50 Most Important MCQs on Vedic Period
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50 Most Important MCQs on Vedic Period
Vedic Period is considered as one of the most important phases of the Ancient History of India. Various competitive exams like UPSC, HCS, SSC CGL, and other State PCS exams, ask questions from this topic. So this becomes a very important topic if you are preparing for various competitive exams. In this article, you will find the 50 most important questions based on various aspects of the Vedic Period.
The Vedic period started from 1500 BCE and is divided into two parts. The early Vedic period, which ranged from 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE, and the later Vedic Period, which ranged from 1000 BCE – 600 BCE.
This period started with the decline of the Harappan Civilization and the rise of the Aryans. Aryans are said to have arrived in India in different waves ranging from 2000 BCE – 1500 BCE.
The original homeland of the Aryans is said to be steppes in Central Asia. Initially, they settled in the Sapta Sindhu region which they called Brahmavarta. In later centuries they moved to the inner regions of India like the Indo-Gangetic plains and other parts of Northern India and called it Aryavarta. Aryan economy consisted of agriculture and pastoralism.
Q1. What does the word ‘Veda’ mean?
(a) Knowledge
(b) Wisdom
(c) Skill
(d) Power
Ans. (a) Knowledge
Explanation:
The Vedas have been derived from the root word Vid which means to know. Vedas are called Apaurasheya, which means not created by man but gifted by God, and Nitya, which means existing in all eternity.
Q2. Which one of the following Vedas contains sacrificial formulae?
(a) Sama Veda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) YajurVeda
(d) Atharva Veda
Ans. (c) Yajur-Veda
Explanation:
Yajur Veda deals with sacrificial formulae. It is divided into Black Yajur Veda and White Yajur Veda.
Q3. Subject matter which Manu Smriti deals with is related to:
(a) Economics
(b) Politics
(c) Law
(d) Arts
Ans. (c) Law
Explanation:
Manu smriti is the law code of Hindu society.
Q4. The term ‘Upanishad’ literally implies:
(a) Knowledge
(b) Wisdom
(c) Sitting near
(d) Recitation
Ans. (c) Sitting near
Explanation:
Upanishad means “sitting down near”, referring to the student sitting down near the teacher while receiving esoteric knowledge.
Q5. The origin of Indian music can be traced to which of the following Vedic Samhitas?
(a) Rigveda
(b) Samaveda
(c) Yajurveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Ans. (b)
Explanation:
The origin of Indian music can be traced back to the Vedic period. It originates from Sam Veda.
Read also: Indus Valley Civilisation- History
Q6. The first to invade India were the:
(a) Aryans
(b) Greeks
(c) Persians
(d) Arabs
Ans. (a) Aryans
Explanation:
Aryans were the ones who first entered India through the North-Western Passes.
Q7. The Earliest Settlements of Aryan tribes were at:
(a) Uttar Pradesh
(b) Bengal
(c) Sapta Sindhu
(d) Delhi
Ans. (c) Sapta Sindhu
Explanation:
The Sapta Sindhu region consisted of seven rivers. Nandi Tara (Saraswati), Indus and its five tributaries namely Vitasta (Jhelum), Askini (Chenab), Vipas (Beas), Parushni (Ravi), and Sutudri (Sutlej).
Q8. The Upanishads are the:
(a) Great Epics
(b) Story Books
(c) Source of Hindu Philosophy
(d) Law Books
Ans. (c) Source of Hindu Philosophy
Explanation:
Upanishads are a Source of Hindu Philosophy, Law is covered in Manusmriti. The great Epics of Hinduism are Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Q9. The Veda which deals with the rituals is known as:
(a) Rigveda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Ans. (b)
Explanation:
Yajurveda is a compilation of ritual offering formulas.
Q10. The Sage who is said to have Aryanised South India was:
(a) Yagnavalkya
(b) Vashistha
(c) Agastya
(d) Vishwamitra
Ans. (c) Agastya
Explanation:
Sage Agastya is associated with the Aryanization of South India. The Yadavas of South India were the first to be Aryanized. Agastya compiled the first Tamil grammar called Agathiyam. His wife’s name was Lopamudra.
Q11. Find the odd one :
(a) Samveda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Vishnu Purana
(d) Rigveda
Ans. (c) Vishnu Purana
Explanation:
All the others are vedas but the vishnu purana is among puranas.
