A History Of Sriniketan: Rabindranath Tagores Pioneering Work In Rural Reconstruction (H.B)

Book Details

• Publisher: Niyogi Books

• Author: Uma Das Gupta

• Language: English

• Edition: First Edition

• ISBN: 9789391125448

• Pages: 236

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches

About the Book

“A History of Sriniketan” by Uma Das Gupta delves into the inspiring journey of Rabindranath Tagore’s pioneering efforts in rural reconstruction through the establishment of Sriniketan, a centre for rural development, as a part of his Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan in 1922. The book explores Tagore’s vision of making the impoverished rural communities economically independent by implementing scientific agricultural methods and fostering creativity through the revival of traditional rural arts and crafts.

Tagore’s interest in rural reform began when he first went to manage his family’s agricultural estates in East Bengal during the 1890s. This firsthand experience of the suffering and struggles of rural life had a profound impact on him, transforming him from a thinker into a man of action. His initiative to set up Sriniketan aimed at improving the condition of the peasantry, with a focus on collective efforts between experts and peasants, working together through laboratory experiments to improve cultivation techniques.

To bring his ideas to fruition, Tagore sent his eldest son, Rathindranath, to the USA to study agriculture, and invited the renowned agriculturist Leonard Knight Elmhirst to stay in Sriniketan. The initiative not only sought to uplift the rural economy but also aimed at providing artistic outlets for the rural communities, creating a platform for both economic and cultural recovery.

Tagore’s approach was groundbreaking at the time, as he believed that rural improvement should not wait for the political independence of India. His independent and forward-thinking philosophy set him apart from the mainstream Nationalist Movement, allowing him to work outside of conventional frameworks. A History of Sriniketan is a rich exploration of one of Tagore’s most significant contributions to rural India and a testament to his enduring legacy of social change and self-reliance.