Want to know Best Hindi Books in India? Well, you have landed on the right article.
Books provide an escape from reality for many people, allowing them to experience a variety of emotions and feelings.
They can be a source of comfort and peace as you immerse yourself in an imaginative world, experiencing joy, sorrow, drama, or excitement.
Through their powerful stories & words, authors have the ability to captivate their readers and invoke a variety of emotions.
Reading books can be an exhilarating roller-coaster ride where you experience the full gamut of feelings.
Reading books creates a deep bond between the reader and the author, who is conveying a specific story. This connection can often be very strong and long-lasting.
With its long-standing history, hindi literature books is one of the most influential literary forms in India.
Its beautiful stories and tales are unparalleled and have been enjoyed by generations.
Hindi literature has many brilliant books that have been written over the years. Here are some of the best books for you to immerse yourself in and enjoy.
These Hindi books will surely capture your imagination and keep you hooked on the well-crafted stories.
Here are some of the best Hindi books to read:-
Best Hindi Books of all time (Updated 2023)
Table of content
1. Godan by Munshi Premchand
- Publication year: 1936
- Page length: 432 pages
- Author Name: Munshi Premchand
- Publisher: Fingerprint Publishing
- Language: Hindi
‘Godan’ is often recognised as one of the best works of Premchand, an Indian author. It explores a peasant’s plight by delving into the complexities of their dispute with moneylenders supported by other influential powers.
This piece of art reflects the day to day life of a farming community – from their hard work and simple joys, to the exploitation they experience and sorrow it brings, as well as their disappointments and aspirations.
Premchand’s fantastic artistry and realistic style is demonstrated through the development of several characters, particularly Hori – an iconic representation of Indian rural labourers.
Premchand’s character, Hori, could be interpreted as a reflection of his own life experiences.
Hori, a farmer from a northern Indian area, accurately portrays economic & social disruption with his family as an example.
To fulfil a long-cherished aspiration, Hori goes to great lengths. He invests significantly in order to acquire the ultimate symbol of prosperity and joy among peasants – a cow.
He, like many Hindus before him, thought that giving a cow to a Brahman just before passing away would bring salvation.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, which is why Hori enters into a deal with a villager in exchange for a cow.
This novel by Premchand strikes an interesting balance between realism and idealism and is structured well with realist undertones.
2. Madhushala by Harivansh Rai Bachchan
- Publication year: 1997
- Page length: 80 pages
- Author Name: Harivansh Rai Bachchan
- Publisher: Rajpal & Sons
- Language: Hindi
Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s ‘Madhushala’ is a compilation of 135 four-liner verses. It is an analogy between a tavern and liberation with metaphors throughout the poem.
This poem employs imagery of four primary objects to convey various meanings and perspectives on life. Anyone reading it may interpret it differently.
The book tackles all the hardships of life and how one can protect themselves from external influences. It gives an insight into how to make the best out of any situation.
3. Chanakya Neeti by Aswini Parashar
- Publication year: 2020
- Page length: 192 pages
- Author Name: Aswini Parashar
- Publisher: Diamond Pocket Books
- Language: Hindi
Ashwini Parashar’s book is an insightful read, full of the ideas and advice from Chanakya – the renowned Indian theorist and a wise advisor to the Mauryan kingdom.
Chankaya Neeti helps us understand how to overcome all the suffering in life and be content. It is a compilation of ancient theories, observations and discoveries about how people should lead their lives.
Ancient ideologies are still relevant in many aspects of everyday life. It is enlightening to see how they can still be applied to modern day life, even after all these years.
4. Mrinalini by Bankimchandra Chatterjee
- Publication year: 2020
- Page length: 176 pages
- Author Name: Bankimchandra Chatterjee
- Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing
- Language: Hindi
Bankimchandra Chatterjee’s third novel, Mrinalini, is a classic love story with the authentic flavor of India.
It will definitely stir up strong emotions and memories of past romantic experiences.
If you crave a romantic story with some light-heartedness and humour, then one of the best Hindi books for you is about a girl named Mrinalini who falls in love with Hemchandra, the prince of Magadh.
For the first time, the author embeds his story into a historical context. Mrinalini from Mathura and Hemchandra from elsewhere will face great challenges.
