Discover the powerful synopsis of Godaan by Munshi Premchand — a timeless Hindi classic that explores rural poverty, caste injustice, and human dignity in pre-independence India through the tragic story of Hori, a poor farmer’s dream of owning a cow.
Summary of Godaan in English By Munshi Premchand
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Synopsis of Godaan By Munshi Premchand
Introduction
“Godaan” is the last and most famous novel of Munshi Premchand, which is considered a milestone of Hindi literature. It is not just the tragic story of a farmer, but also deeply explores the Indian society, economic system, casteism, the status of women and moral degradation of that time.
Premchand told through this novel how a simple farmer spends his whole life in struggles just because of social traditions, religious ostentation and class inequality, and finally leaves the world without fulfilling his biggest aspiration – the donation of a cow (Godaan).
In-depth analysis of the main characters
1. Hori Mahto
The protagonist of the novel, a simple farmer who considers honesty and religion above all. His biggest wish is to donate a cow. Hori is so bound by social customs, religious hypocrisy and traditional lifestyle that he tolerates every injustice, but does not rebel. He is the symbol of an ideal rural farmer.
2. Dhaniya
Hori’s wife, who is his opposite. Practical, courageous, self-reliant and capable of taking decisions. She makes every possible effort to save her family from every crisis, even if she has to face the displeasure of the society.
3. Gobar
Hori’s son, who is the symbol of new thinking and awareness. When he falls in love with Jhuniya, who belongs to a lower caste, and brings her home, the society opposes him. But Gobar remains firm on his decision and goes to the city and works hard for the sake of his family.
4. Jhuniya
A girl from an untouchable caste who comes to Hori’s house in love with Gobar. Initially, the society despises her, but gradually she proves her existence by fulfilling the responsibilities of the house. She is the symbol of women’s struggle and social change.
5. Datta Din Pandit
A contractor of religion and culture, who misuses his influence in the society. When Gobar brings Jhuniya home, this same Pandit gets Hori fined, but later he himself bows down to Jhuniya.
6. Rai Saheb and Miss Malti
Characters from the city background, who depict modernity, moral disintegration and class discrimination in the plot. Miss Malti, despite being a doctor, remains confused about social obligations.
Detailed sequence of events in the story
1. Hori’s dream and donation of bull:
The story begins with Hori’s wish, which was his biggest desire throughout his life – to donate a cow. He wants to make his life successful by donating a cow or bull before his death. For this, he buys a bull, but Hori’s brother Heera poisons the bull. Hori is heartbroken by the grief of the death of the bull, but does not say anything against his brother.
2. Relationship between Gobar and Jhuniya:
Gobar falls in love with Jhuniya, a girl from a lower caste in the village, and brings her home pregnant. This is against the rules of society, so the Panchayat fines Hori. Hori takes a loan to pay the fine in the name of his honour and religion. Dhaniya, however, rejects these customs and accepts Jhuniya as her daughter-in-law.
3. Poverty, debt and hunger:
Hori’s condition worsens day by day. Despite working hard in the fields, he is unable to repay the loan. There is a drought, the crops fail, and the landlords demand tax. Hori takes one loan after another to save his land.
4. Police, Pandit and exploitation:
When there is a complaint about Jhuniya, the police come. Hori pacifies the matter by bribing them. Pandit Datadin also repeatedly humiliates him in the name of religion and caste. But Hori tolerates it every time with his head bowed down, because for him the acceptance of the society is the biggest thing.
5. Gobar going to the city and the responsibility of the family:
Fed up with these circumstances, Gobar goes to the city, where he works in a factory. He sends some money home. On the other hand, Dhaniya, Jhuniya and Hori are engaged in the struggle of their lives in the village.
The sad end of the story – Cow donation before death
At the end of the story, Hori falls ill and takes to bed. He is close to death, but only one worry keeps eating him – he could not donate a cow. He asks his daughter-in-law Jhuniya to bring some money and get a cow donated.
Jhuniya quietly goes and brings the money and puts it in Hori’s hand. Hori’s soul gets peace. He thinks that now his duty is fulfilled. And with this feeling, he takes his last breath.
Theme and Symbol
Symbol Meaning
Godan Religion, faith, longing for salvation
Hori Indian farmer’s pain, tolerance and exploitation
Dhania Women’s empowerment, wisdom and struggle
Jhunia Power of social protest, symbol of self-confidence
Gobar New thinking and hope for change
Dattadin/Rai Saheb Social hypocrisy and misuse of power
Writer’s style and social message
Munshi Premchand’s language is simple, lively and realistic. He has used rural dialects in dialogues, which makes the voice of the characters seem real. His writing becomes the voice of farmers, women, poor, and exploited. Premchand wanted to show to what extent society can do injustice in the name of religion and tradition, and how the poor farmer gets crushed in it.
Emotional impact and message for readers
While reading ‘Godan’, the reader repeatedly feels that this is not only the story of Hori, but of every farmer who is still burdened by the social system. It is natural to cry on Hori’s death, because he is not a person, but a representative of an era.
Conclusion
“Godaan” is not only Premchand’s best work, but also a mirror of Indian society. This novel tells that as long as there is no justice in society, as long as there is class discrimination and hypocrisy, neither farmers like Hori will get salvation, nor India.
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