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: | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.issue.04W. | |||
যোগেন্দ্রনাথ
গুপ্তের ‘বাঙলার ডাকাত’: অন্তরঙ্গ অবলোকন
শাশ্বতী সেনগুপ্ত, গবেষক, বাংলা বিভাগ, রাঁচি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, ঝাড়খণ্ড, ভারত |
Shashwati 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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