Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about A Rose For The Princess from Class 6 English_FL. Please note that this is Chapter 9, Unit 9 in your textbook. Before we begin reading the play, let us complete the pre-reading task together. This activity helps us activate our prior knowledge and connect to the theme of disguise. I will ask you three questions. Pause your audio and think about your answers before I share them. First, where did the king and the minister go one night? If you thought they went out into the streets of the capital city, you are correct. Second, how were they dressed? They were dressed in disguise. Third, what did they want to find out? They wanted to see the real condition of their subjects. This theme of disguise is central to our play, as characters hide their true identities to experience the world differently.
Now, let us move to the Listening and Speaking activity. In your classroom, your teacher will read a short passage aloud. Your task is to listen carefully and answer the questions. The prompt is: Once, a king and his minister went out one night into the streets of the capital city, in disguise. Now, you imagine and tell me why they did this, how they were dressed, and what they wanted to find out. To practice this, close your eyes and picture the scene. When you speak your answer, use complete sentences. For example, you might say: They went out in disguise to observe their people without being recognized. They wore simple, common clothes to blend in with the crowd. They wanted to find out how ordinary citizens lived and what their real problems were. This exercise trains your imagination and helps you connect the pre-reading theme to our main text.
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Now, let us open our textbook to the play itself. As per our learning rules, we will first listen to the exact text of the play read aloud, and then we will explore its meaning together. I will read Scene One for you now.
Scene One. The Emperor Shah Jahan’s garden. Maqbool is tending the roses. MAQBOOL: (touches each rose lovingly, calling each by name) Gulbadan, Badal, Dilruba, Ghata, ........... (stops as he comes to a pink one) And what shall I call you? (pause) Ah! You remind me of the pink of the dawn sky. Subah is what I’ll call you. It’s perfect for you. Subah ........Subah........ (He lines the basket near him with green leaves, cuts the pink rose and lays it gently in the basket. He picks it up and turns to go when the maid Dilruba walks in with tinkling anklets.) DILRUBA: Maqbool mia! What have you got there? A rose for Princess Jahanara? (Maqbool nods) And what have you named it? The princess would want to know. MAQBOOL: Subah. The pink of the dawn sky. DILRUBA: That’s a lovely name! (she takes the basket from Maqbool and leaves) MAQBOOL: Oh! One moment please! (the maid stops and turns) May I ask you something? DILRUBA: Yes, what is it, Maqbool mia? (silence) Come on, you can ask me anything. (whispers) I won’t tell a soul. (mischievously) Except the princess, of course. MAQBOOL: What! DILRUBA: No, no! I was just pulling your leg! Would I do anything as stupid? MAQBOOL: That seems more likely. DILRUBA: All right. You’ve had your revenge. Now ask away. MAQBOOL: (pause) What does the princess look like? (pause) I mean, if I could see her just once, I would name a rose for her. DILRUBA: You just named it! MAQBOOL: What? DILRUBA: Subah! (laughs) You want to know what the princess looks like, don’t you? Well, she is as beautiful, as delicate, as..... fresh as this rose. MAQBOOL: (Serious) May be I should name this one after her. DILRUBA: No! Subah is fine. (with a glint in her eyes) May be I’ll tell the princess to change her name to Subah. (Maqbool turns away not pleased with her brand of humour) DILRUBA: I’m sorry, Maqbool mia. I’m not poking fun at you. It’s just that I’m in a very .... happy mood today. (silence as Maqbool returns to his work) Tell me about your family. I haven’t ever seen your wife or family around. MAQBOOL: My wife died long ago. My sons are in the Emperor’s army and are away with their families in the Deccan. And now, (pointing to the roses) these are my only family. DILRUBA: You must love them so. MAQBOOL: More than my own life. DILRUBA: You know, I am one of your family too. Wait here. I will be back in a minute. Exits and re-enters with a silk cloth on her arm. DILRUBA: The princess was very pleased, Maqbool mia, And she has sent some silk for a jacket for you. MAQBOOL: Her highness is too kind. (takes the cloth from her and as she turns to leave) One moment. You said you were one of my family too. What did you mean? DILRUBA: I am a rose too. MAQBOOL: Huh? DILRUBA: My name is Dilruba. Exits with the tinkling of anklets mingling with her laughter.
