War and Peace – Summary and Exercise Solutions
War and Peace Exercise | Class 11 English (Train to Pakistan)
The story "Train to Pakistan" by Khushwant Singh is a seminal historical novel that captures the brutal reality of the Partition of India in 1947. This specific excerpt is set in Mano Majra, a tiny village on the border of India and Pakistan where Sikhs and Muslims had lived in harmony for centuries. The narrative centers on the arrival of Iqbal, a Western-educated, social-reformist intellectual who comes to the village with the hope of organizing political action but is instead met with a wall of local suspicion and complex social hierarchies.
Through the eyes of different characters, the story examines the moral decay caused by civil unrest. We see Meet Singh, the local Gurudwara priest, who represents a traditional but sometimes contradictory religious morality; Hukum Chand, the regional magistrate who struggles to maintain order through pragmatic (and often manipulative) means; and the villagers themselves, who view Iqbal’s education with a mix of awe and distrust.
The narrative masterfully explores several key themes:
The Identity Crisis: How the sudden political division of a country forces peaceful neighbors to redefine themselves by their religion rather than their shared history.
The Value of Education: The "Babu Sahib" (Iqbal) is respected for his English literacy, yet his academic theories on social change often fail to account for the raw, emotional realities of rural life.
The Shifting Nature of Morality: The text highlights how "crime" becomes subjective during wartime—where a local dacoit might be forgiven for past sins, while an innocent outsider like Iqbal is easily scapegoated by the state.
Ultimately, the excerpt provides a chilling look at how a quiet village, once isolated from the world's problems, is slowly sucked into the vortex of communal violence and political chaos.
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Working with Words
A. What do the underlined words in the following sentences mean? Tick the best answer.
a. clamour Answer: a loud and confused noise
b. precariously Answer: not securely
c. scrutiny Answer: examination
d. absconded Answer: hid somewhere secretly
e. anglicized Answer: characteristics of English
f. platitudes Answer: doubtful remarks
B. Meaning of words borrowed from Hindi/Sanskrit:
Veranda Answer: A roofed platform along the outside of a house, level with the ground floor.
Khaki Answer: A strong cloth of wool or cotton, often used for military or other uniforms.
Pashmina Answer: A shawl made from fine-quality goat's wool.
Pajamas Answer: Loose-fitting jacket and trousers for sleeping in.
Pukka Answer: Genuine, excellent, or permanent.
Pundit Answer: An expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called upon to give their opinions to the public.
Avatar Answer: The incarnation of a deity, particularly Vishnu, in human or animal form.
Bangle Answer: A rigid bracelet or anklet, especially one with no clasp.
Cheetah Answer: A large slender spotted cat found in Africa and parts of Asia.
Guru Answer: A Hindu or Sikh spiritual teacher.
Jungle Answer: An area of land overgrown with dense forest and tangled vegetation, typically in the tropics.
Karma Answer: The sum of a person's actions in this and previous states of existence, viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
Nirvana Answer: Complete cessation of suffering; a blissful state attained through realization; enlightened experience.
Shampoo Answer: Originally a head massage with fragrant oils; now a liquid for washing hair.
Raita Answer: An Indian side dish of yogurt containing chopped cucumber or other vegetables and spices.
C. Add the given suffixes to make new words (Notice 'e' retention/drop):
a. change + -able / -ing / -ed / - less Answer: changeable, changing, changed, changeless
b. time + -ly / -ing / -ed / -less Answer: timely, timing, timed, timeless
c. notice + -able / -ing / -ed Answer: noticeable, noticing, noticed
d. praise + -worthy / -ing / -ed Answer: praiseworthy, praising, praised
e. home + -less / -ing / -ly Answer: homeless, homing, homely
Comprehension
Answer the following questions.
a. Why did Iqbal want to sleep in the afternoon?
Answer: Iqbal wanted to sleep in the afternoon because he had spent the entire night sitting uncomfortably on his bedroll in a crowded third-class compartment of the train, which had left him exhausted.
b. How did people react with each other in the train?
Answer: People reacted in a very loud, noisy, and chaotic way with each other in the train, creating a constant clamour of voices as they struggled for space.
c. Why did the book Iqbal was reading bring commotion in the compartment?
Answer: The book Iqbal was reading brought commotion because it was written in English. In that social context, people viewed the ability to read English as a sign of being exceptionally wise, praiseworthy, and prestigious, leading them to view him with immense curiosity and respect.
d. Why did Iqbal have to give clarification with his personal details?
Answer: Iqbal had to give clarification about his background because the travelers in the train, perceiving him as an intellectual and wise "Babu Sahib" due to his English book, insisted that he reveal his identity and purpose for visiting the village.
e. Who was Meet Singh and what did he report to Iqbal?
Answer: Meet Singh was the priest of the village Gurudwara. He reported to Iqbal that a fellow villager had recently been murdered, likely by a gang of dacoits led by a man named Jugga.
f. How according to Meet Singh, was Jugga Sing different from his forefathers?
Answer: According to Meet Singh, while Jugga's forefathers were also dacoits, they never looted or harmed their own village or its people; in fact, they kept the villagers safe from outside thieves. In contrast, Jugga robbed and even killed people from his own village, showing a complete lack of the traditional "honor" among thieves.
g. How does the author show contradiction in Meet Singh's character?
Answer: The author shows contradiction by portraying Meet Singh as a man of God who is strangely unbothered by the act of murder. As a priest, he even expresses a willingness to swear falsely on the holy Granth to defend Jugga from the crime, showing that his personal loyalties outweigh his religious morals.
h. Who was Hukum Chand and how did he succeed in his career?
