{"id":247,"date":"2025-12-27T14:20:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T14:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qsh.in\/boards\/wbbse\/?p=247"},"modified":"2026-01-18T02:32:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T02:32:30","slug":"the-passing-away-of-bapu-complete-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/qsh.in\/boards\/wbbse\/class-x\/english\/the-passing-away-of-bapu-complete-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Passing Away of Bapu \u2013 Complete Guide: Summary, Bengali Meaning & Quiz"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u09a6\u09b6\u09ae \u09b6\u09cd\u09b0\u09c7\u09a3\u09c0\u09b0 \u0987\u0982\u09b0\u09c7\u099c\u09bf \u0997\u09b2\u09cd\u09aa The Passing Away of Bapu \u09b8\u09ae\u09cd\u09aa\u09c2\u09b0\u09cd\u09a3 \u09b8\u09cd\u099f\u09be\u09a1\u09bf \u0997\u09be\u0987\u09a1\u09c7 \u09a4\u09cb\u09ae\u09be\u09a6\u09c7\u09b0 \u09b8\u09cd\u09ac\u09be\u0997\u09a4\u09ae\u0964 \u201cThe Passing Away of Bapu\u201d is not just a historical account; it is a deeply emotional memoir by Nayantara Sehgal<\/strong> that captures the grief of a nation losing its father.<\/p>\n

Here, we have broken down the entire story into its three units as it is in your textbook, Bliss. Whether you are looking for a summary<\/strong>, line-by-line Bengali meaning<\/strong>, or an interactive quiz<\/strong> to test your preparation, you will find everything here.<\/p>\n

\n

About the Author and the Text<\/h2>\n

Nayantara Sehgal, a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, writes from a personal perspective. This text is an excerpt from her memoir, Prison and Chocolate Cake<\/em>. It vividly describes the events following Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s assassination on January 30, 1948<\/strong>, moving from personal shock to collective mourning, and finally to a realization of carrying forward Bapu\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

\n

Unit 1: The Shock of the News<\/h2>\n

(\u09ac\u09be\u09aa\u09c1\u09b0 \u09ae\u09c3\u09a4\u09cd\u09af\u09c1\u09b8\u0982\u09ac\u09be\u09a6 \u0993 \u09aa\u09cd\u09b0\u09be\u09a5\u09ae\u09bf\u0995 \u0986\u0998\u09be\u09a4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The story begins on the evening of 30th January 1948. The narrator is having tea at home when she receives an urgent call to come to Birla House. The news is devastating: Gandhiji has been shot on his way to a prayer meeting.<\/p>\n

Upon arriving, she witnesses a scene of deep sorrow. The room is filled with an \u201cunnatural silence.\u201d Outside, thousands of people stand like a \u201cbrown blur of faces,\u201d stunned into silence. Later, the crowd becomes uncontrollable, clamouring to see their leader. They only calm down when it is announced that they can see Bapu before the funeral. The narrator captures the feeling of helplessness, comparing the mourning people to \u201clost children.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Read the Detailed Guide for Unit 1<\/h3>\n

Get the line-by-line Bengali meaning, word notes, and the Mock Test for Unit 1.<\/p>\n

Go to Unit 1 \u09ac\u09be\u0982\u09b2\u09be \u0985\u09b0\u09cd\u09a5 \u0993 \u0995\u09cd\u09af\u09c1\u0987\u099c<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Unit 2: The Funeral Procession<\/h2>\n

(\u09b6\u09c7\u09b7\u09af\u09be\u09a4\u09cd\u09b0\u09be \u0993 \u09b9\u09be\u0981\u099f\u09be\u09b0 \u09a4\u09be\u09ce\u09aa\u09b0\u09cd\u09af)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The funeral takes place the next day. Padmasi, Mrs. Naidu\u2019s daughter, speaks for everyone when she says, \u201cWe will walk. It is the last time we shall be walking with Bapu.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The procession is \u201cagonizing.\u201d Thousands weep and try to touch Bapu\u2019s feet as his body passes on an open truck. The narrator reflects on the deeper meaning of \u201cwalking\u201d with Bapu. For the average Indian, walking was the only way open\u2014it required no vehicle and cost nothing but energy. Gandhiji had transformed this simple necessity into a joyful effort for freedom. Walking with him meant walking through the rough and smooth of India\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Read the Detailed Guide for Unit 2<\/h3>\n

Understand the symbolism of \u201cwalking\u201d and practice the Unit 2 Quiz here.<\/p>\n

Go to Unit 2 \u09ac\u09be\u0982\u09b2\u09be \u0985\u09b0\u09cd\u09a5 \u0993 \u0985\u09a8\u09c1\u09ac\u09be\u09a6\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Unit 3: The Ashes and The Realization<\/h2>\n

(\u099a\u09bf\u09a4\u09be\u09ad\u09b8\u09cd\u09ae \u09ac\u09bf\u09b8\u09b0\u09cd\u099c\u09a8 \u0993 \u09a8\u09a4\u09c1\u09a8 \u09b6\u09aa\u09a5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

A special train decorated with flowers carries Gandhiji\u2019s ashes to Allahabad. The journey is filled with bhajans, and people no longer weep, feeling Bapu\u2019s presence in the song and prayer. The ashes are immersed in the Ganges amidst a huge crowd.<\/p>\n

Back in Delhi, the narrator feels \u201cat sea\u201d (lost). She feels her \u201cmagic circle\u201d of protection has vanished. However, this despair is temporary. She realizes that Bapu\u2019s values are not weak. She asks herself, \u201cHad Bapu lived and died for nothing?\u201d<\/em> The answer is no. She realizes that even if Bapu is gone, the young generation is strong and proud enough to bear his banner. Bapu lives on in his children.<\/p>\n

\n

\ud83d\udcd6 Read the Detailed Guide for Unit 3<\/h3>\n

Find the vocabulary list, analysis of the \u201cMagic Circle,\u201d and the final Quiz here.<\/p>\n

Go to Unit 3 Study Material<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Major Themes of the Story<\/h2>\n