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Now let us understand what we just heard in Scene One. The playwright introduces us to the Emperor Shah Jahan’s garden. Maqbool is a gardener, and notice how the stage directions tell us he is tending the roses. He touches each rose lovingly and calls them by names like Gulbadan, Badal, Dilruba, and Ghata. When he finds a beautiful pink rose, he pauses and names it Subah, meaning dawn, because it reminds him of the dawn sky. This moment teaches us about Maqbool’s poetic soul and his deep emotional bond with nature. A maid named Dilruba enters with the sound of tinkling anklets. She asks if the rose is for Princess Jahanara. Maqbool nods. When she asks its name, he says Subah. As she leaves, Maqbool stops her to ask a question. Dilruba playfully teases him, saying she will tell everyone except the princess. Maqbool gets worried, but she laughs and says she was just pulling his leg. This dialogue shows her mischievous but friendly nature. Maqbool finally asks what the princess looks like. Dilruba cleverly replies that he already named it Subah, and describes the princess as beautiful, delicate, and fresh like that rose. Maqbool is serious, but Dilruba jokes about changing the princess's name to Subah. Maqbool turns away, not liking her humour. Dilruba apologises and asks about his family. Maqbool shares a sad truth: his wife died long ago, his sons are away in the army, and his roses are his only family now. He loves them more than his own life. Moved by his words, Dilruba says she is part of his family too. She leaves and returns with a silk cloth, a gift from the pleased princess. When Maqbool asks what she meant by being family, she reveals her name is Dilruba, just like one of his roses! She exits laughing. This scene establishes Maqbool's loneliness and his devotion to his work.
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Now, let us listen to the exact text of Scene Two.
The Emperor’s garden. Maqbool is digging up a flower bed. (sound of anklets) Maqbool looks up to find another maid standing in front of him. She tells him that she is a maid of Princess Jahanara. PANNA: The princess says that when you name them you show a poet’s touch. MAQBOOL: You work for her? PANNA: Yes, Maqbool Bhai (silently watches him work, hums a snatch of a song) Maqbool finishes his digging, sits down with a basket of golden marigolds and begins stringing a garland. PANNA: You’re going to send a garland to the princess? MAQBOOL: Every first Tuesday of the month I take a garland to the Hanumanji mandir and sometimes to Sheikh Chishti's dargah. PANNA: Where are you taking this one? MAQBOOL: Today is the first Tuesday of the month. PANNA: (pause) Can I come with you? (Maqbool looks up at her) Please, I haven't been out of the Qila for a long time. MAQBOOL: All right, but don't expect me to buy you anything in the bazaar. Women see bangles or attar and they must have them. I have no money to waste. PANNA: No, no, I promise. MAQBOOL: Let’s go then. But first cover your face properly with your chunari, child. (pause) What’s your name? (puts the garland in the basket) PANNA: (pause) Panna. Scene Two. The bustling streets of Agra. There is a Hanuman mandir on the left, a masjid on the right and a number of shops. Panna, accompanied by Maqbool, is looking around in wonder and delight. There are people walking about everywhere. PANNA: Isn’t this all so wonderfully colourful, crowded and noisy? MAQBOOL: Haven’t you come here before? PANNA: I have, but then the roads were emptied for us. MAQBOOL: Emptied? PANNA: I mean I’ve been here with Princess Jahanara. They go towards the idol of Hanuman in the mandir. The priest comes to them. MAQBOOL: Sorry, we’re late! This girl walks slowly and stops everywhere. Just now I had to pull her away from a dancing bear. Panna takes the garland from Maqbool and places it at the feet of the idol. She reaches up and rings all the bells and then bends down low to do pranam. The priest gives them prasad and she immediately pops some into her mouth. PANNA: These sweets are delicious! Are you in a hurry, Maqbool bhai ? Or can we walk around a bit? I promise not to tire you. MAQBOOL: (resigned) Let us