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

The Literary Expedition has been instrumental in launching the careers of several emerging Indian writers. Which of these authors gained recognition after participating in the festival?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Vikram Chandra

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

Vikram Chandra, the author of the acclaimed novel "Sacred Games," gained recognition after participating in the Literary Expedition.

Multiple choice

In Junot Díaz's 'Drown', what is the protagonist's primary struggle?

  1. Coming to terms with his Dominican heritage.

  2. Dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event.

  3. Navigating the complexities of adolescence.

  4. Finding his place in a new country.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Díaz's story centers around the protagonist's struggle to cope with the psychological and emotional aftermath of a traumatic experience.

Multiple choice

In Salman Rushdie's 'The Prophet's Hair', what is the central conflict of the story?

  1. The protagonist's struggle with religious faith and spirituality.

  2. The tension between tradition and modernity in a changing society.

  3. The exploration of the power of storytelling and its impact on history.

  4. The conflict between personal desires and societal expectations.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Rushdie's story examines the clash between traditional values and modern influences in a society undergoing rapid transformation.

Multiple choice

In Jhumpa Lahiri's 'The Namesake', what is the central conflict of the story?

  1. The protagonist's struggle to balance his cultural heritage with his American identity.

  2. The exploration of the immigrant experience and its challenges.

  3. The portrayal of the complexities of family relationships.

  4. The examination of the impact of generational differences on family dynamics.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Lahiri's novel explores the protagonist's struggle to reconcile his Indian heritage with his American upbringing, navigating the complexities of identity and belonging.

Multiple choice

In Salman Rushdie's novel "Midnight's Children", the recurring motif of the midnight's children born at the stroke of Indian independence symbolizes:

  1. The hope and promise of a new nation

  2. The challenges and struggles of post-colonial India

  3. The interconnectedness of individual lives and destinies

  4. The power of magic and the supernatural
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In "Midnight's Children", the midnight's children represent the interconnectedness of individual lives and destinies, reflecting the complex tapestry of post-colonial India.

Multiple choice

In Salman Rushdie's novel "Shame", the recurring motif of the "Midnight's Children" symbolizes:

  1. The interconnectedness of individual lives and destinies

  2. The search for identity and purpose in a post-colonial world

  3. The power of love and connection to transcend national boundaries

  4. The hope for a better future and the possibility of transformation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In "Shame", the "Midnight's Children" represent the interconnectedness of individual lives and destinies, as well as the complex tapestry of post-colonial Pakistan.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The Kite Runner", what is the name of the Afghan boy who is forced to flee his home country with his father?

  1. Amir

  2. Hassan

  3. Baba

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

Amir is the Afghan boy who is forced to flee his home country with his father, highlighting the political turmoil and displacement of people in Afghanistan.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent theme in Indian Dalit literature?

  1. Caste discrimination

  2. Economic inequality

  3. Gender inequality

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Indian Dalit literature often explores themes of caste discrimination, economic inequality, and gender inequality, as these are issues that Dalits face on a daily basis.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a prominent Dalit writer?

  1. B.R. Ambedkar

  2. Mulk Raj Anand

  3. Omprakash Valmiki

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

B.R. Ambedkar, Mulk Raj Anand, and Omprakash Valmiki are all prominent Dalit writers who have written extensively about the experiences of Dalits in India.

Multiple choice

Which autobiography tells the story of a young man who leaves his home in India to pursue a career in technology in the United States, facing challenges and discrimination along the way?

  1. The Namesake

  2. The White Tiger

  3. Life of Pi

  4. The God of Small Things
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The White Tiger is the autobiography of Aravind Adiga, a young man who leaves his home in India to pursue a career in technology in the United States, facing challenges and discrimination along the way. In the book, Adiga discusses his experiences as an immigrant, his struggles to find a job, and his eventual success as a writer.

Multiple choice

Which autobiography tells the story of a young woman who travels to India to find herself and discovers the power of yoga and meditation?

  1. Eat, Pray, Love

  2. Wild

  3. The Alchemist

  4. Into the Wild
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Eat, Pray, Love is the autobiography of Elizabeth Gilbert, a young woman who travels to India to find herself and discovers the power of yoga and meditation. In the book, Gilbert discusses her experiences in Italy, India, and Indonesia, and her journey to find love and happiness.

Multiple choice

Which of the following books by Chetan Bhagat has sold over 5 million copies in India?

  1. Five Point Someone

  2. One Night @ the Call Center

  3. The 3 Mistakes of My Life

  4. 2 States
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

2 States, published in 2009, became an instant bestseller and has remained popular among Indian readers.

Multiple choice

Which book by Amish Tripathi has sold over 4 million copies in India?

  1. The Immortals of Meluha

  2. The Secret of the Nagas

  3. The Oath of the Vayuputras

  4. Sita: Warrior of Mithila
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Immortals of Meluha, the first book in the Shiva Trilogy, was a runaway success and established Amish Tripathi as a bestselling author in India.

Multiple choice

Which book by Preeti Shenoy has sold over 1 million copies in India?

  1. Life is What You Make It

  2. It's All in the Planets

  3. The Secret Wish List

  4. A Hundred Little Flames
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Life is What You Make It, published in 2009, was Preeti Shenoy's debut novel and became an instant bestseller, establishing her as a leading voice in Indian women's fiction.

Multiple choice

Which book by Vikram Seth has sold over 1 million copies in India?

  1. A Suitable Boy

  2. The Golden Gate

  3. An Equal Music

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

A Suitable Boy, published in 1993, is Vikram Seth's most famous novel and has sold over 1 million copies in India. It is a sweeping epic that follows the lives of four families in post-independence India.