Annexation of Awadh and the Social Decline in Shatranj ke Khilari

Authors : Mehmet Kemal Çakmakçı

Pages : 223-233

Doi:10.26650/jos.1709338

View : 56 | Download : 192

Publication Date : 2025-10-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Munshi Premchand’s 1924 short story Shatranj ke Khilari, published in 1924, offers a detailed portrayal of the political, moral, and cultural collapse experienced in the Awadh region of northeastern India during the mid-19th century, particularly in the context of the British colonial expansion. This study examines Premchand’s story from both historical and literary perspectives, utilizing a qualitative method based on textual analysis. The narrative subject is the aristocratic class of Awadh, whose life of luxury, indulgence, and indifference unfolded as British colonial rule gradually tightened its grip on the region. The primary characters, Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan, embody a social class that remained entirely detached from political developments, placing a higher value on personal pleasures and a passion for chess than on societal and national responsibilities. In this context, the chess game functions not only as a pastime but also as a powerful metaphor for the detachment of the aristocracy from reality and their passive observance of impending collapse. Premchand’s depiction of the fall of Awadh encompasses both a historical narrative and a cautionary tale, offering a multifaceted perspective on the subject. By analyzing the historical, literary and sociopolitical dimensions of the story, this article sheds light on how societies indifferent to colonial domination contribute to shaping their own destinies.
Keywords : Premçand, Şatranc ke Khilari, Avadh, sömürgecilik, toplumsal çöküş

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL