Read the passage and answer the questions:
This is how a Hindi newspaper in Gorakhpur reported the atmosphere during his speeches:
At Bhatni, Gandhiji addressed the local public and then the train started for Gorakhpur. There were not less than 15,000 to 20,000 people at Nunkhar, Deoria, Gauri Bazar, Chauri Chaura and Kusmhi (stations)... Mahatmaji was very pleased to witness the scene at Kusmhi, as despite the fact that the station is in the middle of a jungle there were not less than 10,000 people there. Some, overcome with their love were seen to be crying. At Deoria, people wanted to give bhent (donations) to Gandhiji, but he asked them to give these at Gorakhpur. But at Chauri Chaura, one Marwari gentleman managed to hand over something to him. Then there was no stopping. A sheet was spread and currency notes and coins started raining. It was a sight... Outside the Gorakhpur station, the Mahatma was stood on a high carriage and people had a good darshan of him for a couple of minutes.
Why the people in the crowd were trying to give donations to Mahatma Gandhi?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Donations were presented to Gandhi due to people's love and respect for him and his charisma.
Option (1) Gandhi was on a mission to collect donations from the country. — Incorrect. The wish to give came from the people. At Deoria the people wanted to give bhent, and Gandhiji only asked them to give these at Gorakhpur.
Option (2) The donations were charged from the people as a Congress membership fee — Incorrect. Nothing was charged. Once a Marwari gentleman at Chauri Chaura handed over something, a sheet was spread and currency notes and coins started raining – the people gave freely.
Option (3) Gandhi was compensating for his train journey to the remote areas with these gifts. — Incorrect. The gifts were not a payment for his travel. Thousands gathered even at Kusmhi, a station in the middle of a jungle, only to see him.
Option (4) Donations were presented to Gandhi due to people's love and respect for him and his charisma. — Correct. The crowds were “overcome with their love” and longed for his darshan. Peasants venerated him as their “Mahatma” and saw him as a saviour, so they pressed their offerings (bhent) on him.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.2 A people’s leader … This is how a Hindi newspaper in Gorakhpur reported the atmosphere during his speeches: At Bhatni Gandhiji addressed the local public and then the train started for Gorakhpur. There were not less than 15,000 to 20,000 people at Nunkhar, Deoria, Gauri Bazar, Chauri Chaura and Kusmhi (stations) … Mahatmaji was very pleased to witness the scene at Kusmhi, as despite the fact that the station is in the middle of a jungle there were not less than 10,000 people here. Some, overcome with their love, were seen to be crying. At Deoria people wanted to give bhent (donations) to Gandhiji, but he asked them to give these at Gorakhpur. But at Chauri Chaura one Marwari gentleman managed to hand over something to him. Then there was no stopping. A sheet was spread and currency notes and coins started raining. It was a sight … Outside the Gorakhpur station the Mahatma was stood on a high carriage and people had a good darshan of him for a couple of minutes. 2.2 A people’s leader … Known variously as ‘Gandhi baba’, ‘Gandhi Maharaj’, or simply as ‘Mahatma’, Gandhiji appeared to the Indian peasant as a saviour, who would rescue them from high taxes and oppressive officials and restore dignity and autonomy to their lives.…” |