Munshi Premchand was an unparalleled novelist in Urdu and Hindi language. He was born on 31st July 1880 in a penniless Kayasth family of Lamahee Village. His mother was Anandi. His father, Munshi Ajayab Lal was a post office staff. At the age of 7, Premchand lost his mother. His father wedded for a second time. Premchand was not happy with his step mother. His stepmother proved a nuisance for him. He did not receive love and motherly affection. The child needs the tender touch from his or her parents without which he or she cannot grow properly from within. But, Premchand had to suffer a lot. He lost his taste in studying. However, he managed, somehow, to pass his matriculation examination with second division. His academic performance was not so bright. As he had no interest in Mathematics, he had to fail twice in the intermediate examination. At last, he had decided to leave the school. Child marriage was a sacred tradition in society. He was also pressurized for nuptials in his adolescence. He tied the knot at the age of 15. He had to shoulder his family responsibility. He faced the problems of livelihood. He started to give tuitions to the students. He used to cover a long distance of several miles daily on foot for teaching his students. He was also appointed as school inspector at Gorakhpur. But, he resigned himself from the government jobs for contributing to the freedom struggle of India.
He had an instinctive quality to write stories. He was a kind man. He was deeply moved with the pathetic conditions of Indian people. His works expresses his sensitivity. Initially, he started to write in Urdu with a pseudonym nabab Roy. He expressed not only the miserable conditions of people but also revolted against injustice. The English became aware of that fact and banned his works under publications. But that could not bring to an end of his writing for people. He started writing in Hindi with his new name, Premchand. The actual name of Premchand was Dhanpat Roy. That was the starting point of real journey of literature. He contributed his whole life to serve literature.
His own life was full of difficulties and struggles. His sufferings gave him insights to observe the afflictions of others appropriately. He wrote against exploitation, unawareness, suppressions, poverty and brutality. He always favored farmers and untouchables. His novels communicate his contemporary society and its people. They are full of real stories and events. He added a new dimension to art of novel writing. His description of characters and themes in his composition is outstanding. His works indicate that the phony pragmatism and optimism cannot accomplish the welfare of the underprivileged. It seems that he was impressed by Marxism. He advocated that human characters are affected and transformed by company which one has. His extensive thoughts and visions educate us countless things. ‘Seva Sadan’ portrays very aptly the situations that make a good woman a prostitute. ‘Premashram’ illustrates the sufferings of Indian peasants and widows. ‘Nirmala’ depicts the problem of child marriage. ‘Gaban’ and ‘Godan’ are one of the best novels written by him. The description of farmers in ‘Godan’ is rare even in the world literature. He convinced us by his writing that man is the foe of the man. ‘Rangbhumi’ and ‘Karambhumi’ also tell the social problems. He also composed several dramas. ‘Karbala’, ‘Sangram’ and ‘Prem Ki Vedi’ are some of the great drams. The anthology of his prose pieces is published in eight volumes under the heading ‘Manasarovar’. Premchand was such a great author that one cannot write down everything about him.
