Which Indian English writers are known as the 'Big Three' of the Indian novel?

The 'Big Three' of the Indian English novel refers to Mulk Raj Anand, R.K. Narayan, and Raja Rao, who established the foundation of the genre in the 1930s.

Which Indian English novelist wrote 'Untouchable' and 'Coolie'?

Mulk Raj Anand is the author of these landmark social realist novels, which focused on the lives of the oppressed and the caste system in India.

What is the significance of Raja Rao's 'Kanthapura' in Indian Literature?

Published in 1938, Kanthapura is significant for its use of the 'Sthala-Purana' (legend of a place) style and its portrayal of the Gandhian movement in a rural South Indian village.

Indian Writing in English | UGC NET English Aug 2024 PYQ Solved

Q.34

Q. Which of the following statements are true about Bhavabhuti's Uttararamacharita?

A. The time-space of the play is divided into two broad sections/acts.

B. The first act of the play deals only with the birth and childhood of Rama.

C. It is a play based on the Ramayana.

D. Its theme has been derived from the last canto of the Ramayana.

E. In the second act of the play, Sita takes refuge in the hermitage of the sage, Visvamitra.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) B, E, E only

2) A, B, E only

3) B, C, D only

4) A, C, D only

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 4 (A, C, D only)

Explanation: Bhavabhuti's 8th-century Sanskrit masterpiece is a profound psychological study of Rama’s grief.

A: While it has 7 acts, it is often studied in two parts: the separation and the reunion.
C & D: It is based on the Uttarakāṇḍa (the final book) of Valmiki’s Ramayana, focusing on the period after Rama's coronation.

Why others are incorrect: Act I begins with the abandonment of Sita, not Rama's childhood (B). Sita takes refuge with Sage Valmiki, not Visvamitra (E).

Q.35

Q. Which among the following statements are true about Panchatantra?

A. Panchatantra is a descendant of Hitopadesha.

B. It is a manual for the instruction of the sons of a king in the principles of good conduct.

C. The first book deals with the adventures of a tortoise, deer, and a cow.

D. Tantra Akhyayika is one of the oldest redactions of Panchatantra.

E. Panchatantra is divided into five parts.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) A, B, C Only

2) A, C, D Only

3) B, D, E Only

4) A, C, E Only

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3 (B, D, E Only)

Explanation: The Panchatantra (Five Treatises) is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables.

B: It was composed by Vishnu Sharma to teach niti (political science/wise conduct) to three slow-witted princes.
D: Tantrakhyayika is indeed considered one of its earliest versions.
E: The five parts are: Mitra-bheda, Mitra-samprapti, Kakolukiyam, Labdhapranasam, and Apariksitakarakam.

Note: Hitopadesha is the descendant of Panchatantra, not the ancestor (A). The first book deals with two jackals, Karataka and Damanaka (C).

Q.36

Q. Which among the following statements are true about The Autobiography of an Unknown Indian?

A. It is an autobiographical text written by Nirad C. Chaudhuri

B. It is a text of Partition Literature

C. Unabashed Anglophilia of the author made this work controversial

D. It was published in 1951

E. It primarily raises the questions of communal conflicts

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) A, C, D Only

2) B, D, E Only

3) C, B, A Only

4) A, B, E Only

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 1 (A, C, D Only)

Explanation: Published in 1951, this work by Nirad C. Chaudhuri is famous for its dedication to the British Empire, which many found offensive shortly after independence. It focuses on his childhood in East Bengal and his intellectual growth rather than specifically being "Partition Literature."

Q.37

Q. Arrange the following Indian writers in the correct chronological order of their birth:

A. R.K. Narayan

B. Raja Rao

C. Sri Aurobindo

D. K.S. Venkataramani

E. Sarojini Naidu

Choose the correct option:

1) B, A, E, C, D

2) D, E, C, B, A

3) C, E, D, A, B

4) A, B, C, E, D

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3 (C, E, D, A, B)

Chronology by Birth Year:

Sri Aurobindo (1872)
Sarojini Naidu (1879)
K.S. Venkataramani (1891)
R.K. Narayan (1906)
Raja Rao (1908)

Q.38

Q. Which of the following stories deal with the theme of Partition?

A. Thanda Gosht

B. Gharwali

C. Jila-Watan

D. Lajwanti

E. Rudali

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) A, B and D Only

2) B, C and E Only

3) A, C and D Only

4) A, C and E Only

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3 (A, C and D Only)

Explanation: These stories are quintessential Partition narratives:

Thanda Gosht (Manto): Explores the horrific sexual violence of the riots.
Jila-Watan (Krishan Chander): Focuses on displacement and the "lost home."
Lajwanti (Rajinder Singh Bedi): Deals with the trauma of abducted women.

