Bankim Chandra struck a new path in the realm of novels. Until then a novel was generally a cock and bull story, full of unbelievable incidents. 'Durgeshanandini' broke this tradition. It began a new trend. The story by itself was very interesting. At the same time it was about persons like us - good persons and bad persons, short- tempered persons and patient persons. Moreover what happened to thecharacters, who prospered and who suffered was no longer the most important thing to the reader. He began to ask himself: why did this happen this way? Who was right?

Undoubtedly Bankim Chandra's most famous novel is 'Anandamatha.' But he wrote several other novels which delighted the readers. One of them is 'Durgeshanandini'. Mandaran is a fortress, and Veerendra Simha is its lord - the 'Durgesha'. His daughter Tiiottama is the Durgeshanandini. She is the heroin of the book. Jagat Simha is the hero. His father Mana Simha, though a Rajput, is employed in the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Jagat Simha happens to see Tilottama near Mandaran. He wishes to marry her. But Veerendra Simha is his enemy.

This novel, as already stated, appeared in installments. People used to read one installment,--, in 'Vangadarshan' and wait impatiently for the next installment. We have already read the beginning of Anandamatha. How interesting it is! How it compels us to read on and find out what happens next! ! Read it again. How vivid and absorbing is the description of the forest, isn't it? But read again, you will see there is something more. In the darkness and total silence a human voice is heard. The entire description is symbolic.

'There was a big forest. There were trees of many kinds. Branches and leaves were dense and interwoven. Sunlight could hardly penetrate through these leaves. There were leaves and leaveseverywhere; they seemed endless. It was dark, pitch dark. Even in broad day, light the forest was dim and fearful. People did not dare enter the forest, there was not a sound other than the rustle of the leaves and the cry of wild animals and birds.' Imagine the forest. It is midnight. The forest is dark, terrifyingly dark. And there is not a single sound.

The Last Three Years Bankim Chandra first wrote poems. Then he wrote a novel in English. But after this he began to write novels in, Bengali. He wrote while still in service. Because of constant pinpricks he grew weary of service. He felt that government service curbed his freedom and challenged his self-respect. So he asked for permission to retire, though he was only fifty-three years old. But his superior officers were displeased with him. So they would not even allow him to retire.

In due course Bankim Chandra emerged as a great writer in Bengali. He wrote novels and poems. He wrote articles, which stimulated impartial thinking. He became well known outside Bengal, too. His novels have been translated into many Indian languages.

His official career was full of such troubles. There were also some unhappy incidents in his personal life. Bankim Chandra was married when he was only eleven and his wife was five years old! Within a year-or two of his appointment as a Deputy Collector at Jessore he lost his wife. Bankim Chandra was only twenty-two then. The death of his young and beautiful wife made him very unhappy. After some time he married again. His second wife was Rajalakshmi Devi. They had three daughters but no son.

An Undaunted Officer Bankim Chandra was appointed Deputy Magistrate. He was in Government service for thirty-two years and retired in 1891. He was a very conscientious worker. Most of his officers were Engl&men. They were a proud lot for they were the ruling power of this country. Bankim Chandra never sub- mitted to their proud, unjust or stubborn behavior. Wasn't he the author of the inspiring and patriotic 'Anandamatha' and the song Vande Mataram'? He was true to their spirit. He would resist any unjust person and teach him a lesson.

At College Bankim Chandra finished his early education at Midnapur. He joined the Mohsin College at Hoogly and studied there for six years. Even there he was known for his brilliance. His teachers were all admiration for his intelligence. With the greatest ease Bankim Chandra passed his examinations in the first class and won many prizes. He was not very enthusiastic about sports. But he was not a student who was glued to his textbooks. Much of his leisure was spent in reading books other than his texts. He was very much interested in the study of Sanskrit.