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Indian Literature and Texts

3,277 Questions

Indian literature features rich ancient texts, epics like the Mahabharata, and philosophical Upanishads. This topic covers seminal works of Indian mythology and Sanskrit tradition. It is a highly scoring area in UPSC, state PSC, and other competitive examinations.

Ancient Indian epicsSacred Hindu textsSanskrit traditionIndian mythologyJain literary texts

Indian Literature and Texts Questions

Multiple choice

Which Buddhist text discusses the concept of emptiness extensively?

  1. The Heart Sutra

  2. The Diamond Sutra

  3. The Lankavatara Sutra

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

The Heart Sutra is a central Mahayana Buddhist text that delves into the concept of emptiness.

Multiple choice

Pankaj Mishra's novel, "The Romantics", explores the lives of two young men from different backgrounds during the Partition. What is the central conflict in this novel?

  1. The clash between their political ideologies

  2. The struggle to reconcile their personal desires with societal expectations

  3. The tension between their cultural identities

  4. The conflict between their religious beliefs
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Mishra's novel explores the struggle of two young men from different backgrounds as they navigate their personal desires and ambitions amidst the societal expectations and turmoil of the Partition.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT one of the four Vedas?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Samaveda

  3. Yajurveda

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

The four Vedas are the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. The Atharvaveda is not considered to be one of the four Vedas because it is a collection of magical spells and incantations.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Upanishad that is considered to be the most important?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Katha Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is considered to be the most important Upanishad because it contains some of the most profound and influential teachings in Hinduism. It is also one of the longest Upanishads, and it is divided into six chapters.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Upanishad that is known for its teachings on the concept of Brahman?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Katha Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is known for its teachings on the concept of Brahman, which is the ultimate reality. Brahman is the source of all existence, and it is the goal of all spiritual seekers.

Multiple choice

Which pioneering literary journal was founded in 1920 and played a pivotal role in shaping modern Indian literature?

  1. The Calcutta Review

  2. The Indian Review

  3. The Modern Review

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

The Modern Review, founded by Ramananda Chatterjee, was a prominent journal that published works by renowned authors like Rabindranath Tagore, Munshi Premchand, and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 1953 and is known for its focus on contemporary Indian writing in English?

  1. The Illustrated Weekly of India

  2. The Indian Express

  3. The Times of India

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

Quest, founded by N. K. Seshan, is a notable journal that publishes essays, poems, short stories, and reviews by established and emerging Indian writers.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 1964 and is dedicated to promoting Indian literature in translation?

  1. Indian Literature

  2. The Literary Review

  3. The Kenyon Review

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

Indian Literature, published by the Sahitya Akademi, is a prestigious journal that showcases translations of Indian literary works from various languages into English.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 1988 and is dedicated to promoting Dalit literature?

  1. The Dalit Voice

  2. The Dalit Panther

  3. The Dalit Liberation

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

The Dalit Voice, founded by Bama Faustina Soosairaj, is a significant journal that publishes works by Dalit writers and addresses issues related to caste discrimination and social justice.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 1990 and is known for its focus on contemporary Indian poetry?

  1. Poetry India

  2. The Indian Poetry Review

  3. The Journal of Indian Poetry

  4. The Poetry Society of India
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Poetry India, founded by Arun Kolatkar, is a notable journal that publishes poems by established and emerging Indian poets, as well as essays and reviews on poetry.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 1995 and is dedicated to promoting women's writing?

  1. Manushi

  2. Stree Shakti

  3. Sakhi

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

Manushi, founded by Madhu Kishwar, is a prominent journal that publishes works by women writers and addresses issues related to gender equality and women's rights.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2003 and is known for its focus on Indian writing in English?

  1. The Indian Quarterly

  2. The Indian Review

  3. The Indian Literary Review

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

The Indian Quarterly, founded by Amit Chaudhuri, is a respected journal that publishes essays, poems, short stories, and reviews on Indian literature in English.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2007 and is dedicated to promoting writing from the Northeast of India?

  1. The North East Review

  2. The Eastern Review

  3. The Himalayan Review

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

The North East Review, founded by Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih, is a significant journal that publishes works by writers from the Northeast of India and addresses issues related to the region's culture and identity.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2010 and is known for its focus on contemporary Indian fiction?

  1. The Indian Fiction Review

  2. The Indian Story Review

  3. The Journal of Indian Fiction

  4. The Indian Novel Review
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian Fiction Review, founded by Amitava Kumar, is a notable journal that publishes short stories, novellas, and essays on Indian fiction.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2012 and is dedicated to promoting writing from the tribal communities of India?

  1. The Adivasi Review

  2. The Tribal Review

  3. The Indigenous Review

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

The Adivasi Review, founded by Ram Dayal Munda, is a significant journal that publishes works by writers from the tribal communities of India and addresses issues related to their culture, identity, and rights.