Published Paper Details:

Bhabani Bhattacharya's He Who Rides a Tiger (1955) offers a sharp socio-political critique of postcolonial India through the intertwined themes of land ownership and migration. Set during the Bengal famine of 1943, the novel portrays the struggles of Kalo, a lower-caste blacksmith, whose experiences of poverty, caste-based exclusion, and injustice highlight the structural inequalities of Indian society. This paper examines how landlessness functions not only as an economic deprivation but also as a form of social invisibility, stripping individuals of dignity and autonomy. Migration, often seen as a sign of progress, is instead depicted by Bhattacharya as a forced response to famine, caste oppression, and systemic exploitation. Through close textual analysis of Kalo's transformation--from a starving villager to a holy man who subverts social hierarchies--the article reveals how the novel critiques entrenched power structures of caste, class, and religious hypocrisy. By connecting the historical context of the Bengal famine and zamindari system with contemporary concerns of rural displacement and land reforms, the study underscores the continuing relevance of Bhattacharya's narrative. Ultimately, the paper argues that the novel is not only a record of oppression but also a vision of resistance, dignity, and survival from society's margins.