A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary and Explanation
PSEB Class 10 English Poem 3 A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary, Explanation along with Difficult Word Meanings and Poetic Devices from English Main Course Book
A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary – Are you looking for the summary, theme and Lesson explanation for Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 10 English Poem 3 – A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh from English Main Course Book. Get Lesson summary, theme, explanation along with difficult word meanings
PSEB Class 10 English Main Course Book Poem 3 – A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh
By Sir Henry
“A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh” is a powerful narrative poem by Sir Henry Newbolt that tells the story of an Indian Maharaja who went against the rigid caste system to honor his fallen British soldier friend. Set in Jodhpore (modern day Jodhpur) during British rule, the poem celebrates the universal brotherhood among soldiers and challenges social prejudices. Through the character of Pertab Singh, Newbolt demonstrates that true nobility lies not in birth or caste, but in one’s actions and character. The poem is a bold statement against caste discrimination and asserts that courage, honor, and friendship transcend all artificial social boundaries.
- A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary
- A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary in Hindi
- A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Theme
- A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Explanation
Related:
A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Summary
The poem tells the true story of how Maharaja Pertab Singh of Jodhpur went against the caste system to honor his friendship with an English soldier.
The poem opens in the first year of King Edward VII’s reign (1901), when a young English soldier came to visit the Rose-red House (the palace) of Pertab Singh in Jodhpur. This young Englishman was “a soldier, hilt and heel” (a complete, thorough soldier), and he immediately struck fire in Pertab’s heart – they felt an instant connection and mutual respect.
The two men rode together morning and evening and as they rode, they discovered the kind soul within the other. They felt that “all good wars are one”, all soldiers fighting for noble causes are united. They shared stories of women they loved and tales from East and West, but ultimately their blood sang that “of all their loves, they loved a soldier best” , the deepest love was the brotherhood between soldiers.
They enjoyed each other’s company during the allotted days of the visit. But tragically, at the last day’s end, death came to Pertab’s English friend. The young soldier died suddenly and unexpectedly.
When morning came, they placed the soldier’s face in a narrow chest (coffin) and shut down the narrow lid over his “fast-dreaming eyes” (eyes that had permanently left earthly reality for death’s eternal dream).
Then a problem arose: there were only three people of the English soldier’s race and Christian creed in all of Jodhpore, not enough to serve as the traditional four pallbearers to carry the coffin. According to strict caste rules, high-caste people like Pertab Singh (a Rajput prince) could not touch a foreign corpse without becoming ritually polluted and losing their caste.
Someone suggested to the Maharaja: “Send us a sweeper here; a Sweeper has no caste to lose even by an alien bier.” Sweepers were the lowest caste, considered “untouchable,” who could handle ritually impure tasks without losing social status since they had none to lose.
But Pertab Singh rejected this solution completely. He bowed his princely head and declared: “What need, what need? I have no caste, for I myself am bearing forth the dead.” He would personally serve as the fourth pallbearer.
Someone warned him that his caste would be permanently lost – there was no way to regain it once polluted by touching a foreign corpse. This was social death.But Pertab Singh responded with conviction: Only God could judge what he was truly losing, and he absolutely refused to let anyone else carry his beloved friend. Friendship mattered more than social status.
So, stately and slow and shoulder-high, in full view of all Jodhpore, the dead soldier went down the rose-red palace steps upheld by four bearers, three Englishmen and one Indian prince, Pertab Singh.
The next morning, when dawn relit “the lamp of grief” in the burning East (as the sun rose), “a soft word of a priest” came to Pertab Singh. The Brahmin priests (highest caste, religious authorities) came to see him.
Pertab woke and went forth dressed all in white (perhaps mourning clothes or ritual purity clothing), and saw the Brahmins bowing before him in the hard morning light.
The priests said mournfully: “Alas! O Maharaj, alas! O noble Pertab Singh! For here in Jodhpore yesterday befell a fearful thing.” They repeated dramatically: “O here in Jodhpore yesterday a fearful thing befell.”
Pertab Singh agreed: “A fearful thing. God and my heart know well, I lost a friend.” He interpreted “fearful thing” as the death of his dear friend.
But the priests clarified: “More fearful yet! When down these steps you passed in sight of all Jodhpore you lost, O Maharaj, your caste.” They considered losing caste more terrible than losing a friend.
