Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay Death Anniversary: Remembering the Man Who Composed Vande Mataram

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.