Bhartendu Harishchandra Biography
Bharatendu Harishchandra was born into a reputed Vaishya family of Kashi in 9 September 1850. His father, Babu Gopalachandra Giridhardas, was a famous poet of Braj Bhasha. He was deprived of the happiness of parents at the age of 10 in childhood.
Bhartendu Harishchandra Wiki
Full Name | Babu Bhartendu Harishchandra |
Occupation | Poet, Writer, Novelist |
Date of Birth | 9 September 1850 |
Place of Birth | Kashi, Uttar Pradesh |
Father Name | Babu Gopalachandra Giridhardas |
Died | 6 January 1885 (aged 34) |
Place of Death | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
Reason of Death | Tuberculosis |
Bharatendu Harishchandra Education
Harishchandra ji’s early education took place at home, where he studied Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and English. After this he took admission in Queen’s College to get education, but due to his interest in poetry, his mind was able to study and as a result he left the college soon.

Marriage Life
Bharatendu Harishchandra ji was married at small age of 13. His wife’s name was Manno Devi, who was also young. Along with keeping poetic interest, his interest was also in traveling. Whenever he found some free time, he would go on trips.
Bharatendu ji started doing poetic compositions in the same period. He used Braj language in his compositions. After a while, Bharatendu’s attention was drawn towards Hindi prose, at that time there was no definite language in Hindi prose. Harishchandra ji’s attention was drawn to this lack, at this time Bangla prose literature was in advanced stage. Bhartendu ji translated the Bengali drama Vidyasagar (Hindi) into Hindi and planted the new form of Hindi language using common colloquial words.
Literary contribution
The year 1868 AD In the year Bhartendu started editing a magazine called Kavi-vachan-sudha. Five years later, in the year 1873, he started editing another magazine Harishchandra magazine. After publishing the magazine was named Harishchandra Patrika. The real form of Hindi prose came to light through this magazine. And this magazine is credited for giving Hindi prose a new look.

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Bhartendu ji started using the common colloquial words by removing complex words from Hindi to Sanskrit and Urdu-Persian etc. For this reason, Hindi got a new form and this language got combined with the general sentiments.
Bharatendu Harishchandra ji composed prose in various genres like drama, essay and travelogue. All contemporary writers considered him as their ideal. And used to get directions from them. Bhartenduji created a new consciousness through his compositions based on social, political, and nationalistic feelings.
Impressed by his talent, then journalists accepted his literary contribution by honoring him with the title of Bhartendu in the year 1880.
Bhartendu ji was a very generous man. Due to his generosity, his financial condition soon became miserable and he became indebted. In due course of time, he get a disease TB. He took all possible measures to get rid of tuberculosis, but he could not get rid of this disease, and for this reason he died in the year 1885. He was just 35 when he died. Hindi literature will always be indebted to him for the service he did in his short life.
Compositions of Bhartendu Harishchandra
Poems | Essay | Drama | Journals |
Bhagat Sarvagya | Bharatendu Granthawali | Sahitya Harishchandra | Kavivachan Sudha |
Prem Fulwari | Bharat durdasha | Balabodhini Patrika | |
Prem Srowar | Chandrawali | Harish Chandra | |
Prem Tarang | Vaidik Hinsa Hinsa Na Bhavati | Chandrika | |
Holi | Satya Harishchandra | Hagwadbhaktitoshini | |
Prem Pralap | Shri Chandrawali | ||
Varsha Vinod | Prem Yogini | ||
Raag Sangraah | Neeldevi | ||
Madhu Mukul | Andher Nagari | ||
Danlila | Mudra Rakshas | ||
Raag Sangraah | Dhananjay Vijay |
His place in Hindi literature
Bhartendu Harishchandra made his invaluable contribution in the field of Hindi language and Hindi literature. It is because of his invaluable contribution in the field of literature that he is called the father of modern Hindi prose literature – the creator literature and the promoter of modern Hindi literature. In Indian literature, he is known as Yugadrashta, the messenger of Yuga-Jagaran and an Yuga-Purush.
In the history of Hindi literature, the period from 1868 to 1900 is known as Bharenntukaal after his name.