New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
The Man in a Red Coat
A Near-Fatal Shot and a Tangled Mystery
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Cholonar Chhondo (চোলনার ছন্দ)
Originally in Bengali1965
21 pages23 min read
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About This Book
When an attempted murder lands a mysterious figure in the hospital, ace detective Byomkesh Bakshi is summoned to unravel a strange and baffling case. As fragments of a peculiar story emerge from the wounded man's lips, Byomkesh must race against time to uncover the truth hidden beneath the surface. Step into a riveting investigation where every clue deepens the enigma.
Characters
View all 9 charactersAbout 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
Anglo-Indian— Refers to a person of mixed Indian and British ancestry, describing the beggar in the court case.
Bihar— An Indian state, mentioned as Ramchatur's likely home.
Bombay Steel Foundry Ltd.— A fictional company used as bait in the police's plan to catch Naresh.
Calcutta— The city (now Kolkata) where the story is set.
dharmashala— A type of inexpensive lodging or rest house, often for travelers or pilgrims.
Fraser Road— A street in Calcutta near which the crime scene is located.
Vocabulary
babu— A respectful term of address for men, often used after a name (e.g., Byomkeshbabu, Rakhalbabu).
melter— A skilled worker who operates an electric furnace to melt iron in a foundry.
para— A neighborhood or locality, commonly used in Bengali (not present in this chapter, so omitted).
