General Awareness ยท English Language

Indian Literature and Authors

9,907 Questions

Indian Literature and Authors is a crucial topic for competitive exams, focusing on famous writers, notable books, and literary awards. Questions cover various regional, postcolonial, and historical texts. This collection helps test takers prepare effectively for general awareness sections.

Famous Indian authorsNotable Indian novelsPostcolonial literatureLiterary award winnersRegional Indian literature

Indian Literature and Authors Questions

Multiple choice

Which novel by Manu Joseph explores the themes of corruption and political intrigue in contemporary India?

  1. Serious Men

  2. Miss Laila Armed and Dangerous

  3. The Illicit Happiness of Other People

  4. The Patchwork Quilt
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Serious Men is a satirical novel that follows the life of Ayyan Mani, a Dalit man who rises through the ranks of Indian bureaucracy.

Multiple choice

Which famous Indian poet is credited with writing the epic poem "Heer Ranjha" in Dogri?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Mirza Ghalib

  3. Faiz Ahmed Faiz

  4. Shiv Kumar Batalvi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Shiv Kumar Batalvi, a renowned Indian poet, wrote the epic poem "Heer Ranjha" in Dogri.

Multiple choice

Which of these is a notable Dogri writer and poet?

  1. Prem Nath Dogra

  2. Lal Ded

  3. Habba Khatoon

  4. Amrita Pritam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prem Nath Dogra is a renowned Dogri writer and poet known for his literary contributions.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Dogri language's first novel?

  1. Nayi Duniya

  2. Dogri Kahaniyan

  3. Dogri Lok Kathayen

  4. Dogri Kavita Sangrah
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Nayi Duniya is the first novel written in the Dogri language.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the first major Indian novel written in English?

  1. The God of Small Things

  2. A Suitable Boy

  3. Midnight's Children

  4. Raja Rao's Kanthapura
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Raja Rao's Kanthapura, published in 1938, is widely regarded as the first major Indian novel written in English.

Multiple choice

Who is often credited with pioneering the genre of the Indian English novel?

  1. R.K. Narayan

  2. Mulk Raj Anand

  3. Raja Rao

  4. Kamala Markandaya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mulk Raj Anand, with his novel 'Untouchable' (1935), is often credited with pioneering the genre of the Indian English novel.

Multiple choice

Which of the following authors is known for his portrayal of Indian village life in his works?

  1. R.K. Narayan

  2. Raja Rao

  3. Kamala Markandaya

  4. Vikram Seth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

R.K. Narayan, particularly through his fictional town of Malgudi, is renowned for his portrayal of Indian village life in his works.

Multiple choice

Which Indian English novel won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981?

  1. Midnight's Children

  2. The God of Small Things

  3. A Suitable Boy

  4. The White Tiger
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' won the Booker Prize in 1981, becoming the first Indian English novel to receive this prestigious award.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the acclaimed novel 'The God of Small Things'?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Jhumpa Lahiri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things' won the Booker Prize in 1997 and is considered a significant work in Indian English literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following authors is known for his exploration of historical and political themes in his novels?

  1. Amitav Ghosh

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Jhumpa Lahiri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amitav Ghosh is known for his exploration of historical and political themes in his novels, such as 'The Glass Palace' and 'The Hungry Tide'.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the novel 'A Suitable Boy'?

  1. Vikram Seth

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Jhumpa Lahiri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vikram Seth's 'A Suitable Boy' is a sprawling family saga set in post-independence India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian English author is known for her exploration of immigrant experiences and cultural identity in her works?

  1. Jhumpa Lahiri

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Vikram Seth
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Jhumpa Lahiri's works, such as 'Interpreter of Maladies' and 'The Namesake', explore immigrant experiences and cultural identity.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the acclaimed collection of poems 'The Golden Gate'?

  1. Vikram Seth

  2. Dom Moraes

  3. Jayanta Mahapatra

  4. R. Parthasarathy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Vikram Seth's 'The Golden Gate' is a collection of sonnets that explores themes of love, loss, and longing.

Multiple choice

Which Indian English poet is known for his exploration of urban landscapes and social realities in his works?

  1. Jayanta Mahapatra

  2. R. Parthasarathy

  3. Arun Kolatkar

  4. Keki N. Daruwalla
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Arun Kolatkar is known for his exploration of urban landscapes and social realities in his poetry, often using a minimalist and evocative style.

Multiple choice

Who is the author of the collection of poems 'The Bloodaxe Book of Contemporary Indian Poets'?

  1. Jeet Thayil

  2. Ranjit Hoskote

  3. Anjum Hasan

  4. Tishani Doshi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Jeet Thayil is the editor of 'The Bloodaxe Book of Contemporary Indian Poets', an anthology showcasing the works of various Indian English poets.