The Testament of Gurmukh Singh

(Penguin Petit)

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When the riots first broke out, everyone in Amritsar, including retired sub-judge Mian Abdul Hayy, thought they wouldn’t last long. They were expected to die down soon. But Sughra, Mian Sahib’s daughter, was worried, and rightly so because the situation only seemed to be getting worse. In fact, it got so bad that when Mian Sahib suffered a stroke and was critical, the family couldn’t call a doctor to see him.

But Mian Sahib didn’t lose hope. Even as he heard loud, insistent knocks on his door on Chhoti Eid, Mian Sahib didn’t let his faith waver. Surely no harm could befall his family on Chhoti Eid?

If there’s anyone who can narrate a Partition story that is as tender as it is powerful, it is Manto. Sometimes the smallest arm packs the mightiest punch and The Testament of Gurmukh Singh is a fine example of this.