Behold …. The National Bird!

A1. National Symbols

Discuss with your partner and find out the following. Discuss what you know about them:

National bird = National animal = National flower = National game = National emblem =

A2. Now read the following text to complete the table of information.

Gods How peafowl is related to them.ShivaKrishnaSitaGautam Buddha

A3. CompleteRead Part 1 and choose the correct alternative to complete the following sentences.

1. The peafowl is considered a ___________ creature in Indian Mythology.a. Lucky b. unlucky c. divine d. troublesome

2. Ramayana stresses the birth of Sita from ______a. an ostrich egg b. a pea hen egg c. a hen’s egg d. snake’s egg

3. The first Mughal emperor _____ described the peacock as ‘a beautifully coloured and splendid bird. a. Akbar b. Jahangir c. Babur d. Shahjahan

4. _______ reared peacocks in their palace gardensa. The Mauryas and the Guptasb. Mughals c. the Aryans d. the Marathas

5. According to ______, Gautam Buddha was a golden peacock in his previous life.a. Panchtantra tale b. The Ramayanac. Jataka folk tale d. Aesop’s fable

Behold -------- the National Bird.Part I

The peafowl is considered a divine creature in Indian mythology, especially as the vahana of Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and army commander of all the gods. It is also said that at one time when the gods took the form of various bids, Devraj Indra chose the finest form, that of a peacock and ever since, whenever Indra brings rain on earth, all the peacocks dance in joy and merriment; a sight of behold, meant for the gods! Lord Krishna’s association with the peafowl is legendary: peacock feathers have always adorned his headgear, popularly known as the mormukut, and it is said that Krishna danced like a peacock to court his beloved Radha and when he played his mellifluous flute, the peacocks danced in unison with the gopis. Even now, temples dedicated to Krishna display peacocks prominently on the entrance gates.

The famous epic Ramayana has many references to these birds and folklore traces the birth of Sita from a peahen egg. Likewise, one Buddhist Jataka folktale, called the Maha-mar, relates how Gautam Buddha was a golden peacock prior to his birth as a human being. In Buddhist mythology, the peacock is a symbol of compassion and watchfulness. Buddhist and Jain legends and folklore contain numerous references to the role and importance of the peafowl.

As for recorded Indian history, the earliest finds relate to the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to about five thousand years. Excavations at Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, and some other sites have produced evidence of the pre-eminent position accorded to the bird by the people in those days. One popular belief held that the human soul travels to its heavenly abode with the help of a peacock and in its form.

Subsequently, throughout India’s history, the peafowl has received state recognition, one way or the other. The Mauryas and Guptas conferred special status to the species and even reared these birds in their palace gardens. In fact, Emperor Ashok in the second century BC forbade the killing of peafowl for the table and some of his stone edicts displayed the peacock prominently; the famous Sanchi Stupa also carries images of the peacock. The Guptas in the fifth century AD issued several coins depicting the peacock, which also was a favourite subject of art and architecture of that period.

The medieval Muslim rulers continued to acknowledge the pre-dominance of the peafowl in the life of the Indian populace. The Tughlak kings, fascinated by the peafowl feather, adopted its design for the state emblem and prescribed its use in various ways, including as headgear for soldiers. Moreover, peacock feather fans were used regularly in the imperial Mughal courtrooms.

Babur, the first Mughal Emperor himself described the peacock as ‘a beautifully coloured and splendid bird; its form is not equal to its colouring and beauty’. However, it was Shah Jahan, who paid the greatest tribute to the bird, when he got the bejeweled Peacock Throne made soon after assuming power.

In recorded Indian history, the earliest findings relate to the Indus Valley Civilization dating back to about five thousand years. Excavation at Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and some other sites have produced evidence of the pre-eminent position accorded to the peacock by the people in those days.

