Namak Ka Daroga Story in English: Munshi Premchand Story
Here is the Namak Ka Daroga Story in English with Moral for students or readers who love to read inspiring stories for fun. Take a look and let us know in comment box what do you think about these stories.
Namak Ka Daroga Story in English
When a new department of salt was formed and there was a ban on dealing in this God-given commodity, people started trading it secretly. Many types of deceptions were started, some used bribes, some used cunning. There were five-twelve officers. People used to disregard this department by leaving the well-respected post of Patwarigiri. Even the lawyers were tempted for the post of Inspector.
This was the time when people considered English education and Christian faith to be the same thing. Persian was predominant. Persians used to get appointed to the highest positions after reading love stories and love poetry.
Munshi Vanshidhar also finished the story of Zulekha’s separation and set out in search of employment, considering the love story of Siri and Farhad to be more important than the battle of Nal and Neel and the invention of America.
His father was an experienced man. Started explaining, ‘Son! You are seeing the plight of the house. Are burdened with debt. They are girls, they keep growing like weeds. I am like a tree on the edge, I don’t know when I will fall! Now you are the master of the house.
‘Don’t pay attention to the position in the job, this is the tomb of the peer. One should keep an eye on the offerings and the sheet. Finding a job where there is some overhead income. Monthly salary is like the full moon, which appears one day and disappears as it wanes. Upper income is a flowing source which always quenches thirst. Salary is given by man and hence he does not get any increase. The upper income is given by God, it is through this that one gets blessings, you yourself are a scholar, what should I explain to you.
‘There is a great need for prudence in this matter. Look at the man, look at his need and look at the opportunity, then do whatever you think is right. There is only benefit in being harsh with a thunderous man. But it is a bit difficult to find the uninterested. Keep these things in mind, this is my lifetime’s earnings.
After this sermon, father blessed. Vanshidhar was an obedient son. Listened to these things carefully and then left the house. In this wide world, for him, patience was his friend, intelligence was his guide and self-reliance was his help. But he left with good omen and on his way, he got the post of inspector of the salt department. The salary was good and there was no limit on upper income. When the old Munshiji got a pleasant conversation, he couldn’t contain his joy. The moneylender relented a bit, Kalwar’s hope blossomed. Heartache started rising in the neighbors’ hearts.
*****
It was winter and night time. The salt soldiers and watchmen were intoxicated. It had not been more than six months since Munshi Vanshidhar came here, but in this short time he had captivated the officers with his efficiency and good conduct. The officers started trusting him a lot.
Jamuna flowed one mile east of the salt office, there was a bridge for boats built on it. The inspector was sleeping sweetly with the door closed. Suddenly when I opened my eyes, instead of the flow of the river, I heard the rumble of vehicles and the noise of boatmen. Sat up.
Why do the vehicles cross the river late at night? There is definitely something wrong. Logic confirmed the illusion. Dressed in uniform, kept the pistol in his pocket and while talking, reached the bridge with his horse drawn. Saw a long queue of vehicles crossing the bridge. He scolded and asked, ‘Whose cars are these?’
There was silence for a while. There was some whispering among the men, then the one in front said, ‘Pandit Alopidin’s.’
‘Who is Pandit Alopidin?’
‘Of Dataganj.’
Munshi Vanshidhar was shocked. Pandit Alopideen was the most prestigious landowner of this area. He used to deal with transactions worth lakhs of rupees, there was no one even big or small who was not indebted to him. The business was also very extensive. He was a big moving parts man. British officers used to come to their area for hunting and were their guests. The fast continued throughout the twelve months.
The clerk asked, ‘Where will the vehicles go?’
Got the answer, ‘Kanpur.’
But there was silence on the question what was there in these. Inspector Saheb’s suspicion increased even more. After waiting for the answer for some time, he said loudly, ‘Have you all become dumb? We ask what is loaded in these?
When no answer was received this time, he tied the horse to a cart and felt the sack. The confusion is gone. These were lumps of salt.
*****
Pandit Alopideen used to come riding on his decorated chariot, some sleeping, some awake. Suddenly many carriage drivers came and woke me up in panic and said, ‘Maharaj! The Inspector has stopped the vehicles and calls you standing at the ghat.
Pandit Alopideen had unwavering faith in Lakshmiji. He used to say that not to mention the world, even in heaven there is the kingdom of Lakshmi. What he said was true. Justice and policy are all Lakshmi’s toys, she makes them dance as she wants. While lying down he said proudly, let us come. Saying this, Panditji ate the betel leaves with great carelessness. Then he came to the inspector covered with a blanket and said, ‘Babuji blessings! Tell me, what crime did we commit that the vehicles were stopped? We Brahmins should be blessed by your blessings.
Vanshidhar said coldly, ‘Government order.’
Pandit Alopidin laughed and said, ‘We neither know the government order nor the government. You are our government. It’s a family matter between us and you, can we ever leave you? You suffered unnecessarily. It is not possible to go from here and not make offerings to the deity of this ghat. I was coming myself to serve you.
