1. Who banned the playing of the pungi?
Answer:- Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi.
2. Who transformed the pungi into the shehnai?
Answer:- A barber from a family of professional musicians transformed the pungi into the shehnai.
3. Why was the new instrument named 'shehnai'?
Answer:- It was first played in the Shah's chamber by a nai (barber), so it was named 'shehnai'.
4. When and where was Bismillah Khan born?
Answer:- He was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar.
5. Who was Bismillah Khan's first guru?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan's first guru was his maternal uncle, Ali Bux.
6. Which river inspired Bismillah Khan's music?
Answer:- The River Ganga inspired Bismillah Khan's Music.
7. At what age did Bismillah Khan attend the Allahabad Music Conference?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan attended the Allahabad Music Conference at he age of 14.
8. In which year did Bismillah Khan get his big break?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan get his big break in 1938.
9. Which raag did Bismillah Khan play on 15 August 1947?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan played the Raag Kafi on 15 August 1947.
10. Which was Bismillah Khan's first foreign country visit?
Answer:- Afghanistan was Bismillah khans first foreign country visit.
11. Which was the first film for which Bismillah Khan composed music?
Answer:- The first film for which Bismillah Khan composed music was Gunj Uthi Shehnai.
12. Which is India's highest civilian award?
Answer:- Bharat Ratna is India's Highest civilian Award.
13. In which year was Bismillah Khan awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
14. Which temple did young Bismillah often visit with Ali Bux?
Answer:- Bismillah often visit the Vishnu Temple in Benaras with Ali Bux.
15. What message did Bismillah Khan give after receiving the Bharat Ratna?
Answer:- He urged people to teach music to their children because it is India's richest tradition.
B. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The pungi was banned by:
