Look Inside

Devrani Jethani Ki Kahani or A Tale of Two Sisters-in-Law

$61
FREE Delivery
Quantity
Delivery Usually ships in 3 days
Item Code: HAN902
Author: Gauri Datt
Publisher: Primus Books, Delhi
Language: English
Edition: 2022
ISBN: 9789391144579
Pages: 436
Cover: HARDCOVER
Other Details 9x6 inch
Weight 548 gm
Book Description

About The Book

Pandit Gauri Datt's Devrani Jethani ki Kahani or A Story of Two Sisters-in-Law (1870) is often considered the first novel in Hindi. This sparsely written story, in deceptively simple but elegant prose, follows the fortunes of an Agarwal merchant family in the north Indian town of Meerut, then under colonial rule. Gauri Datt introduces us to a colourful and carefully calibrated canvas of characters in which the family's two daughters-in-law remain the focus of interest. Following a familiar pattern, only one of them is virtuous, skilled and literate. The novel acknowledges the large extended family's aspirations for social mobility, reform and modernity, while capturing the swiftly transforming everyday and ritual life of merchant communities. The novel will be of interest to scholars and students of South Asian literature and to historians of language, education, modernity, caste and gender.

About the Author

 

Pandit Gauri Datt's Devrani Jethani ki Kahani or A Story of Two Sisters-in-Law (1870) is often considered the first novel in Hindi. This sparsely written story, in deceptively simple but elegant prose, follows the fortunes of an Agarwal merchant family in the north Indian town of Meerut, then under colonial rule. Gauri Datt introduces us to a colourful and carefully calibrated canvas of characters in which the family's two daughters-in-law remain the focus of interest. Following a familiar pattern, only one of them is virtuous, skilled and literate. The novel acknowledges the large extended family's aspirations for social mobility, reform and modernity, while capturing the swiftly transforming everyday and ritual life of merchant communities. The novel will be of interest to scholars and students of South Asian literature and to historians of language, education, modernity, caste and gender.

 

Introduction

 

THE EVOLUTION OF Hindi literature in nineteenth-century colonial north India is often associated with the cities of Benares, Allahabad, Delhi, Agra and Patna. While the focus on these urban centres and their literary public spheres is certainly justified, it has obscured the fact that much literary activity in Hindi at the time took place in the small provincial towns that are spread across the Gangetic plains in what is today the state of Uttar Pradesh. Situated 60 km north-east of Delhi, between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the ancient town of Meerut is one such place. It was in this town, in the year 1870, that Pandit Gauri Datt wrote Devrani Jethani ki Kahani, 'A Story of Two Sisters-in- Law', a landmark work of realist fiction that holds special importance as the first venture into novel-writing in Hindi literary history.

 

Devrani Jethani ki Kahani may be read on multiple levels as a social document depicting the life and aspirations of a north Indian middle-class family of the Agarwal merchant community; as an early experiment in novel-writing and literary realism; as an advice manual for women in narrative form; as a reformist and didactic work championing female education; or as a linguistic document revealing an early stage in the evolution of Modern Standard Hindi (MSH).

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at help@exoticindia.com
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through help@exoticindia.com.
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy