Important Texts & Literature Through Ages (Ancient → Medieval → Modern)
Delhi Police Exam History Section
Ancient India Literature
| Category | Important Texts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vedic Literature | Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda | Earliest literature of India |
| Upanishads | Brihadaranyaka, Chandogya etc | Philosophical teachings |
| Epics | Ramayana, Mahabharata | Mahabharata → world's longest epic |
| Jain Texts | Angas | Teachings of Mahavira |
| Buddhist Texts | Tripitaka (Vinaya, Sutta, Abhidhamma) | Written in Pali |
| Mauryan Age | Arthashastra (Kautilya) | Deals with statecraft & economy |
| Sangam Literature | Tolkappiyam & 8 anthologies | Tamil literature |
Medieval India Literature
| Category | Texts / Authors | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakti Movement | Kabir, Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas), Mirabai | Vernacular literature spread |
| Sufi Literature | Sufi Silsila writings | Urdu-Persian influence |
| Mughal Period | Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari (Abul Fazl) | Akbar's reign documentation |
| Historical Chronicles | Tuzuk-i-Baburi / Baburnama | Autobiography of Babur |
Modern India Literature (Colonial + National Movement Period)
| Category | Important Texts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reformist Works | Raja Ram Mohan Roy writings | Social reforms |
| National Movement writings | Swaraj (Tilak), Hind Swaraj (Gandhi) | Spread nationalism |
| Newspapers & Journals | Kesari, Young India, Harijan | Used as political tools |
| Constitution | 1950 | Most important modern document |
Note (Exam Strategy)
Many questions in Delhi Police / SSC come directly like:
• Who wrote Ramcharitmanas?
• Tripitaka belongs to which religion?
• Who wrote "Arthashastra"?
So name + period + association is important.
Quick Recap
| Period | Main Literature |
|---|---|
| Vedic Age | Vedas, Upanishads |
| Epic Age | Ramayana, Mahabharata |
| Jain Age | Angas |
| Buddhist Age | Tripitaka |
| Mauryan Age | Arthashastra |
| Medieval | Bhakti & Sufi Literature |
| Mughal | Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari |
| Modern | Hind Swaraj, Kesari Press |
Sample Question
Which ancient text is associated with Buddhist teachings? Name its three parts.
Tripitaka is associated with Buddhist teachings. Its three parts are: Vinaya Pitaka (monastic rules), Sutta Pitaka (Buddha's teachings), and Abhidhamma Pitaka (philosophical analysis).
Previous Year Questions
Who wrote Arthashastra?
Year: Previous Year
View Answer
Kautilya (Chanakya)
Tripitaka belongs to which religion?
Year: Previous Year
View Answer
Buddhism
Which epic is associated with Vyasa?
Year: Previous Year
View Answer
Mahabharata
You've completed Important Texts & Literature Concepts!
Courage Tip: Focus on memorizing the key texts and their authors/associations. Remember that Vedas are the oldest, Mahabharata is the longest epic, Tripitaka belongs to Buddhism, Arthashastra to Kautilya, and Ramcharitmanas to Tulsidas. Pay special attention to the religious associations of different texts and the time periods they belong to. The exam strategy of remembering name + period + association will help you answer most literature-based questions correctly.
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