Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
1838–1894
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838–1894) was a pioneering Bengali writer, poet, and novelist whose work laid the foundation for modern Bengali literature. Educated at Presidency College in Kolkata, he was one of the first graduates of the University of Calcutta and served for many years as a government official. With his literary debut in the 1860s, Chattopadhyay quickly emerged as a formidable force in Indian letters, blending narrative artistry with a strong sense of cultural and national identity.
He achieved legendary status with his composition of "Vande Mataram," a powerful hymn to the motherland that became a rallying cry for India’s independence movement and was later adopted as the national song. Among his many celebrated novels, 'Mrinalini' (1882) stands out as a historical romance vividly set in 13th-century Bengal during the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khilji. Chattopadhyay's novels artfully wove together strands of history, romance, and patriotism, inspiring generations of readers and writers. Often hailed as one of the greatest Bengali novelists, his influence reaches far beyond literature, leaving an indelible mark on India's cultural and political consciousness.
