Q110. The earliest foundations of Indian literary tradition are conventionally associated with the:
[2025 – Gujarat PSI]
A. Vedas
B. Sangam epics only
C. Buddhist chronicles
D. Persian court histories
Answer: A. Vedas
Explanation: The Vedas constitute the oldest surviving corpus of Indo-Aryan religious literature and occupy a foundational place in the development of Sanskrit literature and Indian intellectual traditions.
Q109. Which Veda is commonly called the “Book of Chants”?
[2025 – Delhi Police Constable]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: B. Samaveda
Explanation: Samaveda consists largely of Rigvedic verses adapted for melodic performance by the Udgatri priest. Its chant tradition is closely connected with the historical development of Indian music.
Q108. Which Veda contains numerous charms, spells and incantations concerning everyday life?
[2025 – SSC GD]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: C. Atharvaveda
Explanation: Atharvaveda contains prayers, charms and incantations concerning disease, protection, prosperity, household affairs and social relationships, providing insights beyond formal sacrificial religion.
Q107. How many hymns are traditionally counted in the Rigveda?
[2025 – UPSSSC PET]
A. 1,028
B. 1,500
C. 800
D. 2,000
Answer: A. 1,028
Explanation: The conventional count gives the Rigveda 1,028 Suktas distributed across ten Mandalas. The exact counting may discuss supplementary Valakhilya hymns, but 1,028 is the standard examination answer.
Q106. Suktas are especially associated with which Veda?
[2025 – SSC GD]
A. Rigveda
B. Yajurveda
C. Atharvaveda only
D. None of the Vedas
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: The Rigveda is composed principally of Suktas—hymns of praise addressed to Vedic gods and divine powers—each containing a number of individual verses called riks.
Q105. Which description most accurately characterizes the Rigveda?
[2025 – SSC CGL]
A. A collection of hymns composed by generations of seers
B. A Mauryan law code
C. A Buddhist monastic rulebook
D. A Gupta astronomical manual
Answer: A. A collection of hymns composed by generations of seers
Explanation: Rigvedic hymns developed through generations of oral composition and transmission by priestly families. They preserve some of the earliest Indo-Aryan religious poetry and historical vocabulary.
Q104. The ten Mandalas of the Rigveda are further divided mainly into:
[2025 – SSC CGL]
A. Suktas
B. Pitakas
C. Parvas
D. Angas
Answer: A. Suktas
Explanation: Mandalas are the principal books of the Rigveda. Each contains a number of Suktas, which in turn consist of individual riks or metrical verses.
Q103. The Rigveda contains how many Mandalas?
[2025 – SSC CGL]
A. 4
B. 8
C. 10
D. 12
Answer: C. 10
Explanation: The standard Rigvedic arrangement comprises ten Mandalas. The middle “family books,” Mandalas II–VII, are considered among its older layers and are linked with specific rishi families.
Q102. Which term denotes the basic compiled collection of hymns or mantras belonging to a Veda?
[2025 – SSC CGL]
A. Samhita
B. Purana
C. Smriti
D. Darshana
Answer: A. Samhita
Explanation: Samhita means a collection brought together systematically. The Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda each possess their respective Samhita as the core Vedic collection.
Q101. Which Rigvedic assembly consisted primarily of selected elders and prominent members of the tribe?
[2025 – RRB NTPC]
A. Sabha
B. Samiti
C. Shreni
D. Nigama
Answer: A. Sabha
Explanation: Sabha is generally viewed as a smaller and more select assembly of elders or influential persons, whereas Samiti appears to have represented a broader tribal gathering.
