Rabisarani

Rabindranath's nephew Balendranath takes the initiative to set up a Brahmavidyalaya in Santiniketan; construction of the school building begins.

Maharshi Debendranath Tagore donates Rs 5000/- for setup of the school Brahmavidyalaya at Santiniketan.

Maghotsav or 68th annual function of the Brahmasamaj celebrated. Songs composed by Rabindranath sung on the occasion.

• Nitya Satye Chintan Karo 23rd January, 1898

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• Ke Basile Aji Hridayasane 23rd January, 1898

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• Uthi Chalo Sudin Ailo 23rd January, 1898

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• Laho Laho Tuli Laho He Bhumitala Hote 23rd January, 1898

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Bharat Sangeet Samaj is founded at Jyoitirindranath's initiative; Rabindranath becomes a member of the Samaj.

Margaret Noble (later chiefly known as Sister Nivedita) arrives in Kolkata.

Rabindranath, Hirendranath Dutta, Subodh Chandra Mullick etc. send funds collected in Kolkata to Bombay for Tilak's defense.

The poet reads the poem Gandharir Abedan at a meeting held at the Calcutta University Institute and presided over by Dr. Gurudas Banerjee. A section of the press sees in the poem a veiled criticism of the draconian attitude of the British government as reflected in the Sedition Bill (Nindare koribo dhangso kanthorudha kori). Government decides to pass the Sedition Bill in the Central legislative Assembly on 18th February.

A protest meeting against Sedition Bill is convened in the Town Hall to protest the decision and appeal to the Viceroy to reconsider the decision.

Rabindranath reads the article Kanttharodh at the meeting held at Town hall (in protest against Sedition Bill) in which he states prophetically, among other things, "If it is not expressed verbally, anguish accumulates in the mind."

The annaprasana ceremony of the youngest child of Mrinalini and Rabindranath performed.

At the ceremonial inaugural meeting of the Ramakrishna Mission held at Star Theatre, Swami Vivekananda introduces Margaret Noble (later Nivedita) to the people of Kolkata. Later Rabindranath and Nivedita will get to know each other.

Maharaja Radhakishoredev Manikya of Tripura dines at Jorasanko; an old relationship is renewed by Rabindranath.

Satishchandra Mukherjee dies. He was the husband of Varnakumari, poet's elder sister.

Rabindranath and Balendranath go to see Ramendrasundar Trivedi at his Bowbazar residence.

Jagadish Chandra Bose delivers an address on Electro-Magnetic Radiation illustrated by experiments at University Institute. Rabindranath and Prafulla Chandra Roy are in the audience.

Vivekananda initiates Margaret Noble into Brahmhacharya and from now on she is known as Bhagini (sister) Nivedita.

Rabindranath buys a house in Puri. Unfortunately, however it will be sold off in 1905.

A literary session held at the Brahmasamaj Hall. It is a hilarious affair with noted performers Ardhendu Sekhar Mustafi and Akshoy Kumar Majumdar reciting two comic pieces (Nutan Abatar and Bini Paiser Bhoj) written by Rabindranath.

Rabindranath's son Rathindranath's Upanayana performed in Santiniketan in a big way.

Rabindranath hastens back to Calcutta (now Kolkata).

Rabindranath becomes editor of Bharati from April, 1898. After Sadhana, another opportunity now comes in his way to air his social and political views in public through this magazine. The April issue of Bharati contains five piecess by him including Durasha (short story), Dushamay (poem) and Kanttharodh (article). In this issue he also reviews Dineshchandra Sen's Bangabhasa o Sahitya in an article widely admired as path-breaking in its survey of Bengali literature. Dineshchandra Sen (1866-1939), eminent scholar of Bengali language & literature, gladly acknowledges the inspiration he owes to Rabindranath.

In the 'Alochana' section of the Bharati, Rabindranath praises the historian Akshayakumar Maitra for his essay on Sirajudaulla and comments, "The conditions that prevailed in the past are determined not only by events, but also by how people perceived them." This indicates his later approach to historiography.

Rabindranath writes to Ramendrasundar asking him to contribute to the magazine Bharati.

Rabindranath pays a brief visit to Shilaidaha.

