New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
Byomkesh and Barada
A Ghost-Seeker, A Truth-Seeker, One Enigma
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Byomkesh O Boroda (ব্যোমকেশ ও বরদা)
Originally in Bengali1936
3 chapters64 pages1h 10min read
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About This Book
When Byomkesh Bakshi, the legendary truth-seeker, receives a mysterious invitation from an old friend turned police officer, he is compelled to leave his comfort zone and journey to Munger. Amidst the brooding autumn air and an atmosphere thick with unanswered questions, Byomkesh finds himself swept into a case where nothing is as it seems. What hidden motive awaits him at the heart of this remote town, and will his keen mind unravel secrets that others fear to face?
Chapters
Characters
About the Author
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay
1899–1970
Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay (1899–1970) was a celebrated Bengali author, best known for his enduring contribution to Indian detective fiction. Born in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, Bandyopadhyay was educated at Vidyasagar College and later at Patna University. He initially worked as a teacher and a scriptwriter for the Bombay film industry, but his literary pursuits remained central throughout his life. His prolific career spanned several genres including historical fiction, short stories, and plays, but he achieved lasting fame for his creation of the detective Byomkesh Bakshi. Bandyopadhyay’s works reflect a deep engagement with the social and cultural life of early- to mid-20th-century Bengal.
Places and Terms in this Book
Calcutta— Now Kolkata, a major city in eastern India, home to Byomkesh and Ajit.
Ganga— The Ganges River, a major and sacred river in India, flowing near Munger.
Gaya— A city in Bihar, India, considered holy for performing Hindu last rites.
Munger— A historic town in Bihar, India, known for its fort and as the setting for this chapter.
Nabadwip— A town in West Bengal, India, mentioned as the home of Baikuntha-babu's relatives and the site of his daughter's wedding.
Jessore— A town (now in Bangladesh), mentioned as the origin of Baikuntha-babu's son-in-law.
Vocabulary
babu— ‘Babu’ is a respectful suffix or title for men, often used in Bengal and northern India; in this story, it is attached to several characters’ names as an honorific.
paan— A preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut and other ingredients, chewed for its stimulant effects.
sari— A traditional garment worn by women in India, consisting of a long piece of cloth draped around the body.
dhoti— A traditional men's garment, a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs, commonly worn in India.
hookah— A water pipe used for smoking, popular in India and the Middle East.
phaeton— A type of horse-drawn carriage, referenced here as a mode of transport.
