Indigo by Satyajit Ray

Summary of Indigo by Satyajit Ray

The story is narrated in the first person by Aniruddha Bose, a 29-year-old, unmarried Bengali babu working in a merchant firm in Kolkata. Though financially secure, Aniruddha feels suffocated by the monotony and chaos of city life and often escapes alone on road trips. He also has a keen interest in creative writing and, significantly, has been reading extensively about indigo cultivation in Bengal, the atrocities committed by British planters, and the Indigo Revolt.

Aniruddha decides to visit his old school friend Pramod in Dumka. He chooses to travel alone by car. His journey is delayed first by social obligations and later by poor roads. After leaving the Grand Trunk Road near Panagar, he suffers a puncture, which he reluctantly repairs. Soon after, a violent thunderstorm breaks out. In the blinding rain and darkness, Aniruddha mistakenly takes a wrong road. Disaster strikes again when his second tyre bursts, leaving him stranded without a spare.

As night falls amid heavy rain and eerie silence, a lorry driver informs him that Dumka is nearby but there is no repair facility. Left with no option, Aniruddha prepares to spend the night in his car. Hearing frogs and insects in the darkness, he feels deeply uneasy. Soon, he notices a light through the trees and follows it to a hut and an abandoned Dak Bungalow, once an indigo factory house (Neel Kothi).

The caretaker Sukhanram offers him simple food and a place to sleep. Aniruddha learns that the bungalow once belonged to British indigo planters. After dinner, he goes to bed, reflecting on indigo history and recalling Dinabandhu Mitra’s Neel Darpan. The atmosphere is quiet, almost timeless.

During the night, Aniruddha is awakened by strange sounds, including the growling of a hound. He notices alarming changes: his watch, luggage, and belongings are gone. On stepping outside, he finds the surroundings transformed. The bungalow now appears newly furnished, and he himself has undergone a terrifying metamorphosis. He realizes that he has become a nineteenth-century British indigo planter.

In the mirror, Aniruddha sees the face of an exhausted Englishman. Though fully conscious of his own identity, his body and actions are controlled by another will. He is compelled to write in a diary dated 27 April 1868, in which the planter confesses his greed, cruelty towards Indian peasants, fear of returning to England, loneliness, illness, and guilt. He acknowledges that no one will mourn his death because of his oppression, except perhaps his loyal servants and his dog Rex.

Under an irresistible force, Aniruddha takes a pistol and steps outside. Rex approaches him lovingly, wagging his tail. Despite inner resistance, he is forced to shoot the dog, committing the ultimate act of betrayal. Chaos follows, with people rushing toward the bungalow.

Suddenly, Aniruddha loses consciousness. He wakes up the next morning to Sukhanram’s voice, sunlight flooding the room. Everything is back to normal. His watch shows 28 April, and his car has been repaired. The caretaker remarks casually that this was the hundredth death anniversary of an indigo planter of Birbhum.

The story ends with Aniruddha questioning whether anyone would believe the terrifying experience he underwent—a journey across time, guilt, and colonial history.

The Dream / Possession Episode Explained

The dream episode is the core of the story. It is not a simple nightmare but a historical possession in which Aniruddha’s consciousness inhabits the body and mind of a British indigo planter.

Key points:

Aniruddha remains aware of his identity, but loses control over his body

The diary acts as a confession of colonial guilt

The planter’s inability to return to England symbolises moral exile

The killing of Rex represents the final corruption of humanity under greed

Ray uses this episode to show that colonial crimes do not vanish with time; they continue to haunt history and conscience.

Major Themes

1. Colonial Exploitation

The indigo planter’s diary exposes brutality, forced labour, and greed that sustained British indigo farming in India.

2. Guilt and Retribution

The planter’s suffering, illness, isolation, and death reflect moral punishment for past sins.

3. Power of the Past

History invades the present, suggesting that unresolved injustice resurfaces across generations.

4. Loss of Free Will

Aniruddha’s helplessness during possession mirrors how greed enslaves even the oppressor.

5. Rationality vs the Supernatural

A modern, educated man confronts forces beyond logic, shaking his confidence in reason.

Character Sketch of Aniruddha Bose

Aniruddha Bose is intelligent, educated, rational, and sensitive. Though outwardly modern, he is deeply connected to history and literature. His loneliness and love for travel show a restless mind. During the dream episode, his moral integrity is highlighted by his horror at the planter’s actions. He represents the modern Indian conscience, forced to witness colonial cruelty from the oppressor’s viewpoint.

