Saadat Hasan Manto, Partition, and Mental Illness through the Lens of Toba Tek Singh

Toba Tek Singh, which describes the exchange of mental asylum inmates between India and Pakistan in the wake of partition, was perhaps Saadat Hasan Manto's most well-known short story. Manto's work was coloured by his experience of mental illness, including alcohol addiction and possible depressive disorder. This essay attempts to use Toba Tek Singh as a lens through which to shine an integrative light on the role of mental illness in Manto's work and life, by discussing his personal experiences, themes of mental illness in the story, and the implications of his writing in the historical context of post-partition South Asia.

Automated summary

This essay uses "Toba Tek Singh" as a lens to examine the role of mental illness in Saadat Hasan Manto's work and life. It discusses his personal experiences, themes of mental illness in the story, and the implications of his writing in the historical context of post-partition South Asia.