Rajmohan's Wife

by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Marking Bankim Chandra Chatterjee's debut as a writer, Rajmohan's Wife is the first published novel in English by an Indian. The novel was serialised in 1864 in a short-lived magazine published from Calcutta, but it did not appear as a book in the author's lifetime. The book soon went into oblivion. A neglected but an interesting book, its plots and characters symbolically map the birth of modern India as well as the modern Indian woman through political, cultural and social contexts. Famously known as being the writer of Vande Mataram, the national song of India, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee was the first to break the dry monotony of Bengali prose and bring in a touch of informality and intimacy. The letter part of his career brought out best sellers like Kapalakundala and Krishnakanta's Will. He remains to be one of India's most celebrated writers.

Genres: Classics, India, Fiction, Indian Literature, Literary Fiction, School, Read For School

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1864

About the author

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Bengali: বঙ্কিম চন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়) ('Chattopadhyay' in the original Bengali; 'Chatterjee' as spelt by the British) was a Bengali poet, novelist, essayist and journalist, most famous as the author of Vande Mataram or Bande Mataram, that inspired the freedom fighters of India, and was later declared the National Song of India.

Complete works of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (বঙ্কিম রচনাবলী) is now available in this third party website (in Bengali):
https://bankim-rachanabali.nltr.org/

Chatterjee is considered as a key figure in literary renaissance of Bengal as well as India. Some of his writings, including novels, essays and commentaries, were a breakaway from traditional verse-oriented Indian writings, and provided an inspiration for authors across India.

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facts about the book:
✅ Written before and first serialised in 1864
✅ The author’s debut novel
✅ Represents the vitality of women amidst brutality and the restrictions of middle class society

I love the writing, despite the long sentences and the frustrating characters. Quite fitting for the plot I would say.

I would say it is a character driven story much directed to the arrogance of the male minds and the helplessness of the female during such times of a much restricted society.

Targeted for a much mature audience, this book is a much insightful read with distinctive adult characters who know what they want and what they must do to save themselves amidst wars of arrogance and violence.

The book is quite short with just a few more than a hundred pages. Perfect for a good evening/weekend reading session.

[Helly · Rating 3 out of 5]

More people should talk about this novel. Just finished this, and I am awestruck that I hadn't even heard of it until last week. This is the very first Indian English novel and even though it's far from perfection as a novel, it's exceedingly successful in portraying the image of "the new woman" emerging in 19th Century Bengal.

Highly recommended!

[Ashok Krishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the resolutions that I had taken for this year was to improve my reading habits and expand the range of topics and authors. Bengali literature was one of the targets that I had kept for myself. Though I have already dabbled a bit with Tagore’s writings, this book of Bankim Chandra is my first proper foray into this much romanticized portion of Indian literature. I am happy in the end for having taken up this book.

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is one of the leading names in Bengali Classical literary stage and this novel ‘Rajmohan’s Wife’ is his only work in English. There are quite a lot of debates about why he didn’t continue writing in English choosing instead to write only in his mother tongue, Bengali. Let’s leave the debate for others and get into knowing about this much-acclaimed work of his.

Matangini, the character that lends the title to the book, is the wife of Rajmohan, a good-for-nothing brute, incapable of earning a living in honest and proper ways. Matangini, being a woman of virtues, bears his oppressive nature silently. Madhav Ghose, the heir of a rich family, is the husband of Matangini’s sister Hemangini. Caring for Matangini’s family, he takes them with him to his native place where he offers a job to Rajmohan, thus providing for his family. Rajmohan is paranoid, unethical, and of the nature that can bite the very hands that feed him. One day when Rajmohan conspires against Madhav, joining with some other forces that want to grab the wealth of Madhav, Matangini makes an uncharacteristic journey alone in the dark and dangerous night to Madhav’s place to warn him, thus warding off the calamity that could have befallen Madhav. It turns out also to be the night when her love and pent up passions for her brother-in-law Madhav are expressed for the first time. What happens after these two events is what the novel is all about.

