Glimpses of India NCERT Solutions Class 10 PDF Download 2026

Ans: The elders in Goa are nostalgic about the good old Portuguese days and their famous loaves of bread. They reminisce about the traditional bakers (paders) who were an integral part of Goan society and culture.

Ans: Yes, bread-making is still very popular in Goa. We know this because the author states that while the original eaters of loaves might have vanished, the makers are still there. The traditional mixers, moulders, and age-old furnaces still exist, and the profession is carried forward by the bakers' sons.

Ans: During the Portuguese days, bakers wore a peculiar dress called the kabai, which was a single-piece long frock reaching down to the knees. During the author's childhood, bakers wore a shirt and trousers that were shorter than full-length ones and longer than half pants.

Ans: Coorg, also known as Kodagu, is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is situated midway between Mysore and the coastal town of Mangalore. It is described as a "piece of heaven" that must have drifted from the kingdom of God.

Ans: The Kodavu people are believed to be of Greek or Arabic descent.
Greek Theory: A part of Alexander's army moved south along the coast and settled there when return became impractical. They married amongst the locals.
Arab Theory: This theory is supported by the long, black coat with an embroidered waist-belt worn by the Kodavus, known as kuppia, which closely resembles the kuffia worn by the Arabs and the Kurds.

Ans: Rajvir was extremely excited because he had never seen a tea garden before. He was fascinated by the magnificent view of the sprawling tea bushes stretching as far as the eye could see against the backdrop of densely wooded hills.

Ans:
1. Chinese Legend: A Chinese emperor always boiled water before drinking it. One day, a few leaves of the twigs burning under the pot fell into the water, giving it a delicious flavor. They were tea leaves.
2. Indian Legend: Bodhidharma, an ancient Buddhist ascetic, cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during meditation. Ten tea plants grew out of the eyelids. The leaves of these plants, when put in hot water and drunk, banished sleep.

Ans: The baker made a musical entry with the "jhang, jhang" sound of his specially made bamboo staff. One hand supported the basket on his head, while the other banged the bamboo on the ground.

Ans: The children did not run to the baker for regular loaves of bread. They ran to him to choose the special "bread-bangles" (sweet bread) which they loved to eat.

Ans: A marriage gift is meaningless without sweet bread known as bol. The lady of the house must prepare sandwiches for her daughter's engagement. Cakes and bolinhas are absolutely essential for Christmas and other festivals.

Ans: The Coorgi people are fiercely independent and famous for their martial traditions. The Coorg Regiment is one of the most decorated in the Indian Army. In fact, the first Chief of the Indian Army, General Cariappa, was a Coorgi. They are the only people in India permitted to carry firearms without a license.

Ans: Coorg is rich in wildlife. The river Kaveri abounds with Mahaseer (a large freshwater fish). Kingfishers, squirrels, macaques, slender lorises, and wild elephants are commonly found in the evergreen forests of Coorg.

Ans: Pranjol had been born and brought up on a tea plantation. Therefore, the sight of the tea gardens was nothing new or extraordinary to him, unlike Rajvir, for whom it was a completely novel and thrilling experience.

Ans: The traditional Goan baker, known as a pader, was an essential and respected figure in Goan society. In the old days, they wore a unique single-piece dress called a kabai. The baker would visit twice a day, announcing his arrival with the musical "jhang, jhang" sound of his bamboo staff. He was treated as a friend, companion, and guide by the children who eagerly waited for his bread-bangles. Baking was a profitable profession; bakers and their families never starved and had a "plump physique," reflecting their prosperity and the cultural indispensability of bread in Goan life.

Ans: Coorg (Kodagu) is a picturesque district in Karnataka, situated between Mysore and Mangalore. It is described as a piece of heaven characterized by rolling hills, sprawling coffee estates, and spice plantations. Thirty percent of its area is covered by evergreen rainforests, which pour heavily during the monsoons. The region is nourished by the river Kaveri, which obtains its water from the hills and forests of Coorg. The best season to visit is from September to March when the air breathes of invigorating coffee.

Ans: Rajvir thoroughly researched Assam and tea before his trip, deeply impressing Pranjol's father. First, he shared the statistical fact that over 80 crore (800 million) cups of tea are drunk daily worldwide. Second, he narrated the two fascinating legends—Chinese and Indian—regarding the discovery of tea. Third, he accurately identified that their visit coincided with the "second flush" or sprouting period (May to July), which yields the best quality tea. This detailed knowledge proved he had done his homework.

Ans: The chapter perfectly captures India's "unity in diversity."
1. Goa showcases the lasting influence of Portuguese culture through its baking traditions, Christianity, and festive foods.
2. Coorg introduces a completely different flavor with its martial race of Greek/Arabic descent, strict traditions of hospitality, and dense rainforests.
3. Assam brings us to the Northeast, highlighting the massive tea plantations, distinct geography, and oriental legends tied to Buddhist ascetics and Chinese emperors.
Despite their vastly different histories, languages, and geographies, all three regions beautifully form the diverse yet unified cultural fabric of India.

Ans: The elders' nostalgia is not necessarily for the Portuguese rule, but for the rich cultural practices, particularly the culinary traditions, that became intertwined with Goan life. The traditional loaves of bread are tied to their childhood memories, festivals, and marriages. Clinging to these memories is a way of preserving their unique cultural identity and heritage in a rapidly modernizing world.

Ans: The literary device used here is Onomatopoeia. The words "jhang, jhang" imitate the actual sound produced by the baker's bamboo staff, helping to create a vivid auditory image for the reader.

Ans: Coorgi homes have a deeply ingrained tradition of hospitality. They are warm and welcoming to guests. Furthermore, they are incredibly proud of their heritage and are more than willing to recount numerous tales of valour related to their sons and fathers.

Ans: The tea pluckers were groups of women working methodically in the fields. They wore plastic aprons to protect their clothes and carried bamboo baskets on their backs to collect the newly sprouted tea leaves.

Ans: According to Rajvir, tea was first drunk in China as far back as 2700 B.C. The words 'tea', 'chai', and 'chini' all have their origins in the Chinese language. It only came to Europe in the sixteenth century and was initially used more as medicine than a beverage.