UNIT NO 06: CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE PAST AND THE PRESENT (2ND YEAR NOTES)

 Unit # 06: CULTURAL HERITAGE, THE PAST AND THE PRESENT

Reading selection 6.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL TREASURES OF PAKISTAN. 

Study Questions:- 

Q1. What are the most important archeological sites of Pakistan? What light do they throw on the  antiquity in this part of the world? 

Pakistan is one of the richest countries in the world as far as archeological sites are concerned. Taxila is one  of the most famous among them. It contains numerous relics of pre-historic civilization of Buddhism and  Gandhara. We also have Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh which has its association with Indus valley civilization.  Bhanbore is another site and its particular interest lies in the possibility that it is the site of Debul where  Muhammad Bin Qasim landed. The most interesting among all are tombs, palaces and gardens which belong  to the Mughal period.  

Q2. What is importance of Taxila as an archeological site? 

Taxila is the most famous and important archeological site of Pakistan. It is a great seat of learning. It has  associations with the various civilizations of the world. The ruins of Taxila contain proofs of its association  with Alexander the Great and Asoka, one of the greatest figures of antiquity in the subcontinent. The art of  Gandhara is one of the special merits of Taxila discovery. It is a splendid fusion of Buddhist and Greek art.  Also the third Taxila known as Sirkup built by Scythian invaders who followed the Mauryan dynasty.  

Q3. What is one of the most important aspects of the discovery of Mohenjo-Daro? 

Mohenjo-Daro in Sindh which is situated about sixty miles away from Sukkar is a famous and important  archeological site of Pakistan. It represents the Indus Valley civilization. It gives us proofs and confirmation  about the existence of an established civilization in the Indus Valley region before the Aryans. This  civilization is contemporary with the prehistoric site of Mesopotamia in Iraq. It is also found that during this  time different ethnic groups lived there. They included the Mediterranean, the alpines, the Mongolians and  the Proto-Australoid.  

Q4. Where is Bhanbore? What is its archaeological interest? 

Bhanbore is about forty miles from Karachi on one of the silted channels of the Indus. The particular interest  of Bhanbore lies in the possibility that it is the site of Debul where Muhammad Bin Qasim landed. A  mosque is discovered here which confirms the possibility of it and more discoveries are expected by the  archeologists.  

Q5. Discuss the importance of the archaeological treasures that belong to the Mughal period? 

The archaeological treasures of the Mughal period are very rich and easily accessible for the tourists,  especially in Lahore. The Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Masjid, Anarkali Tomb and the Jehangir Tomb show  the interest of Mughal rulers in art and architecture and are the dearest places for the tourists. They show theskills of Hindu stone carvers applied to gardens, palaces and tombs. They reflect a beautiful blend of Hindu  and Muslim art. The remains of the Mughal period are in a comparatively better shape and therefore more  attractive for the sightseers.  

Reading selection 6.3: Once Upon a Time

Why is the poet addressing his son throughout? What is its significance?

Ans:The poet is addressing his son to adopt the old forgotten traditions of love, respect and affection. The son is a small boy who is not been affected by western culture and as such has genuine innocence and exemplary conduct. The father/poet struck by a sense of self -loathing and regret turns to his son and wants to forget his fake personality and re-learn the cordial behaviour. He is appealing his son to show him how to express true love and show real feelings to others.

The poem “Once upon a time” is a beautiful comparison of past and present life of the poet? Discuss. OR 

Justify the title of the poem “once upon a time”  

OR What does the title of the poem “Once upon a time” indicate? 

Gabriel Okara, a Nigerian poet is the composer of the poem “Once upon a time”. It clearly indicates the past.  The poet remembers that in the past, people used to show happiness from their hearts on meeting someone  and their behavior was genuine- full of warmth and affection. But nowadays artificiality has taken the place of reality. People have become money minded and make friendship only for personal gains. In the poem the  poet has contrasted the past with the present, so the title is justified and appropriate. 

What is the theme of the poem? 

The poem is about the artificiality of relationships and manners prevailing in the present world. The past  according to the poet was better than the present because there were love, sincerity and faithfulness. The  mood of the poem is nostalgic. The poet is remembering how things used to be when he was young and  

innocent, like his son. The poet’s response to his nostalgia is sadness. The poem has mixed feelings of  childhood experiences, hypocrisy (appearance versus reality), regret on the loss of innocence and yearning  for the past. The child in the poem is a symbol of innocence, purity, enthusiasm, happiness, and genuineness  lacking in society.

This poem is nothing but a criticism of modern life. Justify this statement. 

The poet Gabriel Okara in this dramatic monologue painfully condemns the duplicity displayed by adults,  both in their words and actions. The father laments about the negative changes that creep into the attitude  and behaviour of humans. He says that people used to be genuine when they laughed and the honesty would  be reflected in their eyes. But, people of modern times laugh superficially. Their handshakes used to be  warm and happy conveying a sense of togetherness, but nowadays it is fake. He warns his son that people  are concerned only about their own personal benefits. They utter words of welcome and exchange  pleasantries, but those words are not from the depth of their hearts.  

Explain the things the poet has learnt when he grew into an adult. 

Gabriel Okara (the Nigerian poet) admits that he has also become a hypocrite. He himself has become the  victim of the artificial world by displaying all fake behavior. In the past people greeted one another with real  gladness and sincerity. But now, people laugh without any real happiness and greet one another with an  artificial, pretended smile. Okara says that he has also learnt to behave in an artificial manner like other  people. His laugh is deceitful and toxic. He deceives people with his farewell and welcomes as well as with his false politeness. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: 

The poet Gabriel Okara in this dramatic monologue painfully condemns the duplicity displayed by adults,  both in their words and actions. The tone is nostalgic as well as ironic. The literary devices used throughout  the poem are metaphors, 'laugh with their teeth, while their ice-block cold eyes …” similes and  repetition. The past according to the poet was better than the present because there were love and sincerity. The poet’s response to his nostalgia is sadness. The poem has mixed feelings of childhood experiences,  hypocrisy (appearance versus reality), regret on the loss of innocence and yearning for the past. The child in  the poem is a symbol of innocence and purity.