New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
The Inquisitor
A Mysterious Spring in Old Calcutta
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Satyanweshi (সত্যান্বেষী)
Originally in Bengali1932
3 chapters40 pages43 min read
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About This Book
A chance encounter with the enigmatic Byomkesh Bakshi pulls an aspiring writer into a shadowy corner of 1920s Calcutta, where ordinary streets conceal extraordinary secrets. As night falls, the city’s façade slips away, revealing a world of intrigue and danger that beckons the curious and the bold. Step into the labyrinth and witness the birth of a legendary detective partnership.
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
Bengal— Bengal is a region in eastern India, of which Calcutta is the capital; its people are known as Bengalis, who are associated with a rich tradition of literature, arts, and intellectual pursuits.
Burdwan— Burdwan is a district in West Bengal, India, known for its agricultural and historical significance; Hariharpur is a village in Burdwan, mentioned as Ashwinibabu's native place.
Calcutta— The capital city of West Bengal, India, known for its rich cultural and historical heritage.
Chinese— Refers to the Chinese community living in Calcutta, particularly in certain neighborhoods.
CID— Criminal Investigation Department, the specialized branch of the Indian police responsible for investigating serious crimes.
Daily Kalketu— A fictional or lesser-known newspaper mentioned as a source of news in the story.
Vocabulary
babu— 'Babu' is a respectful suffix or form of address in Bengali and other Indian languages, often attached to a man's name (e.g., Ajitbabu, Atulbabu, Anukulbabu, Ashwinibabu, Ghanashyambabu) to show respect.
mess— A shared boarding-house or lodging, commonly used in India to refer to communal living arrangements for bachelors.
cheroot— A type of cigar with both ends clipped during manufacture, commonly smoked in India.
beedis— Thin, hand-rolled cigarettes made from tobacco wrapped in a tendu leaf, popular in India.
dhoti— A traditional Indian garment for men, consisting of a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs.
paan— A preparation combining betel leaf with areca nut and sometimes tobacco, chewed for its stimulant effects.
