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Mansarovar - Part I: Short stories by premchand
As a story-writer Premchand had become a legend in his own lifetime. The firmament of Premchand's stories is vast. In view of variety of topics, he, as though, had encompassed the entire sky of humane world into his fold. Each of Premchandji's stories unravels many sides of human mind, many streaks of man's conscience, the evils in some societal practices and heterogeneous angles of economic tortures. All this is done with complete artistry. His stories stir the readers' mind even today by means of their variegated layers of thoughts and feelings. They are all the heralds of human glories coming from the pen of a time-tested author. The very intrinsic nature of his stories, their external formats unfold their entire uniqueness and appeal to the reader's mind. Owing to such special features Premchandji's stories arc still relevant today, as much as they were five decades ago. The chief themes of his stories arc rooted to the rural life with city social life appearing as the contrast to illustrate the complete picture of contemporary Indian life. The stories of Munshi Premchand, fighting on behalf of the downtrodden of the society, who arc suffering from the social and economic agonies, are the strongest assets of our Literature.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2014
368 people are currently reading
1105 people want to read
About the author
Munshi Premchand
1,187 books1,132 followersMunshi Premchand (Hindi: मुंशी प्रेमचंद) was an Indian writer famous for his modern Hindustani literature. He is one of the most celebrated writers of the Indian subcontinent,and is regarded as one of the foremost Hindustani writers of the early twentieth century.
Born Dhanpat Rai, he began writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai", but subsequently switched to "Premchand", while he is also known as "Munshi Premchand", Munshi being an honorary prefix. A novel writer, story writer and dramatist, he has been referred to as the "Upanyas Samrat" ("Emperor among Novelists") by some Hindi writers. His works include more than a dozen novels, around 250 short stories, several essays and translations of a number of foreign literary works into Hindi.
Premchand is considered the first Hindi author whose writings prominently featured realism. His novels describe the problems of the poor and the urban middle-class. His works depict a rationalistic outlook, which views religious values as something that allows the powerful hypocrites to exploit the weak. He used literature for the purpose of arousing public awareness about national and social issues and often wrote about topics related to corruption, child widowhood, prostitution, feudal system, poverty, colonialism and on the India's freedom movement.
Several of his early works, such as A Little Trick and A Moral Victory, satirised the Indians who cooperated with the British colonial government.
In the 1920s, he was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement and the accompanying struggle for social reform. During this period, his works dealt with the social issues such as poverty, zamindari exploitation (Premashram, 1922), dowry system (Nirmala, 1925), educational reform and political oppression (Karmabhumi, 1931).
In his last days, he focused on village life as a stage for complex drama, as seen in his most famous work Godan as well as the short-story collection Kafan (1936).Premchand believed that social realism was the way for Hindi literature, as opposed to the "feminine quality", tenderness and emotion of the contemporary Bengali literature.
Born Dhanpat Rai, he began writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai", but subsequently switched to "Premchand", while he is also known as "Munshi Premchand", Munshi being an honorary prefix. A novel writer, story writer and dramatist, he has been referred to as the "Upanyas Samrat" ("Emperor among Novelists") by some Hindi writers. His works include more than a dozen novels, around 250 short stories, several essays and translations of a number of foreign literary works into Hindi.
Premchand is considered the first Hindi author whose writings prominently featured realism. His novels describe the problems of the poor and the urban middle-class. His works depict a rationalistic outlook, which views religious values as something that allows the powerful hypocrites to exploit the weak. He used literature for the purpose of arousing public awareness about national and social issues and often wrote about topics related to corruption, child widowhood, prostitution, feudal system, poverty, colonialism and on the India's freedom movement.
Several of his early works, such as A Little Trick and A Moral Victory, satirised the Indians who cooperated with the British colonial government.
In the 1920s, he was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement and the accompanying struggle for social reform. During this period, his works dealt with the social issues such as poverty, zamindari exploitation (Premashram, 1922), dowry system (Nirmala, 1925), educational reform and political oppression (Karmabhumi, 1931).
In his last days, he focused on village life as a stage for complex drama, as seen in his most famous work Godan as well as the short-story collection Kafan (1936).Premchand believed that social realism was the way for Hindi literature, as opposed to the "feminine quality", tenderness and emotion of the contemporary Bengali literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 6, 2018
Picked this on reco from wife. And we both agreed that the stories had a lot of variety, each one worth relishing multiple times.
