About the Poem & Poet

Poem Title
In the Bazaars of Hyderabad
Poet
Sarojini Naidu
Genre
Descriptive / Lyric Poem
Setting
Traditional bazaars of Hyderabad
Textbook
Vision Academy English-I (Class 6)
Chapter
Chapter 3
Structure
Question-Answer format (Dialogue)
Central Theme
Vibrancy of Indian cultural life

About the Poet — Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949): Sarojini Naidu was one of India's most celebrated poets and a prominent freedom fighter. Born in Hyderabad on 13 February 1879, she studied in England and went on to become a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. Known as the "Nightingale of India" for her melodious poetry, she was the first woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and later served as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh. Her poetry is famous for its rich imagery, musical quality, and vivid descriptions of Indian life, culture, and nature. Collections like The Golden Threshold, The Bird of Time, and The Broken Wing are among her best-known works. "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" beautifully showcases her gift for capturing the sights, sounds, and smells of everyday Indian life.

Learning Objectives What you will learn from this chapter

  • Understand the vivid description of the bazaars of Hyderabad through the poem's language and imagery.
  • Identify the different sellers and items mentioned in each stanza of the poem.
  • Appreciate how the poet uses sensory imagery — sight, sound, and smell — to bring the bazaar to life.
  • Understand the question-answer format and how it creates a conversational, lively tone.
  • Identify literary devices such as simile, imagery, and repetition in the poem.
  • Understand how the poem reflects the joy and sorrow in everyday Indian life.
  • Prepare complete answers for all textbook and exam-oriented questions.

Poem Summary In the Bazaars of Hyderabad — Complete Overview

Poem at a Glance
Sarojini Naidu's poem is a vibrant, colourful tour through the busy marketplaces of Hyderabad. Written as a dialogue, the poet asks various sellers what they sell, and their answers create a rich tapestry of Indian culture and daily life.

The poem takes the reader on an imaginary walk through the lively bazaars (markets) of Hyderabad. The poet, acting as a visitor or observer, goes from stall to stall, asking each group of sellers — "What do you sell?" — and receives detailed, colourful answers.

In the first stanza, the merchants display richly made goods: turbans of crimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, mirrors framed in amber, and daggers with handles of jade. Their wares are exotic, colourful, and beautiful.

The vendors in the second stanza weigh out daily essentials — saffron, lentil, and rice. These practical items contrast with the luxury goods of the merchants, showing that the bazaar serves all sections of society.

The pedlars, roaming through the market, sell chessmen and ivory dice — items for leisure and games, suggesting that chess was a popular pastime in Hyderabad.

The goldsmiths are at work crafting exquisite jewellery: wristlets, anklets, and rings. They also make delicate bells for the feet of blue pigeons — described as "frail as a dragon-fly's wing" — golden girdles for dancers, and scabbards for the king's sword. This stanza covers the widest range, from nature and art to royalty.

The maidens are grinding fragrant substances — sandalwood, henna, and spice — filling the air with sweet aromas. This stanza appeals most strongly to our sense of smell.

The fruitmen cry out, advertising citron, pomegranate, and plum — ripe and ready to be sold. Their cries fill the market with life and sound.

The musicians play traditional instruments — the cithar, sarangi, and drum — filling the bazaar with melody. Their music gives the busy market its heartbeat.

The magicians chant spells for the living and the dead — spells that are meant to last for aeons (a very long time).

Finally, the flower-girls weave items for life's most defining moments: crowns with tassels of azure and red for a bridegroom's wedding, and sheets of freshly gathered white blossoms to perfume the sleep of the dead. This powerful final stanza captures both the joy of birth and celebration and the sorrow of death, showing that the bazaar reflects all of life.

Through this rich catalogue of sellers and their wares, Sarojini Naidu paints a masterful portrait of the vibrancy, diversity, and cultural richness of traditional Indian city life. The poem is a celebration of India's craft heritage, its love of colour and beauty, and its deep connection between the everyday and the spiritual.

Exam Tip
Always remember: the poem has a question-answer structure. The poet asks "What do you sell?" and each group of sellers answers. This creates a lively, dramatic effect.

Stanza-Wise Explanation Line-by-Line Analysis of Each Stanza

Stanza 1 — The Merchants
"What do you sell, O ye merchants?
Richly your wares are displayed."
"Turbans of crimson and silver,
Tunics of purple brocade,
Mirrors with panels of amber,
Daggers with handles of jade."

The poem opens with the poet walking through the bazaar and addressing the merchants. "Wares" means goods for sale. The merchants' reply lists richly made luxury items: turbans (head coverings) in red and silver, tunics (upper garments) in purple brocade (a heavy decorative fabric), mirrors framed in amber (a golden-brown gemstone), and daggers (short knives) with handles made of jade (a green gemstone). The vivid colours — crimson, silver, purple, amber — immediately establish the poem's colourful, festive atmosphere.

Stanza 2 — The Vendors
"What do you weigh, O ye vendors?
Saffron and lentil and rice."

