Reform and Change in Early 20th Century Bengali Society: A Study of Chattopadhyay's Novel Nishkriti

The goal of this research is to examine the societal reforms and modifications that took place in early 20th-century Bengal as a result of the flourishing Bengali Renaissance, as portrayed in Chattopadhyay's novel Nishkriti. The study technique included a qualitative analysis of Nishkriti with an emphasis on finding and evaluating themes connected to societal reforms and transformations in early 20th-century Bengal. To gather relevant data from the novel and conduct a thorough analysis of it, the research employed a content analysis technique. The study discovered that Nishkriti depicts a variety of societal reforms and transformations, including the promotion of females' education, the dissolution of joint families and the creation of nuclear families, the abolition of superstitious customs, the penetration of new ideas and creative business strategies, and empowerment of females. The novel also shows how children were drawn to fashionable practices and trends, which reflects shifting society attitudes. Ultimately, the study comes to the conclusion that Nishkriti accurately captures the spirit of change in Bengali society at the turn of the 20th century. The novel describes the social reforms and improvements that occurred during the Bengali Renaissance, including the abolition of superstitious customs and the empowerment of formerly oppressed groups as a result of growing consciousness and enlightenment. The novel also emphasizes the advent of fresh concepts and methods that contributed to the transformation of Bengali society. References Agnihotri, A. (2001). Critique of Patriarchy. New Delhi: Rupa Publication. Barma, B. (1999). Bengali Renaissance. New York: Berkeley Book. Chattopadhyay, S. (2010). Nishkriti. Rupa Publications. Dasgupta, S. (2002). Bengali Culture and Renaissance. Calcutta: Vivian Publication. Derozi, H.L. V. (2001). Tradition versus Modernity. California: California UP. Dutta, A. K. (2007). Politics and Reform: Critique of Bengali Renaissance.  Calcutta: Viva Publication. Dutta, K. (1992). Oriental Modernity. New York: Penguin. Dutta, M. (2002). Reflection on Forbidden Voice.  New York: Rutledge. Ghosal, S. (2001). Social Realism in Chattopadhyay’s Oeuvre. New Delhi: Delhi University. Hare, D. (2005). Reform and Conflict. New Delhi: Vivian Publication. Kester, A. (2005). Gender Adversity and Outlet. New Delhi: Vivian Publication. Mehata, A (2006). Gender Difference in Sarat Chandra’s Novel. New York: Canon Gate. Roy, B. (1999).  Eradication of Prejudice: Survey of Bengali Renaissance. New Delhi: Viva Publication. Roy, R. (2004). Family Disintegration:  Loss and Despair. New Delhi: Rupa Publication. Tagore, D. (2001).  Social Realism and Reformist Campaing.  New Delhi: Delhi University. Tagore, R. (1991). Emergence of New Woman.  New Delhi: Penguin. Vardwaz, B. (2007). Subversion and Silence. Calcutta: Viva Publication. Vivekananda, S. (1998).  Neo-Hinduism.  New Delhi: Pilgrim Publication.