What will you learn from this book
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Personal Journey: Chaudhuri's autobiography traces his personal journey from his childhood in colonial India to his experiences as a young man navigating the complex social and political landscape of the time.
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British Colonial Rule: The book provides insights into the impact of British colonial rule on Indian society, culture, and politics, offering a critical perspective on the colonial legacy.
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Social and Cultural Transformation: Chaudhuri reflects on the social and cultural transformation of India during the colonial period, including the influence of Western ideas and the erosion of traditional values.
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Intellectual Exploration: The autobiography delves into Chaudhuri's intellectual exploration and engagement with a wide range of subjects, including literature, philosophy, history, and politics.
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Identity and Belonging: Chaudhuri grapples with questions of identity and belonging, particularly as an Indian intellectual navigating the tensions between tradition and modernity, East and West.
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Historical Context: The book provides a rich historical context for understanding the complexities of Indian society and politics during the colonial era, including the rise of nationalist movements and the struggle for independence.
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Literary Style: Chaudhuri's autobiography is known for its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions, capturing the sights, sounds, and emotions of life in colonial India with poetic elegance.
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Critique of Colonialism: Through his personal narrative, Chaudhuri offers a critique of colonialism and its impact on Indian society, highlighting the injustices and inequalities perpetuated by colonial rule.
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Legacy and Influence: "Autobiography of an Unknown Indian" has had a profound influence on Indian literature and intellectual discourse, shaping discussions around identity, nationalism, and postcolonialism.
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Reflections on Life: At its core, Chaudhuri's autobiography is a reflection on life itself, exploring themes of memory, mortality, and the human condition with profound insight and introspection.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 8172242875 |
| ISBN-13 | 9788172242879 |
| No of pages | 610 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Jaico Publishing |
| Published Date | 03 Nov 1964 |
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Written by a self-confessed Anglophile, Autobiography of An Unknown Indian is a witty and endearing account of Nirad C. Chaudhuri's life. The book delves into the mind of the author as he takes his readers down memory lane to a pre-independence India. Written in a sarcastic manner that takes potshots at both Indian as well as British cultures, this book is one of the early works of Indian literature written in English.
The book offers an authentic peek into the way India functioned during the last days of British rule. It draws various incidents from the author's life and lets us understand his views on life gained from his different experiences. Born into an educated Bengali household, the author led a life where the majority of his influences were from the western part of the world.
The book starts off with a dedication to the British rule meant in a witty and sarcastic way. However, since the book was published post independence, when nationalist sentiments were at an all-time high, his dedication was misinterpreted and led to a personal ordeal. While his book was praised unanimously in the West, he was awarded with criticism back in India.
Autobiography of An Unknown Indian is the memoir of an ordinary Indian who was well-educated in the British way of life. The first edition of this book was published by Jaico Publishing House in 1964. It is available in paperback format.
Key Features
Self-written account of a Bengali-English writer who was also a cultural commentator.
Gives an authentic overview into the quality of a Bengali-Indian's life during the pre-independence era.
Written by an educated person who was adept in the British ways of living.