The vendors are traders who weigh out everyday food items at their stalls. Saffron is a precious golden spice; lentil is a common pulse (dal); rice is a staple grain. Unlike the luxury goods of the merchants, these are daily necessities. This contrast shows that the bazaar caters to people from all walks of life — from the wealthy seeking jewellery and fine clothes to ordinary people buying food.

Stanza 3 — The Pedlars
"What do you cry, O ye pedlars?
Chessmen and ivory dice."

Pedlars are travelling sellers who walk through the market calling out their wares (hence "cry"). They sell chessmen (pieces used in the game of chess) and ivory dice (dice made from elephant tusk). The mention of chess and dice tells us that these were popular leisure activities among the people of Hyderabad, reflecting a cultured urban life.

Stanza 4 — The Goldsmiths
"What do you make, O ye goldsmiths?
Wristlets and anklets and rings,
Bells for the feet of blue pigeons,
Frail as the dragon-fly's wing,
Girdles of gold for the dancers,
Scabbards of gold for the king."

This is the richest and most detailed stanza. The goldsmiths create a wide range of ornamental items: wristlets (worn on the wrist), anklets (worn on the ankle), and rings (worn on fingers). They also craft tiny bells for the feet of blue pigeons, described as "frail as a dragon-fly's wing" — this is a simile, comparing the delicacy of the bells to a dragonfly's thin, fragile wings. Additionally, they make golden girdles (waist ornaments) for dancers and scabbards (sword sheaths) for the king. This range — from birds and dancers to royalty — shows the goldsmiths' artistry reaching every level of society.

Stanza 5 — The Maidens
"What do you grind, O ye maidens?
Sandalwood, henna and spice."

Young women (maidens) are grinding fragrant substances. Sandalwood is used in perfumes, religious rituals, and cosmetics; henna (mehendi) is applied to hands and feet for beauty and celebration; spice is used in cooking. All three are aromatic. This stanza strongly appeals to our sense of smell, filling the imagination with the rich fragrances of the bazaar.

Stanza 6 — The Fruitmen
"What do you cry, O ye fruitmen?
Citron, pomegranate and plum."

The fruitmen (fruit sellers) call out the names of their fruits to attract buyers. Citron is a large, fragrant citrus fruit; pomegranate is a sweet-sour fruit full of red seeds, associated with richness and prosperity; plum is a soft, sweet fruit. The act of "crying" brings the bustle and noise of the market alive, adding to the poem's soundscape.

Stanza 7 — The Musicians
"What do you play, O ye musicians?
Cithar, sarangi and drum."

The musicians play traditional Indian instruments. The cithar is a stringed instrument similar to the sitar; the sarangi is a bowed string instrument with a rich, haunting sound; the drum provides the beat and rhythm. Music is an essential part of the bazaar's atmosphere, giving the market its pulse and energy. This stanza most strongly appeals to our sense of hearing.

Stanza 8 — The Magicians
"What do you chant, O ye magicians?
Spells for the aeons to come."

The magicians chant spells that are intended to last for aeons — an extremely long period of time. Their presence in the bazaar adds a mystical, mysterious dimension to the market. It suggests that in traditional Indian culture, the spiritual and the everyday exist side by side in the same marketplace.

Stanza 9 — The Flower-Girls
"What do you weave, O ye flower-girls?
With tassels of azure and red?
Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom,
Coronals white for the dead.
For he who has ring on his finger,
And she who has gold on her head!"

The final and most powerful stanza features the flower-girls who weave garlands and flower arrangements. They use tassels of azure (bright blue) and red to make crowns for a bridegroom — a symbol of joy, celebration, and new beginnings. At the same time, they weave coronals (wreaths) of white blossoms to perfume the sleep of the dead — a symbol of sorrow, loss, and farewell. The contrasting colours (bright azure and red for the groom vs. white for the deceased) powerfully represent life's two extremes: joy and sorrow, birth and death, celebration and mourning. This ending gives the poem a deeply philosophical and emotional resonance, elevating it beyond a mere market scene into a reflection on the full spectrum of human life.

Key Insight: Why the Poem Ends With the Flower-Girls
The flower-girls represent the cycle of life. Flowers are used both at weddings (joy) and funerals (sorrow). By ending here, Naidu shows that the bazaar is not just a place of commerce — it is a mirror of all human experience.