Note: Rudali (Mahasweta Devi) deals with rural exploitation, and Gharwali (Chughtai) deals with domesticity and agency.

Q.39

Q. Arrange the following works in the correct chronological order of their publications:

A. Twilight in Delhi – Ahmed Ali

B. Azadi – Chaman Nahal

C. A Distant Dream – Manohar Malgaonkar

D. Untouchable – Mulk Raj Anand

E. Tomorrow is Ours – K.A. Abbas

Choose the correct option:

1) D, A, E, C, B

2) A, C, B, E, D

3) D, B, C, A, E

4) E, A, D, B, C

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 1 (D, A, E, C, B)

Publication Chronology:

Untouchable (1935)
Twilight in Delhi (1940)
Tomorrow is Ours (1943)
A Distant Dream (1960)
Azadi (1975)

Q.40

Q. Arrange the following novels in the correct chronological order of their publication:

A. So Many Hungers

B. All About H. Hatter

C. Music for Mohini

D. Waiting for the Mahatma

E. Kanthapura

Choose the correct option:

1) B, E, D, C, A

2) A, D, B, E, C

3) E, A, B, C, D

4) C, D, A, B, E

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3 (E, A, B, C, D)

Publication Chronology:

Kanthapura (1938) - Raja Rao
So Many Hungers (1947) - Bhabani Bhattacharya
All About H. Hatterr (1948) - G.V. Desani
Music for Mohini (1952) - Bhabani Bhattacharya
Waiting for the Mahatma (1955) - R.K. Narayan

Q.41

Q. Match List I (Diaspora Writer) with List II (Work):

List I

List II

(A) Vikram Seth

(I) Knife

(B) V.S. Naipaul

(II) The Lowland

(C) Salman Rushdie

(III) The Masque of Africa

(D) Jhumpa Lahiri

(IV) From Heaven Lake

Choose the correct option:

1. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(III)

2. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(IV)

3. (A)-(III), (B)-(II), (C)-(IV), (D)-(I)

4. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 4

Correct Matches & Significance:

Vikram Seth → From Heaven Lake: A travelogue detailing his journey from China to India.
V.S. Naipaul → The Masque of Africa: A non-fiction book exploring African spiritual beliefs.
Salman Rushdie → Knife: A 2024 memoir reflecting on the assassination attempt he survived.
Jhumpa Lahiri → The Lowland: A novel following two brothers across Calcutta and Rhode Island.

Q.42

Q. Match List I (Retellings) with List II (Author):

List I

List II

(A) Shyam: An Illustrated Retelling of the Bhagavata

(I) Anand Neelakantan

(B) War of Lanka

(II) Kavita Kane

(C) Ahalya's Awakening

(III) Devdutt Pattanaik

(D) Ajaya: Epic of the Kaurava Clan

(IV) Amish Tripathi

Choose the correct option:

1. (A)-(IV), (B)-(II), (C)-(III), (D)-(I)

2. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

3. (A)-(II), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(III)

4. (A)-(IV), (B)-(I), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 2

Correct Matches:

Shyam → Devdutt Pattanaik: Known for blending mythology with modern illustrations.
War of Lanka → Amish Tripathi: Part of his 'Ram Chandra' series.
Ahalya's Awakening → Kavita Kane: A feminist reimagining of a peripheral mythological character.
Ajaya → Anand Neelakantan: A retelling of the Mahabharata from the Kauravas' perspective.