go. The two stroll through the bazaar. Panna isn’t interested in all the glittering jewellery and silk. Instead she sits and listens to a man singing on the masjid steps and then stands giggling at a funny magician. She buys roasted chana and sweet potatoes from a street vendor, sharing everything with Maqbool. She stands wide-eyed looking up at the sky. PANNA: Oh look! A kite! Isn’t it lovely? And camels over there! It’s such fun! And so beautiful. MAQBOOL: Naturally, Agra is a great city. Do you know that our Emperor is planning many new buildings inside the fort, all marble and inlay work? PANNA: I’ve heard. MAQBOOL: You won’t understand, you’re just a stupid girl after all. (Panna laughs, delighted at the insult. Suddenly soldiers enter with their swords. The army commander is there too, yelling at everyone.) MAQBOOL: (whispers to someone) What’s the matter? Soldier: (whispers back) Princess Jahanara is missing! They think she’s been kidnapped! PANNA: Allah! I’m in trouble! (she walks up to the Commander and lifts her veil) Stop! I’m back! ( The commander and the soldiers bow deeply to Panna.) Commander: Your Highness, where have you been? MAQBOOL: Your Highness? (He puts a hand to his head as if to stop it from reeling.) Are you.... Are you..... Are you Princess Jahanara..... your Highness? JAHANARA: I went to see the city. I was quite safe with Maqbool bhai. Commander: Arrest him! He abducted the princess! ( Two hefty soldiers grip Maqbool’s arms.) JAHANARA: Stop ! Let him go immediately! Commander: But.... your Highness? JAHANARA: No buts! Do as I say ! You will not trouble him. He did not know I'm Jahanara and it was I who requested him to take me to the city. (to Maqbool softly) Go back to your gardens, Maqbool bhai, and thank you. Because of you I have had one of the most enjoyable days of my life. ( Maqbool exits, dazed, as the others look on.)
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Now let us understand Scene Two. The scene shifts to the garden again. Maqbool is digging when another maid, Panna, appears. She says the princess praised his poet's touch in naming roses. Maqbool is making a marigold garland for the first Tuesday of the month, which he takes to the Hanuman mandir or Sheikh Chishti's dargah. Panna asks to join him, saying she has not been out of the Qila for a long time. Maqbool agrees but sets a clear condition: she must not expect him to buy her bangles or attar, as he has no money to waste. Panna promises. He tells her to cover her face with her chunari and asks her name. She says Panna. They head to the bustling streets of Agra. Panna is amazed by the colour, crowds, and noise. When Maqbool asks if she has been here before, she says yes, but the roads were emptied for them. Pay close attention to this line. It is a crucial clue about her royal identity. At the mandir, Maqbool jokes about her being slow and distracted by a dancing bear. Panna places the garland, rings the bells, does pranam, and enjoys the prasad. They stroll through the bazaar. Panna ignores expensive jewellery. Instead, she listens to a singer, giggles at a magician, and shares roasted chana and sweet potatoes with Maqbool. She is fascinated by a kite and camels. Maqbool proudly mentions the Emperor's new marble buildings with inlay work, but then calls her a stupid girl. Panna laughs, showing her genuine joy and lack of pride. Suddenly, soldiers arrive with swords. The commander is yelling. A soldier whispers that Princess Jahanara is missing and might be kidnapped. Panna realises she is in trouble. She steps forward, lifts her veil, and reveals herself. The commander and soldiers bow deeply. Maqbool is completely shocked. He stammers, asking if she is really the princess. Jahanara explains she went to see the city and was safe with him. The commander, misunderstanding the situation, orders Maqbool's arrest for abduction. Jahanara firmly stops him. She explains Maqbool did not know who she was, and she asked him to take her out. She thanks Maqbool softly, saying he gave her one of the most enjoyable days of her life. Maqbool leaves, dazed and confused.
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Now, let us listen to the exact text of Scene Three.
