Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel 'Anandamath' (1882) is set against the background of the:

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel "Anandamath" (1882) is set against the background of the Sannyasi rebellion in Bengal in the late 18th century, and the great Bengal famine of 1770.

About the Sannyasi rebellion:

• It was a series of uprisings by Hindu sannyasis (ascetics) and Muslim fakirs against the English East India Company in Bengal and Bihar, from about 1763 to 1800.
• The sannyasis and fakirs used to travel in groups to places of pilgrimage, and collected contributions from the zamindars and peasants.
• The Company's officials and the new revenue system restricted their movements and their collections, and imposed taxes on pilgrims.
• The famine of 1770 and the harsh revenue collection by the Company added to the anger of the people.
• The rebels attacked the Company's factories, treasuries and officials.
• Leaders included Majnu Shah (a fakir) and Bhawani Pathak (a sannyasi), and Debi Chaudhurani (a woman leader).
• Warren Hastings sent troops to suppress the rebellion.

About Anandamath:

• It tells the story of a band of sannyasis (called "santans", children of the motherland) who fight against foreign rule.
• It presents the motherland as a goddess.
• It contains the song "Vande Mataram", which became the national song of India.
• It inspired many nationalists and revolutionaries in the early 20th century.

Other novels of Bankim Chandra:

• "Devi Chaudhurani" (1884), also based on the times of the Sannyasi rebellion.
• "Kapalkundala", "Krishnakanta's Will" and others.

About Bankim Chandra:

• He was born on 26 June 1838 at Kanthalpara, near Naihati, Bengal.
• He was one of the first two graduates of the University of Calcutta (1858), and served as a deputy magistrate.
• He is called "Sahitya Samrat" (emperor of literature) of Bengali.
• He died on 8 April 1894.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Revolt of 1857, the Indigo Revolt and the Santhal rebellion are the backgrounds of other works.