Q.43

Q. Match List I (Dalit Writer) with List II (Language):

List I

List II

(A) Lal Singh Dil

(I) Hindi

(B) Urmila Pawar

(II) Kannada

(C) Tulsi Ram

(III) Punjabi

(D) Devanur Mahadeva

(IV) Marathi

Choose the correct option:

1. (A)-(I), (B)-(IV), (C)-(III), (D)-(II)

2. (A)-(II), (B)-(I), (C)-(IV), (D)-(III)

3. (A)-(III), (B)-(IV), (C)-(I), (D)-(II)

4. (A)-(IV), (B)-(III), (C)-(II), (D)-(I)

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3

Correct Matches:

Lal Singh Dil → Punjabi: A revolutionary poet often compared to Pash.
Urmila Pawar → Marathi: Author of the seminal autobiography Aaydan (The Weave of My Life).
Tulsi Ram → Hindi: Author of Murdahiya and Manikarnika.
Devanur Mahadeva → Kannada: A leading figure whose novel Kusumabale won the Sahitya Akademi Award.

Q.44

Q. Arrange the following works by South Asian writers in the correct chronological order of their publications:

A. Kartography by Kamila Shamsie

B. The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

C. The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

D. Desirable Daughters by Bharati Mukherjee

E. The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) A, B, C, D, E

2) A, C, B, E, D

3) E, D, C, A, B

4) A, D, B, E, C

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 4 (A, D, B, E, C)

Chronology of Publication:

Kartography (2002) – Kamila Shamsie
Desirable Daughters (2002) – Bharati Mukherjee
The Namesake (2003) – Jhumpa Lahiri
The Inheritance of Loss (2006) – Kiran Desai
The Last Queen (2021) – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Q.45

Q. Which of the following works are Graphic Narratives?

A. The Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan

B. Bhimayana by Srividya Natarajan and S. Anand

C. Munnu: A Boy from Kashmir by Malik Sajad

D. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry

E. This Side, That Side: Restorying Partition by Vishwa Jyoti Ghosh

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) B, C, E Only

2) A, B, C Only

3) D, C, E Only

4) A, D, C Only

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 1 (B, C, E Only)

Explanation: Graphic narratives use sequential art to tell stories. The correct options are:

Bhimayana: Uses Gond art to tell Dr. Ambedkar's life story.
Munnu: A graphic memoir about growing up in Kashmir.
This Side, That Side: An anthology of Partition stories in graphic form.

Note: Indu Sundaresan and Rohinton Mistry write traditional prose novels.

Q.46

Q. According to Dhananjaya (Dasharupaka), what is the correct sequence of the five dramatic junctures (Samdhis)?

A. Avamarsa (Pause)

B. Mukha (Opening)

C. Pratimukha (Progression)

D. Upasamhriti (Conclusion)

E. Garbha (Development)

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) D, B, A, E, C

2) B, C, E, A, D

3) A, E, D, B, C

4) C, D, B, A, E

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 2 (B, C, E, A, D)

Explanation: In Sanskrit dramaturgy, the plot moves through five stages of action (Avastha) which correspond to these five junctures (Sandhis):

Mukha: The opening juncture.
Pratimukha: The progression/link.
Garbha: The development/germination of the plot.
Avamarsa: The pause/deliberation before the end.
Upasamhriti: The final conclusion/denouement.

Q.47

Q. Arrange the following works of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in the correct chronological order of their publication:

A. Mr. Gandhi and the Emancipation of the Untouchables

B. The Annihilation of Caste

C. The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution

D. Federation Versus Freedom

E. Buddha and His Dhamma

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

1) A, B, D, E, C

2) C, B, A, D, E

3) C, B, D, A, E

4) B, C, A, D, E

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 3 (C, B, D, A, E)

Chronology of Publication:

The Problem of the Rupee (1923)
The Annihilation of Caste (1936)
Federation Versus Freedom (1939)
Mr. Gandhi and the Emancipation of the Untouchables (1943)
Buddha and His Dhamma (1957)

Q.48

Q. What was the name of the first ship to transport indentured labourers from India to Trinidad and Tobago in 1845?

1) Duchess of Argyle

2) Futtle Rozack

3) Bangalore

4) Duke of Bedford

View Correct Answer & Explanation

Correct Answer: 2 (Futtle Rozack)

Explanation: The Futtle Rozack (also spelled Fatal Razack) arrived at the Gulf of Paria in Trinidad on May 30, 1845. This event is historically significant as it marked the beginning of Indian indenture in the Caribbean.

Key Facts:

The ship carried 225 passengers from Calcutta (Kolkata).
May 30 is now celebrated annually as Indian Arrival Day in Trinidad and Tobago.
This migration significantly shaped the Diaspora literature of the Caribbean (e.g., works by V.S. Naipaul).

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