If they choose to follow their hearts and get married. Read the book to find out what happens!
5. 41 Anmol Kahaniya by Munshi Premchand
- Publication year: 2015
- Page length: 368 pages
- Author Name: Munshi Premchand
- Publisher: Maple Press
- Language: Hindi
This compilation of short stories by Premchand will take you on a wondrous journey. You’ll find accounts that capture the real-life struggles faced by both city-dwelling and rural communities.
The 41 stories have been penned down early in his career, making them all the more impactful.
‘Godan’ by Munshi Premchand is one of the famous Hindi books for anyone who has an affinity for Hindi literature.
The book is filled with stories that will move your heart and keep you captivated at the same time.
It reflects the writer’s versatility, as well as unveils many thought-provoking truths about life.
6. Gunaho Ka Devta by Dharamveer Bharti
- Publication year: 2014
- Page length: 257 pages
- Author Name: Dharamveer Bharti
- Publisher: Bharatiya Jnanpith
- Language: Hindi
Dharamveer Bharti’s book follows the captivating tale of a blossoming romance between an orphan, Chander, and his mentor, Dr Shukla.
It narrates the enthralling events from the perspective of an upper-middle class family.
Dr Shukla’s daughter Sudha and the protagonist share a strong bond and an unspoken love between them.
Despite this, neither of them is willing to bring up their feelings in conversation.
The book clearly demonstrates the caste discrimination still present in society, which forces people to follow their predetermined social standing and harshly judges them for making their own choices —
This is seen in the case of Chander, who cannot even consider asking for Sudha’s hand in marriage due to his lower social status.
7. Kafan by Munshi Premchand
- Publication year: 2018
- Page length: 144 pages
- Author Name: Munshi Premchand
- Publisher: Maple Press
- Language: Hindi
Munshi Premchand’s Kafan is a story of a rural family in India living in poverty and struggling to make ends meet.
The father and son are labourers who are constantly battling tough circumstances.
Unfortunately, the son’s wife passed away during childbirth, leaving the poor labourers unable to afford cremation.
To cover the body of their deceased loved one, they had to reach out to their village zamindar and other members of higher economic status for monetary assistance.
Kafan is a remarkable piece of literature that sheds light on the hardships of poverty and challenges faced by those living in it. It is undeniably one of the finest works written in Hindi.
8. Kitne Pakistan by Kamleshwar
- Publication year: 2000
- Page length: 361 pages
- Author name: Kamleshwar
- Publisher: Rajpal & Sons, Delhi
- Language: Hindi
Kamleshwar’s Kitne Pakistan is a must-read for those who appreciate historical fiction.
It covers topics such as Hindutva, communalism and sectarianism in a highly engaging manner.
This book questions the leaders’ decisions during the freedom struggle and whether their actions truly served the interests of citizens, especially considering that it was them who were to suffer from India’s division. It further inquires if their efforts were suitable or not.
This book looks at a courtroom situation where famous figures from history are being summoned as witnesses and asked to explain their point of view.
A number of renowned individuals from history, such as Babur and Aurangzeb of the Mughals, Hernando Cortez from Spain, Lord Mountbatten, and Adolf Hitler have impacted our world in many ways.
Saddam Hussein, along with other political figures and religious fanatics, have been blamed for creating a substantial amount of discord among countries and people.
This in turn has led to an extensive store of detestation and lack of faith among the masses. Even characters from folklore can be incriminated for bringing about a heritage full of bitterness and suspicion.
Literateur, standing as a symbol of human justice, is an anonymous stay. He links together the losses from battles like Kurukshetra, Kargil, Hiroshima & Nagasaki as well as atrocities like Nazi Germany and East Timor to recent events such as Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Furthermore, he includes mythological examples like Aztec civilisation and Ancient Greece in his comparison.
9. Kashi Ka Assi by Kashinath Singh
- Publication year: 2004
- Page length: 171 pages
- Author Name: Kashi Nath Singh
- Publisher: Rajkamal Prakashan
- Language: Hindi
Written by Kashinath Singh, Kashi Ka Assi paints a vivid portrait of life in the storied ghat of Varanasi – Assi.
This neighbourhood served as the epicenter of Kashi and a place where locals would gather to spend their leisure time.
