Official Syllabus Item: 16, 33, 34
Literature & Honors
Famous Books, Authors, Literary Personalities & Cultural Awards
Comprehensive RIMC preparation for Famous Books and Authors: ancient Sanskrit classics (Kalidasa, Chanakya, Vishnu Sharma), freedom struggle masterpieces (Nehru, Gandhi, Tagore, Bankim Chandra), modern Booker laureates (Arundhati Roy, Salman Rushdie), Jnanpith & Sahitya Akademi awards, and world literature.
Overview & Fundamental Concept
Literature and literary honors are recurrent high-weightage themes in the RIMC General Knowledge examination. The test comprehensively covers ancient Sanskrit treaties and epics, patriotic literature of the Indian national freedom movement, celebrated works of modern Indian writers in English, major world literary classics, and prestigious national honors including the Jnanpith Award, Sahitya Akademi Award, Saraswati Samman, and the Booker Prize.
Official Syllabus Coverage Breakdown
| Syllabus Item | Prescribed Scope | Exam Relevance & Pedagogical Objective |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Famous Books and Authors | Classical and modern bibliographical catalog: ancient treatises (Arthashastra, Panchatantra), historical chronicles (Rajatarangini, Baburnama), freedom struggle writings (Discovery of India, My Experiments with Truth), and world classics (Shakespeare, Tolstoy, Orwell). |
| 33 | Indian Literary and Cultural Personalities: Names and fields of achievements | Profiles and landmark creations of legendary literary icons: Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, Munshi Premchand, Sarojini Naidu, R. K. Narayan, and Ruskin Bond. |
| 34 | Indian Literary and Cultural Awards (Names of the award and recent recipients) | Highest literary and performing arts accolades: Jnanpith Award (first and recent laureates), Sahitya Akademi Award (24 languages), Saraswati Samman, Vyas Samman, Booker Prize, and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. |
1. Ancient & Medieval Indian Classics and Chronicles
Ancient and medieval India produced profound treatises on statecraft, drama, poetry, and historical chronicles:
| Work / Book | Author | Language / Era | Theme & Historical Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthashastra | Chanakya (Kautilya / Vishnugupta) | Sanskrit (Mauryan era, 4th century BCE) | Foundational treatise on statecraft, political strategy, economic policy, military warfare, and espionage; articulates the Saptanga (seven limbs of state) and Mandala theories. |
| Panchatantra | Pandit Vishnu Sharma | Sanskrit (Gupta era) | World's most translated collection of interrelated animal fables designed to impart practical wisdom (Niti) and statecraft to princes. Divided into five books (Tantras). |
| Abhigyanashakuntalam & Meghadutam | Mahakavi Kalidasa | Sanskrit (Gupta era) | Known as the 'Shakespeare of India'. Abhigyanashakuntalam tells the love story of King Dushyanta and Shakuntala; Meghadutam ('Cloud Messenger') is a lyric poem of a Yaksha sending a message to his wife via a rain cloud. Also authored Raghuvamsham and Kumarasambhavam. |
| Harshacharita & Kadambari | Banabhatta | Sanskrit (7th century CE) | Court poet of King Harshavardhana. Harshacharita is the first historical biography in Sanskrit; Kadambari is regarded as one of the world's earliest romantic novels. |
| Rajatarangini ('River of Kings') | Kalhana | Sanskrit (1148–1149 CE) | The earliest historical chronicle of Kashmir, covering its kings from mythological times to the 12th century; renowned for its objective historiographical approach. |
| Baburnama (Tuzuk-i-Baburi) | Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur | Chaghatai Turkic (16th century) | Candid autobiography of the first Mughal Emperor, detailing Central Asian geopolitics, battles, and the flora, fauna, and geography of Hindustan. Translated into Persian by Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khana. |
| Ain-i-Akbari & Akbarnama | Abul Fazl | Persian (16th century) | Comprehensive official chronicle of Emperor Akbar's reign, administration, land revenue settlements (Todar Mal's Bandobast), and statistical gazetteer. |
| Kitab-ul-Hind (Tarikh al-Hind) | Al-Biruni | Arabic (11th century) | Scholarly encyclopedia of Indian religion, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, customs, and caste system written by the Persian polymath who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni. |
2. Patriotic Literature of the Indian Freedom Struggle
The Indian National Movement was powerfully fueled by literary masterworks penned by visionary nationalist leaders:
• Rabindranath Tagore ('Gurudev'):
- Conferred the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his sublime poetry collection Gitanjali ('Song Offerings'), becoming the first Asian and first non-European to receive a Nobel Prize.
