Value addition Course- VAC- Reading Indian Fiction in English Unit- 2 ( Anandamath )

Today Topic-Value addition Course- VAC- Reading Indian Fiction in English Unit- 2 ( Anandamath  ) Semester-  1 
Subject- ( Sol/ Ncweb / Du Regular / Other

INTRODUCTION

• Anandamath was serialised in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee journal bangadarshan from 1881 to 1882. It was published as a book in 1882. The Sanyasi revolt in Bengal following the battle of Plassey in 1757, inspired Anandamaths Plot. 

• Its first English publication was titled “The Abbey of Bliss" (literally Ananda=Bliss and Math=Abbey). It is often do to be the first political novel which brings to the for the nationalist discourse. 

• Anandamath is a narrative about the Sanyasi rebellion against the Muslim rulers and the British text collectors.

About the Novelist Bankim Chandra Chatterji

• Bengali poet novelist essayist and journalist Bankim Chandra Chatterjee June 26 1838 to April 8 1894 is mostly known for writing the patriotic anthem “Bande Mataram” which was some by liberation fighters in India and ultimately made into the countries national song. 

• Bankim is sometimes called the father of modern novels in India. “Raj Mohan’s wife” was his first published work of friction. Bankim Chandra is the writer of fourteen novels.

Summary

Famine strikes Bengal in 1771, the year that Anandamath was set in. Famine has devastated Podchina, and a young couple, Mahendra and Kalyani, decide to flee to Calcutta. They set out on the journey together but get separated on the way Kalyani, a housewife, must run through the forest with her  baby try to evade man-hunters who want to sell them off for food. After a harrowing chase Kalyani is exhausted and passes out at the riverbank. 

A Hindu monk discovers her and the baby. But before he could rescue them, the British soldiers take him into custody because he is suspected of conspiring with other priests to incite a rebellion against British rule. As he is being taken away, he notices a priest who is not dressed like him. The first priest sends the message of the lady lying unconscious through a song. Kalyani and the baby are rescued by the other priest, who decodes the song and leads them to a rebel priest's hideout. 

The priests also provide sanctuary to Kalyani's husband, Mahendra, and the couple is reunited. Mahendra is keen to join the brotherhood of monks. The rebel leader takes him to see the three different manifestations of Bharat-Mata (Mother India) in the form of goddess housed in three separate rooms.

The three idols represent :-

What Mother Was :- An idol of Goddess Jagaddhatri 

What Mother Has Become :- An idol of Goddess Kali.

What Mother Will Be :- An idol of Goddess Durga.

• Over time, the rebel movement gained traction and found more disciples ready to fight for the Mother's honour. They are then confident enough to relocate to a small brick fort. The British sent an overwhelming force to assault the fort.

• The rebels blocked the bridge over the nearby river without artillery or military training. The British make a strategic withdrawal across the bridge during the fighting. The Sannyasi army leads the British into a trap. As soon as the rebels flood the bridge, the British artillery pounces, killing dozens.

• Rebels take control of several cannons and begin firing at the British lines. After the initial victory, the rebels force the British to retreat. Mahendra and Kalyani rebuild their house, and Mahendra keeps fighting for the rebels.

Theme 

• The historical biography approach of this novel reveals that Bankim has been influenced by his socio culture force. 

• so this novel has crucial significance in shaping a new Hindu identity as well as the ideology of early Hindu nationalism.

READ MORE- Reading Indian Fiction in English Unit- 1 ( Aspects of the Novel )