The Passing Away Of Bapu

Updated for Madhyamik 2027
Board Exam Preparation
60+ Practice Questions
36+ Study Notes
30 min read
60 MCQs36 Notes
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Key Topics & Concepts

1.Author - Nayantara Sehgal Memoir Prison and Chocolate Cake for WBBSE

  • Nayantara Sehgal (1927-) - first female Indian writer in English with wide recognition
  • Won Sahitya Academy award (1986) for novel Rich like Us - biographical detail for exam
  • Text from memoir Prison and Chocolate Cake - autobiographical prose for Class 10
  • Recounts incidents following death of Gandhiji on January 30, 1948 - historical context
  • Describes personal and collective grief at passing of Mahatma Gandhi - central theme

2.Historical Events with Specific Quotes: Gandhiji's Death January 30, 1948

  • Urgent telephone to Birla House evening of January 30, 1948 - "Gandhiji had been shot"
  • Words spread "like a flame fanned by wind" through Delhi - simile for rapid news
  • Unnatural silence at Birla House - "It was as if time stood still for those few minutes"
  • Padmasi's words: "We will walk. It is the last time we shall be walking with Bapu"
  • Ashes immersed at Allahabad Ganges amid bhajans - final ritual after special train journey

3.Character Analysis: Narrator, Gandhiji & Mourning Nation for Exam

  • Nayantara Sehgal (narrator) - witness to historical event, feels "magic circle had vanished"
  • Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu) - father figure for nation, "slight figure, staff in hand"
  • Padmasi (Mrs. Naidu's daughter) - fellow mourner expressing collective sentiment
  • Mourning crowds - "looked like lost children" after leader's death (simile)
  • Nation united in grief - personal loss becomes collective national mourning