Important Word Meanings Vocabulary from the Poem

Word / Phrase Meaning
Wares Goods or items offered for sale in a market
Crimson A deep red colour
Brocade A rich, heavy fabric woven with a raised decorative pattern, often with gold or silver threads
Amber A golden-yellow or orange-brown colour; also a semi-precious gemstone
Jade A precious green stone used for jewellery and decorative objects
Pedlars Travelling sellers who walk from place to place selling small items
Chessmen The pieces used in the game of chess
Ivory A hard, white material obtained from elephant tusks, used to make ornaments and game pieces
Wristlet A band or bracelet worn around the wrist; a bangle
Anklet A chain or ornament worn around the ankle
Girdle A belt or band worn around the waist as decoration
Scabbard A sheath or cover for a sword or dagger
Frail Weak, delicate, or easily broken
Sandalwood A fragrant wood used in perfumes, cosmetics, and religious rituals
Henna A natural dye made from a plant, used to create intricate designs on hands and feet (mehendi)
Citron A large, fragrant citrus fruit, like a lemon
Pomegranate A fruit with a hard reddish outer shell and sweet, juicy red seeds inside
Cithar A stringed instrument, similar to the sitar
Sarangi A traditional Indian bowed string instrument
Aeons An extremely long period of time; an age
Azure A bright, clear blue colour, like the sky
Coronal A garland or wreath worn on the head; also called a crown of flowers
Tassels Decorative hanging threads or cords gathered at one end
Saffron A precious orange-yellow spice made from crocus flowers
Lentil A small, round, flat seed (pulse) used in cooking (dal)

Literary Devices & Figures of Speech

1. Simile

"Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" — The delicate bells made by the goldsmiths are compared to a dragon-fly's wing using the word "as." Both are extremely delicate and light. This is the most important figure of speech in the poem and is frequently asked in exams.

2. Imagery (Sensory Images)

Visual (Sight): Crimson and silver turbans, purple brocade, mirrors with amber panels, azure and red tassels — all paint a vivid picture of the colourful bazaar.

Auditory (Sound): The fruitmen's cries, the music of cithar, sarangi and drum, the chanting of magicians — all fill the bazaar with sound.

Olfactory (Smell): Sandalwood, henna, and spice being ground by the maidens; white blossoms to "perfume the sleep of the dead" — these appeal to our sense of smell.

3. Repetition
The question "What do you sell/weigh/cry/make/grind/play/chant/weave, O ye ____?" is repeated throughout the poem. This creates a musical, rhythmic effect and gives the poem its unique structure.
4. Apostrophe
The poet directly addresses the sellers ("O ye merchants," "O ye vendors") as if speaking to them in person. This is called apostrophe and makes the poem feel like a real conversation.
5. Contrast / Juxtaposition
The flower-girls weave crowns for a bridegroom (joy) and white blossoms for the dead (sorrow). This contrast shows that life contains both happiness and sadness, and the bazaar — like life — holds them both.
6. Rhyme Scheme
The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme. Key rhyming pairs include: displayed–jade, rice–spice, dice–price, ring–wing, king–wing, plum–drum, come–drum, red–dead. This musical quality is a hallmark of Sarojini Naidu's style.

Textbook Questions & Answers Appreciating the Poem — All Exercises

A. Reference to Context
"What do you sell, O ye merchants? / Richly your wares are displayed."
(1) Who and where is the speaker of these lines? (2) What does 'wares' mean? (3) What do the merchants reply?

(1) The speaker is the poet, Sarojini Naidu (or an observer), who is walking through the lively and colourful bazaars of Hyderabad.

(2) 'Wares' means goods or items that are offered for sale in a market.

(3) The merchants reply that they sell turbans of crimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, mirrors with panels of amber, and daggers with handles of jade.

