The major theme of this story by Premchand is justice. Two men who have been close friends since childhood fall out when one rules against the other in a dispute over the treatment of an aged aunt at the village Panchayat (council of elders). The roles are later reversed when the aggrieved friend, who still holds a grudge against the other, has to judge a complaint against him about a bullock he sold. Their rift is resolved when he sees that in dispensing justice, one must put personal feelings and friendships aside. Other themes include tradition, friendship, responsibility, impartiality.
Written in 1916 when India was under colonial rule, the story criticizes imposition of the British judicial system throughout the country. Its argument is that India already had an effective indigenous judicial system (Panchayat) in which an elected head (the Panch) forgets his earthly ties and dispenses judgement with God-like wisdom.
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