Mentors, student representatives and wise spiritual guides often rely on the language that best encapsulates their feelings and beliefs when communicating with others. This “poison” is used to express their ideas and emotions.
As the world globalised and the economy opened up, Assi’s people were denied their right to free expression due to the rise of a communal identity.
People from the western countries who move to Varanasi with the desire of making it their residence or gain knowledge about the Indian culture.
In Kashi, they changed more than they had intended–not only in their material surroundings but also in their human connections.
This story gave way to the creation of the movie Mohalla Assi, adapting material from this novel.
10. Maila Aanchal by Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu
- Publication year: 1954
- Page length: 353 pages
- Author name: Phanishwar Nath Renu
- Publisher: Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd
- Language: Hindi
Written by Phanishwar Nath Renu, Maila Aanchal is one of the most popular works of Hindi literature. It tells the story of India’s forgotten villages and suppressed classes during the independence struggle.
This social fiction recounts the hardships and misfortunes of a few individuals living in a secluded area in Northeast Bihar during the Quit India Movement.
Dagdar Babu, a budding medic, was motivated by Dr.Alakh Niranjan’s actions as the region’s pioneering MBBS physician and worked hard to provide medical attention to people in need.
This narrative offers an authentic look into the lives of rural people, sharing insight into their accents, culture, festivals, superstitions, and beliefs.
Every character has been carefully crafted and influenced by their geographical settings, which makes the setting a living entity and an essential part of the heroes’ mission.
11. Aapka Bunti by Mannu Bhandari
- Publication year: 1971
- Page length: 208 pages
- Author name: Mannu Bhandari
- Publisher: Radhakrishna Prakashan
- Language: Hindi
This novel tells the story of an 8-year-old whose parents have separated and how he handles this situation. It is a tale of resilience, strength, and coming to terms with the circumstances.
Before making a hasty decision to get a divorce, this novel reminds parents to consider the emotional and mental state of their children.
Taking the extra time to think things through could mean that they find another way out other than splitting up.
Good decision-making is key to a life of happiness, and this subject has been looked at many times before. However, it is being approached in a new and exciting way.
which will help people to hopefully make the most advantageous decisions they can.
The novel ends with a clear message that every child should be surrounded with love, care and strong connection to their parents.
It is only through being brought up in a family environment that includes both parents that a child can achieve the best outcomes for their future.
This paper scrutinizes the noteworthy novel from a thematic perspective.
12. Raag Darbari by Shrilal Shukla
- Publication year: 1968
- Page length: 335 pages
- Author name: Sri Lal Sukla
- Publisher: Rajkamal Prakashan
- Language: Hindi
In Raagdarbari, an engaging story of a village is used to emphasize the shallow values that plague modern Indian lifestyle.
Raag Darbari is a Hindi book which has E Ne Nisang and Saudadesh Satire as its main focus, unlike many other books which have only satire in parts.
This could be the first book that features these elements throughout the story.
Despite its proclamations of progress and development, the village’s reality still reflects a history of vested interests and certain unpleasant features.
This is in stark contrast to the large town located a ways away.
Way back in 1968, the release of Raga Darbari Prakashan was a noteworthy literary sensation.
In 1970, this was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award. In 1986, it received a huge amount of appreciation from the masses as it was televised on Doordarshan.
13. Swaraj By Arvind Kejriwal
- Publication year: 2021
- Page length: 151 pages
- Author Name: Arvind Kejriwal and others
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
- Language: Hindi, English, Bengali, Or Malayalam, Marathi
Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement in India has been generating a great deal of attention over the past 18 months.
He has been ably supported by Arvind Kejriwal, who has held a pivotal role in the campaign.
It was clear by 2012 that the political establishment would not pass the Lokpal Bill, despite it being a core demand of the movement.
On 25 July 2012, Team Anna and Anna Hazare went ahead with a hunger strike to demand for the setup of a Special Investigative Team to investigate corrupt politicians. Kejriwal and two other colleagues accompanied them in support of the same cause.
This book offers an inspiring look into the way forward for the movement, with sensible advice on how Indian citizens, opinion-makers, and political leaders can create true swaraj (self-rule).
It provides practical insight into how to bring about a political alternative.