Difficult to pick any favorites, but the one that worked best for me was 'RamLeela'.
Difficult to pick any favorites, but the one that worked best for me was 'RamLeela'.
December 19, 2015
Some of the stories were so ahead of their times back then and even after a century later, they are still ahead of our times. The simplicity of Munshiji's writing clubbed with humility, sarcasm, humor and harsh reality behind every relation is so very mesmerizing.
August 7, 2019
Every story is a gem. Though I had already read some of them in my school days. But reading again them was a great experience.
March 2, 2018
हर कहानी में इतना कुछ सिखने को मिलता है. अगर हिंदी जानते है तो प्रेमचंद को ज़रूर पढ़े. कुछ पंक्तियाँ जो मुझे बेहद पसंद आयी :-
1.अतीत चाहे दुख:द ही क्यों न हो, उसकी स्मतियॉ मधुर होती हैं।
2.विवाह का आधार अगर प्रेम न हो, तो वह तो देह का विक्रय हैं।
3. प्रेम का अभिनय करना जानते थे; पर उनके जीवन में प्रेम से कम्पित होनेवाला तार न था।
4.प्रेम जब श्रद्धा के साथ आता हैं, तब वह ऐसा मेहमान हो जाता हैं, जो उपहार लेकर आया हो। युवकों के लिए प्रेम खर्चीली वस्तु हैं लेकिन महात्माओं या महीत्मापन के समीप पहुँचे हुए लोगों का प्रेम-उलटे और कुछ ले आता हैं। युवक जो रंग बहुमूल्य उपहारों से जमाता हैं, ये महात्मा या अर्द्ध- महात्मा लोग केवल आशीर्वाद से जमा लेते हैं।
5.रूप की देवी वेश्या भी हो, उपास्य हैं।
6.पुरुष स्वाधीन हैं। वह दिल में समझता है कि मै स्वाधीन हूँ । वह स्वाधीनता का स्वाँग नहीं भरता। स्त्री अपने दिल में समझती रहती है कि वह स्वाधीन नहीं हैं, इसलिए वह अपनी स्वाधीनता को ढोंग करती हैं। जो बलवान हैं, वे अकड़ते नहीं। जो दुर्बल हैं, वही अकड़ करती हैं। क्या आप उन्हें अपने आँसू पोंछने के लिए इतना अधिकार भी नही देना चाहती?
1.अतीत चाहे दुख:द ही क्यों न हो, उसकी स्मतियॉ मधुर होती हैं।
2.विवाह का आधार अगर प्रेम न हो, तो वह तो देह का विक्रय हैं।
3. प्रेम का अभिनय करना जानते थे; पर उनके जीवन में प्रेम से कम्पित होनेवाला तार न था।
4.प्रेम जब श्रद्धा के साथ आता हैं, तब वह ऐसा मेहमान हो जाता हैं, जो उपहार लेकर आया हो। युवकों के लिए प्रेम खर्चीली वस्तु हैं लेकिन महात्माओं या महीत्मापन के समीप पहुँचे हुए लोगों का प्रेम-उलटे और कुछ ले आता हैं। युवक जो रंग बहुमूल्य उपहारों से जमाता हैं, ये महात्मा या अर्द्ध- महात्मा लोग केवल आशीर्वाद से जमा लेते हैं।
5.रूप की देवी वेश्या भी हो, उपास्य हैं।
6.पुरुष स्वाधीन हैं। वह दिल में समझता है कि मै स्वाधीन हूँ । वह स्वाधीनता का स्वाँग नहीं भरता। स्त्री अपने दिल में समझती रहती है कि वह स्वाधीन नहीं हैं, इसलिए वह अपनी स्वाधीनता को ढोंग करती हैं। जो बलवान हैं, वे अकड़ते नहीं। जो दुर्बल हैं, वही अकड़ करती हैं। क्या आप उन्हें अपने आँसू पोंछने के लिए इतना अधिकार भी नही देना चाहती?
July 27, 2020
Superb Writing !!!