As for the quality of writing, there was never a dull moment in the book. Starting from the portrayal of the characters to the climax, it is an absolute roller-coaster of a book. Emotions, virtues, melodrama, peeks into the culture of bygone days, thrill, humor, sarcasm – it is all there in this book. But there are some occasional grammatical errors, which, when pointed out by English readers, could have been a cause in Bankim’s dropping his attempts to write in English. Remember, this book was written in 1864, more than 150 years ago, when it was a thing of astonishment to see an Indian using the language of his rulers to express his ideas and opinions, let alone attempt a full-length novel.

There are some negative points though. This is not a ‘full-length’ novel, in fact. For all his vivid ways of depicting characters, building up the tempo and portrayal of the emotions, Bankim ends the novel in an abrupt fashion. Just as you start warming up for a more delicious feast, the climax is brought up, as if somebody waved the checkered flag just on the tenth lap of a Formula One race. He finishes the book in a hurry, noting down the fate of the characters in a line or two. Just imagine! Having the chance to dwell on the emotional high-drama of the pure love between Madhav and Matangini, the possibility of setting an example for the womenfolk of those days by letting us know the decision of Matangini about her relationship with the villainous Rajmohan, are just two reasons that could have added at least another couple of interesting chapters to the book.

But the book having come at a time it did, it wouldn’t have been possible for Bankim to portray the heroine as anything less than the highly noble and virtuous female that she is. Not just Matangini, some of the other characters in the book, Kanak and Tara, are also portrayed to be women of virtue and moral courage, who nevertheless abide by the customs of the time, leading silent and submissive lives in the shadows of their unworthy husbands. Also, the way in which the author finishes off his note on the life and future of our lovable Matangini, proves that this was not a book that intended to break a new path for the women of high character stuck in a moral dilemma, but a book that wanted to glorify the oft-praised qualities of women – sacrifice and chastity.

All in all, this book will be a breezy read and a worthy addition to your collection.

[S.Ach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two things I gathered when I read (well…as much as I could) this book.

a) When I am on the hot seat of 'Who wants to be a millionaire' and the final question is - what is the first novel in English ever written by an Indian, I will come home with a million dollars.

b) Bankim Chandra must have realized when he proof read his first novel, that next book onwards he should write in his mother tongue. And, thankfully he did.

[Adite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is one of the legendary names of Bengali literature. His debut novel, surprisingly enough, was written in English in the year 1864. It was published not as a novel but as a series in a weekly periodical called The Indian Field. The story of how the novel was put together much later (in 1935) - when the first three chapters were not to be found in the files - is another story !
As for the novel itself, which is believed to be the first ever English novel written by an Indian, it tells the story of Matangini, a much abused housewife who struggles to do the right thing - stand for the truth even though it means defying her husband. The novel is replete with vivid descriptions of a period in Indian history when zemindars ruled the roost. Despite the archaic language, the story is engrossing enough to hold the modern reader's interest. The turns and twists in the story make it fast paced. But a major flaw is the ending which seems a little rushed and abrupt. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that it was serialised for a periodical which may have had space constraints.
The characters - particularly the protagonist Matangini - are well etched. Given that the book was written in the late 19th century, its sweep and feel is modern and Matangini could well be today's modern woman fighting for her own voice in a stifling marriage.

[El · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very straight forwards storytelling rich with details it was like listening to someone tell you a story in vivid details about something that happened to someone they knew without all the frills of modern novels.
The only issue I had with the book was that it contained a lot of footnotes that you then had to flip to the back of the page to find the meaning when the could have just put it at the bottom of the page. All in all a good solid afternoon read.

[Poonam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprisingly, Bankim Chandra' first book is in English. (He later went on to write classics in Bengali.) Am sure the theme was bold for his time. Only deterrent, a very archaic language which made the book for a tedious reading. Plot is just reflection of the times, otherwise not much in there by way of entertainment.