The main message of the author is that decision-making responsibility should be shifted from New Delhi & state capitals to the local village councils and communities, thus allowing people to have more control over their lives.
If you aspire to make India a better place for the future generations, this is a must-read book for you.
14. Bharat Vikhandan By Rajiv Malhotra
- Publication year: 2014
- Page length: 588 pages
- Author name: Rajiv Malhotra
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers India
- Language: Hindi, English
Bharat Vikhandan is a book that highlights India’s unique strengths and various cultures.
It argues that three of the main Western cultures are diminishing the nation’s unity and looks at the effects of this process.
This book digs deep into the history of Dravidian movement which shaped the cultural identity of India and also talks about the Dalit identity and its current scenario.
It’s worth mentioning that this book explores the issue of India’s subjugation, surveillance, and subversion since its independence. It mainly focuses on these issues.
Bharat Vikhandan is an engaging book that closely examines contemporary India’s evolving trends and investigates the reasons behind its growth and eventual erosion.
This book is a wake-up call to the whole nation, making us think twice about our loyalties and values.
It has been praised for its brave content that tackles difficult issues head-on, while also being historically informative.
15.Gaban
- Publication year: 1931
- Page length: 264 pages
- Author Name: Munshi Premchand
- Published in English: 2000
- Translator: Christopher R. King
- Publisher: Saraswati Press (India), Oxford University Press (US)
- Language: Hindi, English
Gaban is a well-known book by Munshi Premchand. It tells the story of Ramanath, a charming but morally bankrupt young man who engages in difficult business,
Ramanath is the star of this story, a charismatic yet questionable young man who dives into challenging business dealings.
Unbeknownst to him, he is committing a disservice to his family by going against their honour and abandoning the woman he loves.
To fulfil his spouse’s Jalpa’s insatiable desire for jewels, the protagonist created multiple personal connections which eventually led to his fall from grace and his exile from home.
Jalpa’s bravery, on the other hand, prompts Ramanath’s repentance, and the two reconcile.
Gaban is an Indian literary classic that depicts Indian life in a unique way.
This book is a great way to learn about the social and economic state of the North Indian pre-independence community.
It’s highly recommended if you’re looking to explore regional Indian literature.
16. Arthala
- Publication year: 2016
- Page length: 440 pages
- Author name: Vivek Kumar
- Publisher: Hind Yugum
- Language: Hindi
This is the tale of a period when there wasn’t just one hero, but rather a time of creation, civilization, culture, society, and the Holocaust.
At this period, the earth was dominated by the castes of Devas, Demons, Asuras, and Daitya. During this period, the Devastra and Brahmastra thunder used to make the ground tremble.
An economic struggle between the Devas, Asuras, and other races was caused by the display of might, increasing pleasure of equipment, control of new resources, and competition to become dominant.
And other castes that repeatedly forced the whole Jambudvipa into Devasura battles.
But this time it belonged to Sangram, who had become Sindhu. The eleven Devasura conflicts were little compared to the Mahasangram.
In this portion of the Sangram-Indus tale, the fundamental source of the Devas’ supernatural power, as well as the histories of the Devas, Danavas, Asuras, and other castes, will be made clear.
17. Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda
- Publication year: 1952
- Page length: 173 pages
- Author name: Dharamvir Bharati
- Publisher: Bharatiya Jnanpith
- Language: Hindi
In the book, Manik Mulla recounts to his companions the events of three disastrous relationships he had over the course of seven carefree summer evenings with three different women.
Satti, Leela, and Jamuna are the three main characters. All three of them had fallen in love with Manik Mulla at some time.
Tanna, the love of Jamuna’s life, was unable to wed her since he was a coward who was wed off to an elderly man who later passed away.
Jamuna’s adulterous connection with a tangewala gives her a sense of calm and pleasure.
Leela’s spouse is Tanna, Jamuna’s cowardly boyfriend, and she is angry with him since he is not strong or intelligent enough to be her husband.
Mahesar Dayal, Tanna’s strict father, kills the third Satti because she was in love with Manik Mulla.
This narrative examines how women handle life’s disappointments and how they handle romantic disappointments.