Answer: Hukum Chand was the Deputy Sahib, also known as Nar Adami. He succeeded in his career by being a "man of the world" who knew how to please his British superiors (Sahibs) and navigate the bureaucracy to earn frequent promotions.
Critical Thinking
a. Iqbal is addressed as Babu Sahib by general folk simply because he knew English. Are Nepali people who can speak English taken with respect? Discuss the importance of learning English in the Nepali context.
Answer: Yes, in the Nepali context, people who can speak English are often treated with a high degree of respect and admiration. English is not just seen as a language but as a marker of the elite class. Most Nepalese associate English fluency with a high social status and superior intelligence. If you are fluent in English, you are often perceived as a respectable person who has achieved significant milestones in life.
This can be compared to the psychological effect of wearing expensive clothes; just as a person in a suit gets more attention from salespeople in a store than someone in casual wear, an English speaker in Nepal receives more social "credit." People in our society frequently "judge a book by its cover," and for many, if that cover involves English communication, they immediately assume the content is valuable.
This highlights the importance of English as a tool for social mobility, better job opportunities in international organizations, and access to the global world of information, even if it sometimes creates an unfair social divide.
b. Do you agree with Iqbal’s comments on crime and punishment? In your view, what should the state, society and individuals do for peace and order in social lives?
Answer: Yes, I agree with Iqbal's nuanced comments on crime and punishment. To maintain a culture of peace, there must be a synchronized effort between the state, society, and the individual.
Firstly, peace begins with the individual. We must realize that we are not powerless; the "power of one" can start a ripple effect. Every individual must take responsibility to reject violence and promote a culture of dialogue. As history shows, war and violence are drains on resources and rarely solve the root causes of conflict.
Secondly, society serves as the protective layer. Families must be united to foster values of tolerance. Community-level cooperation, such as local peace committees, can help monitor and manage conflicts before they escalate. Society must also work to reintegrate or properly punish those who break the law to ensure the collective remains secure.
Finally, the state must act as the ultimate guardian. The state must implement strict rules and regulations without bias. It must ensure equal opportunities and justice so that people do not feel driven to crime out of desperation. Effective law enforcement and a fair judicial system are essential to prove that crime does not pay, thereby ensuring long-term social order.
Writing
A. Meet Singh says Jugga a badmash. There can be such people in your locality, too. Write a paragraph describing him / her.
Answer: I met a guy during my school days who, initially, seemed very kind and supportive. However, he eventually turned out to be the most dishonest person I have ever encountered. I used to share all my personal secrets and academic worries with him, believing we had a deep friendship. As time passed, I discovered that he was using my secrets to mock me behind my back with his other friends. He would often misinterpret my words to create drama. When I found out, I was deeply hurt and frustrated. However, I chose to forgive him, even though he never offered a sincere apology. I believe in the philosophy of "forget, forgive, and move on," but I have made sure to never forget the lesson he taught me about being careful with whom I trust.
B. Write a letter to your friend describing about your unforgettable journey.
Answer:
Date: 2026-03-13
Pokhara-7, Kaski
Dear Sanjay,
Hope this letter of mine finds you in the best of health and spirit. My heart fills with joy to share with you my recent experience of travelling by bus to my hometown, Sankhuwasabha. I traveled in Manakamana Yatayat (Bus No. 910) which boarded at 05:30 AM and reached the destination at 06:30 PM.
The journey was absolutely amazing and relaxing. Watching the trees and hills "run" past the windowpane was incredibly calming. The sight of waterfalls cascading by the roadside and the fresh mountain air coming through the window added so much excitement to the trip. The ticket price was quite reasonable, and the meals were included in the fare. I was lucky to get a corner seat, which gave me the best views. My fellow travelers were very friendly; we spent the time playing cards and Ludo, which made the long hours pass easily.
I believe this is an experience everyone should have at least once. It was comforting and enjoyable to be away from the city's hustle. I am already planning another trip and would love for you to join me next time. Till then, take care.
Much love, Rima Biswakarma
Grammar: Past Tenses
C. Fill in the gaps with the suitable form of the verb (Past Simple/Continuous/Perfect):
Answer: It was Sunday afternoon. I was watching a cookery programme on TV when I realised how hungry I was. But of course, I was hungry; I hadn't eaten anything since lunch, and I had run a race in the morning. "Biscuits!" I thought. My mother had given me a jar of delicious home-made biscuits.
I went into the kitchen, opened the fridge and poured some milk in a big g
A few minutes later, I was dri
D. Rewrite the following sentences correcting the mistakes:
a. She played the flute and then she had sung in their choir.
Answer: She played the flute and then she sang in their choir. (Sequential actions in past simple).
b. I borrowed Rima’s car. Had you known about it?
Answer: I borrowed Rima’s car. Did you know about it?
c. After the lesson had finished, we run out of school.
Answer: After the lesson had finished, we ran out of school.
d. Had you be there? - Yes, the previous year.
Answer: Had you been there? - Yes, the previous year.
e. Did you liked my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?
Answer: Did you like my article published in the Himalayan Times yesterday?
f. I recognized him because I saw him before.
Answer: I recognized him because I had seen him before.
g. I hadn’t gone out because I hadn’t finished my homework.
Answer: I didn't go out because I hadn’t finished my homework.
h. We had done nothing like this at that time.
Answer: We did nothing like this at that time.
i. It was quite difficult. I had had no idea what to do.
Answer: It was quite difficult. I had no idea what to do.
j. As far as I’d known, she had always had some pets.
Answer: As far as I knew, she had always had some pets.
k. When I met Jim, he was already a soldier for three years.
Answer: When I met Jim, he had already been a soldier for three years.
l. He had gone to the coffee because somebody had told him.
Answer: He went to the café because somebody had told him.
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