Read Bholi by K.A. Abbas with detailed summary, vocabulary, short and long answer questions. Best exam-oriented notes for UP Board Class 10 English 2025 preparation.
About the Lesson
The lesson “Bholi” is a touching story about a simple, shy, and weak girl who gains confidence through education. The story highlights social evils such as dowry, gender discrimination, and neglect of girls. It teaches that education gives self-respect, courage, and the power to stand against injustice. Bholi’s transformation from a frightened child to a confident girl inspires readers to value education and equality.
About the Author – K.A. Abbas
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (K.A. Abbas) was a famous Indian writer, journalist, and filmmaker. He wrote many short stories, novels and films focusing on social issues. His writings are simple, realistic and meaningful. Abbas always supported equality, education, and human dignity. Bholi is one of his most popular stories, especially for students.
Summary of the Lesson
Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal, a poor but respected village man. When Bholi was only ten months old, she fell from her cot and hurt her head. After that accident, she became slow in learning and started stammering while speaking. Because of this, everyone thought she was foolish and called her “Bholi,” which means simple or dull.
Bholi also suffered from smallpox in childhood. The disease left deep marks on her face. She became ugly and frightened. Other children made fun of her. She remained quiet and scared most of the time. Her parents paid little attention to her because they believed she would never be useful. They were worried about her marriage because of her looks and weak mind.
One day, the village head decided to open a primary school for girls. The Tehsildar advised Ramlal to send Bholi to school. Ramlal’s wife was against it. She feared that if Bholi went to school, no one would marry her. But Ramlal thought that education might help her future. So, Bholi was sent to school.
On the first day of school, Bholi was very scared. She had never seen a school before. She cried and trembled. When she reached the classroom, she was frightened to see so many girls. The teacher noticed her fear. She spoke kindly and gently to Bholi. She gave her love and encouragement. For the first time, someone treated Bholi with care and respect.
The teacher asked Bholi to speak her name. Bholi stammered badly. The class laughed at her. The teacher became angry with the students and told them not to laugh. She encouraged Bholi and praised her efforts. The teacher promised that one day Bholi would speak clearly and confidently. This gave Bholi hope and happiness.
Slowly, Bholi started enjoying school. She learned to read and write. Her confidence grew day by day. Education changed her life. She became bold, thoughtful, and self-respecting. The fear that once ruled her mind slowly disappeared.
Years passed, and Bholi grew into a young girl. Her face still had pockmarks, but her mind was sharp and strong. Her parents decided to arrange her marriage. A greedy old man named Bishamber Nath agreed to marry her. He was lame and much older. He demanded five thousand rupees as dowry. Ramlal agreed because he felt Bholi would never get a better match.
On the wedding day, when Bishamber Nath saw Bholi’s face, he demanded more money. Ramlal was shocked but helpless. To save his honor, he agreed to pay. Bholi listened to everything silently. At the final moment, when she was asked to take the marriage vows, she refused.
Bholi spoke clearly and firmly. She said she would not marry a greedy man who insulted her father. Everyone was shocked. This was not the old, frightened Bholi. This was a confident and educated girl. Bishamber Nath left angrily. Ramlal felt ashamed and broken.
Bholi then turned to her teacher and said that she wanted to serve her parents and teach in the school. She did not want to marry a man who valued money more than human respect. The teacher smiled proudly.
The story ends with a strong message that education gives courage and dignity. Bholi proved that a girl is not weak if she is educated. She chose self-respect over marriage and stood against social evils.
50 Difficult Words with Meanings
(Format: Word – Pronunciation – Meaning in Hindi)
