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.
This passage describes the popularity of Gandhi which subsequently transformed him into people's thought as:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → Gandhi as Mahatma
Option (1) Gandhi as Dictator — Incorrect. A dictator rules by force and fear. The crowds in the report came on their own, out of love, and Gandhiji even asked the people of Deoria to keep their gifts till Gorakhpur.
Option (2) Gandhi as Politician — Incorrect. Gandhiji was a political leader, but the scene shows something more: people cried, sought his darshan and showered money on him, as one honours a holy man.
Option (3) Gandhi as Mahatma — Correct. Many peasants, workers and artisans venerated Gandhiji, referring to him as their “Mahatma”. Called “Gandhi baba”, “Gandhi Maharaj” or “Mahatma”, he appeared to the Indian peasant as a saviour who would rescue them from high taxes and oppressive officials.
Option (4) Gandhi as Human — Incorrect. The crowds did not see him as an ordinary man. Wherever he went, rumours spread of his miraculous powers.
NCERT (2026-27): “2.2 A people’s leader … Wherever Gandhiji went, rumours spread of his miraculous powers. In some places it was said that he had been sent by the King to redress the grievances of the farmers, and that he had the power to overrule all local officials. In other places it was claimed that Gandhiji’s power was superior to that of the English monarch, and that with his arrival the colonial rulers would flee the district. There were also stories reporting dire consequences for those who opposed him; rumours spread of how villagers who criticised Gandhiji found their houses mysteriously falling apart or their crops failing. 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.…” |