Question

Explain the contribution of Devaki Nandan Khatri in Hindi novels.

Answer 1

Devaki Nandan Khatri was the first author of mystery novels in India. His writings created a novel reading public in Hindi. His best sellerChadrakanta, a romance with dazzling elements of fantasy, is believed to have contributed immensely in popularising the Hindi language. It also promoted the Nagari script among the educated classes of those times. Although, it was apparently written purely for the pleasure of reading, this novel also gives some interesting insights into the fears and desires of its reading public.