The non-fiction book titled "The Great Indian Middle Class" was written by which Indian author and diplomat?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to the books and authors section of general knowledge. "The Great Indian Middle Class" is a well known non fiction work that analyses the rise and attitudes of India's middle class in the post liberalisation era. The book was written by a former Indian diplomat and author, and remembering his name is a common requirement for competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The book title is "The Great Indian Middle Class".
• It is a non fiction analysis of India's middle class.
• Options for the author are Pawan Verma, Arundhati Roy, Vikram Chandra and Jayprakash Sharma.
• We must link the correct author to this specific title.

Concept / Approach:
The approach is to associate each author with the genre and works they are famous for. Arundhati Roy is best known for "The God of Small Things" and various essays; Vikram Chandra for novels like "Sacred Games"; Jayprakash Sharma is not prominently associated with this title. Pavan K. Varma (often spelled Pavan or Pawan Verma in options) is an Indian diplomat and writer who authored "The Great Indian Middle Class". Identifying this connection solves the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that "The Great Indian Middle Class" is a commentary on social and economic changes within India, not a work of fiction. Step 2: Associate Arundhati Roy primarily with award winning fiction and political essays, but not with this particular title. Step 3: Remember that Vikram Chandra is best known as a novelist, especially for "Sacred Games", and not for a non fiction book on the Indian middle class. Step 4: Link the book "The Great Indian Middle Class" with Pavan K. Varma, a former diplomat who has written extensively on Indian society and culture. Step 5: Therefore, option Pawan Verma is the correct answer in this list.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification is to recall other books by the same author, such as "Being Indian" or "Becoming Indian", which also analyse Indian identity and middle class attitudes. These works reinforce the connection between Pavan K. Varma and sociological commentary on India, confirming that he wrote "The Great Indian Middle Class".

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Arundhati Roy: Not the author of this book; she is more closely associated with "The God of Small Things" and political essays, not with "The Great Indian Middle Class".
Vikram Chandra: A fiction writer known for novels set in contemporary India, not for this specific non fiction work on the middle class.
Jayprakash Sharma: This name is not identified in standard GK references as the author of the title mentioned, so this option is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse different non fiction books about India and randomly assign them to famous authors like Arundhati Roy, assuming that any social commentary might be hers. Another pitfall is ignoring the diplomatic background of the real author, which is often mentioned whenever the book is discussed in exam guides. Keeping a small mental list of key books and their correct authors helps prevent such mix ups.

Final Answer:
"The Great Indian Middle Class" was written by Pawan Verma (Pavan K. Varma).