Glossary:Mellifluous: MusicalAccorded: givenPopulace: ordinary peopleBejewelled: decorated with jewels

For centuries, the Indian peafowl – or pavo-cristatus as it is scientifically know – has held a prominent place in Indian art, culture and tradition. Here are a few more points that will help you know our national bird better. A4. Now read Part I and after discussing with your partner answer the following questions:

1. What does peacock dance signify?2. In what way did Emperor Ashok honour the peacock?3. Who issued coins depicting peacock?4. List down the recognitions that the peafowl has received throughout India’s

history.5. Why did people of Indus Valley civilization accord a pre-eminent position to

peacocks?6. What importance did peafowl enjoy during the Mughal period?

7. Describe Lord Krishna’s association with peacock.8. What is it that you like about a peacock?9. Have you ever seen a peacock dancing? What was your feeling then?10.Why do you think is a peafowl considered a divine creature?

A5. VocabularyLook at the following words: pre-dominance, pre-eminent, prescribed.Which of these do you think are formed by using ‘pre’ as a prefix and which is a root word. Refer to a dictionary and find five more words that are formed using pre- as a prefix.

A6. Names of PeacockGlance through the text again and find out the different names used for a peacock. You may add some more that you know which are not in the text.What is it known as in other languages as to Marathi, Hindi …?

A7. WordsWork in pairs and fill in the blanks with appropriate words given below:[excavation, splendid, divine, adorned, compassion]

1. We must have ----- for the poor.2. Archeologists found many stone tools at the site of ------- 3. Showing mercy is a ------ quality. 4. The walls were ---- with paintings.5. The students had ----- time on the excursion.

A8. Find one wordRead the following and find one word for it form Part I.

1. Sounding sweet and very pleasant to listen to =2. Ancient stories of a particular culture and society=3. Very famous and talked about a lot by people =4. Connected with an empire =5. To give somebody an award or a particular honour =

A9. Read and find outRead Part I again and complete the following table.

Name of kings / emperors/famous personalities Association with a peacock

A10. True or FalseRead Part II and state whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Alexander took many peafowls back with him to Macedonia.2. Peacock was the favourite bird of Zeus.3. Peacock was considered a symbol of beauty and dignity and was the emblem

of the Chang rulers.4. Peacock is rightly called the National Bird of India.5. According to St. Augustine, peacock symbolizes immortality of the soul.

Part IIFascination for the Indian peafowl spread to other parts of the world several

centuries ago. These birds were spotted in the palace gardens of the Egyptian pharaohs, the Roman emperors, and even the legendry King Solomon, whose throne had attractive peacock images. When Alexander invaded India in the third century BC, he took back with him to Macedonia several Indian peafowls. There is an interesting Greek myth about the origin of the peacock’s colourful tail feathers. According to the myth, peacock was the favourite bird of Hera, wife of the mythical hero Zeus, and she is responsible for placing on the peacock tail, the eyes of the hundred-eyed giant Argos, when the latter was slain in a battle.

In early Christian art, two peacocks facing each other represented the souls of the faithful drinking from the Fountain of Life and a Christian belief, ascribed to St. Augustine, holds that the peacock symbolized immortality of the soul since its flesh did not decay. Even in China, the peacock was considered a symbol of beauty, dignity and rank and was made the emblem of the Ming rulers.

The peafowl holds a place of prominence in Indian art, architecture, sculpture, painting, metal-work, glasswork, jewellery, ornaments, handicrafts, handloom, textile, literature, music, folklore, and the traditions like no other bird or animal. There are examples aplenty to show that humankind, over ages, has been greatly fascinated and inspired by this gorgeous bird to give expression to highest levels of creativity in multifarious ways and forms.

It is this remarkable attribute of ‘adding value’ that makes the Indian peafowl very special. Besides, this is one bird known in every household throughout India. Perhaps because Indian literature in virtually all languages and

dialects, staring from Sanskrit, is replete with reference to the peafowl, particularly the peacock, in unparalleled terms.

