Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Question for HS 2027

Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Question for HS 2027: Memoirs of Chota Sahib is written by author John Rowntree. Here you can avail Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Question for HS 2027.

Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Very Short Question Answers for HS 2027

Q1. Who was John Rowntree ?

Ans: John Rowntree was the last British Senior Conservator of the Forest in Assam.

Q2. What are ghats ?

Ans: Ghats are the landing places on the river banks.

Q3. What is Assam cheetal ?

Ans: Assam cheetal is a kind of deer.

Q4. What are pug marks ?

Ans: Pug marks are the footprints of animals.

Q5. What is a mar boat ?

Ans: A mar boat is a ferry which consists of a plank platform covering two open boats placed alongside one another.

Q6. Why was the mar boats used ?

Ans: Mar boats were usually used for crossing the rivers.

Q7. What was the home of the Assam 'Cheetal" ?

Ans: The home of the Assam 'cheetal' was the vast and dense forests of the North Bank of the Brahmaputra river.

Q8. What was the author's favourite place in Assam "Memories of a Chota Sahib" ?

Ans: The author's favourite place in Assam "Memories of a Chota Sahib" was the forest bungalow at Kulsi.

Q9. What was a favourite site for the Governor's christmas camp ?

Ans: The river banks were the favourite site for the Governor's Christmas camps.

Q10. By what name the Peacock island is popularly known at present ?

Ans: At present the peacock island is popularly known as "Umananda".

Q11. What did the author expect to discover at the Peacock Island ?

Ans: The author expected to discover peacock at the Peacock Island.

Q12. What happened to the dividing channel between Peacock island and the mainland in the cold weather ?

Ans: In the cold weather the Brahmaputra shrank and the distance between Peacock Island and the mainland grew less.

Q13. What did the author mean when he mentioned about unusual visitors ?

Ans: The author meant the tigers as unusual visitors.

Q14. With what does Rowntree compare a sal forest ?

Ans: Rowntree compared sal forest with that of English woodland.

Q15. Name the place where two forest bungalows were situated ?

Ans: The name of the places where the forest bungalows were situated are Kulsi and Rajapara.

Q16. What could be seen beyond the Brahmaputra from the author's bungalow ?

Ans: The Himalayas could be seen from the author's bungalow.

Q17. How were the walls of the bungalow decorated ?

Ans: The walls of the bungalow decorated with a coat of fresh limewash and had painted the woodwork liberally with earth oil.

Q18. What are bheels referred to by Rowntree ?

Ans: Bheels are referred to large water bodies by Rowntree.

Q19. What shrine was there at the peacock Island ?

Ans: The shrine located at the peacock Island is the Umananda temple.

Q20. Name the place which was the port of entry into Assam ?

Ans: At that time the port of entry into Assam was Gauhati.

Q21. Name the place which was the headquarters of Kamrup district ?

Ans: the headquarters of Kamrup district was at Gauhati.

Q22. Who is the Chota Sahib in the Memoirs of a Chota Sahib ? HS 2015, 2018, 2026

Ans: The author John Rowntree is the chota sahib in the lesson Memoirs of a Chota Sahib.

Q23. What position did John Rowntree hold before leaving Shillong a few days after independence ? HS 2016, 2020

Ans: Before leaving Shillong, John Rowntree was the last British Senior Conservator of forests of Assam.

Q24. Where did John Rowntree and his family make their first home at Gauhati ? HS 2017

Ans: At Gauhati John Rowntree and his family made their first home at the PWD bungalow on the bank of the river Brahmaputra.

Q25. How did the author find the weather when he arrived at Gauhati ? HS 2018

Ans: The author found the cold weather of Gauhati getting under way and the climate becoming bearable.

Q26. Name the book from which Memoirs of a Chota Sahib is taken ? HS 2019, 2022, 2026

Ans: The book name is A chota sahib, Memoirs of a forest officer.

Q27. What creatures did the author discover on the Peacock island ? HS 2023

What animals did the author discover in Peacock island ? HS 2024

Ans: The author discovered only monkeys on the Peacock Island.

