Get complete The Adventure Questions and Answers Class 11 NCERT with detailed explanations for CBSE students. Explore Jayant Narlikar’s blend of science and history through Professor Gaitonde’s mysterious journey into a parallel world. Perfect study material for Class 11 English learners to prepare effectively for exams.
About the Author:
Jayant Narlikar (1938 – present) is a famous Indian astrophysicist and science writer. He is well-known for combining scientific ideas with imaginative storytelling. In The Adventure, he explores the concept of alternate histories and parallel worlds. The story reflects his interest in history, science, and human curiosity. He creates characters who think deeply and question reality. His writing encourages readers to imagine possibilities beyond the ordinary. Narlikar’s stories often blend education with entertainment. The Adventure shows how science and history can come together to create a thrilling narrative.
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Summary:
Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde travelled on the Jijamata Express from Pune to Bombay. He planned to visit a big library to study history books and understand the changes in this parallel world. At Sarhad station, an Anglo-Indian officer checked permits, reminding him that he was now in British territory. In Bombay, he noticed suburban trains with Union Jacks and British offices along Hornby Road. He saw East India House, headquarters of the East India Company, still flourishing, which surprised him. He searched for his son Vinay at a company but could not find him. At the Town Hall library, he read his own five-volume history. Volumes one to four were as he knew, but volume five described the Marathas winning the Third Battle of Panipat. This victory changed India’s history, limiting the East India Company and strengthening the Peshwas. Gangadharpant discussed the experience with Rajendra Deshpande, who explained it using catastrophe theory and quantum ideas. Gaitonde realized he had briefly experienced a parallel world with a different history.
Central Idea:
The central idea of The Adventure is that small changes in historical events can create entirely different worlds, and reality may not be unique. The story shows this through Professor Gangadharpant Gaitonde’s experience of briefly entering a parallel world where the Marathas won the Third Battle of Panipat. In this alternate reality, India develops differently, the East India Company is limited, and the Peshwas gain power. Gaitonde investigates these changes by reading his own history books in the library of the Asiatic Society and finds evidence in Bhausahebanchi Bakhar. The story also explores scientific concepts such as the catastrophe theory and quantum mechanics to explain the possibility of multiple realities.
Comment: This story blends history and science fiction to encourage readers to think about the fragility of historical events and the complexity of reality. It highlights human curiosity, the importance of inquiry, and the idea that imagination combined with knowledge can reveal new perspectives on the past and present.
Word Notes:
PAGE 43
- sped: moved quickly
- route: path, way
- industrial: related to factories
- township: small town
- ghat: mountain pass
- briefly: for a short time
- greater: larger
- roaring: moving loudly and fast
- historian: person who studies history
- browse: look through
- affairs: matters, situations
- exist: to be present
- plan: strategy
- action: step, measure
PAGE 44
- venture: dare, take risk
- terminus: final station
- suburban: near city
- carriage: train coach
- territory: land under control
- headquarters: main office
- flourishing: thriving, successful
- destination: end point
- imposing: grand, impressive
- staff: employees
- along: following a path
- proceed: go forward
PAGE 45
- receptionist: front desk worker
- directory: list of names
- staff list: employees list
- branch: subsidiary office
- guarantee: assurance
- frugal: simple, moderate
- riddle: mystery
- grab: take quickly
- volume: book in series
- begin: start
- period: era, time span
- evident: clear, obvious
PAGE 46
- supremacy: dominance
- expansionist: one seeking growth
- influence: power over others
- acumen: sharpness
- valour: courage
- systematically: methodically
- reduced: decreased, limited
- puppet: controlled, figurehead
- astute: clever, shrewd
- technological: relating to technology
- self-sufficient: independent
- opportunity: chance
- aid: help, support
PAGE 47
- clue: hint
- entertain: amuse
- graphic: vivid
- doctored: altered
- germ: kernel, trace
- melee: confused fight
- merciful: compassionate
- librarian: library caretaker
- magnificent: grand, impressive
- absent-mindedly: forgetfully
- frugal: simple, moderate
- stroll: walk leisurely
PAGE 48
- symbolic: representing something
- unchaired: without leader
- sacrilege: disrespect
- valiantly: bravely
- swarm: move in crowd
- dignitary: important person
- platform: stage, podium
- remark: comment
- abolished: removed
- audience: listeners
- presiding: leading
PAGE 49
- inadvertently: unintentionally
- vital: essential
- omen: sign
- fantasy: imagination
- evidence: proof
- relevant: related
- triumphantly: victoriously
- narrative: story, account
- material: tangible, physical
- descriptive: detailed
PAGE 50
- catastrophe: disaster
- disparity: inequality
- morale: spirit
- impetus: motivation
- rout: complete defeat
- crucial: extremely important
- opposite: reverse, contrary
- observation: noticing, seeing
- turn: change direction
- strategic: planned, tactical
PAGE 51
- determinism: predictability
- constituent: part of something
- trajectory: path
- microscopic: very small
- macroscopic: large-scale
- transition: change
- alternate: other, different
- observer: one who sees
- energy: power, force
- manifestation: expression, form
PAGE 52
- recounting: narrating
- speculate: guess
- grave: serious
- interrupted: disturbed
- realise: understand
- experience: encounter, event
- interaction: contact
- trigger: cause, catalyst
- implications: effects, consequences
- happy: fortunate
NCERT Hornbill Textual Questions Answers Class 11 [Page No 52]
NCERT Hornbill Textual Questions Answers Class 11 CBSE offers clear and accurate solutions to all textbook questions. These answers help students understand themes, characters, and literary devices with ease. Perfect for revision, exam preparation, and building strong conceptual knowledge.
