The greatest stalwart in the field of Hindi and Urdu fiction – Premchand – whose real name was Dhanpat Rai or Nawabrai, was a prolific writer who wrote 12 novels and 300 short stories. The greatness of his novels lies in its unparalleled and in-depth depiction of the Indian rural milieu. He pioneered the art of fiction with a social cause. He centered his narration around the realities of life lived in Indian villages. His writings bring to life interesting details of layman as well as priests, local businessmen and landlords.

Premchand, the father of Urdu short stories or Afsana, wrote simply, with a natural flow. His wit and humor make his novels all time favorites. In the later stages of his life, he turned towards Hindi. Today, both Urdu and Hindi literature claim him as their own.