The Complete Short Stories

by Premchand

  Panditji assembled the girls of the neighbourhood and the pathshala was soon up and running. He arranged for all kinds of pictures and toys. He also taught the girls alongside Kailash Kumari. The students, on their part, would regularly attend the classes. Here, studying was more like a pastime. Within a few days, the pathshala gained popularity and even girls from the other localities began flocking to the place.

  Extract translated from the Hindi by Shailendra Kumar Singh

  A Home for an Orphan

  First published in Hindi as ‘Grihdaah’ in Sree Sharada (June 1923), and later included in Mansarovar 6 (1946). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Purification

  First published in Urdu as ‘Shuddhi’ in June, 1923, and later included in Khwab-o Khayal (1928). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11. It is available in Hindi, transliterated from the Urdu, in Solah Aprapya Kahaniyan (1981) with the same title.

  Autobiography

  First published in Hindi as ‘Aap Beeti’ in Madhuri (July 1923), and later included in Mansarovar 6 (1946). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Ornaments

  First published in Hindi as ‘Abhushan’ in Madhuri (August 1923), and later included in Mansarovar 6 (1946). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Revenge

  First published in Urdu as ‘Intiqaam’ in Zamana (October 1923), and included later in Prem Chaleesi 2 (1930). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001). In Hindi, it is available in Gupt Dhan 2 (1962) as ‘Pratishod’.

  Trickery

  First published in Hindi with the title ‘Kaushal’ in the monthly Chand (August 1923) and subsequently in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it is included in Prem Chaleesi (1930) with the title ‘Chakma’.

  Satyagraha

  First published in Hindi as ‘Satyagrah’ in Madhuri (December 1923), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu it was included in Khaak-e-Parwana (1928). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Roaming Monkey

  First published in Hindi as ‘Sailani Bandar’ in Madhuri (January 1924), and later included in Gupt Dhan 2 (1962). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Prophet’s Justice

  First published in Hindi with the title ‘Nabi ka Niti Nirvaah’ in Saraswati (March 1924), and later included in Gupt Dhan 2 (1962) with the same title, and in Mansarovar 2 (1936) with the title ‘Nyay’. Not available in Urdu. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Sudden Downfall

  First published in Hindi with the title ‘Vajrapat’ in Madhuri (March 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in the collection Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Road to Salvation

  First published in Hindi as ‘Mukti Marg’ in the monthly Vishal Bharat (April 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929) as ‘Raah-e Najaat’. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Money for Deliverance

  First published in Hindi as ‘Muktidhan’ in Madhuri (May, 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 2 (1936). Not available in Urdu. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Forgiveness

  Published in Urdu as ‘Wa’fu’ in Zamana (June 1924), and later included in Prem Chaleesi (1930). In Hindi, it is available with the title ‘Kshama’ in Mansarovar 3 (1938).

  The Lashes of Good Fortune

  First published in Hindi as ‘Saubhagya ke Kodey’ in Prabha (June 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included as ‘Nekbakhti ke Tazianey’ in Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Banishment

  First published in Hindi as ‘Niraswan’ in Chand (June 1924), later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in Prem Chaleesi (1930) as ‘Abhagin’. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Despair

  First published in Hindi as ‘Nerashya’ in Chand (July 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in Urdu. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Ghost

  First published in Hindi as ‘Bhoot’ in Madhuri (August 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 4 (1939). In Urdu, it was included in the volume Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929) with the same title. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  By a Whisker!

