Devi Chaudhurani 1st Edition  (English, Paperback, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay)

Devi Chaudhurani is a revolutionary novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterji. This first volume of the graphic novel series adapts the story into English for modern readers.

Summary of the Book

Prafulla is a young girl whose destiny seems to have only bad news for her. On the day of her wedding, her father and father-in-law have an ugly spat. Angered, the father-in-law shuns her, and this leaves her father heartbroken that his daughter is left without a husband. His hands tied by Hindu society’s edict against divorce and remarriage, Prafulla’s father dies, leaving his family without any money. Prafulla’s mother soon follows after him, and she is taken under the care of her seemingly friendly neighbours. However, the neighbours plan to sell Prafulla into a life of prostitution. She flees the house, hoping to find her in-laws’ house, with only the knowledge of the father-in-law’s name and the name of the village. Despite finding the house and being taken in at first, she is sent out by her father-in-law. She runs into Bhabani Pathak, a notorious bandit. The man takes her in and begins to teach her about the world around them. They live during the height of British power, and he shows her the atrocities of the British Raj. For five years, Prafulla changes, learning the ways of the bandit. After five years, a new bandit and revolutionary begins fighting against the British, one that sends shivers down the spines of those who hear her name. Prafulla was no longer the naïve girl looking for someone to protect her. She had become Devi Chaudhurani, the right hand advisor of Bhabani Phatak.

About Bankim Chandra Chatterji

Bankim Chandra Chatterji was a Bengali writer, poet and journalist known for his composition of the Indian National Song Vande Mataram. He is also remembered for his role in the literary renaissance of Bengal and India.

Chatterji’s most popular books include Anandamath, Kamalakanta and The Poison Tree.

This book was banned by the British Raj for its honest descriptions of the atrocities committed by the soldiers and officers on the farmers and their wives. It was republished after Independence and has become a classic story of freedom and the fight against close-minded ideals encouraged by age-old ideals.