At this, “the light leapt in Pertab’s eyes as the flame leaps in smoke” , anger and passion flashed in his expression. He responded fiercely to the priest: “Thou priest! thy soul hath never known the word thy lips have spoke.” The priest spoke of “caste” but had no understanding of what true caste really means.
Then Pertab Singh delivered his magnificent declaration: “My caste! Know you there is a caste above my caste or thine, Brahmin and Rajput are but dust, to that immortal line.” Both the Brahmin’s priestly caste and Pertab’s royal Rajput caste are merely dust, nothing, compared to that immortal line of true nobility.
He concludes with the poem’s powerful message: The true caste, the highest caste, is universal brotherhood, the caste of all noble-hearted people united by honor, courage, and righteousness. This soldier’s faith in loyalty, duty, and brotherhood transcends all artificial social divisions.
Summary of the Poem A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh in Hindi
सर हेनरी न्यूबोल्ट की “ए बैलेड ऑफ सर पर्टाब सिंह” महाराजा पर्टाब सिंह की सच्ची कहानी बताती है कि कैसे उन्होंने अपने अंग्रेज सैनिक मित्र के सम्मान के लिए जाति व्यवस्था की अवहेलना की।
कविता राजा एडवर्ड सप्तम के शासन के पहले वर्ष (1901) में शुरू होती है, जब एक युवा अंग्रेज सैनिक जोधपुर में पर्टाब सिंह के गुलाब-लाल महल में आया। यह युवा अंग्रेज “सिर से पैर तक सैनिक” था, और उसने पर्टाब के दिल में तुरंत आग लगा दी , उन्हें तत्काल संबंध और पारस्परिक सम्मान महसूस हुआ।
दोनों पुरुष सुबह के तारों और शाम के सूरज के नीचे एक साथ सवारी करते थे, और जैसे वे सवारी करते थे, “उनका खून उन्हें गाता था” उनकी सैनिक आत्मा ने एक समान आत्मा को पहचाना। उन्हें लगा कि “सभी अच्छी लड़ाइयाँ एक हैं”, महान उद्देश्यों के लिए लड़ने वाले सभी सैनिक एकजुट हैं। उन्होंने महिलाओं की कहानियाँ और पूर्व और पश्चिम की कहानियाँ साझा कीं, लेकिन अंततः उनका खून गाया कि “अपने सभी प्यारों में, उन्हें एक सैनिक सबसे अच्छा लगता है”, सबसे गहरा प्यार सैनिकों के बीच भाईचारा था।
उन्होंने यात्रा के निर्धारित दिनों के दौरान एक-दूसरे की संगति का आनंद लिया। लेकिन दुखद रूप से, अंतिम दिन के अंत में, “छाया ने गुलाब-लाल घर को शांत कर दिया”, पर्टाब के अंग्रेज मित्र की मृत्यु हो गई। युवा सैनिक अचानक और अप्रत्याशित रूप से मर गया।
जब सुबह आई, तो उन्होंने सैनिक के चेहरे को एक संकीर्ण बक्से (ताबूत) में रखा और उसकी “तेज सपने देखने वाली आँखों” (जो स्थायी रूप से पृथ्वी की वास्तविकता को मृत्यु के शाश्वत सपने के लिए छोड़ चुकी थीं) पर संकीर्ण ढक्कन बंद कर दिया।
फिर एक समस्या उत्पन्न हुई: पूरे जोधपुर में अंग्रेज सैनिक की जाति और ईसाई धर्म के केवल तीन लोग थे , ताबूत ले जाने के लिए पारंपरिक चार वाहकों के रूप में सेवा करने के लिए पर्याप्त नहीं। सख्त जाति नियमों के अनुसार, पर्टाब सिंह (एक राजपूत राजकुमार) जैसे उच्च जाति के लोग विदेशी शव को बिना अनुष्ठानिक रूप से प्रदूषित हुए और अपनी जाति खोए छू नहीं सकते थे।
किसी ने महाराज को सुझाव दिया: “हमें यहाँ एक सफाईकर्मी भेजें; एक सफाईकर्मी के पास विदेशी अर्थी से भी खोने के लिए कोई जाति नहीं है।” सफाईकर्मी सबसे निचली जाति थे, जिन्हें “अछूत” माना जाता था, जो सामाजिक स्थिति खोए बिना अनुष्ठानिक रूप से अशुद्ध कार्यों को संभाल सकते थे क्योंकि उनके पास खोने के लिए कोई नहीं था।
