Vrindavan Lal Verma was a Hindi novelist and playwright born on January 9, 1889, in Mauranipur, Jhansi District, India. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his literary works, and Agra University presented him with an honorary D. Lit. He received the Soviet Land Nehru Award, and the government of India also awarded him for his novel, Jhansi Ki Rani.

Verma was drawn toward mythological and historical narratives from early childhood. His masterpiece, Mriganayani, set at the end of the 15th century in Gwalior, tells the legend of Man Singh Tomar and his “doe-eyed queen” Mrignayani. His historical novels include Gadh Kundar (1927), Virata ki Padmini (1930), Musahibju (1943), Jhansi ki Rani (1946), Kachnar (1947), Madavji Sindhia (1949), Tute Kante (1949), Mriganayani (1950), Bhuvan Vikram (1954), Ahilya Bai (1955), Rani Durgavati, and Lalitaditya Varma’s social novels include Sangam (1928), Lagan (1929), Pratyagat (1929), Kundali Chakra (1932), Prem ki Bheni (1939), Kabhi na Kabhi (1945), Achal Mera Koyi (1947), Rakhi ki Laj (1947), Sona (1947), Amar Bel (1952). His plays include an adaptation of his novel, Jhansi ki Rani, Hans Mayur (1950), Bans ki Phans (1950), Pile Hath (1950), Purva ki Aur (1951), Kevat (1951), Nilkanth (1951), Mangal Sutra (1952), Birbal (1953), and Lalit Vikram (1953). Verma wrote short stories that have been published in seven volumes. His autobiography Apni Kahani has also been applauded.