- Bholi – (भो-ली) – सरल, भोली
- Stammer – (स्टैमर) – हकलाना
- Neglect – (निग्लेक्ट) – उपेक्षा
- Pockmarks – (पॉकमार्क्स) – चेचक के दाग
- Tremble – (ट्रेम्बल) – कांपना
- Frightened – (फ्राइटन्ड) – डरा हुआ
- Primary – (प्राइमरी) – प्रारंभिक
- Encouragement – (इन्करेजमेंट) – प्रोत्साहन
- Confidence – (कॉन्फिडेंस) – आत्मविश्वास
- Education – (एजुकेशन) – शिक्षा
- Respect – (रिस्पेक्ट) – सम्मान
- Gentle – (जेंटल) – कोमल
- Firm – (फर्म) – दृढ़
- Courage – (करिज) – साहस
- Insult – (इन्सल्ट) – अपमान
- Greedy – (ग्रीडी) – लालची
- Dowry – (डाउरी) – दहेज
- Marriage – (मैरेज) – विवाह
- Honor – (ऑनर) – इज्जत
- Promise – (प्रॉमिस) – वादा
- Shocked – (शॉक्ड) – हैरान
- Proud – (प्राउड) – गर्वित
- Serve – (सर्व) – सेवा करना
- Decide – (डिसाइड) – निर्णय लेना
- Village – (विलेज) – गाँव
- Weak – (वीक) – कमजोर
- Disease – (डिजीज) – बीमारी
- Smallpox – (स्मॉलपॉक्स) – चेचक
- Silence – (साइलेंस) – चुप्पी
- Fear – (फियर) – डर
- Kind – (काइंड) – दयालु
- Teacher – (टीचर) – अध्यापक
- Laugh – (लाफ) – हँसना
- Angry – (एंग्री) – क्रोधित
- Bold – (बोल्ड) – निडर
- Self-respect – (सेल्फ रिस्पेक्ट) – आत्मसम्मान
- Equality – (इक्वालिटी) – समानता
- Tradition – (ट्रैडिशन) – परंपरा
- Society – (सोसाइटी) – समाज
- Oppression – (ऑप्रेशन) – अत्याचार
- Choice – (चॉइस) – चयन
- Reject – (रिजेक्ट) – अस्वीकार करना
- Support – (सपोर्ट) – सहारा
- Improve – (इम्प्रूव) – सुधारना
- Strong – (स्ट्रॉन्ग) – मजबूत
- Brave – (ब्रेव) – बहादुर
- Duty – (ड्यूटी) – कर्तव्य
- Future – (फ्यूचर) – भविष्य
- Value – (वैल्यू) – मूल्य
- Dignity – (डिग्निटी) – गरिमा
1. Describe the family of Ramlal.
Ramlal was a poor village man. He had seven children. His wife was worried about Bholi because she was weak and dull. Ramlal later became a Tehsildar and his family condition improved.
2. Why was Sulekha called Bholi? What was the reason behind that?
Sulekha was called Bholi because she was slow in understanding and spoke with a stammer. She also had marks of smallpox on her face. People thought she was foolish.
3. What did Ramlal do to persuade Bishamber to marry Bholi?
Ramlal agreed to give dowry to Bishamber. He promised cash and gifts. He did this because he feared that Bholi would not get another proposal due to her looks.
4. What did the Tehsildar suggest to Ramlal?
The Tehsildar suggested that Ramlal should send Bholi to school. He said education would help her gain confidence. He believed schooling would change her life and future.
5. Why was Bholi hesitant to go to school?
Bholi was afraid of school because she had never gone outside alone. She thought she would be beaten. She also feared people because they laughed at her stammer.
6. Give two points to show that Bholi’s wedding was a grand one.
Bholi’s wedding was grand because a decorated tent was put up. Many guests attended the wedding. The bridegroom came with a procession and musicians.
7. How did Bholi console her father in the end?
Bholi told her father not to feel ashamed. She said she would serve him and her mother all her life. She promised to become a teacher and live with dignity.
8. How was Bholi’s first day at school?
Bholi’s first day at school was fearful but hopeful. She was scared at first. The teacher spoke kindly to her. This gave her confidence and happiness.
9. What changes did the villagers see after some years?
After some years, villagers saw Bholi become confident and educated. She spoke clearly without fear. She looked smart and self-respecting. Education changed her personality.
10. Why did Sulekha start stammering?
Sulekha started stammering after she fell from her cot as a child. She became weak and fearful. Because of fear and illness, her speech became unclear.
11. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she reject the marriage later?
Bholi agreed first because she was shy and obedient. Later she rejected the marriage when Bishamber demanded dowry. She understood self-respect and refused injustice.
12. When did the Tehsildar come to Bholi’s village?
The Tehsildar came to Bholi’s village when a new primary school was opened. He encouraged villagers to send their daughters to school for education.
13. How was Bholi taken to school for her primary education?
Bholi was taken to school by her parents with new clothes. She was scared. Her mother gave her sweets to comfort her. She cried on the way.
14. Why did Bholi refuse to marry Bishamber?
Bholi refused to marry Bishamber because he demanded dowry. She felt insulted. Education gave her courage. She chose self-respect over marriage and injustice.
Long Answer Questions – Bholi by K.A. Abbas (60 Words Each)
Q.1. Who was Bishamber? Why did Bholi’s parents accept his marriage proposal?
Answer:
Bishamber was a wealthy, old and lame man. He was a greedy bridegroom who demanded dowry. Bholi’s parents accepted his proposal because Bholi was plain-looking and a stammerer. They felt no good match would come for her. They thought this marriage was their last chance.
Q.2. Sketch the character of Bholi.
Answer:
Bholi was a shy and simple girl. She was weak, stammered, and had marks on her face. People made fun of her. Education changed her life. She became confident and brave. She learned self-respect from her teacher. In the end, she refused dowry marriage and stood strong.
Q.3. Describe the role of Bholi’s teacher in her life.
Answer:
Bholi’s teacher was kind and loving. She encouraged Bholi on her first day at school. She spoke gently and made Bholi feel safe. The teacher taught her to read and speak confidently. Because of her teacher, Bholi gained courage, self-respect, and a new identity.
Q.4. Draw a pen-portrait of Ramlal in detail.
Answer:
Ramlal was Bholi’s father and a poor village man. He worked as a clerk in the tehsil. He was worried about Bholi’s future because of her looks. He loved his daughter but feared society. He agreed to dowry marriage under pressure. In the end, he felt proud of Bholi.
Q.5. “Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity.” Discuss with reference to the story Bholi.
Answer:
The story Bholi shows that dowry hurts a girl’s self-respect. Bishamber demanded money at the wedding. He treated Bholi as an object. Bholi refused to marry him. Her decision proved that dowry is wrong. It insults women and destroys their dignity and confidence.
Q.6. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage?
Answer:
Bholi first agreed because she felt weak and unwanted. She wanted to help her parents. She thought marriage was her duty. Later, Bishamber demanded dowry publicly. Bholi realized her self-worth. Education gave her courage. She rejected the marriage to protect her dignity.
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