Understanding the text [Page no 52]
I. Tick the statements that are true.
1. The story is an account of real events. – False.
S.S – It is a fictional account involving alternative history and scientific theories.
2. The story hinges on a particular historical event. – True.
S.S – The turning point is the Battle of Panipat, which decided the course of history.
3. Rajendra Deshpande was a historian. – False.
S.S – The text clearly shows he was a scientist, not a historian.
4. The places mentioned in the story are all imaginary. – False.
S.S – Places like Pune, Bombay, Panipat, Victoria Terminus, Azad Maidan are all real.
5. The story tries to relate history to science. – True.
S.s – It connects catastrophe theory and quantum theory with historical events.
II. Briefly explain the following statements from the text.
1. “You neither travelled to the past nor the future. You were in the present experiencing a different world.”
Ans: Rajendra told Gaitonde that he had not gone to another time but to another world. According to catastrophe theory and quantum theory, reality may have many manifestations. At the Battle of Panipat, history had taken a different course when Vishwasrao survived instead of dying. This created another world with a different history. Gaitonde had made a transition from his own world into that world and then back again. Therefore, he was in the present but experiencing a different world shaped by an alternative course of events in history.
2. “You have passed through a fantastic experience: or more correctly, a catastrophic experience.”
Ans: Rajendra used this phrase to explain Gaitonde’s unusual journey. According to him, Gaitonde’s experience was linked to catastrophe theory. The Battle of Panipat was a catastrophic situation where history could take two radically different alternatives. In one world, Vishwasrao died and the Marathas lost, leading to British rule. In another, Vishwasrao survived and the Marathas triumphed, changing India’s future. Gaitonde’s collision with the truck and his thoughts about catastrophe theory might have triggered the transition. Thus, Rajendra described the entire episode as not merely fantastic but as a catastrophic experience connected with history and science.
3. Gangadharpant could not help comparing the country he knew with what he was witnessing around him.
Ans: In the library, Gaitonde discovered that in this world the Marathas had won the Battle of Panipat. This led to a different course of Indian history. The East India Company was reduced to pockets of influence, and India was never subjected to slavery for the white man. Instead, it learnt to stand on its feet and valued self-respect. Bombay remained the sole British outpost on lease till 2001. Witnessing this, Gaitonde compared it with his own world where India had suffered colonial rule. The contrast between the India he knew and the India he witnessed was striking.
4. “The lack of determinism in quantum theory!”
Ans: Rajendra explained that reality is not always definite. In quantum theory, when dealing with atoms and particles, behaviour cannot be predicted with certainty. If an electron is fired, unlike a bullet, its position cannot be known exactly. It may be here, there, or anywhere, and only probabilities can be given. Gaitonde immediately recalled this as the lack of determinism in quantum theory. Rajendra further explained that many world pictures could exist at the same time, and an observer experiences only one. This scientific theory supported Gaitonde’s experience of living in another world for two days.
5. “You need some interaction to cause a transition.”
Ans: Rajendra suggested that Gaitonde’s transition from one world to another required a trigger. At the time of the truck collision, Gaitonde had been thinking of catastrophe theory and its implications for the Battle of Panipat. Perhaps his intense thoughts acted as a stimulus. Rajendra guessed that the neurons in his brain might have interacted like in quantum systems, causing the transition. Such interaction could have pushed him from one world into another where Vishwasrao had survived, and history was different. Thus, Rajendra explained that interaction was necessary for a person to make a transition between worlds.
Talking about the text [Page no 52]
(i) A single event may change the course of the history of a nation.
For (100 words):
Ans: The Battle of Panipat clearly proves how a single event can alter history. In the world Professor Gaitonde experienced, the bullet missed Vishwasrao. This single stroke of fortune raised the morale of the Marathas and led to Abdali’s defeat. Their victory changed India’s destiny. The Marathas became supreme, the East India Company could not expand, and India moved towards democracy without foreign rule. Gaitonde himself read these consequences in his own history volumes in the library. Hence, one small event, Vishwasrao surviving, created a chain of effects that reshaped the future of the entire nation forever.
