Exploration of Nationalistic Consciousness in Bankim Chandra Chatterji’s Anandamath

Abstract

Bankim Chandra Chatterji provokes nationalistic consciousness in his novel Anandamath by setting in the historical background of Indian political context. Nationalism is a collective feeling of the people principally characterized by a common descent, language, culture, religion and civilization. The nationalists expect their own model of ruling and sovereignty of the country to make its independent future and fortunes. In this regard the novel contains anti-British sentiments in Indian public. Nationalism in modern history has been taken as a paramount for the realization of social, economic, and cultural aspirations of the people. The inspiring mantra 'Vande Mataram' provoked millions of Indians to raise their voice against the foreigner’s ruling in India. But the foreigner’s presence in India devastated and aggravated economic, social, political and cultural aspirations of the people. The united voice of the Indian people arose to challenge the foreign domination. The novel explores all these nationalistic principles to counter the colonial rule in India by raising the consciousness of nationalism in the citizens