Durgadas (novel)

Durgadas

Author	Premchand
Original title	दुर्गादास
Language	Hindi
Subject	literature
Publisher	Bharatiya Jnanpith, New Delhi
Publication date	2011 (It was first published in the year 1915 by Ignorance Publisher.)
Publication place	India
Media type	Novel
Pages	92
ISBN	9788126320578

Durgadasis a Novel of Indian Hindi Writer Premchand.This Novel is about heroic man Durgadas Rathore.It can also be called a heroic saga, from which we learn many lessons. It comes under children's literature and its main publisher is Bharatiya Jnanpith.

It is told how Durgadas, the servant of King Yashwant Singh, after his death, protected the king's son Ajit Singh from Aurangzeb and his Mughal Army and after driving Aurangzeb from Marwar handed over the kingdom to Ajit Singh And how he had to run away from the evil Ajit Singh.

Introduction

"Durgadas" is a historical novel by the great novelist Munshi Premchand mainly written in Urdu script and whose Hindi translation was first published in the year 1915. It has the struggle saga of a hero who was even ready to cut his head for his motherland. Premchand himself describes them.

In the words of Premchand -:

Great heroes have become brave in Rajputana. That desert has given birth to so many male and gems; But Veer Durgadas is like Kohnoor for his unparalleled self-sacrifice, his selfless service-devotion and his bright character. Somewhere along with the bravery in others, there will also be a feeling of violence and malice, there will also be an attachment to fame, there will also be pride; But Durgadas was a sage man even though he was brave.

— Premchand

In this, Premchand has included important facts while introducing his creativity. Now its booklet is presented by "Bharatiya Jpeeth", whose first edition from this press was published on 1 January 2011. This story is suitable for the lovers of heroic saga as well as for the scholars of literature and history.

Purpose

Durgadas was once published illustrated in the year 1915, it was mainly published in the form of a children's book, behind which Premchand ji's aim was to awaken the feeling of patriotism in the minds of the children of that time, in which they were completely successful.

The role of Durgadas, which was written by Premchand himself, in his own words is as follows -

There is no other part of literature more useful for children than the character of the sons of the nation. In this, not only does his character become strong, he also infuses patriotism and courage. There have been great warriors in Rajputana. That desert has given birth to many men and gems, but Veer Durgadas is like Kohnoor for his unique self-sacrifice, his selfless service and his bright character. Along with valor in others, violence and malice will also be found at some places, there will also be attachment to fame, there will be pride, but Durgadas was a saintly man even though he was brave. For these reasons, we have kept the character of Veer Ratna Durgadas in front of the children. We have tried that the language of the book should be simple and idiomatic and the interest of the children should be generated in it.

— Premchand

Durgadas novel is a true story whose characters and places are depicted geographically and historically.

In Short

The brave generals of Jodhpur were Durgadas and Jaskaran, sons of Aashkaran, in 1605, after the death of Ashkaran by deceit, Maharaj Yashwant Singh brought up Durgadas and his son Prithvi Singh from Lad. At the behest of Aurangzeb, Maharaj went to the subedari of the Deccan, took Durgadas along and left Prithvi Singh in the kingdom.

After Yashwant Singh's friendship with King Shivaji of the Deccan, the Mughals became safe there.

Then Aurangzeb sent the king to Kabul and fighting with the Muslims there, two princes were killed. There Aurangzeb from Marwar also called Prithvi Singh to Delhi and killed him. and captured Marwar. Here Jaswant Singh also died due to the death of the children. The king had said before his death that his two wives Bhati and Hadi were from the womb and he wanted to make their children king.

With the king, except these two queens, all became sati. The queen's child was born, who was named Ajit, on the second day Hadi's child was also born, who was named Dalthambhan.

On his way to Delhi, Dalthambhan was killed by the cold, where Aurangzeb talked about keeping Prince Ajit in Delhi. Durgadas along with Ananddas Khechi sent the prince to the house of Jaidev Brahmin in a village named Dugaba.

Aurangzeb sent Kotwal and both the queens committed suicide. Those who survived the battle, accompanied Durgadas with the bodies of the queens and cremated them in the hills of Abu.

Everyone went to the Brahmin's place and after a day all went to Kalyangarh Durgadas's house where Durgadas's old mother and her brother Jaskaran and her son Tejkaran were there. The emperor, on the behest of Jaswant Singh's nephew, issued a decree that all the Rajputs should be captured alive or dead.

All the Rajputs ran away, here Durgadas went to Awagarh with Soningi, there Shoningi gave a box and said, "It is given by the king, I can't keep it safe, take it and give it to the young man who becomes the king in Jodhpur. Do not!"

Durgadas went away with that box. On the way, two Rajputs were surrounded by Mughal soldiers, one of whom was killed and one named Maha Singh was injured. While rescuing them, Durgadas killed Zoravar and took Maha Singh with him and reached his home. Early in the morning, Durgadas along with his son and brother started leaving the mother and gave the sandukchi to his servant Nathu. After his departure, Shamshe…

Similarly, doing many great things, he drove Aurangzeb away from Marwar.

Now Durgadas was old, he put Ajit Singh on the throne, Ajit Singh tried to kill Durgadas in pride, but finally he also came to know what he would be able to do to whom Aurangzeb fled in fear.

Veer Durgadas left Jodhpur and stayed with Rana Jai ​​Singh for a few days and then went to Ujjain, worshiped Mahakaleshwar with reverence for the remaining days. He died in Samvat 1765.

Durgadas Rathore died, but his heroic saga will remain immortal forever.

In the end Premchand writes-:

"The one who saved the life of Yashwant Singh's son and made him the lord of Marwar country, today the dead body of the same hero was burnt in the pyre of dry tamarisk of river Kshipra. Creator! Your Leela is wonderful.

— Premchand