Bangiya Pradeshik Sanmelan held in Dacca this year from 30th May to 1st June. Rabindranath attends and speaks in Bengali which does not go unnoticed. Pramatha Chowdhury also attends the conference.

Back in Shilaidaha Rabindranath writes to Mrinalini. The letter amply shows his anxious concern and deep affection, "Please don't be cross with me because I'm giving you a high-flown lecture full of grand words…I wish to see an intense and strong bond of affection, respect and easy cooperation grow between you and me so that the lucid peace and happiness of it transcends everything else...This is what hovers before my eyes as a temptation these days..." and promises to bring them over to Santiniketan.

In the 'Prasanga katha' section of the Jaistha (May-June) issue of the magazine, he is critical of the attitudes of the British Government in a way which contrasts rather sharply with the mealy-mouthed approach of the leadership.

Writes Matar Awbhan.

Rabindranath borrows Rs. 500/- from Loken Palit to fund the construction of his house in Jorasanko. He's already invested in Tagore & co.

Rabindranath celebrates Punnyaha in Shilaidaha.

The Ashad (June-July) issue contains Rabindranath's short story Detective and the great poem Varshamangal. In this issue also praises Ganpat Kashinath Mahatre's sculpture. Dwijendralal Roy's poem Nawadwip is favourably reviewed too.

From Shilaidaha, Rabindranath writes to Shibnath Sastri (1847-1919) asking him to contribute to Bharati.

The poet goes to Shilaidaha with family. Starts living in the new Kuthibari.

Rabindranath sets up a school at home to educate the children.

After setting up the school at home, Rabindranath engages an Englishman Mr. Lawrence to teach the children English.

Rabindranath engages Shibdhan Vidyarnab to teach the children Sanskrit in the newly setup school at home. He himself teaches them Bengali.

Friends now often visit Rabindranath at Shilaidaha – such as Akshayachandra, Lokendranath, Biharilal Gupta, Dwijendralal Roy, Jagadish Chandra Bose etc.

Thanks to Rabindranath's enthusiasm, Lawrence's birthday celebrated; children and local boys sumptuously feted.

Bhadra issue (August-September) of the magazine Bharati carries the short story Adhyapak and the caustic article Mukherji versus Banerji in which he ridicules the servility of the zamindars anxious to please the British.

Aswin issue (Sept-Oct) of the magazine Bharati carries a number of pieces by Rabindranath such as Coat ba Chapkan and Aparpaksher katha.

In the article Coat ba Chapkan published in the magazine Bharati, Rabindranath lays stress on the syncretic nature of Indian culture which blends both Hindu and Muslim elements and requires both of them in the making of the Indian nation. He will further develop this approach in the years ahead.

The Aswin (Sept-Oct) issue of the magazine Bharati also includes the story Rajtika by Rabindranath.

In the article Aparpaksher katha, published in the Aswin issue (Sept-Oct) of the magazine Bharati, Rabindranath takes to task the supine political leaders.

The Kartik issue (Oct-Nov) of the magazine Bharati includes the satirical article Ultra-conservative written by Rabindranath, which again pours ridicule and scorn on the landlords or zamindars who dominate organizations like The British Indian Association.

Rabindranath's eldest daughter Madhurilata's 13th birthday celebrated.

Maharshi Debendranath, finally leaves the rented house on Park Street and comes to spend his last years in the ancestral Jorasanko Mansion.

Rabindranath's son, Rathindranath's 11th birthday celebrated.

Agrahayan (Nov-Dec) issue of the magazine Bharati carries a number of pieces by Rabindranath.

Agrahayan (Nov-Dec) issue of the magazine Bharati carries the well-known story Mani-hara by Rabindranath.

The poet admires Dwijendralal's book Ashade in a review.

Rabindranath comes to Calcutta (now Kolkata) from Shilaidaha with family for a flying visit.

Attends the 8th annual Brahma function at Santiniketan. Akshayakumar Maitra accompanies him on this trip. Rabindranath delivers an address (Nirakar Upashana) in the evening session.

The poet is back in Calcutta (now Kolkata) the next day.

14th annual conference held in Madras (now Chennai). Anandamohan Bose presides.