CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 9: Bholi NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 10 PDF

CBSE Class 10 Footprints Without Feet Chapter 9 introduces the compelling story of Bholi, a young girl whose life is transformed by education. The chapter explores her journey from being a neglected child, often overlooked due to her perceived imperfections, to finding her voice and confidence. We learn about the societal pressures and personal insecurities she faces, and how her father's decision to send her to school, despite initial hesitations, becomes a turning point. The NCERT Solutions delve into her early experiences at school, her significant relationship with her teacher, and the challenges she encounters, particularly concerning a proposed marriage. The solutions analyze the reasons behind the failed marriage proposal, highlighting Bholi's newfound strength and self-worth. Ultimately, the chapter and its solutions emphasize the profound impact of education and self-belief in overcoming adversity and shaping one's destiny.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 10
Subject	Footprints Without Feet
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 9

Chapter summary

Chapter 9 of Footprints Without Feet, titled 'Bholi', is explored through these NCERT Solutions. The solutions cover key plot points, including Bholi's father's concerns about her future due to her appearance and speech, the unconventional reasons for her attending school, her initial fears and eventual comfort on her first day, and her positive interaction with her teacher. The solutions also address the details of Bishamber's marriage proposal, the reasons for its acceptance by Bholi's parents, and the dramatic turn of events that lead to its cancellation. This chapter highlights the theme of education as a tool for empowerment.

Learning outcomes

Understand the challenges faced by Bholi due to her physical appearance and stammer.
Analyze the reasons behind Bholi's father's anxieties regarding her future.
Explain the unusual circumstances that led to Bholi being sent to school.
Describe Bholi's experiences and feelings on her first day at school.
Compare Bholi's teacher's behavior with that of the people at home.
Evaluate the reasons for accepting and later rejecting Bishamber's marriage proposal.
Identify the theme of education as a means of empowerment in the story.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Bholi's physical and speech impediments
Parental concerns about a child's future
The role of education in empowering individuals
Bholi's first day at school
The teacher's influence on a student's life
Societal pressures regarding marriage and dowry
Character analysis of Bholi
Themes of self-confidence and overcoming adversity

Important topics

Bholi's transformation through education
The teacher's role in Bholi's development
Reasons for the marriage cancellation
The theme of empowerment
Parental anxieties and societal expectations

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Questions and Solutions

Read and Find Out Pg-54 - Question 1

Why is Bholi's father worried about her?

Solution: Bholi's father, Ramlal, was deeply worried about her future primarily because she was not considered intelligent or beautiful. A fall in her childhood had affected a part of her brain, and a bout of smallpox at the age of two left her face permanently disfigured with pock marks. Furthermore, she had a stammering problem, which often made her the subject of mockery. These factors combined made Ramlal anxious about her prospects, especially concerning her marriage.

Read and Find Out Pg-54 - Question 2

For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?

Solution: Bholi was sent to school for rather unusual and indirect reasons. The Tehsildar visited the village to inaugurate a new primary school for girls and urged Ramlal, a village official, to send his daughters to school to set an example. Ramlal's wife was against the idea, fearing it would ruin their daughters' marriage prospects. However, Ramlal felt compelled to obey the Tehsildar. Since they believed Bholi's physical and speech impediments already made her an unlikely candidate for marriage, they decided sending her to school wouldn't make much difference and could potentially be beneficial.

Read and Find Out Pg-55 - Question 1

Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?

Solution: Bholi did not initially enjoy her first day at school. She was sent there without understanding what school was and felt fearful, comparing her situation to that of a cow being sold. Upon arriving, she felt some relief seeing other girls but was deeply embarrassed and ashamed when she stammered while stating her name and was laughed at by her classmates. Despite the initial negative experience, she went home feeling a sense of hope because her teacher had spoken kindly to her and encouraged her to study regularly to become learned and confident.

Read and Find Out Pg-55 - Question 2

Does she find her teacher different from the people at home?

Solution: Yes, Bholi found her teacher to be very different from the people she knew at home. Unlike her family and the villagers who often ridiculed her for her stammer, her teacher showed genuine kindness and understanding. The teacher recognized Bholi's difficulty in speaking, motivated her to overcome her stammer through patient teaching, and encouraged her to attend school regularly. This compassionate and supportive approach made the teacher a positive and influential figure in Bholi's life.

Read and Find Out Pg-58 - Question 1

Why do Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal?

Solution: Bholi's parents accepted Bishamber's marriage proposal primarily because they saw it as a favourable match given Bholi's perceived disadvantages. They believed her physical appearance (pock marks) and speech impediment (stammering) would make it difficult for her to find a suitable husband. Bishamber, a well-to-do shopkeeper from another village, was much older than Bholi, had grown-up children from his first wife, and had a slight limp, but he proposed marriage without demanding a dowry. Considering these factors, Bholi's parents felt he was the best possible option for their daughter.

Read and Find Out Pg-58 - Question 2

Why does the marriage not take place?

Solution: The marriage did not take place because of Bishamber's greed and Bholi's own assertion of self-respect. During the wedding ceremony, when the veil slipped from Bholi's face, Bishamber saw the pock marks. He immediately stopped the ceremony and demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees from Bholi's father. Despite Ramlal's pleas and humiliation, Bishamber remained adamant. This display of heartlessness and greed enraged Bholi, who then refused to marry such a man, asserting her dignity.

Common mistakes

Confusing Bholi's initial fear with a lack of desire to learn.
Underestimating the impact of the teacher's encouragement on Bholi's confidence.
Focusing only on the external reasons for the marriage cancellation without considering Bholi's agency.
Overlooking the societal pressures faced by Bholi's parents.

Revision tips

Read the story 'Bholi' carefully to grasp the character's emotional journey.
Focus on the transformation Bholi undergoes, especially after attending school.
Analyze the motivations of key characters like Bholi's father, mother, and teacher.
Understand the social context and the significance of education for girls during that period.
Practice answering questions related to character analysis and theme identification.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What were the primary reasons for Bholi's father's worry about her?

Q2. Why was Bholi sent to school under unusual circumstances?

Q3. How did Bholi feel on her first day at school?

Q4. What made Bholi find her teacher different from the people at home?

Q5. Why did Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal?

Q6. What ultimately caused the marriage to be called off?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the chapter 'Bholi'?

The main theme of the chapter 'Bholi' is the transformative power of education, which helps an individual overcome their insecurities and find their voice, leading to self-empowerment and confidence.

Why was Bholi considered 'simple' or 'backward'?

Bholi was considered 'simple' or 'backward' because she had suffered a brain injury in childhood and had pock marks all over her face from smallpox. She also stammered, which made her an object of ridicule.

How did Bholi's teacher help her?

Bholi's teacher was kind and understanding. She encouraged Bholi to speak without stammering, motivated her to study regularly, and instilled confidence in her, which was crucial for her overall development.

What incident led to the cancellation of Bholi's marriage?

The marriage was cancelled when the groom, Bishamber, saw Bholi's pock marks after the veil slipped and demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees from her father, which was unacceptable.

What decision does Bholi make at the end of the story?

At the end of the story, Bholi decides not to marry Bishamber and resolves to dedicate her life to teaching and serving her village, inspired by her teacher.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed, and rewritten answers to all questions, helping students understand the story's plot, characters, themes, and underlying messages, which aids in their exam preparation.

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