Against (100 words):
Ans: Professor Gaitonde himself opposed the idea that a single event can change history. He argued that history is unique and not based on speculation. He told Rajendra, “We live in a unique world which has a unique history. The idea of ‘it might have been’ is okay for speculation but not for reality.” This shows his belief that history is not made by accidents alone, but by larger forces. Even if Vishwasrao had survived, other factors like leadership, politics, or foreign powers could still have influenced India. Therefore, one event alone cannot be said to alter an entire nation’s history.
(ii) Reality is what is directly experienced through the senses.
For (100 words):
Ans: Professor Gaitonde’s experience showed that reality is what one perceives through the senses. He travelled on the Jijamata Express, saw the East India House, and read volumes of history in the Asiatic Society library. He even attended a public lecture at Azad Maidan where the audience pelted him with tomatoes and eggs. All these events were vivid and direct sensory experiences for him. He could see, hear, touch, and read in that world. Hence, to him, it was real, not imaginary. This proves that reality is what is immediately experienced through the senses, not something abstract or speculative.
Against (100 words):
Ans: Rajendra argued that reality may not be limited to what is seen or felt. Quantum theory shows that small particles like electrons cannot be predicted with certainty; they can exist in many states at once. Similarly, there can be many world-pictures, each real in its own way. Professor Gaitonde had experienced one such alternative world where history turned differently. This proves that senses alone cannot define reality, because what is perceived depends on which world the observer is in. Thus, reality is broader than immediate experience and may include multiple possibilities beyond what the senses directly show.
(iii) The methods of inquiry of history, science and philosophy are similar.
For (100 words):
Ans: In the story, history, science and philosophy all meet in the inquiry into truth. Gaitonde searched in history books to trace the turning point of India’s destiny. Rajendra used catastrophe theory and quantum theory to explain how two different outcomes of the same battle could exist. Philosophy entered when they discussed the meaning of “reality” and whether it is unique or multiple. In all three approaches, reasoning, evidence, and logical thinking are used. They all seek to explain events and experiences in a rational way. Thus, though subjects differ, their methods of inquiry are similar and interconnected.
Against (100 words):
Ans: It can also be argued that the methods of inquiry are different. History depends on written records, documents, and interpretations of past events. Science relies on observation, experiment, and repeatable results. Philosophy, on the other hand, uses abstract reasoning, logic, and speculation about concepts like reality and truth. In the story, Gaitonde’s method was historical research through books, Rajendra’s was scientific explanation, and their debate on reality was philosophical. Each discipline followed its own approach. Though they sometimes overlap, their ways of investigation are not the same. Therefore, the methods of history, science and philosophy cannot be considered identical.
Thinking about language [Page no 53]
1. In which language do you think Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib talked to each other? Which language did Gangadharpant use to talk to the English receptionist?
Ans: Gangadharpant and Khan Sahib conversed in Hindi, which was a common link language for people from different regions. It helped them to understand each other during their train journey. However, when Gangadharpant reached the Forbes building in Bombay and met the English receptionist, he switched to English, as that was the official and acceptable medium of communication with the British and Anglo-Indian staff. This shows the dual use of languages in different social contexts in the story.
2. In which language do you think Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was written?
Ans: The text clearly mentions that Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was written in Marathi, which was the native language of the Marathas. Although Professor Gaitonde seldom relied on Bakhars for historical evidence, he admitted that they were entertaining to read. Sometimes, in their exaggerated and doctored accounts, one could still find “the germ of truth.” This proves that the Maratha literature played an important role in narrating events of Maratha history and was an authentic reflection of their culture and language.
3. There is mention of three communities in the story: the Marathas, the Mughals, the Anglo-Indians. Which language do you think they used within their communities and while speaking to the other groups?
Ans: The story refers to three communities: the Marathas, the Mughals, and the Anglo-Indians. The Marathas spoke Marathi within their community. The Mughals used Persian, which was their court and cultural language. The Anglo-Indians used English since they were linked to British colonial power. But when these groups interacted with each other, they most likely used Hindustani, a widely understood language at the time, as a bridge of communication. This linguistic mix reflected India’s diversity during that period.
4. Do you think that the ruled always adopt the language of the ruler?
Ans: The story shows that the ruled do not always adopt the language of the ruler. For example, the Marathas continued to use Marathi in their daily life and writings, even though the East India Company and the Anglo-Indians promoted English. Similarly, the Mughals held on to Persian. This proves that while rulers may try to impose their language, communities often preserve their own tongue for cultural identity. Thus, local languages like Marathi survived alongside English and Persian.
Working with words
I. Tick the item that is closest in meaning
- to take issue with – (iii) to disagree
- to give vent to – (i) to express
- to stand on one’s feet – (ii) to be independent
- to be wound up – (ii) to stop operating
- to meet one’s match – (iii) to meet someone who is equally able as oneself
II. Distinguish between the following pairs of sentences
- (i) He was visibly moved – He showed emotions clearly.
(ii) He was visually impaired – He had weak eyesight or was partially blind. - (i) Green and black stripes were used alternately – Green, then black, then green, and so on in turn.