Short Stories...Very good ones. I always thought Premchand as a tragedy writer, but this book changed the perception. Among Tragedies are many stories that would tickle you and make you laugh.
Lovely language, filled with so many proverbs.
It was fun reading this one, would love to complete all the book of this series !!!
Short Stories...Very good ones. I always thought Premchand as a tragedy writer, but this book changed the perception. Among Tragedies are many stories that would tickle you and make you laugh.
Lovely language, filled with so many proverbs.
It was fun reading this one, would love to complete all the book of this series !!!
September 30, 2015
It is such a nice book. You must have to read this. Its simply amazing stories, I loved it alot!!! Awesome messages and after all Premchand is the best writer in the world.
October 22, 2016
No one captured the India of his time better than Premchand. Deep psychological enquiries of characters, prevailing social injustice, making rational observations on accepted traditions, he offers everything with a touch of sarcasm. Or may be the opposite. It is seemingly effortless humour he might have tried to attain, stories and characters might have evolved around it taking a clue from society. Who knows for certain? But these are undoubtedly great stories.
January 26, 2018
Unfortunate is s/he, who didn't read Premchand
People who always stayed in urban areas, led a comfortable /luxurious life, are the most unfortunate. Reading Premchand gives them one opportunity to wash off their sins of urbanity. And now if you don't know how to read Hindi, you are not only unfortunate but a subject of pity too. Don't try the translation please. It's ok if you don't know that you don't know, you don't miss much. Enjoy your comfortable and ignorant life.
People who always stayed in urban areas, led a comfortable /luxurious life, are the most unfortunate. Reading Premchand gives them one opportunity to wash off their sins of urbanity. And now if you don't know how to read Hindi, you are not only unfortunate but a subject of pity too. Don't try the translation please. It's ok if you don't know that you don't know, you don't miss much. Enjoy your comfortable and ignorant life.
December 30, 2015
A great, classic collection of stories by the master-story teller, Premchand.
Enjoyed reading all the stories.
I have the Part II ready with me to continue this journey.
Highly recommended to all who love Hindi Prose.
Note: Don't miss the story#13, a thrilling short story.
Enjoyed reading all the stories.
I have the Part II ready with me to continue this journey.
Highly recommended to all who love Hindi Prose.
Note: Don't miss the story#13, a thrilling short story.
July 19, 2025
Mansarovar is a series of books with a collection of stories written by Premchand. They, very beautifully, present the societal norms, issues and sufferings of that era, some of which are still relatable. The flawless skill of his writing shows wonderfully how much he was ahead of his time. Some of his stories are based on pain, helplessness, misery and hardships; while some others on pride, contentment and stepping towards new and better societal beliefs. I highly recommend this book, it's really worth your time and the lessons are, again, really, highly applicable to our lives......
Read
January 9, 2014any 1 story from the story book Maan Sarovar of Prem Chand
December 18, 2017
The stories definitely take you to another time in history.
At the end, they leave you feeling too sad for the characters.
It is a treat to read a book written in such fluid Hindi language.
At the end, they leave you feeling too sad for the characters.
It is a treat to read a book written in such fluid Hindi language.
March 27, 2021
A wonderful example of Hindi literature. The depth of the book moves you. This is a collection of short stories with a wide range of emotions. Some stories will make you laugh till you are clutching your stomach whereas some stories will make you cry so that you need to take a break. You might need to catch a breath or moment to consume the emotion. Generally it's seen that this emotion is more inclined towards feminine but this book shows a range of emotions for both the genders equally. It touches the emotional side of not only a mother, wife, daughter or lover but also of a father, brother, husband and lover which is generally a rare phenomenon. The level of Sarcasm set up here is very difficult to meet with. It is subtle and quick which makes it wonderful.
I guess I am not a person to talk about the command over language of such a great personality. Overall this book is a collection of some very wonderful stories which might take the Indian readers back to their classrooms and put a light over current issues.
The issues addressed in this book are age old but if we are still relating to them are we improving ourselves. It's generally said that compete with yourself first so are we really proud of yourselves? This was the question which was in my mind when I put this book down..
I guess I am not a person to talk about the command over language of such a great personality. Overall this book is a collection of some very wonderful stories which might take the Indian readers back to their classrooms and put a light over current issues.