- Composer of the national anthems of two sovereign countries: India ('Jana Gana Mana') and Bangladesh ('Amar Shonar Bangla').
- Founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan (inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023). Other famous works: Gora, The Home and the World (Ghare-Baire), and Kabuliwala.
• Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi):
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth: Gandhi's candid autobiography detailing his spiritual and moral evolution, originally written in Gujarati while incarcerated.
- Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule (1909): Formulated his seminal concepts of Satyagraha, passive resistance, and critiques of modern industrial civilization.
- Edited revolutionary journals: Young India, Harijan, and Navjivan.
• Jawaharlal Nehru:
- The Discovery of India: Written during his five-month imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort (1942–1946) following the Quit India Movement; a comprehensive philosophical journey through 5,000 years of Indian civilization.
- Glimpses of World History: A collection of 196 letters on world history written from prison to his young daughter Indira.
- Toward Freedom: An Autobiography (1936).
• Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay:
- Authored Anandamath (1882), a historical novel set against the 18th-century Sannyasi Rebellion in Bengal. Enclosed within this novel is the sacred hymn 'Vande Mataram', which became the national anthem of Indian independence and is today India's official National Song.
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
- Chief Architect of the Constitution of India; authored seminal sociological treatises: The Annihilation of Caste, Who Were the Shudras?, and The Buddha and His Dhamma.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak ('Lokmanya'):
- Authored Gita Rahasya (The Karma Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita) while imprisoned in Mandalay jail (Burma); founded nationalist newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and The Mahratta (English).
• Sarojini Naidu ('Bharat Kokila' / The Nightingale of India):
- First Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925) and first woman Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces). Celebrated poet of lyrical collections: The Golden Threshold, The Bird of Time, and The Broken Wing.
• Munshi Premchand ('Upanyas Samrat'):
- Pioneer of modern Hindi-Urdu realist social fiction. Masterpieces include novels Godan ('The Gift of a Cow'), Gaban, Karmabhoomi, Nirmala, and immortal short stories like Idgah and Kafan.
• Rabindranath Tagore ('Gurudev'):
- Conferred the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his sublime poetry collection Gitanjali ('Song Offerings'), becoming the first Asian and first non-European to receive a Nobel Prize.
- Composer of the national anthems of two sovereign countries: India ('Jana Gana Mana') and Bangladesh ('Amar Shonar Bangla').
- Founded Visva-Bharati University at Santiniketan (inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2023). Other famous works: Gora, The Home and the World (Ghare-Baire), and Kabuliwala.
• Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi):
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth: Gandhi's candid autobiography detailing his spiritual and moral evolution, originally written in Gujarati while incarcerated.
- Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule (1909): Formulated his seminal concepts of Satyagraha, passive resistance, and critiques of modern industrial civilization.
- Edited revolutionary journals: Young India, Harijan, and Navjivan.
• Jawaharlal Nehru:
- The Discovery of India: Written during his five-month imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort (1942–1946) following the Quit India Movement; a comprehensive philosophical journey through 5,000 years of Indian civilization.
- Glimpses of World History: A collection of 196 letters on world history written from prison to his young daughter Indira.
- Toward Freedom: An Autobiography (1936).
• Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay:
- Authored Anandamath (1882), a historical novel set against the 18th-century Sannyasi Rebellion in Bengal. Enclosed within this novel is the sacred hymn 'Vande Mataram', which became the national anthem of Indian independence and is today India's official National Song.
