Tansen

1556

Step 1: The chapter gives specific dates for important events in Tansen's life. Step 2: The text clearly states 'Tansen went to Akbar's court in 1556.' Step 3: 1542 is not mentioned in the chapter as a significant year for Tansen. Step 4: 1585 is the year Tansen died, not when he joined the court. Step 5: 1600 has no relevance to Tansen's life as he died in 1585. Therefore, 1556 is the correct answer.

Because Raga Deepak when sung properly produces such intense heat that the singer is burnt to ashes

Step 1: The courtiers were jealous of Tansen and wanted him ruined. Step 2: Shaukat Mian explained: 'If Raga Deepak is properly sung, it makes the air so hot that the singer is burnt to ashes.' Step 3: Their plan was that since Tansen was a very good singer, he would sing it perfectly and die as a result. Step 4: Option A is wrong — the courtiers wanted Tansen dead, not to please Akbar. Step 5: Option C is wrong — they were not testing skill for failure; they expected him to succeed and die. Option D is invented and not in the text.

He challenged Tansen's greatness and suggested Akbar test him by asking him to sing Raga Deepak

Step 1: Shaukat Mian went to Akbar with a clever, indirect plan. Step 2: He said, 'We don't think Tansen is a great singer. Let us test him. Tell him to sing Raga Deepak. Only the greatest singers can sing it properly.' Step 3: This was a trap — he appealed to Akbar's pride in Tansen to get Akbar to command the song. Step 4: Akbar, feeling confident, said 'Of course he can sing it. Tansen can sing anything.' Step 5: Options A, C, and D are all fabricated and do not appear in the chapter.

The air became warm, leaves dried and fell, birds died from heat, river water began to boil, and lamps lit by themselves

Step 1: The chapter describes the legendary effects of Raga Deepak in detail. Step 2: First, 'the air became warm' and 'people in the audience were bathed in perspiration.' Step 3: Then 'the leaves on the trees dried up and fell to the ground.' Step 4: Further, 'birds fell dead because of the heat and the water in the rivers began to boil.' Step 5: Finally, 'flames shot up out of nowhere and lighted the lamps.' All five effects are mentioned in the text, making option B the comprehensive and correct answer.