B. Answer the Following Questions
1. Where is the poem set?
The poem is set in the traditional and bustling bazaars (markets) of Hyderabad, a city in southern India known for its rich cultural heritage.
2. Who are the different people addressed in the poem?
The poet addresses merchants, vendors, pedlars (also spelt peddlers), goldsmiths, maidens, fruitmen, musicians, magicians, and flower-girls — a total of nine different groups of people working in the bazaar.
3. What do the merchants sell?
The merchants sell richly made luxury items: turbans of crimson and silver, tunics of purple brocade, mirrors with amber panels, and daggers with handles of jade.
4. What fruits are being sold and what instruments are being played in the poem?
The fruits being sold are citron, pomegranate, and plum. The instruments being played are the cithar, the sarangi, and drums.
5. Where are the following ornaments worn — a ring, a wristlet, an anklet and a girdle?
A ring is worn on a finger. A wristlet is worn on the wrist. An anklet is worn on the ankle. A girdle is worn around the waist.
6. How does the poet suggest that life is full of joy and sorrow?
The poet suggests this through the flower-girls. They weave crowns with tassels of azure and red for a bridegroom — representing the joy and celebration of a wedding. At the same time, they weave sheets of white blossoms ("coronals white") to perfume the sleep of the dead — representing the sorrow and grief of death. These contrasting images, placed side by side in the final stanza, powerfully show that life holds both joy and sorrow together.
7. What is common to sandalwood and spice?
Both sandalwood and spice are aromatic (fragrant) substances. In the poem, both are being ground by the maidens in the bazaar, filling the air with their rich, pleasant scents. They both appeal to our sense of smell.
8. Which game seems to be popular in the city?
The game of chess seems to be popular in the city. The pedlars are selling chessmen (chess pieces) and ivory dice, suggesting that chess and other board games were common pastimes among the people of Hyderabad.
9. Name the figure of speech in the line, 'Frail as the dragon-fly's wing'.
The figure of speech is a Simile. The word "as" is used to compare the delicate bells (made for the feet of blue pigeons) to a dragon-fly's wing. Both are described as extremely frail (delicate and light). This simile effectively conveys the extraordinary craftsmanship and lightness of the goldsmiths' work.
10. Explain the line, 'Spells for the aeons to come'.
This line means that the magicians are chanting magical spells that are intended to last for aeons — an extremely long, almost infinite period of time. The line suggests that their magic is powerful and timeless, meant to influence the distant future. It also adds a mysterious, mystical dimension to the bazaar, showing that spirituality and superstition were part of everyday market life.
11. List the sets of rhyming words in the poem.
The rhyming pairs in the poem are: displayed – jade, rice – spice, dice – price (implied), ring – wing, king – wing, plum – drum, come – drum, red – dead.
12. What quality of the king is suggested by the word 'scabbard'?
A scabbard is a cover or sheath made to hold a sword. The fact that the goldsmiths make a golden scabbard for the king suggests that the king is a warrior — someone who carries a sword. It also suggests that the king possesses power, authority, and military strength. The use of gold further indicates his high status and wealth.
13. List the colours in the poem. What effect do they create?
The colours mentioned in the poem are: crimson (deep red), silver, purple, amber (golden-brown), azure (bright blue), red, and white. Together, these colours create a vivid, rich, and vibrant picture of the bazaar. They make the scene feel festive, lively, and visually splendid — giving the reader the feeling of actually walking through a colourful, bustling market.
14. Why do you think the poet has used the question-answer format in this poem?
The poet uses the question-answer format to make the poem feel like a real, lively conversation in the market. It creates an engaging, interactive atmosphere, as if the reader is walking through the bazaar with the poet and listening to the vendors respond. This format also allows Naidu to introduce each group of sellers one by one in an organised way, building the picture of the bazaar stall by stall. It gives the poem its distinctive rhythm and dramatic energy.
C. Fill in the Blanks (Textbook Exercise)

1. A Goldsmith is a person who makes articles of gold.

2. A Pedlar is a person who goes from house to house peddling small articles.

3. A Vendor is a person who offers small wares for sale.

4. A Magician is a person who performs magical tricks.

5. A Musician is a person who is skilled in music.

Themes & Central Ideas

1. Vibrancy and Richness of Indian Culture: The poem's primary theme is the celebration of traditional Indian life in all its colourful, multi-sensory glory. The bazaar is a microcosm of India — it holds merchants, musicians, craftsmen, flower-girls, and magicians all in one place.

2. The Beauty of Indian Craftsmanship: Through the detailed descriptions of the goldsmiths' work — delicate bells, golden girdles, jewelled scabbards — the poet pays homage to the extraordinary skill of Indian artisans who have always turned everyday materials into beautiful objects.

3. Joy and Sorrow — The Two Faces of Life: The most profound theme emerges in the final stanza. The flower-girls weave for both a bridegroom and for the dead, showing that celebration and grief coexist in life. The bazaar holds both, just as life does.

4. The Marketplace as a Mirror of Society: The bazaar serves everyone — kings and commoners, the living and the dead. It reflects the diversity and inclusivity of Indian society, where luxury goods and daily essentials, art and practicality, all exist side by side.

5. Celebration of India's Cultural Heritage: Sarojini Naidu wrote this poem as an act of pride and love for India's rich traditions. For her, the bazaar of Hyderabad was a symbol of India's timeless cultural identity, and the poem is essentially a love letter to that heritage.

Extra Short Answer Questions 2–3 Marks | Exam Oriented

1. What do the maidens grind in the bazaar?
The maidens grind sandalwood, henna, and spice. All three are aromatic substances, and their grinding fills the air of the bazaar with rich, pleasant fragrances.
2. List three items the goldsmiths make for sale.
The goldsmiths make wristlets (bracelets worn on the wrist), anklets (worn on the ankle), and rings (worn on the fingers). They also make golden bells for pigeons, girdles for dancers, and scabbards for the king — showing their wide-ranging craftsmanship.
3. What do the fruitmen cry out to sell?
The fruitmen cry out to sell citron (a large fragrant citrus fruit), pomegranate (a fruit with red seeds), and plum (a soft sweet fruit). Their cries add to the lively, noisy atmosphere of the bazaar.
4. What items do the flower-girls weave for a dead person's funeral?
The flower-girls weave coronals (garlands/wreaths) of newly-gathered white blossoms to perfume the sleep of the dead. The white colour of the flowers symbolises purity and mourning.
5. Who is Sarojini Naidu and why is she called the "Nightingale of India"?
Sarojini Naidu (1879–1949) was an Indian poet and freedom fighter. She is called the "Nightingale of India" because of her beautifully melodious poetry, which is known for its musical quality, rich imagery, and lyrical language — much like the sweet, beautiful song of a nightingale bird.
6. What is the effect of the question-answer format used in the poem?
The question-answer format gives the poem a lively, conversational quality. It makes the reader feel like a participant in the bazaar, walking from stall to stall and hearing the vendors respond. It also creates a clear structure, introducing each group of sellers one by one and building the poem's vivid picture gradually.
7. What does the final stanza of the poem represent?
The final stanza, featuring the flower-girls, represents the full circle of human life — joy and sorrow together. The crowns for a bridegroom represent happiness, love, and celebration. The white blossoms for the dead represent grief and loss. Together, they show that every bazaar — like every life — holds both celebration and mourning.

