Class 10 Hindi - WEST-BENGAL
Prose: Ek Kahani Yeh Bhi
Ek Kahani Yeh Bhi is an autobiographical excerpt by the renowned Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari, included in the Class 10 WBBSE curriculum. The chapter offers a glimpse into the author's childhood in Indore, her complex relationship with her strict father, and the profound influence of her teacher, Sheela Dasgupta, who shaped her personality and sparked her interest in literature and national politics. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' understanding of character development, familial dynamics, and the socio-political awakening of women in pre-independence India through extract-based and long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Mannu Bhandari's Childhood and Environment
The author describes growing up in a large, orthodox yet reformist family in Indore, highlighting the contrasting personalities of her mother and father.
Father's Paradoxical Personality
Her father was a progressive thinker who wanted his daughters to be educated and aware of the world, yet he was extremely patriarchal, insecure, and orthodox at home.
Role of Teacher Sheela Dasgupta
Prof. Sheela Dasgupta played a pivotal role in the author's life by broadening her horizons, encouraging her participation in college debates, and introducing her to active freedom movement politics.
Transition from 'Mannu' to 'Aatma-Vishwas'
The chapter highlights how the author transformed from an underconfident girl hesitant of her dark complexion and ordinary looks into a bold, confident young woman who led protests.
The Indore and Ajmer Phases
The narrative covers two distinct phases of her early life: her foundational years in Indore and her college life in Ajmer where her leadership qualities fully blossomed.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board (WBBSE) Class 10 Hindi examination, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions usually include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), very short answer questions (VSAQs) about characters and incidents, reference-to-context questions based on extracts, and long-answer questions (4-5 marks) focusing on the author's relationship with her father or the role of her teacher in shaping her life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the chapter titled 'Ek Kahani Yeh Bhi'?
The title translates to 'This is also a story' because Mannu Bhandari feels her autobiography is not just about her own life, but a story shaped by the people, incidents, and societal changes around her, especially her father and her teacher.
What kind of relationship did Mannu Bhandari share with her father?
Her relationship with her father was complex and contradictory. While he encouraged her to read newspapers and discuss politics to make her independent, he also wanted to control her social interactions and expected her to remain confined within traditional domestic boundaries.
How did Sheela Dasgupta influence Mannu Bhandari?
Sheela Dasgupta boosted Mannu's confidence, brought her out of the narrow confines of her home, and inspired her to actively participate in nationalistic rallies, college strikes, and debates during the independence movement.
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