Stories on Caste
by Premchand
MUNSHI PREMCHAND is one of the most important writers of the Hindi–Urdu canon. His prolif ic writing contributed largely to shape the genre of the short story as we know it in India. His range and diversity were limitless as he tackled themes of romance and satire, gender politics and social inequality, with unmatched skill and compassion.Premchand had a deep affinity with the common man. No writer before him in Urdu or Hindi, and possibly other Indian literatures, had depicted the lives of the underdogs, the untouchables and the marginalized with such depth and empathy. His deepest critique was reserved for caste injustice that condemned certain sections of society to live a life of indignity and humiliation. This timely collection brings together some of his most celebrated stories on the theme of caste for the modern reader.