Symbols and Their Meanings

Indigo – Greed, exploitation, and moral stain of colonialism

Diary – Confession, truth, historical record

Dak Bungalow – Colonial residue, memory frozen in time

Rex (the dog) – Loyalty, innocence destroyed by power

Pistol – Violence as an inevitable outcome of exploitation

High-Scoring Examination Answers (Model Points)

Q1. How does Satyajit Ray blend history and psychology in Indigo?

Answer: Ray blends historical reality with psychological experience by placing a modern narrator inside the mind of a colonial oppressor, turning history into lived horror.

Q2. Discuss the significance of the diary in the story.

Answer: The diary functions as a confession of guilt, revealing the planter’s crimes and inner torment, making the past speak directly to the present.

Q3. Why is the killing of Rex central to the story?

Answer: It symbolises the complete moral collapse of the planter and the destruction of loyalty and innocence under colonial greed.

Critical Appreciation of Indigo (Neel-Atanka)

Introduction

Indigo is a powerful short story that combines realism, history, psychology, and the supernatural to expose the moral consequences of colonial exploitation. Instead of presenting colonial cruelty directly through historical narration, Satyajit Ray adopts a unique narrative strategy: he makes a modern Indian narrator experience history from the perspective of the oppressor. This inversion gives the story both intellectual depth and emotional force.

Narrative Technique and Structure

One of the most remarkable aspects of Indigo is its carefully layered narrative structure.

The story begins in a realistic, almost mundane manner—a travel narrative involving delays, punctures, wrong turns, rain, and fatigue. Ray devotes considerable space to these details. This realism is deliberate: it grounds the reader firmly in reality before introducing the extraordinary. The gradual shift from the ordinary to the uncanny is subtle and convincing, making the later supernatural episode psychologically credible.

The story then moves into a dream-possession framework, where Aniruddha’s consciousness remains intact but his body and actions are controlled by another will. Ray avoids sensationalism; there are no dramatic ghostly apparitions. Instead, the horror unfolds quietly through transformation, loss of control, and moral compulsion.

The circular structure—ending with Aniruddha waking up on the next morning—reinforces the idea that the past intrudes briefly but leaves a lasting psychological scar.

Characterisation

Aniruddha Bose

Aniruddha is portrayed as educated, rational, self-confident, and modern. His love for travel, reading, and solitude reveals a reflective mind. Importantly, he has already been reading extensively about indigo cultivation and British atrocities, which prepares his subconscious for the experience that follows.

During the dream episode, Aniruddha’s moral integrity becomes evident. Although he inhabits the body of a British planter, he is horrified by the actions he is forced to perform—especially the killing of Rex. His helplessness highlights the theme of loss of free will, making him both a witness and a victim of history.

The Indigo Planter

The planter is not shown directly as a villain through action; instead, he is revealed through confession. His diary exposes greed, cruelty, fear, illness, loneliness, and guilt. Ray avoids simplifying him into a caricature. The planter is morally corrupt, yet psychologically broken—a man trapped by his own crimes.

Themes

1. Colonial Exploitation and Guilt

The central theme of the story is the brutality of British indigo cultivation. The diary entries reveal how wealth was built on torture and oppression. The planter’s inability to return to England symbolises moral exile—he belongs neither to India nor to his homeland.

2. Persistence of History

Ray suggests that history does not disappear with time. The fact that Aniruddha’s experience occurs on the hundredth death anniversary of the planter implies that past crimes demand remembrance and reckoning.

3. Loss of Free Will

Aniruddha’s inability to control his actions during possession mirrors the way greed enslaves the oppressor himself. Power, once abused, becomes a prison.

4. Innocence Destroyed

The killing of Rex, the loyal dog, is the emotional climax of the story. It symbolises how colonial greed destroys even loyalty, affection, and humanity.

Symbolism

Ray uses symbolism with restraint and precision:

Indigo represents exploitation, greed, and moral stain

The Dak Bungalow / Neel Kothi symbolises the lingering presence of colonial history

The Diary serves as confession, historical record, and moral testimony

Rex symbolises innocence and unconditional loyalty

The Pistol represents violence as an inevitable outcome of exploitation

Each symbol emerges naturally from the narrative rather than being imposed artificially.

Atmosphere and Style

Ray’s prose is simple, precise, and evocative. The atmosphere is created through:

silence,

darkness,

rain,

unfamiliar sounds,

subtle visual changes.

The supernatural is suggested rather than declared, which makes the horror more effective. The language remains restrained even at moments of intense terror, reflecting Ray’s mature artistic control.

Overall Evaluation

Indigo stands out as a psychological and moral exploration of colonial history rather than a conventional ghost story. Its originality lies in making the reader confront exploitation from within the oppressor’s mind. The story is intellectually challenging, emotionally disturbing, and ethically profound.