Q28. What are epiphytes ? HS 2023

Ans: Epiphytes are the plants that grow upon other plants.

Q29. At what time of the year was the North Bank delightful ? HS 2025

Ans: During the cold weather the North Bank was delightful.

Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Short Question Answers HS Final 2027

Q1. Why was the Kulsi bungalow the Chota Sahib's favourite ?

Ans: The Kulsi bungalow was the Chota Sahib's favourite because it was “delightfully situated on a wooded spur above the river” and was surrounded by beautiful, mature teak plantations. It was quiet, comfortable, pleasant and scenic place to work.

Q2. What is the significance of Peacock Island in the chapter ?

Ans: Peacock Island is significant as a prominent landmark visible from the author’s bungalow. It is also associated with a local prophecy that the end of the British Raj would come if the channel separating it from the mainland ever dried up.

Q3. How did the author cross a flooded river on horseback ?

Ans: The author persuaded his horse to enter the flooded river, then slipped over its croup, and hung on to its tail. He used the horse’s tail as a rudder to steer it, and they eventually made a safe landing on the other side.

Q4. Why was the rubber from the Ficus elastica plantation near Kulsi no longer tapped ?

Ans: The rubber was no longer tapped because Indian rubber from Ficus elastica was unable to compete commercially with para rubber, which had become the dominant source of natural rubber worldwide.

Q5. What are the two types of bats the author describes at Rajapara ?

Ans: He describes the small, smelly bats that lived in the roof of the bungalow and the huge, fruit-eating bats with a five-foot wingspan that lived in a nearby tree and flew out at dusk.

Q6. What is a bheel as mentioned in the text ?

Ans: A bheel is an Assamese word for a lake or a large wetland. The author mentions a large bheel near the Rajapara bungalow, which was formed after an earthquake lowered the land surface.

Q7. What does the author’s account reveal about the state of infrastructure in pre-Independence Assam ?

Ans: The account reveals that the infrastructure was very basic. Roads were mostly dirt tracks, vulnerable to weather. River transport relied on simple, manually operated mar boats, and bridges were often temporary bamboo structures that were washed away in floods.

Q8. What does the term “Chota Sahib” signify ?

Ans: “Chota Sahib” literally means “small master” or “junior master.” It was a term used in British India to refer to a junior European official or the son of senior official. The title of the memoir reflects the author’s position as a British officer in the colonial hierarchy, but it is used with a sense of humility and nostalgia.

Q9. What does Rowntree often talk in "Memoirs of a Chota Sahib ? HS 2014

Ans: In the “Memories of a Chota Sahib” Rowntree talks about the time he spent in Guwahati and its neighbouring areas. Rowntree describes that Guwahati was an important place in Assam, and people who want to explore Assam they must take entry through Guwahati.

Q10. Give a brief description of the Peacock island ? HS 2014, 16, 19

Ans: The Peacock Island is situated in the heart of Brahmaputra with a hindu temple the dome could be seen through the Bungalow. And as the name suggest there were no Peacock but monkeys could be seen.

Q11. What is the belief about the dividing channel between Peacock island and the main land of Gauhati ? HS 2015

Ans: The author mentioned the belief about the dividing channel between Peacock island and the main land of Gauhati that if the remaining dividing channel ever dried up then it would mean the end of the British Raj over India.

Q12. What does Rowntree state about the large Bheel close to the bungalow at Rajapara ? HS 2015

Ans: Close to the bungalow at Rajapara, there was a large bheel where an earthquake had once lowered the surface, and the land became inundated with water. It was an eerie spot where tree skeletons still rose out of the water reminds one that once it was a dry land.

Q13. What does Rowntree say about the river banks in the Manash Sanctuary ? HS 2017

Ans: The Manash Sanctuary which bordered the Himalayan state of Bhutan. The rivers in the Manash Sanctuary were full of mahaseer, and on the banks of the rivers Rowntree used to build camps for the Governor. It was the favourite site for the Governor's Christmas camps.

