Author:

Ritriban Chakraborty
PhD Scholar
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
Mandi, Himachal Pradesh

Email: chakrabortyritriban@gmail.com

Abstract:: Abstract:The Bangal-Ghoti dichotomy represents a longstanding cultural rivalry within the
Bengali context, particularly manifesting in Calcutta. The terms ‘Bangals’ and ‘Ghotis’ denote
the residents of eastern and western Bengal, respectively. These identities have historically been
saturated with particular behavioural traits and stereotypes that emerged prominently in the late
19th and early 20th centuries. Literary analyses reveal that such stereotypes were not merely
coincidental but were deeply rooted in the socio-cultural landscape of colonial Bengal. This
paper seeks to elucidate the historical contexts that nurtured these stereotypes, scrutinising the
interplay between modern high culture and rustic popular culture in shaping Ghoti and Bangal
identities. To this end, I focus on the late 19th-century text ‘Sadhabar Ekadashi’ as a case study
to explore and dissect the contrasting behavioural traits and societal expectations ascribed to
‘Bangals’ and ‘Kolkattais’. Additionally, this analysis will encompass the broader societal
conditions prevailing during the period, facilitating a nuanced understanding of how these
caricatures of identity were constructed and propagated. Through this examination, I aim to
contribute to the discourse surrounding cultural identity and regionalism in colonial Bengal.

Key Words::Bangal-Ghoti Contestation, Kolkattai, Urban-rustic, Valorisation etc.