By blending history with psychological realism, Satyajit Ray transforms colonial exploitation into a lived experience, reminding readers that injustice leaves indelible marks on human conscience.

Conclusion

In Indigo, Satyajit Ray demonstrates exceptional narrative skill, thematic depth, and moral seriousness. The story compels readers to reflect on history not as a distant past, but as a force that continues to shape identity and conscience. It is a powerful reminder that the ghosts of exploitation are not external—they reside within memory, guilt, and history itself.

MCQs on Indigo (Neel-Atanka)

1. Aniruddha Bose is described as

A. a school teacher in a village

B. a journalist working for a newspaper

C. a merchant firm employee in Kolkata

D. a government officer

✅ Answer: C

2. Aniruddha’s main reason for travelling to Dumka is

A. official work

B. a writing assignment

C. a medical emergency

D. an invitation from his school friend

✅ Answer: D

3. What vehicle does Aniruddha use for his journey?

A. Train

B. Bus

C. Motorcycle

D. Ambassador car

✅ Answer: D

4. The first major problem Aniruddha faces on the journey is

A. getting lost

B. shortage of fuel

C. a punctured tyre

D. an accident

✅ Answer: C

5. The second tyre bursts during

A. bright sunshine

B. foggy weather

C. a thunderstorm

D. early morning

✅ Answer: C

6. Why is Aniruddha unable to proceed after the second puncture?

A. He is injured

B. He has no spare tyre

C. The road is blocked

D. The car engine fails

✅ Answer: B

7. The building where Aniruddha spends the night was originally

A. a police station

B. a railway rest house

C. a Neel Kothi (indigo factory house)

D. a zamindar’s palace

✅ Answer: C

8. Who is the caretaker of the Dak Bungalow?

A. Bhola Babu

B. Pramod

C. Sukhanram

D. Mir Jaan

✅ Answer: C

9. Which food does Sukhanram arrange for Aniruddha’s dinner?

A. Rice and fish curry

B. Bread and soup

C. Thick rotis and urad dal

D. Khichdi

✅ Answer: C

10. The strange experience occurs on the night of

A. 26 April

B. 27 April

C. 28 April

D. 30 April

✅ Answer: B

11. During the night, Aniruddha realises something is wrong when

A. he hears thunder

B. he smells indigo

C. his watch and belongings disappear

D. the lamp goes out

✅ Answer: C

12. Aniruddha discovers that he has transformed into

A. a zamindar

B. a factory labourer

C. a nineteenth-century British indigo planter

D. a police officer

✅ Answer: C

13. The diary entry Aniruddha writes is dated

A. 1857

B. 1868

C. 1875

D. 1900

✅ Answer: B

14. The diary reveals that the planter cannot return to England because

A. he has no money

B. he fears arrest

C. he feels guilty and disgraced

D. he is physically imprisoned

✅ Answer: C

15. Who is Rex in the story?

A. The planter’s son

B. A servant

C. A horse

D. The planter’s dog

✅ Answer: D

16. The killing of Rex symbolises

A. bravery

B. justice

C. loyalty destroyed by greed

D. self-defence

✅ Answer: C

17. The sound that accompanies the climax of the dream is

A. temple bells

B. gunshot and howling

C. train whistle

D. church bells

✅ Answer: B

18. Aniruddha wakes up finally on

A. 27 April morning

B. 28 April morning

C. 29 April night

D. the same night

✅ Answer: B

19. Sukhanram mentions that the day marks

A. a festival

B. a local fair

C. the hundredth death anniversary of an indigo planter

D. the opening of the Dak Bungalow

✅ Answer: C

20. The story primarily explores

A. adventure and travel

B. rural superstition

C. colonial guilt and historical memory

D. romantic nostalgia

✅ Answer: C

A. Assertion–Reason Questions

(Choose the correct option: A) Both A and R true; R explains A

B) Both A and R true; R does not explain A

C) A true; R false

D) A false; R true)

A: The story begins as a realistic travel narrative.

R: Ray uses detailed realism to make the later supernatural episode believable.

Answer: A

A: Aniruddha reads extensively about indigo cultivation before the journey.

R: This prepares his subconscious for the historical possession he later experiences.

Answer: A

A: The Dak Bungalow was originally a Neel Kothi.

R: Indigo factories were often located near British administrative centres in cities.

Answer: C

A: The diary entry dated 27 April 1868 reveals the planter’s guilt.

R: The diary functions as a confession of colonial crimes and moral exile.

Answer: A

A: Rex’s death is the emotional climax of the story.