4.Literary Themes & MCQ Topics: National Grief, Walking Philosophy, Loss

  • Collective national grief theme - entire India mourns Bapu's passing (MCQ: historical impact)
  • Gandhi's walking philosophy - "to walk is to make slow progress" symbolism (central message)
  • Loss of protective influence - "felt at sea" and "unprotected" feelings (personal impact)
  • Unity through mourning - thousands silently watch funeral procession (national unity)
  • Historical moment - marks end of era and independence movement leader (exam context)
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Q. 1
What was observed in the room as Gandhiji breathed his last?
A
Music playing
B
Laughter
C
An unnatural silence
D
Chattering
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Q. 2
When was the narrator having tea?
A
Afternoon of 30th January, 1948
B
Evening of 30th January, 1948
C
Evening of 29th January, 1948
D
Morning of 30th January, 1948
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Q. 3
How did the passage describe the movement of time during the final moments at Birla House?
A
It was as if time stood still
B
Time felt normal
C
Time seemed to reverse
D
Time moved quickly
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Q. 4
Who gathered around Gandhiji’s body at Birla House?
A
Local neighbors
B
Only family members
C
Government officials
D
Relatives and followers
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Q. 5
What did the crowd do while trying to break into the house?
A
Organized a protest
B
Formed a line
C
Jostled one another in a stampede
D
Waited patiently
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Q. 6
What was done with Gandhiji’s ashes in Allahabad?
A
Taken to a temple
B
Immersed in the Ganges
C
Kept in a museum
D
Burned in a ritual fire
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Q. 7
What happened after the initial silence of the crowd?
A
They remained quiet
B
They dispersed
C
They clamoured, shouting and crying
D
They started clapping
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Q. 8
What does the phrase “words of Bapuji’s death had spread through Delhi like a flame fanned by wind” imply?
A
The news was contained
B
The news spread rapidly and widely
C
The news was only local
D
The news spread slowly
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Q. 9
How was Bapu’s body displayed during the procession?
A
On an open truck covered with flowers
B
In a ceremonial chair
C
In a closed casket
D
On a stage
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Q. 10
Who were merely onlookers, as per the passage?
A
Only the elderly
B
Political leaders
C
The narrator, his sisters, and other young people
D
Foreign visitors
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Q. 11
How did the narrator justify his inner strength?
A
By denying his emotions
B
By affirming his values were not weak
C
By blaming others
D
By ignoring his feelings
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Q. 12
How did the train reach Allahabad?
A
With police escort
B
In complete silence
C
Very slowly
D
Amid song and prayer
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Q. 13
How did the narrator feel upon returning to Delhi?
A
Overwhelmed with anger
B
Confused but excited
C
Joyful and relieved
D
At sea
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Q. 14
What filled the platform at every station?
A
Food stalls
B
Local vendors
C
Sorrowful crowds
D
Celebratory groups
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Q. 15
What additional benefit does walking offer, as per the passage?
A
It saves time
B
It makes one wealthy
C
It allows one to observe everything closely—from small insects to the distant horizon
D
It is a form of exercise only
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Q. 16
How was the train compartment decorated?
A
With portraits
B
With banners
C
Decked with flowers
D
With lights
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Q. 17
How did the narrator describe this funeral procession compared to others?
A
As a political demonstration
B
As something more than a mere funeral procession
C
As a routine event
D
As an ordinary ceremony
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Q. 18
How did the news of Bapuji’s death spread through Delhi?
A
By word of mouth
B
Via social media
C
Like a flame fanned by wind
D
Through newspapers
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Q. 19
How is the walk described in the passage?
A
An agonizing walk
B
A leisurely stroll
C
A joyful march
D
A brisk walk
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Q. 20
What did the narrator do with effort after feeling at sea?
A
Went to sleep
B
Roused himself
C
Left the city
D
Called a friend
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Q. 21
Where was Gandhiji headed when he was shot?
A
To a meeting
B
To a rally
C
To a prayer meeting
D
To his home
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Q. 22
How did Gandhiji transform the necessity of walking?
A
By making it a religious ritual
B
By banning other forms of travel
C
By imposing it on others
D
By turning it into a joyful effort
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Q. 23
What question did the narrator ask himself?
A
“Why did this happen?”
B
“When will justice come?”
C
“Had Bapu lived and died for nothing?”
D
“How can I help?”
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Q. 24
What had the narrator not done, according to his reflection?
A
Attended rallies
B
Walked with Gandhiji, gone to prison at his call, or sacrificed for his country
C
Written articles
D
Met political leaders
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Q. 25
Where had a huge crowd gathered in Allahabad?
A
In the town square
B
In a nearby park
C
At the railway station
D
At the bank of the Ganges
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Q. 26
Who is Padmasi as mentioned in the passage?
A
A local journalist
B
Mrs. Naidu’s daughter
C
A renowned activist
D
Gandhiji’s niece
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Q. 27
What did everyone do after the immersion of the ashes?
A
Stayed in Allahabad
B
Went back to Delhi
C
Traveled to Mumbai
D
Continued the journey elsewhere
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Q. 28
What legacy of Bapu is highlighted in the passage?
A
His writings remain alive
B
His India continues to live in his children
C
His policies are still enforced
D
His image is celebrated annually
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Q. 29
How is Gandhiji’s physical presence described?
A
As a large, imposing figure
B
As a slight figure with a staff in hand
C
As a youthful leader
D
As a charismatic speaker
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Q. 30
Gandhiji’s funeral was scheduled to take place on which day?
