Chandrakanta is a wonderful historical fiction fantasy novel written by a great Hindi writer “Devaki Nandan Khatri” in 1888.
He was famous for novels writing fantasy magical stories. He has written this novel based on his experiences and creative thinking.
This is the story of Princess Chandrakanta of Vijaygarh and Prince Virendra Singh of Naugarh. Chandrakanta and Virendra Singh loved each other and wanted to get married but both were from rival states.
Krur Singh, the son of the prime minister of Vijaygarh, wanted to marry Chandrakanta at any cost. When Krur Singh failed to get Chandrakanta, he befriended Prince Shivdutt of Chunargarh (It is the mention of the Chunar fort that inspired him to write the novel.)
Krur Singh persuades Shivdutt to trap Chandrakanta at any cost. Then, Chandrakanta gets trapped in a prison (Tilism).
Then you have to read further, how Virendra Singh is able to free Chandrakanta from Tilism or not.
In this novel, he introduced the concept of Aiyyar and Aiyyara who are good at espionage, combat skills, medical knowledge, science, chemistry, disguise skills as they change their dress and make-up to be someone else. So that they may be helpful to their king and their empire. They always carry weapons with them and a pouch with necessary items like medicine, makeup items, money etc.
It’s really one of the best Indian classic fantasy story written.
It has so much twist and turn and mystery as well.
The Lilac Feather 