“Inspiring Yet Challenging Journey in Amar Jiban” explores the remarkable life of Rassundari Devi, one of the first female writers in Bengali literature. This autobiography, written in the 19th century, highlights the struggles and triumphs of a woman determined to gain literacy and self-expression in a time when such aspirations were rare for women. The narrative details her inner resilience and the challenges she faced while balancing the roles of a wife, mother, and writer. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of self-empowerment, making it an inspiring yet challenging journey in the annals of Indian literature.
Table of Contents
Introductory Note to “Amar Jiban”
About the Book
“Amar Jiban” is an important book written by Rassundari Devi. It was published in two parts. The first part has sixteen short writings called rachanas. The second part was released in 1906 and contains fifteen rachanas.
Devotional Poems
Each writing starts with a special poem dedicated to her favorite god, Dayamadhav, who is a part of the Vaishnav tradition. These poems show her deep devotion and love for her god.
Translations
The book was originally written in Bengali. Later, it was translated into English with the title “My Life.” The translation was done by Enakshi Chatterjee in 1999. The original introductions were written by well-known authors, Jyotirindranath Tagore and Dinesh Chandra Sen.
Rassundari Devi: A Pioneer of Autobiography
Life Events
Rassundari Devi became a widow at the age of 59 in 1868. The next year, she wrote and published the first version of her autobiography called “Amar Jiban,” which means “My Life.” Although some believe it was published in 1875, she later added more stories to a second version in 1897 when she was 88 years old. The famous writer Jyotirindranath Tagore wrote a preface for this edition.
Recognition and Influence
Sadly, Rassundari is not mentioned in many histories of literature, and there is little known about her death. She lived away from the busy city of Calcutta, which was the center of culture in Bengal. Despite this, she is recognized as the first person to write an autobiography in Bengal at a time when this kind of writing was new.
Cultural Context
Rassundari wrote in beautiful Bangla, and her stories showed the changing lives of women in rural Bengal. While she followed many traditional customs expected of Hindu housewives, her writing itself was a bold step. Women were often not allowed to write, so by sharing her life story, she was taking a brave step toward freedom and showing that women could express themselves too.
Summary of “Amar Jiban”
A Scared Little Girl’s Boat Ride
Between the years 1821 and 1823, a 12-year-old girl woke up on a boat. She was surrounded by strangers she didn’t know, and this made her feel very scared. She missed her family a lot—her mother, brothers, and friends. The strangers tried to comfort her, but their kind words only made her feel even more sad. As she thought of her family, she couldn’t stop crying. The boat ride made her feel sick, and she was frightened. So, she prayed to God, just like her mother had taught her.
“All she could think of were her mother, her brothers, other relatives, playmates, neighbours, none of whom were present.”
A New Family, A New Home
The reason she was on the boat was that she had just gotten married the day before. This girl was dressed in her new wedding clothes and being taken from her home, called “baper bari,” to her husband’s home in a village named Ramdia. This was called her “sasurbari,” which means the home of her in-laws. The boat was full of people from her husband’s family who were taking her to her new home. This journey was common for young girls back then, even though it made them feel lonely and scared.
“The boat was bringing her from her parental home, her baper bari, in a village called Potajia, to another village called Ramdia.”
Who Was This Girl?
The girl’s name was Rassundari Debi. She grew up to be a very special woman because she wrote about her life in a book called Amar Jiban (which means “My Life”). In this book, she shared her experiences and feelings, describing what it was like to grow up as a girl in Bengal during the 19th century.
“Her name was Rassundari Debi… This was what made this particular story unique: that it was a tale told by Rassundari of her own life.”
Why Rassundari’s Story Matters
Rassundari’s book was very important because it was the first time an Indian woman wrote an autobiography in the Bengali language. She shared what life was like for girls and women in those days, how they had to leave their homes, and the challenges they faced. Rassundari’s story became the voice for many women who never had the chance to share their own stories.
Her Strong Faith in God
Throughout her life, Rassundari always felt close to God. She believed that God gave her the strength to face all the difficulties in her life. In her book, she often started with a prayer, hoping that God would help her find the right words. Rassundari prayed to Saraswati, the goddess of learning and wisdom, so that she could write well and share her thoughts.