• Dr. B. R. Ambedkar:
- Chief Architect of the Constitution of India; authored seminal sociological treatises: The Annihilation of Caste, Who Were the Shudras?, and The Buddha and His Dhamma.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak ('Lokmanya'):
- Authored Gita Rahasya (The Karma Yoga of the Bhagavad Gita) while imprisoned in Mandalay jail (Burma); founded nationalist newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and The Mahratta (English).
• Sarojini Naidu ('Bharat Kokila' / The Nightingale of India):
- First Indian woman President of the Indian National Congress (Kanpur session, 1925) and first woman Governor of an Indian state (United Provinces). Celebrated poet of lyrical collections: The Golden Threshold, The Bird of Time, and The Broken Wing.
• Munshi Premchand ('Upanyas Samrat'):
- Pioneer of modern Hindi-Urdu realist social fiction. Masterpieces include novels Godan ('The Gift of a Cow'), Gaban, Karmabhoomi, Nirmala, and immortal short stories like Idgah and Kafan.
3. Modern Indian English Literature & Booker Prize Laureates
• R. K. Narayan (Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami):
- Created the charming, immortal fictional South Indian town of Malgudi.
- Classic works: Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, The English Teacher, and The Guide (which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and was adapted into a classic film).
• Ruskin Bond:
- Renowned Indian author of British descent, residing in Landour, Mussoorie (Garhwal hills). Wrote his debut novel The Room on the Roof at age 17 (awarded the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957).
- Other iconic works: The Blue Umbrella, A Flight of Pigeons (adapted into the movie Junoon), and Rusty, the Boy from the Hills.
Indian Winners of the Prestigious Booker Prize:
1. Salman Rushdie (1981): Won for Midnight's Children, a magical realist novel chronicling India's transition to independence. It went on to win the 'Booker of Bookers' (1993) and 'Best of the Booker' (2008).
2. Arundhati Roy (1997): Won for The God of Small Things, set in Ayemenem, Kerala, becoming the first Indian citizen woman to win the Booker Prize.
3. Kiran Desai (2006): Won for The Inheritance of Loss, set in Kalimpong in the Himalayan foothills (daughter of noted novelist Anita Desai).
4. Aravind Adiga (2008): Won for his debut novel The White Tiger, depicting social stratification through the letters of protagonist Balram Halwai.
5. Geetanjali Shree (2022 - International Booker Prize): Her novel Ret Samadhi (translated into English as Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell) became the first book translated from Hindi to win the International Booker Prize.
- Created the charming, immortal fictional South Indian town of Malgudi.
- Classic works: Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, The English Teacher, and The Guide (which won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and was adapted into a classic film).
• Ruskin Bond:
- Renowned Indian author of British descent, residing in Landour, Mussoorie (Garhwal hills). Wrote his debut novel The Room on the Roof at age 17 (awarded the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize in 1957).
- Other iconic works: The Blue Umbrella, A Flight of Pigeons (adapted into the movie Junoon), and Rusty, the Boy from the Hills.
Indian Winners of the Prestigious Booker Prize:
1. Salman Rushdie (1981): Won for Midnight's Children, a magical realist novel chronicling India's transition to independence. It went on to win the 'Booker of Bookers' (1993) and 'Best of the Booker' (2008).
2. Arundhati Roy (1997): Won for The God of Small Things, set in Ayemenem, Kerala, becoming the first Indian citizen woman to win the Booker Prize.
3. Kiran Desai (2006): Won for The Inheritance of Loss, set in Kalimpong in the Himalayan foothills (daughter of noted novelist Anita Desai).
4. Aravind Adiga (2008): Won for his debut novel The White Tiger, depicting social stratification through the letters of protagonist Balram Halwai.
5. Geetanjali Shree (2022 - International Booker Prize): Her novel Ret Samadhi (translated into English as Tomb of Sand by Daisy Rockwell) became the first book translated from Hindi to win the International Booker Prize.
4. Premier Indian Literary & Cultural Honors (Item 34)
• Jnanpith Award (Gyanpeeth Puraskar):
- India's highest and most prestigious literary award, instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust.
- Carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a bronze replica of Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi).
