HINDI FICTION was in its infancy when Premchand appeared on the scene. After Premchand's contribution Hindi fiction reached its fullest maturity and flowering. Premchand gave to Hindi fiction a new social awareness, a new sense of purpose. In his hands the Hindi novel comes very close to life and faithfully reflects reality. Premchand was an idealist who desired to mould life according to dreams, but he did not close his eyes to the harsh, ugly truths of life. He mitigated nothing, condoned noth