Chapter 8 — The Ghadar Party and the Cellular Jail
Class 12 General English | PSEB | A Rainbow of English
1. Lesson Summary
This chapter describes the sacrifices and suffering of Indian freedom fighters imprisoned in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. Many revolutionaries were transported there by the British for their participation in the struggle for India’s independence.
The prisoners were subjected to harsh physical labour, inadequate food, unhygienic living conditions and cruel punishment. They were forced to extract oil from coconuts using a traditional device called a kohlu. Prisoners who failed to complete their daily quota were punished with lashes.
The chapter also describes the inhuman behaviour of jail officials, including Jailor David Barry and the Chief Commissioner. Political prisoners were confined to small, dirty cells and were often denied communication with one another. They suffered from diseases such as dysentery, high fever, tuberculosis and asthma.
Despite these conditions, the revolutionaries refused to abandon their ideals. They endured suffering for the sake of their country. Accounts of brutal treatment, hunger strikes and resistance eventually drew public attention to the prisoners’ plight.
The chapter highlights the courage, patriotism and sacrifice of the freedom fighters. It reminds readers that India’s freedom was achieved through the determination and suffering of countless people who were willing to endure extreme hardship for their country.
2. Short-Answer Type Questions
Q1. List a few key members of the Ghadar Party.
Some prominent members and revolutionaries associated with the Ghadar movement included Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Lala Hardayal and Vishnu Ganesh Pingle. They worked towards ending British rule in India.
Q2. What was the mode of torturing brave fighters by the British government?
The British subjected prisoners to brutal physical labour and severe punishments. They were forced to extract oil from coconuts using a kohlu, sometimes had to produce a fixed daily quota, and were flogged if they failed. They also endured poor food, unhygienic cells and harsh treatment.
Q3. Write the other two names for the ‘Cellular Jail’.
The Cellular Jail was also known as Kala Pani and the Black Waters.
Q4. What were the physical conditions of the Cellular Jail?
The conditions were extremely harsh. Prisoners were kept in small, dirty and poorly ventilated cells. Communication between prisoners was restricted. They suffered from inadequate food, mosquitoes, leeches, scorpions, poor sanitation and diseases such as dysentery, tuberculosis, high fever and asthma.
Q5. Who were the chief governing officials in the Cellular Jail?
The extract identifies Jailor David Barry and Chief Commissioner Murray as officials associated with the cruel treatment of political prisoners.
Q6. How were the ‘convicts’ punished when they failed to work properly?
Prisoners who failed to meet their daily work quota were punished with severe flogging. They could receive up to thirty lashes in public, accompanied by physical pain and humiliation.
Q7. Who were addressed as ‘demi-gods’ and why?
The jail officials, including warders, petty officers and jamadars, were described as “demi-gods” because they exercised considerable power over the prisoners. They abused this power, humiliated the political prisoners and made their lives miserable.
Q8. What was the mantra of Ghadarites, right in the beginning of their conviction period?
The Ghadarites’ guiding principle was resistance to British rule and sacrifice for the freedom of India. Their commitment to the country’s independence sustained them through imprisonment and torture.
Editorial note: Check the exact wording of the textbook passage before publishing this answer as a quotation or a specific “mantra.”
Q9. Why was Jyotish Chandra Pal removed to a mental hospital?
The extract refers to the severe torture and psychological suffering inflicted on political prisoners. However, the exact reason for Jyotish Chandra Pal’s removal to a mental hospital should be checked against the complete passage before giving a more specific answer.
Q10. Why did the jail authorities discontinue some of their practices of bad treatment?
Reports of cruel treatment, hunger strikes, suicides and the mental breakdown of prisoners caused public outrage. The accounts reached newspapers and drew attention to the brutality of the jail authorities, putting pressure on them to discontinue some abusive practices.
3. Long-Answer Type Questions
Q1. Write, in brief, what you know about the Ghadar Party.
Answer:
The Ghadar Party was a revolutionary organisation formed by Indians living abroad who wanted to end British rule in India. It played an important role in inspiring revolutionary nationalism and encouraging Indians to struggle for independence.
