A bed or cot used for sleeping.

Origin: The word 'पलंग' (palang) originates from the Sanskrit word 'पर्यङ्क' (paryanka), which means a bed or couch. The transition from 'paryanka' to 'palang' occurred through the Prakrit languages, which often simplified and altered sounds from Sanskrit to form more colloquial terms.Historical and Cultural Context: Historically, 'palang' referred to a simple wooden or metal bed frame, often used in rural and traditional Indian households. It is mentioned in ancient Indian texts describing household furniture.Evolution: Over time, 'palang' became the standard term for a bed in several Indic languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, and Bengali. Its usage expanded from simply describing a piece of furniture to sometimes symbolizing rest and comfort in literature and poetry.Modern Relevance: Today, 'palang' is commonly used in Marathi to refer to any bed, be it a modern spring mattress or a traditional charpoy. The word has retained its basic meaning but is now associated with various types of beds that reflect modern design and comfort.

In some Indian villages, a 'palang-tod' (literally 'bed-breaking') is an idiomatic expression used humorously to describe someone who works so hard that they collapse into bed, breaking it with their exhaustion.