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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

In the novel "The Hungry Tide" by Amitav Ghosh, what is the name of the Bengali fish curry that Piya cooks for Kanai?

  1. Hilsa Curry

  2. Rohu Curry

  3. Katla Curry

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

Hilsa Curry is a Bengali fish curry made with hilsa fish, mustard seeds, and a variety of spices.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga, what is the name of the dish that Balram cooks for his master Ashok?

  1. Chicken Biryani

  2. Mutton Korma

  3. Palak Paneer

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

Chicken Biryani is a popular Indian dish made with rice, chicken, and a variety of spices.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai, what is the name of the dish that Sai cooks for her family?

  1. Aloo Gobhi

  2. Chicken Tikka Masala

  3. Samosas

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

Aloo Gobhi is a North Indian dish made from potatoes, cauliflower, and a variety of spices.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The Palace of Illusions" by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, what is the name of the dish that Draupadi cooks for her husbands?

  1. Payasam

  2. Appam

  3. Puttu

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

Payasam is a traditional Indian sweet dish made from rice, milk, and sugar, often flavored with cardamom or saffron.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The Great Indian Novel" by Shashi Tharoor, what is the name of the dish that is served at the wedding of Padmini and Ashok?

  1. Chicken Biryani

  2. Mutton Korma

  3. Palak Paneer

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

Chicken Biryani is a popular Indian dish made with rice, chicken, and a variety of spices.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the earliest of the four Vedas?

  1. Rig Veda

  2. Yajur Veda

  3. Sama Veda

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

The Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas and is believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered one of the earliest forms of Indian literature?

  1. Rig Veda

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Ramayana

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

The Rig Veda is considered one of the earliest forms of Indian literature and is a collection of hymns and prayers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered one of the most important philosophical texts of Hinduism?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Brahmanas

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

The Upanishads are considered one of the most important philosophical texts of Hinduism and explore the nature of reality and the relationship between the individual and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major language of modern Indian literature?

  1. Hindi

  2. Bengali

  3. Marathi

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

English is not a major language of modern Indian literature, although it is widely used in Indian writing.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian literature?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Anand Math

  3. Godan

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

Gitanjali, Anand Math, and Godan are all major works of modern Indian literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian drama?

  1. Mrichchakatika

  2. Sakuntala

  3. Abhijnanashakuntalam

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

Abhijnanashakuntalam is a major work of modern Indian drama for its lyrical beauty and philosophical insights.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian poetry?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Na Hanyate

  3. Madhushala

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

Gitanjali, Na Hanyate, and Madhushala are all major works of modern Indian poetry.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian literature?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Anand Math

  3. Godan

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

Gitanjali, Anand Math, and Godan are all major works of modern Indian literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the oldest Veda?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Samaveda

  3. Yajurveda

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

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, and is a collection of hymns and prayers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major Upanishad?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Kena Upanishad

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

The Bhagavad Gita is not a major Upanishad, but rather a philosophical poem that is part of the Mahabharata.