  First published in Hindi as ‘Ik Aanch ki Kasar’ in Chand (August 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Initiation

  First published in Hindi as ‘Deeksha’ in Madhuri (September, 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in the collection Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Rescue

  Published in Hindi as ‘Uddhar’ in Chand (September 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Game of Chess

  Published in Hindi as ‘Shatranj ke Khiladi’ in Madhuri (October 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was published as ‘Shatranj ki Baazi’ in Zamana (December 1924), and included later in the collection, Khwab-o Khayal (1928). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Urdu story is longer and different from the Hindi one in tone and tenor. Whole sentences appear in the Urdu version that do not appear at all in Hindi. This is particularly true in the case of the narrative rather than dialogue passages, and in places where Premchand expresses his disapproval of Lucknow’s decadence. Moreover, in the Hindi story, the writer uses a lot of Sanskrit vocabulary that leads to a distancing effect and an effective use of irony. The Urdu story is more elaborate and detailed, and more strident in the denunciation of the royalty for its failure to arrest the rot that had set in. Moral indignation is clear and unequivocal in the Urdu story, while in the Hindi story it is suggestive.

  Some facts have been reversed when the story was rendered into the other version. For example, in Hindi we have the following: ‘Mirza was losing the game. Mir Sahib was checkmating him again and again.’ In the Urdu version, we have the exact opposite: ‘Mir Sahib was losing the game. Mirza Sahib was checkmating him again and again.’ Similar discrepancies are there at several places.

  One and a Quarter Ser of Wheat

  First published in Urdu as ‘Sawa Ser Gehun’ in Chand (November, 1924), and later included in Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001). It is available in Hindi in Mansarovar 4 (1939).

  Pleasures of College Life

  First published in Hindi with the title ‘Vinod’ in Madhuri (November 1924), and later collected in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu it was published in Zamana (February 1925) under the title ‘Maya-e Tafrih’, and later included in Khwab-o Khayal (1928). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Malevolent Baby

  First published in Hindi as ‘Tentar’ in Chand (December 1924), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Money for the Decree

  Published in Hindi as ‘Decree ke Rupaye’ in Madhuri (January 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Condemned

  First published as ‘Dhikkar’ in Chand (February 1925), and later included in Mansa
rovar 1 (1936) . Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Path to Hell

  First published in Hindi as ‘Nark ka Marg’ in Chand (May 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in Prem Chaleesi (1930) as ‘Hasrat’. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Secret of Culture

  First published as ‘Sabyata ka Rahasya’ in Madhuri (March 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 4 (1939). In Urdu, it was included in the volume Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Temple and Mosque

  First published in Hindi as ‘Mandir aur Masjid’ in Madhuri (April 1925), and later included in Gupt Dhan II (1962). In Urdu it was published in Zamana (December 1925). Not available in Urdu now. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Faith

  First published in Hindi as ‘Vishwas’ in Chand (April,1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in the Urdu version. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Man and Woman

  First published as ‘Stree aur Purush’ in Chand (May–June, 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was published in Prem Chaleesi 2 (1930) as ‘Devi’. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 12 (2003).

  A Hired Pony

  First published as ‘Bhaadey ka Tattu’ in Madhuri (July, 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was published in the collection Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  A Mother’s Heart

  First published as ‘Maata ka Hriday’ in Madhuri (July 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). Not available in Urdu. Transliterated from Hindi to Urdu for Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Theft

  First published in Hindi as ‘Chori’ in Madhuri (September, 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 5 (1946). In Urdu, it was published in Prem Chaleesi (1930) with the same title. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Goddess from Heaven

  First published in Hindi as ‘Swarg ki Devi’ in Chand (November, 1925), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu it was included in the collection Prem Chaleesi (1930) as ‘Jannat ki Devi’. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  Punishment

  First published in Hindi as ‘Dand’ in Chand (October 1925), and later collected in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu it was published as ‘Saza’ in Prem Chaleesi 2 (1930). Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 11 (2001).

  The Outcaste

  First published in Urdu as ‘Neech Zaat ki Ladki’ in Zamana (December 1925). Not collected in any known Urdu anthology. Now, it is available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 12 (2003). Published in Hindi as ‘Shudra’ in Chand (January 1926), and later included in Mansarovar 2 (1936).

  Laila

  First published in Hindi as ‘Laila’ in Saraswati (January, 1926), and later included in Mansarovar 3 (1938). In Urdu, it was included in both Firdaus-e Khayaal (1929) and Prem Chaleesi (1930) with the same title. Now available in Kulliyaat-e Premchand 12 (2003).

