‘रचना-प्रयोग’ का मुख्य उद्देश्य क्या है?

व्याकरण का व्यावहारिक प्रयोग सिखाना

‘द्वितीयः’ किस प्रकार की संख्या है?

क्रमवाचक (दूसरा)

Why was Bholi neglected at home?

Smallpox marks on her face and a stammer from a childhood fall made her seem backward and unattractive, so she was ignored and mocked.

How did school change Bholi?

A kind, encouraging teacher gave her knowledge and self-respect, gradually transforming the timid girl into a confident young woman.

Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber?

At the wedding he greedily demanded a large dowry from her father, and the now-confident, educated Bholi refused to marry such a heartless, greedy man.

What is the message of the story “Bholi”?

Education can empower even a neglected, voiceless girl to gain confidence, dignity and the courage to fight injustice.

What was Bholi’s real name, and why was she called Bholi?

Her real name was Sulekha, but the family nicknamed her Bholi, meaning a simpleton, because she seemed slow and backward.

Why was Bholi neglected and thought backward?

Pock-marks left by smallpox and a stammer caused by a childhood fall made her appear dull and unattractive to her family.

Why did Bholi’s father finally send her to school?

Chiefly because she seemed unlikely to marry; sending her to the new village school cost nothing and might keep her occupied.

How did the teacher transform Bholi?

With patience and encouragement, the kind teacher gave her knowledge, confidence and self-respect, changing the timid girl into an assured young woman.

What happened at Bholi’s wedding to Bishamber?

The greedy old bridegroom demanded a large dowry and, even after being given more, insisted on cash, humiliating her father.

How did Bholi assert herself at the wedding?

The educated, confident Bholi refused to marry such a greedy man, and chose instead to serve her parents and teach in the village school.

Bholi

Class 10 English · Footprints Without Feet · Chapter 8

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The story in short

Written by K.A. Abbas, this is the moving story of a girl named Bholi (meaning “simpleton”) who overcomes neglect and lack of confidence through education. The fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal, Bholi is considered backward and ugly because an attack of smallpox left her face marked and a childhood fall affected her speech, making her stammer. Neglected at home and mocked, she has no confidence. When a primary school opens in the village, her father reluctantly sends her, mainly because no one wishes to marry her. At school, a kind and encouraging teacher transforms Bholi, helping her gain knowledge and self-respect. Years later, a match is arranged with a wealthy older widower, Bishamber, but at the wedding he demands a large dowry. The educated, confident Bholi boldly refuses to marry such a greedy man, shocking everyone, and chooses instead to serve her parents and teach in the village school. The story shows how education empowers a neglected girl to find her voice and dignity.

The story in 6 beats

1Bholi grows up neglected because smallpox marks her face and a fall makes her stammer badly.
2When a village school opens, Ramlal sends Bholi there, thinking education may help her future.
3Bholi feels afraid at first, but her gentle teacher speaks kindly and gives her hope.
4Over the years, education changes Bholi into a confident and thoughtful young woman.
5At her wedding, Bishamber demands dowry after seeing her marked face, and the family feels helpless.
6Bholi refuses the greedy groom, breaks the marriage, and decides to teach and serve her parents.

Empowerment through educationNeglect and self-confidenceEvils of dowryThe role of a good teacherCourage and dignity

Characters & key ideas

BholiA neglected girl transformed by education and confidence.

RamlalBholi’s father, who at first neglects her.

The teacherThe kind teacher who gives Bholi confidence and knowledge.

BishamberThe greedy older widower who demands dowry.

EducationThe force that empowers Bholi to assert herself.

DowryThe unjust demand Bholi courageously rejects.

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

Numberdar

village revenue officer or headman

backward

slow in learning or development

pock-marks

small scars left by smallpox

stammer

speak with broken, repeated sounds

tehsildar

local government revenue officer

mumbled

spoke unclearly in a low voice

confident

sure of oneself

proposal

offer of marriage

widower

man whose wife has died

dowry

money or gifts given in marriage

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

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What does the name “Bholi” mean?

Flashcards & interactive practice

Bholi

Visual story

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The story in short

The story in 6 beats

Characters & key ideas

Word meanings · शब्दार्थ

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Practice quiz · Bholi

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