Irya Khanna

Professor Fuzail Asar Siddiqi

ENG-2003-1: Indian Literature

7 March, 2024

Indian Literatures Mid-term Examination

3. How does Premchand’s “The Chess Players” look at the nature of Indian history, and what

does he hope future generations learn from his story?

While "The Chess Players" doesn't explicitly lay out a grand narrative about Indian

history, it does offer a very subtle, critical glimpse into a specific period and its implications for

the future. The story focuses on the obliviousness of the two noblemen towards the British

takeover, highlighting a specific instance of passivity and lack of resistance that contributed to

the fall of Awadh. This can be seen as a cautionary tale, urging future generations to be aware

and engaged with socio-political developments to avoid repeating such historical downfalls.

The story centers around Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan Ali, wealthy men belonging to

the nobility. Their obsession with chess blinds them to the political upheaval, a consequence of

their privileged position. This detachment can be seen as a prototype of how the British exploited

existing class divisions in Indian society. By elevating certain aristocratic groups and turning a

blind eye to their apathy, the British created a buffer between themselves and the masses. This

divide effectively weakened any potential for unified resistance.

By juxtaposing the personal lives of the chess players with the broader historical event,

Premchand emphasizes the interconnectedness of individual actions and larger historical

processes. This challenges readers to consider their own role within the larger narrative of history
and the potential consequences of their choices. The story transcends the specific historical

context of Awadh and speaks to a universal human tendency to become engrossed in personal

pursuits while ignoring larger issues. This serves as a reminder for future generations to be

critically engaged with the world around them and not become passive participants in their own

history.

Premchand's focus on the nobility's indifference also highlights how the British might

have strategically targeted the upper class. By offering concessions and maintaining a semblance

of aristocratic life, the British may have hoped to quell potential dissent from within the elite.

This divide-and-rule tactic through class appeasement aimed to weaken any possibility of a

cohesive opposition movement. It's important to consider how much of Premchand's vision

applies to contemporary India. While caste inequalities persist, the socio-political landscape has

changed in some ways. However, what really is the degree of this change? If Mirza and Mir were

written today, would they have been aware of their background and privilege, is debatable.

Premchand perhaps envisioned a future India where a more aware and engaged citizenry

would be less susceptible to manipulation along class lines. However, the story's message about

the dangers of apathy remains relevant. Even today, political forces might exploit social and

economic divisions to further their agendas. Premchand doesn't offer a singular, definitive

message. Instead, the story serves as a catalyst for reflection and discussion. It allows future

generations to draw their own conclusions about the nature of Indian history and the role

individuals play within it. This open-ended approach encourages active engagement with the past

and its lessons. "The Chess Players" sheds light on the British tactic of divide and rule through

class. While the specificities of class dynamics might have evolved in modern India,

Premchand's core message about awareness and resisting manipulation remains a crucial
reminder for future generations. It doesn't present a fixed version of Indian history but rather

offers a critical lens through which future generations can learn from the past. It emphasizes the

importance of awareness, engagement, and taking responsibility within the larger historical

narrative.

8. How does Manto criticize the patriarchy in “Open It”?

In "Open It,"Manto critiques the patriarchy through a devastating portrayal of how it

crumbles under the weight of historical upheaval, yet its oppressive structures remain tragically

ingrained. The story dismantles the patriarchal notion of men as protectors. As is common in

patriarchal societies, Sirajuddin is positioned as the provider and protector of his teenage

daughter, Sakina. This creates an expectation that he has the responsibility and power to keep her

safe from harm. Ultimately, Sirajuddin fails to safeguard Sakina.

The chaos of partition renders traditional gender roles meaningless. Women become

especially vulnerable, exposed to violence beyond the control of their male protectors. The

illusions of protection are shattered. The story deliberately subverts this expectation by placing

Sirajuddin in a situation where he is unable to fulfill his supposed role. The chaos of partition

rendered him powerless in the face of the larger forces at play. The narrative emphasizes the

breakdown of established power structures. The violence transcends the confines of individual

households and communities, leaving everyone, including men, vulnerable. This disrupts the

traditional notion of men having control over their families' well-being. In the face of widespread

brutality, the pre-existing societal norms governing male and female roles become meaningless.

Sirajuddin's inability to protect Sakina exposes the limitations of these roles in such extreme

circumstances.
 Manto emphasizes the objectification of women. Even in death, Sakina's body reacts to

Sirajuddin's command, a chilling reminder that her identity is tied to his will. This highlights

how patriarchy reduces women to possessions, even in the face of immense tragedy. The story's

most impactful moment occurs when the doctor utters the phrase "khol do" (open it), intending to

open the window. However, due to the ingrained conditioning and the patriarchal expectations

placed upon her throughout her life, Sakina's dead body instinctively reacts as if he is giving her

an order to undress, possibly due to the unfortunate occurrence of violence against her in that

very refugee camp. This involuntary response transcends the immediate physical action and

becomes a deeply symbolic representation of female subjugation within the patriarchal system.

Even in death, her body reacts based on the expectation of obedience to a man’s will.

The mass displacement caused by partition strips women of their agency. Sakina is

separated from her home and community, further weakening the patriarchal structures that might

have offered her some semblance of control within her pre-partition life. The narrative

emphasizes how the displacement strips women of any semblance of control over their lives.

They face limited choices regarding their safety, mobility, and even their basic needs. This loss

of agency stands in stark contrast to the pre-partition situation, where, despite the limitations of

patriarchy, they might have had some semblance of patriarchy-conforming control within their

established social structures.

At the same time, The partition undeniably challenges the traditionally dominant position

of men within the patriarchal system. The breakdown of social order renders established notions

of male authority and control ineffective in the face of widespread chaos and violence. This loss

of control can be a novel experience for men accustomed to wielding power within the

patriarchal structure. This can lead to feelings of powerlessness and vulnerability, which some
might attempt to reassert through acts of violence, often targeting the already marginalized group

of women, such as those responsible for Sakina’s possible assault.

While the violence of partition exposes the fragility of male dominance, the story

suggests that the psychological hold of patriarchy can linger even when the external structures

crumble. Manto critiques the system not just for its limitations in "normal" times, but for its utter

failure to protect women during a period of immense social upheaval. "Open It" becomes a

powerful commentary on the ways patriarchy intersects with historical events. It exposes the

limitations of the system and the enduring trauma it inflicts on women, even amidst the chaos of

the partition and the displacement of millions.