Synopsis Retrieval and interpretation of India’s colonial past remains an essential task before literary critics and historians of culture. In this pioneering volume, Sachidananda Mohanty examines rare documents and archival material of 19th century Orissa in order to underline the central role played by Sailabala Das (1875-1968) vis-à-vis female education and social reforms in Orissa under the Raj. Professor Mohanty uses several literary modes such as travel, autobiography, letters, essays and memoirs for his task. As a feminist, nationalist and social reformer, Sailabala leaves behind a legacy few can match.