Books and authors play a major role in shaping society, culture, education, and human thought. From ancient epics and philosophical writings to modern novels and contemporary bestsellers, literature reflects the evolution of civilization. Knowledge of important books and their authors is also useful for competitive examinations, general awareness, and academic studies.
AFCAT 2 2026 Exam Static GK- Books & Authors
Ancient Books and Their Authors
Ancient literature forms the foundation of human knowledge and civilization. These works mainly focused on religion, philosophy, politics, science, and ethics.
Indian Ancient Books
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Ramayana | Valmiki |
| Mahabharata | Ved Vyasa |
| Arthashastra | Chanakya |
| Abhijnanasakuntalam | Kalidasa |
| Meghaduta | Kalidasa |
| Panchatantra | Vishnu Sharma |
| Rajatarangini | Kalhana |
| Gita Govinda | Jayadeva |
Ancient World Literature
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| The Republic | Plato |
| Iliad | Homer |
| Odyssey | Homer |
| The Art of War | Sun Tzu |
| Meditations | Marcus Aurelius |
Modern Books and Authors
Modern literature brought realism, nationalism, social reform, science fiction, and political ideas into writing.
Famous Indian Modern Books
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Godan | Munshi Premchand |
| Gitanjali | Rabindranath Tagore |
| The Discovery of India | Jawaharlal Nehru |
| Wings of Fire | A. P. J. Abdul Kalam |
| Train to Pakistan | Khushwant Singh |
| The Guide | R. K. Narayan |
| A Suitable Boy | Vikram Seth |
Famous International Modern Books
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen |
| War and Peace | Leo Tolstoy |
| 1984 | George Orwell |
| Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | J. K. Rowling |
| The Alchemist | Paulo Coelho |
| To Kill a Mockingbird | Harper Lee |
Latest Popular Books and Authors
Contemporary literature covers topics such as technology, motivation, leadership, society, environment, and global politics.
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Atomic Habits | James Clear |
| Ikigai | Héctor García and Francesc Miralles |
| The Psychology of Money | Morgan Housel |
| The Midnight Library | Matt Haig |
| India That Is Bharat | J. Sai Deepak |
| Think Like a Monk | Jay Shetty |
| The Mountain Is You | Brianna Wiest |
