Acharya Chatursen Shastri (26 August 1891 – 2 February 1960) was an Indian writer of Hindi literature. He wrote many historical fictions, including Vaishali ki Nagarvadhu adapted into a feature film (1948), Vayam Rakshamah (1951), Somnath (1954), and Dharamputra which was adapted into the 1961 feature film of the same name.
The bulk of his literary output is almost unparalleled in Hindi. In all, he wrote 72 published books including 8 historical novels, 10 dramas, 4 historical non-fictions, 15 collections of essays on political subjects and an equal number on the subjects of health and medicine. He also published over 250 short stories in various Hindi periodicals over time. His novel Dharamputra was adapted into the Hindi film, Dharmputra (1961) by Yash Chopra,[2] it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.[3]
His important works include:
Vaishali ki Nagarvadhu (वैशाली की नगरवधू) (1948?) ISBN 81-7028-282-9 - based on the historical figure Amrapali
Vayam Rakshamah (वयं रक्षाम:) - based on life of character of Ravana (from Ramayana)
Sahyadri ki chattanen - based on Shivaji's times and life
Goli (गोली)
Dharamputra (धर्मपुत्र)
Sona aur Khoon (सोना और ख़ून)
Neelmani (नीलमणि)
Narmedh (नरमेध)
Somnath Mahalay (सोमनाथ) - Based on invasion of Mahmud Ghazni and destruction of Somnath temple
Bharat mein Islam (भारत में इस्लाम)
Achchi Aadatein (अच्छी आदतें)
Aparajita (अपराजिता)
Aadarsh Bhojan (आदर्श भोजन)
Nirog Jivan (नीरोग जीवन)
Eedo (ईदो) - based on events from The great Depression (1929–1934) and World War II (1939–1945)
Hindi Bhasha aur Sahitya Ka Itihas (1946) - A History of Hindi Language and its literature
Hridaya Ki Parakh (1918)
Satyagraha Aur Asahyoga (1921) - about Civil Resistance and Non-cooperation