Arrange the works in chronological sequence:
(A) Rajmohan's Wife
(B) A Bend in the Ganges
(C) Kanthapura
(D) Untouchable
(E) Distant Drum
Choose the correct answer from the options given below

Correct option is C

1. "Rajmohan's Wife": This is the earliest work, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and published in 1864. It is considered one of the earliest novels in Bengali literature and is a notable work in the context of Indian literature in English.

2. "Untouchable": This novel, written by Mulk Raj Anand, was published in 1935. It is a significant work in Indian English literature and deals with issues of caste discrimination and social injustice in India.

3. "Kanthapura": Written by Raja Rao, "Kanthapura" was published in 1938. It is a pioneering work of Indian English fiction and tells the story of a village in South India during the struggle for independence.

4. "A Bend in the Ganges": This novel, written by Manohar Malgonkar, was published in 1964. It explores the socio-political changes in India during the transition from colonial rule to independence.

5. "Distant Drum": This is the latest work, written by Manohar Malgonkar and published in 1978. It is set against the backdrop of the Indian freedom struggle and the events leading up to it.

Information Booster:
​Rajmohan’s Wife was serialized in an English periodical and reflects early experimentation with the novel form in India.

Untouchable was inspired by Anand’s own experiences and by Mahatma Gandhi, who wrote the novel’s introduction.

Kanthapura uses a narrative technique similar to oral storytelling, deeply rooted in Indian tradition, making it a stylistic innovation in Indian English fiction.

A Bend in the Ganges deals with both the nonviolent Gandhian movement and the violent revolutionary path, highlighting ideological divisions among freedom fighters.

Distant Drum is often praised for its vivid characterizations and its ability to merge personal narratives with historical events.

Additional Knowledge:
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay later became a towering figure in Bengali literature and wrote the national song Vande Mataram.

Mulk Raj Anand, along with R.K. Narayan and Raja Rao, is considered one of the founding fathers of Indian English literature.

Raja Rao’s works often blend myth, philosophy, and political themes, and he was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1964.

Manohar Malgonkar’s fiction frequently draws on his military background, lending authenticity to his depictions of conflict and discipline.

The progression from Rajmohan’s Wife to Distant Drum mirrors India’s journey from colonial subjecthood to an independent nation grappling with its identity.