In short, Indian literature appears often in static GK, so this article gives you 20 original MCQs. First, you will study ancient Sanskrit works, bhakti poets, and modern novels. Next, you will review famous autobiographies and major literary awards. Moreover, this set helps RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC students at a moderate level. Therefore, you can use these questions for daily practice, quick revision, and self-testing. Also, read each question and pick your answer before you check the key. Then, study the Extra Information, because it adds useful facts for similar exam questions. Besides, note every author, book, and award in a small notebook. In addition, repeat the quiz after one week to measure your progress. As a result, you will remember more authors and books on exam day.
Ancient Sanskrit Literature MCQs: Classical Works and Authors
Q1
Which ancient poet wrote the Sanskrit play Abhijnanasakuntalam?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Kalidasa
First, Kalidasa wrote this play about King Dushyanta and Shakuntala. Moreover, he composed Meghaduta, a poem about a cloud messenger. Therefore, many scholars rank him among the greatest Sanskrit poets. However, historians still debate his exact dates. Finally, Goethe, the German writer, admired the play and praised it highly.
Q2
Which Sanskrit book tells the history of the kings of Kashmir?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Rajatarangini
In fact, Kalhana wrote the Rajatarangini in the 12th century CE. Also, the title means “River of Kings.” As a result, many historians call it an early example of Indian history writing. However, Kalhana mixed legends with real events. Overall, students should link this book with Kalhana and Kashmir.
Q3
Which author wrote the Panchatantra, a famous collection of animal fables?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Vishnu Sharma
Next, readers should know that the Panchatantra uses animal stories to teach life lessons. In addition, the text has five parts, and “Panchatantra” means “five treatises.” For this reason, people also call it a guide to practical wisdom. Still, Narayan Pandit, not Vishnu Sharma, wrote the Hitopadesha. Finally, translators carried these fables to Persia and Europe.
Q4
Which sage-poet do people honour as Adi Kavi, the first poet?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Valmiki
Also, Valmiki composed the Ramayana in Sanskrit. In fact, the epic has seven kandas, or books, and about 24,000 verses. Because of this, many people treat it as the first great Sanskrit epic poem. In contrast, Ved Vyasa composed the Mahabharata, a much longer epic. Overall, students can link Valmiki with the Ramayana and Vyasa with the Mahabharata.
Medieval and Bhakti Literature MCQs in Indian Literature
Q5
Which poet wrote the Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Tulsidas
First, Tulsidas retold the Rama story in Awadhi, a language of north India. Besides, he began the work in Ayodhya in 1574 CE. Therefore, ordinary people could read and enjoy the epic easily. For example, he also wrote Vinaya Patrika, a devotional work. Finally, many people in north India still recite the Ramcharitmanas today.
Q6
Which poet wrote the Awadhi poem Padmavat?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Malik Muhammad Jayasi
In fact, Jayasi finished Padmavat around 1540 CE. Moreover, the poem tells the story of Queen Padmavati of Chittor. In addition, it mixes history, legend, and Sufi ideas. However, historians treat the story as a poetic tale, not strict history. Overall, Padmavat stands among the best Sufi poems in Awadhi.
Q7
Which medieval poet do people call Tuti-i-Hind, or the parrot of India?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Amir Khusrau
Next, Amir Khusrau lived in the Delhi Sultanate era and served several rulers. Also, he was a disciple of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. As a result, his poems blend Persian and local Hindavi words. For instance, he composed riddles, songs, and ghazals. Thus, many people credit him with shaping early Hindustani poetry and the Qawwali tradition.
Q8
Which poet wrote Sur Sagar in Braj Bhasha?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Surdas
Furthermore, Surdas devoted his verses to Lord Krishna. Because of this, Sur Sagar describes Krishna’s childhood and youth in loving detail. Still, tradition says that Surdas lost his sight early in life. In contrast, Tulsidas wrote his major epic in Awadhi. Overall, students should link Surdas with Braj Bhasha and Krishna bhakti.
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Modern Indian Literature MCQs: Novels and Poetry
Q9
Which Bengali novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee includes the song Vande Mataram?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Anandamath
First, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee published Anandamath in 1882. Moreover, the novel draws on the Sannyasi rebellion in Bengal. As a result, its song Vande Mataram inspired many freedom fighters. For example, Rabindranath Tagore sang it at the 1896 Congress session. Finally, the Constituent Assembly gave it equal honour with the national anthem in 1950.
Q10
Which Indian writer won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Rabindranath Tagore
Also, Tagore won the prize for Gitanjali: Song Offerings. In fact, he became the first non-European Nobel laureate. Besides, he wrote the words and music of Jana Gana Mana. Moreover, his song Amar Shonar Bangla became the national anthem of Bangladesh. Finally, he founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan.
