What is premchand?

Premchand, born Dhanpat Rai Srivastav (31 July 1880 – 8 October 1936), was an Indian writer famous for his modern Hindi-Urdu literature. He is also known as Munshi Premchand, Munshi being an honorary prefix.

• Novelist and Short Story Writer: He was a pioneer of Hindi and Urdu social fiction. His works reflect the realities of the society. He is known as the 'Upanyas Samrat' ("Emperor among Novelists") by Hindi writers.

• Early Life and Education: Premchand was born in a village near Varanasi. He faced financial hardship early in life.

• Literary Career: He started writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai," but later switched to "Premchand." His works often dealt with themes of poverty, social issues, and the plight of the common man.

• Notable Works: Some of his most famous novels include Godaan, Gaban, Nirmala, and Sevasadan. His short stories are equally celebrated for their realistic portrayals of Indian society. He also authored several plays.

• Influence: Premchand's writings had a profound impact on Indian literature and continue to be widely read and studied. He wrote about the Indian independence movement.