Explore famous Indian literature translations in English, including Mahabharata, Ramayana, Tagore’s poetry, Premchand’s novels, Dalit literature, and modern social classics. Learn about epic tales, social justice works, and influential regional writings translated into English.
Famous Translations in English: Epics, Novels, and Social Classics
Introduction
Indian literature, rich in epics, novels, poetry, and social narratives, has been translated into English to reach a global audience. From the timeless Mahabharata and Ramayana to the socially critical works of Premchand, Mahasweta Devi, and Bama, translations make India’s literary heritage accessible to readers worldwide. This post explores the most famous Indian literature translations in English, highlighting epics, caste-focused works, feminist narratives, and regional classics that are essential for students, researchers, and literature enthusiasts alike.
1. Homer’s Works
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Original: Greek
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Translations:
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The Iliad – Translated by Robert Fagles, Richmond Lattimore, or Alexander Pope
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The Odyssey – Translated by Robert Fagles, Emily Wilson
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Significance: These translations made ancient Greek epics accessible to modern readers while keeping poetic elegance.
2. Virgil’s Aeneid
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Original: Latin
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Translations: By John Dryden, Robert Fagles
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Significance: A major classical epic translated into English verse, influencing English epic poetry.
3. Dante Alighieri – The Divine Comedy
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Original: Italian
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Translations: By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Dorothy L. Sayers, Allen Mandelbaum
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Significance: Introduced readers to medieval Italian literature and theology.
4. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – Faust
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Original: German
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Translations: By Walter Kaufmann, Bayard Taylor
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Significance: Brought German Romantic drama and philosophical themes to English-speaking audiences.
5. Leo Tolstoy – War and Peace / Anna Karenina
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Original: Russian
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Translations: By Constance Garnett, Louise and Aylmer Maude, Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky
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Significance: Tolstoy’s novels became classics of world literature in English through these translations.
6. Fyodor Dostoevsky – Crime and Punishment / The Brothers Karamazov
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Original: Russian
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Translations: By Constance Garnett, David McDuff, Richard Pevear & Larissa Volokhonsky
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Significance: Introduced Dostoevsky’s psychological depth and philosophical themes to English readers.
7. The Bhagavad Gita
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Original: Sanskrit
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Translations: By Swami Prabhupada, Eknath Easwaran, Juan Mascaró
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Significance: Made this central Hindu scripture accessible in English with philosophical insights.
8. The Qur’an
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Original: Arabic
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Translations: By Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall, Muhammad Asad
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Significance: Provides English readers with access to Islamic religious and literary text.
9. Chinese Classics
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Works: Tao Te Ching by Laozi, Analects by Confucius
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Translations: By James Legge, D.C. Lau, Stephen Mitchell
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Significance: Introduced Chinese philosophy and literature to the West.
10. Japanese Literature
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Works: The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
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Translation: By Arthur Waley, Royall Tyler
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Significance: The first great Japanese novel accessible in English, influential in world literature.