(a) Akbar
(b) Shah Jahan
(c) Aurangzeb
(d) Bahadur Shah
Answer:- (c) Aurangzeb
2. The shehnai was developed by a:
(a) Farmer
(b) Barber
(c) Soldier
(d) Priest
Answer:- (b) Barber
3. Bismillah Khan belonged to:
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bihar
(c) Rajasthan
(d) Punjab
Answer:- (b) Bihar
4. Bismillah Khan learnt the shehnai from:
(a) Paigambar Bux
(b) Ali Bux
(c) Faiyaz Khan
(d) Rasool Bux Khan
Answer:- (b) Ali Bux
5. Bismillah Khan's first big break came through:
(a) Doordarshan
(b) Films
(c) All India Radio
(d) Stage shows
Answer:- (c) All India Radio
6. On Independence Day 1947, Bismillah Khan played at:
(a) India Gate
(b) Red Fort
(c) Rashtrapati Bhavan
(d) Parliament House
Answer:- (b) Red Fort
7. Bismillah Khan received the Bharat Ratna in:
(a) 1991
(b) 1995
(c) 2001
(d) 2006
Answer:- (c) 2001
8. Bismillah Khan refused to settle in the U.S.A. because of his love for:
(a) Delhi
(b) Mumbai
(c) Benaras and the Ganga
(d) Kolkata
Answer:- (c) Benaras and the Ganga
9. Which award is India's highest civilian honour?
(a) Padma Shri
(b) Padma Bhushan
(c) Padma Vibhushan
(d) Bharat Ratna
Answer:- (d) Bharat Ratna
10. The lesson mainly highlights:
(a) The history of Bihar
(b) The importance of Indian classical music and Bismillah Khan's life
(c) The Mughal Empire
(d) The history of films
Answer:- (b) The importance of Indian classical music and Bismillah Khan's life
C. Fill in the Blanks
1. Emperor Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi.
2. The shehnai was first played in the Shah's chamber.
3. Bismillah Khan was born in Dumraon.
4. Bismillah Khan learnt the shehnai from his uncle Ali Bux
5. The River Ganga inspired his music.
6. Bismillah Khan's big break came through All India Radio.
7. On 15 August 1947, Bismillah Khan played Raag Kafi at the Red Fort.
8. India's highest civilian award is the Bharat Ratna.
9. Bismillah Khan received the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
10. Bismillah Khan's first foreign tour was to Afghanistan.
D. True or False
1. Aurangzeb appreciated the sound of the pungi.
Answer:- False
2. The shehnai produces a soft and melodious sound.
Answer:- True
3. Bismillah Khan learnt music from Ali Bux.
Answer:- True
4. Bismillah Khan got his first big break through films.
Answer:- False
5. Bismillah Khan played the shehnai at the Red Fort on Independence Day in 1947.
Answer:- True
6. Bismillah Khan accepted the offer to settle in the U.S.A.
Answer:- False
7. Bismillah Khan received the Bharat Ratna in 2001.
Answer:- True
8. The River Ganga inspired Bismillah Khan to create new raagas.
Answer:- True
9. Bismillah Khan loved Benaras and Dumraon deeply.
Answer:- True
10. The lesson teaches us to respect Indian culture, music, and traditions.
Answer:- True
2-Mark Questions
1. Why did Aurangzeb ban the playing of the pungi?
Answer:- Aurangzeb banned the playing of the pungi because it produced a shrill and unpleasant sound. He did not want such an instrument to be played in the royal palace.
2. How was the shehnai invented?
Answer:- A barber from a family of professional musicians modified the pungi by using a longer and broader pipe with seven holes. This produced soft and melodious sounds, and the new instrument came to be known as the shehnai.
3. What role did Ali Bux play in Bismillah Khan's life?
Answer:- Ali Bux, Bismillah Khan's maternal uncle, was his first guru. He trained him in playing the shehnai and encouraged him to practise regularly in the temples and on the banks of the River Ganga.
4. How did All India Radio help Bismillah Khan?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan got his big break when he began performing regularly on All India Radio, Lucknow, in 1938. These broadcasts made him famous throughout India.
5. Why is Bismillah Khan remembered as a great musician?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan is remembered for making the shehnai a respected classical instrument. His outstanding performances, love for Indian music, and dedication to the nation's cultural heritage earned him worldwide fame.
4-Mark Questions
1. Describe the early life and musical training of Bismillah Khan.
Answer:- Bismillah Khan was born on 21 March 1916 in Dumraon, Bihar, into a family of musicians. He showed a deep interest in music from childhood and began learning the shehnai under the guidance of his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, in Benaras.
He practised for long hours in temples and on the banks of the River Ganga. His dedication and hard work helped him master the instrument and become one of India's greatest classical musicians.
2. Explain Bismillah Khan's contribution to Indian classical music.
Answer:- Before Bismillah Khan, the shehnai was mainly played at weddings and in temples. He brought it to the classical music stage and earned international recognition for the instrument.
His performances across India and abroad made the shehnai respected worldwide. He also inspired young musicians to preserve India's rich musical traditions.
3. How did Bismillah Khan show his love for India and Benaras?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan deeply loved India, especially Benaras and the River Ganga. Although he received opportunities to settle abroad, he refused because he could not imagine living away from his homeland.
He often said that he missed Hindustan whenever he travelled abroad. His attachment to Benaras reflected his deep respect for Indian culture and traditions.
4. What values do you learn from the life of Ustad Bismillah Khan?
Answer:- Bismillah Khan's life teaches us the values of hard work, dedication, simplicity, humility, and patriotism. He remained devoted to music throughout his life and never forgot his roots.
His achievements show that true success comes through constant practice, love for one's culture, and sincere dedication to one's work.
5-Mark Questions
1. Give a character sketch of Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Answer:- Ustad Bismillah Khan was a humble, hardworking, patriotic, and devoted musician. Born into a family of musicians, he dedicated his entire life to mastering the shehnai and bringing it to the stage of Indian classical music.
Despite receiving worldwide fame and many prestigious awards, including the Bharat Ratna, he remained simple and deeply attached to his homeland. He loved Benaras, Dumraon, and the River Ganga and refused to settle abroad. His dedication, humility, and respect for India's cultural heritage made him one of the greatest musicians of all time.
2. Describe the achievements of Ustad Bismillah Khan.
Answer:- Ustad Bismillah Khan transformed the shehnai into a respected classical instrument. He became famous through his performances on All India Radio and later performed at important national and international events.
He had the honour of playing the shehnai from the Red Fort on India's first Independence Day in 1947. He performed in many countries and received several awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and the Bharat Ratna in 2001. His achievements brought worldwide recognition to Indian classical music.
3. "Ustad Bismillah Khan was a true ambassador of Indian culture." Justify the statement.
Answer:- Ustad Bismillah Khan was a true ambassador of Indian culture because he dedicated his life to promoting Indian classical music across the world. He transformed the shehnai from a traditional wedding instrument into a respected classical instrument.
He performed in many countries and proudly represented India's rich musical heritage. Even after achieving international fame, he remained deeply connected to Benaras, Dumraon, and the River Ganga. His love for India, simplicity, and devotion to music inspired millions and made him a symbol of India's cultural greatness.