[Mani Bharathi Ravi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As its the very first Indian novel in English, very excited about the narratives in the novel as there's no previous model for Indian writing in English. Bankimchandra gave a combo of Victorian & Sanskrit narrative style.
The edition I read also has a lot of notes on the history of Indian writing contributed by other authors which is a good read.

[Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Madhvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was such a joy to read first Indian novel written in English way back in 1864!
this novel undoubtedly depicted one simple fact of life that women are much stronger and rebel than men to tackle any life situations!

[Disha Dutta Banik · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was really a pleasant read. The way Bakim presented in his writing the desires and courage of a woman of the time when women's bravery was not encouraged much is commendable! It was a bit elaborative though but the narration was excellent. The writing isn't very easy so read it if you are comfortable reading a bit difficult English.

Surely I would recommend this! Go grab the book and enjoy the rich Bengali literature.❤️

[sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
SUCH an exciting story! even though the family tree was the most confusing thing ever, I really loved learning about all of the characters and what their motives were. I wish this was longer so we could see the characters get completely fleshed out (what is the deal with Rajmohan omg) and I would love to understand why (there) were (so) many parentheses.

[Ravina P · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Sanchit Gangwar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, as the Introduction and the Afterword present in this edition take pains to inform us, was the first attempt of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Chatterjee) to write a book in English, along the lines of those that he was exposed to during his years of learning in the medium that was English.

Chattopadhyay who was among the very few to graduate in the first of such ceremony held at the then recently established University of Calcutta (founded 1857) had been learning in English even before his years at college, and had been well-acquainted with the form and ways of the english novels. And that style he has tried to emulate in this book as well. There are numerous references which would only make any sense to the English; or if any Indian understands them, he/she must be one of the 'educated' elite; education, here, referring to English education, and proficiency in knowledge. One can, therefore, infer that Chattopadhyay was trying to imitate his masters, perhaps he felt liberated, as now the likes of him were not confined to the Bengali (and Indian) culture, but were accustomed to the ways of the ruler, the better. But, as we very well know, this stint in English writing, which is considered to be the first Indian novel in English, was very short-lived. Although, he continued writing essays and articles in English, his primary language of addressing his audience of poetry and novels became Bangla, for which he is today immensely popular.

This novel gains importance, though, because it brings to forefront the strata that the English language created in the Indian society, creating another line of separation between the groups already clustered along the lines of religion and caste. The Afterword present in this edition can explain the interpretations and possible reasons in the context of pre-independence India much better than I can summarize here, and I would urge anyone interested in knowledge of such kind, to kindly look at the mentioned text.

After reading the book it is abundantly clear that this is not a masterpiece in any sense. Neither is the story very compelling, nor the style of writing. I, however, am very attached to the books describing the rural India of the later-20th century, and any part of the older India (or the land that it was). And hence, I would always be biased towards this, like I am towards R.K. Narayan.

[Gaurav Andreas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first English novel in India uses the language exactly like one could assume the first English novel to use the language. The language is overwrought, though not as much as one could see in the English Novel from the English but to an ignorable level. There is, of course-as is the unbreakable rule in English writing in India- the use of words from the author's native language (Bengali). These add a kind of sensualness to the text, a foray into the language of Bengal. Admissible and desirable as that is in the first English novel of India, it is, to me, nothing but cringeworthy to come across native words in predominantly English texts. Usually, in contemporary Indian Literature, the use of such native words is in no way adding to the narrative, they are used basically as fancy things. But in this book, it makes sense to use certain Bengali words. I'm no expert of semantics, but if a two-word description of a thing in English can be reduced to a one-word description in another language, I'd chose the leaner language for my descriptions. This is exactly what BCC does here.

As to the plot, it is as slow-burning as one could expect an English novel of the 1800s to be. There's a nice focus on realism here. To depict the conflicts of society as truly as possible. The introduction says that, at that time, it was a groundbreaking thing to resort such realism. I have absolutely no insight into the 19th century Bengal social or art culture, so, I'll reserve my judgement. I leave this by saying that if this were not to have the phrase: 'the first Indian novel in the English language;' I could have not read it.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The subaltern as female cannot be heard or read”, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak harangues. The accounts of subaltern women are often marginalized or subjugated. However, Matangini undeniably spells out her inner self even from a communally marginalized location.

