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The Gift of a Cow

Author(s) Munshi Premchand

Original title Godaan () 

Translator Gordon C. R oadarmel

Country India  

Language Hindi 

Genre(s)  Novel 

Publisher Lok amaya Press (Eng. trans.)

Publication date 1936

Published in

English

15 July 1987

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Godaan - The Gift of a Cow is a Hindi novel by Munshi Premchand.

It was first published in 1936 and is considered the greatest Hindi novel of modern Indian

literature, altho

ugho

riginally written in Urdu. Themed ar o

und the so

cio

eco

no

mic deprivati

on aswell as the exploitation of the village poor, the novel was the last complete novel of Premchand.

Its English translation first published in 1968, by Gordon C. R oadarmel.

Godaan was made into a Hindi film in 1963, starring Rajkumar, Mehmood and Shashikala.[4]

In 2004,

Godaan was part of the 26-episode TV series, 'Tehreer.... Munshi Premchand Ki , based on the writing of 

Premchand, starring Pankaj Kapur and Surekha Sikri  , directed by Gulzar and produced by Doordarshan.[5] 

The Story starts from a point where Hori has a deep desire of having a cow as other millions of poor

peasant. He purchased one cow by taking debt. Hori tried to cheat his brothers for 10 rupees. This in

turn led to a fight between his wife and his younger brother Heeras wife. Jealous on this, his younger

brother Heera poisoned the cow and run away because of the fear of police action. Hori took the loan

and paid the bribe to the police and was able to clear off his younger brothers name.

Jhunia was widow and eloped with Gobar after she got pregnant by him. Because of the fear of the

action from villagers Gobar also run away. Panchayat issued a penalty on Hori. Hori again took the loan

from local money lenders to save his ancestors land from being auctioned.

He married his daughter Rupa for mere 200 rupees. But he wanted to pay those 200 rupees and to

have a cow to provide milk to his grand son.

.

When he is about to die, his wife Dhania took out all the money she have (1.25 Rupees) and made Hori

pay to the priest on behalf of (Godaan) (cow donation). This eventually fulfils the traditional dream of 

Hori but still his desire to pay back the rupees 200 to his son in law and to have a cow to feed the milk to

his grandson remain unfulfilled.

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Hori is shown as a typical poor peasant who is facing many social problems.

he stand by his honesty, duties and judgement when time requires. He is shown died partially satisfied

and partially unsatisfied.

Other rural characters includes Datadin(priest), Matadin, Bhola, Bateswari etc.

On the other hand the urban society is represented by Malati devi( Doctor), Mr. Mehta( Lecturer and

philosopher), Mr. Khanna (Banker), Rai Sahib(Zamindar), Mr Tankha( Broker) and Mr. Mirza(social

worker).

Rai sahib is two times local election winner. He wanted to marry his daughter to another rich family.

He married his daughter to another rich, widow and big zamindar. He claimed and won the zamindari

of his in-laws. He won the election and became the municipal minister. But when he planned to get his

son married to the daughter of Raja Suryankant for his familys prestige, his son refused that.

He is in love with Saroj, the younger sister of Malati devi. They both married and went to London. His

son claimed and won the entire property Rai sahib won from in-laws leaving Rai sahib in huge debt. His

daughter got divorced.

After this, Rai sahib was too unsatisfied and was fully depressed.

Malati devi is a beautiful lady. She is mostly involved in levish lifestyle with many men around her. Shekeeps interacted most of them but do not love any of these me. Mr. Khanna is married but is in love

with Malati. Malati in turn fall in loves with Mr. Mehta because of his ideology.

On a trip to the village of Hori, she explored herself. She started serving poor and got involved in many

social activities. After seeing the change in Malati, Mr. Mehta falls in love with Malati. But though Malati

loves Mr. Mehta, she refused his marriage proposal. She now wants to serve the poor and needy people

together.

Malati devi is the only character shown as satisfied at the end because of her self confidence.

Mr. Khanna eventually started loving his wife and stop taking interest in Malati devi.

Connection with Hinduism

The act of donating a cow in charity, or Godaan, is considered to be an important Hindu ritual,

For purity of sin. It is nevertheless, not essential 

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