1880 · New edition

Bengal Peasant Life

Being a New Edition of Govinda Samanta; or, The History of a Bengal Raiyat

Lal Behari Day

A pioneering Indian English novel and ethnographic portrait of the social and domestic life of rural Bengal.

Among the earliest substantial works of fiction in English by an Indian author, combining narrative, social observation and reformist concern.

Publication

London, 1880

Language

English

Format

Octavo

Completeness

Title page present; pagination and preliminary leaves remain to be verified.

Condition

The title page shows scattered spotting, marginal ownership inscriptions and light handling marks; the binding and remainder of the text await inspection.

Provenance

Early ownership inscriptions on the title page; names are not fully legible from the supplied photograph.

Rarity

The work first appeared as Govinda Samanta in 1874 and under the retitled form Bengal Peasant Life in 1878; this is an early lifetime printing.

Status

Available