SSC
The autobiography of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, is titled:
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Answer: Option A — Atmakatha
Detailed Solution
"Atmakatha" (meaning "autobiography") is the autobiography of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India (1950-1962). It was written in Hindi, largely while he was in Bankipur jail during the Quit India Movement (1942-45), and was published in 1946. An English version was later published as "Autobiography".
About the book:
- It describes his childhood in Ziradei village in Siwan district, Bihar, his brilliant student career in Calcutta, his law practice, and his decision to join the freedom struggle under Mahatma Gandhi.
- It gives a first-hand account of the Champaran Satyagraha (1917), in which he worked closely with Gandhi.
- It also covers his work during the Bihar earthquake of 1934 and in the Indian National Congress.
Other books by Rajendra Prasad:
- "Satyagraha at Champaran" (on the 1917 movement).
- "India Divided" (1946), which argued against the two-nation theory.
- "At the Feet of Mahatma Gandhi".
About Dr. Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963):
- He was President of the Constituent Assembly, which framed the Constitution of India.
- He was President of the Indian National Congress three times.
- He is the only President of India to serve two full terms.
- He received the Bharat Ratna in 1962.
- He was popularly called "Deshratna" and "Rajendra Babu".
Autobiographies of other national leaders:
- Mahatma Gandhi: "The Story of My Experiments with Truth" (in Gujarati, "Satya na Prayogo").
- Jawaharlal Nehru: "An Autobiography" (Toward Freedom).
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: "India Wins Freedom".
- Subhas Chandra Bose: "An Indian Pilgrim" (unfinished).
- Indira Gandhi: "My Truth" (based on interviews).
Why not the other options?
- ✗"Satya Ke Prayog" is the Hindi title of Gandhi's autobiography.
- ✗"My Truth" is a book based on Indira Gandhi's interviews.
- ✗"India Wins Freedom" is the autobiography of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.
Quick tip
Remember: Rajendra Prasad's autobiography = "Atmakatha" (Hindi, 1946); also "India Divided" and "Satyagraha at Champaran"; Gandhi = "My Experiments with Truth"; Azad = "India Wins Freedom".
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Books & Authors — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Books & Authors, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers famous books and their authors, including ancient Indian texts, works of the freedom struggle, classic and modern literature, autobiographies of famous people, and recently published books by well-known personalities. Questions usually name a book and ask for its author, or the other way round. Ancient and historical books, such as Arthashastra (Kautilya), Indica (Megasthenes) and Gitanjali (Rabindranath Tagore), are tested most often. Autobiographies are another favourite, so learn titles such as 'My Experiments with Truth' (Mahatma Gandhi) and 'Wings of Fire' (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam). Practise the books and authors questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.