SCANDINAVIAN, INDIAN AND ARAB WORDS IN ENGLISH

Prof. Suresh M Hosamani

Department of English

K.S.S Arts ,Commerce & Science

Introduction to the Author and the Story

About Saadat Hasan Manto

 Saadat Hasan Manto (1912–1955) was a prominent Urdu writer known for his short
stories, essays, and plays.

 Manto's works are known for their bold realism, humanism, and critical view of
society.

 He wrote extensively on Partition of India (1947) and its brutal aftermath, often
portraying the pain, madness, and tragedy it caused.

 Manto’s writing style is simple yet powerful, blending satire, irony, and poignant
storytelling.

Context of "Stoba Tek Singh"

 Written in 1955, "Stoba Tek Singh" is one of Manto’s most famous Partition stories.

 The story highlights the trauma and absurdity of Partition by focusing on inmates of
a Lahore asylum caught in the political chaos.

 It reflects on identity, displacement, and madness caused by the arbitrary division of

 The story is a metaphor for the madness of Partition and questions the notions of
nationality and belonging.

Summary of "Stoba Tek Singh"

 The story is set in a mental asylum in Lahore around the time of the Partition.
  The government decides to exchange Muslim and Sikh Hindu inmates based on their
religious identities as per the new borders.

 The asylum’s inmates are divided into two groups: those going to India and those
going to Pakistan.

 Bishan Singh, an elderly Sikh inmate from the village of Stoba Tek Singh, refuses to
move either to India or Pakistan because he doesn't understand where his village
belongs after Partition.

 Bishan Singh remains in a no-man's land between the two countries, symbolizing the
plight of people displaced and confused by the Partition.

 The story ends with Bishan Singh lying down in the no-man’s land, refusing to
identify with either side, symbolizing the displacement and loss of identity faced by
millions.

Detailed Analysis and Themes

1. Partition and Its Absurdity

 The story uses the asylum as a microcosm of the larger madness of Partition.

 Political leaders decide boundaries without understanding people's realities.

 Inmates, considered mad, ironically behave more sanely than the politicians.

2. Identity and Belonging

 Bishan Singh’s confusion represents the common man’s dilemma about national
identity.

 The story questions the meaning of national borders and identity tied to religion.

 Bishan Singh’s refusal to choose highlights the tragic loss of belonging and
homeland.

3. Madness as a Metaphor

 The asylum inmates symbolize the general population—caught in a situation beyond

 Madness is used ironically: the “mad” are more humane, while sane leaders make
insane decisions.

 Madness here is a form of protest and disillusionment.

4. Human Tragedy and Displacement

 The story reflects the human cost of political decisions.

 Millions of people were uprooted and lost their homes and identities.
  Bishan Singh’s plight embodies the emotional and psychological trauma.

5. Satire and Irony

 Manto’s use of dark humor and irony criticizes communalism and nationalism.

 The absurdity of exchanging lunatics as if they were property mocks the way Partition
treated human lives.

Characters

Bishan Singh

 Protagonist, a Sikh inmate from Stoba Tek Singh.

 Symbolizes the displaced person caught between conflicting national identities.

 Represents the “lost” person whose sense of identity is shattered by Partition.

Other Inmates

 Represent different communities (Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs).

 Show various reactions to Partition and displacement.

 Serve to highlight the shared madness and confusion caused by the political
situation.

Historical and Political Context

 Partition of India in 1947 led to the creation of two separate states: India and
Pakistan.

 It caused one of the largest mass migrations in history, accompanied by widespread

 Manto’s story was written in the aftermath, reflecting on the trauma and madness
that ensued.

 The story critiques the arbitrary division and the lack of regard for human
consequences.

Literary Style and Techniques

 Simple language but deep symbolism.

 Use of satire, irony, and realism.

 The asylum setting acts as a symbolic space for madness and displacement.
  Manto uses dialogues and monologues effectively to express confusion and despair.

 The story’s open-ended conclusion invites readers to reflect on the unresolved

Important Quotations

 “toba Tek Singh lies between India and Pakistan. Nobody knows to which country it
belongs.”

o Symbolizes the confusion of identity and the arbitrariness of borders.

 “He kept standing on the border, staring at India on one side and Pakistan on the
other.”

o Represents the painful indecision and loss experienced by millions.

 “What is the difference between madmen and sane men?”

o A rhetorical question highlighting the madness of political decisions.

Themes for Graduate-Level Discussion

1. Partition as a Colonial Legacy and Its Impact on Identity

2. Madness and Sanity: Social Commentary and Critique of Nationalism

3. Displacement and the Concept of Home

4. Language and Symbolism in Partition Literature

5. Human Rights and Political Decisions: Ethics of Division

6. Narrative Technique and Characterization in Manto’s Partition Stories

Critical Perspectives

 Some scholars view Bishan Singh’s character as a metaphor for the marginalized
masses lost in political upheaval.

 The story critiques the nationalistic discourse that reduces individuals to religious
identities.

 It challenges binary thinking (India vs Pakistan, Hindu vs Muslim) and highlights the
grey areas of human experience.

 Manto’s story is a humanist plea against communal hatred and violence.

 "toba Tek Singh" remains a powerful critique of the Partition, exposing its human
cost.

 The story’s universal themes of identity, displacement, and madness resonate beyond
its historical context.

 It challenges readers to reconsider notions of nationhood, belonging, and sanity in

 For graduate students, this story offers rich material for exploring the intersection of
literature, history, and politics.

Summary of "toba Tek Singh"

"Stoba Tek Singh" is a short story set in a mental asylum in Lahore around the time of the 1947
Partition of India. The story revolves around the decision to exchange inmates based on their
religious identities — Muslim inmates to be sent to Pakistan, Sikh and Hindu inmates to India. The
protagonist, Bishan Singh, a Sikh inmate originally from the village of Stoba Tek Singh, refuses to
move to either country because he is confused about where his village now lies after Partition.

Bishan Singh stands in the no-man's land between India and Pakistan, unable to choose a side or
accept the arbitrary division. His refusal and confusion symbolize the displacement, loss of
identity, and trauma faced by millions during Partition. The story ends tragically with Bishan Singh
lying down in the no-man’s land, neither belonging to India nor Pakistan, highlighting the
absurdity and human cost of Partition.

Characteristics of "toba Tek Singh"

1. Theme of Displacement and Identity Crisis

 The story explores how Partition caused millions to lose their homes and sense of
belonging.

 Bishan Singh’s dilemma illustrates the confusion and pain of forced nationality shifts.

2. Use of Symbolism

 The asylum represents the chaotic state of society post-Partition.

 Bishan Singh symbolizes the everyman caught in the political crossfire, the “madness” of
the situation.

 The no-man’s land between India and Pakistan reflects the unresolved trauma and limbo.

3. Realism and Satire

 Manto’s straightforward, realistic narration captures the tragic absurdity of Partition.

 The story uses irony and satire to criticize political decisions and communal divisions.
4. Humanism

 The story centers on human suffering and the tragic consequences of political actions.

 Manto emphasizes shared humanity beyond religious or national labels.

5. Narrative Style

 Simple, direct prose with deep emotional impact.

 Dialogues and interactions between inmates reflect diverse perspectives on Partition.

 The ending is open-ended, prompting reflection.

6. Characterization

 Bishan Singh is portrayed with dignity and humanity despite being labeled “mad.”

 Other inmates represent various affected communities, showing universal trauma.

 The characters embody different reactions to displacement, from resignation to confusion