Scene Three. The Emperor's garden. Maqbool is sitting in one corner despondently. He does not even care to look at his favourite rose plants. Suddenly there is a tinkling of anklets. Maqbool looks up and scrambles to his feet. It is the Princess and the maid Dilruba. JAHANARA: What’s the matter, Maqbool bhai? You’re crying. You’re not happy to see me? MAQBOOL: Huzoor Sahiba! How can I not be happy? I’m just bemoaning my fate. DILRUBA: Why, Maqbool bhai, what has fate done to upset you so much? MAQBOOL: I have to leave this place soon. JAHANARA: What! But why? You love this place! And what will these roses do without you? (Maqbool breaks down). DILRUBA: Maqbool bhai, please! Tell us what happened. MAQBOOL: (amid sobs) The commander wants me to leave for Sikandra immediately. I’ve been punished because of yesterday’s incident and sent off to work at Akbar Badshah’s tomb at Sikandra. Who will look after my roses now? Silence JAHANARA: Don’t worry. I’ll arrange something. (pause) Aren’t you going to give me a parting gift? MAQBOOL: (looks at her, devastated) Certainly, Huzoor Sahiba (He goes to the plants, searches for a rose and picks it. He offers it to her.) This is my last gift to you, Huzoor Sahiba. JAHANARA: (accepting it) It’s beautiful! DILRUBA: Yes. Even more beautiful than Subah. ( Maqbool smiles for the first time.) JAHANARA: As a reward, I'm giving you. DILRUBA: Shall I go fetch one of those gold chains you had set aside for gifts? JAHANARA: No! Maqbool bhai doesn’t need gold. (Maqbool’s face falls) He deserves something far better....... the rose gardens of the Qila to tend for the rest of his life. MAQBOOL: Huzoor! JAHANARA: And if that commander troubles you again, tell him to come to me first. MAQBOOL: A thousand thanks, Huzoor Sahiba! I’ll create the best roses in the kingdom for you. JAHANARA: Yes, but before that, Maqbool bhai, I have a request for you. MAQBOOL: Anything. JAHANARA: Next time you go to the mandir, send me the prasad. It was delicious! (Maqbool and Dilruba laugh) By the way, what is the name of this rose? MAQBOOL: Shehzaadi Jahanara.
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Now let us understand Scene Three. Maqbool sits despondently in the garden, ignoring his beloved roses. He hears anklets and scrambles to his feet. It is Princess Jahanara and Dilruba. Jahanara asks why he is crying. Maqbool calls her Huzoor Sahiba and says he is bemoaning his fate. He must leave for Sikandra immediately as punishment for the previous day's incident. He will work at Akbar Badshah’s tomb. He sobs, deeply worried about who will look after his roses. Jahanara reassures him. She asks for a parting gift. Maqbool, devastated, picks a rose and offers it. Jahanara calls it beautiful. Dilruba says it is even more beautiful than Subah. Maqbool smiles. Jahanara announces his reward. Dilruba suggests a gold chain, but Jahanara says no. She declares that he deserves the rose gardens of the Qila to tend for the rest of his life. Maqbool is overjoyed. Jahanara adds that if the commander troubles him, he should send him to her first. Maqbool thanks her and promises to grow the best roses. Jahanara then makes a simple, heartfelt request: next time he goes to the mandir, please send her the prasad, because it was delicious. Maqbool and Dilruba laugh. Jahanara asks the name of this new rose. Maqbool proudly says, Shehzaadi Jahanara. Jahanara and Dilruba exit. Maqbool stands looking at the rose in his hand, his life and purpose completely restored by kindness and understanding. This ending beautifully ties together the themes of humility, royal grace, and the simple joys of life.
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Let us now review the glossary to build your vocabulary. Gulbadan means beautiful and delicate like a flower. Badal means cloud. Dilruba means one whom the heart likes. Subah means dawn. The phrase won’t tell a soul means will not tell anyone. Brand of humour means sense of fun. Attar means perfume. Prasad means sweets and fruits offered in worship to God and later distributed to devotees. Inlay work refers to carved designs of stone set into another stone, like on the Taj Mahal. Reeling means spinning. Abducted means kidnapped. Despondently means sadly. Scrambles to his feet means stands up hurriedly. Bemoaning means feeling very sorry because of something. Devastated means shattered. Huzoor Sahiba means Respected Madam. Keep these meanings in mind as they will help you understand the dialogue better.
