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

Which novel by Bharati Mukherjee explores the theme of female empowerment and the struggle for independence?

  1. Jasmine

  2. The Tiger's Daughter

  3. Wife

  4. The Middleman and Other Stories
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Bharati Mukherjee's novel (Jasmine) delves into the theme of female empowerment and the struggle for independence through the character of Jasmine, a young woman who flees her abusive husband and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's novel, 'Midnight's Children', won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1981?

  1. R. K. Narayan

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Salman Rushdie

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

Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight's Children' won the Booker Prize in 1981, gaining international recognition for its magical realism and exploration of Indian history and identity.

Multiple choice

Who is often regarded as the 'Father of Indian English Literature'?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R. K. Narayan

  3. Raja Rao

  4. Mulk Raj Anand
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

R. K. Narayan, known for his simple yet evocative prose, is widely considered the 'Father of Indian English Literature' for his significant contributions to the genre.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's novel, 'The God of Small Things', won the Booker Prize in 1997?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Salman Rushdie

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Anita Desai
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, capturing the attention of readers with its lyrical prose and exploration of caste and social inequality in India.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent theme in Raja Rao's novel, 'Kanthapura'?

  1. The struggle for Indian independence

  2. The impact of industrialization on rural life

  3. The conflict between tradition and modernity

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

Raja Rao's 'Kanthapura' delves into the struggle for Indian independence, capturing the spirit of the freedom movement and its impact on a small village.

Multiple choice

Who is known for his novels that explore the lives of ordinary people in rural India, often highlighting their struggles and resilience?

  1. R. K. Narayan

  2. Raja Rao

  3. Mulk Raj Anand

  4. Bhabani Bhattacharya
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Bhabani Bhattacharya's novels, set in rural India, provide a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, capturing their struggles, resilience, and the social and economic challenges they face.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author is known for his novels that explore the complexities of human relationships and the search for meaning in life?

  1. Vikram Seth

  2. Amitav Ghosh

  3. Arundhati Roy

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

Vikram Seth's novels, such as 'A Suitable Boy' and 'An Equal Music', delve into the intricacies of human relationships, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning and fulfillment in life.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's novel, 'The White Tiger', won the Man Booker Prize in 2008?

  1. Aravind Adiga

  2. Kiran Desai

  3. Amitav Ghosh

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

Aravind Adiga's 'The White Tiger' won the Man Booker Prize in 2008, gaining recognition for its satirical and darkly humorous portrayal of the stark realities of class and inequality in contemporary India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's novel, 'The Inheritance of Loss', won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2006?

  1. Kiran Desai

  2. Aravind Adiga

  3. Amitav Ghosh

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

Kiran Desai's 'The Inheritance of Loss' won the Man Asian Literary Prize in 2006, capturing the attention of readers with its exploration of the complexities of family, history, and the changing landscape of India.

Multiple choice

Which Indian author's novel, 'The Great Indian Novel', is a satirical take on Indian history and politics?

  1. Shashi Tharoor

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Aravind Adiga

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

Shashi Tharoor's 'The Great Indian Novel' is a satirical and humorous take on Indian history and politics, offering a unique perspective on the country's journey from independence to the present day.

Multiple choice

Who is known for her novels that explore the lives of women in India, often addressing issues of gender, sexuality, and social change?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

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

Arundhati Roy's novels, such as 'The God of Small Things' and 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness', explore the lives of women in India, delving into issues of gender, sexuality, and the social and political challenges they face.

Multiple choice

Which Dalit writer is known for his novel 'Untouchable'?

  1. Mulk Raj Anand

  2. Omprakash Valmiki

  3. Poomani

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

Mulk Raj Anand's novel 'Untouchable' is a powerful portrayal of the life of an untouchable boy in India and the social discrimination he faces.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the autobiography 'Joothan'?

  1. Omprakash Valmiki

  2. Poomani

  3. Baburao Bagul

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

Omprakash Valmiki's autobiography 'Joothan' is a poignant account of his life as a Dalit in India, shedding light on the social and economic struggles faced by the community.

Multiple choice

Which Dalit writer is known for her novel 'Karukku'?

  1. Poomani

  2. Baburao Bagul

  3. Urmila Pawar

  4. Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Poomani's novel 'Karukku' is a powerful portrayal of the lives of Dalit women in Tamil Nadu, India, and the challenges they face due to caste discrimination.

Multiple choice

Who wrote the novel 'Jangam'?

  1. Baburao Bagul

  2. Urmila Pawar

  3. Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd

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

Baburao Bagul's novel 'Jangam' explores the life of a Dalit boy in Maharashtra, India, and the social and economic hardships he encounters.