Q10. Which of the following is NOT one of the four Vedas?
[2015 – RPSC]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Yajurveda
D. Purana
Answer: D. Purana
Explanation: The four Vedas are Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. Puranas constitute a later body of religious literature containing cosmology, genealogies, myths and sacred traditions.
Q9. The Rigveda was originally composed in:
[2014 – CTET]
A. Sanskrit
B. Pali
C. Persian
D. Tamil
Answer: A. Sanskrit
Explanation: More precisely, the Rigveda was composed in Vedic Sanskrit, an archaic Indo-Aryan language predating Classical Sanskrit and preserving important early Indo-European linguistic features.
Q8. Approximately how many times is the river Ganga explicitly named in the Rigveda?
[2014 – CTET]
A. Once
B. Ten times
C. Fifty times
D. One hundred times
Answer: A. Once
Explanation: Ganga appears only rarely in the Rigveda, reflecting the north-western geographical focus of the Early Vedic world. Its religious prominence increased greatly in later periods.
Q7. Consider: (1) Brahmanas chiefly discuss sacrifice and ritual. (2) Upanishads contain important philosophical speculation. Which is correct?
[2014 – TNPSC Group I]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Brahmanas explain ceremonial details and ritual significance, whereas Upanishads turn increasingly toward questions concerning self, ultimate reality, knowledge, rebirth and liberation.
Q6. Which of the following Veda–Brahmana pairs is correctly matched?
[2013 – RPSC RAS]
A. Rigveda – Aitareya Brahmana
B. Samaveda – Panchavimsha Brahmana
C. Atharvaveda – Gopatha Brahmana
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: Aitareya is connected with Rigveda, Panchavimsha with Samaveda and Gopatha with Atharvaveda. Shatapatha Brahmana is one of the most important Brahmanas of the Yajurvedic tradition.
Q5. The famous Gayatri Mantra occurs originally in which Veda?
[2013 – UPPSC]
A. Rigveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Samaveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: The Gayatri Mantra appears in Rigveda III.62.10 and is addressed to Savitr, the solar deity. It later became one of the most widely recited Vedic mantras.
Q4. How many hymns are contained in the Rigveda according to the standard traditional count?
[2013 – TNTET]
A. 1,028
B. 1,008
C. 1,200
D. 800
Answer: A. 1,028
Explanation: The standard count gives 1,028 Suktas distributed through ten Mandalas. These hymns preserve religious poetry attributed to generations of Vedic rishis and their families.
Q3. Which description best characterizes the religion of the Early Vedic people?
[2012 – UPSC CSE]
A. Exclusive temple-based image worship
B. Worship of natural and divine powers accompanied by yajnas
C. Complete rejection of sacrifice
D. Buddhist monastic worship
Answer: B. Worship of natural and divine powers accompanied by yajnas
Explanation: Early Vedic worship centred on deities associated with forces such as fire, storm, sun and cosmic order. Sacrifice, praise and offerings rather than permanent temples formed the ritual core.
Q2. Consider the following concepts: (1) Dharma conveyed obligations and duties. (2) Rita represented the cosmic and moral order governing the universe. Which is correct?
[2011 – UPSC CSE]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither
Answer: C. Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Rita was an important Rigvedic concept of cosmic order, while Dharma developed into a wider idea of duty, norm and righteous conduct in subsequent Indian ethical and philosophical traditions.
Q1. At which archaeological site was some of the earliest iron evidence associated with the Later Vedic cultural horizon conventionally identified in older competitive-examination keys?
[1998 – UPPSC]
A. Atranjikhera
B. Lothal
C. Mohenjo-daro
D. Dholavira
Answer: A. Atranjikhera
Explanation: Atranjikhera in Uttar Pradesh yielded early iron objects associated with Painted Grey Ware and Later Vedic cultural developments. It became a frequently cited site in traditional examination chronology.
