UPSC CSE Mains · Optional Subject
Bengali Literature
The Bangla language and its rich literary tradition — history, criticism and prescribed texts.
Paper I
250marks
3 hours each
Paper II
250marks
3 hours each
Optional total
500marks
Counts toward the Mains merit
Paper I syllabus
250 marks · 3 hours
[Answers must be written in Bengali]
Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language
- 2. Historical stages of Bangla (Old, Middle, New) and their linguistic features.
- 3. Dialects of Bangla and their distinguishing characteristics.
- 4. Elements of Bangla Vocabulary.
- 5. Forms of Bangla Literary Prose—Sadhu and Chalit.
Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and approximate dates).
Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 6. Processes of language change relevant for Bangla
- Apinihiti (Anaptyxis), Abhishruti (umlaut), Murdhanyibhavan (cerebralization), Nasikyibhavan (Nasalization), Samibhavan (Assimilation), Sadrishya (Analogy), Svaragama (Vowel insertion) —Adi Svaragama, Madhya Svaragama or Svarabhakti, Antya Svaragama, Svarasangati (Vowel harmony), y—shruti and w—shruti.
Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 7. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and
- Romanization.
Section A : Topics from the History of Bangla language: 8. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla.
Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.
- 1. Periodization of Bangla Literature : Old Bangla and Middle Bangla.
- 2. Points of difference between modern and pre-modern Bangla Literature.
- 3. Roots and reasons behind the emergence of modernity in Bangla Literature.
- 5. Secular forms in middle Bangla literature.
- 6. Narrative and lyric trends in the nineteenth century Bangla poetry.
- 7. Development of prose.
- 8. Bangla dramatic literature (nineteenth century, Tagore, Post-1944 Bangla drama).
- 9. Tagore and post-Tagoreans.
- 11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.
Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.: 4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives
- (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.
Section B : Topics from the History of Bangla Literature.: 10. Fiction, major authors
- Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik).
Paper II syllabus
250 marks · 3 hours
[Answers must be written in Bengali]
Section A
- 2. Chandimangal Kalketu episode by Mukunda (Sahitya Akademi).
- 3. Chaitanya Charitamrita, Madhya Lila by Krishnadas Kaviraj (Sahitya Akademi).
- 4. Meghnadbadh Kavya by Madhusudan Dutta.
- 5. Kapalkundala by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
- 6. Samya and Bangadesher Krishak by Bankimchandra Chatterjee.
- 7. Sonar Tari by Rabindranath Tagore.
- 8. Chhinnapatravali by Rabindranath Tagore.
Section A: 1. Vaishnava Padavali (Calcutta University)
- Poems of Vidyapati, Chandidas, Jnanadas, Govindadas and Balaramdas.
Section B
- 9. Raktakarabi by Rabindranath Tagore.
- 10. Nabajatak by Rabindranath Tagore.
- 11. Grihadaha by Saratchandra Chatterjee.
- 12. Prabandha Samgraha, Vol. 1, by Pramatha Choudhuri.
- 13. Aranyak by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.
- 15. Shrestha Kavita by Jibanananda Das.
- 16. Jagori by Satinath Bhaduri.
- 17. Ebam Indrajit by Badal Sircar.
Section B: 14. Short stories by Manik Bandyopadhyay : Atashi Mami, Pragaitihasik, Holud-Pora, Sarisrip,
- Haraner Natjamai, Chhoto-Bokulpurer Jatri, Kustharogir Bou, Jakey Ghush Ditey Hoy.
Syllabus as per the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination notification. Topic-wise study notes for Bengali Literature are being added — check back soon.