The famous Indian writer and novelist, Munshi Premchand was born on this day (July 31) in 1880 in Varanasi as Dhanpat Rai Srivastava, who Behan his writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai" and subsequently switched to "Premchand", Munshi being an honorary prefix.
Hindi literature is incomplete without his mention. Proficient in Hindi, Urdu and Persian, he wrote over 300 short stories including Kafan, Idgah, Panch Parmeshwar and Shatranj ke Khiladi (Chess Player) and 14 novels including Godan (The Gift of a Cow), Gaban (Embezzlement) and Nirmala. He also wrote plays, essays, film script and satires against the British Government apart from translating some English titles.
Munshi Premchand was a simple man, whose simplicity, rawness and realism are reflected in his serious stories depicting human emotions and the conditions prevailing in the society at that time. I had read his several stories and novels during my school days. Some of these were parts of my curriculum. It gives a different experience altogether while reading and re-reading any one from his treasure trove.
His life was simple and rough. He married a child widow in 1906. It was a revolutionary step at that time. His own story is quite inspiring. He believed, "Beauty doesn't need ornaments, as it can't bear the weight of ornaments."
Today I'm going to share the summary of a beautiful story for you:
"Panch Parmeshwar"
This story is about two childhood friends Jumman Sheikh and Algu Chaudhary. Both trusted each other. People of their village decided to make them both Panches (Judges) in the Village Panchayat (Court).
Jumman had an old aunt who had no close relatives except him. Jumman took her small property in his name, promising her to take good care. But Jumman didn't keep his word. He and his wife ill-treated her and didn't give enough food.
She asked Jumman one day for some money so that she could live on her own but Jumman refused bluntly. The old woman decided to take the matter to the Panchayat.
One of the Panches, asked Jumman to settle the issue with his aunt amicably, but he was adamant, as he thought most of the Panches were obliged to him in one way or the other. He was sure that he would win the case.
The old woman proposed Algu's name for Panch, despite knowing that he was a good friend of Jumman, but she had faith in Algu's wisdom and believed that God recites over the Panch (Judge).
Once appointed as a Panch, Algu decided to keep his friendship aside and asked Jumman to make his statement in the Panchayat. Jumman argued that there was no mention of the allowance in the contract. But Algu was not convinced and finally announced the verdict in the favour of his aunt.
This decision broke their long standing friendship. Jumman always thought about Algu's betrayal and revenge. And he didn't have to wait long to take his revenge.
Algu had bought a pair of beautiful bullocks, but one of them died. Since one bull was of no use to the farmer, Algu decided to sell the other bull to Samju Sahu, a merchant, on the condition that Samju would pay the price of the bull after one month.
Samju started making three to four rounds in the market place instead of one. Due to his carelessness and cruelty one day the bull collapsed. Samju alleged that Algu cheated him by giving him a sick bull and refused to pay the money.
Algu took the matter to the Panchayat. Samjhu purposely proposed the name of Jumman Sheikh as Panch. Jumman was waiting for this day. But the very next moment, Jumman felt a sense of responsibility and decided not to budge from the truth.
After a long argument, Jumman announced that Samjhu Sahu would have to pay the full payment for the bullock, because the bull was in good health when he had bought it.
This story tells that Panch is neither friend nor enemy of anyone. He sees nothing but justice. It is believed that God resides in the heart of Panch. Whatever comes out of the mouth of the Panch is considered to be the word of God. This defying tale of nepotism in jurisdiction holds a lesson for judges of today as well.
--Kaushal Kishore
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