Indian literature, originating from the Latin word “litteratura,” encompasses written works with literary merit, classified broadly into fiction and non-fiction, with further distinctions among poetry, prose, novels, short stories, and dramas. Ancient Indian literature, beyond the sacred texts like the Vedas and Upanishads, includes diverse genres such as epics, lyrics, and prose in major ancient languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali, and Ardhamagadhi. The 18th century saw a significant shift with the advent of print technology, enhancing the reach of literature. Today, electronic literature predominates, reflecting the dynamic evolution of this rich tradition.
Top 30 Indian Literature(GK) MCQs for OSSSC RI,ARI, Amin, SFS, ICDS Supervisor
- Who is known as the ‘Father of Indian Literature’?
(a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Vālmīki
(d) Vyāsa
Ans: (c) Vālmīki - Which work of Kalidasa is known as the ‘Recognition of Shakuntala’?
(a) Abhijñānaśākuntalam
(b) Mālavikāgnimitram
(c) Vikramōrvaśīyam
(d) Raghuvaṃśa
Ans: (a) Abhijñānaśākuntalam - Who wrote the epic ‘Mahabharata’?
(a) Vyāsa
(b) Vālmīki
(c) Bhāsa
(d) Banabhatta
Ans: (a) Vyāsa - Which Sanskrit poet is famous for his work ‘Meghadūta’?
(a) Harsha
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Bharavi
(d) Bhavabhuti
Ans: (b) Kalidasa - The ‘Ramayana’ was written by?
(a) Vyāsa
(b) Banabhatta
(c) Vālmīki
(d) Kalidasa
Ans: (c) Vālmīki - Which classical text is known for its commentary on statecraft and military strategy?
(a) Manusmriti
(b) Arthashastra
(c) Vedas
(d) Upanishads
Ans: (b) Arthashastra - Who is the author of the Sanskrit text ‘Arthashastra’?
(a) Vishnu Sharma
(b) Chanakya
(c) Bhāsa
(d) Panini
Ans: (b) Chanakya - What is the primary focus of the ‘Yajur Veda’?
(a) Melodies and chants
(b) Rituals and sacrifices
(c) Hymns and prayers
(d) Philosophical discourses
Ans: (b) Rituals and sacrifices - Who wrote ‘Gita Govinda’?
(a) Jayadeva
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Bhavabhuti
(d) Banabhatta
Ans: (a) Jayadeva - Which text is considered the earliest known Sanskrit grammar?
(a) Arthashastra
(b) Ashtadhyayi
(c) Manusmriti
(d) Rigveda
Ans: (b) Ashtadhyayi - The epic ‘Ramayana’ consists of how many verses?
(a) 24,000
(b) 100,000
(c) 50,000
(d) 80,000
Ans: (a) 24,000 - Which ancient text is referred to as the ‘Book of Chants’?
(a) Sama Veda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Atharva Veda
(d) Yajur Veda
Ans: (a) Sama Veda - Who is known for writing ‘Panchatantra’?
(a) Vishnu Sharma
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Bhavabhuti
(d) Banabhatta
Ans: (a) Vishnu Sharma - Which language is the primary medium of ancient Indian literature?
(a) Hindi
(b) Prakrit
(c) Sanskrit
(d) Pali
Ans: (c) Sanskrit - What is the central theme of the ‘Rig Veda’?
(a) Rituals and sacrifices
(b) Hymns dedicated to deities
(c) Philosophical discourses
(d) Medical treatments
Ans: (b) Hymns dedicated to deities - Who authored ‘Mricchakatika’ (The Little Clay Cart)?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Sudraka
(c) Bhāsa
(d) Bhavabhuti
Ans: (b) Sudraka - Which Veda is known for its focus on rituals and sacrificial ceremonies?
(a) Sama Veda
(b) Yajur Veda
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans: (b) Yajur Veda - Who composed the ‘Mahabharata’?
(a) Vālmīki
(b) Vyāsa
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Kalidasa
Ans: (b) Vyāsa - The term ‘Upanishad’ is best described as?
(a) Ritual texts
(b) Philosophical discourses
(c) Hymns
(d) Historical narratives
Ans: (b) Philosophical discourses - ‘Hitopadesha’ was authored by?
(a) Narayana Pandit
(b) Kalidasa
(c) Vishnu Sharma
(d) Bhāsa
Ans: (a) Narayana Pandit - The Vedic text ‘Atharva Veda’ is mainly concerned with?
(a) Hymns and chants
(b) Rituals and sacrifices
(c) Healing and daily life issues
(d) Philosophical thoughts
Ans: (c) Healing and daily life issues - Which text contains the dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna?
(a) Ramayana
(b) Mahabharata
(c) Bhagavad Gita
(d) Arthashastra
Ans: (c) Bhagavad Gita - Which literary work is known as ‘The Book of Knowledge’?
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Yajur Veda
(c) Atharva Veda
(d) Sama Veda
Ans: (a) Rig Veda - Who wrote ‘Shakuntala’?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Vyāsa
(c) Banabhatta
(d) Sudraka
Ans: (a) Kalidasa - ‘Taittiriya Brahmana’ is associated with which Veda?
(a) Sama Veda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Yajur Veda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans: (c) Yajur Veda - ‘Mahabharata’ was originally known as?
(a) Jaya
(b) Bharata
(c) Ramayana
(d) Arthashastra
Ans: (a) Jaya - Which ancient text provides the basis for Hindu law and social order?
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Manusmriti
(c) Arthashastra
(d) Upanishads
Ans: (b) Manusmriti - Who is the famous author of ‘Raghuvamsha’?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Bhāsa
(c) Bhavabhuti
(d) Harsha
Ans: (a) Kalidasa - What is the primary content of ‘Ashtadhyayi’?
(a) Astronomy
(b) Grammar
(c) Medicine
(d) Rituals
Ans: (b) Grammar - Who composed the text ‘Kumarasambhava’?
(a) Kalidasa
(b) Bhāsa
(c) Bhavabhuti
(d) Sudraka
Ans: (a) Kalidasa
