English
Bengali
Biography of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Writer, Novelist, Poet, Essayist, journalist, Government Official
(26 June 1838 – 8 April 1894)
Bengal is not just a piece of land, it is inherited with abundant culture. However, the culture did not enhance spontaneously. There are some prominent Bengal sons who made the culture rich with their distinguished works. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one among them.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a famous Indian novelist, essayist, poet, and journalist. He was one of the first Bengali novelists in the history of the Indian subcontinent. Chattopadhyay got immense recognition for his eminent work “Anandamath”, a novel that established the landmark of modern Bengali and Indian literature as well. He is also widely known for being the composer of the song “Vande Mataram” which is the national song of India. Because of his leading literary creatures, he was given the title “Sahitya Samrat (Emperor of Literature)” in Bengali. Yet reaching such a peak was not so easy for this eminent novelist. He had to fight thousands of storms to reach such a peak. So, let’s learn the real story of the turbulent journey of this prominent persona.
Early Life & Background
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was born on 26 June 1838. His birthplace is Kantalpara village in the North 24 Paraganas District of Bengal. He belonged to an orthodox Brahman family to Yadav Chandra Chattopadhyay and Durgadebi. He was the youngest of his three siblings. His father served the government as a Deputy Collector at Midnapur. The family’s ancestors hailed from Deshmukho village in Hoogly District.
Chattopadhyay was a very bright student. He started his education at Government Zilla School (now Hoogly Collegiate School). His elder brother also went to the same school. Later, he was educated at the Hooghly Mohsin College. In 1859, he finished his graduation with a degree in arts from Presidency College, Kolkata. Later he attended the University of Calcutta and became one of the two candidates passing the final exam of being the school’s first graduate. In 1869, he achieved a degree in law. Just like his father, he was also determined to serve his land. That’s the reason, he followed the footsteps of his father and joined the Subordinate Executive Service. Chattopadhyay was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Calcutta in the same position as his father, as a Deputy Magistrate of Jessore in 1858. He was the first in-charge (Sub-divisional magistrate) of the subdivision of Arambagh in its earlier days. He served the Government with great responsibility and sincerity for thirty-two years and finally retired in 1891. In the same year, he achieved the title of Rai Bahadur and after three years, in 1894, he was made a Companion of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire (CMEOIE).
Contributions
Chattopadhyay started his literary career through Inshwar Chandra Gupta’s weekly newspaper “Sangbad Prabhakar”. Even though he began his journey as a writer by penning verses. Yet soon he turned his writing style to fiction. Bankim Chandra tried his luck for the first time through a Bengali novel. He submitted his first ever novel for a declared prize. But regretfully couldn’t make it and his first novella never appeared in public.
Even having such a breakdown, Bankim didn’t lose hope. He came back with his first fiction “Rajmohon’s Wife” in 1864. Next year, he appeared with “Durgeshnandini”, his first Bengali romantic novel. In 1866, one of his most notable writings “Kapalkundala” came into the limelight with huge popularity. As a consequence, he continued his prominent journey through a number of famous writings like Mrinalini, Indira, Jugalanguriya, Radharani, Kamalakanter Daptar, Krishnakanter Uil, Chandrasekhar, Rajani and so on. Among them, some of his novels gained such massive acceptance that even changed the whole ancient criteria of Bengali literature.
In 1882, one of his eminent novels ‘Rajsingha’ was published. The plot of the novel was based on historical fiction. In the same year, another novel was printed titled “Anandamath”. The writing is a political novel and also translated into English named “The Abbey of Bliss”. A Hindu ascetic (Sannyasi) army battling a British force is the concept of the novel. He was also the owner of some noteworthy novels such as Devichoudhurani, Sitaram, Kamalakanta, and Muchiram Gurer Jivancharita.
