Q1. Who is regarded as the greatest lawgiver of ancient India ?
(a) Megasthanese
(b) Panini
(c) Manu
(d) Kautilya
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (c) Manu
Explanation: Manu is traditionally considered the greatest lawgiver in ancient India, known for the Manusmriti, which laid down social, legal, and moral codes for society.
Q2. Name the God who lost his importance in the beginning of Christian era ?
(a) Indra
(b) Brahma
(c) Vishnu
(d) Mahesh
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (a) Indra
Explanation: Indra, once a prominent Vedic deity, gradually lost significance during the post-Vedic period, especially by the beginning of the Christian era, as Vaishnavism and Shaivism gained prominence.
Q3. We can know about early Vedic period from
(a) Archaeological excavations
(b) Contemporary cultures
(c) Rigveda
(d) Jatak Katha
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (c) Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda is the primary source for understanding the early Vedic period, containing hymns, rituals, and social insights of that era.
Q4. Upanishads are
(a) Religious books of Hindus
(b) Books dealing with ancient Hindu laws
(c) Books on social behaviour of man
(d) Prayers to God
(UPSC Prelims 1980)
Answer: (a) Religious books of Hindus
Explanation: The Upanishads are philosophical texts forming the core of Hindu spiritual thought, exploring concepts like Brahman, Atman, and Moksha.
Q5. The first month of the Saka era is
(a) Chaitra
(b) Vaishakha
(c) Phalguna
(d) Pausha
(UPSC Prelims 1981)
Answer: (a) Chaitra
Explanation: The Saka era, used in the Indian national calendar, begins with the month of Chaitra, which typically starts in March. It aligns with the solar cycle and is used for official and cultural purposes.
Q6. The philosophical systems of the Hindus were propounded and properly codified in the
(a) Vedic age
(b) Maurya age
(c) Kanishka age
(d) Gupta age
(UPSC Prelims 1983)
Answer: (a) Vedic age
Explanation: The Vedic age laid the foundation for Hindu philosophical systems, including the Upanishads and early schools of thought like Vedanta, Samkhya, and Yoga. These were later refined and codified, but their origins trace back to the Vedic period.
Q7. Rigveda, the oldest of the Vedas, chiefly contains
(a) Collection of hymns to gods
(b) Methods of Vedic yagnas
(c) Early Aryan culture
(d) Origin and works of Hindu gods
(UPSC Prelims 1984)
Answer: (a) Collection of hymns to gods
Explanation: The Rigveda is the earliest and most significant of the four Vedas. It primarily consists of hymns dedicated to various deities such as Agni, Indra, and Varuna. These hymns were composed in Sanskrit and reflect the spiritual and ritualistic practices of the early Vedic period. The focus is on invocation and praise, not on procedural methods or mythological narratives.
8. Match the columns:
| Column I | Column II |
|---|---|
| A. Upanishads | 1. World's oldest scriptures |
| B. Samaveda | 2. Magical chants |
| C. Rigveda | 3. Mysterious doctrine |
| D. Atharvaveda | 4. Ritual juice |
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| (b) | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| (c) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| (d) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
The Upanishads deal with deep philosophical and spiritual concepts and are treated as ancient sacred texts (A–4).
The Samaveda mainly consists of chants and hymns meant for rituals (B–2).
The Rigveda contains early hymns expressing profound and mysterious ideas (C–1).
The Atharvaveda includes spells, charms, and practical rituals, often described as magical practices (D–3).
Hence, the correct matching sequence is 4213.