1. What does the term ‘Veda’ signify?
a) Power
b) Wisdom
c) Knowledge
d) Skill
Answer: c
2. Which ancient texts are considered the foundation of Hindu philosophy?
a) Storybooks
b) Great Epics
c) Upanishads
d) Law Books
Answer: c
3. The literal meaning of ‘Upanishad’ is:
a) Recitation
b) Sitting near
c) Wisdom
d) Knowledge
Answer: b
4. From which text is the phrase ‘Satyameva Jayate’ in India’s emblem derived?
a) Mundaka Upanishad
b) Maitreyi Upanishad
c) Mudgala Upanishad
d) Brahma Upanishad
Answer: a
5. Which Veda primarily focuses on rituals and sacrifices?
a) Rigveda
b) Samaveda
c) Yajurveda
d) Atharvaveda
Answer: c
6. The roots of Indian classical music are traced to:
a) Rigvedic Samhita
b) Yajurvedic Samhita
c) Samavedic Samhita
d) Atharvavedic Samhita
Answer: c
7. Which Veda contains references to spells and magical charms?
a) Rigveda
b) Samaveda
c) Yajurveda
d) Atharvaveda
Answer: d
8. The first reference to the concept of ‘Gotra’ appears in:
a) Rigveda
b) Samaveda
c) Yajurveda
d) Atharvaveda
Answer: a
9. Which European scholar first classified Aryans as a distinct race?
a) William Jones
b) H.H. Wilson
c) Max Muller
d) General Cunningham
Answer: c
10. The earliest known invaders of India were:
a) Aryans
b) Greeks
c) Persians
d) Arabs
Answer: a
11. Who is regarded as the chief lawmaker of ancient India?
a) Aryabhatta
b) Manu
c) Vatsyayana
d) Ashoka
Answer: b
12. Who composed the earliest Sanskrit grammar?
a) Kalidasa
b) Panini
c) Charaka
d) Aryabhatt
Answer: b
13. The author of ‘Ashtadhyayi’ is:
a) Ved Vyas
b) Panini
c) Shukadeva
d) Valmiki
Answer: b
14. In which language was the Bhagavad Gita originally written?
a) Prakrit
b) Sanskrit
c) Pali
d) Apabhramsa
Answer: b
15. The famous work compiled by Patanjali is:
a) Panchatantra
b) Ayurveda
c) Yoga Sutra
d) Brahma Sutra
Answer: c
16. Which trio is associated with ancient Indian medicine?
a) Charaka, Sushruta, and Patanjali
b) Charaka, Sushruta, and Bharata
c) Charaka, Sushruta, and Banabhatta
d) Charaka, Vatsyayana, and Banabhatta
Answer: a
17. Who is worshiped as the ‘God of Medicine’ in Ayurveda?
a) Sushruta
b) Dhanwantari
c) Charaka
d) Chyavana
Answer: b
18. Early Vedic religious practices included:
a) Bhakti
b) Nature worship and Yajnas
c) Image worship and Yajnas
d) Nature worship and Bhakti
Answer: b
19. Which river is absent in Rigvedic references?
a) Yamuna
b) Sindhu
c) Saraswati
d) Periyar
Answer: d
20. In Rigveda, Varuna is depicted as:
a) God of prosperity
b) Harbinger of peace
c) Guardian of cosmic order
d) Destroyer of foes
Answer: c
21. The Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata lasted for:
a) 14 days
b) 16 days
c) 18 days
d) 20 days
Answer: c
22. The eldest among the Pandavas was:
a) Bhima
b) Sahadeva
c) Yudhishthira
d) Nakula
Answer: c
23. What were Nivi, Paridhan, and Adhivasa?
a) Types of Aryan clothing
b) Ancient Indian musical instruments
c) Tribal groups
d) Government officials
Answer: a
24. Which craft was NOT practiced by the Aryans?
a) Jewelry making
b) Blacksmithing
c) Carpentry
d) Pottery
Answer: b
25. The concept of Purushamedha, or human sacrifice, is found in:
a) Krishna Yajurveda
b) Shukla Yajurveda
c) Shatapatha Brahmana
d) Panchvisha Brahmana
Answer: c
26. Identify the odd one out:
a) Samaveda
b) Yajurveda
c) Vishnu Purana
d) Rigveda
Answer: c