In his vast literary career, Bankim Chandra also penned several essays like Shakuntala, Miranda ebong Desdemona, Bichitra Prabandha Vol 1 and 2. Shakuntala, Miranda ebong Desdemona is considered his first attempt at comparative analysis of various literatures in Bengali. The essay is also studied in a renowned institute in India ‘Jadavpur University’ in the school of Comparative Literature. Besides, his essay “Lok Rahasya” was based on the then society, and “Biggan Rahasya” was written on the concept of science. In 1879, the essay “Samya” was published on the basis of equality.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was also a man of great religious virtue. In his lifetime, he penned four religious commentaries titled Krishna Charita, Dharmatattva, Devatattva, and Srimadvagavat Gita. Among them, Krishna Charita, Devatattva, and Dharmatattva were translated into English. They were titled respectively Life of Krishna, Principles of Religion, and Principles of Divinity. Srimadvagavat Gita was penned on the concept of Bhagavad Gita. Apart from being such a prominent writer, Chattopadhyay was also renowned as a great poet. Lalita O Manas and Durgatshab were two of his successful poetry collections.
Fiction
Title | Year | Notes |
Rajmohon’s Wife | 1864 | First printed fiction |
Durgeshnandini | 1865 | First major publication |
Kapalkundala | 1866 | |
Mrinalini | 1869 | |
Indira | 1873 | Revised 1893 |
Vishabriksha | 1873 | Also titled ‘The Poison Tree’ |
Jugalanguriya | 1874 | |
Radharani | 1876 | Enlarged 1893 |
Kamalakanter Daptar | 1875 | From the Desk of Kamalakanta |
Chandrasekhar | 1875 | |
Rajani | 1877 | |
Krishnakanter Uil | 1878 | Also titled ‘Krishnakanta’s Will’ |
Anandamath | 1882 | Also titled ‘The Abbey of Bliss’ |
Rajsingha | 1882 | |
Devi Chaudhurani | 1884 | |
Kamalakanta | 1885 | |
Sitaram | 1887 | |
Muchiram Gurer Jivancharita | Also titled ‘The Life of Muchiram Gur’ |
Poetry Collection
Title | Year |
Lalita O Manas | 1858 |
Durgatshab |
Essays
Title | Year | Notes |
Shakuntala, Miranda ebong Desdemona | 1873 | |
Lok Rahasya | 1874 | Essays on Society, enlarged 1888 |
Biggan Rahasya | 1875 | Essays on Science |
Bichitra Prabandha Vol 1 | 1876 | Assorted Essays |
Bichitra Prabandha Vol 2 | 1892 | Assorted Essays |
Samya | 1879 | Equality |
Religious Commentaries
Title | Year | Notes |
Krishna Charita | 1886 | Also titled ‘Life of Krishna’ |
Dharmatattva | 1888 | Also titled ‘Principles of Religion’ |
Srimad Bhagavad Gita | 1902 | A Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, published posthumously |
Devatattva | Principles of Divinity, published posthumously |
Writer of the National Song of India
With the exception of being such an exceptional writer and poet, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is also utmostly remembered for his immortal creation “Vande Mataram (I worship my motherland for she truly is my mother)”. Even though the song became the national anthem of India, surprisingly the writer was completely unaware of such honor. Yet, the story behind the scene was much more historical with greater significance.
Basically, the song “Vande Mataram” was a part of Chattopadhyay’s popular novel “Anandamath”. This political novel called out for the rise of Indian nationalism. The Sannyasi Rebellion was the key concept of the novel. “Anandamath” was an imagination of Bankim Chandra where he dreamt that the untrained Sannyasi armed force battled and defeated the ruling vicious “British East India Company”. Unfortunately, in the end, he realized the battle could never be won against such a mighty British Empire.
