Why do bholi's parents accept bishamber's marriage proposal class 10

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal primarily due to societal pressures and economic considerations. In the story 'Bholi' by K.A. Abbas, Bholi is considered unmarriageable because of her pockmarks and stammer, making Bishamber's proposal seem like their only chance. Bishamber is a wealthy grocer in his fifties who demands a dowry of five thousand rupees, which Bholi's father reluctantly agrees to pay. The acceptance occurs during the wedding ceremony when Bishamber attempts to exploit the situation for financial gain.

Key Facts

Bholi has facial pockmarks from smallpox at age 2
Bholi develops a stammer after falling from a cot at age 5
Bishamber Nath is a 50-year-old wealthy grocer
Bishamber demands 5,000 rupees dowry during wedding ceremony
Story set in rural India during mid-20th century

Overview

The story 'Bholi' by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas (1914-1987) portrays the struggles of a young girl named Sulekha, nicknamed Bholi (meaning 'simpleton'), in rural India. Bholi contracts smallpox at age two, leaving her face disfigured with pockmarks, and suffers a head injury at age five that causes a stammer. Her parents, Ramlal and his wife, consider her a burden due to her appearance and speech impediment, reflecting the patriarchal society's devaluation of girls with disabilities. The story is set in a village where education for girls is rare, but Bholi's teacher encourages her to attend school, where she gains confidence. When Bishamber Nath, a wealthy grocer from another village, proposes marriage despite Bholi's appearance, her parents see it as a miraculous opportunity to marry off their 'unmarriageable' daughter. The narrative highlights themes of gender discrimination, dowry practices, and social stigma against disability in mid-20th century India.

How It Works

The acceptance process unfolds through several key mechanisms. First, societal norms pressure Bholi's parents to arrange her marriage quickly, as unmarried daughters are seen as economic burdens and social embarrassments. Second, Bishamber's proposal comes with implicit conditions—he initially ignores Bholi's appearance because he's primarily interested in the dowry. Third, during the wedding ceremony, Bishamber exploits the situation by demanding an additional five thousand rupees when he sees Bholi's face uncovered, knowing her family is desperate. Fourth, Ramlal's decision-making is influenced by fear of social ridicule if the marriage fails, leading him to borrow money to meet the demand. Finally, Bholi's transformation through education gives her the courage to reject the proposal herself, challenging the traditional acceptance mechanism where daughters have no voice in marital decisions.

Why It Matters

This story matters because it exposes deep-seated social issues that remain relevant today. It critiques the dowry system that commodifies women, showing how Bishamber uses marriage for financial exploitation. The narrative highlights disability stigma, as Bholi's worth is judged solely by her appearance rather than her intelligence or character. It demonstrates the transformative power of education—Bholi's schooling enables her to assert agency against oppressive traditions. The story also reveals gender inequality in marital decisions, where parents prioritize social conformity over their daughter's wellbeing. These themes resonate in contemporary discussions about women's rights, disability inclusion, and educational access in India and globally.