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हिंदी साहित्य · Hindi Classics: from Premchand to Partition

Begin with short stories and a beloved love story, enjoy poetry you can read aloud, then go deeper into the great novels about village life, power and Partition. Seven books every Hindi reader should know.

7 books · Beginner → Advanced · Read in order

  1. 1
    Mansarovar (Premchand’s Stories) book cover
    Beginner★★★★★

    Mansarovar (Premchand’s Stories)

    Munshi Premchand

    Why now: Start here. Premchand's short stories – simple, moving and perfect for a first read.

  2. 2
    Gunahon Ka Devta book cover
    Beginner★★★★★

    Gunahon Ka Devta

    Dharamvir Bharati

    Why now: The love story that generations of young readers have cried over.

  3. 3
    Madhushala book cover
    Beginner★★★★★

    Madhushala

    Harivansh Rai Bachchan

    Why now: Poetry to read aloud – the tavern as a metaphor for life.

  4. 4
    Godaan book cover
    Intermediate★★★★★

    Godaan

    Munshi Premchand

    Why now: Premchand's masterpiece about a farmer's dream and India's villages.

  5. 5
    Intermediate★★★★★

    Rashmirathi

    Ramdhari Singh 'Dinkar'

    Why now: Dinkar's stirring poem on Karna – courage, loyalty and injustice.

  6. 6
    Raag Darbari book cover
    Advanced★★★★★

    Raag Darbari

    Shrilal Shukla

    Why now: A sharp, very funny satire of village politics and power.

  7. 7
    Tamas book cover
    Advanced★★★★★

    Tamas

    Bhisham Sahni

    Why now: A powerful, difficult novel about the days of Partition violence.

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