Indian Literature: Classical to Contemporary

Description: This quiz covers the vast and diverse landscape of Indian literature, from its classical origins to its contemporary expressions. Test your knowledge of the authors, works, and themes that have shaped the literary heritage of India.
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: indian literature classical literature contemporary literature indian authors indian poetry indian drama indian fiction
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Which ancient Indian epic is considered one of the two major Sanskrit epics, along with the Mahabharata?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Upanishads

  4. Arthashastra


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and their brother Lakshmana, along with their struggles and eventual triumph over the demon king Ravana.

Who is widely regarded as the greatest poet of classical Sanskrit literature?

  1. Kalidasa

  2. Bhavabhuti

  3. Bharavi

  4. Magha


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kalidasa is considered one of the greatest poets and dramatists of classical Sanskrit literature. His works, including the plays 'Shakuntala' and 'Vikramorvashiyam,' are known for their lyrical beauty, depth of emotion, and philosophical insights.

Which Tamil epic poem is considered one of the five great epics of ancient Tamil literature?

  1. Silappatikaram

  2. Manimekalai

  3. Perunkathai

  4. Kundalakesi


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Silappatikaram is an ancient Tamil epic poem attributed to the poet Ilango Adigal. It tells the story of Kannaki, a devoted wife whose husband is wrongly executed, and her quest for justice.

Who is known as the 'Father of Modern Hindi Literature'?

  1. Premchand

  2. Harivansh Rai Bachchan

  3. Jaishankar Prasad

  4. Mahadevi Varma


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Premchand is widely regarded as the 'Father of Modern Hindi Literature.' His works, including novels like 'Godaan' and 'Sevasadan,' are known for their realism, social commentary, and portrayal of the lives of ordinary people.

Which Bengali novel is considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature and is often compared to 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy?

  1. Anandamath

  2. Gora

  3. Charitraheen

  4. Pather Panchali


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Anandamath is a Bengali novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. It is considered one of the greatest works of Indian literature and is often compared to 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy. The novel is set during the Sannyasi Rebellion of the 18th century and explores themes of patriotism, sacrifice, and social justice.

Who is known as the 'Nightingale of India' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century?

  1. Sarojini Naidu

  2. Rabindranath Tagore

  3. Mirza Ghalib

  4. Subramania Bharati


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sarojini Naidu is known as the 'Nightingale of India' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Her poems are known for their lyrical beauty, patriotism, and exploration of themes such as love, nature, and social justice.

Which Indian novel written in English won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1980?

  1. Midnight's Children

  2. The God of Small Things

  3. Life of Pi

  4. The White Tiger


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Midnight's Children is a novel by Salman Rushdie that won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1980. The novel tells the story of Saleem Sinai, a child born at the stroke of midnight on the day of India's independence, and his magical connection to the history of his country.

Who is known as the 'Grand Old Man of Indian Literature' and is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century?

  1. Rabindranath Tagore

  2. Munshi Premchand

  3. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay

  4. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rabindranath Tagore is known as the 'Grand Old Man of Indian Literature' and is considered one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913, becoming the first non-European to receive the prize. Tagore's works include poetry, novels, short stories, dramas, and essays.

Which Indian author wrote the critically acclaimed novel 'The Great Indian Novel'?

  1. Shashi Tharoor

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Shashi Tharoor is an Indian author, politician, and diplomat. He wrote the critically acclaimed novel 'The Great Indian Novel,' which is a satirical take on Indian history and politics.

Who is known as the 'Father of Kannada Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 12th century?

  1. Pampa

  2. Ranna

  3. Harihara

  4. Raghavanka


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Pampa is known as the 'Father of Kannada Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 12th century. His works include the epic poem 'Vikramarjuna Vijaya' and the 'Adipurana,' which is a Jain religious text.

Which Indian author wrote the novel 'The Inheritance of Loss'?

  1. Kiran Desai

  2. Arundhati Roy

  3. Jhumpa Lahiri

  4. Vikram Seth


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Kiran Desai is an Indian author who wrote the novel 'The Inheritance of Loss,' which won the Man Booker Prize in 2006. The novel tells the story of a young woman named Sai who travels from India to the United States to join her grandmother.

Who is known as the 'Father of Telugu Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 11th century?

  1. Nannaya

  2. Tikkana

  3. Errana

  4. Vemana


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Nannaya is known as the 'Father of Telugu Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 11th century. He is best known for his translation of the Mahabharata into Telugu.

Which Indian author wrote the novel 'The White Tiger'?

  1. Aravind Adiga

  2. Vikram Seth

  3. Amitav Ghosh

  4. Jhumpa Lahiri


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Aravind Adiga is an Indian author who wrote the novel 'The White Tiger,' which won the Man Booker Prize in 2008. The novel tells the story of Balram Halwai, a young man from a poor village in India who becomes a successful entrepreneur.

Who is known as the 'Father of Malayalam Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 14th century?

  1. Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan

  2. Cherusseri Namboothiri

  3. Ezhuthachan

  4. Kunchan Nambiar


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan is known as the 'Father of Malayalam Literature' and is considered one of the greatest poets of the 14th century. He is best known for his translation of the Ramayana into Malayalam.

Which Indian author wrote the novel 'The God of Small Things'?

  1. Arundhati Roy

  2. Jhumpa Lahiri

  3. Vikram Seth

  4. Amitav Ghosh


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Arundhati Roy is an Indian author who wrote the novel 'The God of Small Things,' which won the Booker Prize in 1997. The novel tells the story of two fraternal twins, Rahel and Estha, and their lives in the state of Kerala, India.

- Hide questions