Durgadas (novel)

Durgadas is a historical novel. Originally written in Urdu, the Hindi translation was first published in the year 1915.[7] It depicts the saga of a hero ready to sacrifice his life for his motherland.

Currently distributed by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, the first edition of the novel from this press was published on 1 January 2011.

Durgadas was mainly published in the form of a children's book, behind which Premchand's aim was to awaken the feeling of patriotism in the minds of the children of that time.

The role of Durgadas, which was written by Premchand himself, in his own words is described as follows:[1]

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 the Kohinoor for his unique self-sacrifice, his selfless service and his bright character. Along with valour in other warriors, violence and malice will also be found at some places, and there will also be attachment to fame, and there will be pride, but Durgadas was a saintly man even though he was brave. For these reasons, we have placed 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

The Durgadas novel is a true story whose characters and places are depicted geographically and historically.[8]

The brave generals of Jodhpur were Durgadas and Jaskaran, sons of Askaran Rathore. In 1605, after the death of Askaran by deceit, Maharaj Yashwant Singh brought up Durgadas and his son Prithvi Singh from Lad. At the behest of Aurangzeb, Maharaj went to the viceroy 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 before his death said that his two wives Bhati and Hadi were pregnant and he wanted to make their children the king .

With the king, except these two queens, all became sati.[9] The queen Bhati's child was born, and he 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…[10]

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, worshipped Mahakaleshwar with reverence for the remainder of his days. He died in Samvat in 1765.[11]

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