Tale(katha)forms a major part of Bengali prose literature and is sub-divided into many genres including rupakatha, bratakatha and upakatha. Rupakathas are usually about an anonymous king of an unnamed land. 'Once upon a time there was a king'(Ek je chhilo raja) is there typical beginning. Except the hero and the heroine, the other characters are usually referred to in accordance to their social standing or professions. This rupakatha collection is one of the first and the first and the finest attempts to compile these treasues from Bengali folk literature.

About the Author:

Rev.Lal Behari Day (1824-1894) began his career as a catechist in the new church founded by Duff. On his appointment as a Head Master, Berhampur Collegiate School in 1867, he severed his association with the Mission. While continuing his teaching for two decades, he pursued his literary pursuit with vigour. Bengal Peasant Life (1874) earned him an honourable position among Indian writers in English.