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प्राचीन काल में हिन्दू (आर्य) प्रजा की जनसंख्या जिस क्षेत्र में थी उस क्षेत्र को आर्यावर्त कहते हैं ।

Map is attached and marked as: 

(a) 1. Kerala (Travancore-Cochin) 2. Madras (Travancore-Cochin) 

(b) 1. Punjab or U.P. 2. Rajasthan or West Bengal.

Most countries, on independence, preferred to have a government under a single ruler. This ended up either in party rule, dictatorship or military rule. They felt that such a rule was the best for national security. But the leaders of India gave preference to democracy. There were many reasons for that. First of all, our independence struggle was based on democratic principles. Secondly, our leaders looked at politics not as a problem, but as a means of finding solutions to problems.

At the time of independence, an ad hoc government was ruling the country. Therefore it was necessary to have a democratic form of government. The First Election Commission came into existence in 1950 with Mr. Sukumar Sen as the Election Commissioner. The first election also was expected in 1950.

In a country like India a free and fair election was not easy to conduct. We had 3 major challenges the formation of electoral constituencies, the making of the voters’ list, and participation of the people. For all this, a lot of time was required.The first voting was a really big event. Such a huge event had never taken place anywhere in the world before. The people with voting rights were nearly 17 crores, but only 15% of them were literate. Therefore the Commission had to think about the system of voting. The Election Commission trained nearly 300,000 officials and polling officers.

The election of this country with such a huge amount of illiterate people was very unusual. It was a really big experiment. Until then only developed nations had democratic governments, notably North America and Europe. In Europe, women had no voting rights. In such circumstances, Universal Adult Franchise in India was really a great adventure. Many criticized it. The first election in India took place between October 1951 and February 1952. Election propaganda, voting, and counting the votes took more than 6 months. There was tough competition. For each seat, an average of 4 candidates competed. More than 50% of the people voted. When the results were declared the winners and losers accepted the veg diet. Thus the Indian experiment was a success and India was able to contain the evil tongues that pre dieted disaster.

1. (i) Jammu & Kashmir (ii) Kerala

2. (i) Uttar Pradesh (ii) Maharashtra

There were 17 crore voters during the first General Elections.

विष्णु पुराण में कहा गया है कि समुद्र के उत्तर में और हिमालय के दक्षिण में आये स्थान का नाम भारत वर्ष है, जिनकी संतानें भारतीय है । भारत में शुभकार्य प्रारंभ करते समय संकल्पों में भारत वर्ष, जंबुद्धीप, आर्यावर्त शब्दों का उपयोग किया गया है ।

(a) Because she wanted to take the Congress away from its all embracing character and turn it into a close knit party of disciplined cader.

(b) These examples are in the form of social and ideological coalition of Congress: 

(i) It provided a platform for numerous groups, interests and even political parties to participate in national movement. 

(ii) Congress party represented a rainbow like social coalition representing diversity of India including various castes, religions and languages. 

(c) Because Gandhiji believed in hand- in-hand characteristic of national movement led by Congress which attracted various sections groups and society to form a social and ideological coalition in Congress.

The draft of our constitution was adopted on 26th November 1949 and signed on 24th January 1950. It came into effect on 26th January, 1950.

(A) विष्णु पुराण

Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

Faction are the groups formed inside the party i.e. coalitions made in Congress created various factions which were based on either ideological considerations or personal ambitions.

1. In the first General Election a box was placed inside each polling booth for each candidate with the election symbol of the candidate. Each voter was given a blank ballot paper to drop into the box, they wanted to vote for. 

2. After first two elections, this method was changed. Now ballot paper carried the names and symbols of candidates and the voter stamped against the name of candidate to vote for. 

3. In 2004, Electronic Voting Machine were introduced to press the button according to choice of the voter containing the name of candidate and symbol of political party.

A democratic regime

1. (b)

2. (a)

3. (d)

4. (c)

The Constitution directs the central and the state governments to organize and implement programmes keeping the public welfare in mind. Such directives are included in part IV of the Indian Constitution as the Directive Principles.

There is an indivisible relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. Directive Principles are to be implemented for the realization of Fundamental Rights in its full sense. As a criterion which helped the evaluation and betterment of the governmental activities, no one can deny the importance of the Directive Principles.

Fundamental Duties are included in Part IV A of the constitution. Certain duties are to be performed by the citizens towards the state to protect the unity and integrity of the nation. These duties are known as Fundamental Duties. When the state provides us rights and protection, it is our duty to abide The Constitution to develop cordiality among the citizens and to provide help for the betterment of the nation.

