Builders of Modern India (Bankim Chandra Chatterji)

Bankim Chandra Chatterji was one of the most notable Indians of the 19th century. A writer by choice and temperament, he was one of those remarkable personalities whose thoughts and ideas had a great impact on the evolution of modern India. He functioned in the delicate sphere of thought and emotion. He moved and moulded people through his writings.

Bankim made a significant contribution to the revival of the country’s ancient past which constituted the bed-rock of the new nationalism. To the nascent nationalism of the country, he sought to impact strength and dignity and constructive orientation. Bankim envisaged a moral society based on the welfare ideal where physical force is not altogether ruled out but where enlightened public opinion regulates human relations.

This book would be of interest to those who want to know Indian Literary movement and the manner in which it intersected with a range of social, culture and political issues. The ‘non-specialist’ reader, too, would be interested in the way in which the book makes both Bankim and his context accessible.

The objective of the series is to record, for the present and future generations, the story of the struggles and the achievements of the eminent sons and daughters of India who have been instrumental in our national renaissance and attainment of independence. Except in a few cases, such authoritative biographies have not been available.

The series is planned as handy volumes written by knowledgeable people giving a brief account, in simple words, of the life, time and activities of these eminent leaders. They are not intended either to be comprehensive studies or to replace the more elaborate writings.