Examine the contribution of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay in the field of literary activities

(i) Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay was one of the earliest and greatest novelists of Bengal.
(ii) His first novel 'Durgesh Nandini’ proved that writing novel had reached an excellence under Bankim.
(iii) Another of his great works ‘Anandamath’ had a great impact on the mind of the Bengalis as well as on Indians as it inspired the people with nationalism.
(iv) Besides writing other social novels, Bankim encouraged various literary activities. Often he would host a ‘Jatra’ or open air theatre in his courtyard where family members would be gathered. In his room a group of literary friends regularly gathered to read, discuss and judge literary works.
(v) The prose style introduced by Bankim became a new object of enjoyment. Language used in his novels was relished by the readers. Bankim’s prose was Sanskritised but also contained a more vernacular style.