Long Answer Questions 5 Marks | Board Exam Level

1. Describe the scene at the goldsmith's stall as depicted in the poem.

The scene at the goldsmith's stall is one of exquisite craftsmanship and artistic beauty. The goldsmiths are busy creating a remarkable variety of ornaments and decorative objects. They make beautiful jewellery for people — wristlets worn on the wrist, anklets worn on the ankle, and rings worn on fingers. These everyday ornaments show that they serve the common people.

Beyond personal jewellery, they craft tiny bells for the feet of blue pigeons. These bells are so delicate and light that the poet compares them to a dragon-fly's wing, using the simile "frail as the dragon-fly's wing." This shows extraordinary skill and precision in their craft.

They also make golden girdles (waist bands) for dancers — suggesting a connection with art and performance — and golden scabbards (sword sheaths) for the king, indicating that their work reaches the highest levels of power and royalty. The goldsmith's stall is therefore the most richly described, covering the widest range from nature (pigeons) to art (dancers) to royalty (the king), and demonstrating the versatility and mastery of the craftsmen.

2. Explain how Sarojini Naidu uses sensory imagery to bring the bazaar to life.

Sarojini Naidu masterfully uses all three main types of sensory imagery to create an immersive, realistic experience of the bazaar.

Visual (Sight): The poem is filled with vivid colours and visual details. We see crimson and silver turbans, purple brocade tunics, amber-framed mirrors, jade-handled daggers, azure and red tassels, and white blossoms. The combination of these colours — warm, cool, bright, and dark — creates a dazzling visual spectacle that makes the bazaar feel alive and festive.

Auditory (Sound): The poem is full of sounds. The fruitmen "cry" out their wares, the musicians play the cithar, sarangi, and drum, the magicians chant their spells, and the pedlars call out to passersby. These sounds fill the market with energy and noise, giving the reader the feeling of standing inside the busy, bustling marketplace.

Olfactory (Smell): The maidens grind fragrant sandalwood, henna, and spice, releasing rich aromas into the air. The flower-girls weave sheets of white blossoms to "perfume the sleep of the dead." These references to scent are powerful and evocative, reminding us that a real bazaar is experienced not just with the eyes and ears but with the nose too.

Together, these three types of sensory imagery make the reader feel as if they are actually present in the vibrant bazaars of Hyderabad — seeing, hearing, and smelling everything around them.

3. What is the central theme of the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad"? Discuss.

The central theme of "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" is the celebration of Indian cultural life in all its richness and diversity. Sarojini Naidu uses the bustling marketplace of Hyderabad as a canvas on which she paints the full picture of traditional Indian society.

Through the different sellers — from luxury merchants to food vendors, from goldsmiths to magicians and musicians — she shows that the bazaar serves every need of human life: food, clothing, jewellery, entertainment, spiritual protection, and remembrance of the dead. The bazaar is therefore a symbol of the complete Indian way of life.

A secondary but equally important theme is joy and sorrow. The final stanza, in which the flower-girls weave both wedding crowns and funeral wreaths, is a philosophical statement: life is a balance of happiness and grief, and the bazaar — like India itself — holds both in its embrace.

Finally, the poem is also a tribute to India's artisans and craftspeople. The detailed descriptions of the goldsmiths' work, the maidens grinding fragrant spices, and the merchants' richly made goods celebrate the skill and creativity of India's working people.

Writing Section A Visit to a Handicrafts Fair

A Visit to a Handicrafts Fair

Last Sunday, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the annual handicrafts fair held at the city ground. The moment I entered, I was greeted by a vibrant explosion of colours, sounds, and creativity. The entire place was buzzing with energy, with stalls representing various states of India, each showcasing its unique art and culture.

The stalls were beautifully decorated. I saw artisans from Rajasthan selling bright bandhani dupattas and intricate silver jewellery. A little further, a stall from West Bengal had stunning terracotta horses and delicate Kantha stitch sarees. What attracted me the most was a stall from Assam, where they were selling beautiful Jaapi (traditional hats) and products made from bamboo. I was fascinated to see how simple, natural materials could be turned into such beautiful objects.

I bought a pair of colourful wooden toys from a stall from Uttar Pradesh for my younger brother and a lovely hand-painted vase for my mother. The air was also filled with the melodies of folk music, as there were live performances by artists on a small stage. It was a wonderful outing where I not only enjoyed myself but also learned so much about the rich craft heritage of our country. The day was indeed well spent.

