Munshi Premchand's Finest Story: The Examination
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Presented here is a priceless tale by Munshi Premchand, titled:
The Examination
Nadir Shah's army had wrought havoc in Delhi. Rivers of blood flowed through the streets. A cacophony of despair filled the air. Shops were closed. Delhi's people desperately prayed for their homes to be spared. No one's life was safe. Fires blazed in homes, markets were looted; no one heeded another's cry. The wealthy were robbed of their belongings, their palaces plundered. The Iranian soldiers' thirst for blood remained insatiable. The cruelty, hardness, and monstrous nature of human hearts reached its apex. At this very moment, Nadir Shah entered the royal palace.
Delhi in those days was a center of luxury and indulgence. The houses of the wealthy were filled with exquisite decorations and finery. Women's lives revolved around adornment and beauty. Men cared for nothing but pleasure. Politics had been replaced by poetry and verse. Wealth flowed into Delhi from every province, squandered like water. Prostitutes adorned the streets. Elsewhere, peacocks strutted, and the melodies of doves and nightingales filled the air. The entire city was lost in a haze of luxury and indolence. Nadir Shah, upon entering the royal palace, was struck by the opulence he beheld. His own origins were humble, his life spent in the harsh realities of battle. He was untouched by the allure of luxury and indulgence. Where were the hardships of the battlefield, and where was this kingdom of pleasure? Every eye he encountered seemed to resist his gaze.
Dusk had fallen. Nadir Shah, accompanied by his generals, toured the palace, collecting what caught his fancy, and eventually settled on the cushioned seat in the Diwan-i-Khas. He ordered his generals to leave, secured his weaponry, and summoned the palace governor. "I wish to see the royal ladies dance," he commanded. "Have them adorned in their finest garments and brought before me immediately. I shall tolerate no delays or excuses."
The governor, upon hearing this royal decree, was stunned. How could these women, shielded from the world's gaze, appear in such a gathering? How could they dance? The royal ladies' dignity had never been so challenged. Oh, bloodthirsty tyrant! Delhi is stained in blood, yet your heart remains unmoved. But to utter a word in Nadir Shah's presence was to leap into the mouth of fire! He bowed low, quickly returned to the women's quarters, relayed Nadir Shah's command, and warned that any delay would be met with severe displeasure. The royal family faced an unprecedented crisis; but in those dire circumstances, survival hinged solely on obedience to the victorious emperor.
The ladies, upon hearing the decree, were bewildered. A pall of grief descended over the entire residence. The vibrant atmosphere vanished. Countless hearts pleaded to the heavens, whispering prayers. Yet, not one woman considered defying the order, though many carried the blood of Rajput warriors within them. The relentless pursuit of pleasure had extinguished the ancient flame of self-respect. There was no time for counsel, no moment to devise a plan to uphold their dignity. Each moment was a crucial judgment. Hopelessly, they resolved to appear before the tyrant. Tears streamed down faces, kohl adorned sorrowful eyes, and perfumes soothed grieving hearts. Some were braiding hair, others stringing pearls onto their hair. Not one soul dared defy the order, relying on divine or personal strength. Not an hour passed before the royal ladies, resplendent in their adornments, radiant in their beauty, and radiating an aura of elegance, entered the Diwan-i-Khas before Nadir Shah.
Nadir Shah, after gazing at this mesmerizing array, leaned back on his seat, placing his sword and dagger before him. His eyes fluttered, then closed. He shifted his body. Shortly, his snores filled the air. He seemed plunged into a deep sleep. The royal ladies stood motionless, their heads bowed, like paintings on the walls, for half an hour. A few audacious women, peering through their veils, exchanged hushed whispers – "What a monstrous figure!" "What piercing eyes!" "What a formidable presence!" "Is this man human, or a god?"
Suddenly, Nadir Shah's eyes snapped open. The ladies remained as before. Seeing him awake, they lowered their heads, and huddled together like sheep. Each heart pounded with dread. What cruel order would this tyrant give now? God save us from this tyrant! But it was inevitable; they could not dance and sing. Not even at the cost of their lives. No greater humiliation awaited them.
Nadir Shah spoke sternly, "O servants of God, I summoned you to test you. Regrettably, my suspicions have proven correct. A nation loses its honor when its women lose theirs."
"I wanted to see if you still possessed any honor. Therefore, I summoned you. I did not intend to disgrace you. I am not so consumed by pleasure that I desire a harem of slaves, nor so driven by lust that I wish to hear the music of Persia, preferring its melodies to the hymns of India. I merely wished to test you. To my great sorrow, I find that the fire of honor has extinguished within you." "Could you not have defied my order? When you came, I gave you another chance. I feigned sleep. Could you not have risen up in defiance? To have one of you, a servant of God, thrust this dagger into my heart. By the Heavens, I would have humbled myself before those delicate hands. Sadly, not a single daughter of the Timurid family dared to dishonor herself." "This empire cannot survive. Its days are numbered. Its imprint will soon disappear from the face of the earth." "Go now. If you can, save the empire. Otherwise, surrender to your lusts and meet your end."
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