New← The Complete Adventures of Byomkesh Bakshi
The Quills of the Porcupine
A Chilling Mystery in Calcutta’s Shadows
by Sharadindu BandyopadhyayDetective FictionMystery
Shajarur Kanta (শজারুর কাঁটা)
Originally in Bengali1967
8 chapters147 pages2½h read
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About This Book
As dawn breaks over sleepy Calcutta, the city’s secrets stir with the mist—among them, the humble beggar Phaguram, whose morning routine masks a lurking enigma. When an ordinary street corner becomes ground zero for an inexplicable mystery, celebrated detective Byomkesh Bakshi must unravel the tangled threads hidden in plain sight. Step into a world where every detail counts and the truth is never what it seems.
Chapters
Characters
View all 25 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 city in which the story is set, now known as Kolkata.
Rabindra Sarobar— A large lake and park area in south Calcutta, site of several murders.
Butterfly Cosmetics— The cosmetics factory owned by Debashish.
Chatterjee— A Bengali Brahmin surname, mentioned in the context of caste.
Delhi— The capital city of India, where Debashish studied.
Gol Park— A well-known landmark and traffic circle in south Calcutta.
Vocabulary
dhoti— A traditional Indian garment for men, a long piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and legs.
horoscope— An astrological chart used in Indian matchmaking.
kurta— A traditional Indian long shirt worn by men.
puri— A deep-fried Indian bread, often served with curry.
dal pakora— A fried snack made from lentil batter.
esraj— A stringed musical instrument from Bengal, played with a bow.
