1838–1894 · Naihati, Bengal
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a Bengali novelist, essayist, and civil servant. His fiction helped establish the modern Bengali novel and shaped public debate. His song Vande Mataram became a consequential patriotic anthem.
“He gave the Bengali novel a durable narrative form and helped shape modern Bengali prose.”
Selected writings
Vande Mataram (opening)
Public domainবন্দে মাতরম্। সুজলাং সুফলাং মলয়জশীতলাম্ শস্যশ্যামলাং মাতরম্।
Mother, I bow to thee. Rich with waters, rich with fruit, cool with southern breezes, dark with the crops of the harvest, Mother.
Source: Anandamath, 1882
Life & times
- 1838
Born at Naihati
- 1858
Graduated from Calcutta University
- 1865
Published Durgeshnandini
- 1882
Published Anandamath
- 1894
Died in Kolkata