Eidgah – by Munshi Premchand
Class: 7th Standard | Type: Prose | Syllabus: SCERT New Syllabus (Term 1, Unit 1)
Translated and Adapted by Uma Raman
About the Author
Munshi Premchand (1880–1936) is one of the most celebrated writers of modern Hindi and Urdu literature. Often referred to as the "Upanyas Samrat" (Emperor of Novels), Premchand is known for his realistic portrayals of Indian society, particularly the lives of ordinary people, the poor, and the downtrodden. His works address themes of poverty, social injustice, and the struggles of rural India. "Eidgah" is one of his most beloved short stories, originally written in Urdu in 1933, and has been widely translated and adapted for readers of all ages.
Summary
The story is set on the beautiful morning of Eid in a small Indian village. The village is buzzing with excitement as everyone prepares to go to the Eidgah (the open-air mosque where Eid prayers are offered). Among the excited children are boys like Mahmood, Mohsin, Noorey, and Sammi, who eagerly count their coins and dream of buying toys, sweets, and treats at the fair. The happiest of the boys is four-year-old Hamid, who is thin, poorly dressed, and orphaned — his father died of cholera and his mother also passed away. He now lives with his elderly grandmother, Ameena, who has told him that his father has gone to earn money and his mother has gone to Allah to get lovely gifts for him. Hamid innocently believes this and remains cheerful despite having only three paisas while his friends have much more.