Question

Sarmistha (1859) holds the distinction of being:

• A. The first Bengali novel
• B. The first Bengali play
• C. The first Bengali poem
• D. The first Bengali drama

Answer 1

Answer:

B. The first Bengali play

• Sarmistha holds its place in history because it marked Dutt's successful entry into Bengali literature.

• The play is based on a story from the Mahabharata and was notable for its use of blank verse, a revolutionary metrical form Dutt introduced to Bengali poetry.