- Formation and purpose: The Ghadar movement emerged among Indian expatriates, particularly in North America. Its main aim was to overthrow British rule and establish an independent India.
- Revolutionary ideals: Members believed that freedom required courage, sacrifice and active resistance against colonial rule.
- Important leaders: Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, Lala Hardayal and Kartar Singh Sarabha are among the prominent figures associated with the movement.
- Role of the press: The movement used its newspaper, Ghadar, to spread revolutionary ideas and encourage Indians to oppose British rule.
- Attempt to organise revolt: Ghadar activists tried to inspire soldiers and people in India to rise against the British during the First World War. The planned uprising was suppressed by the colonial authorities.
- Imprisonment and punishment: Many revolutionaries were arrested, tried and sentenced to severe punishment. Some were transported to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.
- Sacrifice for the country: Prisoners endured forced labour, physical torture, poor food and unhygienic living conditions. Despite these hardships, many remained committed to the cause of freedom.
- Inspiration for later generations: Their courage and willingness to sacrifice their lives became an important part of India’s freedom struggle.
Conclusion: The Ghadar Party represents the courage and revolutionary spirit of Indians who challenged British rule. Its members’ sacrifices remain an important chapter in India’s struggle for independence.
Q2. How were the Indians treated in the Cellular Jail of the Andamans by the British officials?
Answer:
Indian freedom fighters imprisoned in the Cellular Jail faced extremely cruel and degrading treatment. The jail was designed to isolate prisoners and break their resistance, but many revolutionaries continued to defend their ideals despite the hardships.
- Isolation in individual cells: Prisoners were confined to small cells. Communication between them was strictly restricted, making it difficult to share information or support one another.
- Forced physical labour: Prisoners were compelled to perform exhausting work, including extracting oil from coconuts using a traditional kohlu.
- Unrealistic work quotas: They were expected to produce a fixed quantity of oil or other products each day. Failure to meet the target led to punishment.
- Brutal flogging: Prisoners who could not complete their work were publicly whipped. The punishment caused severe pain, injury and humiliation.
- Poor living conditions: The cells were dirty and inadequate. Prisoners were exposed to mosquitoes, leeches and scorpions, and their surroundings were unhygienic.
- Inadequate food: Food was often insufficient and of poor quality. The harsh conditions weakened prisoners and increased their vulnerability to illness.
- Diseases and physical suffering: Many prisoners suffered from dysentery, high fever, tuberculosis and asthma. The combination of disease, hard labour and poor sanitation made their lives extremely difficult.
- Humiliation by jail officials: Officials used their authority to intimidate and degrade political prisoners. The extract describes the cruelty of Jailor David Barry and Chief Commissioner Murray.
- Mental suffering: Solitary confinement, threats and repeated torture caused severe psychological distress. Some prisoners suffered mental breakdowns, and some resorted to hunger strikes in protest.
- Resistance and public awareness: Despite their suffering, the prisoners continued to resist. Reports of their treatment reached the public and newspapers, drawing attention to the injustice.
Conclusion: The treatment of Indian prisoners in the Cellular Jail was cruel and inhuman. Their suffering demonstrates the brutality of colonial rule, while their courage and resistance reveal their deep commitment to India’s independence.
Q3. Discuss the various physical problems that the Indian freedom fighters had to face in the Cellular Jail.
Answer:
The Indian freedom fighters imprisoned in the Cellular Jail suffered from severe physical hardship. Their daily lives involved forced labour, inadequate food, unhygienic surroundings and cruel punishment.
- Exhausting labour: Prisoners were forced to perform hard physical work for long hours. One of the most demanding tasks was extracting oil from coconuts using a kohlu.
- Heavy work quotas: They had to produce a prescribed quantity of oil or other products every day. The work was difficult, and prisoners were punished if they failed to meet the quota.
- Flogging and injuries: Failure to complete the work could result in up to thirty lashes in public. Such punishment caused intense pain and physical injuries.
