Chandranath Basu: Jiban O Sahitya—Karunamoy Majumdar Bengali eBook PDF
Title: Chandranath Basu: Jiban O Sahitya (Chandranath Basu: Life and Literature),
Author: Karunamoy Majumdar,
Genre: Biography (Life History), Biographical Book,
Format: PDF, Pages: 292 (9MB),
Chandranath Basu: Jiban O Sahitya (Life and Literature)—Karunamoy Majumdar
Introduction
The nineteenth century was a period of intellectual ferment in Bengal, marked by reformist movements, literary renaissance, and philosophical debates. Among the many voices of this era, Chandranath Basu (1844–1910) stands out as a thinker who straddled tradition and modernity. His life and works reflect the tensions of a society negotiating between Hindu orthodoxy and the spirit of reform. Karunamoy Majumdar’s research monograph Chandranath Basu: Jiban o Sahitya remains the most comprehensive study of this remarkable figure.
Biography
Chandranath Basu was born on 31 August 1844 in Kaikala village of Hooghly district. His academic brilliance was evident early on: he ranked first in the B.A. examination in 1865 and again secured first class first in M.A. (History Honours) in 1866, becoming the first student to achieve this rare distinction after the establishment of Calcutta University.
His professional career was equally distinguished. He taught at the Oriental Seminary, served as a magistrate, became Principal of Jaipur College, and later worked as Librarian of the Bengal Library. For seventeen years he was employed as a translator for the Bengal Government, retiring in 1904. Beyond his official duties, he played a vital role in the Bengal Social Science Association, serving as a member of the Law Section and editor of the Education Section, contributing to debates on law, education, health, and economics.
Timeline of Chandranath Basu (1844–1910)
Early Life & Education
- 1844 – Born on 31 August in Kaikala village, Hooghly district.
- 1865 – Ranked first in B.A. examination.
- 1866 – Secured first class first in M.A. (History Honours), the first student to achieve this distinction at Calcutta University.
Career & Public Service
- 1866 to1878 – Taught at Oriental Seminary; later served as Magistrate.
- 1878 – Appointed Deputy Magistrate in Dhaka; later became Principal of Jaipur College.
- 1880s – Librarian at Bengal Library; active in Bengal Social Science Association (Law Section member, Education Section editor).
- 1904 – Retired after 17 years as Government Translator.
English Writings
In his early years, Chandranath wrote extensively in English, earning praise from the Englishman newspaper. Before the publication of Shakuntala Tattva in Bangadarshan (1880), most of his works were in English. Majumdar’s research uncovered eighteen rare English essays dealing with education, economics, and politics.
These writings reveal his progressive outlook: he discussed the plight of Bengal’s peasantry and proposed practical measures for their economic rehabilitation even before Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s famous essay Bangadesher Krishak. He also advocated for the expansion of women’s education, presenting concrete plans for reform.
Literary Career and Philosophical Outlook
Though invited by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay to join the circle of writers for Bangadarshan, Chandranath’s literary outlook remained distinct. While Bangadarshan emphasized Renaissance-inspired rationalism, Chandranath explored metaphysical and religious themes, including the afterlife. His views often diverged sharply from Bankim’s—for instance, while Bankim criticized child marriage as a cause of Bengal’s social and economic decline, Chandranath defended it with fervor.
His writings appeared not only in Bangadarshan but also in journals such as Calcutta Review, Prachar, Nabajiban, Sahitya, Nabya Bharat, and Bangabasi. This wide publication record demonstrates his intellectual independence and prolific output.
Literary Works
Chandranath’s literary career can be divided into three phases:
- First Phase (1865–1880): Dominated by English writings on social and economic issues.
- Second Phase (1880–1885): Marked by the influence of Bankim Chandra, producing works such as Shakuntala Tattva, Tridhara, and Phul O Phal.
- Third Phase (1885–1908): A mature period of prolific Bengali writings, blending philosophy, literature, and social commentary.
His interpretation of Kalidasa’s Abhijnana Shakuntalam revealed a refined aesthetic sensibility, anticipating Rabindranath Tagore’s later analysis of the same text.
Literary Phases of Chandranath Basu (in Short)
First Phase (1865–1880):
- Writings mainly in English.
