Which of the following statements correctly relates to the book "The Argumentative Indian"?
1. It is a collection of essays that examines India's intellectual history, identity, and secular traditions.
2. The author of the book is a Nobel Laureate in Literature who also won the Booker Prize for this very work.
3. These essays reflect the influence of figures such as Tagore, Ashoka, and Akbar on India's democratic discourse.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
1 and 3 only
Explanation
The correct option is 1 and 3 only because statements 1 and 3 are factually accurate, while statement 2 contains errors.
Statement 1 is correct. The Argumentative Indian: Writings on Indian History, Culture and Identity is a celebrated collection of essays that explores India's intellectual history, diverse identity, pluralism, and deep-rooted secular traditions.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The book was written by Amartya Sen, who is a Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences (awarded in 1998 for his contributions to welfare economics), not in Literature. Furthermore, he did not win the Booker Prize for this work.
Statement 3 is correct. Throughout the book, Amartya Sen explicitly draws upon the legacy and philosophy of historical and cultural giants like Rabindranath Tagore, Emperor Ashoka, and Emperor Akbar to demonstrate that open dialogue, tolerance, and public debate have long been central to India's social and democratic framework.
Key Points
The book was written by Amartya Sen and published in 2005.
The core theme of the book argues that democracy is not a purely Western concept introduced to India. Instead, India has an ancient, internal tradition of public reasoning and heterodoxy (embracing diverse views) that forms the backbone of its secular society.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: In which year was Amartya Sen awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences?
Answer: 1998.
Question: What is India's highest civilian award, which was conferred upon Amartya Sen in 1999?
Answer: Bharat Ratna.