लेकिन पर्टाब सिंह ने इस समाधान को पूरी तरह से अस्वीकार कर दिया। उन्होंने अपना राजसी सिर झुकाया और घोषणा की: “क्या ज़रूरत है, क्या ज़रूरत है? मेरे पास कोई जाति नहीं है, क्योंकि मैं स्वयं मृतक को आगे ले जा रहा हूँ।” वह व्यक्तिगत रूप से चौथे वाहक के रूप में सेवा करेंगे।
किसी ने उन्हें चेतावनी दी: “ओ महाराज, ओ भावुक हृदय, बुद्धिमान बनो, फिर से सोचो: जो तुम आज खो रहे हो वह अंतिम सूरज डूबने तक खो गया है।” उनका मतलब था कि उनकी जाति स्थायी रूप से खो जाएगी – एक बार विदेशी शव को छूने से प्रदूषित होने के बाद इसे फिर से प्राप्त करने का कोई तरीका नहीं था। यह सामाजिक मृत्यु थी।
लेकिन पर्टाब सिंह ने विश्वास के साथ जवाब दिया: “केवल भगवान जानते हैं कि मैं आज क्या खो रहा हूँ: और मेरे बिना कोई भी मेरे मित्र को दूर नहीं ले जाएगा।” केवल भगवान ही न्याय कर सकते थे कि वह वास्तव में क्या खो रहे थे, और उन्होंने बिल्कुल इनकार कर दिया कि कोई और उनके प्यारे मित्र को ले जाए। दोस्ती सामाजिक स्थिति से अधिक महत्वपूर्ण थी।
इसलिए, गंभीर और धीमी और कंधे की ऊंचाई पर, पूरे जोधपुर के सामने, मृत सैनिक चार वाहकों द्वारा समर्थित गुलाब-लाल महल की सीढ़ियों से नीचे चला गया , तीन अंग्रेज और एक भारतीय राजकुमार, पर्टाब सिंह।
अगली सुबह, जब भोर ने जलते पूर्व में “दुःख के दीपक” को फिर से जलाया (जैसे सूरज उगा), पर्टाब सिंह के पास “एक पुजारी का कोमल शब्द” आया। ब्राह्मण पुजारी (उच्चतम जाति, धार्मिक अधिकारी) उन्हें देखने आए।
पर्टाब जागे और सफेद कपड़े पहनकर आगे गए, और कठोर सुबह की रोशनी में वहां झुके ब्राह्मणों को देखा।
पुजारियों ने शोकपूर्वक कहा: “हाय! ओ महाराज, हाय! ओ महान पर्टाब सिंह! यहाँ जोधपुर में कल एक भयानक बात हुई।” उन्होंने नाटकीय रूप से दोहराया: “ओ यहाँ जोधपुर में कल एक भयानक बात हुई।”
पर्टाब सिंह सहमत हुए: “एक भयानक बात। भगवान और मेरा दिल अच्छी तरह जानते हैं, मैंने एक दोस्त खो दिया।” उन्होंने “भयानक बात” को अपने प्रिय मित्र की मृत्यु के रूप में व्याख्या की।
लेकिन पुजारियों ने स्पष्ट किया: “और भी भयानक! जब आप इन सीढ़ियों से नीचे गए, पूरे जोधपुर के सामने आपने खो दिया, ओ महाराज – आपकी जाति।” उन्होंने एक दोस्त खोने से जाति खोने को अधिक भयानक माना।
इस पर, “पर्टाब की आँखों में रोशनी उछली जैसे धुएं में लौ उछलती है”, क्रोध और जुनून उनकी अभिव्यक्ति में चमक गया। उन्होंने पुजारी को जोरदार जवाब दिया: “हे पुजारी! तुम्हारी आत्मा ने कभी उस शब्द को नहीं जाना जो तुम्हारे होंठों ने बोला है।” पुजारी ने “जाति” के बारे में बात की लेकिन सच्ची जाति का वास्तव में क्या अर्थ है, इसकी कोई समझ नहीं थी।
फिर पर्टाब सिंह ने अपनी शानदार घोषणा दी: “मेरी जाति! जानो कि मेरी जाति या तुम्हारी जाति से ऊपर एक जाति है, ब्राह्मण और राजपूत केवल धूल हैं, उस अमर रेखा के लिए।” ब्राह्मण की पुजारी जाति और पर्टाब की शाही राजपूत जाति दोनों केवल धूल हैं, कुछ भी नहीं, सच्ची महानता की उस अमर रेखा की तुलना में।
वह कविता के शक्तिशाली संदेश के साथ समाप्त करते हैं: “दुनिया जितनी चौड़ी, हवा जितनी मुक्त, मृत्यु के तालाब जितनी शुद्ध, पृथ्वी के सभी महान दिलों की जाति सही सैनिक का विश्वास है।” सच्ची जाति, उच्चतम जाति, सार्वभौमिक भाईचारा है , सम्मान, साहस और धार्मिकता से एकजुट सभी महान दिल वाले लोगों की जाति। यह सैनिक का निष्ठा, कर्तव्य और भाईचारे में विश्वास सभी कृत्रिम सामाजिक विभाजनों को पार करता है।
Theme of the Poem A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh
The poem explores several important and connected themes:
1. Actions Matter More Than Birth: The main message is that a person’s true worth comes from what they do, not from which family they are born into. Good deeds and noble behavior make a person truly great, not their birth caste.