Q14. What unusual visitor did Rowntree have in his bungalow one night ? HS 2018

Ans: Once an unusual visitor, presumably washed up by a flood visited the bungalow. The pug marks of that visitor were clearly traceable through their compound which was enough to proof that the visitor was a tiger.

Q15. What is a marboat and how is it operated ? HS 2019, 2026

Ans: A marboat consisted of a plank platform covering two open boats placed alongside one another. These were used either paddled or connected by a running cable to another side across a river, were propelled from one side to other by the force of the current.

Q16. Write, in brief, the scene observed by the author from the veranda of his bungalow on the bank of the Brahmaputra. HS 2020

Ans: During his stay at Gauhati in the forest bungalow, from the veranda a splendid view of the river and its shipping and beyond the Himalayas. In the foreground was the Peacock island with the dome of a hindu temple just visible through the trees.

Q17. What character of the North bank of the Brahmaputra did John Rowntree refer to ? HS 2022

Ans: The author Rowntree describes the north bank of the Brahmaputra as a vast, remote stretch of flat, ageless land between the sandbanks of Brahmaputra and the Himalayan foothills. He further explains that it was a strange place, where the rivers dried up in hot weather or suddenly disappeared under ground. He also added that there were numerous bheels replete with wildfowl, peafowl strutted through the grass.

Q18. What does Rowntree talk about often in Memoirs of a Chota Sahib ? HS 2023

Q19. What information does the author give us about Manash Wildlife Sanctuary ? HS 2024

Ans: A few rhinoceros lived in the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, which bordered the Himalayan state of Bhutan. The rivers were teeming with mahseer, and the Governor's Christmas camps were popular hangouts. The sanctuary also housed Assam cheetal, sloth-bear, and deer. A European and his wife have leased a plot of land from the forest department to grow simul trees for the nearby match factory. To keep the deer out, the area was surrounded by miles of electric fencing.

Q20. Give a description of Bunglow at Gauhati where John Rowntree stayed. HS 2025

Ans: In Gauhati John Rowntree stayed at the PWD bungalow at the bank river Brahmaputra. The walls of the bungalow had given a coat of fresh limewash and had painted the woodwork liberally with earth oil. In front there was a raised portico which served as a car port, and on top, a veranda that offered a splendid view of views of the river and its shipping, the Himalayas, and the Peacock Island.

Q21. What does John Rowntree say about the importance of Guwahati ? Is the statement true in our time as well ? HS 2026

Ans: John Rowntree described Guwahati as the "port of entry" into Assam. Because it was a vital transit point for travelers, most people passing through to Shillong or upper valley districts stayed overnight. This statement is true in our time as well as Guwahati continues to be the primary gateway and commercial hub of Northeast India.

Memoirs Of A Chota Sahib Common Long Question Answers for HS 2027

Q1. Describe Rowntree's experience of crossing a flooded river on horseback. HS 2016

Give an account of the author's experiences of the floods on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra during the monsoon.

Describe John Rowntree's experience of the floods on the North Bank of the Brahmaputra during the monsoon. HS 2025

Ans: The author Rowntree had a terrible experience of flood while he was in Assam. He describes that during the rainy season many problems arises in the North Bank. One such big problem was flood. Once he tried to cross the river on horseback during the floods but it was very difficult he somehow persuaded his mount to plunge into the water but he suddenly slipped over his croup and hung on to the tail of the horse which he used as a rudder. He observed that when he pushed it to the right the horse veered to the left and vice versa. Eventually, he and his horse managed to made a safe landing on the other side of the river.

Q2. Relate Rowntree experiences of floods in Assam. HS 2018

Ans: The author Rowntree had a terrible flood experience in Assam. He describes many problems in the North Bank during the rainy season. Travelling at this time may also cause problems. The rivers were over flooded and the bamboo bridges erected at the start of the cold weather were washed away. These bridges swayed and creaked alarmingly when a car passed through it, but were immensely strong and extremely useful. Once, the narrator crossed one of these flooded rivers on horseback. With difficulty, he persuaded his horse to plunge into the water, they slipped over his croup and hung on to his tail, which he was able to use as a rudder. When the narrator pushed the horse to the right, it veered to the left and when he pushed to the left, the horse veered to the right and in this way, eventually, they made a safe landing on the other side of the river.