Thus, here the novelist’s venture to lend a voice to a marginalized woman cannot but be appreciated. While drawing parallels with Bankim’s work, Mukherjee further seeks our deliberation to the resemblance in the literary echoes, of Radha’s ‘abhisara’ in Vaishnava verse, when she challenges the elements itself, on the way to her rendezvous with Krishna as commemorated in Matangini’s introverted expedition through the woods in a dreary night of thunderstorm and lightning.

Actually, in the convention of Bengali literature, Matangini can be singled out as one of the prime instances in an elongated succession of women who have showcased sufficient audacity to make their own voice heard even from a marginalized location in society.

Besides Radha in Srikrishna kirtan, we find Fullara (in Chandimangal) or Manasa (in Manasamangal). They even strive with overriding males, in their guts, mental strength and in their insubordination of social norms. Thus, unlike the emblematic Indian woman!! And some of them, like Matangini, not only decline to surrender themselves to their husbands but also foster clandestine love and admiration for men, other than their spouses.

Chronologically, this novel was penned in a timeline, which corresponds to the Victorian era in England and infrequently Bankim has in fact followed the approach and prototype of Victorian novels. However, unlike most of the Victorian works, he treats his female characters with exclusive individuality and dynamism.

Rajmohan’s Wife effusively displays a young Deputy Magistrate’s consciousness of the predicament of women in society. In the novel, Bankim lends to his female characters, principally to his protagonist, such a heartiness and grit in action, that are on the odd occasion found in Victorian novels of that time.

Though a reader well acquainted with the later novels of the author may feel that the dexterous mastery in weaving the plot and in delineating the characters is somewhat missing in this novel.

However,there is also no way of denying that the novel represents realistically a frank picture of the society within a limited outlook, which enables us to observe a changeover from medievalism to modernity, predominantly in depicting the struggle of young women in society.

On the issue of English language, Bankim himself writes in a journal, Bangadarshan, which he founded in 1872: “There are certain issues that do not pertain to the Bengalis alone; where the whole of India has to be addressed. Unless we use English for such discourse, how will the rest of the country understand?”

It is without question that though Bankimchandra started his literary vocation in English with ‘Rajmohan’s Wife’ and took up Bengali for his latter writing, he remained attentive to the political possibilities of English as the language of national consolidation.

He even continued writing essays and discursive pieces in English and actively participated in various debates on Hindu religion and Indian culture in the columns of local English newspapers.

One would observe Bankim’s pursuit of indigenous narrative on the compatibility between culture and language when Matangini is made to articulate her illicit love for her brother-in-law in the passionate language used in traditional Romantic poetry. The outburst of long preserved love and emotion has occurred to Matangini when she comes to Radhaganj to inform her brother-in-law, Madhav that he was going to be robbed by a gang of robbers: “Ah, hate me not, despise me not,” cried she with an intensity of feeling which shook her delicate frame. “Spurn me not for this last weakness; this, Madhav, this, may be our last meeting; it must be so, and too, too deeply have I loved you - too deeply do I love you still, to part with you forever without a struggle”.

The intensity of pastoral love, so long cherished by them, that could be comparable to that of Vaishnava love poetry, the immortal love that existed between Radha and Krishna.

Love which can conquer death and happiness is all that is not earthly. It transforms Matangini from “sinful”, “impure felicity” by her confession with rhetoric of guilt - “you cannot hate me more than I hate myself’.

Madhav, on the other hand, has been refined by his English education into such a paragon of scrupulous virtue that, when Matangini confronts him with “unutterable feelings” in a “serene” and “melancholy” mood, all he can do is to weep and teach her to “forget” and “separate” each other.

Whatever may have been the moral design of the author, despite his flawless conduct and virtuous character, Madhav gets overshadowed all through the text by the impetuous and brave heroine.

