Maithilisharan Gupt (3 August 1886 – 12 December 1964) was one of the most important modern Hindi poets. He is considered one among the pioneers of Khari Boli (plain dialect) poetry and wrote in Khari Boli dialect, at a time when most Hindi poets favoured the use of Braj Bhasha dialect.

He was a recipient of the third highest (then second highest) Indian civilian honour of Padma Bhushan. For his book Bharat-Bharati (1912), widely quoted during India’s freedom struggle, he was given the tile of Rashtra Kavi by Mahatma Gandhi.

After India became independent in 1947, he was also made an honorary member of the Rajya Sabha, where he used poetry to put his opinions before the other members. He remained a member of the Rajya Sabha till his death in 1964.

Major works of Maithili Sharan Gupt

Poetry:

• Rang mein Bhang’

Matrubhumi’

• Bharat-Bharati
• Jayadrath Vadh
• Vikat Bhat
• Plassey ka Yuddha
• Gurukul
• Kisan
• Panchavati’