'Durgeshnandini' (1865), often called the first major Bengali novel, was written by:

"Durgeshnandini" ("The Daughter of the Lord of the Fort") is a Bengali historical romance written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and published in 1865. It is regarded as the first major novel in Bengali literature.

About the novel:

• It is set in the late 16th century, during the conflict between the Mughals (under Akbar) and the Pathans (Afghans) in Bengal and Odisha.
• It tells the love story of Jagat Singh, a Rajput general of the Mughal army (son of Raja Man Singh), and Tilottama, the daughter of a local chieftain.
• Other characters include Ayesha, the daughter of the Pathan chief Katlu Khan, who also loves Jagat Singh.
• The novel was praised for its romance, adventure and beautiful prose, and it was influenced by the historical novels of Sir Walter Scott.

Bankim Chandra's other novels:

• "Rajmohan's Wife" (1864): his only English novel and the first Indian novel in English.
• "Kapalkundala" (1866).
• "Mrinalini", "Vishabriksha" ("The Poison Tree"), "Chandrasekhar".
• "Krishnakanter Will".
• "Anandamath" (1882), which contains "Vande Mataram", the national song of India.
• "Devi Chaudhurani" (1884) and "Rajsimha".

About Bankim Chandra (1838-1894):

• He was one of the first two graduates of the University of Calcutta (1858).
• He worked as a Deputy Magistrate under the British government.
• He founded the literary magazine "Bangadarshan" (1872).
• He is called "Sahitya Samrat" (Emperor of Literature).

Other Bengali writers:

• Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay: "Devdas", "Parineeta", "Srikanta".
• Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: "Barna Parichay", a Bengali primer.
• Rabindranath Tagore: "Gora", "Chokher Bali".

Why not the other options?

• ✗Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote "Devdas" and "Srikanta".
• ✗Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar wrote "Barna Parichay".
• ✗Rabindranath Tagore wrote "Gora" and "Ghare Baire".