Question

When Rukmani and Nathan arrive at Birla's house, one of the servants thinks they are what?

a) Spies.
b) Beggars.
c) Royalty.
d) British officials.

Answer 1

The servant at Birla's house mistakes Rukmani and Nathan for beggars, highlighting the characters' socio-economic challenges in the story.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Rukmani and Nathan arrive at Birla's house in Kamala Markandaya's novel Nectar in a Sieve, one of the servants mistakes them for beggars. This mix-up represents the social and economic disparities they face throughout the story. Answer: b) Beggars.

Review Questions

• The group of people that originated the Hindu caste system were the Aryans. Answer: a) Aryans.
• In early Islamic society, the mawali were non-Arab converts to Islam. Answer: a) non-Arab converts to Islam.
• The rulers of the Delhi Sultanate in India were followers of Islam. Answer: c) Islam.
• The best characterization of textile mill workers in the early nineteenth century is young farm women whose behavior was closely monitored. Answer: d) young farm women whose behavior was closely monitored.

From 1858 to 1947, while British officials held top positions in civil service in India, most Indians did not necessarily believe that progress in modern practices was a positive thing.