A Battle to Baffle
English Workshop
1. Read the following words and use them in sentences of your own.
- Renown,
- defiance,
- exiled,
- predicament,
- diffident,
- benign
Answer:
Renown: Pundit Shahane earned great renown across India for his mastery of scriptures.
Defiance: The emperor was surprised by Pundit Shahane’s defiance in challenging all the pundits of Vijayanagar.
Exiled: The emperor threatened to have the first scholar exiled if his suggestion was not useful.
Predicament: The courtiers found themselves in a predicament when no one dared to face Pundit Shahane.
Diffident: The pundits of Vijayanagar felt diffident about taking up the scholar’s challenge.
Benign: The emperor gave his benign permission to Mantriji to summon the scholars.
2. Read the following phrases and use them in the sentences of your own in proper form.
• voice something
• outwit
• a tight corner
• concede defeat
Answer:
Voice something: The first scholar decided to voice something helpful to save the court from embarrassment.
Outwit: Tenali Raman managed to outwit Pundit Shahane with his clever trick.
A tight corner: The pundits were in a tight corner when they couldn’t respond to the challenge.
Concede defeat: Pundit Shahane had no choice but to concede defeat when he couldn’t debate Tenali Raman.
3. Pick out dialogues of Tenali Raman that prove that he had the following qualities.
(a) Wit and wisdom
(b) Self-confidence
(c) Politeness
(d) Humility
Answer:
(a) Wit and wisdom:
- “Let us begin by discussing the merits of ’tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana'” – This shows his cleverness in inventing a fake scripture to confuse Pundit Shahane.
- “Maharaj, ’til’ is sesame ‘Kashta’ is a stick… this is the ’tila-kashta-mahishabandhana'” – His explanation reveals his witty and wise wordplay.
(b) Self-confidence:
- “Most certainly, Your Majesty. Let me assure you that I shall not let you down” – This reflects his confidence in handling the challenge.
(c) Politeness:
- “I am at your service, Your Highness. Your wish is my command” – This shows his respectful and polite demeanor toward the emperor.
(d) Humility:
- “Your words of praise are my greatest reward, Your Highness” – This indicates his humility in valuing praise over material rewards.
4. Answer the following questions in short.
(a) What was Pundit Shahane’s claim as a scholar?
Answer: He claimed to have mastered all scriptures and won great renown across India.
(b) Why did Pundit Shahane visit Vijaynagar?
Answer: He visited to challenge all the pundits in the kingdom.
(c) What do you learn about Pundits of Vijaynagar?
Answer: They were knowledgeable but lacked the confidence to face Pundit Shahane’s challenge.
(d) What punishment did the emperor threaten the Pundits with?
Answer: He threatened to debar them from court and exile them.
(e) Why was Tenali Raman summoned to the court?
Answer: He was summoned to outwit Pundit Shahane and save the court’s reputation.
(f) On what condition did Tenali Raman agree to take up the challenge?
Answer: He agreed on the condition that he be accepted and honored as the Chief Pundit for one day.
(g) Why was Tenali Raman taken to the court in a palanquin?
Answer: He was brought in with honors as the Chief Pundit, as per Mantriji’s arrangement.
(h) How did Tenali Raman outwit Pundit Shahane?
Answer: He invented a fake scripture name, “tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana,” which confused Pundit Shahane into conceding defeat.
(i) What did the bundle in silken cloth contain?
Answer: It contained sticks (sesame stems) tied with a coarse rope used to tie buffaloes.
(j) Explain the significance of the title.
Answer: “A Battle to Baffle” signifies the intellectual contest where Tenali Raman baffled Pundit Shahane with his wit, turning a scholarly battle into a clever victory.
5. Fill in the elements that you find in the drama script of ‘A Battle to Baffle.’
Characters:
• Background Scene:
• Crisis:
• Steps taken to resolve the crisis:
• Climax:
• The end:
Answer:
- Characters: Tenali Raman, Krishnadevaraya, Pundit Shahane, Mantriji, courtiers, scholars, guards.
- Background Scene: The courtroom of Emperor Krishnadevaraya with the emperor on his throne and courtiers seated.
- Crisis: Pundit Shahane challenges the pundits, and none are willing to face him, risking the empire’s honor.
- Steps taken to resolve the crisis: The courtiers suggest summoning Tenali Raman, who agrees to outwit the challenger.
