Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDFs, and guides for the poem To India-My Native Land MBOSE Class 11 Alternative English textbook Imprints, written by HLV Derozio, which is part of the syllabus for students studying under the board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
“To India – My Native Land” by H.L.V. Derozio expresses deep feelings of loss and longing for the past glory of India. Written during British colonial rule, the poem reflects the poet’s grief over India’s fallen state and his desire to revive its lost honour. Derozio uses a sonnet to address his homeland, portraying it as a deity that once basked in divine glory and commanded reverence. He mourns the loss of this splendour, describing India as now chained, degraded, and lying in misery.
The poet refers to India’s former greatness as “glory past,” when the nation was powerful, respected, and compared to an eagle soaring high. Now, the eagle’s pinion, or wings, are metaphorically chained, symbolising India’s loss of freedom and dignity under colonial rule. The poet laments the inability to compose songs of triumph and beauty for his land, as its current state only inspires sorrowful tales.
Derozio’s imagery of diving into “the depths of time” to retrieve fragments of India’s glorious past represents his effort to reconnect with and preserve this heritage. These “fragments” symbolise the remnants of India’s once sublime history, which now seem almost irretrievable. He wishes for a small reward—a kind thought or recognition from his country in return for his labour to honour its past.
The sonnet shifts its tone midway. The initial despair gives way to a determined effort to salvage India’s history and evoke hope. By describing India as a goddess, the poet elevates the nation, urging others to respect and restore it to its former stature. The poem serves as a reflection of Derozio’s role as a patriotic bard, dedicated to inspiring pride and remembrance in his fellow countrymen.
Video tutorial
Line-by-line summary
My country! In thy days of glory past
The poet fondly remembers a time when his country was powerful and respected. He reflects on its greatness in the past.
A beauteous halo circled round thy brow
He describes the beauty and honour of his country in those times, comparing it to a glowing halo, a symbol of dignity and respect.
And worshipped as a deity thou wast.
The country was once treated like a god, admired and respected by all.
Where is that glory, where that reverence now?
The poet feels sad and wonders where all the greatness and respect have gone.
Thy eagle pinion is chained down at last,
He compares the country’s strength and freedom to the wings of an eagle. These wings, once free and powerful, are now bound and unable to soar.
And grovelling in the lowly dust art thou;
The country, once proud and free, is now reduced to a state of humiliation, lying low and defeated.
Thy minstrel hath no wreath to weave for thee
The poet sees himself as a singer or storyteller for his country. He sadly says he has no joyful stories or songs to celebrate its greatness anymore.
Save the sad story of thy misery!
The only thing left to tell is the sorrowful tale of the country’s suffering and downfall.
Well let me dive into the depths of time,
The poet decides to look back into history to uncover the memories of the country’s better days.
And bring from out the ages that have rolled
He wants to recover stories and events from the past that reveal the country’s former greatness.
A few small fragments of these wrecks sublime,
He acknowledges that only small pieces of the country’s past glory remain, but they are still precious and inspiring.
Which human eye may never more behold;
These remnants of greatness can no longer be seen in the present world, as the full splendour of the past has disappeared.
And let the guerdon of my labour be
The poet hopes that his work to recall and celebrate the past will be rewarded. He uses the word “guerdon” to mean his reward or recognition.
My fallen country! One kind wish from thee!
He asks his homeland, which is now in a weakened state, for just one kind thought or blessing as gratitude for his efforts to honour its past.
Textbook solutions
Answer these questions briefly
1. What does the poet refer to when he says ‘of glory past’?
Answer: The poet refers to the time when his country was worshipped as a deity and admired for its glory and reverence.
2. Keeping in mind the context or the time in which this poem was written, what is the ‘eagle pinion’?
Answer: The ‘eagle pinion’ refers to the metaphorical wings of India, representing its former freedom and soaring greatness.
3. Why does the poet refer to ‘the sad story of thy misery’?
Answer: The poet refers to ‘the sad story of thy misery’ to highlight the suffering and fallen state of his country, contrasting it with its past glory.
4. What, according to the poet, lies at the root of the current misery of his country?
Answer: According to the poet, the root of the current misery of his country lies in its loss of freedom and the reverence it once commanded.
5. What would the poet like to receive as the ‘guerdon’ of his labour?
Answer: The poet would like to receive one kind wish from his fallen country as the ‘guerdon’ of his labour.
Answer these questions in detail
1. The poet iconises India as a goddess-what words/lines justify this?
Answer: The poet iconises India as a goddess in the line, “And worshipped as a deity thou wast.” This phrase reflects how India was once regarded with divine reverence and admiration, elevating her status to that of a deity, embodying beauty, grace, and power.
2. Find out about HLV Derozio’s life and the time that he was living in. What according to you is the misery he refers to?
