Q 01/05

In which city was Salman Rushdie born in 1947?

A) Delhi

B) Karachi

C) Bombay

D) Lahore

Answer · why

C) Bombay

He was born into a Kashmiri Muslim family two months before Indian independence.

Q 02/05

In which year did Midnight's Children win the Booker Prize?

A) 1981

B) 1983

C) 1988

D) 1993

Answer · why

A) 1981

It was later named the best of all winners on the prize's 25th and 40th anniversaries.

Q 03/05

In how many countries was The Satanic Verses banned?

A) 8

B) 12

C) 16

D) 20

Answer · why

D) 20

Numerous killings and bombings were carried out by extremists citing the book.

Q 04/05

Which Iranian leader issued the fatwa against Rushdie?

A) Ruhollah Khomeini

B) Ali Khamenei

C) Saddam Hussein

D) Muammar Gaddafi

Answer · why

A) Ruhollah Khomeini

According to his son, Iran's supreme leader never read the book.

Q 05/05

On what date was the fatwa proclaimed on Radio Tehran?

A) 1 January 1989

B) 14 February 1989

C) 11 September 1989

D) 25 December 1988

Answer · why

B) 14 February 1989

It was Valentine's Day and also the day of his friend Bruce Chatwin's funeral.