“She began the whole story with an invocation to Saraswati, goddess of learning and wisdom.”
A Brave and Special Woman
Rassundari Debi’s story is not just about her own life but also about the lives of many girls and women like her. By writing her story, she gave a voice to those who could not speak up. Her life shows us how strong and brave she was, even when life was difficult.
Rassundari Learns About Her Father
When Rassundari Debi was just four years old, her father passed away. Since she was so young, she didn’t even know she had a father. She always thought of herself as just her mother’s daughter. One day, she heard her uncle mention her father’s name, Padmalochan Rai. This made her feel very sad and confused because she never knew she had a father before that.
Discovering Her Father’s Death
Rassundari asked her aunt (whom she called “pishi”) where her father had gone. That’s when she learned that her father was no longer alive. This was her first experience learning about death, which made her feel scared. Her mother had always told her that whenever she felt afraid, she should pray to their family’s god, Dayamadhav.
Rassundari’s Faith in Dayamadhav
Rassundari believed that Dayamadhav could protect them. One time, when their house caught on fire, she stood with her brothers by the riverbank, scared and calling out to Dayamadhav. A kind neighbor saw them and helped them return home. Rassundari thought this man was Dayamadhav in human form. Later, her mother explained that God is everywhere and helps people in many ways.
Learning in Secret
When she was eight years old, Rassundari was allowed to sit in a boys’ school near her house, but she wasn’t allowed to learn. The teacher was an Englishwoman, and Rassundari watched the boys write Bengali letters on the ground. In secret, she began to teach herself how to write. But when their house caught fire again, she couldn’t go near the school anymore.
Learning Household Skills
Even though Rassundari wasn’t encouraged to study, she was allowed to learn how to do household work. She spent time at a relative’s home where she learned to cook and do chores. She enjoyed learning new things in secret. When her family found out about her skills, they were very happy.
Preparing for Marriage
Rassundari’s first twelve years were mostly happy, even though she sometimes felt scared. When she turned twelve, her family began talking about her marriage. In those days, all girls got married at a young age, so she knew it was her turn. Rassundari felt both excited and nervous. She looked forward to the celebrations but was also afraid because she had to leave her home.
Leaving for Her New Home
After the wedding, Rassundari had to leave her mother’s home. She begged her mother to let her stay, but it was time for her to go to her new life with her husband’s family. As she left, everyone cried—her mother, brothers, uncles, and aunts. Rassundari cried too, and she eventually fell asleep in the palanquin, a special carriage. When she woke up, she was on a boat, surrounded by people she didn’t know.
A Loving New Family
When she reached her new home, Rassundari was surprised to find that her new family treated her very kindly. Her mother-in-law took care of her as if she were her own daughter. This helped Rassundari feel less lonely, and she even made new friends in her new home. They gave her toys, and neighborhood girls came to play with her.
Remembering Her Happy Times
When Rassundari looked back at her early days in her new home, she felt grateful for the love and care she received. Her sisters-in-law were especially kind to her, which was rare for those times. They treated her like their own sister, and Rassundari always respected their advice.
A New Life at Her Husband’s Home
As time went on, Rassundari began to see her new home as her real home. Her husband’s family became her family, and she grew closer to them. She didn’t think as much about her old home with her mother and brothers, except for remembering her mother’s love. Rassundari’s story is special because she wrote about these feelings in her book, something that many women couldn’t do during that time.
Why Rassundari’s Story Matters
Rassundari Debi’s story is important because it shows what life was like for girls in those days. By writing down her life story, she gave a voice to many other girls and women who had similar experiences but couldn’t share them. Her story is not just about her life but also reflects the stories of many others.
Becoming the Head of the House
Rassundari, a child-bride, gradually became the leader of her household. After her mother-in-law became blind due to typhoid, it was Rassundari’s responsibility to take care of her and manage the large family. This meant taking care of many duties, like feeding everyone, taking care of guests, and offering prayers to their family deity. This work was not easy. She had to be strong and patient through it all.
Managing the Household Alone
Though Rassundari’s in-laws were rich, with around twenty-five household helpers, most worked outside, leaving only one to assist her in the house. Since her husband had no brothers, she had no sisters-in-law to share the work with. She had to handle everything, from cooking and cleaning to taking care of her sick mother-in-law. Her daily routine started early in the morning and ended late at night, making her life very tiring.
