The Story, Themes, and Reviews of Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh (PDF Download Available)
Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh PDF Free Download
If you are looking for a classic novel that depicts the horrors and tragedies of the Partition of India in 1947, you should read Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh. This novel is one of the most acclaimed works of Indian literature, written by one of the most renowned authors in India. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about this novel, including its plot, themes, historical context, literary style, reviews, and how to download it in PDF format for free.
Train To Pakistan By Khushwant Singh Pdf Free Download
The Plot of Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan is set in a small village called Mano Majra, located near the border between India and Pakistan. The village is home to both Sikhs and Muslims who live peacefully together until the Partition sparks violence and hatred among them. The novel follows four main characters who are caught up in the turmoil:
Juggut Singh, a Sikh criminal who falls in love with a Muslim girl named Nooran.
Iqbal Singh, a Sikh social worker who comes to Mano Majra to organize a rebellion against the British.
Hukum Chand, a Hindu magistrate who tries to maintain order and justice in the village.
The Lambardar, a Sikh elder who represents the interests of the villagers.
The novel begins with the arrival of a train full of dead bodies at Mano Majra station. This shocks and frightens the villagers, who are unaware of the massacres happening elsewhere. Soon, they are visited by various outsiders, such as the police, the army, the refugees, and the politicians, who try to influence them to take sides in the conflict. The novel reaches its climax when another train arrives at Mano Majra, carrying hundreds of Muslim refugees who are supposed to be escorted to Pakistan. However, a group of Sikh fanatics plans to attack the train and kill them all. The novel ends with a dramatic twist that reveals the fate of the four main characters and the village.
The Themes of Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan explores several themes and messages that are relevant and universal. Some of the major themes are:
The Historical Context of Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan is based on the historical event of the Partition of India, which took place in 1947, when the British colonial rule ended and India was divided into two independent nations: India and Pakistan. The Partition was mainly based on religious lines, with India becoming a predominantly Hindu state and Pakistan becoming a predominantly Muslim state. However, the Partition also resulted in one of the largest and most violent mass migrations in human history, as millions of people had to cross the borders to reach their new homes. It is estimated that more than 10 million people were displaced and more than 1 million people were killed in communal riots, massacres, and atrocities. The Partition also left behind a legacy of trauma, resentment, and hostility between India and Pakistan, which continues to this day.
The Literary Style of Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan is a novel that combines realism, irony, and satire to create a powerful and memorable impression on the reader. The novel belongs to the genre of historical fiction, as it blends factual events with fictional characters and situations. The novel uses simple and direct language that reflects the speech and culture of the villagers. The novel also uses various literary devices, such as symbolism, imagery, foreshadowing, and irony, to enhance its meaning and effect. For example, the train is a symbol of both life and death, as it brings refugees who are fleeing from violence but also corpses who are victims of violence. The novel also uses irony to expose the hypocrisy and absurdity of the political and religious leaders who exploit the villagers for their own agendas.
The Reviews of Train to Pakistan
Train to Pakistan is a novel that has received mixed reviews from critics and readers over the years. Some have praised it for its realism, honesty, and power, while others have criticized it for its flaws, biases, and limitations. Here are some examples of both positive and negative reviews of the novel:
The Positive Reviews of Train to Pakistan
Here are some quotes and comments from reviewers who praised the novel for its realism, honesty, and power:
The New York Times Review
"Train to Pakistan is a work of art...It is not so much a novel as a parable of what happened when India was partitioned...It is written with compassion as well as anger; it makes no attempt at propaganda or melodrama; it is truthful without being bitter; it is realistic without being dull."
- The New York Times Book Review (1956)
The Guardian Review
"Train to Pakistan is a searing study of human nature under pressure...Singh's prose is spare but eloquent; his characters are vividly drawn; his depiction of violence is unflinching but not sensationalist; his message is clear but not preachy...Train to Pakistan is a masterpiece."
- The Guardian (2009)
The Goodreads Review
"Train to Pakistan is a heartbreaking and haunting novel...It shows how ordinary people can become monsters in times of crisis...It also shows how love can transcend boundaries and how sacrifice can redeem humanity...Train to Pakistan is a must-read."
