New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
The Menagerie
A Heatwave, A Chess Game, A New Mystery
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Chiriyakhana (চিড়িয়াখানা)
Originally in Bengali1953
10 chapters195 pages3½h read
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About This Book
Calcutta swelters under an unforgiving summer, and detective Byomkesh Bakshi finds himself bored and restless—until an unexpected visitor interrupts a tense chess match. Behind the oppressive heat and idle days, a new puzzle is about to unfold, promising intrigue and danger. Step into Byomkesh's world, where even the slowest days can spark a captivating mystery.
Chapters
Characters
View all 27 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
Calcutta— The capital city of West Bengal, India, where Byomkesh and Ajit reside.
Golap Colony— The name of Nishanath Sen’s farm, meaning 'Rose Colony', located near Mohanpur.
Mohanpur— A village near Calcutta, where Golap Colony is situated.
Sealdah— A major railway station in Calcutta, used for travel to Mohanpur.
Bombay— Now Mumbai, a major city in India, where Nishanathbabu served as a judge.
Mirza Lane— A street in Calcutta where Bhujangadhar and Bonolokhhi have a secret hideout.
Vocabulary
babu— A respectful suffix used for men in Bengal, akin to 'Mr.'
sitar— A plucked stringed instrument used in Indian classical music.
charpoy— A traditional Indian woven bed or cot.
raga— A melodic framework in Indian classical music.
Vaishnav— A devotee of the Hindu god Vishnu, often marked by specific symbols and practices.
cheroot— A type of cigar, often smoked in India and Burma.
