Rani Abbakka Questions & Answers | Class 7 English | CBSE NCERT

(a) — The chapter is about Rani Abbakka, the dauntless queen of Ullal who fought the Portuguese.

(b) — It shows that even motherhood could not stop her from fighting for her country and her right.

(c) — Its lines rhyme ('fight'–'right', 'hand'–'band'–'grand'–'land'), making it a riddle in verse.

A (shining) sword.

The riddle says she is "remembered as a warrior grand". She died defending her beloved Motherland — she laid down her life fighting for her country.

I am most inspired by her courage — she fought for her country and her right with a sword in her hand and even carried her son on her back into battle. It shows that true bravery means standing up for what is right, whatever the danger and whatever our responsibilities.

(b) — Ullal had been captured by the Portuguese, so as a vassal it was forced to pay tribute to the colonial power.

(c) — The text calls him "Rani Abbakka's husband Veera Narsimha".

(d) — The rajas were too afraid of Portuguese military might to support her.

False — he felt it was a "hasty decision" and even ordered the soldiers to stop her when she said she would not be frightened by the Portuguese.

It shows that she was fearless, decisive and bold. Even though the Portuguese were a mighty colonial power, she preferred to strike back and defend her land's freedom rather than give in and pay tribute.

The rajas felt they would be "no match for the Portuguese army and their power". They were overawed by the might of the colonial force, while Rani Abbakka, alone, refused to let fear decide her actions.

(b) — The envoy's opening words are a "reminder" that the tribute was long overdue, which is really a demand.

(c) — A sovereign country has its own independent authority; it does not pay tribute to or take orders from a foreign power.

(b) — Instead of submitting, she built merchant ships and, allied with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia.

True — his words, "Your Majesty, you will regret your stand", are a warning of the consequences of her refusal.

With the Zamorin as her ally, she defied the Portuguese and established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia. The alliance strengthened Ullal economically and loosened Portugal's grip on trade.

Her reply reveals that she was bold, patriotic and proud of her land's independence. She refused to be frightened or pressured, made her own decisions, and dared to defy a powerful colonial ruler to her face.

(b) — The words show her determination to avenge the wrong — to make the Portuguese answer for what they had done.

(a) — Addressing the Arabians as "brother" and inviting them back shows friendship and trust in their trading ties.

(b) — In indirect speech the present modal 'will' shifts to the past modal 'would': "Rani said that she would make them pay for that."

wrath.

The word 'brother' shows the warmth, trust and equality in their trading relationship. Ullal's merchants dealt with the Arabians as partners and friends, not merely as customers, so they invited them to visit again.

The line suggests that the Portuguese were so angered by resistance that they could attack any place connected with it. Bangadi, too, risked facing Portuguese 'wrath' — the word 'too' shows that it shared the same danger that had already fallen on others, such as Ullal.

Rani Abbakka was the fearless queen of Ullal who resisted the Portuguese. She refused to pay tribute to the colonial power and defended her country's freedom with courage and determination.

A tribute is money or goods that a weaker or vassal state is forced to pay to a more powerful ruling power. Ullal had to pay tribute to the Portuguese after it was captured by them.

The envoy said that his Governor had sent him to remind the Rani that the annual tribute from Ullal was long overdue. It was a demand for the tribute money that Ullal was forced to pay.

The Rani replied, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese!" She refused to accept Portuguese control over her land.

'Sovereign' describes a country that has complete authority over itself and is not controlled by any other power. A sovereign country does not pay tribute to, or take orders from, a foreign ruler.

Veera Narsimha, the Rani's husband, felt that her decision was a hasty one. When she declared she would not be frightened by the Portuguese, he even ordered the soldiers to stop her.

A vassal is a country or state that is controlled by a more powerful country and has to pay money to it when needed. Ullal, after being captured, had been reduced to a vassal of the Portuguese.

She ordered merchant ships to be built and, in alliance with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, defied the Portuguese. She then established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia.

Her words show her firm resolve to avenge the wrong done to her land. She did not weep or surrender; she promised that the Portuguese would be made to answer for their deed.

The rajas felt they would be no match for the Portuguese army and their power. Fearing the colonial might, they did not come forward to support her cause.

Refusing to be discouraged, Rani Abbakka attacked the Portuguese Fort in return. She took the battle to the enemy instead of waiting submissively for their next move.

'Dauntless' means fearless and not easily discouraged. Rani Abbakka best fits the word, for neither threats from the envoy nor the might of the Portuguese army could daunt her spirit.

'Avenge' means to take revenge for, to pay back a wrong done to oneself or one's people. Rani Abbakka's words "I will make them pay for this" express her desire to avenge the Portuguese attack.

It tells us that she fought even as a mother, carrying her baby with her into battle. She let neither danger nor her maternal duties keep her from defending her country.

