History of Bengali Language and Literature (In 2 Volumes)

This monumental work on history of Bengali language and literature consists of lectures delivered by Shri Dinesh Chandra Sen in the Calcutta University in 1909. These lectures were later completely revised and edited by the author and presented in the present form. Bengali language and literature is one of the richest language among Indian languages. These lectures treat the language and literature from the earliest times to 1850. The arrangement adopted in the present work is altogether new, and the latest facts, not anticipated in Bengali treatise have been incorporated. These lectures take a comprehensive view of the developed of our vernacular and unquestionably facilitate the historical investigation of the origin of the vernacular literature of India, the study of which is avowedly one of the foremost objects of the new regulations to promote. The work was a awarded literary person by the British to Shri Dinesh Chandra Sen. The work has been divided into seven major chapters and further divided into sub0-chapters in order to deal deeply and comprehensively. In addition supplementary notes to each chapter has been provided by the author. The major chapters are (i) early Influence on the Bengali language (2) pre-Mahomedan Literature 3) Chandidas and Vidyapati (4) The Pauranic Renaissance-subchapters- leading characteristics of the renaissance, vernacular recensions of Sanskrit works, conception of Civa, in the renaissance and songs in honour of him, the Cakta Cult and its development, Chandi Mangala, Poems on ganga Devi, Citala devi, Lakshmi Devi, and Sasthi (5) Literature of Vaisnavas-Vaishnavism in bengal, Life and teachings of Chaitanya deva, vaishnava Biographieos, the Padas or Songs of vaishnavism, (6) Post-Chaitanya literature (7) Modern Age. This study also attach several literary stories as -Manasa-Mangala, Kaklaketu and his wife Fullara, Crimanta sadagara, Pearl Plant, Dhara and Drona, Vidya Sundara, a thief, and how 23 fish disappeared. Also attached are several illustration. The work is a treasure of information on Bengali language and literature from the earliest times to 1850 and will serve a resource book for research scholars of Bengali language and literature and a valuable addition to Bengali language and Literature in the Libraries and Information Centres. An extremely interesting work for all interested in Indian languages, their origin and development.