Indian authors' books have surpassed all expectations in terms of popularity. Due to the large number of publishers releasing the same book and the lack of an accurate data drawing system available to the general public, keeping track of the books sold by Indian authors is challenging. Not only that, but India is a multilingual country, resulting in a plethora of popular book translations. However, below is a list of the best-selling novels by Indian authors based on public popularity and overall global recognition and reception. Religious, political, and educational publications would not be included in this list because they are frequently given away for free by organizations and there is no method to track their sales.
However, the list will contain numerous award-winning works that have sold a significant number of copies throughout time.
1. The Namesake
Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel was initially released in the year 2003. Soon after their marriage, Ashoke and Ashima relocate to Massachusetts and strive to start a new life there. This moving storey follows the lives of a couple over three decades, attempting to capture the challenges of immigrants in a distant place.
2. Midnight’s Children
Midnight's Children, Salman Rushdie's masterpiece, is an allegorical novel that links important historical events after India's independence to the birth of two children at the stroke of midnight on August 15, 1947. This best-seller has the ability to transport readers into a realm of magical realism from which they do not want to return. This internationally bestselling novel has sold millions of copies in a variety of languages and is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon.
3. Jaya
Devdutt Pattanaik, a well-known author and comparative mythologist, has succeeded in removing the aura of mysticism that has surrounded mythology and making it more accessible to the general population. The most intriguing and straightforward retelling of the Mahabharata is Jaya. Its appeal to the general population stems from its simplicity. It is one of the all-time best-selling books written by an Indian author.
4. Clear Light of Day
On the surface, this novel appears to be a home drama, but it is actually a fascinating epic that tackles the sensitive emotions and relationships that family members share. This book changed the way the world views Indian literature, selling enough copies to be regarded one of the best-selling novels by an Indian author of all time.
5. The God of Small Things
The God of Small Things is without a doubt Arundhati Roy's magnum opus, a New York Times bestseller, winner of the Booker Prize in 1997, and one of the most acclaimed novels written by an Indian author. It has been translated into over 40 languages and has sold millions of copies. It's a powerful storey about casteism, sexuality, and Indian politics and its complexities. This best-selling novel is a must-read for all book lovers.
6. A Suitable Boy
This is the longest novel ever published in the English language by an Indian author. This novel is set in post-independence India and tells the narrative of Lata, whose mother wants her to marry a "decent" boy. The narrative is about much more than a marriage search. It's a journey through history, a fascinating look at love, a celebration of art and skill, and an all-around celebration of personality. To date, roughly 26 million copies of the book have been sold.
7. Train to Pakistan
Khushwant Singh is one of India's most well-known novelists. For many years, his works have had a consistent readership. Khushwant Singh's Train to Pakistan is one of his important works. It tells the narrative of a village thrust into the darkness of communal violence and hatred as a result of Partition. The mythical village of Mano Majra in this novel is home to Muslim, Sikh, and Hindu families. Fear and communalism infiltrate the once peaceful neighbourhood, and this mood pervades the storey. Character development is spot on, and human emotions are depicted in the most raw way possible.
8. The White Tiger
The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga's debut novel, received the Man Booker Prize in 2008. The White Tiger has become one of the most popular readings of the century, thanks to the film adaptation in 2021. In just one year, the Harper Collins edition of the book sold over 1.5 lakh hardback copies, which is an incredible success.
9. The Blue Umbrella
Biniya, a young girl, receives a lovely blue umbrella from three Japanese tourists. The local shopkeeper quickly becomes enamoured with the umbrella and resolves to have it at any cost. The plot appears to be centred on such a minor and insignificant issue. But, like all of Ruskin Bond's other works, it is far more sophisticated than it appears. Bond's success in the book business is due to the fact that he produces stories that appeal to people of all ages and sells them for a low price. A copy of The Blue Umbrella is available for as little as 60 rupees.
10. The Palace of Illusions
This novel features a highly unique narrator and is yet another rendition of the epic Mahabharata. Draupadi, one of the most misunderstood and maligned characters in the classic epic, is the narrator here. This book sheds light on her experiences and emotions, allowing us to see the storey from a different, more sympathetic perspective.