A
Two days later
B
The same day as his death
C
The day after his death
D
A week later
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Q. 31
Which question did the mourning people whisper amid their shock?
A
“Why did this happen?”
B
“When will justice prevail?”
C
“What will become of me now that he has left me?”
D
“How can we move on?”
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Q. 32
What happened to Gandhiji’s ashes after the funeral?
A
They were buried locally
B
They were taken by air
C
A special train took them to Allahabad
D
They were scattered at sea
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Q. 33
What did Padmasi proclaim?
A
“We shall rest.”
B
“We will pray.”
C
“We will walk. It is the last time we shall be walking with Bapu.”
D
“We will sing.”
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Q. 34
What fact could the people not accept?
A
That Bapu was too weak
B
That the man who led them through many difficult paths would never walk with them again
C
That Bapu had left his teachings
D
That Bapu was a politician
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Q. 35
What historical journey had the people shared with Bapu?
A
Walking with him over the rough and smooth of India’s recent history
B
Running for political office
C
Traveling abroad
D
Sailing across the sea
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Q. 36
Why was it impossible to move within the crowd?
A
Because of heavy rain
B
Due to police barricades
C
The roads were blocked
D
Because the crowd was very thick
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Q. 37
Why did the crowd calm down a little later?
A
Because food was distributed
B
Because the weather changed
C
Because it was announced they could see Gandhiji before the funeral
D
Because the police intervened
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Q. 38
What did people do hours in advance of the funeral procession?
A
Held a meeting
B
Gathered at Birla House
C
Lined the route the procession was to follow
D
Distributed pamphlets
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Q. 39
As the narrator moved forward, what did he realize?
A
He was in a celebratory march
B
He was among people for whom walking with Bapu had a special meaning
C
He was among indifferent people
D
He was lost in the crowd
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Q. 40
How did the narrator feel as he got into the car?
A
Indifferent
B
Numb with shock
C
Angry
D
Elated
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Q. 41
How were the people informed that their Bapu was no more?
A
Through a newspaper announcement
B
Via a telephone call
C
By a broadcast
D
On television
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Q. 42
Why was walking considered the only way for the average Indian?
A
It was a government rule
B
It was popular culture
C
It required no vehicle except one’s own body and cost nothing but energy
D
It was mandatory for all citizens
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Q. 43
Overall, what does the passage primarily highlight?
A
A festive parade
B
A political rally
C
A ritual of farewell and a deep reflection on shared history
D
A commercial event
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Q. 44
Why did people not weep on the train?
A
They had already cried
B
They were indifferent
C
They were distracted
D
They could feel Gandhiji’s presence amid the flowers and songs
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Q. 45
According to the narrator, what does walking symbolize?
A
Rest and relaxation
B
Quick progress
C
A means of escape
D
Slow progress and clear thought
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Q. 46
What overall emotion does the passage primarily convey?
A
Joy and celebration
B
Indifference
C
Anger and rebellion
D
Shock, grief, and deep mourning
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Q. 47
Which of the following is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A
The use of vehicles during the walk
B
The impossibility of moving in the thick crowd
C
The announcement of the procession route
D
Padmasi’s proclamation
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Q. 48
What did thousands of people do during the procession?
A
Danced in the streets
B
Watched silently
C
Organized protests
D
Chanted slogans
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Q. 49
How did the mourners appear, as described in the passage?
A
As joyful children
B
Like lost children
C
As excited teenagers
D
As determined warriors
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Q. 50
Why did the narrator feel “at sea”?
A
He felt lost as he hadn’t actively participated with Gandhiji
B
Because he missed his family
C
Due to heavy traffic
D
Because of bad weather
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Q. 51
What did the narrator feel he had grown up within?
A
A family tradition
B
A social club
C
A political movement
D
A magic circle
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Q. 52
Which event is NOT mentioned in the passage?
A
Gandhiji’s being shot on the way to a prayer meeting
B
The urgent telephone call
C
Gandhiji’s burial
D
The gathering at Birla House
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Q. 53
What was the initial reaction of the people at Birla House?
A
They started praying
B
They were too stunned to speak
C
They began chanting
D
They cheered
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Q. 54
Where did the narrator receive the urgent call?
A
In the car
B
At a neighbor’s house
C
At work
D
At home
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Q. 55
What happened to the “magic circle” with Bapu’s passing?
A
It remained unchanged
B
It vanished, leaving him unprotected
C
It strengthened
D
It expanded
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Q. 56
What did thousands of people try to do as they wept?
A
Try to touch Bapu’s feet
B
Offer prayers
C
Throw flowers
D
Sing bhajans
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Q. 57
What best describes the atmosphere in the room as Gandhiji breathed his last?
A
Chaotic and noisy
B
Festive and celebratory
C
Unnaturally silent and still
D
Lively and crowded
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Q. 58
What did people on the train do?
A
Chanted slogans
B
Prayed silently
C
Sang bhajans
D
Remained silent
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Q. 59
How did the narrator describe his feeling after the magic circle vanished?
A
Hopeful
B
Relieved
C
Unprotected
D
Empowered
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Q. 60
How were the faces seen from every window described?
A
As distorted images
B
As a brown blur of faces
C
Clearly visible
D
With smiling expressions
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