General Awareness ยท English Language

Indian Literature and Authors

9,599 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

What is the name of the famous Urdu novel written by Krishan Chander?

  1. Godan

  2. Gaban

  3. Nirmala

  4. Ek Gadhe Ki Sarguzasht
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ek Gadhe Ki Sarguzasht is a classic Urdu novel by Krishan Chander, narrating the story of a donkey and its experiences in human society.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author was the first recipient of the Booker Prize for his collection of short stories, 'Interpreter of Maladies'?

  1. Salman Rushdie

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

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

Jhumpa Lahiri won the Booker Prize in 2000 for her debut collection of short stories, 'Interpreter of Maladies'.

Multiple choice

Arundhati Roy's novel, 'The God of Small Things', won the Booker Prize in which year?

  1. 1997

  2. 1998

  3. 1999

  4. 2000
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for her novel, 'The God of Small Things'.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's short story collection, 'The Greatest Show on Earth', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016?

  1. Amitav Ghosh

  2. Aravind Adiga

  3. Jeet Thayil

  4. Kiran Desai
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Jeet Thayil's short story collection, 'The Greatest Show on Earth', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2016.

Multiple choice

In Salman Rushdie's short story, 'The Harmony of the Spheres', the protagonist is a musician named:

  1. Arjun

  2. Ravi

  3. Sitaram

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

In Salman Rushdie's short story, 'The Harmony of the Spheres', the protagonist is a musician named Arjun.

Multiple choice

In Anita Desai's short story, 'The Village by the Sea', the protagonist is a young woman named:

  1. Monisha

  2. Tara

  3. Lila

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

In Anita Desai's short story, 'The Village by the Sea', the protagonist is a young woman named Monisha.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's short story collection, 'The Hungry Tide', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2004?

  1. Amitav Ghosh

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

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

Amitav Ghosh's short story collection, 'The Hungry Tide', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2004.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Indian authors has won the Booker Prize more than once?

  1. Salman Rushdie

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

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

Salman Rushdie is the only Indian author to have won the Booker Prize more than once.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's short story collection, 'The Man from Beijing', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2010?

  1. Amitav Ghosh

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

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

Amitav Ghosh's short story collection, 'The Man from Beijing', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2010.

Multiple choice

Which of the following Indian authors has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize the most times?

  1. Salman Rushdie

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

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

Salman Rushdie has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize the most times among Indian authors.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's short story collection, 'The Good Muslim', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2008?

  1. Amitav Ghosh

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

  4. Tahmima Anam
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Tahmima Anam's short story collection, 'The Good Muslim', was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2008.

Multiple choice

Who is considered one of the pioneers of Indian nationalist literature?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

  3. Munshi Premchand

  4. Subramania Bharati
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian nationalist literature. His novel 'Anandamath' (1882) is considered a seminal work in the genre and played a significant role in shaping the Indian nationalist movement.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's works had a profound influence on the Irish Literary Revival?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Sarojini Naidu

  3. Toru Dutt

  4. Mirza Ghalib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rabindranath Tagore's works had a significant impact on the Irish Literary Revival. His play 'Chitra' (1913) was translated into English by W.B. Yeats, who was a leading figure in the movement. Tagore's emphasis on spirituality and mysticism resonated with Irish writers and helped shape the Irish literary landscape.

Multiple choice

What was the central theme of Munshi Premchand's novel 'Godan' (1936)?

  1. The plight of Indian farmers

  2. The struggle for Indian independence

  3. The social and economic disparities in Indian society

  4. The role of women in Indian society
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Munshi Premchand's novel 'Godan' (1936) primarily focuses on the plight of Indian farmers. It explores the harsh realities of rural life, the exploitation of farmers by landlords and moneylenders, and the social and economic struggles faced by the farming community in India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer's works were instrumental in promoting the idea of 'Swaraj' (self-rule) during the Indian independence movement?

  1. Bal Gangadhar Tilak

  2. Lala Lajpat Rai

  3. Bipin Chandra Pal

  4. Jawaharlal Nehru
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bal Gangadhar Tilak's writings and speeches played a crucial role in promoting the idea of 'Swaraj' (self-rule) during the Indian independence movement. His famous slogan, 'Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,' became a rallying cry for Indian nationalists.