Khushwant Singh (1915-2014) authored over fifty books including A Train to Pakistan, a two-volume History and Religion of the Sikhs, which is still considered the most authoritative writing on the subject, innumerable collections of short stories and articles as well as translations of Urdu and Punjabi works. He was also the editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India, a Times of India publication. His acerbic pen, his wit and humour, and, most of all, his ability to laugh at himself made him immensely popular.
The Indian short story is extraordinary in its ability to stick to the traditional rules of the craft and still demonstrate remarkable originality. It revolves around a limited number of characters, confines itself in time and space, and has a well-plotted narrative that drives its central theme. Within the traditional framework, however, creativity flowers and a fresh and imaginative story emerges. This volume is chock-full with such stories, written by authors well known in their regional languages as well as those who have made a name for themselves in English literary circles. Carefully selected by India's literary giant, the late Khushwant Singh, these pieces represent the best of Indian writing from around the country.
