CHANDRAKANTA

First published in 1888, Chandrakanta is set among princes and princesses, grand palaces and gardens. Princess Chandrakanta is held captive inside an ancient tilism, a magical enclosure, and can only wait to be freed. Her beloved, the brave Prince Birendra Singh, fights jealous rivals and tries to undo the old enchantment so that he can reach her.

The story's true heroes, though, are the aiyaars, the spy-magicians who serve as secret agents for the prince and the princess. Their cunning and daring drive much of the adventure.

Devaki Nandan Khatri wrote in the everyday spoken Hindi of northern India instead of a difficult literary style. The novel was an immediate success and is regarded as modern India's first bestseller. It has since been translated and adapted many times, in print and on screen.

This edition presents a new translation by Rohini Chowdhury, bringing the world of magic, intrigue and courage to a new generation of readers.