“Anandamath (The Abbey of Bliss)” was first printed in a consequent form in the literary magazine ‘Bangadarshan’. The magazine was founded by Chattopadhyay himself in 1872. During that time, the part “Vande Mataram” got immense acceptance by many Indian nationalists. That’s the reason, the Bard of Bengal, Rabindranath Tagore decided to give the writing a beautiful form. So, he composed the song and soon, “Vande Mataram” became an unforgettable inspiration during the Swadeshi Movement. The impact of the song enlightened with such shine that sparked Lord Cruzon’s attempt to divide Bengal into Muslim majority to the East and Hindu majority to the West. Bankim Chandra even personified India as Bharat Mata (Mother Goddess) which inspired the song to give a Hindu undertone. Finally, in October 1937, the song was adopted as the National Song by the congress and the ode dedicated to the motherland received such an honor.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay had a spiritual relationship with Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa. The connection between these two eminent sons of India was quite surprising to their people. On the one hand, Bankim Chandra was a highly educated person influenced by oriental ideas and thoughts, and on the other hand, Ramakrishna was a barely educated Indian Hindu mystic. Even having such indifference, they both had immense respect for each other. Once Sri Ramakrishna was playing on the meaning of Bankim’s ‘Bent A Little’. He asked Bankim what bent him. Chattopadhyay mischievously replied that the kick from the Englishman’s shoe bent him and that’s why he was a good critic of the British Government.
Personal Life
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay tied the knot when he was just eleven. But that was very common in the earlier times. During that time, the age of his wife was only five. But unfortunately, his wife died when Chattopadhyay was just twenty-two. As he became very lonely, he decided to marry again. Rajlakshmi Devi was his second wife. The couple were blessed with three daughters
Legacy
The first eminent Bengali novelist, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was not just remembered for his immortal creations. He was a name of inspiration for thousands. Some of the prominent writers such as Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Surendranath Dutt, Sri Aurobindo, and more were greatly inspired by Bankim Chandra. They even considered Chattopadhyay as their mentor.
In the memory of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rabindranath Tagore penned:
“Bankim Chandra had equal strength in both his hands, he was a true Sabyasachi (ambidextrous). With one hand, he created literary works of excellence and with the other, he guided young and aspiring authors. With one hand, he ignited the light of literary enlightenment and with the other, he blew away the smoke and ash of ignorance and ill-conceived notions”.
In 1873, when one of Chattopadhyay’s notable writings ‘Vishabriksha (The Poison Tree) was published, the popular magazine of the time ‘Punch’ wrote:
“You ought to read the Poison Tree of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee”.
One of the most famous Indian Philosopher and Poet, Sri Aurobindo portrayed in his remembrance:
The earlier Bankim was only a poet and stylist, the later Bankim was a seer and nation-builder.”
Inspired by his novel “Anushilan-Tattva”, Pramathanath Mitra organized “Anushilan Samiti” which played a crucial role in ending the British role in India.
Insights
- The Bengali of Bankim Chandra means ‘the moon on the second day of the bright fortnight’.
- His birth name was Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. But later he got huge recognition as Bakim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- He wrote his first poem during his study at Hoogly Collegiate School.
- Chattopadhyay was keenly interested in the study of Sanskrit.
- He was one of the two first graduates of the University of Calcutta.
- “Rajmohon’s Wife” was the debut novel of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
- He wrote his first novel in English and used to write even his philosophical and religious essays in English as well.
- Chattopadhyay was the writer of India’s national anthem “Vande Mataram”.
- One of Chattopadhyay’s novels “Anushilan-Tattva” inspired Pramathanath Mitra to start the Indian fitness club “Anushilan Samiti”.
- Chattopadhyay was honored with the title of ‘Rai Bahadur’ in 1891.
- Almost all of his writings were translated into several major languages worldwide.
- Bankim Memorial Award (Bankim Puroshkar) is the highest award honored by the Government of West Bengal for contribution to Bengali fiction.
Death
Just as his name, Chattopadhyay was the moon of Bengali literature with such brightness. Regretfully Bengali literature lost its shining moon as he died on 8 April 1894.
Conclusion
The moon of the Bengali fortnight showered such an aura in Bengali literature that even after years he can not be forgotten. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was such a writer who ruled Bengali literature with all his moonlit glow. His eternal creations not just enriched the culture but rather uplifted the whole literature in an absolutely enhanced form. That’s why the full moon of Bengal will remain evergreen as long as Bengali literature is alive.
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