Volume II,Issue IV, March 2026
Volume-II, Issue-IV, March, 2026 |
Received: 19.03.2026 | Accepted: 22.03.2026 | ||
Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: 1574-1580 | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.issue.04W.378 | |||
যোগেন্দ্রনাথ গুপ্তের ‘বাঙলার ডাকাত’: অন্তরঙ্গ অবলোকন শাশ্বতী সেনগুপ্ত, গবেষক, বাংলা বিভাগ, রাঁচি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, ঝাড়খণ্ড, ভারত |
Shaswati Sengupta, Research Scholar, Department of Bengali, Ranchi University, Jharkhand, India | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
The evolution of Bengali children’s literature reached its peak in the 20th century, with historian Yogendranath Gupta playing a pivotal role. His most celebrated work, ‘Banglar Dakat’ stands as a unique masterpiece that blends historical research with gripping storytelling. Rather than relying on pure fantasy, Yogendranath drew from his background as a historian to investigate the real-life accounts of notorious bandits across rural Bengal, particularly during the early years of British rule when the Nawabs held only nominal power. The book vividly portrays a period of extreme lawlessness where the lives of ordinary people were made miserable by constant exploitation and violence. Yogendranath categorizes these bandits into two distinct groups- the cruel oppressors and the humanitarian outlaws. The former often included wealthy landlords who led double lives, acting as pillars of society by day and committing brutal robberies by night. In sharp contrast, the latter group functioned much like the Western ‘Robin Hood’ or Bankim Chandra’s ‘Bhabani Pathak’. These bandits targeted oppressive zamindars and redistributed stolen wealth among the impoverished, acting as protectors of the needy during times of crisis. Beyond the historical data, the literary brilliance of the work lies in Yogendranath's ability to create a suspenseful and atmospheric narrative. By employing short, simple sentences and dramatic dialogues, he transformed historical and geographical facts into an engaging experience for the reader. Ultimately, ‘Banglar Dakat’ is not merely a collection of adventure stories; it is a profound socio-political reflection of Bengal’s past that satisfies the reader's curiosity with reliable information rather than mere exaggeration. | ||
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