Accomplishing the fundamental Duties in this manner will create a better society and its result will reach everyone. In effect, the Fundamental Duties can be considered as the responsibilities which the individual have to perform towards themselves.

• Free legal aid
• Equal pay for equal work to both and women.
• Protection of the education, economic interests of the school’s castes and scheduled tribes.
• Ensuring international peace security.

Complete the sentence: Sukumar Sen was the first Chief Election Commissioner.

The orders issued by the supreme court and the High courts for the enforcement of the fundamental rights are known as writs. Writes are of 5 types. Through writs, the court are protecting the fundamental rights.

The Constitution directs the central and the state governments to organize and implement programmes keeping the public welfare in mind. Such directives are included in part IV of the Indian Constitution as the Directive Principles.

There is an indivisible relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. Directive Principles are to be implemented for the realization of Fundamental Rights in its full sense. As a criterion which helped the evaluation and betterment of the governmental activities, no one can deny the importance of the Directive Principles.

• Discrimination based on caste
• Gender inequality
• Discrimination based on place of birth

• Stand up while the national anthem is sung
• Protect historical monuments
• Foster cordiality among the people
• Protect the unity and integrity of the nation
• Protect the environment

The aim of issuing writs is the enforcement of the fundamental rights.

Write are of 5 types. 

They are

1. Habeas corpus 

2. Mandamus 

3. Quowarrantto 

4. Certiorari 

5. Prohibition

(a) yes

(b) yes

(c) yes

(d) yes

(e) yes

Equality before law means that all are equal before the legal system. Whatever be the official position and powers, one should not be above the law.

A welfare state aims to develop and implement policies for the welfare of all the people. Welfare states aim to provide protection and services for the uplift of the people as best as they can. A welfare state ensures the fair distribution of public resources, education, and health.

There is no official religion for India. India does not promote any religion. But religious, freedom is ensured by the constitution. Right to freedom of religion ensures the following.

• Right to professes, practice and propagate any religion.
• Freedom to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.

After the Civil War (1640’s) UK become a Constitutional Monarchy

India and China could be future super powers.

A group of Third World countries (i.e., from Asia, Africa, South America), most of whom had recently gained sovereignty from colonial rule, refused to join any Cold War alliances.

This laid the foundation for the Non- Aligned Movement. Which was formally established at the Belgrade Conference (1961) with 25 member nations. Some of the founding members were Marshall Tito (Yugoslavia) Jawaharlal Nehru, (India), Gamal Nasser (Egypt), Nkrumah (Ghana), Sukarno (Indonesia). 

The concept of Non-alignment is based on two main principles:

• independent understanding of world affairs 
• peace approach. 

Thus it does not mean political passivity or neutrality. In fact, the idea was active participation in world affairs to promote peace and development. 

The purposes of NAM were:

• not to ally with any power bloc 
• opposition to any military alliance 
• freedom to take independent policy decisions with regard to international affairs.

(i) Yes, due to military alliances the world was gripped in the fear of a possible Third World War, which would have annihilated the entire human race.

(ii) Moreover the Arms Race diverted the resources and harnessed science for destruction rather than human welfare.

(i) Yes. This was important to keep newly independent countries of Asia and Africa away from the super power rivalry. 

(ii) Since these countries did not officially show allegiance to any super power, they freed themselves from the dominance of USA and USSR and could independently frame their foreign policies.

(iii) This further promoted peace and co-operation.

Mrs. Kotnis had been an honoured guest at many high-level diplomatic functions between China and India. She was a regular invitee at the Indian Embassy fuctions in China, because the Chinese wanted to have good relationship with India. Not only that, to respect Dr. Kotnis’ selfless service to the Chinese, she was invited at the Indian Embassy functions in China.

Dr. Kotnis dedicated his entire life working as a battlefront doctor in China and rendered his selfless service to the injured Chinese soldiers during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Dr. Kotnis’ contribution towards humanity will be remembered forever. No single Indian has been more revered by ordinary Chinese than Dr. Kotnis. He was not only a hero but also a loved brother, husband and an adventurous young man.

“Congress rule was undemocratic and opposed to the interest of ordinary poor people, therefore, the coming together of the non-Congress parties was necessary for reclaiming democracy for the people”.