2. Soldiers Are Brothers Across Borders: Soldiers share a special bond of bravery, courage, and friendship no matter which country they come from, what religion they follow, or what social class they belong to. The poem says “all good wars are one”, meaning soldiers fighting for good causes are all united.
3. The Caste System Is Wrong: The poem criticizes the cruel and rigid caste system that divided Indian society. It shows how this system stopped people from showing basic human kindness and treating others with dignity.
4. Real Friendship Has No Boundaries: The strong friendship between Pertab Singh (an Indian prince) and the English soldier proves that true friendship can exist beyond differences of race, religion, and social class.
5. Doing Right Despite Consequences: Pertab Singh’s brave decision to carry his friend’s body, knowing he would lose his caste, shows moral courage. It means doing what is right even when you will face serious punishment from society.
6. Good Character Beats High Birth: The poem makes a clear difference between being born into a royal family (like a Rajput prince) and actually having a noble heart through one’s actions. Real nobility comes from inside a person, from their character and behavior, not from their family background.
7. The Higher Caste of Noble Hearts: There exists a higher and better caste than any birth caste, it is the caste of all people with noble hearts on Earth. This spiritual brotherhood is more important than any artificial social divisions. It is “wide as the world, free as the air”, meaning it includes everyone everywhere who chooses to be good and honorable.
A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Explanation
Stanza
In the first year of him that first
Was Emperor and King,
A rider came to the Rose-red House,
The House of Pertab Singh.
Word Meanings:
first year of him that first was Emperor and King: 1901, the first year of King Edward VII’s reign (he was first to be both Emperor of India and King of England simultaneously).
rider: horseman, cavalryman, soldier
Rose-red House: the palace of Pertab Singh in Jodhpur (perhaps red sandstone).
Pertab Singh: Maharaja Pertab Singh of Jodhpur, a Rajput prince.
Explanation: The poem begins by establishing the historical setting, the first year of King Edward VII’s reign (1901), who was the first British monarch to hold both titles of Emperor (of India) and King (of England) simultaneously. During this year, a rider (an English soldier on horseback) visited the Rose-red House, the magnificent palace of Maharaja Pertab Singh in Jodhpur. The “Rose-red” description suggests the palace was built of red sandstone, common in Rajasthan architecture. This opening stanza sets up the meeting between two soldiers from different worlds that will drive the poem’s narrative.
Stanza
Young he was and an Englishman,
And a soldier, hilt and heel,
And he struck fire in Pertab’s heart
As the steel strikes on steel.
Word Meanings:
young: youthful, in his prime.
Englishman: British soldier.
soldier, hilt and heel: complete soldier from top to bottom (hilt = sword handle, heel = bottom of boot); thoroughly, entirely a soldier.
struck fire: created sparks, ignited passion; won immediate respect and affection.
Pertab’s heart: the soul/emotions of Maharaja Pertab Singh.
as the steel strikes on steel: like two swords clashing together, creating sparks.
Explanation: This stanza describes the English visitor, he was young and completely, thoroughly a soldier “hilt and heel” (from the hilt of his sword to the heel of his boots, meaning every inch a soldier). The phrase emphasizes his total identity as a military man. When the two men met, the Englishman created an instant spark of connection, respect, and affection. The simile “as the steel strikes on steel” beautifully captures how two soldiers recognize kindred spirits in each other, like two swords clashing and creating sparks. They were made of the same “steel”, the same courage, honor, and martial spirit. This instant recognition and bond transcends their different nationalities and backgrounds.
