Indian Literature

Facts and figures of Modern India

• 29 states, 7 Union territories and 1 NCR (National Capital
Region)
• 440 to 780 languages in India and more than 1500
dialects (National Census of India, 2001).
• Hindi and English are official languages of the country and
20 other languages are recognized by the constitution.
• Of the 1.1 billion people in India, 51% are literate, i.e more
than 500 million.
• More than 85000 newspapers (National Registrar of
Newspapers, 2011).
• India is the third largest publisher of books (16000 after
U.S.A and U.K) and 1st in readership of papers (350
million).
Prehistoric India
Prehistoric India refers to the period
before the advent of written history,
which spans from approximately 7000
BCE to 3300 BCE. During this time, early
human settlements emerged along the
Indus and Saraswati river valleys, known
as the Indus Valley Civilization.
India before the Aryans (2500 BCE)
• Before the arrival of the Indo-Aryans around 1500 BCE,
the Indian subcontinent was home to various
indigenous cultures and civilizations.

• The pre-Aryan era saw the emergence of powerful

kingdoms and republics, such as the Mahajanapadas,
which were characterized by urbanization, agricultural
advancements, and political complexity.

• The Vedic period, associated with the arrival of the

Indo-Aryans, brought about significant changes in
society, religion, and governance, with the composition
of the Rigveda and the development of early Hinduism.
Earliest Civilization in India
(5000-3000 BCE)
India During Ashoka’s reign
• Ashoka, also known as Ashoka the Great, ruled the
Mauryan Empire from 268 BCE to 232 BCE. His reign
marked a pivotal moment in Indian history as he
embraced Buddhism and promoted its principles of
non-violence, religious tolerance, and social
welfare.

• Ashoka's edicts, inscribed on pillars and rocks

throughout his empire, provided insights into his
governance policies and moral teachings.
India as a British Colony
• The British East India Company gradually established
control over parts of India in the 18th century, which
eventually led to the colonization of the entire
subcontinent.

• The British Raj, spanning from 1858 to 1947, marked a

period of British dominance and exploitation. India
suffered from economic exploitation, cultural subjugation,
and oppressive colonial policies.

• The Indian independence movement gained momentum

in the early 20th century, eventually leading to India's
independence in 1947.
Present day India
• It is the world's most populous country and has
experienced significant social, economic, and
political transformations.
• India has embraced a secular and pluralistic
democracy, with a parliamentary system of
governance.
• The country has made substantial progress in
various fields, including technology, space
exploration, healthcare, and education.
• India still faces challenges such as poverty, socio-
economic inequalities, and regional disparities,
while striving to achieve inclusive and sustainable
development.
 The Idea of India

• While regional languages have been vital at

different points in history, there has always been a
reference to the entirety of India, “Hindustan” or
land of the river Indus.

• India literature can be seen as a mosaic – parts of

one whole. This is emphasized in all literatures as
well as modern media.
Advent of the Aryans
 CASTE SYSTEM

• Brahmins: The Brahmins are the highest caste and

traditionally consisted of priests, scholars, and teachers.
They were considered the custodians of knowledge and
spirituality.
• Kshatriyas: The Kshatriyas are the second-highest caste and
were traditionally associated with warriors, rulers, and
administrators. Their role was to protect society and govern
it.
• Vaishyas: The Vaishyas are the third caste and were
traditionally engaged in agricultural, trading, and business
activities. They were considered the producers and providers
of society.
• Shudras: The Shudras are the lowest caste and
traditionally performed manual labor or service
occupations. They served the higher castes and
were considered subservient.

• Outside of these four varnas, there is a fifth

category called "Dalits" or "Untouchables." Dalits
were historically considered outside the varna
system and were subjected to severe social and
economic discrimination. They were often assigned
menial and degrading tasks, and contact with them
was believed to be polluting to higher castes.
Early Sanskrit Religious • The Vedas (4 Vedas or
Writing instructions of the pure
life)
• The Upanishads
(prayers)
• This is the period when
Sanskrit sees its rise
under the priests
• It leads to the
culmination of the 2
major epics of Indian
literature
 Types of Vedas

Name of the Veda Key Features of the Veda

Rig Veda It is the earliest form of Veda, Rig means “Praise”. It explains in various hymns praising
the elements of the Nature and Cosmos

Samaveda The earliest reference for singing, Saama means “Song”. It gives a music driven canonical
format to other Vedas for ease of recitation.

Yajurveda It is also called the book of prayers. Yajur means “Worship”. It explains different
procedures of Worship of the Nature and Cosmos

