NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies Aas-Pass: Chapter 2 — कहानी सँपेरों की
This chapter, "कहानी सँपेरों की" (The Story of the Snake Charmers) from NCERT's Class 5 Environmental Studies book 'Aas-Pass', introduces students to the Kalbelia community, known for their traditional occupation of snake charming. The narrative is told from the perspective of Aryanath, a member of this community, who shares his family's history and skills. He explains how his ancestors were snake charmers, traveling from village to village with their snakes in baskets, entertaining people with their बीन (a musical instrument) and snake dances. The chapter also highlights the traditional knowledge of using herbs and roots found in forests to create medicines for snake bites and other ailments. Aryanath recounts how his community earned a living by providing these remedies and helping people, sometimes even in remote areas where doctors were unavailable. The text touches upon the danger of poisonous snakes and the importance of identifying them correctly to administer the right medicine, emphasizing that not all snakes are venomous. This chapter aims to foster an understanding and respect for traditional occupations and the knowledge passed down through generations.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 5 |
| Subject | Environmental Studies |
| Book | Aas-Pass |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — कहानी सँपेरों की |
| Language | Hindi |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 378 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the traditional occupation of snake charming and the Kalbelia community.
- Learn about the use of बीन and snake dances in traditional performances.
- Recognize the importance of forest herbs and roots for making traditional medicines.
- Differentiate between venomous and non-venomous snakes and the need for correct identification.
- Appreciate the role of traditional knowledge in helping communities.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| सँपेरा | Snake charmer |
| कालबेलिया | A community traditionally known for snake charming |
| बीन | A musical instrument played by snake charmers |
| पिटारी | A basket or container, often used to carry snakes |
| जड़ी-बूटियाँ | Herbs and medicinal plants |
| ज़हरीले | Poisonous/Venomous |
| नाग गुंफन | A type of design resembling snake coils |
| कढ़ाई | Embroidery |
| रंगोली | A traditional Indian art form of decorating floors |
| काँवड़ | A pole with two baskets or containers suspended from each end |
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Practice questions
- सँपेरों की पारंपरिक कला क्या है? Answer: सँपेरों की पारंपरिक कला बीन बजाकर साँपों को नचाना है।
- सँपेरों के समुदाय को क्या कहते हैं? Answer: सँपेरों के समुदाय को कालबेलिया कहते हैं।
- सँपेरे साँपों के काटने की दवा के लिए किन चीज़ों का इस्तेमाल करते थे? Answer: सँपेरे जंगल से इकट्ठी की गई जड़ी-बूटियों से साँपों के काटने की दवा बनाते थे।
- क्या सभी साँप ज़हरीले होते हैं? Answer: नहीं, ज्यादातर साँप ज़हरीले नहीं होते हैं।
- नाग गुंफन जैसे डिज़ाइन कहाँ प्रयोग किए जाते हैं? Answer: नाग गुंफन जैसे डिज़ाइन रंगोली, कढ़ाई और दीवारों को सजाने के लिए सौराष्ट्र, गुजरात और दक्षिण भारत में प्रयोग किए जाते हैं।
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Kalbelias?
The Kalbelias are a community traditionally known for their occupation of snake charming, where they play the 'Been' to make snakes dance.
What is a 'Been'?
A 'Been' is a musical instrument, similar to a flute, played by snake charmers to control and entertain snakes.
What kind of medicines did snake charmers prepare?
Snake charmers prepared medicines from herbs and roots collected from the forest, which were used to treat snake bites and other ailments.
Did snake charmers only earn from performances?
No, they also earned by providing traditional medicines and helping people, often receiving grains or money in return.
Are all snakes dangerous?
No, most snakes are not venomous or dangerous. Only some snakes have venom that can be harmful.
What does 'Nag Gufan' refer to?
'Nag Gufan' refers to a design that resembles coiled snakes, used in traditional art forms like Rangoli and embroidery in regions like Saurashtra and South India.
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NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies — Aas-Pass — Chapter 2 — कहानी सँपेरों की. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.