The book gave birth to a new literary genre and Tamil prose began to be recognized as an increasingly important part of the language.

Influenced by Western ideas of women's liberation and secularism, he set out to publish works that projected his ideals.

The story is a loose collection of events and narratives centered on a naive but good-natured hero and his life and adventures.

Meanwhile, a nearby kingdom loses its heir to the throne and as per custom, requires that a new king be chosen at random by the royal elephant.

In a few minutes Prathapa's sandals are mended to his satisfaction and he in turn gives the cobbler one rupee (a princely amount in the era in which the novel is set).

Though the level of literacy was still abysmal in late 19th century Tamil Nadu, sales of the book were still higher than expected.

Prathapa Mudaliar Charithram is still translated and published, with Amar Chitra Katha even creating a comic book adaptation of this novel.