Bengal Nights
Forbidden Passions in Colonial Calcutta
by Mircea EliadeAutobiographical FictionRomance
Maitreyi (Maitreyi)
Originally in Romanian1933
15 chapters243 pages5½h read
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About This Book
Bengal Nights sweeps readers into the sultry, mysterious world of 1930s Calcutta, where cultures collide and boundaries blur. When a young European intellectual finds himself entranced by the enigmatic Maitreyi, their initial encounter is fraught with bewilderment and fascination—an attraction made perilous by the rigid customs and prejudices of colonial India. Through a haze of sensual detail and introspective longing, the novel explores the intoxicating thrill and inevitable anguish of forbidden love. Mircea Eliade’s evocative prose immerses you in the charged atmosphere of a city alive with tradition and change, where every stolen glance promises both ecstasy and heartbreak.
Characters
View all 38 charactersAbout the Author
Mircea Eliade
1907–1986
Mircea Eliade (1907–1986) was a Romanian historian of religion, philosopher, and prolific writer. Born in Bucharest, Eliade displayed an early interest in literature and the history of religions, pursuing his studies at the University of Bucharest. In the late 1920s, he traveled to India to study Sanskrit and Indian philosophy at the University of Calcutta under Surendranath Dasgupta, an experience that profoundly influenced his intellectual development. Returning to Romania, Eliade embarked on a distinguished academic and literary career. After World War II, he lived in exile in France and later the United States, ultimately becoming a professor at the University of Chicago, where he established himself as a leading scholar in the study of religion.
Places and Terms in this Book
Bhowanipore— A district in Calcutta (now Kolkata), known for its residential neighborhoods and Bengali culture.
Tagore— Rabindranath Tagore, also known as Robi Thakkur in Bengali, is a renowned Bengali poet, philosopher, and Nobel laureate, admired by Maitreyi and her family.
Calcutta— A major city in eastern India, known today as Kolkata, and the primary setting of the novel.
Bengal— A region in eastern India, known for its distinct culture, language, and landscape.
Bengali— The language spoken by the Sen family and many in Calcutta; also refers to the culture of Bengal.
Ganges— A sacred river in India, central to Hindu religious practices.
Vocabulary
sari— A traditional Indian garment for women, consisting of a long piece of cloth draped around the body.
veranda— A roofed, open-air porch attached to a house, common in Indian homes.
rupee— The rupee is the currency of India, referenced in both singular and plural forms throughout the novel.
shawl— A piece of fabric worn over the shoulders or head, commonly used in Indian attire.
Eurasian— A person of mixed European and Asian (usually Indian) descent, often occupying a distinct social position in colonial society.
guru— A spiritual teacher or guide in Indian culture, often revered by disciples.
