Idgah: Character Mind Map & Summary
The key characters of Premchand's Idgah (1933), grouped into branches, with the key episodes, a quick summary and the exam facts that come up again and again in UGC NET.
The Character Mind Map
Tap any name to open the details.
Hamid
A poor orphan of four or five who lives with his grandmother. With only three paise to spend at the Eid fair, he buys a pair of iron tongs for her instead of toys or sweets.
Ending: his grandmother weeps and blesses him👑 Home
A poor householdAminaHamid's grandmother
Role: Burns her fingers making rotis because she has no tongs; she first scolds him, then cries with love.
🏠 The Boys
Hamid's friendsMahmood, Mohsin, Noore & SammiVillage boys
Role: Richer than Hamid; they buy clay toys (a water-carrier, a policeman, a lawyer) and sweets and tease him.
Key Episodes
The turning points examiners love to ask about.
Quick Summary
The story, stage by stage.
Stage 1Eid Morning
- The village is joyful; Hamid is poor but happy.
Stage 2The Fair
- His friends spend their money on rides, toys and sweets.
Stage 3The Choice
- Hamid remembers his grandmother's burnt fingers and buys tongs.
Stage 4The Debate
- He wins the argument: the tongs can be a gun, a fire-tongs and a musical instrument.
Stage 5The Blessing
- Amina blesses the child for his love and good sense.
Must-Know Exam Facts
Quick points for UGC NET, SET and PGT.
Theme
Child's love and sacrifice; poverty; an old head on young shoulders.
Irony
Premchand says the child Hamid plays the role of the old man and the old Amina becomes a little girl.
Author
Premchand is called Upanyas Samrat (Emperor of Novels).
Language
First written in Urdu as Eidgah; one of the most loved Hindi short stories.
Additional Revision Notes
More plot, character and literary details for UGC NET English revision.
The Central Symbol
The chimta (iron tongs) costs Hamid the opportunity to buy food or a toy, yet protects Amina's fingers from the hot griddle. Its practical usefulness expresses affection more forcefully than a conventional gift.
Emotional Reversal
At the end, the grandmother who initially scolds Hamid understands his sacrifice. The reversal makes the small child's compassion appear more mature than the adults' expectations of childhood.
Narrative Technique
Premchand juxtaposes the public festivity of Eid with private poverty. The contrast between Hamid and his friends develops through their purchases, playful arguments and changing attitudes.
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