  Glossary

  aanchal end or corner of a sari

  aarti part of the ceremony of worship when the sacred flame is circled round the holy image

  abeer/gulal liquid colour

  adharma opposite of dharma; anti-religion

  aerund castor plant

  Aghan winter month in the Indian calendar corresponding to November–December

  ahir cowherd

  akhada wrestling ring

  amama special big and heavy turban

  amavas the night of the new moon

  angeethi stove that works on coal

  angochha shoulder cloth

  angrakhan buttoned-up coats and kurtas with delicate embroidery

  Asarh farming month in the rainy season corresponding to June–July

  Ashtami eighth day of the lunar fortnight

  Ashwin autumn month corresponding to September–October

  atai self-taught singer; tutor

  atal inflexible; unchangeable

  auliya protector, a person who has achieved sainthood

  baari maker of leaf plates

  bahli two-wheeled covered cart pulled by oxen

  bahu daughter-in-law

  Baisakh first Indian month, corresponding to April–May

  bal kaand part of the Ramayana dealing with the boyhood of Lord Rama

  balushahi sweetmeat

  banjara nomad

  baraat marriage party of the bridegroom, comprising family and friends

  baradari a structure with twelve gateways

  bara maasa poetic form describing the feelings of a beloved separated from her lover through all twelve months of the year

  Bargada deity

  bhabhi older brother’s wife

  bhabhoot sacred ash

  Bhadon rainy month corresponding to August–September

  Bhagat person who abstains from meat and alcohol

  biwi wife

  Brahmani wife of a brahmin

  brahmbhoj ritualistic feeding of Brahmins to get their blessings

  brata religious practice to carry out certain obligations so one can achieve divine blessings for the fulfilment of one or several desires

  chabutara raised platform

  Chait hot and dry month corresponding to March–April

  Chamar tanner, cobbler

  chamarin tanner woman

  charnamrita literally, foot nectar; a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey, considered sacred, and used in the tending of idols and sacred objects

  chatty container

  Chaudhuri high-caste person

  chaudhurain wife of a chaudhuri

  chaugan polo

  chauki wooden stool or plank; bench

  chaupai quatrain

  chaupal village square; meeting place

  chautal ‘four claps’, a particular style of singing

  chela disciple

  chhakda ramshackle cart

  chopad a game

  chulha earthen oven

  chunri dupatta; stole

  churan digestive

  dadra form of musical composition

  Darbar-e Aam court of public audience

  Darbar-e Khaas court of private audience

  daroga police inspector or superintendent of tolls or of municipal or government departments

  dastarkhwan cloth spread on the ground or a raised structure for laying out food

  dhaam pilgrimage site

  Dhanvantari physician of the gods

  dharmatma man of religion; spiritual guru

  dharmayudh holy war; crusade

  dholi bundle of about two hundred paan leaves

  Diwan-e Aam hall of public audience

  Diwan-e Khaas hall of private audience

  doli palanquin, litter

  dom cremation worker; scavenger

  domni woman singer or dancer belonging to a caste that converted to Islam from the Hindu dom caste

  dona cup made of dried leaves

  Drupad also known as Yajnasena, the king of southern Panchal

  Durga Path recitation of the holy book of Durga. Chanting her name is known to ward off evil spirits and ghosts

  Ekadashi eleventh day of the lunar fortnight; some pious Hindus observe a fast on that day

  gajra flower garland worn by women on festive occasions

  garach medicinal herb

  garib poor

  gathborna medicinal herb

  gauna the ceremony of a wife being taken to her husband’s home

  Gayatri Mantra A hymn of twenty-four syllables chanted in the name of Goddess Savitri or Durga

  ghunghat veil

  gilli-danda Indian tip-cat

  godaan the Hindu practice of offering a cow to a Brahmin after the death of a family member. It was believed that by d
oing that the soul of the departed would find peace and go to heaven