Q11
Which Premchand novel tells the story of a poor farmer named Hori?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Godan
Next, Premchand wrote in both Hindi and Urdu. In addition, Godan, his last complete novel, appeared in 1936. Therefore, many critics treat it as a landmark of Hindi realism. For instance, the story shows debt, caste pressure, and rural poverty. Thus, Premchand earned the nickname Upanyas Samrat, or emperor of novels.
Q12
Which poet wrote the Hindi collection Madhushala?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Later, Bachchan published Madhushala, a famous Hindi poetry collection, in 1935. Also, the collection has 135 quatrains, or four-line verses. Hence, readers often recite its rhythmic lines by heart. However, Bachchan also wrote a four-part autobiography. Overall, students should link Bachchan with Madhushala and Hindi poetry.
Famous Indian Books and Autobiographies MCQs for Static GK
Q13
Which leader wrote The Discovery of India?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) Jawaharlal Nehru
In fact, Nehru wrote this book while he stayed in Ahmednagar Fort prison. Also, the book traces India’s story from ancient times to modern days. Besides, Nehru wrote Glimpses of World History and an autobiography. In contrast, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad wrote India Wins Freedom. Finally, Shyam Benegal’s TV series Bharat Ek Khoj drew on the book.
Q14
Which scientist wrote the autobiography Wings of Fire with Arun Tiwari?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
First, Kalam shared his journey from Rameswaram to ISRO and DRDO in this book. Moreover, he served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007. Therefore, readers often use the book to learn about India’s space and missile programmes. For example, Kalam played a key role in the SLV-III launch vehicle. Thus, his story still inspires many students.
Q15
Which work is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) The Story of My Experiments with Truth
Additionally, Gandhi wrote the book first in Gujarati as Satyana Prayogo. Then, Mahadev Desai translated it into English. Consequently, readers across the world could read his story. Still, Gandhi wrote Hind Swaraj, a different work, in 1909. In short, students should not confuse these two titles.
Q16
Which leader wrote the book The Indian Struggle?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) Subhas Chandra Bose
Earlier, Bose wrote this book in the 1930s while he lived in Europe. Also, it covers the freedom movement from 1920 to 1934. Later, Bose reorganised the Indian National Army in 1943. In contrast, Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote Gita Rahasya in Mandalay prison. Overall, this question tests the link between leaders and their books.
Indian Literary Awards MCQs: Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi and Booker
Q17
Which Malayalam poet won the first Jnanpith Award?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: A) G. Sankara Kurup
First, the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust presents this award for literary work. Moreover, Kurup won it for his poetry collection Odakkuzhal. Because of this, his name opens the long list of Jnanpith winners. For example, Mahadevi Verma and Ramdhari Singh Dinkar later won the award too. Finally, the award covers languages of the Eighth Schedule and English.
Q18
In which year did the Sahitya Akademi begin its work?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: C) 1954
In fact, Jawaharlal Nehru served as its first president. Also, the Akademi works to promote literature in Indian languages. As a result, it gives yearly awards to writers across many languages. However, the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust runs the Jnanpith Award separately. In short, the Sahitya Akademi began its work in 1954.
Q19
How many languages does the Sahitya Akademi recognise?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) 24 languages
In addition, the Akademi counts 22 Eighth Schedule languages, plus English and Rajasthani. Therefore, the total comes to 24 languages. For instance, it honours writers in Santali, Bodo, and Dogri. Meanwhile, the Akademi also awards translators through a separate prize. Thus, students can remember the number 24 for exams.
Q20
Which Indian author won the 1997 Booker Prize for The God of Small Things?
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: D) Arundhati Roy
Next, Roy set the novel in Ayemenem, a village in Kerala. Also, she won the Booker Prize in 1997 for this debut novel. Hence, the book reached readers across the world. In contrast, Kiran Desai won the Booker Prize in 2006 for The Inheritance of Loss. Overall, this question tests Indian winners of global literary awards.
Final Thoughts on Indian Literature MCQs
Overall, these Indian literature MCQs cover the key authors, books, and awards for static GK. First, you met Kalidasa, Valmiki, and Kalhana from the ancient period. Next, you saw how Tulsidas, Surdas, and Amir Khusrau shaped medieval writing. Then, you reviewed modern voices such as Tagore, Premchand, and Bachchan. Moreover, you learned about famous books by Nehru, Gandhi, Kalam, and Bose. Finally, you revised the Jnanpith Award, the Sahitya Akademi, and the Booker Prize. Therefore, you should practise these questions again after two days. Also, review every Extra Information line and make short notes. In addition, take a timed test to build speed for RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC exams. Consequently, you will answer book-author questions with more confidence. Hence, keep practising daily, and trust your steady effort.