- Climax: Tenali Raman introduces the fake scripture “tila-kashta-mahisha-bandhana,” causing Pundit Shahane to concede defeat.
- The end: The emperor praises Tenali Raman, who explains his trick, and everyone laughs as the court’s honor is restored.
6. Do as directed. (Make sure you do not change the meaning and tense of the sentence).
(a) Tenali Raman proved to be wittier than Pundit Shahane.(Rewrite using ‘as witty as’)
Answer: Rewrite: Pundit Shahane was not as witty as Tenali Raman.
(b) Pundit Shahane has come here. He wishes to challenge all the Pundits in our Kingdom.(Combine the two sentences using ‘so’. Now combine the same sentence using ‘because’)
Answer:
- Using “so”: Pundit Shahane has come here, so he wishes to challenge all the pundits in our kingdom.
- Using “because”: Pundit Shahane has come here because he wishes to challenge all the pundits in our kingdom.
(c) How can I discuss its merits? ( Make it Assertive)
Answer: Assertive: I cannot discuss its merits.
(d) I have not read that scripture. ( Rewrite using ‘unaware’)
Answer: Rewrite: I am unaware of that scripture.
(e) Your words of praise are my greatest reward. (Begin the sentence with ‘No other …….)
Answer: Begin with “No other”: No other reward is as great as your words of praise.
(f) I am proud of you. ( Rewrite using the noun form of the underlined word).
Answer: Rewrite: My pride in you is immense.
(g) The Emperor said, ” But tell me Raman, to what great work did you refer?” (Convert into the Indirect Speech).
Answer: Indirect: The Emperor asked Raman to tell him to what great work he had referred.
(h) Tenali Raman was a poet scholar and jester in Vijaynagar in Krishnadevarayas court. (Punctuate.)
Answer: Punctuated: Tenali Raman was a poet, scholar, and jester in Vijayanagar in Krishnadevaraya’s court.
(i) Mantriji said Maharaj Pundit Shahanes visit to our court is an open challenge. (Punctuate.)
Answer: Punctuated: Mantriji said, “Maharaj, Pundit Shahane’s visit to our court is an open challenge.”
7. A past student of your school has cleared his UPSC examination and being an IAS officer, has been appointed the Collector of your district. Write a formal letter to invite him to your school to share the story of his success, at a special function.
Answer:
Formal Letter:
[Your School’s Name] [Address] [City, State, PIN] April 08, 2025
To The District Collector, [District Name], [Office Address], [City, State, PIN]
Subject: Invitation to Share Your Success Story at a Special School Function
Dear Sir/Madam,
Greetings from [Your School’s Name]! It is with immense pride and joy that we congratulate you on clearing the UPSC examination and being appointed as the Collector of our district. As a distinguished alumnus of our school, your remarkable achievement has brought honor to our institution and inspired our students.
We would be deeply honored if you could grace us with your presence at a special function organized to celebrate your success. We kindly invite you to share the story of your journey, your challenges, and your triumphs with our students and staff. Your experience would motivate our young minds to aim high and pursue their dreams with determination.
The event is tentatively scheduled for [date, e.g., April 20, 2025], at [time, e.g., 10:00 AM] in our school auditorium. We would be grateful if you could confirm your availability or suggest a suitable date and time as per your convenience.
We eagerly await your positive response. Please feel free to contact us at [phone number] or [email address] for further details.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely, [Your Full Name] [Your Designation, e.g., Principal/Headmaster] [Your School’s Name]
8. Understand the quotation and expand it in a paragraph format.
‘Pride goes on horseback, but returns on foot’.
Answer: The quotation “Pride goes on horseback, but returns on foot” reflects the fleeting nature of arrogance and the humbling lessons life often teaches. When someone is filled with pride, they ride high like a person on horseback, exuding confidence and superiority. However, this overconfidence can lead to mistakes or unexpected challenges, forcing them to face reality and return humbled, as if walking back on foot. In the story “A Battle to Baffle,” Pundit Shahane arrives with pride, boasting of his scholarly achievements, only to be outwitted by Tenali Raman’s cleverness. His defeat strips him of his arrogance, illustrating how pride can elevate one momentarily but often leads to a grounded return when met with wisdom or adversity. The saying reminds us to stay humble, as pride can be a grand but temporary ride.
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