- Unhygienic cells: Prisoners were confined to small, dirty cells that offered little comfort. The conditions were unsuitable for maintaining health.
- Exposure to insects and pests: The prison surroundings were infested with mosquitoes, leeches and scorpions. These added to the prisoners’ suffering and discomfort.
- Poor food and malnutrition: Inadequate food weakened the prisoners and made it harder for them to withstand forced labour and disease.
- Serious illnesses: Many prisoners suffered from dysentery, high fever, tuberculosis and asthma. The poor sanitation and lack of adequate medical care worsened their condition.
- Lack of rest and recovery: Long hours of labour, punishment and poor living conditions left prisoners physically exhausted.
- Psychological consequences: Repeated torture and isolation also affected prisoners mentally. Some experienced severe distress, while others resorted to hunger strikes to protest against the treatment.
- Endurance and resistance: Despite these physical problems, the revolutionaries continued to resist and remained committed to their ideals of independence.
Conclusion: The physical conditions in the Cellular Jail were harsh and degrading. The freedom fighters’ ability to endure these hardships demonstrates their courage, determination and willingness to sacrifice for their country.
Q4. What was David Barry’s address to the new group of political prisoners?
Answer:
According to the textbook extract, Jailor David Barry addressed each new group of political prisoners in a threatening and intimidating manner. His speech was intended to make them obey the jail authorities and discourage resistance.
- Strict warning: Barry warned the prisoners that they must follow all rules and orders.
- Threat of punishment: He declared that disobedience would not be tolerated and threatened consequences for those who failed to obey.
- Emphasis on authority: He reminded the prisoners that they were under the control of the jail administration and had to comply with its instructions.
- Reference to isolation: He warned them that they were far away from help and that the authorities had almost complete control over their lives.
- Description of officials: Barry pointed out the warders and petty officers who would supervise them and enforce the rules.
- Intimidation: His address was designed to frighten the prisoners and establish the authority of the jail officials from the beginning.
- The reality of the system: The extract shows that the authorities used threats and brutal punishment to humiliate political prisoners and suppress their resistance.
Conclusion: David Barry’s address reflected the oppressive nature of the Cellular Jail administration. It demonstrated how British officials attempted to break the spirit of political prisoners through intimidation, strict control and threats of punishment.
4. Vocabulary Practice
Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the adjectives given below.
Word bank: hard, deep, heavy, marshy, rainy, brutal
In perennial rainy weather, with heavy bar fetters and shackles on their feet, surrounded by snakes, leeches and scorpions, the freedom fighters were expected, in deep forests to clear a path for roads through marshy land. They were punished and faced hard labour if they slowed down. Despite this brutal treatment, the freedom fighters used to resist and fight for their self-respect and for the love of their country.
Exercise 2: Use -en as a prefix or suffix with the following words to form verbs.
| Word | Verb |
|---|---|
| Danger | Endanger |
| Hard | Harden |
| Fast | Fasten |
| Able | Enable |
| Sharp | Sharpen |
| Cash | Cash — no standard verb is formed by adding -en |
| Large | Enlarge |
| Soft | Soften |
| Straight | Straighten |
| Courage | Encourage |
| Sweet | Sweeten |
| Noble | Ennoble |
Note: “Cash” is already a verb and does not normally take the prefix or suffix “-en”. Verify whether the textbook intends a different word before publishing this item.
5. Grammar Exercises
Exercise 1: Change the Narration
1. You said, “My father returned from Cuttack last night.”
Answer: You said that your father had returned from Cuttack the previous night.
2. The saint said, “We should not hate the sinners.”
Answer: The saint said that they should not hate the sinners.
3. Jogi said that he had stood first.
Answer: Jogi said, “I stood first.”
4. Geeta said to Rohini, “Examination is drawing near.”
Answer: Geeta told Rohini that the examination was drawing near.
5. He says, “I go to the temple every day.”
Answer: He says that he goes to the temple every day.