Writing Tips for Exam
When writing about a fair or market, use sensory details (what you saw, heard, and smelled) — just like Sarojini Naidu does in the poem. This makes your writing vivid and engaging.

Grammar Section Nouns — Types of People / Occupations

Fill in the Blanks — Choosing the Correct Noun

1. A Goldsmith is a person who makes articles of gold.

2. A Pedlar is a person who goes from house to house peddling small articles.

3. A Vendor is a person who offers small wares for sale.

4. A Magician is a person who performs magical tricks.

5. A Musician is a person who is skilled in music.

Additional Occupation Nouns from the Poem

  • Merchant — A person who buys and sells goods, especially in large quantities
  • Flower-girl — A person who sells or arranges flowers
  • Fruitman — A person who sells fruits
  • Artisan / Craftsman — A worker skilled in a particular craft (like the goldsmiths)
  • Maiden — A young unmarried woman (used in the poem for the women grinding spices)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) 30 Questions — Exam Ready

How to Use
The correct answer is highlighted in green. Try to answer each question before looking at the answer!
Q1 Who is the author of the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad"?
a) Sarojini Naidu
b) Rabindranath Tagore
c) Ruskin Bond
d) R.K. Narayan
Q2 Where is the poem set?
a) Mumbai
b) Hyderabad
c) Delhi
d) Kolkata
Q3 What are the handles of the daggers made of?
a) Amber
b) Jade
c) Silver
d) Ivory
Q4 What do the flower-girls weave with tassels of azure and red?
a) Crowns for a bridegroom
b) Girdles for dancers
c) Tunics of purple brocade
d) Bells for pigeons
Q5 According to the goldsmiths, what is "frail as a dragon-fly's wing"?
a) A ring
b) A scabbard
c) Bells for the feet of blue pigeons
d) A wristlet
Q6 What instruments do the musicians play?
a) Sitar, tabla, and veena
b) Cithar, sarangi, and drum
c) Flute, harmonium, and drum
d) Guitar, violin, and drum
Q7 What do the vendors weigh?
a) Sandalwood, henna, and spice
b) Saffron, lentil, and rice
c) Citron, pomegranate, and plum
d) Chessmen and ivory dice
Q8 What fruits are sold by the fruitmen?
a) Mango, banana, and guava
b) Citron, pomegranate, and plum
c) Apple, orange, and grape
d) Papaya, pineapple, and plum
Q9 What do the maidens grind?
a) Saffron and lentil
b) Sandalwood, henna, and spice
c) Rice and wheat
d) Amber and jade
Q10 What is a "scabbard"?
a) A type of fruit
b) A musical instrument
c) A sheath or cover for a sword
d) A type of ornament worn on the head
Q11 The word "azure" means:
a) Deep red
b) Bright blue
c) Golden yellow
d) Dark purple
Q12 What ornament is worn on the ankle?
a) Wristlet
b) Ring
c) Anklet
d) Girdle
Q13 The figure of speech in "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" is:
a) Metaphor
b) Simile
c) Personification
d) Alliteration
Q14 Sarojini Naidu is known as the:
a) Songbird of India
b) Nightingale of India
c) Rose of India
d) Voice of India
Q15 What do the pedlars sell?
a) Turbans and tunics
b) Saffron and rice
c) Chessmen and ivory dice
d) Wristlets and anklets
Q16 What do the merchants sell in the first stanza?
a) Turbans, tunics, mirrors, and daggers
b) Saffron, lentil, and rice
c) Chessmen and dice
d) Fruits and flowers
Q17 The poem shows that life is full of joy and sorrow through which stanza?
a) The goldsmiths' stanza
b) The maidens' stanza
c) The flower-girls' stanza
d) The merchants' stanza
Q18 What does "aeons" mean?
a) A few minutes
b) A few years
c) An extremely long period of time
d) A decade
Q19 What do the goldsmiths make for the king?
a) A crown of flowers
b) Scabbards of gold
c) Turbans of crimson
d) Ivory chessmen
Q20 A girdle is worn:
a) On the wrist
b) On the ankle
c) Around the waist
d) On the finger
Q21 What colour are the blossoms woven for the dead?
a) Red
b) Azure
c) White
d) Crimson
Q22 The word "wares" in the poem means:
a) Tools used for cooking
b) Goods or articles offered for sale
c) Baskets used in the market
d) Musical instruments
Q23 What game does the poem suggest was popular in Hyderabad?
a) Cricket
b) Chess
c) Kabaddi
d) Polo
Q24 "Crimson" is a shade of:
a) Blue
b) Red
c) Green
d) Yellow
Q25 How many groups of people does the poet address in the poem?
a) Six
b) Seven
c) Eight
d) Nine
Q26 What does the structure of the poem (question-answer format) create?
a) A sad and mournful mood
b) A lively, conversational, and engaging atmosphere
c) A mysterious and suspenseful tone
d) A formal and educational style
Q27 Sandalwood is mentioned because:
a) It is used to make furniture
b) It is an aromatic substance ground by the maidens
c) It is a type of food
d) It is used to make jewellery
Q28 "Brocade" is a type of:
a) Gemstone
b) Rich, heavy decorative fabric
c) Spice
d) Instrument
Q29 The poem is primarily a celebration of:
a) Festivals of Hyderabad
b) The richness and vibrancy of traditional Indian cultural life
c) The freedom movement of India
d) The science of music
Q30 Which of these best describes the overall mood of the poem?
a) Sad and nostalgic
b) Vibrant, colourful, and celebratory (with a touch of melancholy at the end)
c) Angry and critical
d) Peaceful and silent

