The Bandit Queens

The protagonist of The Bandit Queens, Geeta is both a strong, resourceful character and a vulnerable, isolated woman. She suffers extensive village gossip that persists in suggesting that she is a murderer and a witch (churel). However, she is also a businesswoman who supports herself via her own artistic skill. In addition, she can sometimes be an unreliable narrator, especially of her own story, and as the novel develops, it becomes clear that certain information has been kept from her, allegedly for her own happiness. Overall, though, she is a keen observer with a willingness to change. Indeed, as the story unfolds, Geeta experiences a significant transformation.

At the beginning of the book, Geeta is assumed to be “a threat [. . .] a churel who, depending on the gossiper, gobbled children, rendered women barren or men impotent” (6). This says more about the ways in which women—particularly lone women—are seen in society in general and less about Geeta in particular. Despite rumors to the contrary, Geeta has not murdered her husband, Ramesh; he has merely deserted her in favor of drinking and piling up debt. However, over the course of the novel, when Ramesh’s misdeeds are uncovered and female friendships are restored, Geeta begins to understand that she has accepted the village’s view of her even though she knows it to be false.