Q190. Which of the following is specifically known as the ‘Basket of Discipline’ in Buddhist literature?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2026]
A. Sutta Pitaka
B. Abhidhamma Pitaka
C. Vinaya Pitaka
D. Milindapanha
Answer: C. Vinaya Pitaka
Explanation: Vinaya literally concerns discipline. This Pitaka codifies conduct for monks and nuns and records procedures used by the early Buddhist monastic community.
Q189. In which language was the principal corpus of Sangam literature composed?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Sanskrit
B. Pali
C. Tamil
D. Prakrit
Answer: C. Tamil
Explanation: Sangam texts were composed in ancient Tamil. They provide valuable information about the society, warfare, economy, landscape, trade and rulers of early historic Tamilakam.
Q188. Which celebrated Tamil epic narrates the story of Kannagi and her husband Kovalan?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Manimekalai
B. Silappadikaram
C. Tolkappiyam
D. Tirukkural
Answer: B. Silappadikaram
Explanation: Silappadikaram, traditionally attributed to Ilango Adigal, centres on Kannagi’s fidelity and justice after Kovalan’s wrongful execution by the Pandya king.
Q187. Who composed the famous Prayaga Prashasti praising Samudragupta?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Kalidasa
B. Harisena
C. Banabhatta
D. Vishakhadatta
Answer: B. Harisena
Explanation: Harisena, Samudragupta’s court poet and official, composed the Sanskrit Prayaga Prashasti, an important inscription describing the Gupta emperor’s conquests and political achievements.
Q186. In the Prayaga Prashasti, Samudragupta is compared with which deity associated with wealth?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Indra
B. Varuna
C. Kubera
D. Agni
Answer: C. Kubera
Explanation: Harisena’s eulogy employs elaborate comparisons with deities to portray Samudragupta’s power, generosity and accomplishments, illustrating the literary character of Gupta royal inscriptions.
Q185. The Prayaga Prashasti was composed primarily to glorify which ruler?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Chandragupta I
B. Samudragupta
C. Chandragupta II
D. Skandagupta
Answer: B. Samudragupta
Explanation: The inscription records Samudragupta’s military expeditions, tributary rulers and political achievements and remains a major literary-epigraphic source for Gupta history.
Q184. Which is regarded as the earliest Vedic composition and an important source for early Vedic society?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2026]
A. Samaveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Rigveda
D. Atharvaveda
Answer: C. Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda is the oldest Vedic Samhita. Its hymns provide information about early Vedic religion, social organisation, political institutions and geographical knowledge.
Q183. Which Veda contains 1,028 hymns arranged into ten Mandalas?
[RRB NTPC Graduate, 2026]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda traditionally contains 1,028 hymns divided into ten Mandalas, mainly dedicated to deities such as Indra, Agni, Soma and Varuna.
Q182. How many hymns are traditionally counted in the Rigveda?
[RRB NTPC, 2026]
A. 1,000
B. 1,008
C. 1,028
D. 1,080
Answer: C. 1,028
Explanation: The Rigvedic corpus is conventionally counted as 1,028 hymns. These hymns are organised in ten books or Mandalas and represent India’s oldest surviving literary tradition.
Q181. Which Svetambara Jain text contains biographies of the Tirthankaras and is ceremonially read during Paryushana?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate, 2026]
A. Acharanga Sutra
B. Kalpa Sutra
C. Bhagavati Sutra
D. Uttaradhyayana Sutra
Answer: B. Kalpa Sutra
Explanation: The Kalpa Sutra, traditionally associated with Bhadrabahu, contains accounts of Jain Tirthankaras, especially Mahavira, together with monastic traditions and rules.