18. Karambhoomi
- Publication year: 1932
- Page length: 335 pages
- Author Name: Munshi Premchand
- Publisher: Nay Sadi Book House
- Language: Hindi
The 1930s provide the setting for this surreal tale of a young boy named Amarkant, his boyhood in Varanasi, his transformation into adulthood, his family, and tensions among family members brought on by political forces.
In Karmabhoomi, every character is nuanced and crucial to the narrative’s development.
Amarkant’s feeble self-assertion, Lala Samarkant’s cunning and thirst for material pleasures.
Saleem’s strong sense of obligation to the people he grew up with, Sakina’s heavenly love, and Dr.selflessness Shantikumar’s are all wonderful.
Karmabhoomi, a marvellous fusion of vision and reality based on human emotions, focuses on the nation’s nationalist fight.
We gain insight into Mahatma Gandhi’s direction of the freedom movement from the anecdote.
19. Lal Pasina
- Publication year: 2010
- Page length: 364 pages
- Author Name: Abhimanyu Anat
- Publisher: Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt. Ltd
- Language: Hindi
Abhimanyu Anat, a renowned Mauritius storyteller, enters a new phase of his writing career with this piece.
The achievement of all Hindi literature, not just his own, will be seen in this book, which will be praised for the lofty ground.
Which he was able to create normalisation by eradicating the human agony constrained by geographical and temporal boundaries.
This book describes how Indian labourers were recruited to Mauritius by French and British colonialists on the promise of finding gold. It is placed against the historical backdrop of Mauritius.
Those incredibly underprivileged labourers came with their families with only the barest essentials.
The soil practically sprayed riches in the shape of lush and solid sugarcane as a consequence of their labour as they levelled the field and smashed the rocks.
Production of sugarcane currently forms the basis of Mauritius’ prosperous economy. But once their blood and sweat turned the rocks into fertile soil, what did the Indians do?
This novel explores the same historical events that have left Indian labourers’ blood on Mauritius’ pages but that time has been unable to erase.
Today, Mauritius is recognised as a prosperous and attractive nation.
20 . Mohan Das
- Publication year: 2009
- Page length: 96 pages
- Author name: Uday Prakash
- Publisher: Vani Prakashan
- Language: Hindi
This is a politician’s biography. This book features several associations, coalitions, and parties.
It looks at Gandhi’s interactions with Hindu nationalists, Muslim organisations, Communists, and the empire itself.
The emphasis here is on Gandhi’s and his techniques’ relevance in a bigger and more complex political context; anyone looking for a feel of Gandhi as a man or a teacher should explore elsewhere.
The book gives a thorough overview of Gandhi’s activity, pointing out both its benefits and drawbacks.
In addition to putting Gandhi’s accomplishments in a broader context, it illustrates how the general public views him.
In that regard, activists will benefit more from reading this book than general readers.
Conclusion
This article talks about some of the best hindi novels to read that are rich in literature and are available on different platforms for you to buy and read.
The works cover a wide range of topics, including historical democratic concerns as well as social, economic, psychological, and sociological difficulties.
All these various topics are covered in the books that were previously mentioned.
All these elements have been cleverly and brilliantly portrayed in Hindi literature, whether in the form of fiction or in novels that are based on actual occurrences.
The books highlight historical problems that individuals in many places had to deal with or unspoken problems that children confront. It sort of instructs the readers on several situations.
If you enjoy reading Top Hindi novel and have not yet done so, you owe it to yourself to treat yourself to these exquisitely written works.
I hope you liked our article on the Best Hindi books to read. If you have any comments or suggestions do share them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which book I should read first in Hindi?
Classic Hindi literature is always the best way to start. You can start with Gunaaho Ka Devta by Dharamveer Bharti, RashmiRathi by Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, Nirmala by Munshi Premchand and some other books and novels by Premchand.
Q2. Who wrote first Hindi novel?
Rājendra śarmā contends Rahasyakathā upanyās (1879–1882) to be the first Hindi novel.
Q3. Who started Hindi language?
It is named after Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, who played a major role in establishing Modern Standard Hindi in poetry and broadening the acceptable subjects of Hindi poetry from the traditional ones of religion and romantic love. In the 20th century, Hindi literature saw a romantic upsurge.
Here are the Top Hindi Language Books and Resource:-