Here is the list of Best Indian Novels in English authored by Famous Indian authors of all time. A complete list of best Indian Novels you can read to learn about the history of India. I have listed top 10 best Indian Novels written by best Indian authors of 2024.
Let’s begins the list of Top 10 Indian Novels :-
The God of Small Things By Arundhati Roy
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Psychological Fictional Novel “The God of Small Things” is authored by famous Indian author “Arundhati Roy”, and it was originally published in 1997. The story of novel sets in Aye Menem, a town in Kerala, India. The story of novel revolves around character, Ammu, a 31-year-old divorced woman from upper caste family who falls in love with lower caste man named Vilita. She was married to Baba, a drunken and abusive husband of Ammu. As Ammu’s husband was very abusive, she divorced him and ends up falling in love with Vilita, a good looking and muscular man from lower caste.
The Inheritance of Loss By Kiran Desai
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Psychological Fictional Novel “The Inheritance of Loss” is written by Famous Indian woman author “Kiran Desai”, originally published on 31 August 2006. The novel was awarded with “Booker Prize” in 2006. The story of novel follows a character, Jemubhai, a retired Judge who lives with his Granddaughter, Sai. As the story begin, we follows a robbery of guns which happened in Judge’s house. Judge was robbed by a group of man from GNLF ( Gorkha National Liberation Front ) movement who are demanding a separate land from India.
The White Tiger By Aravind Adiga
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Epistolary Novel “The White Tiger” is written by famous Indian writer and journalist “Aravind Adiga”, published in 2008. The book was awarded with “Booker Prize” in 2008. The story of novel revolves around a life of Balram Halwai, a very poor man from rural Indian who worked super hard to become a Super Rich and Successful businessman. Balram was born in poor family whose father was a Rikshaw puller. Balram was good in study, but he was forced to drop his school by his grandmother, who wants him to work in his family’s tea shop. Balram’s life changes when he goes in city to work as a car driver for businessman, Ashok.
Sea of Poppies By Amitav Ghosh
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Historical Fictional Novel “Sea of Poppies” is authored by Famous Indian writer “Amitav Ghosh”, originally published in 2008. The book was awarded with numbers of awards like Vodafone Crossword Book award for fiction and Man Booker Prize in 2008. The story of novel revolves around a ship called Ibis, a ship which was built in America in early 1800s to transport slaves from South Africa. In early 1800s, India was the biggest supplier of Opium. The Indian farmers were forced by British India company to produce opium for foreign trade. Sea of Poppies is best for someone who wants to learn about the history of India.
Train to Pakistan By Khushwant Singh
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Historical Fictional Novel “Train to Pakistan” is written by Famous Indian writer “Khushwant Singh”, published in 1956. The book was awarded with Groove Press Award in 1954. The story of book revolves around a “Partition of India and Pakistan” which was in 1947. The novel story sets in fictional village, Mano Majra, which is between India and newly created Pakistan’s border. The novel has captured a pain and suffering faced Indian Hindu and Muslim during partition. Hindu were Killing Muslims in India and Muslim were Killing Hindu in newly created Pakistan.
The Immortals of Meluha By Amish Tripathi
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Fantasy Fictional Novel “Immortals of Meluha” is written by Famous Indian author “Amish Tripathi”, originally published in 2010. The book was awarded with Society Young Achievers Award for Literature. The story of novel centres around character, Shiva, a simple living man who become God throughout the story of book. The novel story is sets in fictional village, Meluha, which is shown as a place of Heaven in story. As the story begin, Shiva meets a man named, Nandi, a leader of village, Meluha who invites Shiva and his villagers in his village. Nandi convinces Shiva and brings him into Meluha, a place where Shiva become God, Neelkanth.
The Shadow Lines By Amitav Ghosh
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Fictional Novel “The Shadow Lines” is written by Indian Author “Amitav Ghosh”, published in 1988. The novel tells us about history events of India like Swadeshi Movement, World War II, and Partition of India. The story of novel begins with a life of Narrator’s grandmother, Thama who used live in Dhaka, located in Bangladesh. Thama’s father and her uncle had a fight which causes a separation of their house. The story of book revolves around a life of three families, Thamaa’s family, her sister, Mayadebi’s family and about her uncle, Jethumoshai, who is still living in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Every character of novel is connected to each other which will make reader curious and hooked till the end of story.
The Hungry Tide By Amitav Ghosh
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Psychological Fictional Novel “The Hungry Tide” is authored by “Amitav Ghosh”, published in 2004. The book was awarded with Hutch Crossword Book Prize in 2006. Amitav Ghosh’s “Hungry Tide” story begins with character, Piyali Roy, a marine water biologist who is coming in India from United States to research on Dolphins in India. She is coming in Sundarbans. As Piyali was in train to Sundarbans, she meets a character, Kanai Dutt, a 42-year-old rich man who is also going in Sundarbans to read his late Uncle, Nirmal Bose’s notebook.
The story is told from two point of view, first one is Piyali Roy who is doing research on Dolphins and second one is Kanai Dutt, who reads his uncle’s dairy. The novel story is so interesting and intriguing that it will gives you Goosebumps through the story.
Untouchable By Mulk Raj Anand
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Fictional Novel “Untouchable” is authored by Indian author “Mulk Raj Anand“, originally published in 1935. The story of novel follows a life of character, Bakha, a poor boy from lower caste family who works as a sweeper in his town. The novel talks about a life of Innocent, Bakha, who faces constant discrimination just because he is from lower caste family. He was brutally beaten by priest just because he touches his feet by mistake while cleaning streets. He cannot protect his sister against priest who tries to sexually assault her. Barkha tries to help his injured his friend but in returns his friend mother throws him out of house just because he is from lower caste.
Swami and Friends By R.K Narayan
“SHORT OVERVIEW”
The Fictional Novel “Swami and Friends” is written by Indian author “R.K Narayan”, originally published in 1935. The story of novel sets in fictional town, Malgudi. The book story follows a character, Swami, a schoolboy who doesn’t like to go to school. Swami has lots of friends in school like Mani, a healthy boy, Sankar, who is very smart and Samuel, a very funny friend. There comes new friend, Rajam, who become a good friend of Swami which eventually make Swami’s other friend jealous. The story of “Swami and Friends” revolves around a friendship and love of Swami for his friends. One more thing, it will reminds you about your school life as it is all about school life and its friendship.