Train to Pakistan, a novel set during the Partition of India, was authored by:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
Khushwant Singh
Explanation
'Train to Pakistan' is a renowned historical novel written by the famous Indian author Khushwant Singh, published in 1956. The novel poignantly depicts the tragedy of the 1947 Partition of India, focusing on the human suffering and communal violence of that era. The story is set in a fictional border village called 'Mano Majra', where Sikh and Muslim communities, who had lived together in peace for centuries, are suddenly engulfed by the hatred triggered by Partition.
The other authors mentioned in the options are also prominent figures in Indian literature:
Vikram Seth is widely known for his masterpiece novel 'A Suitable Boy'.
Amrita Pritam was an acclaimed Punjabi author and poet who wrote 'Pinjar', another deeply moving novel based on the Partition.
Anita Desai is a celebrated English novelist known for acclaimed works such as 'Clear Light of Day'.
Key Points
This is widely considered to be Khushwant Singh's finest and most famous novel, earning him international acclaim.
In 1998, the novel was adapted into a Bollywood film of the same name ('Train to Pakistan'), directed by Pamela Rooks.
Additional Facts
Khushwant Singh was a distinguished journalist, author, and historian. He was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 1974 (which he returned in 1984 in protest against Operation Blue Star) and India's second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, in 2007. Another one of his prominent scholarly works is 'A History of the Sikhs'.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: In which year was the novel 'Train to Pakistan' by Khushwant Singh published?
Answer: In the year 1956.
Question: On which fictional border village is the story of the novel 'Train to Pakistan' based?
Answer: Mano Majra.