Critics often consider Bankimchandra as the first triumphant novelist in Bengali literature. However, till 1935, the literary world was uninformed of the fact that the first published attempt in novel by Chatterjee was in English. It was in the year 1935 that Brajendranath Banerjee, inadvertently, found that an English novel of Chatterjee, ‘Rajmohans Wife’, was published serially from 1858 to 1864 in an English weekly, Indian Field.

Even Banerjee did not find the entire novel published in that weekly and the first three chapters were missing. The first three chapters, as we find today, are but a translation of Bankimchandra’s Bengali translation of the missing chapters.

With the discovery of the novel Rajmohan’s Wife, Bankimchandrawas at once recognized to be the first Indo-Anglican novelist. The entire novel was published in book form in 1935. From the stance of a critic, the novel may not be considered among the finest novels of the author, but indubitably, it deceives novelist’s mastery in English as well as a young novelist’s attentiveness about existing society, which was so much revealed in his later novels in Bengali.

Thus the novel was not so much significant from the perception of aesthetics as from literary history.

[naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

show stopping, jaw dropping and absolutely incredible. the plot was sooo good and the writing was incredible like this is the original page turner.

[Satish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rajmohan's wife the first foray of the author into the English literature leaves much to be desired, the protagonist is a static figure who is always bending to the caprices of the society, maybe this is what he had intended to portray, but on a personal level I felt that she was too static and could have more spine rather than just be a continuous victim of her husband's ire. The author creates a surreal ambiance with his clever use of words, and this was the only thing which was a bit satisfying in the entire narrative. Though I haven't had a chance to explore his more popular works, I find that this novella was more of an experimental start rather than the work of the phenomenal author that he went on to become in Bangla. I would say the story has more of a sociological and historical value rather than a literary one.

[Parth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not exactly Bankimji's magnum opus, 'Rajmohan's Wife' is still a great experiment in the field of Indian Writing in English although the excess influence of Victorian novels is evident in it. It is still an engaging read with a story that proceeds rapidly although the narrative does get a little slow towards the middle. The concluding chapters had an almost gothic feel to them and the suspense was well maintained. But the ending of the novel was really disappointing and seems to be done in a haste. Maybe Bankimji was himself tired of the project- the reason he never wrote in English again.

I read the penguin edition of the book and will advice anyone to follow the same as it has nice notes and commentaries well analysed by literary scholar Meenakshi Mukherjee. Overall, a novel that can be read for its historical importance but not as a regular read!

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

An experiment in cultural understanding...a Bengali writer producing a novel in English...to a deafening silence...& turning to his own native tongue to become one of India's first acclaimed novelists. This book is of historical interest only: a curiosity, a slow read...but enlightening nonetheless.

[Akriti Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Besides having Bakim's legendary history supporting this book, it is a master piece. It has an element of suspense, romance and most importantly reality. Indian society of 19th century has been highlighted well.

[Beloo Mehra · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a delightful book to read...both in terms of the story as well as its place in the history of Indian Writing in English. More of what I thought about this book may be found here:

http://letbeautybeyourconstantideal.b...

[MINAKSHI RAMJI · Rating 2 out of 5]

BC's first attempt at writing... he starts with english..
What a great thing that he moved to Bengali..

[Sayoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

story seemed incomplete for some reason.

[Riley Dawson Hushak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is trippy as hell and the plot is all over the place but it entertained me, so it's got that going for it.

[Debasmita Das · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is really good but I couldn't connect with the writing style.

[Jaykumar B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an interesting work. Maybe because it's the first Indian English Novel, my expectations were very high... However, I'd still say that it can be firmly situated in its milieu...

[Antilibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Rajmohan's Wife (1864).
:
The first English novel written by an India. Published weekly in the periodical, 'Indian Field.' The story is situation in the village of Radhaganj by the river Madhumati.