The issues addressed in this book are age old but if we are still relating to them are we improving ourselves. It's generally said that compete with yourself first so are we really proud of yourselves? This was the question which was in my mind when I put this book down..
April 4, 2023
Premchand's writing is a mirror of Indian society. His characters are raw and flawed, and his stories are realities that are still prevalent.
Maansarowar 1 is the first of the eight volumes of his short stories. The first part has the following stories:
1. Aakhiri Heela आखिरी हीला
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Extra-marital relations
2. Algyojha अलग्योझा
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Family relationships
3. Anubhav अनुभव
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Empowering women
4. Bade Bhaisaab बड़े भाईसाहब
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Sibling relationships
5. Beton Wali Vidhwa बेटों वाली विधवा
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Family relationships, problems of a widow
6. Dhikkar धिक्कार
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials of being a widow, widow re-marriage
7. Dil Ki Rani दिल की रानी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Identity of a woman, gender roles
8. Ghar Jamai घर जमाई
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Exploitation of a man by women in his life, reconciliation
9. Ghaswali घासवाली
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Poverty, caste subjugation
10. Gila गिला
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Marital relationships
11. Gilli Danda गुल्ली डंडा
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference, childhood innocence
12. Idgah ईदगाह
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, selflessness
13. Jhanki झाँकी
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Family relationships
14. Jyoti ज्योति
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials and trauma of a widow
15. Kayar कायर
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference, inter-caste relationship
16. Lanchhaan लांछन
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Identity of an unmarried woman
17. Maa माँ
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Patriotism, sacrifices of a mother
18. Manovritti मनोवृत्ति
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Identity of a woman
19. Nasha नशा
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference
20. Poos Ki Raat पूस की रात
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, exploitation of peasants
21. Rasik Sampadak रसिक संपादक
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Concept of beauty
22. Shanti शांति
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials and trauma of a woman
23. Shikaar शिकार
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Marital life
24. Subhaagi सुभागी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Gender roles
25. Swamini स्वामिनी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Empowering woman, family relationships
26. Tawaan तावान
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Patriotism
27. Thakur Ka Kuan ठाकुर का कुआँ
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, casteism
Maansarowar 1 is the first of the eight volumes of his short stories. The first part has the following stories:
1. Aakhiri Heela आखिरी हीला
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Extra-marital relations
2. Algyojha अलग्योझा
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Family relationships
3. Anubhav अनुभव
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Empowering women
4. Bade Bhaisaab बड़े भाईसाहब
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Sibling relationships
5. Beton Wali Vidhwa बेटों वाली विधवा
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Family relationships, problems of a widow
6. Dhikkar धिक्कार
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials of being a widow, widow re-marriage
7. Dil Ki Rani दिल की रानी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Identity of a woman, gender roles
8. Ghar Jamai घर जमाई
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Exploitation of a man by women in his life, reconciliation
9. Ghaswali घासवाली
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Poverty, caste subjugation
10. Gila गिला
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Marital relationships
11. Gilli Danda गुल्ली डंडा
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference, childhood innocence
12. Idgah ईदगाह
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, selflessness
13. Jhanki झाँकी
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Family relationships
14. Jyoti ज्योति
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials and trauma of a widow
15. Kayar कायर
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference, inter-caste relationship
16. Lanchhaan लांछन
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Identity of an unmarried woman
17. Maa माँ
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Patriotism, sacrifices of a mother
18. Manovritti मनोवृत्ति
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Identity of a woman
19. Nasha नशा
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Socio-economic difference
20. Poos Ki Raat पूस की रात
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, exploitation of peasants
21. Rasik Sampadak रसिक संपादक
My rating: 4.5/5
Main themes: Concept of beauty
22. Shanti शांति
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Trials and trauma of a woman
23. Shikaar शिकार
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Marital life
24. Subhaagi सुभागी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Gender roles
25. Swamini स्वामिनी
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Empowering woman, family relationships
26. Tawaan तावान
My rating: 4/5
Main themes: Patriotism
27. Thakur Ka Kuan ठाकुर का कुआँ
My rating: 5/5
Main themes: Poverty, casteism
April 15, 2025
A timeless collection that brings back the warmth of childhood reading. *Mansarovar Vol. 1 by a legendary author ahead of his time offers stories rich with moral values, relatable characters, and simple yet powerful storytelling. Perfect for both kids and adults, these tales stay with you long after you've read them.