Q12. ‘Jorwe Culture’ was a Chalcolithic archaeology site located in the present-day Indian state of _______.
(a) Assam
(b) Maharashtra
(c) Gujarate
(d) Bihar
Ans. (b) Maharashtra
Explanation:
The Jorwe culture was a Chalcolithic archaeological culture that existed in large areas of what is now Maharashtra state in Western India and also reached north into the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh. It is named after the type site of Jorwe.
Q13. The home of Gargi, Maitreya, and Kapila was at:
(a) Vidisha
(b) Ujjain
(c) Patliputra
(d) Mithila
Ans. (d) Mithila
Explanation:
The name ‘Mithila‘ goes back to Puranic times. It occurs in the Mahabharata and Pali literature. According to the Puranic tradition the name has been derived from that of Mithi, King of Ayodhya and grandson of Manu who founded a kingdom which was called Mithila after him. It is associated with Valmiki, Ashtavakra, Yajnavalkya, Udayana, Mahavira, Kanada, Jaimini, and Kapila as well as the women philosophers, such as Gargi, Maitreyi, Bharati, and Katyayani. Gargi was an ancient Indian philosopher. She had a profound knowledge of Vedas. She is known for her debate with Yajnavalkya. Maitreyi was an Indian philosopher who lived during the later Vedic period in ancient India. She was one of two wives of the Yajnavalkya. Kapila was a Vedic sage and founder of the Sankhya school of Hindu Philosophy.
Q14. Name the temple in Indonesia where scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharatha are depicted.
(a) Borobudur
(b) Kailashnath
(c) Angkor Wat
(d) Brihadeshwara
Ans. (a) Borobudur
Explanation:
Borobudur Temple is located in Indonesia. Angkor Wat Temple is located in Cambodia. Brihadishwara Temple is in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. Kailasanatha is in Ellora Caves, Maharashtra.
Q15. Which one of the following tribal assemblies was normally involved in the election of the tribal chief?
(a) Samiti
(b) Sabha
(c) Gana
(d) Vidhata
Ans. (a)
Explanation:
The election of the king was done by the tribal assembly called Samiti. The Samiti was the National Assembly of people while the sabha was the Council of Elders. Gana was an assembly of warriors. Vidatha was an assembly meant for secular, religious, and military purposes.
Read also: Important MCQs on Buddhism
Q16. Which metal was first used by the Vedic people?
(a) Silver
(b) Gold
(c) Iron
(d) Copper
Ans. (d) Copper
Explanation:
Vedic people extensively used copper and bronze.
Q17. The caste system of India was created for :
(a) Immobility of labor
(b) Recognition of the dignity of labor
(c) Economic uplift
(d) Occupational division of labor
Ans. (d) Occupational division of labor.
Explanation:
The caste system was created for occupational division of labor and was flexible during the Vedic period. It was defined by a person’s profession. It started getting rigid during the later Vedic period.
Q18. The crop which was not known to Vedic people is:
(a) Barley
(b) Wheat
(c) Rice
(d) Tobacco
Ans. (d) Tobacco
Explanation:
Barley, wheat, and rice were the food of Vedic people.
Q19. The staple food of the Vedic Aryans was :
(a) Barley and rice
(b) Milk and its products
(c) Rice and pulses
(d) Vegetables and fruits
Ans. (b) Milk and its products
Explanation:
The Vedic economy mostly revolved around cow and dairy products. That is the reason why cows were considered aghanya i.e. not to be killed.
Q20. Which one of the following stages of the life of man in Aryan Society, in ascending order of age, is correct?
(a) Brahmacharya – Grihastha – Vanaprastha – Sanyasa
(b) Grihastha – Brahmacharya – Vanaprastha – Sanyasa
(c) Brahmacharya – Vanaprastha – Sanyasa – Grihastha
(d) Grihastha – Sanyasa – Vanaprastha – Brahmacharya
Ans. (a) Brahmacharya – Grihastha – Vanaprastha – Sanyasa
Explanation:
The life of the Vedic people was divided into four parts. The period of each was 25 years.
Q21. That the Rig-Vedic Aryans were a pastoral people is borne out by the fact that:
(a) There are many references to the cow in the Rig Veda
(b) Most of the wars were fought for the sake of cows
(c) Gifts made to priests were usually cows and not land
(d) All of the above
Ans. (d) All of the above
Explanation:
The cow was considered extremely valuable in Vedic times, even more, valuable than the land. But in the later Vedic period, land became more valuable than the cow.
