What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s writing? Discuss .
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s- Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838–1894) occupies a monumental place in the history of Indian literature. He is not only regarded as one of the earliest novelists in India but also as the architect of modern Bengali prose and a pioneer of Indian nationalism through literature. His writings mark the beginning of a new literary consciousness during colonial India — one that sought to redefine the cultural identity of Indians through the power of language.
Language, for Bankim, was not merely a tool of expression; it was a medium of cultural and national awakening. His deliberate use of both Bengali and English, and his nuanced understanding of their symbolic and communicative functions, played a crucial role in shaping the modern Indian literary imagination. This essay examines how Bankim’s choice of language — his shift from English to Bengali — reflects his literary, cultural, and political vision, and how it influenced the development of Indian literature and nationalism.
1. Historical and Linguistic Context
The nineteenth century was a period of profound linguistic transformation in India. The British colonial administration had imposed English as the language of education and administration through Macaulay’s Minute (1835). This created a class of Indians who were, in Thomas Macaulay’s words, “Indian in blood and colour, but English in tastes, in opinions, in morals and in intellect.”
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee belonged to this very class — a product of the colonial education system. He graduated from the University of Calcutta in 1858, the same year that saw the end of the First War of Independence. Thus, he lived in a time when Indians were becoming increasingly aware of the political and cultural domination exercised through language.
The linguistic situation of Bengal was particularly complex. English was associated with modernity, science, and power, while Bengali was linked to emotion, tradition, and the masses. Bankim’s literary career reflects his engagement with this linguistic duality — a constant negotiation between the colonizer’s language and his native tongue.
2. Bankim’s Early Writings in English
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s- Bankim began his career by writing in English, as it was the language of prestige and intellectual authority in colonial India. His first novel, Rajmohan’s Wife (1864), written in English, is considered the first Indian novel in that language. The novel deals with the moral dilemmas, domestic tensions, and social issues of the Bengali middle class, themes that would later dominate Indian fiction.
However, despite its significance as a pioneering work, Rajmohan’s Wife failed to create an impact. Bankim himself was dissatisfied with it. The novel’s language, though fluent, lacked the emotional depth and cultural rootedness he desired. The English idiom seemed inadequate to convey the Indian ethos and psychological complexity of his characters.
This failure led Bankim to realize that true artistic and emotional expression for an Indian writer must come through the mother tongue. He thus turned to Bengali — a decision that would redefine not only his own career but the future of Indian literature.
3. Transition from English to Bengali
Bankim’s shift to Bengali was not a simple linguistic change but a cultural and political act of resistance. In choosing Bengali over English, he chose to reclaim the voice of his people from colonial domination. He understood that literature written in a foreign language could never fully capture the lived experience of a colonized nation.
His decision also coincided with the Bengal Renaissance, a period when Bengali intellectuals such as Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar and Michael Madhusudan Dutt were experimenting with the Bengali language, infusing it with modern forms of expression. Bankim, however, took this further — he standardized Bengali prose and gave it a literary dignity comparable to that of English.
4. Bengali as the Language of Emotion and Identity
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s- In his Bengali novels — such as Durgeshnandini (1865), Kapalkundala (1866), Anandamath (1882), and Devi Chaudhurani (1884) — Bankim demonstrated the power of the vernacular to express complex emotions, social realities, and philosophical ideas.
Through these works, he transformed Bengali into a language of modern literary sophistication. Before Bankim, Bengali prose was often used for religious or moral instruction. Bankim’s novels elevated it to a language of romance, heroism, and nationhood.
For example, in Kapalkundala, he employed lyrical and descriptive Bengali to portray romantic and psychological nuances. The language mirrors the emotional world of his characters and the natural beauty of Bengal. Similarly, in Anandamath, the language becomes a vehicle for patriotic and spiritual fervor — exemplified in the song “Vande Mataram”, which later became a national anthem of freedom.
