Mitra, (Rai Bahadur) Dinabandhu (1830-1873) eminent dramatist, was born in 1830 at Chouberia in Nadia, and was the son of Kalachand Mitra. His given name was Gandharva Narayan, but he changed it to Dinabandhu Mitra.

Dinabandhu Mitra's education started at a village pathshala. His father arranged a job for him on a zamindar's estate (1840). But the small boy fled to Kolkata, where he started working in the house of his uncle, Nilmani Mitra. Around 1846, he was admitted to the free school run by james long. Dinabandhu was a bright student and won a number of scholarships. In 1850, he enrolled at Hindu College and was awarded scholarships for academic excellence. However, he did not appear in his last examination, and, instead, started working as a postmaster at Patna (1855). He served in various posts in the Postal Department in Nadia, Dhaka and Orissa. In 1870, he was made supernumerary post- master in Calcutta. In 1872, he joined the Indian Railway as an inspector.

Dinabandhu started writing while still at college. Inspired by ishwar chandra gupta, he began writing poems which were published in different journals. His poems attracted the attention of intellectuals, but his favourite genre was the drama. His work in the postal department had taken him to various parts of the country where he had come in contact with different sorts of people. These experiences were reflected in his plays. Among his books of poems are Suradhuni Kavya (first part in 1871, second part in 1876), Dvadash Kavita (1872). His plays include Nildarpan (1860), Nabin Tapasvini (1863), Biye Pagla Budo (1866), Sadhabar Ekadashi (1866), Lilavati (1867), Jamai Barik (1872), Kamale Kamini (1873), and Jamalaye Jibanta Manus. He also wrote a novel titled Poda Mahehshvar.

Dinabandhu is, however, primarily known for his play about the plight of indigo farmers Nildarpan. michael madhusudan dutt translated the play into English and Reverend James Long published it, an act for which Long was fined. When the play was staged, iswar chandra vidyasagar was so taken in by the realism of the performance that he threw a shoe at the actor. The actor accepted the shoe as a compliment. bankimchandra chattopadhyay compared Nildarpan to Uncle Tom's Cabin for its role in arousing people's awareness of the evils of indigo plantations. Dinabandhu was awarded the title 'Rai Bahadur' by the British government for services rendered at the Battle of Lushai. He died on 1 November 1876. [Badiuzzaman]