Interestingly, while for Gandhi modernization had become a necessary evil, for Gandhians it was to be rejected on the ground of apocalypse it would lead to. Within certain limitations it may be argued that Gandhi’s magic worked more because the people were illiterate and simple; they did not have acumen to understand and examine what Gandhi wrote in Hind Swaraj and what he spoke on the question of independence. A cursory reading of stories such as Chakma, Samar Yatra, Patni se Pati, etc. in Premchand ki Zabtshuda Kahaniyan, written in 1920s and 30s clearly shows that the ordinary people of India – the poor, artisans, students, and the down trodden – were witnessing that the British political-economic system promoting import of vilayaati (i.e. foreign goods manufactured in Britain) ruined their industry. They were made to believe that once the self rule is established and import is replaced by local handicraft condition of Indian masses would improve. Thus during the freedom struggle there were two Gandhis: a Gandhi who wrote Hind Swaraj and claimed that he continuously subscribed to the ideas of Hind Swaraj; and another mythical Gandhi who was leading the masses in their struggle against the British Raj. I may say that people’s explanation of their downfall was correct at that time but their assumption that India’s Independence would improve their condition was based on several strong assumptions. Under the leadership of Gandhi and others, Congress had created a consciousness (contrary to Gandhi’s writings for the intellectuals, religious leaders and philosophers) that to fight for development is to fight for India’s political independence. Congress’s commitment to values of truth, non-violence, sacrifice, and justice made the job of the party easier: everybody could participate in the Satyagraha and those belonging to upper and middle classes who sided with the government (i.e., aman or peace) carried guilt of working against the national interest. Premchand’s stories show that several congressmen were clever people and used their intelligence and the movement to promote their selfish interests and to live a luxurious life. At the end the independence of India was a celebration for this variety of congressmen. The dreams of the poor were shattered. Gandhi understood this and expressed this but he could not change the laws of society.