- First Recipient (1965): Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup for his anthology Odakkuzhal ('The Bamboo Flute').
- First Woman Recipient (1976): Bengali novelist Ashapoorna Devi for Pratham Pratishruti.
- First English Author (2018): Amitav Ghosh.
- 58th Jnanpith Award (for 2023): Conferred jointly upon Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and legendary Urdu poet/lyricist Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra).
• Sahitya Akademi Award:
- Established in 1954; conferred annually by the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters) for outstanding literary works published in 24 recognized languages (the 22 languages of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution + English and Rajasthani).
• Saraswati Samman:
- Instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation. Given annually for outstanding prose or poetry published in any of the 22 Eighth Schedule Indian languages.
- First Recipient (1991): Hindi poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan for his four-volume autobiography (including Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karoon).
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award:
- India's highest award in the field of cinema, instituted in 1969 by the Directorate of Film Festivals to commemorate the 'Father of Indian Cinema', Dadasaheb Phalke (who directed India's first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913).
- First Recipient (1969): Actress Devika Rani (the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema'). Recent recipients include Asha Parekh (2020), Waheeda Rehman (2021), and Mithun Chakraborty (2022).
- India's highest and most prestigious literary award, instituted in 1961 by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust.
- Carries a cash prize of ₹11 lakh, a citation, and a bronze replica of Goddess Saraswati (Vagdevi).
- First Recipient (1965): Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup for his anthology Odakkuzhal ('The Bamboo Flute').
- First Woman Recipient (1976): Bengali novelist Ashapoorna Devi for Pratham Pratishruti.
- First English Author (2018): Amitav Ghosh.
- 58th Jnanpith Award (for 2023): Conferred jointly upon Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and legendary Urdu poet/lyricist Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra).
• Sahitya Akademi Award:
- Established in 1954; conferred annually by the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters) for outstanding literary works published in 24 recognized languages (the 22 languages of the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution + English and Rajasthani).
• Saraswati Samman:
- Instituted in 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation. Given annually for outstanding prose or poetry published in any of the 22 Eighth Schedule Indian languages.
- First Recipient (1991): Hindi poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan for his four-volume autobiography (including Kya Bhoolun Kya Yaad Karoon).
• Dadasaheb Phalke Award:
- India's highest award in the field of cinema, instituted in 1969 by the Directorate of Film Festivals to commemorate the 'Father of Indian Cinema', Dadasaheb Phalke (who directed India's first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra in 1913).
- First Recipient (1969): Actress Devika Rani (the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema'). Recent recipients include Asha Parekh (2020), Waheeda Rehman (2021), and Mithun Chakraborty (2022).
High-Yield Facts & Concept Reference Matrix
| Topic / Entity | High-Yield Exam Details |
|---|---|
| Ancient Authors & Foundational Classics | Chanakya (Arthashastra); Vishnu Sharma (Panchatantra); Kalidasa (Abhigyanashakuntalam, Meghadutam); Banabhatta (Harshacharita, Kadambari); Kalhana (Rajatarangini); Vatsyayana (Kamasutra); Sudraka (Mrichhakatika); Ashvaghosa (Buddhacharita). |
| Freedom Struggle Classics & Autobiographies | Mahatma Gandhi (My Experiments with Truth, Hind Swaraj); Jawaharlal Nehru (The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History); Bankim Chandra (Anandamath - Vande Mataram); Rabindranath Tagore (Gitanjali - Nobel Prize 1913); Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Gita Rahasya); Subhas Chandra Bose (The Indian Struggle); Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (The Annihilation of Caste). |
| Indian Booker Prize Laureates | Salman Rushdie (Midnight's Children, 1981); Arundhati Roy (The God of Small Things, 1997 - First Indian woman); Kiran Desai (The Inheritance of Loss, 2006); Aravind Adiga (The White Tiger, 2008); Geetanjali Shree (Tomb of Sand, International Booker 2022). |
