Nivedita Lokmata 2 by Shankari Prasad Basu [Hardcover]

Margaret Noble, known to history as Sister Nivedita, played a monumental role in India’s cultural and political awakening—yet many aspects of her contributions remain undiscovered. This, as noted by Indian historians, is a regrettable oversight. However, the long-standing gap has finally been bridged by Nivedita Lokamata, the seminal work by Professor Shankari Prasad Basu of Calcutta University.

In a detailed editorial, Vivekananda Mukhopadhyay hailed this book as a definitive account of Nivedita’s life and mission. Contemporary critics did not hesitate to call it the greatest work on her, and one distinguished literary journal even likened it to the Mahabharata of her biography.

Now, the second volume of this extraordinary book has been released. Rather than merely presenting fragmented glimpses of her life, Basu meticulously constructs a complete portrait of Sister Nivedita across multiple volumes. His work represents a rare confluence of scholarly research, historical accuracy, and literary brilliance.

The focus of the second and third volumes is Nivedita’s role in India’s nationalist movement. Shankari Prasad Basu delves into her vast collection of unpublished letters, essays, memoirs, and contemporary newspaper records—bringing forth a striking, previously unknown image of Nivedita. Beyond her political activism, he reveals her as a pioneering leader in India’s national renaissance.

Basu makes a bold assertion: Nivedita was the foremost exponent of the philosophy of nationalism in India. He claims that, alongside Okakura Kakuzō, she was one of the earliest catalysts of revolutionary activities. Moreover, it was she who channeled Swami Vivekananda’s vision into the mainstream nationalist movement.

Every page of this book is filled with revelations. Covering the critical transitional period in Bengal’s and India’s political and cultural history (1902–1911), this work is indispensable for understanding that era. Additionally, the inclusion of 66 rare facsimiles and photographs vividly brings history to life, making this book a visual and intellectual treasure.