Riot is a short story by Bimal Chowdhary.

1. Riot
~Bimal Chowdhary
Translated from Bengali by Subhrajyoti
Bhattacharya
Prepared by
Shubhangi Gupta

2. Background
•Pre- Independence Setting
•Story evolves around Narayangunj and Dhaka
•Communal Tensions but not a specific Riot as such

3. Setting of the Story
• Rainy days , Dark and dingy setting. “Inclement
Weather”
“It was Raining continuously , sometimes heavily
sometimes in drizzles . The Landscape wore a
blurred look with the sky overhead taking on
darker hues with every passing minute.”
• Communal Riots happening in the parts of Dhaka
• Hatred between Muslim and Hindu

4. • The story begins with the protagonist Makbul catching the train to Dhaka from
Narayanganj while the rainfall is at it’s peak.
• Makbul’s parents are back after a two year visit from the West and he is eager to
meet them, especially his mother, whom he refers to as Amma.
• He found a seat close to one of the window and witnessed the calmness and
serenity of the river Buriganga on one side and the paddy fields and chirping of
birds on the other.
• He slowly dozed off and sweet dreams of his Amma seeped into his unconscious
mind when he was suddenly woken up by a stranger, asking for a matchbox.
Summary

5. • The stranger asked him about his whereabouts to which
Makbul got irritated and retorted. The stranger showing his concern said “ I heard
Dhaka is in turmoil”
• The train stopped at Ganderia station, the rain had not stopped yet so no soul
could be seen near or far away the from the station. He got off the train to move
towards the town and witnessed a tin tea shop which was closed. The town had
lost it’s usual charm.
• He passed a few houses and overheard a conversation from one of them and a
shudder ran down his spine, his blood froze.
• He jumped into the nearest pond to hide himself and save his life which he
thought was at the mercy of Allah in such a Hindu dominated place.
Summary

6. • He overheard the people saying that six muslims and eight hindus were killed the
same day.
• He took refuge under a banyan tree.With death looming large over him he was taken
back to one of his childhood days when he was out boating with is Amma in a
beautiful lake like the one he was hiding in.
• He could overhear the conversation from the tea shop where talks about a riot were
going on which they said will lead to no good. They blamed the Britishers for creating
a conflict between the hindus and the muslims.
• They were interrupted by the leader of the community Maina who was bubblin g with
anger for the fact that eight hindus against six muslims have been killed. He was put
on taking revenge.
Summary

7. • There was a disagreement among the men discussing about who to blame the riots
for.
• While these discussions were going on someone informed them about Makbul’s
presence in the village.
• This in turn fuelled Maina’s anger beyond no bounds and he ordered his men to go
around the village and look for him.
• Makbul, who was presently hiding for his life regretted not paying heed to the
stranger he met on the train journey.
• He closed his eyes and blocked his mind and remained in that state for a long time
only to see a small healthy looking boy of three or four coming inside the pond.
Summary

8. • The boy started approaching the danger zone and soon started drowning.
• Maina’s men were close looking for him. Makbul seeing the boy in that state was
determined on saving him and he did so.
• The boy’s mother came running and so did Maina and his men. Makbul told the
mother that the child was just scared at the sudden turn of events.
• Maina came and stood facing Makbul, he took the dagger in his hand, threw it in the
river and locked Makbul in his arms.
Summary

9. Analysis and Themes
• Power
• Conflict between Religion and Humanity
• Reflective Memories
• Security & Threat
• Conflict between Makbul and Maina’s character
• Comparison between the Child and Makbul
• Identity – Denting in “I”
• Crisis to Choices