(ii) Green stripes could be used, or alternatively, black ones – Either green stripes or black stripes could be chosen instead of each other. - (i) The team played the two matches successfully – The team played both matches well and won.
(ii) The team played two matches successively – The team played one match immediately after the other, in sequence. - (i) The librarian spoke respectfully to the learned scholar – The librarian spoke with politeness and regard.
(ii) You will find the historian and the scientist in the archaeology and natural science sections of the museum respectively. The historian will be in archaeology and the scientist in natural science, in that order.
Extract-Based Questions: The Adventure Questions Answers
One Prose extract from the book Hornbill, to assess comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation. 3×1=3 Marks
Extract 1
“Greater Bombay Metropolitan Railway,” explained Khan Sahib, “See the tiny Union Jack painted on each carriage? A gentle reminder that we are in British territory,” The train began to slow down beyond Dadar and stopped only at its destination, Victoria Terminus. The station looked remarkably neat and clean. The staff was mostly made up of Anglo-Indians and Parsees along with a handful of British officers.
Questions
(i) According to Khan Sahib, how could one tell if they were in the British territory?
(ii) Select the correct option from those given in bracket to fill in the blank.
The train is moving towards its last station which is (Dadar/Victoria Terminus).
(iii) Complete the following suitably.
When he got out of the station, Gaitonde saw the letters ____ on a building.
Answers
(i) Each carriage had a tiny Union Jack painted on it as a gentle reminder of British territory.
(ii) Victoria Terminus
(iii) East India House Headquarters of East India Company
Extract 2
The twentieth century brought about further changes inspired by the West. India moved towards a democracy. By then, the Peshwas had lost their enterprise and they were gradually replaced by democratically elected bodies. The Sultanate at Delhi survived even this transition, largely because it wielded no real influence. The Shahenshah of Delhi was no more than a figurehead to rubber-stamp the ‘recommendations’ made by the central parliament. As he read on, Gangadharpant began to appreciate the India he had seen. It was a country that had not been subjected to slavery for the white man; it had learnt to stand on its feet and knew what self-respect was.
Questions
(i) Complete the following suitably.
India was moving towards a democracy by the twentieth century because…
(ii) Explain why the Delhi Sultanate survived this transition?
(iii) What does the following line from the extract showcase?
It was a country that had not been subjected to slavery for the white man; it had learnt to stand on its feet and knew what self-respect was.
Answers
(i) The Peshwas had lost their enterprise and were gradually replaced by democratically elected bodies.
(ii) The Delhi Sultanate survived this transition because it wielded no real influence.
(iii) (b) Appreciation
Extract 3
Rajendra motioned him to silence and started pacing the room, obviously under great mental strain. Finally, he turned around and said, “Professor Gaitonde, I will try to rationalise your experience on the basis of two scientific theories as known today. Whether I succeed or not in convincing you of the facts, only you can judge for you have indeed passed through a fantastic experience: or, more correctly, a catastrophic experience!”
Questions
(i) Select the textual option that is closest to indicating a sense of confusion.
(a) Rajendra motioned him to silence and started pacing the room…
(b) I will try to rationalise your experience…
(c) Whether I succeed or not in convincing you of the facts…
(d) None of the above
(ii) Complete the following suitably.
Rajendra tried to rationalise Gaitonde’s experience _____.
(iii) What is the ‘catastrophic experience’ mentioned in the above extract?
Answers
(i) (d) None of the above
(ii) on the basis of two scientific theories
(iii) Professor Gaitonde’s transition to a parallel world and his return.
Extract 4
“History has to be rewritten when new evidence comes up,” said Rajendra. “Otherwise, we would not be giving a correct account of what had happened. The current understanding is that there are many worlds that exist simultaneously though we do not normally perceive them. But at the level of the atom, they may overlap and give rise to different outcomes.”
Questions
(i) What, according to Rajendra, forces us to rewrite history?
(ii) What does Rajendra mean by “many worlds that exist simultaneously”?
(iii) Which scientific theory does this explanation connect with?
Answers
(i) New evidence forces history to be rewritten.
(ii) He meant that parallel worlds exist together though we do not normally perceive them.
(iii) This connects with the quantum theory of many worlds.
Extract 5
Gangadharpant had not been able to deliver his lecture at the Azad Maidan. When he reached there, a large crowd was waiting but he was unceremoniously pushed off the platform. He felt humiliated and defeated. His words remained unspoken, and his thoughts were left unfinished.
Questions
(i) Why did Gangadharpant go to Azad Maidan?
(ii) How was he treated by the crowd?
(iii) What did this incident make him feel?
Answers
(i) He went to deliver his lecture at the Azad Maidan.
(ii) He was unceremoniously pushed off the platform by the crowd.
(iii) He felt humiliated and defeated, with his thoughts left unfinished.
Extract 6
“I was experiencing a different world. The book I read described a history which I had never known. It was not the defeat at Panipat but the victory of the Marathas that changed everything. It was a revelation for me and it shook all my beliefs about the past.”