“In effect, she was on her own. She was a cook and housemaid—and nursemaid to her mother-in-law—rolled into one.”
The Challenges of Motherhood
Over twenty-three years, Rassundari gave birth twelve times, suffering from the pain of losing five sons and one daughter. Even though some children passed away young, Rassundari found comfort in the fact that her surviving children were good and did not trouble her. She continued to work tirelessly, feeding, bathing, and caring for them. Many days, she couldn’t even find time to eat until she had served everyone else, including her husband.
Her Husband’s Role in Her Life
Rassundari’s husband played a role in her life, but as a good Hindu wife, she never mentioned his name. She called him “master” and described him as a kind and respectable man. He worked outside the home, had a horse, and was respected in their community. Even though he cared for her, Rassundari felt shy and humble around him.
Inspiring Yet Challenging Journey in Amar Jiban
Reflecting on Gender and Education
Even before her marriage, Rassundari knew that girls in her time were not allowed to go to school. She secretly watched boys learn the alphabet and taught herself to read and write, even though no one knew about it. This secret learning made her dream of a world where girls could also study.
Feeling Trapped in Her Marriage
Rassundari often compared her early married life to a trapped bird, much like the bird in a cage. Even though her new family treated her kindly, she felt like she lost her freedom after marriage. She expressed that she felt like a goat being led to the sacrificial altar, showing her sadness at being unable to make her own choices.
“I was like a caged bird. And I would have to remain in the cage for life.”
Finding Ways to Cope
In her early married life, when she wasn’t yet burdened with many responsibilities, Rassundari tried to keep herself busy by making sweet molds or clay figures. These small activities helped her deal with the emptiness she felt. She did not share much about her early relationship with her husband, but she eventually took on the role of managing the household.
A Thought to Read Books
At just fourteen, Rassundari had a surprising thought: she wanted to read books. This desire was seen as wrong for girls during her time, making her feel afraid. Girls were not allowed to read, and she knew this very well. But she longed for the ability to read religious books, especially because she believed reading would bring her closer to God.
“The idea that I should learn how to read books.”
“These days women are becoming famous and men seem good for nothing.”
A Secret Desire and a Prayer for Help
Rassundari was so scared of her own wish to read that she couldn’t even look at a written page openly. She kept her desire a secret, only sharing it with God. Her need to read grew stronger with time, making her feel troubled about how she could fulfill this wish. She even had dreams of reading a religious book, the Chaitanya Bhagavata.
A Hidden Opportunity
One day, Rassundari’s husband left the Chaitanya Bhagavata in the kitchen by accident. Seizing the chance, she hid a page from the book. To learn, she compared the letters she remembered with those on the palm leaves her son used for practicing writing. Slowly, she began to understand the letters, much like solving a secret code.
Reading in Secret
Even though her husband might not have minded her learning, Rassundari kept it a secret because of societal customs. She feared what others might think. Eventually, after practicing in secret, she managed to read the whole Chaitanya Bhagavata. This was a great achievement for her, though she could not yet write.
Learning to Write
Years later, her son insisted that she reply to his letters, which pushed her to learn writing. In her mid-fifties, while in Krishnagar with her husband for his eye treatment, she finally had more time to practice writing. She worked hard to master this new skill, turning her dream into reality.
“It was then that she finally learnt to write. The caged bird could now properly sing.”
Breaking the Barriers of Tradition
Rassundari’s fear of learning came from a common belief in her community. People thought that a woman learning to read and write could become a widow soon after marriage. These beliefs made it dangerous for her to express her desire openly. But by the time she was older, society had changed, and more women were learning and gaining recognition.
“These days, women are becoming famous.”
What makes Amar Jiban an inspiring yet challenging journey?
How did Rassundari Devi learn to read and write in Amar Jiban?
Why is Amar Jiban considered an important work in Indian literature?
What challenges did Rassundari Devi face in writing Amar Jiban?
How does Amar Jiban reflect the role of women in 19th-century Bengal?
Inspiring Yet Challenging Journey in Amar Jiban
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