| Jnanpith Award Milestones | Instituted: 1961; First Winner: G. Sankara Kurup (Malayalam, 1965); First Woman: Ashapoorna Devi (Bengali, 1976); First Hindi: Sumitranandan Pant (Chidambara, 1968); First English: Amitav Ghosh (2018); 58th Award (2023): Gulzar (Urdu) & Rambhadracharya (Sanskrit). |
| World Classics Frequently Asked in RIMC | Homer (Iliad, Odyssey); William Shakespeare (Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, Julius Caesar); Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace, Anna Karenina); George Orwell (Animal Farm, 1984); Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels); Charles Dickens (A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist); Victor Hugo (Les Misérables). |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award Milestones | Instituted in 1969; First recipient: Devika Rani (1969); Other legends: Satyajit Ray (1984), Raj Kapoor (1987), Lata Mangeshkar (1989), Dilip Kumar (1994), Amitabh Bachchan (2018), Rajinikanth (2019), Waheeda Rehman (2021), Mithun Chakraborty (2022). |
Illustrated Conceptual Diagrams & Visual Schematics
Hierarchy of Indian Literary Honours & Masterwork Classics
Literary Recognition Hierarchy: (1) Jnanpith Award: Highest civilian literary honor of India (1st winner: G. Sankara Kurup, Malayalam, 1965). (2) Sahitya Akademi Award: Annual award for 24 languages. (3) Saraswati Samman (KK Birla Foundation). Monumental Indian authors: Rabindranath Tagore (Nobel Prize in Literature 1913 for Gitanjali), Arundhati Roy (Booker Prize 1997 for The God of Small Things).
Topper Strategy & Descriptive Step Breakdown
Mastering RIMC General Knowledge Standard
In RIMC, clear step-by-step layout is essential. Write down all given values, declare formulas before substitution, and conclude with full sentences with proper units.
Objective Elimination Technique
Analyze options systematically. Rule out extreme or chronologically incompatible dates before selecting the final answer.
Cadet Elimination Strategies & High-Yield Tips
Topper Strategy #1
Distinguish Jnanpith 1st Winner vs 1st Nobel Laureate: G. Sankara Kurup won the first Jnanpith Award in 1965 (for Malayalam collection Odakkuzhal). Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 (for Gitanjali). Never mix them up.
Topper Strategy #2
Language Count for Sahitya Akademi vs Eighth Schedule: Eighth Schedule contains 22 constitutional languages. Sahitya Akademi gives awards in 24 languages (22 Eighth Schedule + English + Rajasthani).
Topper Strategy #3
Discovery of India Imprisonment Site: Jawaharlal Nehru wrote 'The Discovery of India' in Ahmednagar Fort Jail (Maharashtra), NOT Tihar or Cellular Jail. Penalty for error: -1 mark.
Topper Strategy #4
Booker Prize vs International Booker Prize: Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize (1997) for 'The God of Small Things'. Geetanjali Shree won the International Booker Prize (2022) for 'Tomb of Sand' (translated by Daisy Rockwell).
Topper Strategy #5
Vande Mataram Source Novel: Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay composed 'Vande Mataram' inside his Bengali political novel 'Anandamath' (1882) set against the Sannyasi Rebellion. Rabindranath Tagore composed the National Anthem 'Jana Gana Mana'.
Solved Exam Questions with Explanations
MCQ 1
1 Mark
Who among the following was the FIRST Asian and first non-European to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?
A. Sarojini Naidu
B. Rabindranath Tagore
C. Swami Vivekananda
D. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
Correct Answer: Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings), which had an English introduction by Irish poet W. B. Yeats. He was the first non-European laureate in literature.
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his poetry collection 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings), which had an English introduction by Irish poet W. B. Yeats. He was the first non-European laureate in literature.
MCQ 2
1 Mark
Who authored the monumental historical treatise 'The Discovery of India' during his imprisonment at Ahmednagar Fort (1942–1946)?
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Subhas Chandra Bose
D. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
Correct Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru penned 'The Discovery of India' during his 1942–1946 incarceration at Ahmednagar Fort following his arrest during the Quit India Movement. The book traces India's rich history, philosophy, culture, and struggle for independence.