We can’t imagine this beautiful world without trees and animals. Both are interconnected. Animals can survive only if they have forests to live in. No trees and no forest will also mean having no animals. Human beings have had very old and long association with animals. Domesticated animals like cows, bulls, goats, camels, horses have been extensively used for agricultural needs and for getting milk and meat. Pets like dogs have found entry in the world of men. Their wool and furs protect us from cold while their leather is used for making foot wears. Man should realize the importance of animals. He should treat them kindly without resorting to cruelty and indifference.

हम अपने सुंदर संसार को बिना वृक्ष और जानवरों के नहीं सोच सकते। जानवर तभी जिंदा रह सकते हैं अगर उनके पास रहने के लिए जंगल हैं। मानव जाति का पशुओं से बड़ा और पुराना रिश्ता है। पालतू जानवर जैसे गाय, भैंस, बकरी, ऊँट, घोड़े कृषि की जरूरतों के लिए बहुत ही उपयोगी होते हैं। और दूध और मांस देते हैं। पशु जैसे कुत्ता आदमी की दुनिया में जगह बना चुका है। उनके ऊन और फर हमें ठंड से बचाते हैं और उनके चमड़ी से जूते बनते हैं। आदमी को पशुओं की महत्ता का एहसास होना चाहिए। उन्हें पशुओं के साथ सहदयता से व्यवहार करना चाहिए और बिना किसी निर्दयता और अनधिमान से।

A terrible drought overtook Marwar when Jambaji was a young man of twenty five years. The devastating drought continued for eight long years. Marwar had already scanty rains but then rains ceased altogether. People fed the animals on the stored bajra straw in their houses during the first year. The second year of the drought was really very bad. The people started cutting the trees and leaves and branches to feed their animals. The trees began to dry up. The condition of the people was no better than those of the animals. Their stored grain was exhausted. The people ate Khejdi pods and flour of dried ber seeds. They hunted down each one of the starving blackbucks. The people lost all hopes. They migrated in masses. The region was reduced into a barren, treeless desert of sand and rocks.

भीषण सूखा मारवाड़ में तब आया, जब जंबाजी 25 वर्ष के नौजवान थे। विनाशकारी सूखा आठ वर्षों तक रहा। मारवाड़ क्षेत्र में पहले ही कम वर्षा होती थी, किंतु अब तो बिलकुल ही बंद हो गई। लोग अपने पशुओं के चारे के लिए पेड़ों की टहनियाँ तथा पत्ते काटने लगे। इससे वृक्ष सूखने लगे। मनुष्यों की हालत भी पशुओं से बेहतर नहीं थी। उनके खाद्यान्न का संग्रह समाप्त हो गया। लोग खेजड़ी की फलियों और सूखे बरों का आटा खाने लगे। वे काले हिरणों का शिकार करने लगे। लोग निराश हो उठे। लोग उस क्षेत्र को छोड़कर जाने लगे। वह क्षेत्र वृक्षविहीन, रेत और पत्थरों की बंजर भूमि बनकर रह गया।

A khejdi tree is the life-line of the Marwar desert. It is a kind of tree that fulfills all wishes. It is a cousin of the babul tree. It is rightly called the ‘kalpavriksha’. A full grown camel can enjoy a midday short sleep in its shade. Its leaves nourishes goats, sheep, cattle and camels. Its pods can be made into a delicious curry. Even its thorn’s guard and the farmers fields against invadin

खेजड़ी वृक्ष मारवाड़ के रेगिस्तान की जीवन रेखा है। यह एक ऐसा वृक्ष है, जो सभी इच्छाओं की पूर्ति करता है। इसे बबूल के पेड़ का सखा कहा जाता है। ठीक ही इसे ‘कल्पवृक्ष’ कहा गया है। एक ऊँट दोपहर में इसकी छाया में आराम कर सकता है। इसके पत्ते से बकरियों, भेड़ों, पशुओं तथा ऊँटों को आहार प्राप्त होता है। इसकी फलियों से स्वादिष्ट करी बनाई जा सकती है। यहाँ तक कि इसके काँटे भी किसानों की उपद्रवी जानवरों से रक्षा करते हैं।

Marwar has a long and illustrious history. In the beginning it was inhabited by th Bhils. They were the original tribals of Marwar. In those times, Marwar had thousands upon thousands of khejdi, ber, ker and sangri trees. About three thousand years ago, the ‘cattle-keepers’ from west and central Asia invaded India and powered into Marwar as well. The Bhils resisted their advance. The superior weapons and horses of the invaders forced the Bhils to retreat to the Aravallis. In 13th century AD, the Bhils were conquered by the Rathores of Kanauj. During these centuries, Marwar saw many ecological changes. Gradually it was reduced to a treeless waste of sand and rocks.

