CBSE Class 9 Hindi Syllabus

Who is the author of the story 'Dukh Ka Adhikar'?

Yashpal.

What is the central theme/title-meaning of 'Dukh Ka Adhikar' (The Right to Grieve)?

It questions whether grief is also governed by social/class status—it shows that the poor are denied even the right to openly mourn their dead, a luxury the rich freely enjoy.

In 'Dukh Ka Adhikar', what does the author say clothing (poshak) does in society?

Clothing/dress determines a person's social status and divides society into classes; it is dress that often decides our standing and even our right to express emotions like grief.

Who has died in 'Dukh Ka Adhikar', and who is left grieving?

The old woman's young son Bhagwana has died of snakebite; his old mother and his widow with small children are left grieving and destitute.

Why is the old woman in 'Dukh Ka Adhikar' forced to sit and sell melons (kharbooze) the day after her son's death?

Because of dire poverty—the family has no food and the daughter-in-law and grandchildren are starving and ill, so she must earn money rather than mourn.

How do the people in the bazaar react to the grieving old melon-seller in 'Dukh Ka Adhikar'?

Instead of sympathy, they scorn and curse her, accusing her of greed and shamelessness for sitting in the market so soon after her son's death, not understanding her helplessness.

In 'Dukh Ka Adhikar', how is the grief of a rich neighbour woman contrasted with the old woman's grief?

When a rich lady (the neighbour) lost her son, she could mourn lavishly for over two months in bed, attended by doctors and servants; the poor old woman could not afford even a day to grieve—highlighting that grief too is a privilege of the rich.

What does the snakebite ritual detail (the ojha/snake-charmer) reveal in 'Dukh Ka Adhikar'?

To try to save Bhagwana, the family spent their little money on an ojha (snake-charmer) for jhad-phoonk (charms), and even gave the last bit of flour/grain, showing both their superstition and their utter poverty.

What realization does the narrator reach at the end of 'Dukh Ka Adhikar'?

He realizes he cannot truly gauge the depth of the poor woman's sorrow because he stands above her in status; the poor are denied the very right to grieve that the wealthy take for granted.

Who is the author of the essay 'Dharam Ki Aad'?

Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi.

What does the title 'Dharam Ki Aad' (In the Guise of Religion) mean and criticize?

It means 'taking shelter behind religion'; it criticizes how cunning, selfish people exploit religion as a cover to deceive the masses and pursue their own greedy or political interests.

According to 'Dharam Ki Aad', what is the difference between true religion (dharma) and its outer rituals?

True dharma is the inner moral/spiritual conduct that uplifts a person, while outward rituals, sectarian quarrels and customs are not real religion—people fight over the husk while ignoring the true essence.

In 'Dharam Ki Aad', who does Vidyarthi blame for inciting communal/religious riots?

Selfish leaders, religious heads and self-interested people who incite the ignorant common masses in the name of religion to serve their own ends.

What does Vidyarthi say about 'eemaan' (faith/conscience) versus 'dharma' in 'Dharam Ki Aad'?

He argues that eemaan (one's inner conscience and honesty) is personal and should not be made a public spectacle or a tool of conflict; true faith is a private matter of conscience, not a banner for fighting.

What solution or appeal does 'Dharam Ki Aad' make to the people of India?

It appeals to people to recognise the true essence of religion, reject manipulation by selfish leaders, foster Hindu-Muslim unity and humanity, and not be deceived by those exploiting religion.

In what historical context was 'Dharam Ki Aad' written, by an editor of which newspaper?

It was written during the freedom struggle amid communal tensions; Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was the editor of the newspaper 'Pratap'.

Who is the author of the memoir 'Gillu'?

Mahadevi Verma.

What kind of creature is Gillu in Mahadevi Verma's 'Gillu'?

Gillu is a squirrel (gilahari).

How did Mahadevi Verma first find/rescue Gillu in 'Gillu'?

She found the tiny injured baby squirrel lying near a flower pot, having fallen from its nest after being attacked by two crows; she rescued it, cleaned its wounds and nursed it back to health.

What did Gillu like to eat most, and where did he like to sleep in 'Gillu'?

Gillu loved kaju (cashew nuts) the most; he liked to sleep in a lightweight artistic flower-vase/basket hung on the wall.

How did Gillu show his affection and react when Mahadevi Verma was ill in 'Gillu'?

Gillu would sit by her pillow, and during her illness he stayed near her, repeatedly touching her head and face with his tiny paws, showing deep love; he also stopped eating when sad.

What is the significance of the season/timing of Gillu's death in 'Gillu'?

Gillu died at the end of his natural two-year squirrel lifespan, in the early hours of a spring morning; Mahadevi buried him under the same jasmine (sonjuhi) creeper, hoping he would be reborn as a flower.

What broader message about animals and compassion does 'Gillu' convey?

It conveys the bond of love and trust possible between humans and animals, and shows that animals too feel emotions, gratitude and affection, deserving of human kindness.

How did Gillu behave with outsiders versus the family members in 'Gillu'?

Gillu was shy and would hide from strangers/outsiders, but was completely free, playful and affectionate with the family members of the household.

Who is the author of the story 'Smriti'?

Shrikrishna Das (Srikrishna Das).

What does the title 'Smriti' mean and what kind of account is it?

'Smriti' means 'memory/reminiscence'; it is a childhood memoir recounting a brave and frightening real incident from the narrator's boyhood.

What is the main incident/task at the heart of 'Smriti'?

The narrator, as a boy, is sent to post his elder brother's letters in a letterbox; he realizes he dropped the letters into a dry well and must climb down into the well—where a snake lives—to retrieve them.

In 'Smriti', why does the boy not simply abandon the letters dropped in the well?

Out of fear of a beating from his elder brother and a strong sense of duty/responsibility, he decides he must retrieve the letters even at great personal risk.

What danger awaited the boy at the bottom of the well in 'Smriti'?

A live black snake (kala saanp) was inside the well, and the boy had to retrieve the letters while avoiding the deadly snake.

How did the boy manage to get into and out of the well in 'Smriti'?

He was lowered into and pulled out of the deep well using a rope tied around him (a doli/rope arrangement) held by his companions/brother, while he kept the snake at bay with a stick (danda).

What qualities of the narrator does 'Smriti' highlight through this childhood adventure?

It highlights his courage (sahas), presence of mind, sense of duty and the innocence yet bravery of childhood in facing a life-threatening situation.

In 'Smriti', what was the boy doing when he first remembered/realized he had to deal with the well incident, and what was the weather/setting?

He was on his way with friends, having stopped to throw stones at and kill a snake near the well as a sport; it was during the cold winter season, which is also why he and his brothers were going to the field/school route past the well.