Banglar Itihas by Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay Bengali Historical Book PDF.
Title: Banglar Itihas (History of Bengal),
Author: Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay,
Genre: Historical Book, Informative Book,
Format: PDF, Size: 34 MB, Pages: 622,
Banglar Itihas: A Landmark Historical Work by Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay.
Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay’s Banglar Itihas (History of Bengal) stands as one of the most significant historical works on eighteenth-century Bengal. Written with remarkable diligence and critical insight, the book captures the turbulent era of political upheaval, social transformation, and colonial expansion.
The history of 18th-century Bengal is a history of political revolution; the author realized, as he progressed in his work, that writing such a history is an extremely difficult task. The amount of patience and keen insight required in composing the history of an era of revolution and change is clearly evident in the author’s writing. The author’s considerable effort to ascertain the truth, for the benefit of the general public and for self-vindication, is noticeable. The author did not hesitate to undertake the utmost effort and labor in his search for information on any subject.
About and Role—Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay
Kaliprasanna Bandyopadhyay was born in a building in Ahiritola, Calcutta in 1842 (in the month of Ashadh in the year 1249 Bengali). His father’s name was Ramdhan Bandyopadhyay. Leaving behind a one-year-old son, Ramdhan left this world at the age of thirty-two. Kaliprasanna was brought up amidst various difficulties during his childhood. At the age of twelve, Kaliprasanna became anxious to learn music. At that time, his study conditions were miserable. At that time, the boy Kaliprasanna did not appreciate the many obstacles that were in the way of learning music for a boy like him from a disadvantaged background. He immersed himself in the meditation of the Veenabadini Sarada (Maa Saraswati Devi).
Nothing is Impossible
There is nothing in this world that is impossible to strive for. The boy Kaliprasanna’s pursuits gradually became fruitful. He overcame hundreds of obstacles with extraordinary enthusiasm and began practicing fine arts. Gradually, as he grew older, the word of his talent began to spread widely among music lovers. In 1858, he became famous by acting in the title role of the play ‘Ratnabali‘ at the Belgachia Theatre. He was a student of Kshetramohan Goswami and was exceptionally skilled in playing the sitar, surbahar and nyas-taranga-bandan.
He became internationally famous as a musician. He received letters of commendation and medals from Berlin, Philadelphia University and France and Italy. In 1886, the famous Hungarian violinist Edward Remini enthusiastically praised his sitar playing in Calcutta. Wajid Ali Shah was fascinated by his playing. He was a teacher and the lifeblood of many music schools and the Bengal Academy.
Sanskrit play “Ratnavali”
The Sanskrit play “Ratnabali” was performed at the royal palace of Paikpadar, at that time Kaliprasanna acted in the title role of the play “Ratnabali” and delighted the audience. The famous landlord of Calcutta, Maharaj Sir Jatindramohan Tagore and his younger brother Raja Shaurindramohan Tagore, came to know about Kaliprasanna’s talent and became very fond of her. At the royal palace of Pathuriaghata, he started studying music under the music teacher Kshetramohan Goswami. Kaliprasanna was working hard at that time to master the science of music.
Assistant Editor
In 1871, when King Shaurindra Mohan Tagore established a music school for the education of local students, Kaliprasanna was appointed as an unpaid assistant editor in the school. Kaliprasanna devoted himself to the development of the school. During that time, he not only inspected and supervised the teaching methods of the school, but also took special care to ensure that the notation of music was widely disseminated in Bengal through his extraordinary concentration and diligence.
The Challenge of Writing Revolutionary History
The history of 18th-century Bengal is remarkably brilliant in the history of the world due to the variety of events. But this variety of events is not its only attraction. This history clearly reveals how, despite being able to attract the sympathy and customs of the people, regardless of whether they were Hindu or Muslim, the weak scepter of the Bengali Muslim Nawab was transformed into the scales of a more skilled Western merchant. We will see that dedication to duty and love for one’s own people are the fundamental basis of nation-building.
This history also clearly shows under what circumstances treachery against one’s own people becomes possible in society, and what kind of indelible scars it leaves on the social fabric. The history of how the English came to Bengal and gradually conquered it is extremely varied. This history book clearly shows that, as in other parts of India, the initial expansion of English trade in Bengal was facilitated by the favor of the native rulers.
In this history, the author was compelled to severely criticize the actions and characters of many native and foreign individuals. However, wherever he had to criticize individual character or actions, he kept in mind that individuals are merely insignificant factors in the overall process of social evolution. The expression and culmination of the forces that guided them on their path are the primary focus. It should be remembered that social and political revolutions are aided by the moral failings of the leaders of society.
This history of the decline of the Muslims and the English conquest of Bengal is not a source of glory for either the Muslims or the English; rather, the native Hindu rulers also share a significant portion of this disgrace. Despite the numerous flaws of the English of that era, they did not lack dedication to national ideals and unity of purpose; therein lay the English victory.
The misdeeds committed by the English East India Company’s employees in this country in their pursuit of wealth during the initial period do not accurately reflect the English national character. The humanity displayed by great figures like Burke in the Parliament is an ideal for the entire world. Even the directors of the English company did not support the wrongdoings of their employees.
Balanced Criticism
The book does not glorify or vilify any single community. The decline of the Muslims, the complicity of Hindu aristocrats, and the opportunism of English traders are all examined with equal severity. Yet, Bandyopadhyay also acknowledges the discipline and unity of the English as a factor in their success, contrasting it with the disunity among Bengal’s ruling classes. He praises figures like Edmund Burke, who in the British Parliament defended human values against colonial exploitation.
Groundwork for imperial Rule: The English in Bengal
The English in Surat sought refuge with the powerful Emperor Aurangzeb (1690). The wise emperor, remembering the immense benefits the country had received from European trade, and perhaps influenced by a bribe of one and a half lakh rupees, and possibly fearing future harassment of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca by the English, granted permission for them to resume trade as before. The decree for the re-establishment of the English in Bengal arrived. By then, Shaista Khan was no longer in power. The gentle Nawab Ibrahim Khan arranged all kinds of facilities for the company. Job Charnock returned with his men. This time, considering Hooghly unsafe, he established a factory in nearby Sutanuti (after Calcutta, now Kolkata). The seed of the future Indian empire was sown.
A Document of National Importance
‘Banglar Itihas’ is not merely a chronicle of events; it is a profound reflection on the social and political forces that shaped Bengal’s destiny. By combining sharp criticism with historical analysis, Bandyopadhyay created a pioneering work that continues to be regarded as a vital source for scholars, researchers, and readers interested in Bengal’s past.
Therefore, the PDF link of this famous historical and informative book, Banglar Itihas (History of Bengal) , is provided at the bottom of this webpage. Readers can download and read the PDF of the ‘History of Bengal’ book from this webpage.