मारवाड़ का एक लंबा और सुविख्यात इतिहास रहा है। प्रारंभ में यहाँ भील निवास करते थे। वे मारवाड़ के मूल आदिवासी थे। उस समय मारवाड़ में हजारों हजार की संख्या में खेजड़ी, बेर तथा सांगरी के पेड़ थे। तीन हजार वर्ष पूर्व, पश्चिम तथा मध्य एशिया के पशपालक भारत में घुस आए तथा उन्होंने मारवाड में अपना आधिपत्य स्थापित कर लिया। भीलों ने उनका प्रतिरोध किया। आक्रमणकारियों के समुन्नत हथियार तथा घोड़ों ने भीलों को अरावली की तरफ लौटने को विवश कर दिया। तेरहवीं शताब्दी में भीलों पर कन्नौज के राठौर ने विजय प्राप्त कर लिया। इन शताब्दियों में मारवाड़ में कई प्रकार के पारिस्थितिकी परिवर्तन हुए। इसके बाद धीरे-धीरे यह क्षेत्र वृक्षविहीन रेत और पत्थरों की बंजर भूमि में परिवर्तित हो गया।

The Bhils were the original residents of Marwar. About 3000 years ago, invading hordes of cattle keepers from west and central Asia entered Marwar. The Bhils resisted their advance. But the superior horses and weapons of the invaders forced the Bhils to retreat towards the Aravallis. Finally, the Rathores of Kanauj, in 13th AD, established their rule in Marwar.

मारवाड़ के मूल निवासी भील थे। लगभग 3000 वर्ष पूर्व पश्चिम तथा मध्य एशिया के पशुपालकों के झुंड मारवाड़ में आ घुसे। भीलों ने इसका प्रतिरोध किया। किंतु आक्रमणकारियों के समुन्नत घोड़े तथा हथियारों ने उन्हें अरावली की तरफ लौटने को मजबूर कर दिया। अंत में कन्नौज के राठौरों ने 13वीं शताब्दी में मारवाड़ पर अपना शासन स्थापित कर लिया।

As the time passed, the large herds of cattle began to affect the vegetation. The seedings and saplings were grazed down by the cattle. They had little chance to grow into full-sized trees. Gradually, the growing population and the large herds of animals affected the vegetation of the region quite adversely.

समय गुजरने के साथ बड़ी संख्या में पुशओं के झुंडों ने वनस्पतिकरण को प्रभावित करना आरंभ कर दिया। छोटे-छोटे निकलते हुए पौधों को पशुओं के द्वारा चर डाला गया। इनके पूर्ण वृक्ष के रूप में तैयार होने की संभावना बहुत ही कम रह गई। धीरे-धीरे बढ़ती जनसंख्या तथा पशुओं के बड़े झुंडों ने उस क्षेत्र के वनस्पतिकरण को बुरी तरह से प्रभावित किया।

The desert of Marwar was not a treeless waste of land and rocks. The land was covered by thousands of khejdi and plenty of ber and sangri trees. These trees were home to thousands of animals. There were plenty of antelopes, blackbucks, chinkaras and nilgais.

मारवाड़ का रेगिस्तान वृक्षविहीन, बंजर तथा चट्टानों से भरा नहीं था। यह क्षेत्र हजारों की संख्या में खेजड़ी वृक्षों, भरपूर मात्रा में बेर तथा सांगरी के पेड़ों से आच्छादित था। ये वृक्ष हजारों पशुओं की शरणस्थली थे। यहाँ काफी संख्या में हिरण, काला हिरण, चिंकारा तथा नीलगाय थे।

The Bhils were the original inhabitants of Marwar. Invading herds of cattle keepers from west and central Asia forced the Bhils to retreat to the Aravallis. Finally, in the thirteenth century, the Rathores of Kanauj invaded the Bhils and conquered them. The Rajputs now became the rulers of the whole of Marwar.

भील मूल रूप से मारवाड़ के निवासी थे। पशुपालकों का आक्रमणकारी गिरोह जो कि पश्चिम तथा मध्य एशिया से आया था, ने भीलों को अरावली की तरफ पीछे लौटने को विवश कर दिया। अंत में, तेरहवीं शताब्दी में कन्नौज के राठौरों ने आक्रमण कर भीलों को पराजित किया। राजपूत अब मारवाड़ के शासक बन गए।

All branches and leaves of trees were cut down and they began to dry up. The stored grain was exhausted.People ate khejdi pods and the flour of dried ber seeds. After that they tore the bark off sangri trees, powdered and cooked it. All blackbucks were hunted down. In the end, the people lost all hopes and migrated in masses.

