General Awareness · 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 Indian novel, translated into English by Aravind Adiga, won the Man Booker Prize in 2008?

  1. Midnight's Children

  2. The God of Small Things

  3. The White Tiger

  4. Life of Pi
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The White Tiger, written by Aravind Adiga, won the Man Booker Prize in 2008, gaining international recognition and acclaim for its portrayal of social and economic disparities in contemporary India.

Multiple choice

Who is widely regarded as one of the most influential translators of Indian literature into English?

  1. R. K. Narayan

  2. Rabindranath Tagore

  3. Mulk Raj Anand

  4. Raja Rao
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

R. K. Narayan, known for his simple yet evocative prose, is considered a master translator of Indian literature into English, bringing works like 'Malgudi Days' and 'The Guide' to a global audience.

Multiple choice

Which Indian novel, translated into English by P. Lal, is considered a pioneering work of modern Indian literature?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Godan

  3. The Serpent and the Rope

  4. The Householder
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Raja Rao's 'The Serpent and the Rope,' translated by P. Lal, is often regarded as a groundbreaking work of modern Indian literature, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and the East-West encounter.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's work, translated into English by Jhumpa Lahiri, brought Indian-American experiences to a global audience?

  1. Vikram Seth

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

  4. Amitav Ghosh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jhumpa Lahiri's work, particularly 'Interpreter of Maladies,' translated by herself, brought Indian-American experiences and cultural nuances to a global audience, earning her widespread recognition and critical acclaim.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's work, translated into English by William Jones, introduced Sanskrit literature to the Western world?

  1. Kalidasa

  2. Rabindranath Tagore

  3. R. K. Narayan

  4. Raja Rao
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

William Jones' translation of Kalidasa's work, particularly 'Shakuntala,' played a significant role in introducing Sanskrit literature to the Western world, sparking interest in Indian culture and philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's work, translated into English by Salman Rushdie, brought magical realism to a global audience?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Gabriel García Márquez
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Salman Rushdie's translation of Gabriel García Márquez's work, particularly 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' introduced magical realism to a global audience, influencing literary styles and inspiring writers worldwide.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's work, translated into English by Anita Desai, explored the complexities of Indian womanhood and identity?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Anita Desai

  4. Rabindranath Tagore
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Anita Desai's work, particularly 'Clear Light of Day,' translated by herself, delved into the complexities of Indian womanhood, identity, and the changing social landscape of India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's work, translated into English by Amitav Ghosh, explored the themes of displacement, migration, and cultural encounters?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Amitav Ghosh

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

Amitav Ghosh's work, particularly 'The Glass Palace,' translated by himself, explored the themes of displacement, migration, and cultural encounters, spanning different historical periods and geographical locations.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the biography (The Argumentative Indian)?

  1. Amartya Sen

  2. Ramachandra Guha

  3. Pankaj Mishra

  4. Ashis Nandy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Amartya Sen wrote the biography (The Argumentative Indian), which explores the intellectual and cultural history of India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author wrote the autobiography (The Story of My Life)?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Munshi Premchand

  3. R.K. Narayan

  4. Khushwant Singh
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore's autobiography (The Story of My Life) provides insights into his creative process and his journey as a poet, writer, and philosopher.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the biography (The Great Indian Novel)?

  1. Shashi Tharoor

  2. Amitav Ghosh

  3. Arundhati Roy

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

Shashi Tharoor's biography (The Great Indian Novel) is a satirical take on Indian history and politics.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the biography (The Life of Rabindranath Tagore)?

  1. Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay

  2. Edward J. Thompson

  3. Amiya Chakravarty

  4. Krishna Kripalani
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Prabhat Kumar Mukhopadhyay wrote the biography (The Life of Rabindranath Tagore), which offers a detailed account of Tagore's life and his contributions to Indian literature and culture.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the biography (The Life and Times of Jawaharlal Nehru)?

  1. Stanley Wolpert

  2. Ramachandra Guha

  3. B.R. Nanda

  4. Sarvepalli Gopal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sarvepalli Gopal wrote the biography (The Life and Times of Jawaharlal Nehru), which offers a comprehensive account of Nehru's life and his role in the Indian independence movement and the early years of independent India.

Multiple choice

In Indian literature, which famous collection of short stories by Rabindranath Tagore explores the lives of ordinary people and their relationship with food, poverty, and social injustice?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. The Home and the World

  3. Hungry Stones

  4. Broken Nest
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Hungry Stones, a collection of short stories by Rabindranath Tagore, explores the lives of ordinary people and their relationship with food, poverty, and social injustice.

Multiple choice

In Indian literature, which famous novel by Mulk Raj Anand explores the life of a young boy from a poor family in a small village and his struggles with poverty, hunger, and social injustice, often highlighting the significance of food and nourishment?

  1. Untouchable

  2. Coolie

  3. Two Leaves and a Bud

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

Untouchable, a novel by Mulk Raj Anand, explores the life of a young boy from a poor family in a small village and his struggles with poverty, hunger, and social injustice, often highlighting the significance of food and nourishment.