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru penned 'The Discovery of India' during his 1942–1946 incarceration at Ahmednagar Fort following his arrest during the Quit India Movement. The book traces India's rich history, philosophy, culture, and struggle for independence.
MCQ 3
1 Mark
Who was the FIRST recipient of India's highest literary honor, the Jnanpith Award, in 1965?
A. Sumitranandan Pant
B. G. Sankara Kurup
C. K. V. Puttappa (Kuvempu)
D. Tara Shankar Bandyopadhyay
Correct Answer: G. Sankara Kurup
Explanation: Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup won the inaugural Jnanpith Award in 1965 for his anthology of poems titled 'Odakkuzhal' (The Bamboo Flute). The first woman to win was Ashapoorna Devi in 1976.
Explanation: Malayalam poet G. Sankara Kurup won the inaugural Jnanpith Award in 1965 for his anthology of poems titled 'Odakkuzhal' (The Bamboo Flute). The first woman to win was Ashapoorna Devi in 1976.
MCQ 4
1 Mark
Which Indian author became the first Indian citizen woman to win the prestigious Booker Prize in 1997 for her debut novel 'The God of Small Things'?
A. Anita Desai
B. Kiran Desai
C. Arundhati Roy
D. Jhumpa Lahiri
Correct Answer: Arundhati Roy
Explanation: Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for 'The God of Small Things', a semi-autobiographical novel set in Ayemenem, Kerala, exploring caste barriers, childhood trauma, and social hypocrisy.
Explanation: Arundhati Roy won the Booker Prize in 1997 for 'The God of Small Things', a semi-autobiographical novel set in Ayemenem, Kerala, exploring caste barriers, childhood trauma, and social hypocrisy.
MCQ 5
1 Mark
In which of the following novels by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was India's National Song, 'Vande Mataram', first published?
A. Kapalkundala
B. Durgeshnandini
C. Anandamath
D. Devi Chaudhurani
Correct Answer: Anandamath
Explanation: 'Vande Mataram' was originally composed as a poem by Bankim Chandra in the 1870s and later incorporated into his patriotic Bengali novel 'Anandamath' (published in 1882), set during the Sannyasi Rebellion of the 1770s.
Explanation: 'Vande Mataram' was originally composed as a poem by Bankim Chandra in the 1870s and later incorporated into his patriotic Bengali novel 'Anandamath' (published in 1882), set during the Sannyasi Rebellion of the 1770s.
MCQ 6
1 Mark
The ancient Sanskrit collection of interrelated animal fables titled 'Panchatantra' was composed by which scholar?
A. Pandit Vishnu Sharma
B. Mahakavi Kalidasa
C. Chanakya
D. Banabhatta
Correct Answer: Pandit Vishnu Sharma
Explanation: Pandit Vishnu Sharma authored the 'Panchatantra' in the Gupta period to instruct three slow-witted royal princes in the art of governance, interpersonal conduct, and political wisdom using entertaining animal allegories.
Explanation: Pandit Vishnu Sharma authored the 'Panchatantra' in the Gupta period to instruct three slow-witted royal princes in the art of governance, interpersonal conduct, and political wisdom using entertaining animal allegories.
RIMC Practice & Drill Exercises
Attempt these questions on paper following proper step-wise conventions, then click Reveal Solution to verify your answers.
Question 1
Exam Drill
Name the ancient Sanskrit historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir written by poet Kalhana in the 12th century.
Model Descriptive Solution:
Rajatarangini ('River of Kings').
Question 2
Exam Drill
Which Indian author created the fictional South Indian town of 'Malgudi' and wrote 'Swami and Friends' and 'The Guide'?
Model Descriptive Solution:
R. K. Narayan.
Question 3
Exam Drill
Who was the first woman recipient of the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1976 for her Bengali novel 'Pratham Pratishruti'?
Model Descriptive Solution:
Ashapoorna Devi.
Question 4
Exam Drill
Name the celebrated author based in Landour, Mussoorie who wrote 'The Room on the Roof' and 'The Blue Umbrella'.
