Unish Shotoker Vromonsahitye Bangali Narir Swodesh Chetona : Prosonge ‘Inglonde Bongomohila’/ উনিশ শতকের ভ্রমণসাহিত্যে বাঙালি নারীর স্বদেশ চেতনা : প্রসঙ্গে ‘ইংলণ্ডে বঙ্গমহিলা’

Abstract

The 19th century was the period of Renaissance. It had brought about a great impact on Bengali literature and society under the influence of Western education. Rammohan Roy, Vidyasagar and others were the forerunners of this change. Renaissance spirit awakened a new consciousness in the minds of the Bengalee sin the 19th century. Travelling to abroad in the 19th century was an adventure. At that time, many obstacles had to be overcome to travel abroad. When Ram Mohan Roy, Dwarakanth Thakur went to England, the society was steeped in superstition. Ignoring many obstacles, they had to go abroad. Later many had to endure different social atrocities for going abroad. They used to be motivated by patriotism by travelling abroad. The Bengalees love to travel. Travelling from one end of the country to the other, they try to get to know the way of life of those places in detail. They brought from abroad the oriental way of life and sympathy for the oppressed countries. Travel - literature began to be published as a result of these travelling in the 19th century. Here, the contribution of women as well as men were in no way less. For women's education, women's progress, Krishna Bhavini Das had contributed much. She also made attempts to educate girls, standing by them. She went to England with her husband Devendranath Das, leaving her only child daughter Tilottama. There in 1885, she published ‘Englande Banga Mahila’ under the pseudonym ‘Banga Mahila’. Feelings for homeland of a 19th century Bengalee woman is revealed in the book. In this book, she praised the English people for the liberation and improvement of her country. The discussion about the good and bad of the English nation, customs and policies of it, brought up the sorrows and sufferings of our own country. A deep love for the country has emerged in this book. The book has total twenty chapters. Each chapter has feelings and deep respect for the country. The patriotism of the Bengalee women in the 19th century is really commendable in this book.