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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

Who is considered one of the greatest modern Indian novelists and is known for his realistic and insightful portrayal of Indian society?

  1. Premchand

  2. Raja Rao

  3. U. R. Ananthamurthy

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

Premchand is considered one of the greatest modern Indian novelists and is known for his realistic and insightful portrayal of Indian society.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian author is known for her powerful and evocative short stories, often exploring themes of identity, belonging, and loss?

  1. Jhumpa Lahiri

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Anita Desai

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

Jhumpa Lahiri is known for her powerful and evocative short stories, often exploring themes of identity, belonging, and loss.

Multiple choice

Which modern Indian author is known for his powerful and evocative novels, often exploring themes of history, politics, and social injustice?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Amitav Ghosh

  3. Vikram Seth

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

Arundhati Roy is known for her powerful and evocative novels, often exploring themes of history, politics, and social injustice.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered a seminal work on environmental ethics, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of non-violence?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads, part of the Vedas, contain profound insights into the unity of all life and the ethical imperative to treat all creatures with compassion and respect.

Multiple choice

What is the significance of the Bhagavad Gita in Dvaita Vedanta?

  1. The Bhagavad Gita is not relevant to Dvaita Vedanta

  2. The Bhagavad Gita is a minor text in Dvaita Vedanta

  3. The Bhagavad Gita is a major text in Dvaita Vedanta

  4. The Bhagavad Gita is the sole text of Dvaita Vedanta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Bhagavad Gita is considered a major text in Dvaita Vedanta, and Madhvacharya wrote commentaries on it.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key text in Indian Psychology?

  1. The Bhagavad Gita

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

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

The Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads, and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are all important texts in Indian Psychology. They provide insights into the nature of reality, the human mind, and the path to spiritual liberation.

Multiple choice

In the novel 'The Woman in White' by Wilkie Collins, what is the name of the young woman who is held captive in a mental asylum?

  1. Marian Halcombe

  2. Laura Fairlie

  3. Anne Catherick

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

Laura Fairlie is the young woman who is held captive in a mental asylum in the novel 'The Woman in White'.

Multiple choice

Which Indian astronomical text contains detailed descriptions of various types of comets?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Atharvaveda

  3. Surya Siddhanta

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

The Surya Siddhanta, an influential astronomical text from ancient India, provides detailed descriptions of different types of comets, their characteristics, and their astrological significance.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a Mandala of the Rigveda?

  1. Mandala 1

  2. Mandala 10

  3. Mandala 11

  4. Mandala 9
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Rigveda consists of 10 Mandalas, numbered from 1 to 10. There is no Mandala 11.

Multiple choice

Which hymn of the Rigveda is known as the 'Gayatri Mantra'?

  1. Hymn 3.62.10

  2. Hymn 1.1.1

  3. Hymn 10.121.1

  4. Hymn 7.76.3
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hymn 3.62.10 of the Rigveda is known as the 'Gayatri Mantra'. It is a sacred verse that is often recited during religious rituals and ceremonies.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Rigvedic hymn that describes the creation of the universe?

  1. Nasadiya Sukta

  2. Hiranyagarbha Sukta

  3. Purusha Sukta

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

The Nasadiya Sukta is a hymn of the Rigveda that speculates on the origins of the universe. It is one of the most famous and enigmatic hymns in the Rigveda.

Multiple choice

Which Rigvedic hymn is dedicated to the god Agni?

  1. Hymn 1.1

  2. Hymn 10.121

  3. Hymn 7.76

  4. Hymn 3.62
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hymn 1.1 of the Rigveda is dedicated to the god Agni, the god of fire. It is the first hymn of the Rigveda, and is often recited at the beginning of religious ceremonies.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Rigvedic hymn that describes the wedding of Surya and Soma?

  1. Surya-Soma Sukta

  2. Soma-Surya Sukta

  3. Surya-Chandra Sukta

  4. Chandra-Surya Sukta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Surya-Soma Sukta is a hymn of the Rigveda that describes the wedding of Surya, the sun god, and Soma, the moon god. It is a beautiful and poetic hymn that celebrates the union of these two deities.

Multiple choice

Which Rigvedic hymn is dedicated to the god Varuna?

  1. Hymn 7.86

  2. Hymn 1.24

  3. Hymn 10.125

  4. Hymn 3.54
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Hymn 7.86 of the Rigveda is dedicated to the god Varuna, the god of the sky and the waters. It is a powerful and majestic hymn that praises Varuna's wisdom, justice, and mercy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Rigvedic hymn that describes the battle between Indra and Vritra?

  1. Indra-Vritra Sukta

  2. Vritra-Indra Sukta

  3. Indra-Ahi Sukta

  4. Ahi-Indra Sukta
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Indra-Vritra Sukta is a hymn of the Rigveda that describes the battle between Indra, the god of thunder, and Vritra, the serpent who holds back the waters of the sky. It is a dramatic and exciting hymn that celebrates Indra's victory over Vritra.