Questions
(i) What discovery surprised Gangadharpant?
(ii) Which historical battle had a different outcome in this parallel world?
(iii) How did this revelation affect him?
Answers
(i) He discovered that Marathas had won at Panipat.
(ii) The Battle of Panipat had a different outcome.
(iii) It shook all his beliefs about the past and left him astonished.
Short Answer Type Questions: The Adventure Questions Answers
One Short answer type question (one from Prose from the book Hornbill), to be answered in 40-50 words. Questions should elicit inferential responses through critical thinking. 3×1=3 Marks
1. How did Gaitonde plan to understand the present state of affairs?
Ans: Gaitonde planned to visit the library in Bombay to study history books on the subject. After consulting the books, he would return to Pune and discuss the matter with Rajendra Deshpande. By combining information from historical records and expert consultation, he aimed to understand what had actually happened in this parallel world and how its present state of affairs had developed. This methodical approach helped him compare his world with the new reality he had encountered.
2. Why was a permit required to enter Ronday for passengers to the train?
Ans: In the parallel world, Bombay was considered British territory while the surrounding areas were Indian territory. Normally, a passport and visa are needed to enter another country. Here, because of the frequent journeys that Indian citizens made to Bombay, only a permit was required. The permit acted as a simplified travel document to allow citizens to enter British-controlled Bombay without the complexities of a visa, reflecting the political and administrative differences in this parallel world.
3. Which expression did the contrasting image of East India House evoke in Gaitonde and why?
Ans: Gaitonde was shocked to see East India House right outside Victoria Terminus. In his reality, the East India Company had ceased operations in India after 1857, according to history books. Seeing it fully functional indicated that in this world, historical events had taken a different course. This contrast made him realize that India’s history in the parallel world was different from what he knew, evoking a sense of astonishment and curiosity about the altered historical timeline.
4. Name the buildings Gaitonde saw along Hornby Road that made it look like an English town.
Ans: While walking along Hornby Road, Gaitonde saw Boots and Woolworth departmental stores, the imposing offices of Lloyds, Barclays, and other British banks, and the Forbes building. These prominent English names and architectural styles gave the street the appearance of a typical high street in England. The combination of commercial and institutional buildings, along with their English signage, made Gaitonde feel as if he were in a British town rather than in Bombay, highlighting the cultural influence of British presence in the parallel world.
5. What conclusion did Gaitonde draw after visiting the Forbes office?
Ans: Gaitonde discovered that his son, Vinay Gaitonde, did not work in the Forbes building in this world. The English receptionist checked the telephone extension, staff list, and other branches’ employees list and confirmed that no such person existed. This led Gaitonde to conclude that in this parallel world, his son did not exist. This realization highlighted the significant differences between his world and the parallel world, and emphasized how individual lives could vary drastically in alternate realities.
6. Identify the historical instance Gaitonde discovered that contrasted with what he knew.
Ans: Gaitonde found in the fifth book he had written that the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 had a different outcome. The book mentioned that the Marathas defeated invader Ahmed Shah Abdali, whereas in Gaitonde’s world, the Marathas had lost the battle. This discovery shocked him and highlighted that historical events in the parallel world were not aligned with his recorded history. It emphasized that even major turning points could have alternate outcomes affecting political and social developments.
7. Why did the East India Company stop its expansion in this parallel world?
Ans: In the parallel world, the Marathas had won the Third Battle of Panipat, establishing their supremacy in northern India. With the Marathas controlling the region, the East India Company could not expand its influence as it had in Gaitonde’s world. The victory created a strong local power that limited British expansion, making further territorial ambitions impossible. This shows how a single historical event altered the political landscape and restricted colonial enterprises that otherwise shaped the course of history in Gaitonde’s original reality.
8. How did the practical intelligence of the Veds riders benefit their nation?
Ans: The Veds riders had practical intelligence that enabled them to travel to Europe and establish scientific and astrological centres. They used the expertise and aid of the East India Company to build local research centres in India. This combination of local skill and international collaboration allowed the nation to develop technologically and scientifically, benefiting society. Their practical approach to knowledge and application reinforced India’s progress in science, ensuring that the country was self-reliant and capable of achieving significant advancements in various fields.
9. How did India become a democracy during the twentieth century in the parallel world?
Ans: By the twentieth century, the Peshwas had lost their resources, and the Delhi Sultanate had no real power or influence, only rubber-stamping government recommendations. Inspired by Western political changes, India gradually moved towards democracy. The absence of dominant traditional authorities created a political vacuum that was filled by democratically elected bodies. This transition allowed citizens to participate in governance, establishing democratic institutions. The political and administrative changes reflected an organized and independent system where India learned self-governance and decision-making, ensuring that power was no longer concentrated in hereditary rulers.
