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NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Ch-8: Silk Road
'Silk Road' by Nick Middleton is a travelogue describing the author's arduous journey along the ancient Silk Road trade route through Tibet and Nepal, culminating in a spiritually significant pilgrimage to Mount Kailash.
Overview of Topics & Subtopics
Important Questions and Answers
Q1: What was the historical significance of the Silk Road?
Answer: The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting China with the Mediterranean world, historically used for trading silk, spices, and other goods, and it also served as a route for cultural, religious, and technological exchange between the East and West.
Q2: What challenges did the author face while travelling through Tibet?
Answer: The author faced numerous challenges including the harsh, high-altitude terrain, extreme cold, difficult road conditions, and the physical strain of travelling on foot or by unreliable transport across remote and rugged regions of the Tibetan plateau.
Q3: What is the religious significance of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar mentioned in the travelogue?
Answer: Mount Kailash is considered a sacred site by multiple religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Nearby Lake Manasarovar is similarly revered as a holy lake, and pilgrims undertake the difficult 'parikrama' (circumambulation) around the mountain as an act of deep religious devotion.
Q4: What cultural observations does the author make about the people he meets along the way?
Answer: The author observes the deep religious devotion, resilience, and simple lifestyle of the Tibetan and Nepali people he encounters, noting practices such as pilgrims performing prostrations throughout their journey as an act of extreme faith and endurance.
Q5: What is the overall theme of 'Silk Road'?
Answer: The overall theme of the travelogue is the blending of historical exploration, physical adventure, and spiritual discovery, highlighting both the challenging natural landscape and the profound cultural and religious heritage found along this ancient trade route.
Read More & Chapter Resources
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