Question

Mashak is a ________ bag used for carrying water.
a.Plastic
b.Paper
c.Leather
d.None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Mashak is a type of bagpipe that is famous in Northern India in the region of Garhwal. It is also used in parts of Nepal, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Complete answer: Mashak was originally known as the Masakbaaja in the Garhwal region, from where Mashak got its name. Let’s take a look at the options one by one to reach the most appropriate answer.
a.Plastic: Since the Masak Baaja was used a lot before the invention of plastic lor any kinds of polymers, this option is out of bounds. So, it is an incorrect option.
b.Paper: The people of Garhwal, and in fact that of the entire Indian subcontinent did not use paper until the nineteenth century. Instead, they used parchment of trees and bark for writing purposes. Since paper was nonexistent in the subcontinent at that time, it could not have been used for any purpose whatsoever. So, it is an incorrect option.
c.Leather: The Masak Baja used in the Indian subcontinent was made up of goat skin (a type of leather) which was a common domesticated animal in the region. Also, since the people of the region were partial nomads, they used it as a water bag. So, it is the correct option.
d.None of these: Since we have seen that the Masakbaaja was not made up of either paper, plastic or even leather, we can say that this option is an incorrect option.

Thus, The correct answer is Option c.

Note: The Mashak or Masak Baaja is made up of goat skin of goat, which is known as Moroccan leather. Also, its primary use is that of a water bag. However, it can also be used as a bagpipe for playing music at festivals and weddings as in the European culture.