NAME : Piyush Agrahari

ROLL NO : 14937
COURSE : BSc(H). Computer science

Discuss the women characters of the

novel Anandmath.
“Anandmath” is a Bengali historical novel written by Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhyay and published in 18821. The novel is set in the backdrop of the
Sannyasi Rebellion in the late 18th century. The women characters in the novel
play significant roles and are portrayed with depth and complexity. Here are the
main women characters:

1. Kalyani: Kalyani is one of the central female characters in the novel. The
story begins with Kalyani and her husband, Mahendra, who are stuck in
their village Padachinha during a famine. Kalyani is separated from her
husband and has to run through the forest with her infant to avoid
robbers1. She is taken to an ashram by a Hindu “Santana” named Jiban.
Kalyani wants to help her husband attain his dreams by trying to kill
herself, thereby relieving him of worldly duties.

2. Shanti/Navinananda: Shanti, the wife of Jeevananda, is a heroic

sanyasini3. She dons men’s clothes and when necessary wears
moustaches and a beard3. She is portrayed as an independent tomboyish
girl with great physical and mental fitness and a revolutionary attitude4.
She joins Anandamath as a freedom fighter and gets her new identity as
Navinananda, given to her by Satyananda.

These characters are not only integral to the plot but also represent the strength
and resilience of women during that period. They embody the spirit of sacrifice
and patriotism, which are central themes of the novel. Their characters also
reflect the changing roles and perceptions of women in society during that time.