Behar Bagi Banduk

Author: Tarun Kumar Bhaduri

Genre: Historical Novel

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 9788170669609

Pages: 352

Weight: 424 grams

Book Description:

"Behar Bagi Banduk" is an extraordinary account of the dacoit-infested Chambal valley, where the landscape is ruled by rebellious outlaws wielding guns. This book, a follow-up to the author's earlier groundbreaking work, "Abhishapta Chambal", delves deeper into the dacoits of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Tarun Kumar Bhaduri sheds new light on:
✔ The dark realities of bandit life in the rugged terrain of Chambal.
✔ The social and political circumstances that force ordinary people into outlawed existence.
✔ The fascinating lives of legendary female dacoits—Pootli, Hasina Kom, and Phoolan Devi.

Through extensive research and personal interactions, the author uncovers the hidden stories behind these feared women. Were they truly born criminals? Or were they pushed to rebellion by oppression and injustice?

He meticulously examines police records, traces their past lives, and reveals the raw emotions, betrayal, and survival instincts that drove them into the ruthless world of dacoity.

• In 1960, Vinoba Bhave arrived in Chambal with the torch of peace, urging dacoits to surrender.
• In 1972, Jayaprakash Narayan followed, inspiring waves of surrenders.
• Yet, despite these efforts, the curse of Chambal never faded. New dacoits emerge, new gangs form, and new guns take up the old fight.

This thrilling and deeply researched account offers a rare glimpse into the raw and untamed world of Chambal’s bandits—where truth is stranger than fiction.

Key Themes:

• The rise and fall of dacoit legends
• The intersection of crime, power, and survival
• The tragic stories of women in the world of dacoity
• The failed attempts to eradicate Chambal’s bandit culture

About the Author:

Tarun Kumar Bhaduri (b. July 10, 1924) was a renowned journalist, author, and freedom fighter.

• Early Life & Education:

  • Born in Krishnanagar, Bengal.
  • Studied in Delhi, Nagpur, Jabalpur, and Bilaspur.

• Career:

  • Active participant in the Indian freedom movement.
  • Wrote extensively for Desh magazine.
  • Spent years investigating the lives of dacoits.
  • Served as a journalist for The Statesman.

• Famous Works:

  • "Abhishapta Chambal" (translated into multiple languages and adapted into films).
  • "Sandhyadeeper Shikha" (adapted into a movie).
  • "His Highness" and "Bilkis Begum" (one turned into a successful play).

• Personal Life:

  • Married Indira Bhaduri, a prominent social worker.
  • Father of Jaya Bachchan, actress and politician.

• Awards & Recognition:

  • Yugantar Award (1983) by the All India Bengali Literary Conference.

A master storyteller, Bhaduri’s gripping narrative combines real-life events, deep psychological insights, and historical depth, making Behar Bagi Banduk an unmissable read for history and crime enthusiasts.