Vanshi, the charmer of opulence, had no influence on Vanshidhar. There was a new enthusiasm for honesty. He said harshly, ‘We are not among those scoundrels who sell their faith for a pittance. You are currently in custody. You will be issued a challan as per the rules. Well, I don’t have time for much talk. Jamadar Badlusingh! You take them into custody, I order.”
Pandit Alopidin was stunned. There was a commotion among the drivers. Perhaps this was the first time in Panditji’s life that Panditji had to hear such harsh things. Badlusingh moved forward, but due to his pride he did not have the courage to hold her hand. Panditji had never seen religion showing such disrespect to money. Thought he was still a defiant boy. Haven’t fallen into the trap of illusion yet. He is careless and hesitant. He said very humbly, ‘Babu Saheb, don’t do this, we will be destroyed. Honor will turn into dust. What will you gain by insulting us? We are somehow beyond you.
Vanshidhar said in a harsh voice, ‘We do not want to hear such things.’
The support which Alopidin had thought was a rock, appeared to be slipping beneath his feet. Self-respect and wealth took a severe hit. But till now there was complete confidence in the numerical power of money. He said to his Mukhtar, ‘Lalaji, gift one thousand rupee notes to Babu Saheb, you are becoming a hungry lion at this time.’
Vanshidhar said angrily, ‘Not even a thousand, not even a lakh can divert me from the true path.’
I was very upset at this mindless insistence on religion and sacrifice for God. Now a war started between the two powers. Dhan started jumping and attacking. The situation reached one to five, five to ten, ten to fifteen and fifteen to twenty thousand, but religion stood firm and unshakeable like a lonely mountain in front of the majority army with supernatural bravery.
Alopidin said in disappointment, ‘Now I don’t have the courage to do more than this. You have further rights.
Vanshidhar challenged his commander. Badlusingh, abusing the inspector in his mind, moved towards Pandit Alopidin. Panditji got scared and took two-three steps back. He said very politely, ‘Babu Saheb, for God’s sake have mercy on me, I am ready to settle for twenty-five thousand.’
‘It is impossible.’
‘At thirty thousand?
‘No way possible.’
‘Not even at forty thousand.’
‘Not only forty thousand, but even forty lakh is impossible. Badlusingh, take this man into custody. Now I don’t want to hear even a single word.’
Religion crushed wealth under its feet. Alopideen saw a strong man coming towards him with handcuffs. Started looking around with disappointed and timid eyes. After this he became unconscious and fell down.
*****
The world slept but the tongue of the world was awake. In the morning, the same thing was heard from everyone, young and old. Whoever you saw was commenting on this behavior of Panditji, there were showers of condemnation, as if now the sinner’s sin has been erased from the world.
The cowherd who sold water in the name of milk, the officers who filled fictitious journals, the babus who traveled without tickets in the train, the moneylenders who made fake documents, all of them were moving their necks like gods.
The next day, when Pandit Alopideen, being the accused, walked towards the court along with the constables, handcuffed in his hands, filled with guilt and anger in his heart, with his head bowed in shame, there was a stir in the entire city. Perhaps the eyes would not have been so anxious in fairs. Due to the crowd there was no difference between the roof and the wall.
But there was delay in reaching the court. Pandit Alopideen was the lion of this deep forest. The officers were his devotees, the employees were his servants, the lawyers were his subordinates and the orderlies, peons and watchmen were his slaves without any price.
As soon as they saw him, people ran from all directions. Everyone was amazed. Not because Alopidin did this deed, but because how did he come into the clutches of the law? Why should a person who has incredible wealth and extraordinary talkativeness come into the clutches of the law? Every person expressed sympathy with him.
An army of lawyers was quickly prepared to stop this attack. A war broke out between religion and money in the field of justice. Vanshidhar was standing silently. He had no force except truth, no weapon except clear speech. There were witnesses, but they were wavering due to greed.
Even Munshiji felt justice being pulled towards him. It was a court of justice, but its employees were under the influence of partisanship. But what is the compatibility of partiality and justice? Where there is partiality, justice cannot be imagined. The trial ended soon.
The Deputy Magistrate wrote in his report that the evidence given against Pandit Alopideen is baseless and misleading. He is a very heavy man. It is unimaginable that he would have taken such an audacity for some gain. Although the salt inspector Munshi Vanshidhar is not much to blame, it is a matter of great regret that due to his arrogance and thoughtlessness a good man had to suffer. We are happy that he remains alert and conscious in his work, but the increased saltiness of the salt trial has corrupted his conscience and intellect. He should be smart in future.
The lawyers heard this salt dealer and jumped up. Pandit Alopidin came out smiling. Relatives looted the money. There was an ocean of generosity. Its waves shook even the foundation of the court.
When Vanshidhar came out, sarcasm started raining on him from all sides. The peons bowed and saluted. But at this time, one harsh sentence, one hint was igniting his pride.
