Biographies & Autobiographies
Delhi Police Exams - GK Section
Introduction to Biographies & Autobiographies
Biographies and autobiographies present real-life achievements, struggles and worldview of great personalities. They help you answer exam questions like “Who wrote Wings of Fire?” or “Whose autobiography is Playing It My Way?”
Memory Trick: K–G–R–T–B–M–K = Kalam, Gandhi, Ramdev, Tendulkar, Bhagat, Milkha, Kalam (thrice!)
Highlight Table – Major Indian Biographies & Autobiographies
| Book | Author / Personality | Theme / Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Wings of Fire | Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Journey from Rameswaram to President |
| Experiments with Truth | Mahatma Gandhi | Moral, spiritual, and national awakening |
| My Life, My Mission | Baba Ramdev | Yoga, Ayurveda, Indian culture |
| Playing It My Way | Sachin Tendulkar | Cricketing autobiography |
| Why I Am an Atheist | Bhagat Singh | Rationalism, revolutionary thought |
| My Journey | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Life lessons and simplicity |
| The Race of My Life | Milkha Singh | Sportsmanship, courage |
| Indomitable Spirit | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Motivation, national vision |
Wings of Fire – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Type: Autobiography
- Author: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (with Arun Tiwari)
- Published: 1999
- Theme: Rameswaram to “Missile Man” and President
- Key Points: Childhood, ISRO, DRDO, vision for youth
The Story of My Experiments with Truth – Mahatma Gandhi
- Type: Autobiography
- Author: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Written In: Gujarati (Translated by Mahadev Desai)
- Published: 1927
- Theme: Satya (Truth) & Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
- Focus: India, South Africa, philosophy of Satyagraha
My Life, My Mission – Baba Ramdev
- Type: Autobiography
- Author: Baba Ramdev (Uday Mahurkar)
- Published: 2019
- Theme: Journey of Yoga, Ayurveda, Swadeshi
- Focus: Patanjali foundation, Indian wellness
Playing It My Way – Sachin Tendulkar
- Type: Autobiography
- Author: Sachin Tendulkar (with Boria Majumdar)
- Published: 2014
- Theme: Cricket journey, 100 centuries
- Special: India’s best-selling autobiography
- Quote: Cricket was never just a game, it was my life.
Why I Am an Atheist – Bhagat Singh
- Type: Autobiographical Essay
- Author: Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- Written In: Jail (1930)
- Theme: Rationalism, rejection of blind faith
- Purpose: Defending beliefs before execution
My Journey – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Type: Semi-Autobiographical
- Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Published: 2013
- Theme: Life lessons, inspiration for youth
- Focus: Simplicity, patriotism, innovation
The Race of My Life – Milkha Singh
- Type: Autobiography
- Author: Milkha Singh (with Sonia Sanwalka)
- Published: 2013
- Theme: Partition struggle, Flying Sikh
- Highlight: 1960 Rome Olympics, symbol of determination
Indomitable Spirit – A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Type: Motivational Book
- Author: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Published: 2006
- Theme: Youth, education, nation-building
- Focus: Leadership, values, courage
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Who wrote Wings of Fire?
A) Mahatma Gandhi B) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam C) Jawaharlal Nehru D) C.V. Raman
Show Answer
B) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Whose autobiography is The Story of My Experiments with Truth?
A) Subhas Chandra Bose B) Sardar Patel C) Mahatma Gandhi D) Jawaharlal Nehru
Show Answer
C) Mahatma Gandhi
Playing It My Way is the autobiography of —
A) Virat Kohli B) Kapil Dev C) Sachin Tendulkar D) Sunil Gavaskar
Show Answer
C) Sachin Tendulkar
Why I Am an Atheist was written by —
A) Chandrashekhar Azad B) Bhagat Singh C) Subhas Chandra Bose D) M.N. Roy
Show Answer
B) Bhagat Singh
The book The Race of My Life is the autobiography of —
A) P.T. Usha B) Mary Kom C) Milkha Singh D) Neeraj Chopra
Show Answer
C) Milkha Singh
Indomitable Spirit was written by —
A) Ratan Tata B) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam C) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar D) Swami Vivekananda
Show Answer
B) A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
My Life, My Mission is authored by —
A) Baba Ramdev B) Swami Dayananda C) Sri Sri Ravi Shankar D) Mahesh Yogi
Show Answer
A) Baba Ramdev
Which of the following books is not written by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
A) Indomitable Spirit B) My Journey C) Wings of Fire D) The Discovery of India
Show Answer
D) The Discovery of India (Jawaharlal Nehru)
Who co-authored Wings of Fire with A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
A) Boria Majumdar B) Arun Tiwari C) Sonia Sanwalka D) Mahadev Desai
Show Answer
B) Arun Tiwari
“Flying Sikh” wrote which autobiography?
A) The Race of My Life B) My Country, My Life C) My Experiments with Truth D) Playing It My Way
Show Answer
A) The Race of My Life
Quick Revision – One-Line Summary Table
| Book Title | Written By | Hint / Tagline |
|---|---|---|
| Wings of Fire | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Missile Man’s Life |
| My Journey | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Inspirational stories |
| Indomitable Spirit | A.P.J. Abdul Kalam | Motivation for youth |
| Experiments with Truth | Mahatma Gandhi | Journey of Truth |
| My Life, My Mission | Baba Ramdev | Yoga & Swadeshi |
| Playing It My Way | Sachin Tendulkar | Cricket Autobiography |
| Why I Am an Atheist | Bhagat Singh | Rational Revolutionary |
| The Race of My Life | Milkha Singh | Flying Sikh’s Story |
Final Concept Recap
- Kalam’s Trilogy – Wings of Fire, My Journey, Indomitable Spirit
- Gandhi’s Truth – Moral and spiritual awakening
- Sachin’s Story – Cricket passion and perseverance
- Bhagat Singh’s Essay – Revolutionary rationalism
- Milkha Singh’s Race – From struggle to glory
- Ramdev’s Mission – Yoga & Swadeshi movement
From Gandhi’s Truth to Kalam’s Fire — every story lights India’s spirit higher!
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