Every literature optional offers a unique perspective on language, culture, and literary expression. Sindhi Literature Optional introduces you to a literary tradition shaped by centuries of poetry, prose, folklore, and philosophical thought. The subject provides an opportunity to explore the evolution of the Sindhi language alongside the works of writers and poets who have contributed to its rich literary heritage.
The UPSC Sindhi Literature optional syllabus consists of two papers carrying 250 marks each. Paper I focuses on the language, literary history, and critical study of Sindhi literature, while Paper II covers prescribed literary texts. Understanding the syllabus at the beginning of your preparation can help you identify important topics and approach the optional with greater clarity.
Paper I focuses on the historical development of the Sindhi language and literature. The syllabus is divided into different sections covering language, literary history, criticism, and major literary trends that have influenced Sindhi literature over time. Questions in the examination can be answered in either the Arabic script or the Devanagari script of Sindhi, as permitted by UPSC.
| Section A |
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1. (a) Origin and evolution of Sindhi language —views of different scholars. (b) Significant linguistic features of the Sindhi language, including those pertaining to its phonology, morphology, and syntax. (c) Major dialects of the Sindhi language. (d ) Sindhi Vocabulary —stages of its growth, including those in the pre-partition and post-partition periods. (e) Historical study of various Writing Systems (Scripts) of Sindhi. (f) Changes in the structure of the Sindhi language in India, after partition, due to the influence of other languages and social conditions. |
| Section B |
(a) Early medieval literature up to 1350 A.D., including folk literature. (b) Late medieval period from 1350 A.D. to 1850 A.D. (c) Renaissance period from 1850 A.D. to 1947 A.D. (d) Modern period from 1947 onwards.
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The UPSC Sindhi Literature Paper II requires a first-hand reading of the texts prescribed in the question paper. The objective of the second paper is to test the critical ability of candidates to comprehend the poetry, prose, and drama of Sindhi Literature. There are two sections, viz., Section A and Section B. The UPSC Sindhi Literature syllabus of Paper II is as follows:
| Section A |
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| Section B |
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A strong preparation strategy involves studying both the prescribed texts and reliable reference material. The books listed below can help you understand literary history, critical concepts, language development, and the major works included in the syllabus.
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Paper I |
Paper II |
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