The History of Indian Literature

Description: This quiz will test your knowledge about the history of Indian literature, covering various periods, genres, and authors.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: indian literature history culture
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Which period of Indian literature is known for its focus on religious and philosophical texts?

  1. Vedic Period

  2. Classical Period

  3. Medieval Period

  4. Modern Period


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Vedic Period (1500-500 BCE) is the earliest period of Indian literature and is characterized by the composition of the Vedas, a collection of religious and philosophical texts.

Which ancient Indian epic poem is attributed to the sage Valmiki?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

  4. Upanishads


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki and narrates the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and their struggle against the demon king Ravana.

Who is considered the greatest Sanskrit dramatist?

  1. Kalidasa

  2. Bhavabhuti

  3. Vishakhadatta

  4. Shudraka


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kalidasa is considered the greatest Sanskrit dramatist and is known for his plays such as 'Shakuntala' and 'Abhijnanashakuntalam'.

Which medieval Indian poet is famous for his devotional lyrics?

  1. Kabir

  2. Mirabai

  3. Tulsidas

  4. Surdas


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Mirabai is a famous medieval Indian poet known for her devotional lyrics and her dedication to Lord Krishna.

Who is regarded as the father of modern Hindi literature?

  1. Bharatendu Harishchandra

  2. Premchand

  3. Jaishankar Prasad

  4. Mahadevi Varma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Bharatendu Harishchandra is regarded as the father of modern Hindi literature and is known for his contributions to drama, poetry, and prose.

Which Indian novel is considered a masterpiece of modern Indian literature?

  1. Godan

  2. Gaban

  3. Nirmala

  4. Shesh Prashn


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Godan is a novel by Premchand, considered a masterpiece of modern Indian literature, and explores the theme of landownership and the plight of farmers.

Who is the author of the famous Bengali novel 'Gora'?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

  3. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

  4. Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rabindranath Tagore is the author of the famous Bengali novel 'Gora', which explores themes of nationalism, identity, and social reform.

Which Indian writer won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

  3. Premchand

  4. Jaishankar Prasad


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European to receive this honor.

Who is known as the 'Nightingale of India' for her contributions to Hindustani classical music?

  1. Lata Mangeshkar

  2. Asha Bhosle

  3. Shreya Ghoshal

  4. Sunidhi Chauhan


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Lata Mangeshkar is known as the 'Nightingale of India' for her contributions to Hindustani classical music and her immense popularity as a playback singer.

Which Indian author is famous for his historical novels set during the Mughal era?

  1. Khushwant Singh

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Khushwant Singh is famous for his historical novels set during the Mughal era, such as 'Train to Pakistan' and 'The Company of Women'.

Who is considered one of the pioneers of the Indian New Wave cinema?

  1. Satyajit Ray

  2. Mrinal Sen

  3. Ritwik Ghatak

  4. Mani Kaul


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Satyajit Ray is considered one of the pioneers of the Indian New Wave cinema and is known for his films such as 'Pather Panchali' and 'Aparajito'.

Which Indian author is known for his satirical writings and his novel 'Midnight's Children'?

  1. Salman Rushdie

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Salman Rushdie is known for his satirical writings and his novel 'Midnight's Children', which won the Booker Prize in 1981.

Who is the author of the famous novel 'The God of Small Things'?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Jhumpa Lahiri


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Arundhati Roy is the author of the famous novel 'The God of Small Things', which won the Booker Prize in 1997.

Which Indian author is known for his novels 'The Inheritance of Loss' and 'Sea of Poppies'?

  1. Salman Rushdie

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Amitav Ghosh is known for his novels 'The Inheritance of Loss' and 'Sea of Poppies', which explore themes of history, colonialism, and globalization.

Who is considered one of the most influential contemporary Indian poets?

  1. Javed Akhtar

  2. Gulzar

  3. Prasoon Joshi

  4. Irshad Kamil


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Javed Akhtar is considered one of the most influential contemporary Indian poets, known for his work in both Hindi and Urdu.

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