By : Neha Dhyani
Updated : May 17, 2022, 9:50
Bengal is the birthplace of countless famous personalities of sharp intellects, and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is among those who had made an impact on not only Bengal but the whole country of India.
Also known as Sahitya Samrat, Bankim Chandra is the writer of fourteen novels and composer of the song Vande Mataram', which became a popular marching song in India's freedom movement and is now India's national song. All his literary works are the bearer of great courage, nationalism, and Indian culture.
The notable poet, novelist, and journalist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was born in a middle-class intellectual and distinguished Bengali Brahmin family on 26th June 1838 in Kanthalpara village, close to Naihati, District 24 Parganas.
His father, Jadabchandra Chatterjee, was a government official who, later in life, became the deputy collector of Midnapur. He got his early education from Hooghly Collegiate School and took admission to Hooghly Mohsin College and later at Presidency College, Kolkata.
Bankim Chandra followed in his father's footsteps to become a deputy magistrate of Jessore after graduating with a degree in arts (law) in the year 1859. He was given the Rai Bahadur title during his retirement in 1891.
Bankim Chandra had a special place in his heart for literature which made him start composing poetries at a very young age.
He began his literary career as a writer of verses before moving on to fiction. His first-ever fiction to appear in print was Rajmohan's Wife, which was written in English, and Durgeshnandini was his first Bengali romance novel published in the year 1865.
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Bankim Chandra wrote various romance novels such as Kapalkundala, Mrinalini, etc. Mrinalini was his first literary work where he attempted to set his story against a bigger historical context.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was strictly considered an author of romance novels after the aforementioned novels were published. He shifted his focus from romance and aimed to stimulate the intellect of the Bengalis, and this resulted in the publication of Devi Chaudhurani and the political novel, Anandamath. The Anandamath novel later became one of the most important novels in Bengali literature.
The national song of India, Vande Mataram, was a part of this novel. In the song Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra personified India as a Mother Goddess, which played a big part in India's freedom movement.
Apart from novels, verses, and poems, Bankim Chandra is also known for his humorous sketches, and Kamalakanter Daptar is a prime example of the same.
Critics like Pramathnath Bishi consider Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay the finest novelist in the history of Bengali literature. Many critics believe that very few writers in the world have excelled in both art and philosophy like Bankim Chandra.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a brave religious nationalist who, through his literary works, awakened the whole nation to stand up against the wrongdoings of British rulers. The great storyteller took his last breath on 8th April 1894, at the age of 55. Bankim Chandra's legacy will live on as long as Bengali literature is practised.
Also known as Sahitya Samrat, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is the writer of fourteen novels and composer of the song Vande Mataram', which became a popular marching song in India's freedom movement and is now India's national song.
The notable poet, novelist, and journalist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was born in a middle-class intellectual and distinguished Bengali Brahmin family on 26th June 1838 in Kanthalpara village, close to Naihati, District 24 Parganas
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's first-ever fiction to appear in print was Rajmohan's Wife, which was written in English, and Durgeshnandini was his first Bengali romance novel published in the year 1865.
Yes, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is the author of Devi Chaudhurani.
Yes, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is the author of Anandamath.
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