Books and Authors MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Books and Authors - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Points

• 'Hind Swaraj' was written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1909 during his voyage from England to South Africa.
• The book outlines Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) and his vision of self-rule (Swaraj) for India.
• It critiques Western civilization and industrialization, advocating for a return to simple, self-sufficient village life.
• The book serves as a foundational text for the Indian independence movement and reflects Gandhi's belief in truth, non-violence, and self-reliance.
• 'Hind Swaraj' has been translated into several languages and remains a key text in understanding Gandhian philosophy.

Additional Information

• Satyagraha:
  • A key concept in Gandhi's philosophy, it means "insistence on truth" or non-violent resistance.
  • It was employed in various movements such as the Champaran Satyagraha and the Dandi March.
  • Satyagraha emphasizes moral strength over physical force to achieve justice and freedom.
• Swaraj:
  • Literally translates to "self-rule" or "self-governance."
  • In 'Hind Swaraj,' Gandhi advocated for Swaraj not just as political independence but also as individual and community self-reliance.
  • It involves decentralization of power and promotion of local industries and sustainability.
• Critique of Western Civilization:
  • In 'Hind Swaraj,' Gandhi criticizes the materialism and industrialization of Western societies.
  • He attributes the erosion of moral and spiritual values to the overemphasis on machinery and technology.
  • Instead, he advocates for a lifestyle rooted in simplicity, spirituality, and community well-being.

The Correct Answer is Dadabhai Naoroji.

Key Points

• The wealth drain was the amount of India's wealth and economy that was not accessible to Indians.
• Dadabhai Naoroji proposed the 'drain of wealth' hypothesis in 1867, claiming that Britain was draining India of all its wealth. Poverty and Un-British Rule in India, a book that he wrote, stated this theory.
• The external drain was caused by six factors, according to Naoroji. Firstly, India was ruled by a foreign power. Second, India did not draw immigrants who would have brought labor and capital to help the country develop economically.
• Third, India footed the bill for Britain's civil administration and army in India. Fourth, India was responsible for the expansion of empires both within and outside of its borders.
• Fifth, by allowing free trade, foreigners were able to take high-paying jobs away from Indians who were equally skilled. Finally, since they were mainly foreign personnel, the main income earners would spend their money outside of India or leave with the money.

Important Points

• Dadabhai Naoroji, also known as the "Grand Old Man of India" and the "Unofficial Ambassador of India," was an Indian scholar, trader, and politician who served as a Liberal Party Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom House of Commons from 1892 to 1895.
• He was the first Asian to be a British MP other than Anglo-Indian MP David Ochterlony Dyce Sombre, who was disenfranchised for corruption.
• Naoroji is best known for his work with the Indian National Congress, of which he was a founding member and was elected president three times — in 1886, 1893, and 1906. 

The correct answer is Dadabhai Naoroji.

Key Points

• Dadabhai Naoroji: 
  • He wrote the book 'Poverty and Un British Rule in India'. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
  • Dadabhai Naoroji was popularly known as the 'Grand Old Man of India'.
  • He is the first Indian to become a member of the British Parliament.
  • He helped found the London Indian Society and East India Association.
  • In 1885, Naoroji became a vice-president of the Bombay Presidency Association.
  • He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.

Additional Information

• Major writings of Dada Bhai Naroji were as follows:
  • Poverty in India
  • The manners and customs of the Parsees
  • Condition of India
  • Admission of educated natives into the ICS
  • The wants and means of India 

The correct answer is An Echo from Andamans.

Key Points 

• "An Echo from Andamans" book was Written by VD Savarkar(Vinayak Damodar Savarkar).
• He wrote to His Brother GD Savarkar in Andaman jail.
• Some of the other Books written by Savarkar are "My transportation of life", "My life term", "Hindutva", "India war of independence 1857"," Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History".
• In 2002, the airport was renamed Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.

Key Points

• The National Song of India, 'Vande Mataram', was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876 and included in his novel Anandamath, published in 1882.
• It was first sung by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 session of the Indian National Congress.
• 'Vande Mataram' translates to "I bow to thee, Mother," and is an ode to India as a motherland.
• The song played a significant role in the Indian independence movement as a source of inspiration and patriotism.
• The first two stanzas of the song were adopted as the National Song of India on January 24, 1950.

