Petition to Agitation (Bengal: 1857–1885)

Petition to Agitation (Bengal: 1857–1885)
Author: Manju Chattopadhyay
Publisher: K.P. Bagchi & Company
Edition: First Edition, 1985
Pages: 260
Binding: Hardcover
Size: 4 inch x 6.5 inch

Petition to Agitation (Bengal: 1857–1885) by Manju Chattopadhyay is a compelling and scholarly exploration of the crucial formative years in Bengal’s political consciousness under British colonial rule. Published by K.P. Bagchi & Company in 1985, this first edition hardcover spans 260 pages and offers a compact yet rich dive into the transformation of public political expression in colonial Bengal.

The book begins in the aftermath of the Revolt of 1857, a turning point that reshaped both British administrative policies and Indian perspectives on colonial authority. Chattopadhyay traces the trajectory of Bengal’s educated elite—initially cautious and respectful in tone—who began addressing the colonial government through petitions, demanding justice, representation, and social reforms. These petitions, though moderate, reflected a growing political maturity and an awareness of civil rights and responsibilities.

As the decades progressed, these polite appeals gradually gave way to more structured and confrontational forms of political activism. The book documents the rise of public meetings, organized protests, and associations that challenged British policies on education, taxation, and representation. Bengal’s unique blend of Western education and indigenous intellect created a powerful mix that not only questioned colonial injustice but also articulated early nationalist sentiment.

Through meticulous archival research, Chattopadhyay presents rare documents, editorials, and correspondence that reveal the nuanced voices of Bengal’s first generation of political actors. The work gives space to both prominent figures and lesser-known local activists, illuminating the collective spirit that would eventually feed into the Indian National Congress and the broader freedom struggle.

Compact in size (4 x 6.5 inches) but profound in content, this hardcover edition is ideal for historians, students of political science, and anyone interested in the roots of Indian nationalism. It captures the delicate shift from compliance to confrontation—marking a seminal phase in the history of resistance in colonial India.

• Explores Bengal’s political evolution from 1857 to 1885

• Focuses on the shift from petitions to organized political agitation

• Based on archival research with primary documents, editorials, and correspondence

• Highlights early nationalist sentiment and the formation of civil society

• Features both famous leaders and unsung voices in Bengal’s political history

• First edition hardcover, published in 1985 by K.P. Bagchi & Company

• Compact and scholarly, ideal for researchers, students, and collectors

• Essential for understanding the roots of the Indian independence movement