Mulk Raj Anand

Mulk Raj Anand (1905–2004) was a pioneering Indian English novelist known for his social realism and empathy for the oppressed. Born in Peshawar, he gave voice to India’s underclass—laborers, peasants, and outcasts—at a time when their stories were rarely told in English. His debut novel, Untouchable (1935), depicts a day in the life of a sweeper boy, exposing caste cruelty, followed by Coolie (1936) on child labor exploitation, and Two Leaves and a Bud (1937) about tea plantation workers. Other works include The Village, Across the Black Waters, and The Private Life of an Indian Prince. A contemporary of E. M. Forster and George Orwell, Anand blended literary artistry with social purpose, using fiction to champion dignity and reform. He laid the foundation for Indian writing in English and inspired generations of authors.