SSC Stenographer 2026 PYQ — Question 39

Solution: The correct answer is For spanning over two millennia of Indian history to explore continuity and change.
Explanation:
☛ Aag Ka Darya (River of Fire) is a monumental Urdu novel written by Qurratulain Hyder and published in 1959.
☛ It is considered a landmark in Indian literature because it spans over two and a half millennia (approximately 2,500 years) of the Indian subcontinent's history.
☛ The narrative begins in the 4th century BCE during the Mauryan era, travels through the Mughal period and the British Raj, and concludes after the Partition of India in 1947.
☛ Through four recurring characters (Gautam, Champa, Kamal, and Cyril) across different historical epochs, the novel examines cultural synthesis, civilizational continuity, identity, and the trauma of Partition.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Self-Translation: Qurratulain Hyder herself translated the novel into English under the title River of Fire, which was published in 1998.
☛ Jnanpith Award: Qurratulain Hyder was honored with India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith Award, in 1989 for her outstanding contribution to Urdu literature.
☛ Sahitya Akademi Award: She received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967 for her short story collection Patjhar Ki Awaz (The Sound of Falling Leaves).
☛ Civilian Honours: The Government of India conferred upon her the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan in 2005.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Who is popularly known as the 'Grand Dame of Urdu Fiction'? → Qurratulain Hyder
☛ In which year was the novel 'Aag Ka Darya' originally published in Urdu? → 1959
☛ For which work did Qurratulain Hyder win the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967? → Patjhar Ki Awaz
☛ Which historical era marks the beginning of the narrative in 'Aag Ka Darya'? → Mauryan era (Classical Vedic / Buddhist period)
☛ In which year was Qurratulain Hyder awarded the prestigious Jnanpith Award? → 1989