Who wrote the famous Hindi play 'Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja'?

"Andher Nagari" (also known as "Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja") is a satirical Hindi play by Bharatendu Harishchandra, written in 1881.

About the play:

• It is a short, humorous farce in six scenes.
• A guru and his two disciples, Narayan Das and Govardhan Das, arrive in a strange city called "Andher Nagari" ("City of Darkness"), ruled by a foolish king ("Chaupat Raja").
• In this city, everything, whether vegetables or sweets, costs the same price: "take ser bhaji, take ser khaja" (one taka for a ser of vegetables and one taka for a ser of sweets).
• Govardhan Das stays because he enjoys the cheap sweets, ignoring his guru's warning.

When a goat dies because a wall collapses, the foolish king passes absurd judgements, and finally orders that someone fat enough to fit the noose should be hanged. Govardhan Das, who has grown fat on sweets, is chosen. His guru saves him by a trick.

The play satirises injustice, foolish rulers, corruption and the British administration. The phrase "Andher Nagari Chaupat Raja" is now a common Hindi proverb for misrule.

It was later famously staged by the playwright Habib Tanvir.

About Bharatendu Harishchandra (1850-1885):

• He was born in Varanasi.
• He is called the "Father of modern Hindi literature" and "Father of modern Hindi theatre".
• The title "Bharatendu" ("Moon of India") was given to him by fellow writers in 1880.
• He edited magazines such as "Kavivachan Sudha" and "Harishchandra Magazine" (later "Harishchandra Chandrika").
• His other plays include "Bharat Durdasha" (on the poor condition of India under British rule), "Satya Harishchandra", "Vaidiki Himsa Himsa Na Bhavati" and "Neel Devi".
• The period of Hindi literature named after him is called the "Bharatendu Yug" (about 1850-1900).

Other Hindi playwrights:

• Jaishankar Prasad: "Chandragupta", "Skandagupta", "Dhruvswamini".
• Mohan Rakesh: "Ashadh Ka Ek Din", "Aadhe Adhure".
• Habib Tanvir: "Charandas Chor".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Jaishankar Prasad wrote historical plays such as "Chandragupta".
• ✗Mohan Rakesh wrote "Ashadh Ka Ek Din".
• ✗Habib Tanvir wrote "Charandas Chor" and staged "Andher Nagari".