I liked it a lot and learned so much from these stories—definitely continuing with the next part!
I liked it a lot and learned so much from these stories—definitely continuing with the next part!
June 16, 2020
My favourite story is "Namak ka Daroga", you won't be able to resist a second reading of this one. Other timeless classics include like "kafan", "Ramlila", "Bade bhai sahab"(last read this in 9th or 10th grade, nostalgia!).
If you even have the faintest interest in Hindi language you are missing out if you haven't read Premchand.
If you even have the faintest interest in Hindi language you are missing out if you haven't read Premchand.
July 23, 2023
प्रेमचंद अतुलनीय हैं, अद्भुत हैं, पूज्य हैं। प्रेमचंद की कहानियों के पात्र प्रायः जाने–पहचाने लगते हैं, उनकी तकलीफ़ें अपनी सी मालूम होती हैं। यही प्रेमचंद की महानता है।
इस भाग से मेरी पसंदीदा कहानियाॅं हैं:
ईदगाह
बड़े भाई साहब
घर–जमाई
पूस की रात
गुल्ली–डंडा
कायर
रसिक संपादक
इस भाग से मेरी पसंदीदा कहानियाॅं हैं:
ईदगाह
बड़े भाई साहब
घर–जमाई
पूस की रात
गुल्ली–डंडा
कायर
रसिक संपादक
July 15, 2018
Munshi Premchand's writing has capability of describing the emotions of every molecule of you and your surrounding.
July 2, 2018
Nice stories that make you reflect on the then state of society. Too harsh tone though.
March 21, 2019
Nice
Its a decent book bt more prevalent of the past. Not much as of current situations. Bt nice it is
Its a decent book bt more prevalent of the past. Not much as of current situations. Bt nice it is
November 8, 2019
Awesome writer and awesome stories
Awesome writer and awesome stories . You may feel that stories are happening in front of your eyes . Realistic experience .
Awesome writer and awesome stories . You may feel that stories are happening in front of your eyes . Realistic experience .
January 14, 2020
Wonderful book
Stories in this book are very good...and realistic. Looks like real life experiences are penned down by Munshi Premchand ki.
Stories in this book are very good...and realistic. Looks like real life experiences are penned down by Munshi Premchand ki.
April 29, 2020
प्रेमचंद का कोई जवाब नहीं।
तात्कालिक समय से जोड़ती कहानियां एवम् पूर्ण समसामयिक चित्रण। अवश्य पढ़ें। जय श्री राम। राधे राधे। ओम नमः शिवाय। ॐ
तात्कालिक समय से जोड़ती कहानियां एवम् पूर्ण समसामयिक चित्रण। अवश्य पढ़ें। जय श्री राम। राधे राधे। ओम नमः शिवाय। ॐ
May 16, 2020
Got an audiobook to complete this one. All the stories are so close to real life. Each story shows the face of the society in a different light. The short stories are written roughly 100 year back, and the we are not a bit changed.
I guess, The evolution takes way more than 100 years to bring some significant change in behaviour. LOL😂😂
I guess, The evolution takes way more than 100 years to bring some significant change in behaviour. LOL😂😂
August 6, 2020
The write up is about the everyday happenings around us .
The characters may have changed today but the mentality is same .
HONESTLY Ramrajaya is eagerly awaited. Jai shree Ram
The characters may have changed today but the mentality is same .
HONESTLY Ramrajaya is eagerly awaited. Jai shree Ram
December 2, 2021
अलौकिक।
May 7, 2023
Good Stories collection of Premchand. Some of the very phenomenal writings of Hindi Literature.
October 22, 2023
हर कहानी गाँव की सादगी और वहाँ की रोज़मर्रा के जीवन की कठिनाइयों से आपका परिचय कराती है। भाषा सरल है पर किरदार उतने ही गूढ़ और मार्मिक। प्रेमचंद की कहानियों में माटी की ख़ुशबू है।
February 15, 2024
Fantastic, these r the classics that get me into reading.
Want to read
October 12, 2024always wanted to test my Hindi skills in a book. Will see..
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