Additional Information

• Bankim Chandra Chatterjee:
  • He was a prominent Indian novelist, poet, and journalist, often regarded as one of the pioneers of Bengali literature.
  • His works include Anandamath, Durgeshnandini, and Kapalkundala.
  • He introduced the concept of nationalism and patriotism in Indian literature.
• Significance of 'Vande Mataram':
  • The song symbolizes national pride, unity, and devotion to the motherland.
  • Its verses describe the beauty of India’s natural landscape and emphasize the importance of freedom and independence.
• Rabindranath Tagore's Role:
  • Rabindranath Tagore composed music for 'Vande Mataram' and popularized it during the Indian National Congress sessions.
  • He was deeply influenced by the song's patriotic fervor and contributed to its widespread adoption.
• Anandamath:
  • This novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee is set during the Sannyasi Rebellion against British rule in the late 18th century.
  • 'Vande Mataram' is featured prominently in the novel, where it is sung by the revolutionaries.

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Points

Hind Swaraj

•   It was written by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi expressing his views on Swaraj and Modern civilisation in 1909.
• It is written in a dialogic form i.e., as a discussion between the Reader and the Editor of a journal/newspaper.
• Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule comprises 20 short chapters.
• Primarily Hind Swaraj deals with two issues: 
  • a critique of modern civilization, 
  • the nature and structure of Indian Swaraj and the means and methods to achieve it.
• This book was primarily written in the Gujarati language which was the native language of Mahatma Gandhi.
• It was written during the traveling phase of Gandhiji from London to  South Africa.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Dadabhai Naoroji.

Key Points

• Dadabhai Naoroji: 
  • He wrote the book 'Poverty and Un British Rule in India'. Hence, Option 4 is correct.
  • Dadabhai Naoroji was popularly known as the 'Grand Old Man of India'.
  • He is the first Indian to become a member of the British Parliament.
  • He helped found the London Indian Society and East India Association.
  • In 1885, Naoroji became a vice-president of the Bombay Presidency Association.
  • He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.

Additional Information

• Major writings of Dada Bhai Naroji were as follows:
  • Poverty in India
  • The manners and customs of the Parsees
  • Condition of India
  • Admission of educated natives into the ICS
  • The wants and means of India 

The correct answer is Dayanand Saraswati. 

Key Points

• Dayanand Saraswati was born as Mool Shankar Tiwari in 1824 at Morvi (Gujarat).
• He left home at the age of 21 and lived an ascetic life for 25 years.
• He gave the slogan, ‘Go back to the Vedas’ and ‘the Vedas are the source of all knowledge'.
• He was the founder of Arya Samaj.
• He translated the Vedas and wrote three books:
  • Satyartha Prakash in Hindi
  • Veda Bhasya Bhumika, an introduction to his Vedic commentary, and
  • Veda Bhasya, a Vedic commentary in Sanskrit on the Yajurveda and Rig-Veda.

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

Key Points

• Young India:
  • Young India was a weekly paper or journal in English published by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi from 1919 to 1931. 
  • Gandhi wrote various quotations in this journal that inspired many.
  • He used Young India to spread his unique ideology and thoughts regarding the use of nonviolence in organizing movements and to urge readers to consider, organize, and plan for India's eventual independence from Britain.
  • A Young India copy from 1919. In 1933 Gandhiji started publishing a weekly newspaper, Harijan, in English. Harijan, which means "People of God", and was also Gandhi's term for the untouchable caste - lasted until 1948.
  • During this time Gandhi also published Harijan Bandu in Gujarati, and Harijan Sevak in Hindi.
  • All three papers focused on India's and the world's social and economic problems.

Additional Information

• Writing in the journal Young India in 1931, Gandhiji said, "I cannot possibly bear the idea that a man who has got wealth should have the vote, but that a man who has got character but no wealth or literacy should have no vote, or that a man who works honestly by the sweat of his brow day in and day out should not have the vote for the crime of being a poor man.

The correct answer is MarathiKey Points 

• The Gulamgiri by Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is regarded as one of the earliest tracts opposing the caste system.
• It was written in 1873 in Marathi language
• In 1885, it was published.
• It uses a 16-part essay and four lyrical pieces to criticise the caste system.
• It is written as a conversation between a character named Dhondiba and Jotiba. 

Additional Information 

• Jyotiba Phule (11 April 1827 – 28 November 1890) was a Maharashtra-born Indian social reformer, writer, and anti-caste crusader.
• He and his wife, Savitribai Phule, were forerunners in India when it came to women's education.
• In 1848, Phule established his first girls-only school in Pune in Tatyasaheb Bhide's house, also known as Bhidewada.
• In order to secure equal rights for members of lower castes, he founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Society of Truth Seekers) along with his adherents.

The correct answer is Mahatma Gandhi.