Answer: HLV Derozio was a prominent poet, teacher, and social reformer who lived in the early 19th century during the period of British colonial rule in India. He was part of the Bengal Renaissance and deeply influenced by the ideas of liberty and reform. The misery he refers to is the state of subjugation and despair that India faced during British dominance. The poet mourns the loss of India’s sovereignty, cultural heritage, and the reverence it once commanded in the world.
3. What role does the poet see for himself with regard to his country? How does he intend to fulfil this role?
Answer: The poet envisions himself as a minstrel, someone whose duty is to preserve and narrate the stories of his country’s past greatness. He intends to fulfil this role by delving into history to retrieve “a few small fragments of these wrecks sublime.” These fragments symbolize the glorious remnants of India’s past, which the poet hopes to use to inspire hope, pride, and a sense of identity in his fallen country.
4. Is the poem inspirational in tone? Cite instances from the poem to support your answer.
Answer: The poem is indeed inspirational in tone. Despite the lament over India’s current plight, the poet expresses a strong resolve to “dive into the depths of time” and bring forth remnants of India’s glorious past. The lines, “And let the guerdon of my labour be / My fallen country! One kind wish from thee!” show his determination to evoke patriotic feelings and restore dignity, making the poem a source of motivation for readers to reconnect with and revive their cultural pride.
Appreciating form and language
Sonnet
This poem is written in the form of a sonnet. A sonnet is a type of poem that has 14 lines and a specific rhyme structure. The form was developed by the Italian poet Petrarch (1304–1374) and popularised by a number of English poets, including Shakespeare.
In the Italian form of the sonnet, the first eight lines (octet) pose a problem or describe a situation. The next six lines (sestet) provide a resolution to the situation.
Now read the poem carefully once more.
1. Has Derozio followed the pattern of the Italian sonnet?
Answer: Yes, Derozio has followed the pattern of the Italian sonnet. The first eight lines (octet) present a problem or describe the situation of India’s lost glory and current misery, while the next six lines (sestet) propose a resolution, expressing the poet’s intention to uncover fragments of India’s past.
2. Is there a change in tone midway through the poem?
Answer: Yes, there is a change in tone midway through the poem. The tone shifts from mourning India’s fallen glory and misery in the octet to a hopeful and determined resolve to recover and highlight India’s sublime past in the sestet.
3. What does the poet propose to do about the present situation of his country?
Answer: The poet proposes to delve into the depths of time and retrieve fragments of India’s glorious past. He aims to rekindle a sense of admiration and reverence for his fallen country by highlighting its sublime heritage.
Discussion
To India-My Native Land is a poem that seeks to instil a patriotic spirit among its readers. What do you think patriotism means? Do you feel the generation that participated in India’s struggle for independence was more patriotic than your generation? Are young people today more focussed on themselves and not on largersocial or political ideals? Discuss in class.
1. What do you think patriotism means?
Answer: Patriotism means a deep love, devotion, and sense of responsibility towards one’s country. It involves valuing the nation’s heritage, working for its betterment, and standing up for its ideals.
2. Do you feel the generation that participated in India’s struggle for independence was more patriotic than your generation?
Answer: The generation that participated in India’s struggle for independence displayed immense patriotism, as they were willing to sacrifice their lives and comforts for the freedom of the country. Comparing that to the current generation, the expression of patriotism may differ, with some feeling it has diminished, while others believe it has transformed into contributions in areas like technology, education, and social reforms.
3. Are young people today more focussed on themselves and not on larger social or political ideals?
Answer: While some young people today are more focussed on personal goals and individual success, there are also many who actively participate in social and political causes, striving to bring about change through activism, innovation, and philanthropy. The perspective varies depending on personal values and societal influences.
Discuss in class.
Answer: Do it yourself
Extras
Additional questions and answers
1. What image does the poet use to represent India’s past glory?
Answer: The poet uses the metaphor of a “beauteous halo” encircling India’s brow, likening the country to a deity. This imagery emphasizes India’s grandeur and reverence in its past.
13. What is the meaning of the word “guerdon”? Why do you think the poet chose this particular word?
Answer: “Guerdon” means reward or recognition. The poet uses this term to convey a sense of noble purpose, suggesting that his efforts to commemorate India’s past are not for material gain but for the emotional and spiritual acknowledgment of his homeland.
Additional fill in the blanks
1. In the days of past glory, India was revered as a ______. (deity/warrior)
Answer: deity
10. The ultimate goal is a single ______ from his fallen homeland. (wish/prayer)
Answer: wish
Additional true and false
1. The poet refers to India as a goddess in the poem.
Answer: True
10. “Guerdon” in the poem refers to recognition or reward.
Answer: True
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger who manages Online Free Notes. An avid reader of Victorian literature, his favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. He dreams of travelling the world. You can connect with him on social media. He does personal writing on ronism.
Get notes of other boards, classes, and subjects