Q22. The Aryans succeeded in their conflicts with the pre-Aryans because:
(a) they used elephants on a large scale
(b) they were taller and stronger
(c) they were from an advanced urban culture
(d) they used chariots driven by horses
Ans. (d) they used chariots driven by horses
Explanation:
The Aryans’ success can partly be attributed to the superiority of their technology, particularly weapon technology. The Aryans had advanced bronze weapons and horse-drawn chariots.
Q23. Which of the following Vedas provides information about the civilization of the Early Vedic Age?
(a) Rig-veda
(b) Yajur-veda
(c) Atharva-veda
(d) Sama-veda
Ans. (a) Rig-veda
Explanation:
Rig-veda is one of the oldest religious texts in the world. It provides information about the civilization of the Early Vedic Age. It contains Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Sama-Veda is a collection of melodies. Yajur-Veda deals with the procedures of rituals and sacrifices. Atharva-Veda is a book of magical spells. It was initially not counted among the Vedas.
Q24. The most important text of Vedic mathematics is:
(a) Satapatha Brahman
(b) Atharva Veda
(c) Sulva Sutras
(d) Chhandogya Upanishad
Ans. (c) Sulva Sutras
Explanation:
The Shulba Sutras contain geometry related to fire-altar construction. The Shatapatha Brahmana (Brahamanas are prose commentary on the vedas) is a commentary on the Śukla (white) Yajurveda. The Chandogya Upanishad is a Sanskrit text embedded in the Chandogya Brahmana of the Sama Veda.
Q25. Which of the following Craftsmanship was not practiced by the Aryans?
(a) Pottery
(b) Jewellery
(c) Carpentry
(d) Blacksmith
Ans. (d) Blacksmith
Explanation:
Iron was not known to Vedic period people.
Read also: Buddhism and Jainism Notes
Q26. Who is hailed as the “God of Medicine” by the practitioners of Ayurveda?
(a) Susruta
(b) Chyavana
(c) Dhanwantari
(d) Charaka
Ans. (c) Dhanvantari
Explanation:
Dhanvantari is regarded as the god of medicine. Sushruta is regarded as the father of surgery. Chyavana was a sage and son of Bhrigu (one of the Saptarishis). He is said to have rejuvenated himself with a herbal paste known as Chyavanaprash. Charaka was one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda and is regarded as the father of Indian medicine.
Q27. Which one of the following is INCORRECTLY matched?
(a) Sama-Veda-knowledge of Science
(b) Rig Veda-knowledge of the Hymns of Praise
(c) Atharva-Veda-knowledge of the magic formulas
(d) Yajur-Veda-knowledge of the sacrificial formulas
Ans. (a) Sama-Veda
Explanation:
Sama Veda is a collection of melodies. It consists of Dhrupad Raga.
Q28. Which of the following is false as per Vedic theory?
(a)The Kshatriyas, or warrior rulers, came from Purusha’s arms
(b)The Vaishyas, or the commoners, came from Purusha’s thighs
(c)The Brahmans, or priests, came from Purusha’s ears
(d)The Shudras, or laborers and servants, came from Purusha’s feet
Ans. (c) The Brahmans, or priests came from Purusha’s ears
Explanation:
The Brahmans, or priests, came from Purusha’s mouth.
Q29. Which among the following is called the ‘Vedanta’?
(a)Vedanga
(b)Brahman
(c)Upanishad
(d)Aranyaka
Ans. (c) Upanishad
Explanation:
The word Vedanta means the end of the Vedas and originally referred to the Upanishads because they came at the last phase of the Vedic period. Vedangas are the limbs of vedas. They are the treatise of science and arts. The sages dwelling in the forests explained Vedic texts to their pupils in the form of Aryankas. Aryankas means the forest.
Q30. In the context of Hindu Mythology, which of the following options is not among the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu?
(a)Garud
(b)Matsya
(c)Kurm
(d)Varah
Ans. (a) Garud
Explanation:
Garuda is the vehicle mount of Lord Vishnu.
