Godan is a novel written by Munshi Premchand, one of the most celebrated writers in Hindi literature. It was first published in 1936 and tells the story of a poor farmer named Hori, his family, and their struggles in rural India.
The novel begins with Hori, a hardworking but poor farmer, dreaming of owning a cow. He believes that having a cow will bring prosperity to his family, but he cannot afford one. One day, a wealthy man in the village, Lala Ramjilal, offers to give Hori a cow on the condition that Hori pays him back in installments. Hori is thrilled and agrees to the deal, not realizing that he will be paying back Lala Ramjilal for the rest of his life.
The novel then follows Hori and his family as they struggle to make ends meet. Hori's wife, Dhaniya, is constantly worried about their finances, while their son Gobar is lazy and uninterested in farming. Meanwhile, Hori's daughter, Rupa, is married off to an old man who dies soon after the wedding. Rupa is then forced to live with her in-laws, who mistreat her.
As the novel progresses, Hori becomes more and more indebted to Lala Ramjilal, who takes advantage of his position of power to exploit Hori and his family. Hori is also forced to deal with corrupt government officials and caste discrimination. Despite these challenges, Hori remains optimistic and continues to work hard to provide for his family.
The novel ends tragically, with Hori dying just as he is about to pay off his debt to Lala Ramjilal. The cow that he worked so hard to own is then taken away by Lala Ramjilal, leaving Hori's family to continue their struggle without him.
Godan is a powerful commentary on the social and economic issues facing rural India, including poverty, exploitation, and caste discrimination. It is a poignant reminder of the hardships faced by ordinary people and the importance of compassion and empathy in society.
