The pivotal characters of his most celebrated novels are not the kings of Gujarat, but their chief ministers who are mighty, intelligent and dedicated to the well-being and prosperity of Gujarat. Munshi's sole intention was to recreate the magnificence and glory of Gujarat of the Solanki period His historical novels are the stories of extraordinary events of life of exceptionally great characters. Through historical novels, Munshi attempted to make lifeless pages of the history of Gujarat appear real and tangible to the readers. It was staged and screened in Gujarati and Hindi languages too. Prithvi Vallabh became so popular that it was translated into various regional languages of India as well as in English and Hindi languages. Munshi's other novels - Jaya Somanth and Bhagna Paduka deal with the fall of the Chalukyans whereas his novel Prithvi Vallabh unfolds the romantic tale of magnificent Munj and glamorous Mrunaldevi. The kings of this dynasty were called 'Chaulakyan' in Sanskrit whereas they were known as 'Solanki' in Gujarati.
The trilogy is based on the most splendid period of Hindu Gujarat, the reign of Siddharaj Jayasinh. Munshi's historical trilogy consisting of Patan-ni-Prabhuta (The Glory of Gujarat), Gujarat-no-Nath (The Master of Gujarat) and Rajadhiraj (The Emperor) depicts consolidation of Gujarat in the days of the Chalukyan kings in the ninth and twelfth century. The present paper concentrates on revealing Munshi's skill of narrating the historical incidents in a dramatic manner and his ability of combining historical facts and his imaginative faculties through effective dialogues and display of piquant emotions in his novels. Munshi was also influenced by the William Shakespeare, a leading dramatist of the Elizabethan era of England whose dramas left an everlasting impression on his mind that is well perceived in his writings. Among Indians scholars, Dayanand Saraswati, Shri Aurobindo Ghosh, Bankimchandra Chattopadhyaya and Mahatma Gandhi left an indelible impression on his mind whereas the Western writers like Sir Walter Scott, a Scottish novelist and Alexandre Dumas, a well-known French novelist provided a model for his historical novels. In spite of being born in a humble Gujarati family, he was influenced by both, Indian as well as western ideologies.
He is held in high esteem for his consistent efforts in enlightening the Gujarat consciousness in his historical novels. Shri Kanaiyalal Munshi, a name engraved in golden letters for his significant contribution in the field of historical novels in Gujarati strove throughout his life to enhance the glory of Gujarat through a variety of literary forms.