Fill in the Blanks Additional Practice Questions

1.The poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" is written by Sarojini Naidu.
2.The merchants sell tunics of purple brocade.
3.The vendors weigh saffron, lentil, and rice.
4.The musicians play the cithar, sarangi, and drum.
5.The pedlars sell chessmen and ivory dice.
6.The goldsmiths make bells for the feet of blue pigeons.
7.The bells are described as frail as a dragon-fly's wing.
8.The maidens grind sandalwood, henna, and spice.
9.The fruitmen sell citron, pomegranate, and plum.
10.The magicians chant spells for the aeons to come.
11.The flower-girls weave crowns for the brow of a bridegroom.
12.The flower-girls also weave white blossoms for the dead.
13.The daggers have handles of jade.
14.The mirrors have panels of amber.
15.Sarojini Naidu is known as the Nightingale of India.
16.The figure of speech in "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" is a simile.
17."Azure" means a bright shade of blue.
18.A girdle is an ornament worn around the waist.
19.An anklet is an ornament worn around the ankle.
20.The goldsmiths make golden girdles for dancers and scabbards for the king.

Important Extracts Reference to Context — Exam Pattern

"What do you make, O ye goldsmiths?
Wristlets and anklets and rings,
Bells for the feet of blue pigeons,
Frail as the dragon-fly's wing,
Girdles of gold for the dancers,
Scabbards of gold for the king."
Questions: (a) Who are the goldsmiths talking to? (b) Identify the simile in this stanza and explain it. (c) What does the making of scabbards for the king suggest?

(a) The goldsmiths are responding to the poet (Sarojini Naidu / the speaker) who has asked them what they make in the bazaar.

(b) The simile is "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing." The tiny bells made for the feet of blue pigeons are compared to a dragon-fly's wing using the word "as." Both are extremely delicate and light. This simile highlights the goldsmiths' extraordinary skill in creating such fine, fragile ornaments.

(c) The making of golden scabbards (sword sheaths) for the king suggests that the king is a warrior who carries a sword. It also indicates his high status and wealth, as the scabbard is made of gold — a precious metal.

"What do you weave, O ye flower-girls?
With tassels of azure and red?
Crowns for the brow of a bridegroom,
Coronals white for the dead."
Questions: (a) What are "tassels of azure and red" used for? (b) What does "coronals white for the dead" mean? (c) How do these lines show that life contains both joy and sorrow?

(a) The tassels of azure (bright blue) and red are woven into crowns for a bridegroom — the colourful decorative garlands and headwear made for a wedding celebration.

(b) "Coronals white for the dead" means that the flower-girls also weave white floral wreaths or garlands to be placed on or around a dead person's body during their funeral. White flowers are used as a symbol of purity and mourning.

(c) The contrast between the brightly coloured wedding crown (joy) and the white funeral coronal (sorrow) directly shows that life holds both happiness and grief. The same flower-girls, in the same bazaar, weave for both occasions — suggesting that joy and sorrow are inseparable parts of human existence.

Exam Preparation Tips Score Full Marks in This Chapter

Know All Sellers & Their Wares

The most common exam question is listing what each group sells. Memorise: Merchants → turbans/tunics. Vendors → saffron/lentil/rice. Pedlars → chessmen/dice. Goldsmiths → wristlets/anklets/rings. Maidens → sandalwood/henna/spice. Fruitmen → citron/pomegranate/plum.

Simile is Always Asked

The simile "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" is asked in almost every exam. Know the full context: the goldsmiths make tiny bells for blue pigeons, and these bells are as delicate as a dragonfly's wing.

Joy & Sorrow Question

Know the answer to "How does the poet show life is full of joy and sorrow?" — flower-girls weave both wedding crowns (joy) and funeral wreaths (sorrow). This is a guaranteed question.

List the Colours

Be ready to list and explain the colours in the poem: crimson, silver, purple, amber, azure, red, white. Mention their effect — they create a vivid, festive picture of the bazaar.

Sensory Imagery

The poem uses sight (colours), sound (music, cries), and smell (sandalwood, spices). Be able to give one example of each type of imagery — this is a common 3-mark question.

About the Poet

Remember: Sarojini Naidu — "Nightingale of India" — born in Hyderabad, 1879 — poet and freedom fighter — first woman President of INC. These details appear in short-answer questions.