Atharvaveda The book of magic and charms, Atharva mean “Stable Mind”. It sets the rules for a
steady state daily life activities.
The Ramayana (Valmiki)
4th-5th Century BCE
•The Ramayana is an ancient Hindu epic written
by the sage Valmiki.
•It is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India,
the other being the Mahabharata.
•The epic is divided into seven books, known as
Kandas, and consists of about 24,000 verses.
•The central story revolves around the prince
Rama, his wife Sita, and their journey filled with
adventures and challenges.
• Rama is exiled from his kingdom and embarks on a quest
to rescue Sita, who has been abducted by the demon king
Ravana.
• Rama is accompanied by his loyal brother Lakshmana and
the monkey warrior Hanuman, who become key allies in
his mission.
• The epic explores themes of duty, honor, loyalty,
righteousness, and the battle between good and evil.
• Rama's unwavering devotion to dharma (righteousness)
and his adherence to moral principles make him a revered
figure in Hindu mythology.
• The epic showcases the power of love, devotion,
and sacrifice through the characters of Rama and
Sita.
• The Ramayana is not only a tale of heroism but
also offers valuable life lessons and teachings on
ethics and spirituality.
• The epic has been adapted and retold in various
languages and art forms, becoming a significant
part of Indian cultural and literary heritage.
The Mahabharata by Vyasa
3rd Century BCE
• The Mahabharata is an ancient Hindu epic attributed to
the sage Vyasa.
• It is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of India, the other
being the Ramayana.
• Comprising of approximately 100,000 verses, the
Mahabharata is the longest epic poem in the world.
• The epic is divided into 18 books or sections, known as
Parvas.
• The central storyline revolves around the conflict between
two branches of a royal family, the Pandavas and the
Kauravas.
• The Pandavas, led by the righteous Yudhishthira, face off
against the Kauravas, headed by the ambitious Duryodhana.
• The narrative explores complex themes of dharma
(righteousness), duty, morality, and the consequences of
actions.
• The Bhagavad Gita, a philosophical dialogue between Prince
Arjuna and Lord Krishna, is a significant part of the
Mahabharata.
• The epic delves into the complexities of human
relationships, portraying multidimensional characters with
virtues and flaws.
•It highlights the consequences of choices
made by individuals and societies and offers
valuable insights into human nature.
• The Mahabharata serves as a repository of
knowledge, encompassing history, mythology,
philosophy, and moral teachings.
• It has had a profound influence on Indian literature,
art, culture, and religious thought, inspiring
numerous adaptations and interpretations.
Panini’s Rules of Grammar (AshTadhyayi)
Circa 300 BCE
 Panchtantra (Five Techniques)
Vishnu Sharma (3rd Century BCE)
•The Panchatantra is an ancient collection of
animal fables that originated in India. It is
attributed to the sage Vishnu Sharma and is
believed to have been composed around the
3rd century BCE.

•The Panchatantra consists of a series of

interconnected stories with animal
characters, which convey moral and practical
lessons for human behavior.
•These tales, filled with wit, wisdom, and
humor, explore various aspects of life,
relationships, and governance, offering
timeless insights into human nature and
providing guidance on navigating complex
situations.
 Kalidasa (5th Century CE)
Shakuntala
 The Mughal Empire (1500-1857)

• This is considered the Golden Age of Islamic art, architecture

and literature.

• It was a culmination of the artistic trends which had been

influenced by Persia, The Abbassids and the Caliphate,
merged with existing Indian influences.

• By 1600, there were translations of the epics into Persian,

which continued until 1800s.
Babarnama (1530)- memoirs of Emperor Babar
Akbarnama (the official account of Emperor
Akbar written by Abu’l Fazl) in 1590
 British India and its Literature
(1750-1947)
• The early British traders learnt to speak in Persian, Urdu, Bengali and
Hindi.
• By 1835, Lord Macaulay introduced the official languages Act in
which English was made the language of instruction in order to
create a class which could work for the government.
• Early work of Indians in English was in newspapers and for social
reform (Raja Ram Mohan Roy who sought to change social custorms)
Indian-English Literature (1930-1980)

Mulk Raj Anand R. K. Narayan

Writers of the Indian
Diaspora
Rushdie
Naipaul
Jhumpa Lahiri
Chitra Divakaruni
Meena Alexander
Vikram Seth
Amitav Ghosh
Meera Syal
Kiran Desai
 Indian Writing Scene Today

• With more than 16, 000 publishing houses, the literary scene is very
vibrant in most Indian languages.
• This is partly because of international publishing houses entering the
market and the low penetration of the internet.
• The phenomena of regional writers becoming hugely popular after
1980 has been commented on recently.
• In the English writing scene, this is very controversial.
A form of writing in English empowers the
newly emerging classes
Indian Literature and Bollywood
Current novels and Bollywood
Indians in Oman are inspired by the surroundings and
experiment in photography, filmmaking and painting
 The Indo-Omani connection in literature

Sunaina Ahluwalia Asha Iyer

 The Future of Indian Literature

• Critics and writers are confident about the future, in spite of

challenges such as technology and other diversions. Adaptation is
important.
• In India, the reading public is increasing exponentially and reading is
seen as an aspirational goal.
• An important reason for this is the way that Indian literature absorbs
outside influences and creates its own literatures out of it.

Thank you.
RABINDRANATH TAGORRE

• Rabindranath Tagore was a renowned poet,

philosopher, musician, and polymath from Bengal,
India.
• He was the first non-European to win the Nobel
Prize in Literature in 1913, primarily for his
collection of poems called "Gitanjali" (Song
Offerings).
• Tagore's works explored a wide range of themes,
including love, nature, spirituality, and social issues,
reflecting his deep sensitivity and poetic brilliance.
• He was a prominent figure in the Bengal
Renaissance and played a significant role in shaping
modern Indian literature and culture.

• Tagore's legacy extends beyond his literary

contributions; he was also a social reformer,
educationist, and advocate for Indian
independence, leaving a lasting impact on Indian
society and inspiring generations of artists, writers,
and thinkers.
 Where The Mind Is Without Fear
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high
Where knowledge is free
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments
By narrow domestic walls
Where words come out from the depth of truth
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards
perfection
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way
Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit
Where the mind is led forward by thee
Into ever-widening thought and action
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country
awake.