Stanza
Beneath the morning stars they rode,
Beneath the evening sun,
And their blood sang to them as they rode
That all good wars are one.
Word Meanings:
beneath the morning stars: in the pre-dawn darkness, early morning rides.
beneath the evening sun: in late afternoon/evening.
rode: traveled on horseback together.
their blood sang: their soldier’s spirit, their innermost being called to them; instinctive feeling.
all good wars are one: all just causes, all noble battles are essentially the same; soldiers fighting for righteousness are united.
Explanation: Pertab and the Englishman rode together from early morning (when stars were still visible) until evening (under the setting sun), spending all day together on horseback. As they rode, “their blood sang to them”, their deepest instincts as soldiers spoke to them, their shared military spirit communicated a profound truth. They felt that “all good wars are one”, meaning that all just wars fought for noble causes are essentially the same struggle. Whether fighting for England or for India, whether in the East or West, soldiers who fight honorably for righteous cause are united in a common brotherhood. This realization bonds them deeply, they recognize each other as brothers-in-arms despite serving different nations.
Stanza
They told their tales of the love of women,
Their tales of East and West,
But their blood sang that of all their loves
They loved a soldier best.
Word Meanings:
tales: stories, experiences.
love of women: romantic experiences, love affairs.
East and West: their different backgrounds – India (East) and England (West).
their blood sang: their deepest feelings told them.
of all their loves: among all the things they loved
loved a soldier best: valued the companionship of fellow soldiers most.
Explanation: During their rides together, the two men shared personal stories, tales about romantic love (women they had loved), and stories from their vastly different geographical and cultural backgrounds (East and West, India and England). Despite these differences and despite the importance of romantic love, “their blood sang” (their deepest instincts told them) that “of all their loves, they loved a soldier best.” The brotherhood between soldiers, the bond of shared danger, courage, and honor, ran deeper than any other love. This soldier’s bond transcended romance, nationality, culture, it was the deepest connection they knew. The stanza emphasizes the unique, powerful brotherhood that exists among warriors.
Stanza
So ran their joy the allotted days,
Till at the last day’s end
The Shadow stilled the Rose-red House
And the heart of Pertab’s friend.
Word Meanings:
so ran their joy: thus passed their happy time.
allotted days: the designated, predetermined period; the days fate had given them.
till at the last day’s end: until the final day concluded.
the Shadow: death (personified as a dark shadow).
stilled: silenced, made motionless, stopped.
Rose-red House: Pertab’s palace.
heart of Pertab’s friend: the English soldier’s life.
Explanation: Their joyful companionship continued through “the allotted days”, the predetermined period of the English soldier’s visit. But tragically, “at the last day’s end” (on the final day of the visit), “the Shadow” (death, personified as a dark shadow falling over life) came and “stilled” (silenced, stopped) both the Rose-red House and “the heart of Pertab’s friend.” The young English soldier died suddenly and unexpectedly. The word “stilled” suggests the palace fell into shocked silence, the joy and energy of their companionship was replaced by death’s quiet. This sudden tragedy sets up the central conflict of the poem, what happens when the caste system collides with friendship and human decency.
Stanza
When morning came, in narrow chest
The soldier’s face they hid,
And over his fast-dreaming eyes
Shut down the narrow lid.
Word Meanings:
narrow chest: coffin (narrow wooden box for the dead).
soldier’s face: the English soldier’s face.
they hid: they concealed, covered, placed inside
fast-dreaming eyes: eyes permanently closed in death’s eternal “dream”; eyes that dream forever (euphemism for death).
shut down: closed.
narrow lid: coffin cover.
Explanation: The morning after the soldier’s death, they prepared his body for burial. They placed his face in a “narrow chest” (coffin – narrow because coffins are designed to fit the body closely). They closed “the narrow lid” over his “fast-dreaming eyes.” The phrase “fast-dreaming eyes” is a beautiful, poetic euphemism for death – “fast” means permanently, unchangingly; his eyes are closed in death’s eternal sleep, which is like an endless dream. This tender, respectful description shows the care taken with the body and prepares for the next stanza’s revelation that there aren’t enough people of the appropriate religion/race to perform the burial properly.
