INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCE RESEARCH
IN MULTIDISCIPLINARY

This paper explores how Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari uses satire to expose the dismal state of India’s rural education system, focusing on the fictional Changamal Vidyalaya. Shukla critiques the corruption and inefficiency plaguing educational institutions, which prioritize politics and personal gain over teaching and learning. Through characters like Ruppan, who has been stuck in the 10th grade for ten years, and teachers more involved in politics than academics, the novel underscores the systemic decay of education post-independence. Changamal Vidyalaya, founded with the idealistic goal of uplifting the nation, ironically becomes a symbol of dysfunction. The lack of infrastructure-classrooms used as storage, no access to electricity or proper sanitation-and irrelevant, rote-based curricula highlight the failure of rural education. Teachers often teach subjects outside their expertise, further diminishing the quality of learning. The novel also critiques societal attitudes, including patriarchy, as seen in the limited portrayal of women’s education. Shukla emphasizes the superficial pursuit of education, with aspirations centered on studying abroad rather than contributing locally. Politicians exploit schools for electoral gains, turning them into hubs of corruption rather than centers of learning. Through satire and vivid depiction, Shukla portrays education as a microcosm of India's broader socio-political issues, calling attention to the urgent need for reform. Raag Darbari remains a powerful commentary on the enduring challenges of governance, morality, and progress in rural India.