Their support shows that they were patriotic and courageous, and that they trusted their Rani's leadership completely. They valued freedom more than the safety of submission.

They would have felt triumphant, relieved and proud. Their faith in their Rani would have been rewarded, and the defeat of a mighty colonial power by their small kingdom would have filled them with joy and self-respect.

Her victory proved that even a mighty foreign power could be defeated by courage, resolve and unity. It would have shown other rulers that resistance was possible and worth attempting.

Her mother would have felt both grief and pride. Though heartbroken to lose her daughter, she would have been comforted and honoured that the Rani died defending her beloved Motherland, exactly as she had lived.

Rani Abbakka said that she would make them pay for that. (Here 'I' becomes 'she', 'will' becomes 'would', and 'this' becomes 'that'.)

The story teaches that freedom is precious and must be defended with courage and determination. It also shows that fearlessness and firm resolve can overcome even the mightiest of enemies.

Rani Abbakka was fearless from the very start. When the Portuguese envoy demanded the overdue tribute, she declared, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese!" Even his warning that she would "regret" her stand could not shake her. She built merchant ships, allied with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, defied the Portuguese, and traded profitably with Arabia. When the rajas were too frightened to join her, she attacked the Portuguese Fort in turn, vowing, "I will make them pay for this." A leader who neither bribes, nor begs, nor bows — that is Rani Abbakka.

The Rani's refusal rests on the idea of sovereignty — that Ullal had complete authority over itself and was no vassal of Portugal. Paying tribute would have meant accepting Portuguese control, so she rejected both the tribute and their orders. This tells us that she was proud, patriotic and politically clear-sighted: she understood that small concessions would slowly enslave her land. Her boldness in saying this to the envoy's face shows her exceptional courage and self-respect.

Instead of merely refusing the tribute, the Rani took positive steps. She ordered merchant ships to be built, which made Ullal independent in sea trade. She then formed an alliance with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, a powerful ally against Portuguese power. With this strength, she defied the Portuguese and established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia. Her strategy shows that she fought with commerce as well as with the sword.

Rani Abbakka's response to the Portuguese was bold and unafraid — she refused the tribute, defied their control, and finally attacked their fort. Her husband Veera Narsimha, in contrast, felt her decision was "hasty" and even ordered the soldiers to stop her when she said she would not be frightened by the Portuguese. The rajas whom she addressed for support were also fearful; they felt they would be no match for the Portuguese army and their power, and held back. The contrast throws the Rani's courage and decisiveness into sharp relief.

Rani Abbakka is remembered as a braveheart because she fought a powerful colonial empire with nothing but courage and resolve. The riddle describes her as "a queen who led the fight", who "fought for her country and her right" with "a shining sword in her hand" and "her son on her back in a cloth band". Remembered "as a warrior grand", she "died defending her beloved Motherland". A queen, a mother and a warrior all at once — that is why she is honoured as a braveheart.

The people of Ullal and the soldiers stood firmly behind the Rani in her fight against the Portuguese. Their support suggests that she was a leader they trusted and admired — one who led from the front and inspired ordinary people to be brave. It also shows that the people of Ullal shared her patriotic mindset: they valued their freedom and were willing to fight for it under her command. Such loyalty is earned only by genuine courage and selfless leadership.

In her time, the Portuguese appeared invincible — their army and power frightened even the rajas, who felt they would be "no match" for them. Against this fear, Rani Abbakka's victory stood out as proof that a small kingdom with a determined leader could defeat a mighty colonial power. Her success would have shattered the myth of invincibility, planted hope in other rulers' hearts, and shown that organised, courageous resistance could succeed.

'Dauntless' means fearless and 'decisive' means showing the ability to make decisions effectively. The Rani was dauntless when she faced down the envoy's threat, refused to be frightened by the Portuguese, and fought on even though the rajas deserted her. She was decisive when she quickly resolved not to pay tribute, ordered merchant ships built, chose the Zamorin as an ally, and attacked the Portuguese Fort in turn. Every step she took was firm, swift and fearless.

The people would most likely have erupted in pride and celebration. For years they had suffered the humiliation of paying tribute to the colonial power after Ullal was captured. Hearing their Rani declare, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal", would have filled them with hope and self-respect. Some may have felt anxious about Portuguese wrath, but the Rani's courage would have reassured them, and her victory later would have made their pride complete.

The story gives the message that freedom and self-respect are worth defending at any cost. It teaches that courage and resolve matter more than size or strength — a small queen and her kingdom humbled a mighty colonial empire. It also reminds us to be alert against domination in any form, and to build strength through unity and self-reliance, as the Rani did with her ships and alliances. Above all, it inspires us, especially girls and women, to lead fearlessly.