Perhaps after being successful in this case, he would not have walked so arrogantly. Today he had a regrettable strange experience in the world. Justice and scholarship, tall titles, big beards, loose robes do not deserve any true respect.
Vanshidhar had bought enmity with money, it was inevitable to pay its price. Hardly a week had passed when the moratorium permit arrived. Was punished for work-devotion. The poor fellow went home broken-hearted, distressed with grief and regret. The old Munshiji was already grumbling that he had explained it to this boy while leaving, but he did not listen. Everyone acts arbitrarily. Let us endure the hardships of the sword and the butcher, sit as devotees in old age and get only the same dry salary there! We too did the job and did not hold any official position. But you did the work, did it with open heart and you started becoming honest. Even if it is dark at home, we will definitely light a lamp in the mosque. Sorry for such understanding! All reading and writing went in vain.
A few days later, when Munshi Vanshidhar reached home in this predicament and his old father heard the news, he beat his head. He said, ‘I want to break your head and mine.’ He kept rubbing his hands in regret for a long time. He also said some harsh things in anger and if Vanshidhar had not moved away from there, this anger would definitely have taken a serious form. The old mother also felt sad. The wishes of Jagannath and Rameshwar Yatra turned into dust. The wife did not even speak directly for several days.
A week passed like this. It was evening time. Old Munshiji was sitting and chanting the name of Ram. At this very moment a decorated chariot came and stopped at his door. Green and pink curtains, a pair of rearing bulls, blue threads around their necks, horns studded with brass. Many servants were with them carrying sticks on their shoulders.
When Munshiji ran to welcome him, he saw that it was Pandit Alopidin. He bowed down and started talking loudly, ‘It is our good fortune that we come to your feet at this door. You are our revered deity, which face should I show you, the mouth is covered with soot. But what to do, the boy is an unfortunate fool, otherwise why would he have to hide his face from you? Even if God is childless, he will not give such a child.
Alopideen said, ‘No brother, don’t say that.’
Munshiji was surprised and said, ‘What else should I say to such a child?’
Alopideen said in an affectionate voice, ‘How many such pious people are there in the world who can give their all to religion, who glorify the glory of their ancestors and glorify their ancestors?’
Pandit Alopideen said to Vanshidhar, ‘Darogaji, do not consider this as flattery, there was no need to suffer so much to make me happy. That night you had taken me into your custody with your authority, but today I have come into your custody voluntarily. I have seen thousands of rich people and faced thousands of high officials but I was defeated by you. I left everyone as a slave to myself and my money. Allow me to make a request to you.
When Vanshidhar saw Alopidin coming, he got up and greeted him, but with self-respect. I understood that this gentleman has come to embarrass and burn me. He did not try to apologize, but he found his father’s words of kindness unbearable. But when I heard Panditji’s words, the filth in my mind disappeared.
Looked at Panditji with flying eyes. Harmony was visible. Pride now bowed its head before shame. He said shyly, ‘It is generous of you to say so. Please forgive me for whatever disrespect I have done. I was bound by the shackles of religion, otherwise I would be your slave. Whatever order will be given will be on my head.
Alopidin said politely, ‘You did not accept my prayer on the river bank, but today you will have to accept it.’
Vanshidhar said, ‘What am I capable of, but there will be no mistake in whatever service I can do.’
Alopideen took out a stamped letter and placed it in front of Vanshidhar and said, ‘Accept this post and put your signatures. I am a Brahmin, I will not leave the door until you complete this question.
When Munshi Vanshidhar read that paper, his eyes filled with tears of gratitude. Pandit Alopideen had appointed him as the permanent manager of his entire property. Apart from the annual salary of six thousand rupees, daily expenses are separate, horse for riding, bungalow to live in, free servants. He said in a trembling voice, ‘Panditji, I do not have the strength to praise your generosity! But I am not worthy of such a high position.
Alopidin laughed and said, ‘At this time I need only an incompetent person.’
Vanshidhar said with a serious expression, ‘Thus I am your slave. It is a privilege for me to serve an illustrious, gentleman like you. But I neither have the knowledge, nor the intelligence, nor the nature that can compensate for these errors. For such a great work a very penetrating and experienced person is required.
Alopidin took out a pen from the pen holder and handed it over to Vanshidhar and said, ‘I neither want scholarship, nor experience, nor insight, nor efficiency. I have learned a lot about the importance of these qualities. Now good fortune and opportunity have given me that pearl in front of which the shine of ability and scholarship pales. Take this pen, don’t think too much, sign it. It is my prayer to God that He always keeps you the same riverside inspector, unruly, unruly, harsh but devout.
Vanshidhar’s eyes filled with tears. This much favor could not be contained in the narrow container of the heart. Once again I looked at Panditji with devotion and reverence and signed the management paper with a trembling hand.
Alopideen became happy and hugged him. This is how Namak Ka Daroga Story ends.