PASSAGE 30

Akbar had quarreled with Birbal over something important and had asked him not to come to the palace again. Akbar started missing Birbal and wanted him back, but could not find out where he was. Akbar hit upon a plan. He sent a message to all the villages that wells had been selected to wed the royal well and so they had to bring the bride to the capital immediately.

The headmen of the various villages were alarmed at the impossible task and came rushing to the capital to apologise for their inability to move their wells. One man, Khaji, however, came to discuss the details of the wedding. Khaji wanted to know whether the marriage ceremony would be conducted in the traditional manner. Akbar assured him that all the formalities would be observed. Khaji was happy and assured Akbar that he would bring the bride to the gates of the city. Khaji added that according to the tradition, the bridegroom was to meet the bride at the village gates and take her into the city. He also asked Akbar when was the commitment date from the bridegroom so that they could set out with the bridal party.

Akbar was happy to hear all this. He realized that such an intelligent idea could be thought out only by the fertile brain of Birbal and told Khaji that he did not want the well but the man who gave him the idea.

1. Why did Akbar decide to perform the marriage?
A) He wanted to know how marriages are performed.
B) He wanted to increase the water in his well.
C) He wanted to test the intelligence of the village Headmen.
D) He wanted to find out the whereabouts of Birbal.

2. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage?
A) According to Akbar, Birbal was the most intelligent man in his kingdom.
B) Khaji thought of the idea that the marriage of wells should be conducted in a traditional manner.
C) Akbar enjoyed Birbal’s company.
D) The king’s well was to be the bridegroom.

3. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
A) Akbar never quarreled with others on small matters.
B) Akbar ordered all the village headmen to find out about Birbal.
C) Every village headman did not reach to Akbar’s marriage in the same way.
D) Khaji was to bring the bridegroom to the village gates.

4. Why did Akbar say that he did not want the well which Khaji was offering?
A) Akbar did not like the demands which Khaji was making.
B) Akbar’s intention behind his plan to perform the marriage was fulfilled.
C) There was not much water in the well.
D) None of these

5. Why did Khaji come to meet Akbar?
A) He wanted to know whether the marriage would be performed in a traditional manner.
B) He wanted to know whether the bridegroom could come to his village gate to receive the bride.
C) He wanted to know why Akbar had thought of the marriage between wells.
D) He wanted to know when the marriage ceremony was to be held.

Answer Key

Solution with explanation

2. Option ‘B’. It was Birbal (not Khaji) who thought of the idea that the marriage of wells should be conducted in a traditional manner.

3. Option ‘C’. The headmen of the villages came rushing to the capital to apologise for their inability to move their wells says that option ‘C’ is true.

4. Option ‘B’. All this drama by Akbar was just to find Birbal.

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