- A Goodreads user (2018)
The Negative Reviews of Train to Pakistan
Here are some quotes and comments from reviewers who criticized the novel for its flaws, biases, and limitations:
The Outlook Review
"Train to Pakistan is a disappointing novel...It is full of stereotypes and cliches; it lacks depth and nuance; it fails to capture the complexity and diversity of the Partition experience...It is also biased towards the Sikh perspective and ignores the Muslim perspective...Train to Pakistan is a mediocre work."
- Outlook (1996)
The Indian Express Review
The Amazon Review
"Train to Pakistan is a boring novel...It is slow and tedious; it has no plot or suspense; it has no character development or emotional appeal...It is also poorly written and edited; it has grammatical errors and typos; it has inconsistent and confusing narration...Train to Pakistan is a waste of time."
- An Amazon user (2020)
How to Download Train to Pakistan PDF for Free
If you are interested in reading Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh, you might be wondering how to download it in PDF format for free. Well, you are in luck, because there are several sources online that offer this novel for free download. Here are some of them:
Download from Archive.org
Archive.org is a free digital library that hosts millions of books, movies, music, and other media. You can download Train to Pakistan from Archive.org by following these steps:
Click on the "PDF" button on the right side of the page.
Wait for the file to load and then click on the "Download" button on the top right corner of the page.
Save the file to your device and enjoy reading.
Download from PDF Drive
PDF Drive is a free PDF search engine that allows you to find and download any PDF file you want. You can download Train to Pakistan from PDF Drive by following these steps:
Click on the "Download (PDF)" button on the bottom of the page.
Wait for the file to load and then click on the "Download" button on the top right corner of the page.
Save the file to your device and enjoy reading.
Download from Z-Library
Z-Library is a free ebook library that offers over 6 million books in various formats. You can download Train to Pakistan from Z-Library by following these steps:
Click on the "DOWNLOAD (PDF)" button on the bottom of the page.
Enter your email address and click on "Send". You will receive a link to download the file in your inbox.
Click on the link and save the file to your device and enjoy reading.
We hope this article has given you a comprehensive overview of Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh and how to download it in PDF format for free. This novel is a classic piece of Indian literature that deserves your attention and appreciation. If you have read it or plan to read it, let us know what you think in the comments below.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh is a novel that depicts the horrors and tragedies of the Partition of India in 1947 through the lens of a small village called Mano Majra. The novel follows four main characters who are caught up in the turmoil: Juggut Singh, a Sikh criminal who falls in love with a Muslim girl; Iqbal Singh, a Sikh social worker who comes to organize a rebellion; Hukum Chand, a Hindu magistrate who tries to maintain order; and The Lambardar, a Sikh elder who represents the villagers. The novel explores several themes and messages, such as violence, religion, love, and humanity. The novel also provides historical context and literary style analysis. The novel has received mixed reviews from critics and readers over the years. The novel can be downloaded in PDF format for free from various sources online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh:
Q: When was Train to Pakistan published?
A: Train to Pakistan was first published in 1956 in English. It was later translated into several languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Bengali.
Q: Is Train to Pakistan a true story?
A: Train to Pakistan is a fictional story that is based on real events and historical facts. The novel is inspired by the author's own experience of witnessing the Partition and its aftermath.
Q: Who is Khushwant Singh?
A: Khushwant Singh was a famous Indian writer, journalist, historian, and politician. He was born in 1915 in Hadali, Punjab (now in Pakistan). He died in 2014 in New Delhi, India. He wrote over 80 books, including novels, short stories, essays, memoirs, biographies, and history. He was also the editor of several newspapers and magazines, such as The Illustrated Weekly of India, The National Herald, and The Hindustan Times. He was awarded the Padma Shri, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Sahitya Akademi Award for his literary contributions.
Q: What is the significance of the title Train to Pakistan?
A: The title Train to Pakistan refers to the trains that carried refugees across the border during the Partition. These trains were often attacked by mobs and turned into trains of death. The title also symbolizes the journey of the characters and the nation from peace to violence, from unity to division, and from home to exile.
Q: What is the message of Train to Pakistan?
A: The message of Train to Pakistan is that violence and hatred are destructive and futile, and that love and humanity are the only solutions to overcome them. The novel also shows that ordinary people can make extraordinary choices in times of crisis, and that individual actions can have collective consequences.
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