6. He said to me, “Hard work is the key to success.”
Answer: He told me that hard work is the key to success.
7. She said, “I was ill yesterday.”
Answer: She said that she had been ill the previous day.
8. “I want to take that journalist out on patrol,” he said to Priya.
Answer: He told Priya that he wanted to take that journalist out on patrol.
9. The science teacher said to the students that the earth moves round the sun.
Answer: The science teacher said to the students, “The earth moves round the sun.”
10. She said to me, “God will help you.”
Answer: She told me that God would help me.
Exercise 2: Do as Directed
1. It is a penal offence ______ (bribe) a public servant.
(Fill in the blank with an infinitive.)
Answer: It is a penal offence to bribe a public servant.
2. The boys are anxious ______ (learn).
(Fill in the blank with an infinitive.)
Answer: The boys are anxious to learn.
3(a). Combine the sentences using an infinitive:
(i) The strikers held a meeting.
(ii) They wished to discuss the terms of the employers.
Answer: The strikers held a meeting to discuss the employers’ terms.
3(b). Combine the sentences using an infinitive:
(i) The robber took out a knife.
(ii) He wanted to frighten the old man.
Answer: The robber took out a knife to frighten the old man.
4. ______ (Consider) the facts, he received scant justice.
(Fill in the blank with a participle.)
Answer: Considering the facts, he received scant justice.
5. Combine the sentences using a participle:
(i) He walked away.
(ii) He was whistling.
Answer: He walked away whistling.
6. My hair needs ______ (cut).
(Fill in the blank with a gerund.)
Answer: My hair needs cutting.
7. I saw him ______ (cross) the road.
(Fill in the blank with a gerund.)
Answer: I saw him crossing the road.
Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners.
1. Keep to the left.
2. Where shall I send the fare?
3. I need some money.
4. Can you catch this butterfly?
5. How much experience have you got?
6. He is the best boy in the class.
7. Kindly show me some pens.
8. I did not buy any trousers from the market.
9. There are shady trees on either side of the road.
10. How much ink is there in the bottle?
6. Practice in Spoken English
Practise the vowel and consonant sounds shown on printed page 79. Repeat the example words aloud, paying attention to the difference between the sounds.
| Sound | Example |
|---|---|
| /g/ | get |
| /dʒ/ | join |
| /θ/ | thin |
| /ʃ/ | ship |
| /j/ | yes |
| /tʃ/ | chain |
| /ŋ/ | long |
| /ð/ | then |
| /ʒ/ | measure |
| /iː/ | weep |
| /ɑː/ | part |
| /uː/ | root |
| /eɪ/ | play |
| /ɔɪ/ | boy |
| /ɪ/ | bit |
| /ɒ/ | hot |
| /ʊ/ | put |
| /əʊ/ | go |
| /ɪə/ | hear |
| /e/ | pet |
| /ɔː/ | court |
| /ɜː/ | bird |
| /aɪ/ | buy |
| /eə/ | pair |
| /æ/ | bat |
| /ʌ/ | but |
| /ə/ | away |
| /aʊ/ | cow |
| /ʊə/ | poor |
Dialogue practice
Practise the conversation between John and George in pairs. One student reads John’s lines and the other reads George’s lines. Then exchange roles.
Focus on natural pauses, intonation and clear pronunciation.
7. Revision Points
- The chapter describes the suffering of Indian freedom fighters in the Cellular Jail at Port Blair.
- The jail was also known as Kala Pani or the Black Waters.
- Prisoners endured forced labour, poor food, unhygienic cells and brutal punishment.
- The kohlu was used to extract oil from coconuts.
- Jailor David Barry and Chief Commissioner Murray are mentioned in the extract.
- The revolutionaries resisted cruelty and remained committed to India’s independence.
- Their courage and sacrifice are an important part of India’s freedom struggle.
Exam preparation tip: For long answers, organise your response under clear points. Remember the prison conditions, the forced labour, the punishment, the role of jail officials and the prisoners’ resistance. These details will help you write comprehensive answers.