10 Avatars of Lord Vishnu:
- The First Avatar - Matsya (The Fish)
- The Second Avatar - Kurma (The Tortoise)
- The Third Avatar - Varaha (The Boar)
- The Fourth Avatar - Narasimha (The Man-Lion)
- The Fifth Avatar - Vamana (The Dwarf)
- The Sixth Avatar - Parasurama (The Angry Man)
- The Seventh Avatar - Lord Rama (The Perfect Man)
- The Eighth Avatar - Lord Krishna (The Divine Statesman)
- The Ninth Avatar - Balarama (Krishna’s Elder Brother)
- The Tenth Avatar - Kalki (The Mighty Warrior)
Q31. The archeological site Inamgaon is situated in :
(a)Karnataka
(b)Uttar Pradesh
(c)Gujarat
(d)Maharashtra
Ans. (d) Maharashtra
Explanation:
Inamgaon is a post-Harappan agrarian village and archaeological site located in Maharashtra, western India. Situated along the right bank of the Ghod River, it is considered to be the 'regional center' of the Bhima Valley.
Q32. Which of the following is associated with the Sanskrit Mahabharata?
(a)Gitagovinda
(b)Yuddha Kanda
(c)Shanti Parva
(d)Kathasaritasagar
Ans. (c) Shanti Parv
Explanation:
The Shanti Parva is the twelfth of eighteen books of the Indian Epic Mahabharata. The Shanti Parva recites the duties of the ruler, dharma, and good governance, as counseled by the dying Bhishma and various Rishis.
Gitagovinda is a work composed by the 12th-century Indian poet, Jayadeva. It describes the relationship between Krishna and the Gopis of Vrindavan, and in particular one gopi named Radha.
The Yuddha Kanda (also referred to as Lanka Kanda) is one of the main episodes in the great epic Ramayana. The Yuddha Kandam narrates the War between the army of Rama and the army of Ravana.
The Kathāsaritsāgara is a famous 11th-century collection of Indian legends, fairy tales, and folk tales as retold in Sanskrit by Somadeva, an 11th century CE writer from Kashmir.
Q33. The archaeological site of Koldihwa is located at :
(a)Maharashtra
(b)Bihar
(c)Uttar Pradesh
(d)Madhya Pradesh
Ans. (c) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation:
It is located in the Southeast of Allahabad on the left bank of the Belan River in the Meja sub-division of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India. The site represents three occupational levels: the Neolithic, Chalcolithic, and Iron Age phases.
Q34. The goddess Aryani is the goddess of ____ as per the Rigvedic period.
(a)Dawn
(b)Forest
(c)Wind
(d)Earth
Ans. (b) Forest
Explanation:
Aryani is the goddess of the forest. Ushas is the goddess of dawn. Marut is the personified storm. Prithvi is the goddess of Earth.
Q35. Which of the following is the largest among the four ancient civilizations?
(a)Mesopotamia
(b)China
(c)Egypt
(d)Indus Valley Civilization
Ans. (d) Indus Valley civilization
Explanation:
Indus Valley civilization is the largest while Mesopotamian is the oldest.
Read also: Gupta Empire - Some Interesting Facts
Q36. Who among the following archaeologists was the first to identify similarities between a pre-Harappan culture and the mature Harappan culture?
(a) Amalanada Ghosh
(b) R.D. Banerjee
(c) Dayaram Sahani
(d) Sir John Marshal
Ans. (a) Amalanada Ghosh
Explanation:
In 1965, Amalanada Ghosh was the first person to identify these similarities during his research on Sothi culture in Rajasthan. This Sothi is an early archaeological site of the Indus Valley Civilization, located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.
Q37. Which of the following describes the nature of religion according to Rigveda?
(a) Rig Vedic religion can be described as naturalistic polytheism.
(b) There are striking similarities between Rig Vedic religion and the ideas in the Iranian Avesta.
(c) Vedic sacrifices were of two kinds.
(d) All of these.
Ans. (d) All of these
Explanation:
The Rig Vedic religion venerates several gods which were personified forces of nature. The Aryans came from central Asia and some of them settled in India while some of them settled in Iran. That is why there are striking resemblances between Rig Vedic religion and Iranian Avesta. There were two kinds of Vedic sacrifices, one was performed by everyone while the other was so elaborate that they required priests.
Q38. Which one of the following statements about Rigveda is not correct?
(a) Deities were worshipped through prayer and sacrificial rituals.
(b) The Gods are presented as powerful who would be pleased with sacrifices.
(c) Offerings to Gods were made through fire.
(d) The sacrifices were performed in the temples.
