Chapter 4: The Story of Amrita
अमृता की कहानी (खेजड़ली गाँव, बिश्नोई समुदाय एवं खेजड़ी वृक्ष)
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- Khejadli Village: Located near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. Named 'Khejadli' because many Khejadi trees grew there.
- The Bishnoi Community: The local people of this region are called 'Bishnois'. Their motto is: 'Agar ped hain to hum hain' (If trees survive, we survive).
- Sacrifice for Trees: Over 300 villagers, led by Amrita Devi and her daughters, hugged the Khejadi trees and sacrificed their lives to stop the King's soldiers from cutting them down for building a palace.
- Khejadi Tree Adaptations: Grows in desert areas without needing much water.
- Medicinal and Food Value: The bark of the Khejadi tree is used as medicine; people cook and eat its beans (Sangri); its wood is not damaged by insects or termites.
- Animal Shade: Animals in the desert graze on its leaves and children play under its cool shade.
- Trap: CBSE claims the Khejadi tree requires heavy irrigation. Correct: It thrives in arid desert conditions with very little water.
- Trap: CBSE claims Khejadi wood is easily infested by insects. Correct: Khejadi wood is naturally immune to insect and termite damage.
- Trap: CBSE claims Khejadli village is in Gujarat or Haryana. Correct: Khejadli village is near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
NCERT Core Facts: Bishnoi Movement & Khejadi Tree Characteristics
Class 4 Chapter 4 narrates the inspiring historical event of Amrita Devi Bishnoi and details the botanical and environmental properties of Rajasthan's state tree, the Khejadi.
1. The Historical Khejadli Movement
- Location: Khejadli village, situated near Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.
- Origin of Name: Named after the abundant Khejadi trees (Prosopis cineraria) thriving in the arid desert soil.
- The Bishnoi Culture:
- Followers of Guru Jambheshwar, known as Bishnois, maintain strict spiritual rules protecting wild trees and animals (chinkara, blackbuck, peafowl).
- Elders taught children: "Agar ped hain to hum hain" (Trees and animals can survive without us, but we cannot survive without them).
- The Sacrifice:
- Around 300 years ago, the local Maharaja ordered royal soldiers to fell Khejadi trees for wood to burn lime in the royal palace kilns.
- Amrita Devi and her three young daughters hugged the trees (Chipko precursor). Over 300 villagers laid down their lives protecting the grove.
- Stunned by their bravery, the King issued a royal decree banning the felling of trees and hunting of animals in the Bishnoi region.
2. Botanical & Ecological Traits of Khejadi Tree
| Trait | Official NCERT Specification |
|---|---|
| Water Requirement | Extremely low; thrives naturally in dry desert climates. |
| Bark Uses | Harvested by locals and used as traditional herbal medicine. |
| Edible Fruit | Produces long seed pods (Sangri) that are harvested, dried, and cooked as a delicacy. |
| Wood Quality | Exceptionally dense and hard; insects and termites do NOT damage its wood. |
| Fodder & Shade | Leaves provide nutritious fodder for desert animals; wide canopy provides cool shade for children to play. |
3. High-Yield CTET Distractor Elimination Table
| CBSE Claim | Reality Check |
|---|---|
| "Khejadi tree needs large amounts of water" | False: Desert tree adapted to minimal rainfall. |
| "Insects readily attack Khejadi timber" | False: Its wood is insect-resistant. |
| "Village is situated in Alwar" | False: Khejadli is near Jodhpur. |
Test Your Mastery: The Story of Amrita
Authentic CBSE exam questions tested directly from this NCERT chapter.
Which of the following statements about the 'Khejadi' tree is NOT correct?
'खेजड़ी' वृक्ष के बारे में निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा कथन सही नहीं है?
In which state of India is 'Khejadli' village situated?
'खेजड़ली' गाँव भारत के किस राज्य में स्थित है?
The people of Khejadli village who sacrificed their lives to protect trees belong to which community?
खेजड़ली गाँव के लोग जिन्होंने पेड़ों की रक्षा के लिए अपने प्राणों की आहुति दी, वे किस समुदाय से संबंधित हैं?
Where is Khejadli village located?
Near Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
What are the characteristics of the Khejadi tree?
It requires minimal water, its bark serves as medicine, its fruit (Sangri) is edible, its wood is insect-resistant, and its leaves feed local animals.
Who are the Bishnois?
A community in Rajasthan dedicated to protecting wildlife and trees, famous for sacrificing lives to prevent deforestation.