He was inspired by the works of Kalidasa which he read at a very young age. His first poem was in the Maithili style which he composed in 1877.
He wrote national anthems for India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
He was also given knighthood by the British Empire in India which he returned in protest of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
His international reach was such that his works were translated into all of the widely spoken languages. English, Dutch, German, Spanish, and other European languages all found a place for Tagore.
He was the 1st Non-European to win the Nobel prize in literature. He, however, did not directly accept the award and it was delivered to him by the First British Ambassador who accepted it on.
Tagore wrote around 50 dramas, 100 books of poems, and 40 volumes of novels. His paintings were exhibited in Paris and London in 1930.