A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh Literally Devices
The poem “A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh” by Sir Henry Newbolt uses various literary devices to convey its message about caste system tyranny and universal brotherhood. These devices transform a historical incident into memorable poetry that asserts true nobility comes from character and actions, not birth.
1. Simile
Comparison using “like” or “as.”
Examples:
- “As the steel strikes on steel”: Connection like swords clashing
- “As the flame leaps in smoke”: Anger flashing like fire
Effect: Creates vivid, memorable comparisons.
2. Metaphor
Direct comparison without “like” or “as.”
Examples:
- “struck fire in Pertab’s heart”: Instant connection
- “their blood sang”: Deep instincts communicating
- “the Shadow”: Death
- “reap the field”: Killing in war = harvesting
Effect: Makes emotions and ideas tangible.
3. Personification
Giving human qualities to non-human things.
Examples:
- “The Shadow stilled the Rose-red House”
- “their blood sang to them”
- “dawn relit the lamp of grief”
Effect: Makes abstract concepts feel real.
4. Symbolism
Objects representing deeper meanings.
Examples:
- Rose-red House = Royal power
- hilt and heel = Completeness
- the Shadow = Death
- alien bier = Cultural divide
- white clothing = Mourning, purity
- dust = Worthlessness of birth-caste
- immortal line = Brotherhood of noble hearts
Effect: Adds layers of meaning.
5. Alliteration
Repetition of consonant sounds.
Examples:
- “soldier, hilt and heel”
- “stately and slow and shoulder-high”
- “bowed…bearing…dead”
Effect: Creates rhythm and memorability.
6. Imagery
Descriptive language appealing to senses.
Examples:
- Visual: “Rose-red House,” “morning stars,” “hard morning light”
- Tactile: “icy hand,” “cold tomb”
- Movement: “tumble down,” “went down the rose-red steps”
Effect: Creates vivid mental pictures.
7. Repetition
Repeating words for emphasis.
Examples:
- “What need, what need?”
- “A fearful thing befell”
- “I have no caste…your caste…My caste”
- “Their blood sang” (repeated)
Effect: Creates emphasis and emotional intensity.
8. Antithesis
Contrasting opposite ideas.
Examples:
- Morning stars vs. evening sun
- East vs. West
- Early vs. late
- victor vs. victim
- Brahmin/Rajput vs. immortal line
Effect: Highlights conflicts and revolutionary message.
9. Paradox
Contradictory statement revealing truth.
Examples:
- “victor-victim” (winner becomes victim)
- “I have no caste…am bearing forth the dead” (losing caste = having true caste)
Effect: Makes readers think deeply about nobility.
10. Euphemism
Mild expression for harsh reality.
Examples:
- “the Shadow” (death)
- “fast-dreaming eyes” (dead eyes)
- “stilled the Rose-red House” (brought death)
Effect: Maintains poetic dignity.
11. Allusion
Reference to cultural/historical elements.
Examples:
- “Emperor and King” (King Edward VII, 1901)
- “laurels” (Roman victory crowns)
- “sweeper” (India’s untouchables)
- “Brahmin and Rajput” (Hindu castes)
Effect: Grounds poem in historical reality.
12. Apostrophe
Directly addressing someone.
Examples:
- “O Maharaj, of your good race”
- “Thou priest! thy soul hath never known”
- “Know you there is a caste”
Effect: Creates urgency and dramatic confrontation.
13. Irony
Opposite of expected outcome.
Examples:
- High-caste prince needs low-caste sweeper
- Priests think caste loss worse than death
- “Noble” by birth less noble than character
Effect: Exposes caste system’s absurdity.
14. Juxtaposition
Placing contrasts side by side.
Examples:
- Royal prince next to untouchable sweeper suggestion
- Friend’s death next to caste loss
- “Brahmin and Rajput” next to “dust”
Effect: Emphasizes contrasts and social critique.
15. Archaic Language
Old-fashioned words for formal effect.
Examples:
- “Thou priest” (you priest)
- “thy soul hath never known” (your soul has never known)
Effect: Creates solemnity and timeless truth
16. Anaphora
Repetition of the word / phrase at the start of two or more consecutive lines
Beneath the morning stars they rode,
Beneath the evening sun,
Effect: to creat rhythm and emphasis.
Conclusion
This post covers the Summary of the poem ‘A Ballad of Sir Pertab Singh’ from PSEB Class 10 English Main course book. Students can also go through the difficult word meanings and explanation of stanzas to get an easy understanding of the poem.