Let us now work through the comprehension questions together. I will guide you on how to locate and formulate your answers. Question one asks for answers in a word or a sentence. For part a, Whom was the rose a gift for? Look at the opening of Scene one. The rose was a gift for Princess Jahanara. For part b, Why does the princess gift silk to Maqbool? Refer to the end of Scene one. She gifts him silk because she was pleased with his poetic touch in naming the roses. For part c, What is the reward Maqbool receives from the princess for taking her out? Scan Scene three. He receives the right to tend the rose gardens of the Qila for the rest of his life. For part d, What is the request that the princess makes to Maqbool? Read the final lines of the play. She requests him to send her the prasad next time he visits the mandir.
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Question two requires two to three sentences each. Let us think through part a: Dilruba tells Maqbool she belongs to his family. Why? She says this because her name is Dilruba, which matches the name of one of his roses. She playfully connects herself to his beloved flowers to show she is part of his world. For part b: What condition does Maqbool lay down before taking Panna out? He tells her not to expect him to buy her anything like bangles or attar in the bazaar, as he has no money to waste. For part c: Explain Panna's statement about emptied roads and the actual reason. She explains that when she visited before with the princess, the roads were cleared for royal processions. The actual reason is that she is Princess Jahanara herself, travelling in disguise. For part d: What punishment does the Commander give Maqbool and why? The Commander orders him to leave for Sikandra to work at Akbar Badshah’s tomb. He does this because he wrongly believes Maqbool abducted the missing princess. For part e: Why does the princess say she had one of the most enjoyable days? She says this because, for the first time, she experienced the vibrant, real life of the city. She enjoyed simple street food, music, and magic, which were hidden from her in the palace. Maqbool's honest company made it special. For part f: Describe Maqbool’s devotion to the garden. Maqbool is deeply devoted to his roses. He names them lovingly, treats them as his only family, and cares for them more than his own life. His greatest worry when transferred is who will look after them.
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Question three asks you to use phrases in your own sentences. Let us practice constructing them. I won’t tell a soul about the surprise party. The detective looked at the clue with a glint in her eyes. The student scrambles to his feet when the teacher enters. Her brand of humour always makes everyone laugh. Question four is a matching exercise. Let us connect the words to their correct meanings. Tended matches with took care of. Dazed matches with lost in thoughts. Scrambled matches with moved quickly. Devastated matches with extremely shocked or sad. Abducted matches with took away forcibly.
Question five focuses on changing direct speech to indirect speech. When we report what someone said, we change pronouns, shift the tense one step back into the past, and adjust time words. For example, stay becomes stayed, am becomes was, and will becomes would. Let us convert Radha's statements carefully. Radha asked me to stay with her when I went to Bengaluru. She said that she was living in Bengaluru then. She said that her father was not very well. She said that her brother and Sita were getting married. She said that she had seen Latha in a party. She said that she had not seen Mahesh recently. She said that she was enjoying her job. She said that she had bought a new car the previous month. She said that she would tell Sita she had met me. Notice how the tenses shifted from present to past, and future to conditional.
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Finally, let us tackle the writing task. You must write a message for your sister about a telephone call. A message should be brief, clear, and under fifty words. It must be placed in a box. Here is how you structure it: start with the date and time, address the person, state the key information clearly, sign your name, and keep it concise. Based on the prompt, here is a model answer. Dear Deepthi, Abhinav called. Mrs. Srinivasan will take the maths class tomorrow at nine in the morning. Please bring your complete project for submission. The class may continue until twelve noon. From, Pranav. This message captures all key details concisely and stays within the word limit.
We have now explored every scene, learned the vocabulary, and practiced all the exercises from this beautiful play. Remember, true beauty lies in simplicity, kindness, and understanding, just like Maqbool's roses and the princess's journey. Keep reading, keep practicing your writing, and always look for the poetry in everyday life. Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]