Godan (Hindi)

Godan, a Hindi novel written by Premchand, highlights the exploitation and deprivation of the poor, through the lens of India’s colonial history. The story begins with Hori, a poor farmer desirous of buying a cow, the ultimate symbol of prestige and prosperity in the rural regions of India. His struggle to fulfil such a seemingly simple desire is depicted against the backdrop of his painful struggle to eke out a living. The book shows the stark contrast between the lives of the rich and the poor, the privileged and the deprived — a difference that continues to exist even in so-called modern settings. Published in 1936, the book is considered a classic in Indian literature. It has been translated into English twice. It has also been adapted for film as well as for television.

Premchand was an Indian writer known for his contribution to Hindu-Urdu literature. Some of his works include Soje Watan, Nirmala (Hindi), and Gaban (Hindi). He was born as Dhanpat Rai on July 31, 1880, near Benares, India. He wrote several novels, plays, short stories, biographies, and essays. He adopted the pseudonym ‘Premchand’ after one of his novels was banned during the British Raj. His writing was marked by realism, often highlighting the lives of the urban middle-class and the poor. The author also wrote about social customs and topics to create national public awareness about such issues. Premchand passed away on October 8, 1936.