R: It symbolises the destruction of loyalty and innocence by colonial greed.

Answer: A

B. Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 lines)

What is Aniruddha’s profession?

Ans: He works in a merchant firm in Kolkata.

Why does Aniruddha stop at the Dak Bungalow?

Ans: His second tyre bursts in heavy rain and he has no spare.

Who prepares food for Aniruddha at night?

Ans: Sukhanram.

What date is written in the diary?

Ans: 27 April 1868.

Who is Rex?

Ans: The indigo planter’s loyal dog.

What historical fact does Sukhanram mention in the morning?

Ans: It is the hundredth death anniversary of an indigo planter.

C. Match the Following

List A | List B

Aniruddha Bose | a. Indigo planter’s confession

Dak Bungalow | b. Modern narrator

Diary | c. Colonial residue

Rex | d. Loyalty and innocence

Pistol | e. Instrument of violence

Answers:

1–b, 2–c, 3–a, 4–d, 5–e

D. Competency-Based MCQs (New Pattern)

Aniruddha’s transformation into a British planter primarily helps the reader to

A. admire colonial efficiency

B. understand history from the oppressor’s conscience

C. enjoy a ghostly spectacle

D. witness rural superstition

Answer: B

The realistic description of roads, rain, and punctures mainly serves to

A. delay the plot unnecessarily

B. heighten adventure

C. ground the narrative before introducing the uncanny

D. glorify travel

Answer: C

The planter’s inability to return to England best represents

A. physical imprisonment

B. economic hardship

C. moral exile due to guilt

D. fear of arrest alone

Answer: C

The killing of Rex suggests that colonial power

A. protects loyalty

B. rewards devotion

C. corrodes basic human bonds

D. ensures order

Answer: C

The coincidence of dates (27–28 April) implies that

A. the event was a dream without meaning

B. history and memory intersect across time

C. Aniruddha time-travels physically

D. the caretaker lies

Answer: B

I. Long Answer Questions (15 MARKS)

(Model answers included for teachers’ / reference use)

1. Discuss Indigo as a story of colonial guilt and historical memory.

Answer (15 marks):

Indigo is a powerful exploration of colonial guilt and the persistence of historical memory. Instead of narrating colonial exploitation through external events, Satyajit Ray internalises history by making a modern Indian narrator experience the past from the perspective of a British indigo planter.

The diary dated 27 April 1868 reveals the planter’s confession of cruelty, greed, and moral corruption. His inability to return to England symbolises moral exile, while his illness and loneliness suggest psychological punishment. The coincidence of the hundredth death anniversary reinforces the idea that history resurfaces to demand remembrance.

By forcing Aniruddha to witness and enact the planter’s crimes, Ray shows that colonial injustice does not vanish with time. It lingers as guilt, memory, and moral responsibility, making Indigo a deeply reflective story on the ethical consequences of imperialism.

2. Analyse the significance of the dream / possession episode in Indigo.

Answer:

The dream or possession episode forms the structural and thematic core of Indigo. Though presented as a dream, it is psychologically real and historically symbolic. Aniruddha remains conscious of his identity but loses control over his body, highlighting the terrifying loss of free will.

Through this device, Ray allows the reader to experience colonial exploitation from inside the oppressor’s mind. The diary acts as a confession, revealing greed, cruelty, and fear. The killing of Rex marks the climax, symbolising the complete destruction of loyalty and innocence under colonial power.

The episode transforms history into lived experience, making the story both disturbing and morally compelling.

3. How does Satyajit Ray blend realism and the supernatural in Indigo?

Answer:

Ray masterfully blends realism and the supernatural by grounding the story in everyday detail before introducing the uncanny. The journey, punctures, rain, wrong turns, and Dak Bungalow are described with documentary precision. This realism makes the later transformation believable.

The supernatural is never sensationalised. There are no visible ghosts; instead, horror emerges through subtle changes—missing objects, altered surroundings, and loss of identity. This restrained approach makes the experience psychological rather than fantastical.

The result is a seamless fusion where the supernatural becomes a vehicle for historical and moral exploration rather than mere suspense.

4. Examine the symbolic significance of Rex’s death in the story.

Answer:

Rex’s death is the emotional and moral climax of Indigo. Rex represents unconditional loyalty and innocence. His devotion contrasts sharply with the planter’s cruelty towards humans.

The forced killing of Rex symbolises how colonial greed ultimately destroys even what is pure and loyal. It shows that exploitation corrupts not only victims but also perpetrators, leaving no space for humanity.

Ray deliberately chooses a dog rather than a human victim to intensify emotional impact, making the act unforgettable and deeply disturbing.