- Essays on peasants’ plight, women’s education, and economic reform.
- Earned praise from Englishman newspaper.
Second Phase (1880–1885):
- Influenced by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay.
- Works: Shakuntala Tattva, Tridhara, Phul O Phal.
- Blended philosophy with literary analysis.
Third Phase (1885–1908):
- Mature Bengali writings.
- Explored metaphysics, Hindu orthodoxy, and social commentary.
- Published widely in journals: Bangadarshan, Calcutta Review, Prachar, Nabajiban, Sahitya, Nabya Bharat, Bangabasi.
Literary Thought (In Details)
Although invited by Bankim Chandra to join the circle of writers for Bangadarshan, Chandranath’s outlook remained distinct. While Bangadarshan emphasized Renaissance‑inspired rationalism, Chandranath explored metaphysical and religious themes, including the afterlife. His views often diverged sharply from Bankim’s—for instance, while Bankim criticized child marriage as a cause of Bengal’s social and economic decline, Chandranath defended it with fervor.
His writings appeared not only in Bangadarshan but also in journals such as Calcutta Review, Prachar, Nabajiban, Sahitya, Nabya Bharat, and Bangabasi. This wide publication record demonstrates his intellectual independence and prolific output.
Contemporary Criticism
Chandranath Basu cannot be confined to the label of “Bankim’s disciple. ”While Bankim was both his mentor and intellectual adversary, Chandranath’s philosophical outlook aligned more closely with thinkers like Bhudeb Mukhopadhyay. His writings reveal a philosophical depth absent in many of his contemporaries, securing him a distinct place in the intellectual tradition of Bengal.
Later biographers, including Brajendranath Bandyopadhyay and Manmathanath Ghosh, relied heavily on Chandranath’s autobiographical writings such as Pṛithibir Sukh Duhkha (1915) and memoirs included in Harimohan Mukhopadhyay’s Bangabhashar Lekhak (1904). Majumdar’s research enriched the narrative by consulting government archives, family records, and proceedings of the Bengal Social Science Association.
Legacy
- A thinker torn between reform and tradition.
- Not merely Bankim’s disciple—often his critic.
- Advocated Hindu orthodoxy yet addressed social issues with philosophical depth.
- Secured a distinct place in Bengal’s intellectual tradition.
Autobiographical & Biographical Sources
- 1904–1910: Wrote memoirs such as Prithibir Sukh Duhkha and autobiographical notes in Harimohan Mukhopadhyay’s Bangabhasha Lekhak.
- Later biographers like Brajendranath Bandyopadhyay and Manmathanath Ghosh drew on these writings.
- Karunamoy Majumdar’s Chandranath Basu: Jiban o Sahitya (1977) remains the most comprehensive study.
Legacy and Significance
Chandranath Basu cannot be confined to the label of “Bankim’s disciple.” While Bankim was both his mentor and intellectual adversary, Chandranath’s philosophical outlook aligned more closely with thinkers like Bhudeb Mukhopadhyay. His writings reveal a philosophical depth absent in many of his contemporaries, securing him a distinct place in the intellectual tradition of Bengal.
His contributions—spanning literature, philosophy, social science, and public service—make him a representative figure of nineteenth-century Bengal’s intellectual ferment. Majumdar’s ‘Chandranath Basu: Jiban O Sahitya’ remains the most comprehensive study of his life and works, offering invaluable insights into a thinker who shaped the cultural and social discourse of his time.
Conclusion
Chandranath Basu’s life and works embody the intellectual ferment of nineteenth‑century Bengal. His contributions—spanning literature, philosophy, social science, and public service—make him a representative figure of his age. He was at once a reformer and a traditionalist, a philosopher and a critic, a government servant and a literary thinker. In the grand tapestry of Bengal’s renaissance, his thread is distinct—sometimes discordant, but always essential.
Access to the Work
For readers who wish to explore his life and works in detail, the full text of Karunamoy Majumdar’s ‘Chandranath Basu: Jiban o Sahitya’ is available here in PDF format:
Download PDF: A Rare and Invaluable Biography of Chandranath Basu.
Chandranath Basu: Jiban O Sahitya (Chandranath Basu: Life and Literature) PDF
