Modern Literature — Set 1
Arts & Culture · आधुनिक साहित्य · Questions 1–10 of 60
Who is the author of the famous novel 'Gitanjali', which won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?
Correct Answer: A. Rabindranath Tagore
• **Rabindranath Tagore** = was the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature for 'Gitanjali'. • **1913** — the year Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature for 'Gitanjali', making him the first non-European laureate. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay: known for 'Anandmath'; Sarojini Naidu: a prominent poet and political activist; Sri Aurobindo: a philosopher and spiritual leader.
The famous literary work 'Godaann' was written by which of the following authors?
Correct Answer: D. Munshi Premchand
• **Munshi Premchand** = is hailed as the 'Upanyas Samrat' or Emperor of Novels in Hindi literature for works like 'Godaan'. • **Dhanpat Rai Srivastava** — the real name of Munshi Premchand, who depicted the socio-economic struggles of the Indian peasantry in 'Godaan'. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Jaishankar Prasad: a prominent poet and playwright of the Chhayavad era; Mahadevi Varma: a celebrated Hindi poetess and activist; Suryakant Tripathi 'Nirala': a leading figure of the Chhayavad movement.
Which Indian author wrote the internationally acclaimed novel 'The Midnight's Children'?
Correct Answer: D. Salman Rushdie
• **Salman Rushdie** = wrote 'The Midnight's Children', an acclaimed novel that explores India's transition from colonialism to independence. • **Booker Prize** — the prestigious award Salman Rushdie won for 'The Midnight's Children', a seminal work of post-colonial literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Amitav Ghosh: known for historical novels like 'The Glass Palace'; Vikram Seth: author of 'A Suitable Boy'; Arundhati Roy: won the Booker Prize for 'The God of Small Things'.
Who wrote the famous Sanskrit play 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam', which remains a cornerstone of classical literature?
Correct Answer: B. Kalidasa
• **Kalidasa** = is widely regarded as the greatest poet and dramatist in Sanskrit, famous for 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam'. • **Gupta Empire** — the historical period during which Kalidasa served as a court poet, producing cornerstones of classical Sanskrit literature. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Vishakhadatta: known for the play 'Mudrarakshasa'; Sudraka: author of the play 'Mrichchhakatika'; Bhasa: an early Sanskrit dramatist known for plays like 'Swapnavasavadattam'.
The book 'Anandmath', which contains the song 'Vande Mataram', was authored by?
Correct Answer: D. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
• **Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay** = authored 'Anandmath', a political novel that contains the iconic song 'Vande Mataram'. • **University of Calcutta** — the institution from which Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was one of the first graduates, penning works that inspired the independence movement. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Madhusudan Dutt: a pioneer of Bengali drama; Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay: known for novels like 'Devdas'; Rabindranath Tagore: author of 'Gitanjali' and national anthems.
Who is the author of the epic novel 'A Suitable Boy'?
Correct Answer: A. Vikram Seth
• **Vikram Seth** = authored the epic novel 'A Suitable Boy', one of the longest books published in a single volume in English. • **1349 pages** — the length of 'A Suitable Boy' in its first edition, making it one of the longest single-volume novels in the English language. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Arvind Adiga: won the Booker Prize for 'The White Tiger'; Kiran Desai: won the Booker Prize for 'The Inheritance of Loss'; Jhumpa Lahiri: known for 'Interpreter of Maladies' and other works on the Indian diaspora.
Which writer is famous for the 'Malgudi Days' short story collection?
Correct Answer: C. R.K. Narayan
• **R.K. Narayan** = is renowned for creating the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, featured in 'Malgudi Days' and other works. • **1943** — the year 'Malgudi Days' was first published, introducing readers to the fictional South Indian town. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Anita Desai: a prominent novelist known for works like 'Clear Light of Day'; Raja Rao: known for 'Kanthapura' and philosophical novels; Mulk Raj Anand: author of 'Untouchable' and 'Coolie'.
The novel 'The God of Small Things', which won the Booker Prize in 1997, was written by?
Correct Answer: A. Arundhati Roy
• **Arundhati Roy** = authored 'The God of Small Things', her debut novel that won the Booker Prize. • **1997** — the year Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize for 'The God of Small Things', becoming the first Indian citizen to achieve this honor. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Anita Nair: known for novels like 'Lessons in Forgetting'; Kiran Desai: won the Booker Prize for 'The Inheritance of Loss' in 2006; Shashi Deshpande: an award-winning novelist known for exploring women's lives.
Who wrote the autobiography 'Wings of Fire'?
Correct Answer: A. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
• **Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam** = co-authored 'Wings of Fire', his autobiography detailing his life journey to becoming the President of India. • **2002 to 2007** — the period Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as the 11th President of India, after a distinguished career as a scientist. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: principal architect of the Indian Constitution; Jawaharlal Nehru: India's first Prime Minister and author of 'The Discovery of India'; Mahatma Gandhi: leader of India's independence movement and author of 'My Experiments with Truth'.
The literary work 'Madhushala' is a famous collection of poems by?
Correct Answer: B. Harivansh Rai Bachchan
• **Harivansh Rai Bachchan** = authored 'Madhushala', a collection of poems known for its symbolic use of a tavern metaphor. • **Chhayavaadi school** — the literary movement in Hindi poetry where 'Madhushala' is considered a milestone, showcasing its unique style and thematic depth. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Sumitranandan Pant: a leading poet of the Chhayavad era; Maithili Sharan Gupt: a significant Hindi poet of modern times; Ramdhari Singh Dinkar: a celebrated Hindi poet, known for his patriotic works.