Q3. Describe the author's experience with bats in the Rajapara forest bungalow as depicted in Memoirs of a Chota Sahib. HS 2023

Ans: In John Rowntree's Memoirs of a Chota Sahib, the author describes his experience with bats in the Rajapara forest bungalow. The Rajapara forest bungalow was equally delightful and charming like the one at Kulsi which served the needs of the author but bats lived in the roof of that bungalow for which he had bad experience. The presence of the bats was constantly reminded by the droppings and their fusty smell always remained with them. Moreover, there were less smelly but huge fruit-eating bats with a wing span of five feet which lived in a tree outside the bungalow. At dusk they would come out from the tree in search of food which appeared to Rowntree like a strange host of ghostly shapes gliding through the air on silent wings.

Q4. How does the narrator describe his experience on the dusty road of Assam ?

Ans: The narrator gives a vivid description of the dusty roads of Assam of that time. When they started their travel, before the rain broke, the roads, were so dry that the surface was almost invisible because of the dust. Driving was very difficult and on one could say whether he would be able to reach is destination safely or not. At one place, construction of road had been in progress and one of the favourite hazards of roads workers, a raised ground, lay concealed from sight under dust cloud. There were no warnings signs used for the travellers, or if there were, those were invisible because of dust. It was about six inches high. In the car, there were, the narrator, his wife, the baby and her ayah, their servants and other camp equipments. It was strange that not a single spring of the car was broken and the writer expressed his gratitude towards the engineers but at the same me he says that their bones were left unbroken as because they were packed like sardine fished in the car.

Q5. What does the author say about the importance of Guwahati ? Is the statement true in our time today also ?

What importance of Guwahati for people travelling into Assam does John Rowntree refer to ?

Ans: Although Guwahati was said to be the port entry into Assam, most of the travellers passed through between Calcutta and Shillong or to districts further up the valley. The narrator says about the geographical location of Guwahati. Guwahati was the headquarter of the Kamrup district. It was extended to both of the banks of the river Brahmaputra. The north bank had its own characteristics-a vast, lonely flat ageless land between the sandbanks of the Brahmaputra and the Himalayan foothills. The statement is not true in our time today. Now Guwahati is not only the headquarter of Kamrup district, but it is also the headquarter as well as the capital of Assam. There is now no more forest areas or heels as mentioned by the author. It is now filled with houses and structures of concrete.

Q6. Briefly describe the scene observed by the author from the veranda of his bungalow on the bank of the Brahmaputra.

Ans: The author gives a very beautiful description of the scene observed from the veranda of his bungalow. The bungalow was situated on the bank of the river Brahmaputra and from it, the view of the river is very distinct and beautiful. In front of the bungalow was a raised portico and it was used as a car port and on top, a veranda from which the narrator and his companions had a splendid view of the river and its shipping and even the Himalayas. In the centre was the Peacock Island with a Hindu temple, and the dome of the temple was only visible through the trees. The narrator jokes saying that though the name of the temple was Peacock, he only saw there monkeys, not peacocks.

Q7. Describe the character of the North Bank of the river Chota Sahib.

Give an account of the character of the North the Brahmaputra as stated by John Rowntree.

Ans: In John Rowntree’s Memoirs of a Chota Sahib, the North Bank of the Brahmaputra river is described as a vast, remote, isolated, stretch of flat ageless land between the river's sandbanks and the Himalayan foothills. It was strange place where rivers would either dry up completely in the summer or suddenly vanish underground, requiring locals to dig for water that often had to be cleaned with alum. The region was filled with bheels teeming with wildfowl, peafowl, and deer. Unlike the more settled and homelier South Bank, the North Bank represented the untamed and challenging frontier of Assam, known for thick jungles and difficult travel conditions.