Munshi Premchand (1880-1936) belongs to the literary culture and tradition of two languages, namely Urdu
and Hindi and pioneered modern fiction writing in them.
He has been the epic writer of social realism, etching the Indian countryside of villages and small towns in his
fiction in such intense and arresting details that they became a pioneering mode of representation of the spaces
unrepresented earlier in Hindu-Urdu fiction. His novels and short stories project different aspirations of society.
Panch Parmeshwar is one such short story of Premchand which brings out the fibre of twisted friendship
among two best friends who gradually turn into foes. Premchand has not only reflected the variations in relations but
also has tried to reflect the underlying notion of friendship; whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikh.
Friendship is unconditional and unbiased and free like the spirit. The story reflected how ideally justice is
above all whether it comes to friendship or any relationship. Dispensing fair justice has always been a sensitive issue
which is really not an easy task for one. The one sitting on the ‘Judgment Seat’ cannot be subjective and biased. An ideal
judge is always objective. The faith of people in the position of Surpanch to deliver justice rising above all greed and
human frailties echoes as the paramount voice of the story.
