Indian History

VEDIC PERIOD MCQs

Total Questions : 366

Page 1 of 37 pages
Question 1. The Rigvedic concept of Rita denotes the :
  1.    Amalgamation of ‘All gods’ into ‘one’
  2.    Both (d) and (c)
  3.    Ethical and moral order
  4.    Cosmic order or law prevailing in nature
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option B. -> Both (d) and (c)
Answer: (b) The concept of Rita was perhaps the noblest flight of the Rigvedic thoughts. The world takes its regular course, day follows night, and season succeeds season because of Rita. Man must live according to Rita Varuna was considered to be the guardian or upholder of Rita. The Rigvedic concept of Rita denotes the cosmic order or law prevailing in nature.
Question 2. Which of the following Puranaa is the earliest?
  1.    Bhagvat
  2.    Markandey
  3.    Vishnu
  4.    Matsya
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option D. -> Matsya
Answer: (d) Matsya Purana is one of the oldest of the 18 post-Vedic Hindu scriptures called the Puranas. It narrates the story of Matsya, the first of ten major Avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu.
Question 3. Consider the following statements:

  1. Iron was not used during the Later Vedic Period.

  2. The four divisions of society (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras) or the Varna system was thoroughly established during the Later Vedic period.

  3. Gods like Indra and Agni lost their importance during the Later Vedic Period.


Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
  1.    1 and 2 only
  2.    1 only
  3.    1, 2 and 3
  4.    2 and 3 only
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option D. -> 2 and 3 only
Answer: (d) Iron was used extensively during the Later Vedic Period and this enabled the people to clear forests and to bring more land under cultivation. Agriculture became the chief occupation. The two higher classes - Brahmana, and Kshatriya enjoyed privileges that were denied to the Vaisya and Sudra. A Brahmin occupied a higher position than a Kshatriya but sometimes Kshatriyas claimed a higher status over the Brahmins. Many sub-castes on the basis of their occupation appeared in this period. Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent during the Later Vedic period. Sacrifices were still important and the rituals connected with them became more elaborate.
Question 4. Match the following Vedic gods with actual status or functions and choose the correct answer from the codes given below :




A. Pushan
1. God of heaven and father of Surya


B. Savitri
2. Mother of Surya


C. Aditi
3. God of light


D. Dyaus
4. God of marriages




Codes: A B C D
  1.    I II III IV
  2.    II III IV I
  3.    IV II III I
  4.    IV III II I
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option D. -> IV III II I
Answer: (d)
Question 5. Ashtadhyayi was written by :
  1.    Vedvyas
  2.    Shukadeva
  3.    Katyayan
  4.    Panini
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option D. -> Panini
Answer: (d) Ashtadhyayi is a Sanskrit treatise on grammar written in the 6th to 5th century BC by the Indian grammarian Panini. This is one of the earliest known grammars of Sanskrit language.
Question 6. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct?

  1. Because of non-Aryan resistance the Aryans could not move towards east in the Later Vedic Period.

  2. The king performed various rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his position during the Later Vedic Period.


Select the answer from the codes given below:
  1.    2 only
  2.    1 only
  3.    None
  4.    1 and 2 both
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option A. -> 2 only
Answer: (a) The Aryans further moved towards east in the Later Vedic Period.The Satapatha Brahmana refers to the expansion of Aryans to the eastern Gangetic plains. During the Later Vedic Period the king performed various rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his position. They include Rajasuya (consecration ceremony), Asvamedha (horse sacrifice) and Vajpeya (chariot race). The kings also assumed titles like Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi, (lord of all earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler).
Question 7. The largest number of Rigvedic hymns are devoted to :
  1.    Rudra
  2.    Vishnu
  3.    Indra
  4.    Agni
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option C. -> Indra
Answer: (c) The Rigvedic hymns are dedicated to various deities, chief of whom are Indra, a heroic god praised for having slain his enemy Vrtra; Agni, the sacrificial fire; and Soma, the sacred potion or the plant it is made from.
Question 8. The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama is mentioned in the :
  1.    Kathopanishad
  2.    Kenopanishad
  3.    Mundakopnishad
  4.    Chhandogyopanishad
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option A. -> Kathopanishad
Answer: (a) The famous dialogue between Nachiketa and Yama about transmigration of soul is mentioned in the Kathopanishad.
Question 9. In the Rigveda, the first hymn of a Mandala is often addressed to :
  1.    Mitra
  2.    None of these
  3.    Indra
  4.    Agni
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option D. -> Agni
Answer: (d) The first hymn of each Mandala has addressed to Agni and his name is the first word of the Rigveda. The remaining hymns are mainly addressed to Indra, Varuna, Mitra, the Ashvins, the Maruts, Usas, Surya, Rbhus, Rudra, Vayu, Brhaspati, Visnu, Heaven and Earth, and all the Gods.
Question 10. The Rigvedic hymns can be treated as being historically fairly authentic because
  1.    The events described in them are corroborated by Avesthan Gathas.
  2.    They are the earliest of the Vedic literature
  3.    Their composition was contemporary with the period described
  4.    They give a chronological account of the historical events
 Discuss Question
Answer is Option B. -> They are the earliest of the Vedic literature
Answer: (b)