Devaki Nandan Khatri (1861–1913) was born in Pusa, Bihar, at the residence of his maternal grandfather, Jivanlal Mahato, a wealthy landowner. His father, Lala Ishvardas, originated from an illustrious family from Lahore. He was widely recognized by his first novel, Chandrakanta, at the age of twenty-six. He subsequently set up his own printing press, the Lahari Press, in Varanasi. His other popular works include, Chandrakanta Santati and Bhutnath.