Common Mistakes Students Make

❌ Mistake 1: Confusing what each seller does
Students often mix up "vendors" (who weigh food), "merchants" (who sell clothes and luxury items), and "pedlars" (who sell chessmen). Learn each group separately with their specific items.
❌ Mistake 2: Calling the simile a metaphor
"Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" is a SIMILE (uses "as"). A metaphor would not use "as" or "like." This is one of the most commonly made errors in literature questions.
❌ Mistake 3: Incomplete sensory imagery answers
When asked about sensory imagery, always cover all three: sight, sound, AND smell. Many students only mention colours (sight) and forget to mention sound (music, cries) and smell (spices, sandalwood).
❌ Mistake 4: Not explaining the final stanza's meaning
Simply stating "flower-girls weave crowns and white blossoms" is incomplete. Always explain the significance: crowns = joy (wedding), white blossoms = sorrow (death) — together they represent the cycle of life.
❌ Mistake 5: Spelling errors for poet's name
Always spell the poet's full name correctly: Sarojini Naidu (not Sarojni, not Naidy). The poet's name is almost always worth marks in biography/about-the-author questions.

Revision Notes & Mind Map Summary

✍️

Poet

Sarojini Naidu | "Nightingale of India" | Born 1879, Hyderabad | Poet & freedom fighter

🏪

Setting

Traditional bazaars of Hyderabad | Lively, colourful, bustling marketplace

🏗️

Structure

9 stanzas | Question-answer format | Poet asks; sellers reply

🛍️

The 9 Sellers

Merchants → Vendors → Pedlars → Goldsmiths → Maidens → Fruitmen → Musicians → Magicians → Flower-girls

🎨

Key Colours

Crimson, silver, purple, amber, azure, red, white — create a vivid, festive picture

✨

Key Literary Device

Simile: "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing" — comparing goldsmith's delicate bells to dragonfly's wing

💡

Central Theme

Vibrancy of Indian cultural life | Joy & sorrow coexist in life | Celebration of Indian craftsmanship

🌸

Final Message

Flower-girls weave for both joy (wedding) and sorrow (death) → Life holds both

Quick Revision Formula
P-S-S-T: Poet (Sarojini Naidu) → Setting (Hyderabad bazaar) → Structure (Q&A, 9 stanzas) → Theme (richness of Indian life + joy & sorrow)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who wrote the poem "In the Bazaars of Hyderabad" and in which textbook is it?
The poem is written by Sarojini Naidu, the "Nightingale of India." It is Chapter 3 in the Vision Academy English-I textbook for Class 6, followed by Assam Board (SEBA) schools for the 2025-26 academic session.
What is the main theme of the poem?
The main theme is the celebration of traditional Indian cultural life in all its richness, colour, and diversity. The poem also explores the idea that joy and sorrow are both part of everyday life, shown through the flower-girls who weave for both weddings and funerals.
Which is the most important literary device in this poem?
The most important and most frequently asked literary device is the simile: "Frail as the dragon-fly's wing." The goldsmiths' tiny bells for blue pigeons are compared to the delicate wings of a dragonfly to convey their extreme lightness and fragility.
How many types of sellers are mentioned in the poem?
Nine different groups are addressed: merchants, vendors, pedlars, goldsmiths, maidens, fruitmen, musicians, magicians, and flower-girls. Each group has a unique role and different items to sell, together creating a complete picture of the bazaar.
Why is Sarojini Naidu called the "Nightingale of India"?
Sarojini Naidu earned the title "Nightingale of India" because of her extraordinarily melodious and musical poetry. Just as a nightingale is known for its beautiful, sweet song, her poems are celebrated for their lyrical quality, rich imagery, and musical rhythms. Mahatma Gandhi himself gave her this title.
What is the significance of the flower-girls being placed last in the poem?
The flower-girls are placed last because their stanza carries the deepest philosophical meaning. By weaving for both a bridegroom (joy) and the dead (sorrow), they represent the full cycle of human life. Placing them at the end gives the poem a powerful, thought-provoking conclusion that elevates it beyond a simple market description into a reflection on life itself.

📚 Explore All Class 6 Study Materials

Get complete notes, MCQs, and solutions for all subjects — Maths, Science, Social Studies, Hindi, and more.

Browse Class 6 Notes →

Hafijul Islam

Founder & Chief Content Creator, Student Sahayak

This page has been carefully researched, written, and reviewed by Hafijul Islam And the Student Sahayak team — experienced educators and content writers dedicated to creating high-quality, exam-focused study material for students across Assam. All content is aligned with the 2025-26 Vision Academy and Assam Board (SEBA) curriculum for Class 6 English.

Educational Disclaimer: This content is created for educational and study purposes only. All textbook questions are the intellectual property of Vision Academy / SEBA. The explanations, analyses, and additional questions are original works by Student Sahayak, intended to help students understand and prepare for examinations. Read Full Disclaimer →