10. Which book gave Gaitonde information about the Marathas’ victory at Panipat? Why was it significant?
Ans: The fifth history book Gaitonde read did not include details of the Marathas’ victory at the Third Battle of Panipat, leaving his investigation incomplete. The Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, a Marathi historical narrative, provided the necessary information. This book explained how the Marathas had won the battle, completing Gaitonde’s understanding of historical events in the parallel world. The information was significant because it revealed a different outcome from what he knew and helped him understand why political power and historical events had diverged in this alternate reality.
11. What instance mentioned in Bhausahebanchi Bakhar was different from Gaitonde’s world?
Ans: In the Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, a bullet brushed past Vishwasrao’s ear during the battle, narrowly missing him. Had he been slightly off position, he would have been killed, and the Marathas would have lost. In Gaitonde’s world, Vishwasrao had been killed by a bullet, leading to the Marathas’ defeat. This contrast highlighted how small events could drastically change historical outcomes. It made Gaitonde realize that even minute differences in parallel worlds could significantly affect the course of history and power structures.
12. What was peculiar about the event at Azad Maidan?
Ans: When Gaitonde reached Azad Maidan, he saw people moving toward a pandal for a lecture. However, the presidential chair on the platform was unoccupied even though the speaker was addressing the audience. Gaitonde felt that the chair had been kept vacant for him. The peculiarity lay in the custom: in this world, the chair was symbolic, and the focus was on the lecture itself rather than formalities. It was unusual compared to his world, reflecting a cultural shift in how public events were conducted.
13. How did the audience react to Gaitonde sitting on the presidential chair? Why?
Ans: The audience protested strongly when Gaitonde sat on the presidential chair. In this world, people were tired of long introductions, speeches by the chairman, and formalities. They were only interested in the content of the lecture. The presidential chair was symbolic and not meant to be occupied actively. Gaitonde sitting on it violated this new custom, causing the protest. This reaction reflected a shift in societal expectations, emphasizing practicality and interest in knowledge over ceremonial formalities, contrasting sharply with traditions in Gaitonde’s world.
14. What evidence did Gaitonde show to Deshpande to prove his experiences?
Ans: Gaitonde showed Deshpande a page torn from the Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, which mentioned that a bullet had missed Vishwasrao. In his own book, the bullet had struck Vishwasrao. This discrepancy proved to Deshpande that Gaitonde’s experiences reflected a reality different from recorded history. The evidence served as a tangible link between the parallel world and his own, convincing Deshpande that Gaitonde’s account was genuine. It highlighted how historical facts could vary in alternate realities, supporting the idea of multiple versions of history.
15. Which instances did Rajendra Deshpande use to illustrate that reality may not be unique?
Ans: Rajendra Deshpande cited atoms and sub-atomic particles to illustrate the non-uniqueness of reality. He explained that when an electron is fired from a source, its exact location after a specified time cannot be predicted, demonstrating the principle of ‘lack of determinism’ in Quantum Theory. This example showed that reality is probabilistic at a fundamental level. Deshpande used this to support the idea that multiple realities can coexist and historical outcomes may differ, indicating that Gaitonde’s experiences in a parallel world were scientifically plausible.
16. How did Gaitonde’s parallel world experience influence his decision in his world?
Ans: After his parallel world experience, Gaitonde chose not to give his presidential address at the seminar. He informed the organizers of his regrets, realizing that such a speech would not be welcomed. The experience taught him that expectations, customs, and audience interests could differ greatly. His decision reflected a practical application of his learnings from the parallel world, showing that understanding multiple perspectives can influence real-life actions. It highlighted the impact of alternate experiences on personal choices and behavior in one’s original reality.
17. What implications did Gaitonde’s experience have for understanding reality?
Ans: Gaitonde’s experience challenged his perception of reality, suggesting the existence of multiple parallel worlds and unpredictable historical outcomes. It prompted him to reconsider the limits of reality and the role of consciousness in shaping experiences. His understanding of history, causality, and individual influence was altered. The experience implied that reality is not fixed and can differ based on events and decisions. This philosophical insight encouraged him to think critically about the nature of existence and the possibility of alternate realities affecting what people perceive as historical truth.
18. How does the portrayal of Bombay, particularly Victoria Terminus and East India House, challenge Gaitonde’s understanding of history?
Ans: Victoria Terminus and East India House in the parallel world contradict established historical narratives. East India House still existed and operated, defying accounts of its dissolution after 1857. Victoria Terminus was pristine and staffed by Anglo-Indians and Parsees, unlike expectations of post-independence transformation. These discrepancies challenged Gaitonde’s understanding of history, revealing a reality that diverged from recorded events. The portrayal emphasized that even iconic institutions and their conditions could differ, highlighting the parallel world’s unique historical trajectory and making Gaitonde question the reliability of historical knowledge.
