Bholi

READ AND FIND OUT (Introduction to Bholi's background)

This section introduces the protagonist of the story, Bholi, whose real name is Sulekha. From the very beginning, the narrative explains why she is called 'Bholi', meaning simpleton. She is the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal, a prosperous farmer. The story reveals that when Bholi was just ten months old, she fell off the cot and hit her head, which possibly caused brain damage, leading to her being a backward child. This early incident sets the foundation for her challenges. Additionally, she had small-pox at the age of two, which left her face disfigured with deep black pockmarks, sparing only her eyes. Her speech was delayed until she was five years old, and even then, she stammered, which made other children mock her, causing her to speak very little. The family dynamics are also introduced: Ramlal has seven children, three sons and four daughters, with Bholi being the youngest daughter. While the sons are sent to schools and colleges in the city, the daughters are married off one by one, except for Bholi, who is neither good-looking nor intelligent in her father's eyes. This section sets the social context of the story, highlighting the stigma and challenges faced by a girl child with disabilities and disfigurements in a traditional Indian village setting.

• Bholi's real name is Sulekha; 'Bholi' means simpleton.
• She suffered a head injury at ten months causing mental backwardness.
• Small-pox at age two left her face disfigured with pockmarks.
• She stammered and spoke very little due to mockery by other children.
• Ramlal is a prosperous farmer with seven children; Bholi is the youngest daughter.
• Sons are educated in the city; daughters are married off except Bholi.
• 📌 Simpleton: a foolish person easily tricked by others.
• 📌 Numberdar: an official who collects revenue in the village.

Bholi is Sent to School

This section narrates the circumstances under which Bholi is sent to school. When Bholi was seven years old, Mangla, her second sister, was married. That same year, a primary school for girls was opened in their village. The Tehsildar sahib, a government revenue official, came to inaugurate the school and insisted that Ramlal, as the village representative, must set an example by sending his daughters to school. Ramlal's wife was strongly opposed, fearing that education would reduce their daughters' chances of marriage. However, Ramlal, lacking courage to disobey the Tehsildar, agreed. His wife suggested sending Bholi to school since she was unlikely to marry due to her appearance and lack of intelligence. This decision reflects societal attitudes towards girls' education and marriage prospects, especially for those considered less desirable. The section also describes Bholi's fear and confusion about going to school, her father's insistence, and the preparation for her first day, including wearing a clean but old dress and being bathed and groomed for the occasion. At school, Bholi is overwhelmed but fascinated by the colorful pictures on the walls and the presence of many girls her age. The teacher's kindness and encouragement begin to make a positive impression on her, marking the start of a transformative journey.

• A girls' primary school opens in Bholi's village when she is seven.
• The Tehsildar insists Ramlal send his daughters to school as a government representative.
• Ramlal's wife fears education will harm marriage prospects for daughters.
• Bholi is chosen to go to school because she is unlikely to marry.
• Bholi is frightened but intrigued by school and its environment.
• The teacher shows kindness and encourages Bholi to speak and learn.
• 📌 Tehsildar: a government revenue officer responsible for a tehsil (administrative division).
• 📌 Primary school: the first stage of formal education for children.