वृक्षों की सभी शाखाएँ तथा पत्तियाँ काट डाली गईं तथा वे सूखने लगे। संग्रहित अन्न समाप्त हो गए। लोग खेजड़ी की फलियाँ और सूखे बेरों का आटा खाने लगे। इसके बाद लोग सांगरी वृक्षों की छालों का पाउडर बनाकर तथा उन्हें पकाकर खाने लगे। सारे काले हिरणों का शिकार कर लिया गया। अंत में लोगों ने सारी उम्मीदें छोड़ दीं तथा बड़ी संख्या में पलायन करने लगे।

Jambaji was born in the year 1451 AD in the village of Pipasar in Marwar. His father was the headman of the village. His name was Thakur Lohat. The name of his mother was Hansadevi. The boy Jambaji was given the job of taking the animals out for grazing.

जंबाजी का जन्म 1451 ई० में मारवाड़ के पीपासर नामक गाँव में हुआ था। उनके पिता जी गाँव के | प्रधान थे। उनके पिता का नाम ठाकुर लोहाट तथा माता का नाम हंसा देवी था। बालक जंबाजी को बाहर ले जाकर पशुओं को चराने का काम सौंपा गया।

Jambaji was born in 1451 in the village of Pipasar in Marwar. His father the Lohat Singh was the headman of the village. His mother was Hamsadevi. Jambaji was to look after his father’s large herd of cattle and sheep. He enjoyed his job. He was twenty five when a terrible drought overtook the region. Jambaji was greatly affected by the drought. The dying cattle and starving children haunted him dav and night. He had a vision. He saw that man destroyed the world around him intoxicated by his own power. If life was to flourish again, man would have to change his attitude. Jambaji wanted the earth to be covered once again by plenty of khejdi, ber, ker and sangri trees. He knew to achieve his aim and began to broadcast his message in 1485. His main commandments were not to cut any green tree and not to kill any animal.

जंबाजी का जन्म 1451 में मारवाड़ के पीपासर नामक गाँव में हुआ था। उनके पिता लोहत सिंह गाँव के प्रधान थे। उनकी माता का नाम हंसा देवी था। जंबाजी अपने पिता के पशुओं तथा भेड़ों के बड़े झुंड की देखरेख करते थे। जब वह 25 वर्ष के थे, तो एक भयानक सूखा उनके क्षेत्र में पड़ा। जंबाजी पर इस सूखे का गहरा असर पड़ा। मरते हुए पशुओं तथा भूखे बच्चों को देख वह दिन-रात विचलित रहते। उन्हें एक दृष्टि-बोध हुआ। उन्होंने देखा कि मनुष्य अपनी शक्ति के मद में चूर होकर अपने आसपास की दुनिया को नष्ट कर रहा है। यदि मनुष्य को समृद्धि लानी है, तो उसे अपने दृष्टिकोण में परिवर्तन लाना होगा। जंबाजी चाहते थे कि धरती एक बार फिर से खेजड़ी, बेर तथा सांगरी के पेड़ों से आच्छादित हो जाए। वे अपने लक्ष्यों को पूरा करने का तरीका जान गए। 1485 में अपने लक्ष्यों को प्रसारित किया। उनके प्रमुख धर्मादेश थे-वृक्षों को नहीं काटना तथा किसी भी जीव-जंतु की हत्या नहीं करना।

The mad anger of Abhay Singh’s Diwan was responsible for the terrible massacre that took place in 1730. Maharajah Abhay Singh of Jodhpur decided to construct a new palace for him. The limestone needed lime kilns to cure it. Lime kilns needed a lot of fuel. The Diwan found a lot of khejdi trees around Khejadali village of Bishnois. He ordered his workers to cut down the trees for fuel. Cutting of any green tree was against the principles of their religion. They didn’t allow the workers to touch their trees. The Diwan was enraged and asked his men to go ahead. Amritadevi came with her three daughters and clasped the four trees. They were cut down to pieces with the trees. Many more Bishnois came forward to save their sacred heritage. 363 Bishnois laid down their lives in doing so. Abhay Singh was moved by their high morals and courage. He rode to Khejadali and assured the Bishnois to respect the principles of their religion in future. He promised never ever to cut any green trees or kill any wild animal near any Bishnoi village. He inscribed his promise on a copper plate and handed over it to them.

