border: /nəˈpɔːlz ˈbɔːdə/	the bus's arrival: /ðə ˈbʌsɪz əˈraɪvl/
	my brother's book: /maɪ ˈbrʌðəz bʊk/	Ulysses' friends: /ˈjuːlɪsiːz frɛndz/
		James's office: /ˈdʒeɪmzɪz ˈɒfɪs/
		the ladies' room: /ðə ˈleɪdiz ruːm/
		coach's decision: /kəʊtʃɪz dɪˈsɪʒən/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mz-lU2WwzHY 

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