Born on June 27, 1838, in Kanthalpara village, Bengal Presidency, Bankimchandra Chatterjee belonged to an educated family. He obtained a degree in law in 1869 and was soon appointed as the Deputy Magistrate. A key figure in literary renaissance of Bengal, Chatterjee wrote a number of novels, essays, and poems. His first novel, Durgeshnandini, was published in March 1865. His other major works include Kapalkundala (1866), Mrinalini (1869), Vishabriksha (1873), Indira (1873, revised 1893), Jugalanguriya (1874), Radharani (1876, enlarged 1893), Chandrasekhar (1877), Rajani (1877), Rajsimha (1882), Anandamath (1882), Devi Chaudhrani (1884), and Sitaram (1887). Chatterjee breathed his last on April 8, 1894. He continues to be remembered for his literary achievements and social service.