5. The Political Significance of Language in Bankim’s Writing
Bankim’s use of Bengali carried deep nationalistic undertones. He recognized that colonial power was not only political but also linguistic — the domination of English meant the marginalization of Indian languages and, by extension, Indian culture.
By asserting Bengali as a language of intellect, philosophy, and heroism, Bankim sought to revive national self-respect. He demonstrated that Indian languages were not inferior or primitive but capable of expressing modern ideas. His prose combined Sanskritic richness with simplicity and clarity, creating a style that was both classical and accessible.
In Anandamath, Bankim’s choice of words evokes both religious devotion and political rebellion. The song “Vande Mataram,” written in a blend of Sanskrit and Bengali, captures this fusion perfectly — it sanctifies the nation as a mother goddess while invoking revolutionary spirit. The language here becomes symbolic: sacred yet revolutionary, uniting spirituality with patriotism.
6. Language as a Bridge Between the Elite and the Masses
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s– Bankim’s linguistic strategy also reflects his social vision. He was acutely aware of the gap between the English-educated elite and the vernacular-speaking masses. Through his novels, he attempted to bridge this divide by creating a literary Bengali that could be understood by both educated and ordinary readers.
His prose balanced Sanskrit-derived vocabulary (for intellectual depth) with colloquial speech (for accessibility). This hybrid style democratized literature and made reading a collective cultural experience.
Moreover, by using the Bengali language to discuss issues such as morality, duty, nationalism, and social reform, Bankim helped to internalize modern values within traditional Indian frameworks. Thus, his choice of language was central to his project of cultural regeneration.
7. English as the Language of Analysis, Bengali as the Language of Emotion
Bankim did not reject English entirely. He continued to use it for essays and analytical works, such as The Bhagavad Gita: Translated with a Commentary (1886). He saw English as the language of intellectual discourse and scientific reasoning, while Bengali remained the language of emotion, spirituality, and cultural belonging.
This dual-language approach reflected his understanding of linguistic complementarity — that both languages could serve different but complementary purposes in the making of modern India. His mastery of English allowed him to engage with Western thought, while his command of Bengali rooted him in Indian sensibility.
8. The Aesthetic and Stylistic Role of Language
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s- From an aesthetic perspective, Bankim revolutionized Bengali prose by introducing rhythmic sentences, poetic imagery, and dramatic dialogue. His language carried the elegance of Sanskrit and the clarity of modern prose.
He often employed code-switching — the deliberate use of Sanskrit or English words within Bengali sentences — to enrich meaning. This stylistic innovation reflected the bilingual reality of colonial Bengal, where the Indian mind constantly negotiated between two linguistic worlds.
Through his refined prose, Bankim made Bengali a language of both art and argument, capable of philosophical reflection and emotional subtlety alike.
9. Bankim’s Influence on Later Writers and Nationalism
The linguistic revolution initiated by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee inspired a generation of writers, including Rabindranath Tagore, Saratchandra Chattopadhyay, and Aurobindo Ghose. His belief in the power of vernacular languages became foundational to the Indian freedom movement.
“Vande Mataram” became not just a song but a linguistic symbol of unity and resistance, reminding Indians that their mother tongue was as sacred as their motherland.
Bankim’s works also paved the way for later regional literatures in Hindi, Tamil, and Marathi to find strength in their native idioms, affirming the connection between language and national identity.
10. Conclusion
What role does the choice of language play in Bankim’s-The role of language in Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s writing is central to understanding his legacy as both a literary innovator and a cultural nationalist. His journey from English to Bengali mirrors India’s own struggle to reclaim its voice from colonial domination.
For Bankim, language was not merely a medium of storytelling but a weapon of self-expression and liberation. Through Bengali, he gave voice to the Indian spirit — emotional, philosophical, and patriotic. Through English, he engaged with global thought and rational discourse.
In fusing these worlds, Bankim became the true architect of Indian literary modernity. His vision continues to resonate, reminding us that the choice of language is not neutral — it shapes identity, culture, and destiny.
As he proved through his works, a nation is born not just through political revolution but through the power of its words.
