The man who held a mirror to Indian society

“Who is honest here? Only the one who doesn’t have the opportunity to be corrupt, nor the intelligence or the willpower to produce such a chance.” — A translated excerpt from Premchand’s Do Behanein.

Even after all these decades, his words have remained relevant for the Indian society. Born as Dhanpat Rai Srivastava on July 31, 1880, Premchand worked as a teacher until 1921, when he joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement.

Although he is best known for his works in Hindi, he began his literary career with novels and short stories in Urdu. He published his first collection of short stories, Soz-e-Watan (The Dirge of the Nation), under the pseudonym Nawab Rai in 1907. A collection of patriotic tales, it criticised the British rule and encouraged nationalist sentiment. Unsurprisingly, the British authorities soon banned it, and Premchand was summoned for questioning.

Warned by the District Magistrate to stop writing “inflammatory” material, he adopted the pen name Premchand to protect his job and continue writing.

As Premchand, he began writing more in Hindi to make his work accessible to a wider audience. At a time when romanticism dominated Indian literature, he chose to focus on social evils, introducing the concept of social realism in Hindi writing. His stories didn’t just reflect society — they held up a mirror to it. He focused on women’s rights, the oppression of peasants and landless labourers, and the hypocrisy of middle-class morality.

Some of his most notable works include Panch Parmeshwar, Idgah, Kafan, Sevasadan, Premashram, Nirmala, Rangbhoomi and Gaban. Shatranj ke Khiladi, his satirical take on the apathy of Indian nobility, was later adapted into a classic film by Satyajit Ray. But it was his final work, Godaan (1936), which became his magnum opus. The novel chronicles the life of Hori, a poor farmer, exposing the systemic rot of rural India — feudalism, caste oppression and broken dreams.

Through his work, Premchand shaped the conscience of Indian literature. Instead of glorifying those in power, he turned his attention to farmers, workers, widows and outcasts. His characters weren’t heroes — they were ordinary people burdened by caste, debt, patriarchy, and powerlessness.

He used simple language to explore complex truths. Stories like Kafan, Godaan, Namak ka Daroga and Poos Ki Raat are still taught, quoted and remembered — because they remain disturbingly relevant.

Premchand died in 1936 at the age of 56, leaving behind 14 novels, over 300 short stories, and a legacy that refuses to gather dust. On his birth anniversary, we don’t just remember a writer. We remember a man who listened deeply, wrote bravely and told stories that still demand to be heard.

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