Long Answer Type Questions: The Adventure Questions Answers
One Long answer type question, from Prose of Hornbill, to be answered in 120-150 words. Questions can be based on incident / theme / passage / extract / event, as reference points to assess extrapolation beyond and across the text. The question will elicit analytical and evaluative response from the student. 1×6=6 Marks
1. What shocks did Gangadharpant Gaitonde get in the Bombay of the parallel world?
Ans: Gangadharpant Gaitonde received several shocks in the Bombay of the parallel world. First, he was surprised to see that the East India Company still existed and was flourishing. Second, he observed signs of British rule everywhere, from suburban railway carriages with British flags to road names and building names. Third, he was shocked to find that nobody with his son’s name worked in the Forbes building, where his son had worked in his world. Fourth, in the Asiatic Society library, he read a history book he had written, but the Third Battle of Panipat was described differently. Finally, while trying to chair a seminar at Azad Maidan, the audience opposed him vociferously, and during the ensuing melee, he was concussed. Upon regaining consciousness, he found himself back in his real world, realizing the shocks reflected the alternate reality and historical divergence.
2. What method did Professor Gaitonde adopt to find the information he wanted in the library of the Asiatic Society? Did he find the required information?
Ans: Professor Gaitonde adopted a methodical approach at the Asiatic Society library by consulting reliable history books, especially the five volumes he had written on Indian history. He checked the first four volumes, which matched his knowledge up to Aurangzeb’s death. However, in the fifth volume, he found that the Third Battle of Panipat had a different outcome, showing that the Marathas had won. This explained the differences he had witnessed in Bombay and Pune in the parallel world. He realized that the history of India in the parallel world was different, accounting for the flourishing British institutions and absent people from his world. Despite this, he could not yet explain why he had transitioned to the parallel world. He decided to consult Rajendra Deshpande, a mathematical and scientific expert, to investigate this mysterious transition further.
3. How did Rajendra Deshpande initially explain Professor Gaitonde’s experience? Was Gaitonde convinced? How did Rajendra change his explanation?
Ans: Rajendra Deshpande initially explained Professor Gaitonde’s experience as imagination, suggesting he had been thinking about the Third Battle of Panipat when the truck hit him. Gaitonde, however, was unconvinced because the adventure felt too real to be imagined. He presented evidence: a torn page from the Bhausahebanchi Bakhar, showing the Third Battle of Panipat differently from his original book. Initially puzzled, Rajendra reconsidered and concluded that multiple different worlds could exist at different times, each with distinct histories. He suggested that Gaitonde had visited a parallel world where the present time existed but history had diverged. The explanation was grounded in Quantum Theory principles, such as the lack of determinism, making it plausible. This flexibility and scientific reasoning demonstrated Rajendra’s analytical skills and the story’s blending of history with scientific speculation.
4. Explain the transition discussed in the story and its possibilities as if speaking to school students.
Ans: Good morning, students! In the story The Adventure, the author explains two scientific ideas: Catastrophe Theory and lack of determinism in Quantum Theory, through Professor Gaitonde’s experiences. He imagines what would happen if the Marathas had won the Third Battle of Panipat. India would have developed differently, with less Western influence and no partition. A small historical turning point could create a vastly different future. While Quantum Theory explains particle behavior, and Catastrophe Theory explains system stress, neither can fully explain Gaitonde’s transition to a parallel world. The story teaches that history, choices, and science can create fascinating possibilities. It encourages imagining how small changes could lead to alternate realities, showing the connection between scientific theories and historical speculation in an engaging way.
5. Write a newspaper article about Professor Gaitonde’s adventure reflecting his character.
Ans: The Adventures of Professor Gaitonde—the eminent historian collided with a truck, leading to a ‘transition’ into a parallel world. He observed Bombay, where British institutions still thrived, and found his son missing from Forbes. Despite confusion, he resolved to understand the differences. Gaitonde was knowledgeable about Indian history, having written five books, and displayed persistence and curiosity. His vanity, shown in chairing seminars, was humbled in the parallel world, yet he maintained determination. He consulted Rajendra Deshpande, showing scientific understanding and reasoning. Gaitonde’s adventure revealed his analytical mind, persistence, and balance of historical and scientific insight. The story highlights his curiosity, thoroughness, and ability to adapt when confronted with evidence from alternate realities, reflecting both human flaws and intellectual rigor.
6. Describe Rajendra Deshpande’s character based on the story.
Ans: Good morning, students! Rajendra Deshpande was a mathematical and scientific expert who rationalized Gaitonde’s experience using Catastrophe Theory and lack of determinism in Quantum Theory. He demonstrated deep knowledge of both theories and applied them to Gaitonde’s adventure. Rajendra was loyal, believing Gaitonde’s account despite its improbability. He showed analytical power by initially considering the experience imaginary and displayed flexibility by adjusting his explanation after reviewing new evidence. He combined scientific reasoning, logical thinking, and loyalty to his friend, demonstrating that a scientist can be both rational and compassionate. His approach helped explain the story’s themes of multiple realities and historical possibilities.
