1.3.1 - THE REFUGEE by K.A. ABBAS
SYNOPSIS
‘The Refugee’ by Abbas, is a moving and thought provoking story of people who were uprooted from their home and family. It tells the story of Maanji, the author’s friend’s mother as a refugee.
It all happened in the year 1947 with the impending partition. There was a communal hatred between the Hindus and the Muslims and the minorities were consequently persecuted. They were sent from Delhi to Karachi and vice versa. The friends and neighbors were separated ruthlessly. Maanji had come from Rawalpindi to Bombay along with her old husband in a refugee caravan. She never dreamt a life of a refugee.
In Rawalpindi, the Hindus, the Muslims and the Sikhs lived a contented and peaceful life. Maanji was a happy old woman living in her own house with six spacious rooms, wide verandahs and a big courtyard. lt was a double-storeyed building, in which, she occupied the upper floor, while the ground floor was let for shops maintained by the Muslim shopkeepers. She had a son who works in a far off pl ace for his livelihood. She did not want her son to leave his hometown
where he had everything in plenty. She lived with three servants and was very happy with her neighborhood. She even had a buffalo of her own giving her all the milk she needed. She used to derive happiness, distributing buttermilk to her neighbors. She loved the fresh milk, the pears, the grapes and the apples of her hometown.
Politics, they thought was no concern of peaceful folk like them. But, when the newspapers published the news of the impending partition, it did not alarm or worry Maanji or the old Sardarji. She even had the heart to donate food, blanket and clothes to the Muslim refugees from the East. Even when the situation becomes worse, she boldly stayed in her place. The Muslim neighbors came to Maanji and pleaded with her to go away to a place of safety. Some of them assured her and promised her that they would protect her life, honor and property with their own lives. One among them was an old tailor, a tenant of theirs who kept watching their house night and day. At last, she was forced to leave her hometown by an incident that happened in front of her. A tongawallah and his horse were brutally killed just for the sake of being a Hindu. She realized the fact that the human beings had turned into an evil and horrible creatures which made her to leave behind her home and her belongings.
In Bombay, she came to live in a single room tenement. Still everything was spotlessly clean and well -arranged. Here she had to do everything by herself. Her health deteriorated. Still she retained her generous nature. She never complained, cursed or abused those who made her leave her home. She had neither anger nor hatred, neither bitterness nor self-pity. She always had a maternal smile for all who happens to visit her. She would never let anyone go away without eating something. Her hospitality remained with her forever. But, when she remembers her old home, tears came to her eyes bringing back the memories - the memories of the past Thus Abbas arouse the conscience of non violence to be nurtured by the readers under all situations through the story.
Book Back Questions
1. How do refugees adapt to their new life in an unknown land?
Refugees adapt to their new life by adjusting themselves to new surroundings and conditions. Maanji came to Bombay as a refugee and lived in a single room tenement. Though her life changed completely, she kept the room spotlessly clean and well arranged. In Bombay, she had to do all the work by herself, unlike her earlier life where she had servants. Her health deteriorated, yet she never complained about her suffering. She retained her generous nature and hospitality. She welcomed visitors with a maternal smile and never allowed anyone to leave without eating something. She did not show anger, hatred, bitterness, or self-pity. Even after losing her home and comforts, she tried to live peacefully. Thus, refugees adapt by accepting hardships with patience and adjusting to their new life.
2. Is Maanji angry with the people who made her leave her home?
No, Maanji is not angry with the people who made her leave her home. Even after being forced to leave her hometown Rawalpindi, she never complained, cursed, or abused anyone. She had neither anger nor hatred, nor bitterness nor self-pity. She accepted her fate calmly and continued to live with kindness and generosity. In Bombay, though her life became difficult and her health deteriorated, she retained her loving and caring nature. She always welcomed visitors with a maternal smile and showed hospitality. Her heart was free from revenge and violence. Though memories of her old home brought tears to her eyes, she never blamed anyone. Her behavior shows her peaceful character and non-violent attitude even in the face of great suffering.
3. Contrast the life of Maanji before and after partition.
Before partition, Maanji lived a happy and comfortable life in Rawalpindi. She lived in her own double-storeyed house with six spacious rooms, wide verandahs, and a big courtyard. She had servants and lived peacefully with her neighbors. She even owned a buffalo and distributed buttermilk to her neighbors. She enjoyed fresh milk, fruits, and a contented life.
After partition, her life changed completely. She became a refugee and came to Bombay. There she lived in a single room tenement. She had to do all the work by herself and her health deteriorated. Though she lost her home and comforts, she remained generous and hospitable. Thus, her life changed from comfort to hardship, but her character remained the same.
4. Write a critical analysis of the prose “The Refugee”.
“The Refugee” is a moving and thought-provoking prose written by K. A. Abbas. The story presents the suffering of refugees during the partition of India in 1947. Through the character of Maanji, the author shows how innocent and peaceful people were forced to leave their homes due to communal hatred. Maanji’s life reflects the pain, loss, and hardship faced by refugees. At the same time, the story highlights human kindness, generosity, and non-violence. Even after losing everything, Maanji does not show anger or hatred. Her hospitality and maternal nature remain unchanged. The story awakens the conscience of readers and teaches the importance of peace, humanity, and non-violence.
5. Narrate the importance of the tongawallah incident in the prose “The Refugee”.
The tongawallah incident plays a very important role in the prose “The Refugee”. Until this incident, Maanji believed that her neighbors would protect her life and property. Even when the situation became worse, she boldly stayed in her hometown. The Muslim neighbors pleaded with her to go to a safe place and promised protection. However, when Maanji witnessed the brutal killing of a tongawallah and his horse just because he was a Hindu, she was shocked. This incident made her realize that human beings had turned into evil and horrible creatures. It forced her to leave her home and belongings. Thus, the tongawallah incident becomes the turning point in the story.