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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 literary journal was founded in 2015 and is known for its focus on Indian writing in translation?

  1. The Indian Translation Review

  2. The Indian Literary Translation Review

  3. The Journal of Indian Translation

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

The Indian Translation Review, founded by Arvind Krishna Mehrotra, is a notable journal that publishes translations of Indian literary works from various languages into English.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2017 and is dedicated to promoting writing from the LGBTQIA+ community in India?

  1. The Rainbow Review

  2. The Queer Review

  3. The LGBTQIA+ Review

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

The Rainbow Review, founded by R. Raj Rao, is a significant journal that publishes works by LGBTQIA+ writers and addresses issues related to queer identity, rights, and representation.

Multiple choice

Which literary journal was founded in 2020 and is known for its focus on contemporary Indian drama?

  1. The Indian Drama Review

  2. The Indian Play Review

  3. The Journal of Indian Drama

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

The Indian Drama Review, founded by Anjum Katyal, is a notable journal that publishes plays, essays, and reviews on Indian drama.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered the primary source for the teachings on Tyaga?

  1. The Bhagavad Gita

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Vedas

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

The Bhagavad Gita, a part of the epic Mahabharata, contains teachings on Tyaga, emphasizing the importance of selfless action and detachment from the fruits of one's labor.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered to be the first treatise on communication?

  1. Natya Shastra

  2. Arthashastra

  3. Rigveda

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

The Natya Shastra is an ancient Indian text that deals with the theory and practice of performing arts, including drama, dance, and music. It is considered to be the first treatise on communication in Indian culture.

Multiple choice

Which festival is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Hanuman over the demon Ravana?

  1. Diwali

  2. Holi

  3. Dussehra

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

Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Hanuman over the demon Ravana.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the text that is considered to be the main scripture of the Samkhya School of Hindu Philosophy?

  1. The Samkhya Karika

  2. The Bhagavad Gita

  3. The Upanishads

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

The Samkhya Karika is considered to be the main scripture of the Samkhya School of Hindu Philosophy.

Multiple choice

In Indian literature, which epic poem tells the story of a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must overcome many challenges to regain his throne?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is an epic poem that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must overcome many challenges to regain his throne.

Multiple choice

In Indian literature, which collection of stories tells the tales of the lives of various Hindu saints and sages?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a collection of stories that tells the tales of the lives of various Hindu saints and sages.

Multiple choice

In Indian literature, which collection of hymns is considered one of the most sacred texts in Hinduism?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads are a collection of hymns that are considered one of the most sacred texts in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

The Ajanta Caves are renowned for their exquisite paintings, which depict scenes from which ancient Indian epic?

  1. The Ramayana

  2. The Mahabharata

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ajanta Caves contain a series of paintings that depict stories from the Jataka Tales, which are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha.

Multiple choice

Which Indian writer is known for his works that explore themes of identity, culture, and history?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. R.K. Narayan

  3. Arundhati Roy

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

Rabindranath Tagore, R.K. Narayan, Arundhati Roy, and Vikram Seth are all renowned Indian writers whose works have gained international recognition and acclaim, showcasing India's literary excellence and cultural diversity.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text contains detailed descriptions of eclipses and their significance?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Atharvaveda

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

The ancient Indian text 'Surya Siddhanta' contains detailed descriptions of eclipses and their significance.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian treatise on statecraft and economics?

  1. Arthashastra

  2. Nitishastra

  3. Dharmashastra

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

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy, written by Kautilya.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered the primary source of information on Indian Cosmology?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Rigveda, the oldest of the four Vedas, contains hymns and verses that provide insights into the ancient Indian understanding of the universe and its creation.