CHAPTER – 5 SILK ROAD
AUTHOR – NICK MIDDLETON
TEACHER – TABISH NASEEM
SUMMARY
The journey began
The author, his friend Daniel and their driver Tstean made a programme of going to Mount Kailash.
When he told about this to Lhamo, she went hurriedly into the tent and brought long sleeved sheepskin
coats that they must wear. They took a short cut to get off Changtang. Tsetan who knew the route
offered to take them South-West, almost directly towards Mount Kailash. Driving across rising and
falling hills they reached a place where plains became more stony. Here they came across a herd of wild
asses.
A steep drive
As hills began to push up from the rocky wilderness they came across well-clad ‘drokbas’ tending their
sheep. Whenever the truck took them close to the flocks, the sheep would take evasive action. As they
passed nomad’s dark tents, their big black dogs chased their car barking furiously. They continued
their journey, the turns became sharper and the ride bumber. The track moved away from the icy river.
The author felt the pressure building up in his ears.
The first blockage
A swathe of snow lay across the track in front of them. It must be stretching for fifteen metres. There
was fear of slipping but Tsetan crossed the patch safely after covering the snow with soil. Ten minutes
later, they had to stop at another blockage. It was again a long stretch of ice. This time Tsetan decided
to drive round the snow. The slope was steep but Tsetan showed his drinking skill once again and
crossed it safely.
Reaching the top of a pass
Reaching the top was very difficult. The ascent gave the author throbbing headache and he gulped
water. Finally they reached the top of the pass at 5, 515 feet. Here they saw huge rocks adorned with
while silk scarves and prayer flags. At a petrol tank Tsetan partially unscrewed the top which emitted
a loud hiss. He also checked tyres and petrol tank.
Reached Hor
By late afternoon, they reached the small town of Hor. They took lunch near the dry salt lake. Here
Daniel, who was returning to Lhasa, found a ride in a truck. The author and Tsetan bade him farewell.
They had suffered two punctures and Tsetan was now eager to have them fixed since they had no spare
wheel now. To them Hor appeared to be a grim, miserable place with no vegetation, just dust and rocks.
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, Stay in Darchen
By the time they left Hor it was 10.30 p.m. The author and Tsetan reached a bunglow in Darchen. Tired
and hungry, the author started breathing through his mouth. His chest felt strangely heavy. Then
Tsetan took him to a Tibetan doctor. With the medicine that he gave the author felt better, Tsetan then
left for Lhasa.
Experience at Darchen
After a good night’s sleep, Darchen didn’t look so horrible. It was still dusty partially derelict. No one
spoke or understood English in Darchen. So it was difficult for the author to communicate with them.
He met Norbu, a Tibetan who worked in Beijing at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He could
speak English. He told the author that he had also come for Kailash Kora ('parikarma' around the holy
mountain). Both the author and Norbu hired some yaks go on the pilgrimage together. The author felt
relieved and happy in Norbu's company.
THEME
‘Silk Road’ is a detailed account of the author’s visit to Mount Kailash. He visited the place to do Kora.
Kora is a religious act performed by the Hindus and the Buddhists. Mount Kailash is considered holy
by the devotees. A Kora (parikarma) around this holy mountain is considered to be very auspicious.
Kailash ‘Kora’ and its importance can be found in various works of Buddhist literature. In the words
of Tsetan death is the final nirvana which signifies blowing out of a candle. The cycle of birth and death
breaks with the attainment of ‘Nirvana’ which is something desirable.
CHARACTER SKETCH
The Author – Nick Middleton
The article ‘Silk Road’ throws a flood of light on the character of the author. He is very eager to visit
Mount Kailash and do the Kora i.e., parikarma around the holy mountain. He hopes to meet many
devout Hindus and Buddhists at Darchen. He is really happy and excited when he meets Norbu who is
also going to Mount Kailash.
The author is firmly determined to accomplish the target. In spite of the difficulties that come in the
way, he is not frightened. When he reaches Darchen, he starts breathing through his mouth. His chest
feels heavy but with medicine given by the Tibetan doctor, he recovers. The author is fond of reading.
He feels very happy in the company of Norbu who is also working in Beijing at the Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences. The author, though ill-equipped for the pilgrimage, happily gets ready though the
journey is tiresome. He has zest and enthusiasm.
