Term II

L#7 Glimpses of India : Part III - Tea from Assam

By Arup Kumar Dutta

Introduction:

The extract ‘ Tea from Assam’ is about two friends- Pranjol and Rajvir who are travelling to Pranjol’s
hometown Assam for the summer vacation. Assam is known as the ‘tea country’. It has the largest
concentration of plantations in the world. During their journey they discuss about the various
‘legends’ that are known to have discovered tea. The story tells us about the popularity of tea as a
beverage.

Summary: The extract revolves around the well-known beverage ‘tea’ telling us more about its
history and discovery. It begins from the scene where two friends, Pranjol and Rajvir are set to go to
Assam, Pranjol’s hometown when a tea vendor asks them if they would like to have some freshly
made tea. They bought two cups joining almost every other person in their compartment. From there,
the journey begins and Pranjol starts reading his detective book while Rajvir decides to enjoy the
scenic beauty. There were soft green paddy fields followed by tea bushes. Rajvir is very excited on
seeing such large plantations of tea but Pranjol is unable to match the same level because he was born
and brought up in Assam, famously known as the ‘Tea country’. Visiting there for the first time,
Rajvir did a lot of study about how tea was discovered and that it dates back to 2700 B.C. According
to what he read, it was first consumed in China and reached Europe in the 16th century, where it was
mostly popular for its medicinal properties. There are numerous stories as to how it was discovered,
one about a Chinese Emperor and the other about a Buddhist monk. The former liked the taste of it
while the latter, used it to get rid of sleep. As they were having this discussion, they reached their
destination where Pranjol’s parents had come to receive them and take them to their tea garden. On
their way, they passed a cattle bridge and gave way to a truck filled with tea leaves which drew their
attention to the fact that it was the second sprouting season. Rajvir, indeed did a lot of study before
coming which impressed Pranjol’s father and he intended to learn a lot more.

Short Answer Questions:

1. Where were Rajvir and Pranjol going and why?

Ans: Rajvir and Pranjol were going to Assam as Pranjol had invited Rajvir to spend summer vacation
there.

2. What did Rajvir see while looking outside from the train?

Ans: Rajvir saw much greenery while looking outside from the train. He was amazed to see the soft:
green paddy fields first and then the green tea bushes.

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3. ‘This is a tea country now’. Explain this with reference to Assam.

Ans: Assam has the world’s largest concentration of tea plantations in the world. A large number of
tea gardens can be found there. Most of the tea grown in Assam is supplied all over the world.

4. In what ways is China related to tea?

Ans: Tea was first drunk in China. The words ‘chai’ and ‘chini’ are from Chinese.

5. Why was Rajvir excited to see the tea gardens? OR What made Rajvir amazed in the way?

Ans: Rajvir found the view outside the train splendid and eye catching with so much of greenery. It
was his first visit to Assam and he was fascinated by the sprawling tea gardens, spreading like a green
sea of neatly pruned bushes and found it more interesting to watch, than reading his book on
detectives.

6. What legends are associated with the origin of tea?

Ans: The Chinese legend about tea is that there was a Chinese emperor who had the habit of boiling
water before drinking it. Once, a few twigs of the leaves burning under the pot fell into the water and
gave it a delicious flavour. Those leaves were tea leaves.

According to the Indian legend, Bodhidharma cut off his eyelids because he felt sleepy during
meditation and threw on the earth. Ten tea plants which grew out of the eyelids, when boiled in water
and drunk it banished his sleep.

7. Why did Pranjol’s father say that Rajvir had done his homework before visiting Assam?
Ans: Rajvir was very excited about visiting the tea garden and thus, he studied a lot about it before
visiting the tea garden. Thus, Pranjol’s father said that Rajvir had already done his homework before
visiting Assam and agreed to Rajvir’s information about it being the second-flush or sprouting period.

Assignment: (To be done in the Note book)

Short Answer Questions (40-50 words):

1. Pranjol buried his head in his detective book while Rajvir was eager to look at the beautiful scenery
during the train journey. Why was there a difference in their attitude?

2. Describe the view from the train

3. Describe the tea garden at Dhekiabari?

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