Bankim Chandra

They say “A pen is mightier than a sword”, but when you talk of a revolutionary such as Sh. Bankim Chandra,
even the most genius proverbs fail to befit his rhetoric. Such was the valor of Bankim, the man who wielded a pen
better than a swordsman.
Chattopadhyay, was lowered onto the land of Mother Earth on 26 June 1838. Like a plant needs perfect gardening to
grow, this seed in the form of Sh. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay sprouted efficiently to ease out the pain of the
Mother India that helped India to shake off the yoke of foreign rule which otherwise had underestimated the
potentialities of Mother India under the veil of colonialism.
Sh. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a prolific Bengali writer, a magnanimous poet and an eloquent journalist.
During his tenure in the government, there were many incidents that brought him into arguments with the British.
Yet, he was made a champion, order of the Indian Empire in 1894.
Chattopadhyay is credited with the title of a crucial figure in fluently and calmly reviving the senses of Bengal with
his poignant literature. Chattopadhyay’s well-liked thirteen novels and a whopping number of genuine, funny,
methodical, mordant and romantic treaties in Bengali are a clear evidence to show that he truly drove well the rail of
Revival of Bengal.
But the diamond in his diadem is India’s national song “Vande Mataram” as the song and slogan of independence
which instilled patriotism and free spirit in the much tormented people of India.
Lord Curzon had written, “Bengal is ungovernably too large, a charge for any single man”. This perpetuated the
partition of Bengal. The nationalists of Bengal especially Chattopadhyay, were clever enough to decode the strategy
of British and thus, the Anti-Partition movement ensued. Protests were rampant, with people fasting and walking
barefoot to the Ganges to harmonize high with the patriotic song Vande Mataram.
A new type of nationalist poetry, prose and journalism charged with passion and idealism came into existence as
Swadeshi movement culturally revitalized many souls. Bankim Chandra’s patriotic songs weren’t only effective but
had a literary quality of permanent value. These songs are sung in Bengal even to this day and thus Swadeshi and
Boycott movements gave impetus to freedom, liberty and self-reliance.
Bankim Chandra was the first writer to have used the western format of the novel in an Indian language. He wrote
his first three novels in the genre of

Romance, but later on he also ventured in other genres of fiction. Bankim Chandra initiated a cultural revolution by
reviving the intellect of Bengali people. This included his monthly magazine ‘Bangadarshan’ launched in 1872. His
works were aloof of the conventional Indian writings, which acted as a boost to writers across India.
Chattopadhyay was also a socio-religious reformer and he knew that a rift existed in Bengal between the orthodox
reformers, who followed the old school traditions and modern reformers who idly kept aping the west. He confided
in the fact that immense change can be brought about by internal reform of religion. Through his work, he became a
champion of religious-reforms, which laid the foundation for revival of Bengal as a strong and independent state. He
inspired the Indian readers and writers to develop a sense of self confidence and discernment, pride in their religion
and historical heroes as portrayed in his novels.
Chattopadhyay was a change maker when it comes to Indian novels. As a torch bearer in the field of literature, he
was a key element in the “Literary renaissance of Bengal”. He paved the path for many who were to follow his
legacy. Chattopadhyay advocated western education and ideas for the enlightenment of his Indian brethren, so that
they could be freed from the shackles of Orthodox beliefs.

His novels are translated in all major Indian languages and helped in the literary evolution of those languages. He
has always kept himself alive in the alleys of Bengal through his songs, stories and novels. He made a mark on
Bengali literature and revolutionized the mindset of his contemporaries.