Bengali Optional Syllabus

The Bengali Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a preferred choice for candidates with a passion for Bengali literature and language. The syllabus covers a broad range of topics, including the historical development of the Bengali language, literary criticism, and the study of significant classical and modern texts. It also involves an exploration of Bengali poetry, prose, drama, and other literary forms. This subject is suitable for aspirants with a deep interest in Bengali literary traditions and cultural history. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Bengali Optional Syllabus

1. Topics from the History of Bangla language:

   1. The chronological track from Proto Indo-European to Bangla (Family tree with branches and approximate dates).
   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.
   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.
   7. Problems of standardization and reform of alphabet and spelling, and those of transliteration and Romanization.
   8. Phonology, Morphology and Syntax of Modern Bangla.
      (Sounds of Modern Bangla, Conjuncts; word formations, compounds; basic sentence patterns.)

2. 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.
   4. Evolution of various Middle Bangla forms ; Mangal Kavyas, Vaishnava lyrics, Adapted narratives (Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavata) and religious biographies.
   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.
   10. Fiction, major authors :
       Bankimchandra, Tagore, Saratchandra, Bibhutibhusan, Tarasankar, Manik.
   11. Women and Bangla literature : creators and created.

Paper II: Bengali Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Vaishnava Padavali – (Calcutta University)
      Poems of Vidyapati, Chandidas, Jnanadas, Govindadas and Balaramdas.
   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.

2. Section B:

   1. Raktakarabi – by Rabindranath Tagore.
   2. Nabajatak – by Rabindranath Tagore.
   3. Grihadaha – by Saratchandra Chatterjee.
   4. Prabandha Samgraha – Vol. 1, by Pramatha Choudhuri.
   5. Aranyak – by Bibhutibhusan Banerjee.
   6. Short stories – by Manik Bandyopadhyay : Atashi Mami, Pragaitihasik, Holud-Pora, Sarisrip, Haraner Natjamai, Chhoto-Bokulpurer Jatri, Kustharogir Bou, Jakey Ghush Ditey Hoy.
   7. Shrestha Kavita – by Jibanananda Das.
   8. Jagori – by Satinath Bhaduri.
   9. Ebam Indrajit – by Badal Sircar.