TITLE
2|Page
AUTHOR – NICK MIDDLETON
TEACHER – TABISH NASEEM
SUMMARY
The journey began
The author, his friend Daniel and their driver Tstean made a programme of going to Mount Kailash.
When he told about this to Lhamo, she went hurriedly into the tent and brought long sleeved sheepskin
coats that they must wear. They took a short cut to get off Changtang. Tsetan who knew the route
offered to take them South-West, almost directly towards Mount Kailash. Driving across rising and
falling hills they reached a place where plains became more stony. Here they came across a herd of wild
asses.
A steep drive
As hills began to push up from the rocky wilderness they came across well-clad ‘drokbas’ tending their
sheep. Whenever the truck took them close to the flocks, the sheep would take evasive action. As they
passed nomad’s dark tents, their big black dogs chased their car barking furiously. They continued
their journey, the turns became sharper and the ride bumber. The track moved away from the icy river.
The author felt the pressure building up in his ears.
The first blockage
A swathe of snow lay across the track in front of them. It must be stretching for fifteen metres. There
was fear of slipping but Tsetan crossed the patch safely after covering the snow with soil. Ten minutes
later, they had to stop at another blockage. It was again a long stretch of ice. This time Tsetan decided
to drive round the snow. The slope was steep but Tsetan showed his drinking skill once again and
crossed it safely.
Reaching the top of a pass
Reaching the top was very difficult. The ascent gave the author throbbing headache and he gulped
water. Finally they reached the top of the pass at 5, 515 feet. Here they saw huge rocks adorned with
while silk scarves and prayer flags. At a petrol tank Tsetan partially unscrewed the top which emitted
a loud hiss. He also checked tyres and petrol tank.
Reached Hor
By late afternoon, they reached the small town of Hor. They took lunch near the dry salt lake. Here
Daniel, who was returning to Lhasa, found a ride in a truck. The author and Tsetan bade him farewell.
They had suffered two punctures and Tsetan was now eager to have them fixed since they had no spare
wheel now. To them Hor appeared to be a grim, miserable place with no vegetation, just dust and rocks.
1|Page
, Stay in Darchen
By the time they left Hor it was 10.30 p.m. The author and Tsetan reached a bunglow in Darchen. Tired
and hungry, the author started breathing through his mouth. His chest felt strangely heavy. Then
Tsetan took him to a Tibetan doctor. With the medicine that he gave the author felt better, Tsetan then
left for Lhasa.
Experience at Darchen
After a good night’s sleep, Darchen didn’t look so horrible. It was still dusty partially derelict. No one
spoke or understood English in Darchen. So it was difficult for the author to communicate with them.
He met Norbu, a Tibetan who worked in Beijing at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. He could
speak English. He told the author that he had also come for Kailash Kora ('parikarma' around the holy
mountain). Both the author and Norbu hired some yaks go on the pilgrimage together. The author felt
relieved and happy in Norbu's company.
THEME
‘Silk Road’ is a detailed account of the author’s visit to Mount Kailash. He visited the place to do Kora.
Kora is a religious act performed by the Hindus and the Buddhists. Mount Kailash is considered holy
by the devotees. A Kora (parikarma) around this holy mountain is considered to be very auspicious.
Kailash ‘Kora’ and its importance can be found in various works of Buddhist literature. In the words
of Tsetan death is the final nirvana which signifies blowing out of a candle. The cycle of birth and death
breaks with the attainment of ‘Nirvana’ which is something desirable.
CHARACTER SKETCH
The Author – Nick Middleton
The article ‘Silk Road’ throws a flood of light on the character of the author. He is very eager to visit
Mount Kailash and do the Kora i.e., parikarma around the holy mountain. He hopes to meet many
devout Hindus and Buddhists at Darchen. He is really happy and excited when he meets Norbu who is
also going to Mount Kailash.
The author is firmly determined to accomplish the target. In spite of the difficulties that come in the
way, he is not frightened. When he reaches Darchen, he starts breathing through his mouth. His chest
feels heavy but with medicine given by the Tibetan doctor, he recovers. The author is fond of reading.
He feels very happy in the company of Norbu who is also working in Beijing at the Chinese Academy
of Social Sciences. The author, though ill-equipped for the pilgrimage, happily gets ready though the
journey is tiresome. He has zest and enthusiasm.
TITLE
2|Page