It is noteworthy that even the English language has not escaped its sweep and impact. Expressions such as ‘peacockish’ and ‘proud as a peacock’ are often used. Colours are referred to as ‘peacock blue’ and ‘peacock green’, birds, ‘peacock bittern’, peacock heron’ and ‘peacock pheasant’, flowers are called ‘peacock flower’ and ‘peacock iris’, a ‘peacock butterfly’, a ‘peacock beetle’, a ‘peacock moth’, and even a kind of ‘peacock ore’ and a type of ‘peacock coal’. The well-known ‘peacock dance’, essentially a courtship display, also signifies the role of a dependable weatherman, heralding the onset of the monsoon from year to year and endearing the bird for obvious reasons.

Another remarkable attribute of the Indian peafowl is its amazing adaptability. It belongs to the pheasant family, of which there are 17 species in India, which means one-third of the world’s total number of 50 pheasant species. All of them are essentially jungle and mountain birds. While the Indian peafowl prefers scrub forest for its habitat and is distributed widely through the country. It is the only pheasant species that is able to adjust easily to human beings and is at home near habitations and even in urban areas. This is another factor that has facilitated its long and intimate association with the people in India.

For sheer attractiveness, adorning ability, and adaptability, the Indian peafowl is clearly unsurpassable and incomparable. No other bird can claim such triple ‘A’ ranking. Regal and resplendent, yet common and plebian. It stands in a class of its own, a true symbol of India in all its beauty and colorful splendour. It is rightly the National Bird of India!

It is an endemic Indian species Helps in maintaining balance in nature Enjoys full legal protection.

Under the wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, hunting, killing, poisoning, or trapping is punishable with imprisonment (minimum 3 years) along with a fine of at least 10,000 rupees.Sources: World Pheasant Association, India.

Glossary:Pharaohs: ancient Egyptian KingsSlain: killed

Multifarious: having great varietyReplete: fullSweep: extent coveredScrub: area of land covered with small bushes and treesResplendent: brilliant with colour or decorations.

A11. Now, read Part II and after discussing with your partner answer the following questions:

1. In which century did Alexander invade India?2. How many species of peacocks are found in India?3. How is Christian art influenced by a peacock?4. What is the influence of a peacock on English language?5. What is the Greek myth about the origin of peacock’s colourful tail?6. What does the well-known peacock dance signify?7. Why do you think is peacock rightly called ‘national bird of India’?8. How does a peacock display its amazing adaptability?

A12. True or False:State whether the following statements are true or false:

1. Peacock has Importance only in Indian mythology.2. One can travel to heaven with the help of peacock.3. Peacock has been a favourite to artists all through the ages4. Babur had inherited a bejeweled peacock throne

A13. Evidences:Discuss the following statements and justify them with evidence from the text. Share your responses with the class.

1. The peafowl is considered a divine creature in Indian mythology.2. Throughout India’s history, the peafowl has received state recognition.3. Many beliefs have been attached to peafowl.4. Another remarkable attribute of the Indian peafowl is its amazing

adaptability.

A14. Cross word puzzleWork in pairs and solve the following cross word puzzle.

Outline /figures for cross words.

Across2. connected with ordinary people4. grand and impressive beauty6. royal and majestic

Down1. things made using skills of sewing and weaving 3. beautiful and attractive5. design or picture that represents the country or an organisation

A15. Bird – watching Fill in the following chart by observing a peacock or a photo of a peacock.

Particulars ObservationSizeCrestBeakHeadBodyTail/feathersEggClawsEyeSoundGaitNestAny other feature

Web-siteVisit the website www.peafowl.org to get more information about peacocks.

Visit nearby area and make n observation of any bird and fill in the similar table. Share your experience and observation with the class. Get a photo or draw a picture of the bird. Have an exhibition.

A16. Book marksPrepare book marks carrying messages to stop cruelty against animals/birds as per the Wild Life act 1972. You can use your imagination, beautify your book marks

with pictures of your favourite animals or birds and carry a strong message to put an end to cruelty against the animals / birds.

Treat Animals humanly!

Stop being beastly to the beasts

Say no to the products made from animals or birds.

…….. …..

A17. Visit Morachi ChincholiA place near Pune, famous for Agro-tourism and hundreds of peacocks.

Visit the web. Collect more information to visit the remarkable place.

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