Model Descriptive Solution:
Ruskin Bond.
Question 5
Exam Drill
Which novel by Salman Rushdie won the Booker Prize in 1981 and later won the special 'Booker of Bookers' prize?
Model Descriptive Solution:
Midnight's Children.
Question 6
Exam Drill
Who wrote 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth', originally written in Gujarati while in Yerwada Prison?
Model Descriptive Solution:
Mahatma Gandhi.
Question 7
Exam Drill
In how many languages does the Sahitya Akademi confer its prestigious annual literary awards?
Model Descriptive Solution:
24 languages (22 Eighth Schedule languages of the Constitution plus English and Rajasthani).
Question 8
Exam Drill
Which Indian novel, written by Geetanjali Shree and translated by Daisy Rockwell, won the International Booker Prize in 2022?
Model Descriptive Solution:
Tomb of Sand (originally published in Hindi as 'Ret Samadhi').
Question 9
Exam Drill
Who was the first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest cinema honor, when it was instituted in 1969?
Model Descriptive Solution:
Devika Rani (frequently celebrated as the 'First Lady of Indian Cinema').
Question 10
Exam Drill
Name the author of 'Gita Rahasya', written while incarcerated in Mandalay jail in Burma.
Model Descriptive Solution:
Bal Gangadhar Tilak ('Lokmanya' Tilak).
High-Yield FAQs & Revision Notes
Why was Rabindranath Tagore awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913?
Tagore was awarded the Nobel Prize for his English poetry collection 'Gitanjali' (Song Offerings), recognized for its profound spirituality, lyrical freshness, and poetic thought.
What is the difference between the Booker Prize and the International Booker Prize?
The Booker Prize is awarded to the best novel written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. The International Booker Prize is awarded annually for a single book translated into English and published in the UK or Ireland, with the £50,000 prize split equally between the author and translator.
Who were the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award for 2023?
The 58th Jnanpith Award was conferred jointly upon celebrated Sanskrit scholar and spiritual guru Jagadguru Rambhadracharya and renowned Urdu poet, lyricist, and film director Gulzar (Sampooran Singh Kalra).
What is the Saraswati Samman and who was its first recipient?
Instituted by the K. K. Birla Foundation in 1991, the Saraswati Samman is awarded annually for outstanding prose or poetry in any of the 22 languages of the Eighth Schedule. Its first recipient was Hindi poet Dr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan for his four-part autobiography.
Which book contains the Saptanga theory of statecraft?
Chanakya's 'Arthashastra'. The Saptanga theory identifies seven organic limbs of a sovereign state: Swami (king), Amatya (ministers), Janapada (territory/people), Durg (fortress), Kosha (treasury), Danda (military army), and Mitra (allies).
Which Indian author won the Booker Prize in 2008 for his debut novel 'The White Tiger'?
Aravind Adiga. The novel follows protagonist Balram Halwai, a village boy who rises from poverty to become a successful entrepreneur in Bangalore.
What are the four famous plays/poems composed by Mahakavi Kalidasa?
Kalidasa's masterworks include the plays 'Abhigyanashakuntalam', 'Malavikagnimitram', and 'Vikramorvashiyam', and the epic poems 'Meghadutam', 'Raghuvamsham', and 'Kumarasambhavam'.
Why is Munshi Premchand called 'Upanyas Samrat'?
'Upanyas Samrat' translates to the 'Emperor of Novels'. Premchand revolutionized Hindi and Urdu literature by shifting from fantasy/romance to hard-hitting social realism, portraying the struggles of Indian peasants, women, and marginalized castes.
What is the significance of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award?
It is India's highest honor in cinema, presented annually at the National Film Awards by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.
What famous books were written by Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam?
Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam authored bestselling inspirational books including 'Wings of Fire' (autobiography), 'India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium', 'Ignited Minds', and 'Target 3 Billion'.
How does this topic relate to the official RIMC syllabus?
This module directly covers Serial No. 16, 33, 34 of the broader syllabus published in Chapter 8 of the official RIMC admission brochure, ensuring 100% syllabus alignment.