Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, was a writer, poet, and journalist. He was born on June 27, 1838 and passed away on April 8, 1894. Chattopadhyay is best known for composing India’s national song, Vande Mataram. In his lifetime, he wrote 13 novels in Bengali and produced many critical, satirical, scientific and serio-comic works. He was also addressed as Sahitya Samrat in Bengali. He is said to have been influenced the likes Rabindranath Tagore, Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Surendranath Dutt.
Here is a look at some facts about his life:
1. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was born in an orthodox Bengali Brahmin family in Naihati, West Bengal. He was married at the age of 11.
2. Chattopadhyay played a crucial role in the literary Renaissance movement through his writings.
3. He had a Law degree and was appointed as the Deputy Collector of Jessore in 1858. He retired from the service in 1891.
4. The legendary writer penned Vande Mataram on November 7, 1875. The verses of Vande Mataram can also be found in his political novel, Anandamath. The book was published in 1882. It was primarily about Sanyasi army fighting the British soldiers. The tune of Vande Mataram was later given by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
5. He was one of the first graduates from the University of Calcutta.
6. Chattopadhyay started a monthly literary magazine named Bangadarshan in April 1972. It included stories, humorous sketches among other works.
7. His best works include, Devi Chaudhurani, Rajsimha, Ananda Math, Radharani, Krishnakanter Uil, Kapalkundala, and Devi Chaudhurani, Rajsimha. Durgeshnandini and Kapalkundala were his first major publications and were so well received that they were translated in different languages.
8. His earliest works were published in a weekly newspaper named Sangbad Prabhakar.
9. His first novel in English was titled, Rajmohan’s Wife while his first novel in Bengali was named Durgeshnondini.
