Who wrote 'Rajmohan's Wife', generally regarded as the first novel in English by an Indian?

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (Chatterjee) is credited with writing the first published novel in English by an Indian, "Rajmohan's Wife", which was serialised in 1864 in the weekly "Indian Field".

About "Rajmohan's Wife":

• It tells the story of Matangini, the beautiful and spirited wife of the cruel and violent Rajmohan, in rural Bengal.
• It describes her suffering and her courage in a male-dominated society.

It was Bankim Chandra's only novel in English. He then switched to writing in Bengali.

About Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay (1838-1894):

• He was born in Kanthalpara, near Naihati, Bengal.
• In 1858, he became one of the first two graduates of the University of Calcutta (along with Jadunath Bose).
• He worked as a Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector in the British government service.
• His first Bengali novel, "Durgeshnandini" (1865), is regarded as the first major novel in Bengali.
• His other famous Bengali novels include "Kapalkundala" (1866), "Vishabriksha", "Krishnakanter Will", "Devi Chaudhurani" and "Anandamath" (1882).

"Anandamath", set during the Sannyasi Rebellion of the 18th century, contains the song "Vande Mataram", which became the national song of India. It was first sung at a Congress session by Rabindranath Tagore in 1896.

He started the Bengali literary magazine "Bangadarshan" (1872).

He is called "Sahitya Samrat" (Emperor of Literature).

Other early Indian writers in English:

• Toru Dutt: poet; "A Sheaf Gleaned in French Fields" and "Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan".
• Michael Madhusudan Dutt: wrote the English poem "The Captive Ladie" before turning to Bengali; author of "Meghnad Badh Kavya" and pioneer of blank verse in Bengali.
• Henry Louis Vivian Derozio: poet and teacher at Hindu College, Calcutta.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Rabindranath Tagore wrote mainly in Bengali; his first works came later.
• ✗Toru Dutt was a poet who wrote in English and French.
• ✗Michael Madhusudan Dutt wrote "The Captive Ladie" (a poem), not a novel.