Ans. (d) The sacrifices were performed in the temples.
Explanation:
The prayers and sacrifices associated with Rig Veda were not performed in the temples. The Gods are presented as powerful who could be pleased with sacrifices and offerings to Gods were made through fire.
Q39. The polity of the Harappan people as derived from materialistic evidence was:
(a) Secular federalists
(b) Theocratic federalists
(c) Oligarchic
(d) Theocratic unitary
Ans. (d) Theocratic unitary
Explanation:
The polity of Harappan civilization was governed by a deity or divine power. The standardization of sizes of bricks, weights, and measures, etc suggests a unitary form of government.
Q40. Who among the following cultures were the first to paint their pottery?
(a) Mesolithic
(b) Chalcolithic
(c) Neolithic.
(d) Iron age.
Ans. (c) Neolithic
Explanation:
Wall paintings were painted in the Mesolithic period as can be seen in Bhimbetka but the pottery was painted in the Neolithic period.
Q41. Which one among the following Indus cities was known for water management?
(a) Lothal
(b) Mohenjodaro
(c) Harappa
(d) Dholavira
Ans. (d) Dholavira
Explanation:
It is located in Gujarat. It has a series of water-storing tanks and step wells.
Q42. Which one among the following is not a characteristic of Rigvedic Aryans?
(a) They were acquainted with horses and chariots
(b) They were acquainted with the use of Iron
(c) They were acquainted with the use of Copper and Bronze
(d) The cow was an important form of wealth
Ans. (b) They were acquainted with the use of Iron
Explanation:
Rig Vedic people were not acquainted with iron. Iron arrived in India in the later Vedic or the Mahajanapada period only (around 600 BCE).
Q43. Ayurveda is associated with _______.
(a) Rigveda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Samveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Ans. (a) Rigveda
Explanation:
Ayurveda – Rigveda
Gandharvaveda – Samaveda
Dhanurveda – Yajurveda
Shilpveda - Atharvaveda
Q44. Who according to Rigveda is the most important god?
(a) Purandar
(b) Varuna
(c) Agni
(d) Surya
Ans. (a) Purandar
Explanation:
Indra was addressed as Purandar in Rig Veda.
Q45. Which is the oldest epic in the world?
(a) Rig-Veda
(b) Ramayana
(c) Mahabharata
(d) Manu Smriti
Ans. (b) Ramayana
Explanation:
Ramayana is also known as Adi Kavya. Originally it contained 6000 verses but presently it has 24000 verses.
Mahabharata originally contained 8800 verses and was called Jay Samhita. Now it has 100,000 verses, making it the world's largest epic.
Q46. Which is the oldest Purana?
(a) Rig-Veda
(b) Matsya Purana
(c) Vishnu Purana
(d) Garuda Purana
Ans. (b) Matsya Purana
Explanation:
Q47. The word ‘Satyameva Jayate’ has been derived from which Upanishad?
(a) Akshi Upanishad
(b) Mundaka Upanishad
(c) Garuda Upanishad
(d) Mahavakya Upanishad
Ans. (b) Mundaka Upanishad
Explanation:
Satyameva Jayate (Truth Alone Triumphs) is a mantra from the ancient Indian scripture Mundaka Upanishad. Upon independence of India, it was adopted as the national motto. It is inscribed in the Devanagari script at the base of the national emblem.
Q48. Which god was considered an intermediary between God and people?
(a) Indra
(b) Varuna
(c) Agni
(d) Surya
Ans. (c) Agni
Explanation:
Agni is the God of Fire. It accepts sacrifices. He was considered as the intermediary between man and God.
Q49. The most mentioned river in Rigveda is?
(a) Ganges
(b) Saraswati
(c) Indus
(d) Yamuna
Ans. (c) Indus
Explanation:
Indus is the most mentioned river while Saraswati is the most pious river.
Q50. Who is the founder of Yog Darshan?
(a) Maharishi Patanjali
(b) Maharishi Gautam
(c) Maharishi Kapil
(d) Maharishi Jaimini
Ans. (a) Maharishi Patanjali
Explanation:
Yog Darshan – Maharishi Patanjali
Sankhya Darshan – Maharishi Kapil
Nyaya Darshan – Maharishi Gautam
Vaisheshika Darshan – Maharishi Uluka
Mimasa Darshan – Maharishi Jaimini
Vedant Darshan – Maharishi Badrayan
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