7. Discuss Professor Gaitonde’s realization about India’s strength and self-reliance in the alternate history.
Ans: In the alternate history, Gaitonde realized that India had not experienced colonial subjugation as he knew it. The nation stood on its own feet, showing resilience and self-reliance. This contrasted sharply with the India he knew, where centuries of British domination caused exploitation and oppression. Witnessing India’s autonomy in the parallel world impressed him with its ability to govern independently, highlighting the potential for a different historical trajectory. It emphasized that small changes in history, like the Marathas’ victory at Panipat, could have drastically altered India’s social, political, and cultural development. The realization gave him insight into alternate possibilities and inspired appreciation for the nation’s inherent strength.
8. How does the story address reality and the possibility of multiple parallel worlds?
Ans: The story addresses reality by blending scientific theories like Quantum Theory and historical speculation, suggesting multiple parallel worlds may exist. Gaitonde experiences a transition between realities where history diverges, such as the Marathas winning the Third Battle of Panipat. Rajendra Deshpande explains that historical events could bifurcate, creating distinct realities. This challenges traditional notions of a single fixed reality, proposing that the universe may host coexisting timelines. By combining scientific reasoning with historical imagination, the story encourages readers to contemplate the interconnectedness of time, human actions, and alternate possibilities, illustrating how small historical changes could lead to completely different outcomes in parallel worlds.
Sample Question Paper – SET 1
Extract-Based Questions
Read the extract and answer the questions:
“The Maratha army was facing Abdali’s troops on the field of Panipat. There was no great disparity between the leadership and the morale of the troops. The juncture at which Vishwasrao, the son of and heir to the Peshwa, was killed proved to be the turning point. As history has it, his uncle, Bhausaheb, rushed into the melee and was never seen again. Whether he was killed in battle or survived is not known.”
- Upon which of the following factors was the battle dependent?
(a) Leadership
(b) Morale of the troops
(c) Use of nuclear weapons
(d) Both (a) and (b) - What proved to be a turning point in the battle?
- Complete the following suitably: According to the extract, Bhausaheb…
Short Answer Type Questions
- What was Gaitonde’s plan for his visit to Bombay?
- What was peculiar about the suburban trains in Bombay?
- When Gaitonde saw East India House, what did he think and then resolve to do?
- How did Vishwasrao and Madhavrao curb the ambitions of the East India Company?
- Gaitonde was attracted to the vacant presidential chair at the Azad Maidan. What does this show about his character?
- How did Rajendra explain to Gaitonde that reality may not be unique?
Long Answer Type Questions
- What was the purpose of Professor Gaitonde’s visit to Bombay? Was his purpose fulfilled? Why or why not?
- The Adventure has been placed in the science fiction genre. Find instances from the story that justify this statement.
Sample Question Paper – SET 2
Extract-Based Questions
“Professor Gaitonde entered the Asiatic Society library to consult the history books he had written. The first four volumes were as expected, but the fifth volume described the Third Battle of Panipat differently. It stated that the Marathas had won, contrary to his own knowledge. This made him realise that history in this parallel world was different, and he resolved to investigate further.”
- What did Gaitonde consult in the library to verify his knowledge of history?
- Which volume showed a difference from his known history?
- Complete the following: Gaitonde realised that…
Short Answer Type Questions
- How did the fifth volume of Gaitonde’s book surprise him?
- What conclusion did Gaitonde draw from this difference in the history book?
- Why did Gaitonde decide to consult Rajendra Deshpande?
- How did the parallel world affect Gaitonde’s understanding of Indian history?
- What does Gaitonde’s reaction to this discovery show about his character?
- How did historical divergence explain the state of Bombay in the parallel world?
Long Answer Type Questions
- Explain how Professor Gaitonde discovered the historical divergence in the parallel world.
- How did Gaitonde’s experience in the parallel world blend historical fact with scientific imagination? Give examples from the text.
Sample Question Paper – SET 3
Extract-Based Questions
“Rajendra Deshpande listened carefully as Gaitonde narrated his experience. Initially, he suggested it might be imagination, but the torn page from Bhausahebanchi Bakhar convinced him otherwise. Rajendra then explained that different parallel worlds could exist simultaneously, each with distinct histories. This scientific perspective helped rationalise Gaitonde’s fantastic adventure.”
- What was Rajendra’s first explanation for Gaitonde’s experience?
- What evidence changed Rajendra’s mind?
- Complete the following: Rajendra explained that…
Short Answer Type Questions
- How did Rajendra Deshpande respond to Gaitonde’s adventure at first?
- What evidence convinced Rajendra that Gaitonde might have visited a parallel world?
- Explain Rajendra’s final explanation using scientific reasoning.
- How did Rajendra’s explanation relate to Quantum Theory?
- What qualities of Rajendra Deshpande are revealed in this interaction?
- How does this discussion advance the theme of multiple realities in the story?
Long Answer Type Questions
- Discuss Rajendra Deshpande’s scientific and rational approach to understanding Gaitonde’s experience.
- How does the story explore the possibility of alternate histories and parallel worlds using Rajendra’s explanation?
