Originally published in 1948 and reissued in 1976, this book discusses the history of Bengali literature until the end of the nineteenth century. Although the twentieth century is not included the book culminates with a section on Rabindranath Tagore, in view of his importance as the first non-European Nobel Prize Winner for literature. In dealing with the literature of Bengal, the author gives special attention on the religious movements, and the political and social forces to which it is related.