Timeless Indian Short Stories is an anthology of 17 of the earliest short stories in Indian languages, presented in English translation. Delving into India's vast ocean of stories, we have picked a few pearls for the discerning reader out of a veritable treasure trove.

It has been our endeavour to showcase the initial journey of the Indian Short Story in English Translation, from the single-page length 'Ek Tokri Bhar Mitti' by Madhavrao Sapre, often considered the first Hindi short story, to the timeless 'Usne Kaha Tha' by Chandradhar Sharma ‘Guleri’, to Parashuram's slow-burn satire 'Dakshin Rai', to the lofty, masterful storytelling of Premchand in 'Kafan', Tagore in 'Kabuliwallah' and Manto in 'San 1919 Ki Ek Baat'.

Above all, Timeless Indian Short Stories can be seen as windows into the life and times of the Indian people in the pre-independence era. Each of the stories in this collection has been hand-picked for its timeless nature and message, which is relevant even today, after more than a century.