Life Of Munshi Premchand

Till now Hindi literature has given birth to many novelists. They have written many unique literalistic creations. But Munshi Premchand was the most popular among all. His novels, poems, and stories influenced most of the Hindi language readers.

Munshi Premchand is the pride of Hindi literature. In the Hindi literary world, he is famous as a soldier of the pen. By looking at the contribution of Munshi Premchand in the field of Hindi literature, Bengal’s famous novelist Sarat Chandra Chattoopadhyaya gave him the title of ‘Novel Emperor’.

He was born in Lamhi village in 1880, 4 miles away from Varanasi (Banaras) district. His real name was Dhanpat Rai. His childhood was very normal, his family used to struggle for daily needs. He has completed his initial studies from his village and nearby Banaras. After completing their bachelor of arts (B.A.), he stopped studying, to support his family. Then he started working as a government teacher in the education department. Later on, he got promoted as a deputy inspector.

Munshi Premchand’s initial marriage life was full of struggle. His first marriage was a mismatched marriage, his stepmother fixed that marriage. Later on, he got divorced. Then he married a child widower. He wanted to set an example in society by his marriage. His second wife Shivrani Devi supported him in every aspect of life.

Before Munshi Premchand, Hindi literature was well developed. Most of the writers wrote novels, stories based on mystery, comedy, nature. But Munshi Premchand’s writing focused on Indian farmers, widowers, freedom fighters, village problems, and other social issues. In his writing, people really feel a connection, because they are so close to reality till now. He has seen both village and city life in his early age, that’s why he wrote everything precisely.

In his childhood, he learned Urdu from the village’s maulvi. When he started writing, for some time he wrote in the Urdu language under the name of ‘Nawab Rai’.

When Mahatma Gandhi announced the non-cooperation movement in 1920, Munshi Premchand left his government job and started writing full time.

Munshi Premchand’s first famous novel:-

Munshi Prechand’s first famous novel was ‘Soje Vatan’. It was published in 1908. It was fully based on patriotism and the freedom movement, that’s why the British government banned the sale of novels. British government strictly instructed Munshi Premchand not to write anything like that in the future also. After that, he wrote under a new name for quite some time.

Why was Munshi Premchand so focused on Indian Farmers?

In all Munshi Premchand’s creation, he was always sensitive about farmers. There were so many writers who wrote about farmers in Hindi and Urdu, but none was as concerned as Munshi Premchand. From ancient times most of the people in India do farming for basic earning. Munshi Premchand always wanted Indian farmers to be politically, socially, culturally empowered. Indian farmers were active in rebel protests against the British government. Indian farmers played an important role in the Indian rebellion of 1857. Munshi Premchand always wanted the betterment of Indian farmers. Because he has seen the worst condition of farmers in British rule.

There were many writers and politicians who wanted the betterment of farmers just like Munshi Premchand, all of them have also written many articles. Initially, all of them have written in mercy, because all educated people wanted to do something for the backbone of the society. But soon Munshi Premchand and others realized that farmers are the real base of the freedom movement. Because farmers were fighting for their rights for so long.

After the non-cooperation movement, many leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and writers like Munshi Premchand understood the power of Indian farmers. In 1918, Munshi Premchand started writing ‘Premasharma’. By breaking the political and literary boundaries, he started interacting with the farmers from village to village. That was the time of change in Indian literature and cultural history. He participated in many freedom movements and motivated people with his poems and stories.

During Munshi Premchand’s time, people were hungry for knowledge. They just wanted to grab the knowledge from wherever they can. Munshi Premchand understood people’s curiosity and that’s why he has written so many things about Indian farmers. So that people feel connected and learn.

It was not like that Indian farmers were fighting for their rights after the British government came to India and started ruling. Farmers were fighting for their rights before that too. They were not educated much and nobody was there to guide them. Munshi Premchand felt this pain of Indian farmers. Munshi Premchand included all the discrimination he has seen and then writes it down by his visionary skills in books. It’s very true to say there were writers who wrote about Indian farmer’s concerns but none was as intercessor as Munshi Premchand.

Why are Munshi Premchand’s Novels and Stories based on Practical life:-

Munshi Premchand joined his literature with practical life. This was the specialty of his literary skills. By considering the instantaneous cultural and political situations, he created problem-oriented and character-oriented literature.

By understanding and examining the instantaneous problems like women’s problems, mismatched marriage, farmers’ problems, laborer problems, dowry problems, prostitute problems, he presented his literary creations for people. He wanted to raise the concern for every group of society. He also raised the farmer’s concern with landowners, usurers, and government machinery. He always presented all the problems in original forms and tried to find the solutions in an idealistic way. He was not a blind believer in idealism. Presenting the best possible solution in his literature was his specialty. He himself experienced the Indian lifestyle and used his experience in literature writing.

Munshi Premchand’s novels and stories were so real that whenever someone reads something from his creations, it is like watching a movie with your own eyes. This was the specialty of Munshi Premchand’s literary creations.

Munshi Premchand’s famous creations:-

Munshi Premchand’s stories are compiled in 8 parts of Mansarovar. Seva Sadan, Rangbhoomi, Kayakalp, Nirmala, Gaban, Karmbhoomi, Godan are his famous novels. He also edited magazines like Hans, Jagaran, Madhuri, Jagaran. Karbala and Sangram are 2 dramas written by him. Apart from novels, he wrote many essays and prose writing.

Epilogue:-

Munshi Premchand’s storytelling art was different from the other writers of that time. His novel world is very vast. His geniality was not only towards humans but was also for animals. He was the master of writing. He has written complex things in simple words. The language of Munshi Premchand’s Novel was simple, lively, and idiomatic. He has used popular conventional words in his writing.

Munshi Premhand’s novels are so popular in other parts of the world. Many of his novels are translated into other popular languages of the world.

Today Munshi Premchand is not with us, but his literary creations are still alive. His creations will always teach everyone about patriotism, social welfare, and humanity.