New Delhi, April 7: Bunkim Chandra Chattopadhyay, often referred to as the ‘Emperor of Literature,’ gifted India the powerful mantra ‘Vande Mataram,’ which transformed the course of the freedom struggle. Born on June 26, 1838, in Kanthalpara near Naihati, West Bengal, Chattopadhyay’s life began with contradictions. In 1857, while northern and central India was engulfed in the flames of the ‘Sepoy Mutiny,’ a different calm prevailed in Kolkata, where the University was conducting its first degree examinations. Amidst the sounds of gunfire, Chattopadhyay immersed himself in his books, emerging as one of the first two graduates in history.
Recognizing his brilliance, the British appointed him as a Deputy Magistrate at just 20 years old. He served the British for 32 years and was honored with the title ‘Rai Bahadur,’ a distinction awarded to individuals for their exceptional services during British rule.
From an outsider’s perspective, he was a key component of the British regime. However, as a proud Indian, he felt the weight of British arrogance gnawing at him. Aware that outright rebellion would lead to imprisonment, he chose a different path—one of literary resistance.
Interestingly, Chattopadhyay began his literary career in English, with his first novel ‘Rajmohan’s Wife’ written in that language. However, he soon realized that to awaken the sleeping masses, he needed to communicate in their own tongue. In 1865, he penned ‘Durgesh Nandini,’ which created a seismic shift in Bengali literature. This was followed by ‘Kapalkundala,’ ‘Vishabriksha,’ and the magazine ‘Bangadarshan,’ which stirred the intellectual community of Bengal.
The pinnacle of his literary achievements came in 1882 with the publication of ‘Anandamath.’ As a government officer, he could not directly portray the British as villains. Instead, he cleverly based his narrative on the 18th-century ‘Sannyasi Rebellion,’ transforming the historical sannyasis into disciplined and patriotic warriors ready to sacrifice their lives for the motherland.
Within the pages of this novel lay the song ‘Vande Mataram,’ which changed India’s destiny. Few know that this song was composed long before the novel, during a quiet evening by the Hooghly River in the 1870s. Chattopadhyay presented the land of India not merely as a piece of earth but as the divine mother, ‘Bharat Mata.’
In 1896, Rabindranath Tagore sang this song for the first time on the Congress platform, but its true magic was revealed during the 1905 ‘Bengal Partition.’ The British banned the song, imprisoning those who sang it, but these restrictions only fueled the fire. From the streets of Kolkata to London’s ‘India House,’ ‘Vande Mataram’ became an invincible battle cry for revolutionaries. In 1907, it was even inscribed on the yellow band of the first foreign flag of India, unfurled by Bhikaji Cama in Germany.
After independence, when it came time to select a national anthem, there was controversy over certain verses of this song that mentioned Goddess Durga. The then Muslim League strongly opposed it. To preserve India’s secular fabric, the Constituent Assembly made a historic decision on January 24, 1950, adopting the first two verses of ‘Vande Mataram’ and granting it the status of a national song, equal to ‘Jana Gana Mana.’
In February 2026, the central government issued new comprehensive guidelines establishing an official protocol for singing ‘Vande Mataram,’ detailing how and when it should be presented at government events, along with expected audience conduct, particularly concerning the national anthem.
Chattopadhyay passed away on April 8, 1894. During that time, mourning was typically confined to homes. However, Rabindranath Tagore organized a massive public mourning for him. This marked the first instance in Indian history where the entire nation came together to weep for a hero.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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