Famous Personalities — Set 9
Gujarat GK · प्रसिद्ध व्यक्तित्व · Questions 81–90 of 100
K.M. Munshi wrote which famous historical novel series based on Gupta Empire era Gujarat?
Correct Answer: A. Krishnavatara series
K.M. Munshi wrote the famous 'Krishnavatara' series — an eight-volume historical novel sequence retelling the life of Lord Krishna and the Mahabharata era, considered his literary masterpiece. He also wrote 'Jay Somnath', a novel based on the history of Somnath Temple, 'Patann ni Prabhuta' and 'Gujarat no Nath' — historical novels based on medieval Gujarat's Solanki dynasty. Munshi's historical fiction is credited with reviving interest in Gujarat's glorious past and inspiring generations of Gujaratis.
Phulchand Sah was an important freedom fighter from Gujarat associated with which Gandhian institution?
Correct Answer: B. Gujarat Vidyapith
Gujarat Vidyapith (founded by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920) was supported by numerous freedom fighters, educators, and social workers who combined education with nationalist consciousness. The institution trained generations of workers for the freedom movement and post-independence nation-building. Many of Gandhi's closest associates from Gujarat — like Kakasaheb Kalelkar, Kaka Kalelkar, and Mahadev Desai — were connected to Gujarat Vidyapith and the Sabarmati Ashram activities.
Parimal Trivedi 'Sunder' was a noted Gujarati short story writer. The Gujarati short story tradition was pioneered by which author?
Correct Answer: B. Govardhanram Tripathi
Govardhanram Madhavram Tripathi (1855-1907) was the pioneer of modern Gujarati prose and is best known for his magnum opus 'Saraswatichandra' — a four-volume novel considered the greatest work of Gujarati fiction. While not primarily known for short stories, his narrative innovations and the subsequent Gujarati literary tradition nurtured by writers like Ramanbhai Nilkanth, Dhruv Bhatt, and Jhaverchand Meghani helped establish Gujarati as a vibrant literary language. 'Saraswatichandra' was adapted into a popular Bollywood film and television serial.
Hemendra Kumar Ray was a famous author associated with which genre in Gujarati and Bengali literature?
Correct Answer: B. Adventure and detective fiction for youth
Hemendra Kumar Ray (1888-1963) was a Bengali author famous for adventure and detective fiction for youth, particularly his popular characters Jayanta and Manik. While primarily a Bengali writer, his works were widely translated into Gujarati and other Indian languages, making him popular with Gujarati readers. Gujarat has its own tradition of mystery and adventure writing for youth, inspired partly by such cross-regional literary exchanges.
Girish Karnad, the Jnanpith Award-winning playwright who wrote 'Tughlaq' and 'Hayavadana', had which connection to Gujarat?
Correct Answer: D. He had no significant connection to Gujarat
Girish Karnad (1938-2019) was a Karnataka-born playwright who wrote in Kannada and had his primary career connections to Karnataka, Maharashtra (for Marathi theatre), and Delhi. While his plays have been widely performed across India including Gujarat, he had no specific personal or professional connection to Gujarat. Gujarat has its own distinguished tradition of theatre with playwrights like Chandravadan Mehta ('Patel Ni Palak') and actors like Upendra Trivedi who defined Gujarati stage and cinema.
Ashokbhai Deshpande was a well-known Gujarati actor who performed in the famous Gujarati drama called?
Correct Answer: A. Jasma Odan
Gujarati folk dramas (Loknatya) and Bhavai performances have given Gujarat a rich theatrical heritage with plays based on historical legends like Jasma Odan (a tragic folk heroine), Ranakdevi (a medieval Gujarati queen), and Sheri Randal (folk drama). These stories celebrate themes of sacrifice, valor, and Gujarati culture. The Bhavai tradition of Gujarat, performed by the Taragala community, is one of India's oldest continuous performing arts traditions, dating back to the 14th century.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi Chief Minister who founded the Aam Aadmi Party, was born in which state but worked in Gujarat?
Correct Answer: A. He was born in Haryana
Arvind Kejriwal was born on August 16, 1968, in Siwani, Haryana, and has no specific personal connection to Gujarat. However, the Aam Aadmi Party made its political debut in Gujarat in the 2022 state elections, winning 5 seats and establishing a presence in the state. Gujarat has historically been a BJP stronghold, but AAP's entry into Gujarat politics represents a new development in the state's political landscape.
Pranlal Patel was famous as a legendary Gujarati photographer who documented which event?
Correct Answer: B. The 2001 Bhuj Earthquake
The 2001 Bhuj earthquake of January 26, 2001 (Republic Day), measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale, devastated the Bhuj area of Kutch, killing approximately 20,000 people and injuring over 1.5 lakh. Photojournalists and documentary photographers who covered the earthquake's aftermath created powerful visual records of one of India's worst natural disasters. Gujarat's subsequent recovery under Chief Minister Narendra Modi's government is considered one of the most remarkable post-disaster reconstructions in India's history.
Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth' was originally written in which language?
Correct Answer: C. Gujarati
Mahatma Gandhi wrote his autobiography, originally titled 'Satya na Prayogo athva Atmakatha' (Experiments with Truth or Autobiography), in Gujarati, and it was serialized in his Gujarati journal 'Navajivan' between 1925 and 1929. Mahadev Desai translated it into English, and it has since been translated into dozens of languages worldwide. This autobiography, covering Gandhi's life from childhood to 1921, is considered a masterpiece of spiritual autobiography and remains one of the most widely read autobiographies in the world.
Kasturbai Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi's wife, was born in which city of Gujarat?
Correct Answer: C. Porbandar
Kasturba Gandhi (1869-1944), known as 'Ba' (mother), was born in Porbandar, Gujarat — the same city as Mahatma Gandhi — and was betrothed to him in childhood as was customary. She accompanied Gandhi throughout his activism in South Africa and India, participating in civil disobedience campaigns herself and being imprisoned multiple times. Kasturba died on February 22, 1944, in detention at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, and is remembered as a pioneering woman in India's independence movement.