• Mahatma Gandhi is considered the father of the nation in India.
  • Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa for practising law in 1893.
  • He returned to India on 9 January 1915.
  • Gandhi's first major satyagraha was in 1917 with the Champaran agitation in Bihar.
  • 'Hind Swaraj' was written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1909.
  • Mahatma Gandhi founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh in 1932.
  • He was assassinated on 30 January 1948.

Additional Information

• Notable works of Mahatma Gandhi are:
  • The story of my experiments with truth.
  • Hind Swaraj or Indian home rule.
  • From Yeravda Mandir.
  • Satyagraha in South Africa.
  • India of my dreams
• The  English daily newspaper 'The Hitavad' was founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale in 1911 in Nagpur.
• Arctic home of Aryans and Gita Rahasya are the two major works of Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• Notable works of Jawaharlal Nehru are:
  • The discovery of India.
  • Glimpses of world history.
  • An Autobiography.
  • Letters from a father to his daughter.

The correct answer is A Bunch of Old Letters.

Key Points

• A Bunch of Old Letters was written by Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The Letters In This Volume, Written By Some Of The Leading Figures Of Our Times, Cover The Three Eventful Decades Leading Up To India S Independence In 1947.
• Many Of The Letters Are From Those Most Closely Involved In The Freedom Struggle Among Them, Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Rabindranath Tagore, Sarojini Naidu, Maulana Azad, Vallabhbhai Patel And Jayaprakash Narayan.
• Of Particular Interest Is The Long Correspondence Between Subhas Chandra Bose And Nehru, Which Covers The Crisis During The Tripuri Congress In 1939, And Reflects The Two Leaders Sharply Differing Views On The Mobilization Of National Resistance To British Rule.
• Equally Fascinating Are The Letters From Mahatma Gandhi, Which Reveal His Acute Political Instincts As Well As His Deep Humanity And His Genuine Respect For Dissent.
• The Letters Also Bear Testimony To Jawaharlal Nehru S Extraordinary Gift For Friendship, And The Respect And Admiration He Evoked, Both Personally And For The Cause Of Indian Independence, From World Figures As Diverse As George Bernard Shaw, Romain Rolland, Clare Boothe Luce, Edward Thompson, Chiang Kai-Shek And Bertrand Russell, Among Others. A Bunch Of Old Letters Is Essential Reading For An Understanding Of The History Of National Movement.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Swami Vivekanand.

Important Points:

• Swami Vivekanand was the religious guru who influenced Indian as well as western philosophy through his teachings.
• He was born as Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863.
• He was the chief disciple of Swami Ramakrishna Paramhamsa.
• He founded Ramakrishna Matha and started the Ramakrishna Mission.
• He gave his most famous speech at the Parliament of World's religions in Chicago in 1893.
• Swami Vivekanand wrote the book 'Raja Yoga' and the book was published in July 1896.
• The book was his interpretation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. 

The correct answer is Savitribai Phule.

Important Points:

• Savitribai Phule was born on 3 January 1831 at Naigaum (Satara, Maharashtra).
• She was married to Jyotiba Phule at the age of nine.
• Savitribai received early education from her husband and started teaching other women in society.
• After completing her teacher's training, she along with her husband established the first women's school in 1848.
• She worked against gender and caste-based discrimination and was a great advocate of women's education. 
• She became a prolific writer and published two books:

1. Kavya Phule (1854)
2. Bavan Kashi Subodh Ratnakar (1892).

• She also wrote the poem entitled, 'Go, Get Education' to inspire the oppressed section of the Indian population to obtain a basic formal education.

The correct answer is Dadabhai Naoroji.

Key Points

• Dadabhai Naoroji wrote the book 'Poverty and Un British Rule in India'.  
• Dadabhai Naoroji was popularly known as the 'Grand Old Man of India'.
• He is the first Indian to become a member of the British Parliament.
• He helped found the London Indian Society and East India Association.
• In 1885, Naoroji became a vice-president of the Bombay Presidency Association.
• He was Congress president thrice, in 1886, 1893, and 1906.

Additional Information 

• Major writings of Dada Bhai Naoroji were as follows:
  • Poverty in India
  • The manners and customs of the Parsees
  • Condition of India
  • Admission of educated natives into the ICS
  • The wants and means of India 
• An Era of Darkness is a book written by Shashi Tharoor.
• The Light of Asia: The Poem that Defined The Buddha is a book written by Jairam Ramesh.
• The Ancient Wisdom, Man Whence How and Whithera and Man and His Bodies (Dodo Press) are some books written by Annie Besant.