The plot tanks toward the middle of the novel. Half of the characters are undeveloped, the ending is abrupt, there's an excess use of deus-ex-machina on top of which many important characters suddenly vanish in the midst of the narrative. This is not a critique of Bankim as a novelist but rather a matter of enormous historical value for two reasons: firstly, it tells us about the effect of readers' subscription to those issues of the periodical which had their favorite characters, and therefore Bankim had to cater to the audience's demand, which led him to shape the plot accordingly; secondly, Bankim was teaching himself to write this strange and alien literary form called the "novel," in English and in the region of Bengal, because no one before him had ever tried writing this literary form.

Anyway, the novel can be broken down into a triangulated conflict story among Hindu upper-caste landowning propertied men, their wives mothers, maid servants, and dacoits! The women have their own quarters in the household which again follows a power hierarchy based on seniority! In these quarters and throughout the household, the purdah system (veiling) that we see here is important as it acts like an extreme form of sexual segregation. If a woman is vulnerable veiling protects her. If she is sexually aggressive then veiling checks her and protects others! No matter whatever you do you are fucked by patriarchy because it tries to preserve the purity of its women who must be untouched by colonial education or the gaze of other men. The brother-in-law (here Madhav) is a contentious character in Bengali fiction as the veiling protects the housewife from advances of her brother-in-law. It plays an important role in the novel, as within this (in-law) relationship lies the taste for transgression!
_
#bankim #rajmohanswife #indianliterature #postcolonial #indianenglish #southasianart #bengalinovel #bookworm #bookphoto #booknerd #bookreview

[Debojit Sengupta (indianfiction_review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rajmohan's wife was the first ever novel written in English by an Indian. It also happens to be the debut novel by Shri Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay but it is talked about so less that it is on the verge being forgotten I feel.

Now I am no expert on writings of 19th century writers so I will express what someone reading a novel from 1864 in 2024 actually feels about it.

I think the story is surprisingly gripping. Honestly I had expected a domestic tale of relationships and family drama, but it's nothing like that. It's exhilarating, exciting and has a sense of thrill to it. This was the first novel in English? It's way way ahead of its time.

The central Character Matangini, Rajmohan's wife is a clever and fearless woman. I loved her character, she is practical and knows how to put up a fight. The supporting characters are all written very well and they have their separate arcs going for them.

The language is a little archaic for me and it was a bit difficult for me to read quickly. At times, the author sort of floats out of the story and directly addresses the reader, sort of like breaking the fourth wall. Talk about modern ideas in not so modern times.

Only qualm is that something happened to the author in the end and he kind of wrapped everything up in a jiffy. It was beginning to look like a proper drawn out story with a satisfying ending and then it just abruptly ends. I suppose another 100 pages were easily warranted.

I think they were really harsh on this book at that time which is why he never wrote anything in English again. Maybe he understood it was too ahead of its time. But I'm glad he wrote it.

It would be a prized collection in my bookshelf now.

[Shreya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rajmohan's Wife, known as the first Indian novel written in the English language, is the only novel the author wrote in English, the rest being in Bangla (Bengali). The author is very well known in India for his Bengali novels, so much so that the fact that his first novel was written in English was almost forgotten.

The novel was first published in 1863 as a weekly magazine and was not turned into a book until much later after the author's passing. In 1935, an editor by the name of Brajendra Nath Banerji, set out to publish the book. The magazine in which the book was published was almost unobtainable 70+ years later, but after a lot of searching, he was able to find all but the first three chapters of the book. In perusing the other works of the author, Banerji stumbled upon a Bengali version of Rajmohan's Wife that the author started prior to his death in 1894, which contained the first seven chapters of the book. The book was then reconstructed using the literal translation of the Bengali version of the first 3 chapters, and published for the Indian masses.

As a story, the novel combines the domestic life of Indian women in the 1800s along with familial politics related to property and crime. In a world where women were considered to be submissive, weak, and property of their husbands, the author does a great job of portraying strong, diverse women, who are inclined to do the right thing no matter the consequence. Though the story itself is great, the use of extremely long sentences is where the book lost some of my attention. Additionally, the ending felt rushed, because the author does not provide adequate explanations as to what happens to each main character.