अभय सिंह के दीवान के पागलपन से भरा क्रोध उस भयावह नरसंहार का जिम्मेदार था, जो कि 1730 में हुआ था। जयपुर के महाराजा अभय सिंह ने अपने लिए एक नया महल बनाने का निर्णय किया। चूने पत्थर को शोधित करने के लिए चूने की भट्ठियों की आवश्यकता थी। चूने की भट्ठियों के लिए बड़ी मात्रा में ईंधन की आवश्कता थी। बिश्नोइयों के गाँव खेजड़ी के आसपास दीवान ने बड़ी संख्या में खेजड़ी के वृक्षों को देखा। उसने अपने श्रमिकों को ईंधन के लिए इन वृक्षों को काटने का आदेश दिया। किसी भी हरे वृक्ष को काटना उनके धार्मिक सिद्धांतों के खिलाफ था। उन्होंने श्रमिकों को पेड़ों को छूने नहीं दिया। दीवान क्रोधित हो उठा तथा अपने श्रमिकों को पेड़ों को काटने को कहा। अमृता देवी अपनी तीन पुत्रियों के साथ आई तथा चार वृक्षों के साथ चिपक गईं। सभी वृक्षों के साथ टुकड़ों में काट डाले गए। और भी कई बिश्नोई अपनी पवित्र विरासत की रक्षा हेतु आए। इस प्रकार से 363 बिश्नोइयों ने अपने प्राणों की आहुति दे दी। बिश्नोइयों की उच्च नैतिकता तथा साहस के आगे अभय सिंह नतमस्तक हो गया। वह खेजड़ी गया तथा बिश्नोइयों को यह आश्वस्त किया कि वह भविष्य में उनके धार्मिक सिद्धांतों का सम्मान करेगा। उसने यह आश्वासन किया कि वह कभी भी बिश्नोई गाँव के आसपास किसी हरे वृक्ष को काटने अथवा किसी जंगली जानवर की हत्या करने की अनुमति नहीं देगा। उसने एक ताँबे के प्लेट पर इस आश्वासन को अंकित करवाया तथा उन्हें सौंप दिया।

The followers of Jambaji were called Bishnois. Jambaji’s message included twenty nine basic principles. Preserving trees and not killing any animal were the two main commandments. The followers were called Bishnois or ‘twenty-niners’. ‘Bis’ means twenty and ‘noi’ means nine.

जंबाजी के अनुयायियों को बिश्नोई कहा गया। जंबाजी के संदेश में उनतीस आधारभूत सिद्धांत शामिल थे। वृक्षों का संरक्षण तथा किसी भी जानवर को नहीं मारना उनके दो प्रमुख धर्मादेश थे। अनुयायियों को बिश्नोई अर्थात ‘twenty-niners’ कहा गया। ‘बीस’ का मतलब ‘twenty’ तथा ‘नोई’ का मतलब ‘nine’।

Group A: Bishnois contributed a lot to protect the ecology of the desert.

Group B: No doubt about it. It was made possible by their religious leader Jambaji.

Group C: Who was Jambaji?

Group D: Jambaji was born in 1451 AD during the reign of Rao Jodhaji.

Group A: What was so great about Jambaji?

Group B: When Jambaji was twenty-five years old, a great disaster overtook the region.

Group C: A terrible drought overtook the region.

Group D: People cut down all the trees and hunted down all animals.

Group A: In the end, people migrated to other areas and thousands of cattle perished on the way.

Group B: Dying animals and starving children moved Jambaji.

Group C: He realised that pride and selfishness of man were destroying the world around him.

Group C: Jambaji wanted the earth to be covered again by khejdi, ber, ker and sangri trees.

Group D: Jambaji’s message included twenty-nine tenets. His two major commandments were a prohibition against the cutting down of any green tree or the killing of any animal.

Group A: Jambaji’s followers were called Bishnois or twenty niners.

Group B: The preserved the trees around their villages and protected black bucks and all other birds and animals.

Group C: Gradually their territory became covered by trees and the Bishnois became a prosperous people.

Group D: In 1730, they defied Maharajah Abhay Singh’s order and didn’t allow his men to cut trees in their village.

Group A: 363 Bishnois laid down their lives to save their khejdi trees.

Group B: A few years ago they planted 363 trees to honour their 363 martyrs.

Group C: In this way, Bishnois laid down even their lives to protect the ecology of the desert.

Group D: Even today, Bishnois follow the message of their religious leader, Jambaji, not to cut trees and kill blackbucks and other birds and animals.