Rani Abbakka, the queen of Ullal, stands out as one of India's most fearless daughters. She is above all courageous: when the Portuguese envoy demanded the overdue tribute, she replied fearlessly, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese!" Even the envoy's threat that she would "regret" her stand could not shake her. She is patriotic to the core — for her, Ullal's sovereignty and her people's freedom matter more than life itself. She is also a farsighted and practical ruler: she ordered merchant ships to be built, allied with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, and established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia, weakening Portuguese control economically. She is decisive and bold in action — when the frightened rajas refused support, she attacked the Portuguese Fort in turn, declaring, "I will make them pay for this." The riddle adds another dimension: she was "a warrior grand" who fought with "a shining sword in her hand" and "her son on her back in a cloth band" — a warrior even as a mother — and she "died defending her beloved Motherland". Dauntless, determined, wise and selfless, Rani Abbakka is a shining example of women's strength in India's history.

The central theme of the chapter is courage and resistance in the face of colonial domination. Ullal had been captured by the Portuguese and forced to pay tribute to the colonial power — a symbol of lost freedom. Against this stands Rani Abbakka, who refuses tribute, rejects Portuguese orders, builds her own trade through an alliance with the Zamorin of Kozhikode and profitable relations with Arabia, and finally attacks the Portuguese Fort itself. A second theme is the power of resolve: while her husband Veera Narsimha calls her decision hasty and the rajas feel they would be "no match" for the Portuguese army, the Rani's fearlessness carries the day. The story also celebrates woman power — a queen, carrying her son on her back, leads her soldiers and "died defending her beloved Motherland". The message is clear: no enemy is too mighty for a determined heart; freedom is never given, it is defended; and courage, not size, decides the outcome of a struggle.

The story teaches many abiding values. First, patriotism: the Rani declares, "We are a sovereign country", and defends her land's independence as her highest duty — the riddle says she "died defending her beloved Motherland". Second, courage without fear: she refused to be "frightened by the Portuguese" and stood unmoved even when warned, "you will regret your stand". Third, self-reliance and vision: she built merchant ships and, in alliance with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, established a hugely profitable trading relation with Arabia, showing that a leader must build strength, not just shout slogans. Fourth, determination and a sense of justice: wronged by the enemy, she vowed, "I will make them pay for this", and attacked the Portuguese Fort in turn. Finally, the story teaches leadership by example — the people of Ullal and her soldiers supported her because she led from the front, sword in hand, her son tied to her back. These values — love of country, fearlessness, foresight and leadership — remain relevant to every citizen today.

Rani Abbakka's story is centuries old, but its lesson — stand up for what is right — is timeless. As students, we can first apply it to everyday courage: refusing to join in bullying or cheating, speaking the truth even when it is unpopular, and not staying silent when a wrong happens before our eyes. Like the Rani, we can learn to face problems instead of avoiding them, whether it is a difficult subject, a fear of public speaking, or a personal setback. Her wisdom also teaches us to prepare before we fight: she built ships and made alliances before defying the Portuguese — likewise, we must build our 'strength' through study, skills and discipline before taking on big challenges. At the community level, her example inspires us to resist injustice and domination in any form, and to support those who are being wronged. And as citizens, we learn to value our country's freedom, remembering that brave men and women like Rani Abbakka paid for it with their lives. Courage, self-reliance and resolve — applied in small, daily acts — are her true legacy.

I still remember that morning — a strange hush, then a hum of excitement through the lanes of Ullal. The Portuguese envoy had come to our court again, and everyone knew what he would ask for: the annual tribute, long overdue, that weighed on our people like a stone. Word came from the palace that our Rani had risen in her court, looked the envoy in the eye, and said, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese!" The envoy's cold reply — "Your Majesty, you will regret your stand" — was answered with silence and a steady gaze. By evening the whole town was talking. Some trembled at the thought of Portuguese wrath; others, like me, walked a little taller. Our queen, they said, was already ordering merchant ships to be built and sending word to the Zamorin of Kozhikode. That night, for the first time in years, we slept not as vassals of a foreign power, but as free people of Ullal — and we were ready to follow her wherever she led.

'Dauntless' means one who cannot be intimidated, and every page of the chapter proves this title true. When the Portuguese envoy demanded the overdue tribute, the Rani was not awed into paying — she answered, "We are a sovereign country. We don't pay tribute to Portugal. And we don't take orders from the Portuguese!" When the envoy warned, "Your Majesty, you will regret your stand", she did not retreat; instead she ordered merchant ships built, allied with the Zamorin of Kozhikode, and defied the Portuguese with profitable trade to Arabia. Even her own household failed to daunt her — when her husband Veera Narsimha felt her decision hasty and ordered the soldiers to stop her, she declared she would not be frightened by the Portuguese. The assembled rajas were daunted — they felt no match for the Portuguese army — but the Rani attacked the Portuguese Fort in turn, vowing, "I will make them pay for this." And when death came, she met it as the riddle tells us — sword in hand, son on her back, "died defending her beloved Motherland". Truly, a dauntless queen.

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