Q90. Which of the following was NOT a recognized social or functional section of a Rigvedic tribal community?
[2024 – SSC CGL]
A. Priestly element
B. Warrior/chiefly element
C. Common tribal producers
D. A separate hereditary urban craftsman varna
Answer: D. A separate hereditary urban craftsman varna
Explanation: Early Rigvedic society was more fluid than the later varna hierarchy. A separate, fully hereditary urban craftsman varna did not constitute one of its principal tribal divisions.
Q89. Which of the following was NOT one of the four varnas?
[2024 – SSC CGL]
A. Brahmana
B. Kshatriya
C. Vaishya
D. Samiti
Answer: D. Samiti
Explanation: Samiti was a political or tribal assembly. The four-varna model consists of Brahmana, Kshatriya or Rajanya, Vaishya and Shudra.
Q88. What is the general name for a compiled collection of Vedic hymns, mantras or formulae?
[2024 – SSC MTS]
A. Samhita
B. Nikaya
C. Purana
D. Charita
Answer: A. Samhita
Explanation: The Samhitas form the foundational layers of the four Vedas and preserve their primary hymns, melodies, sacrificial formulae and incantations in organized collections.
Q87. Consider the statements about the Upanishads: (1) They contain no parables. (2) They were composed earlier than the Puranas. Which is correct?
[2024 – UPSC CSE]
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. Neither
Answer: B. 2 only
Explanation: Upanishads do contain dialogues, stories and illustrative narratives, making the first statement incorrect. They substantially predate the major Puranic compilations, so the second statement is correct.
Q86. Approximately how old is the Rigveda according to conventional school-level historical chronology?
[2024 – DSSSB]
A. About 1,500 years
B. About 2,500 years
C. About 3,500 years
D. About 6,000 years
Answer: C. About 3,500 years
Explanation: Standard historical textbooks place the earliest Rigvedic composition around 1500 BCE, giving an approximate age of three and a half millennia from the present era.
Q85. Which statement about the Rigveda is INCORRECT?
[2023 – Telangana Police Constable Mains]
A. It contains hymns to Indra.
B. Agni is an important deity.
C. Many hymns are principally addressed to Shiva in his later Puranic form.
D. It preserves early Vedic religious ideas.
Answer: C. Many hymns are principally addressed to Shiva in his later Puranic form.
Explanation: Indra, Agni and Soma dominate Rigvedic worship. Rudra appears but the later developed Puranic personality of Shiva is not a principal recipient of numerous Rigvedic hymns.
Q84. How many books or Mandalas constitute the Rigveda Samhita?
[2023 – Delhi Police]
A. 8
B. 10
C. 12
D. 18
Answer: B. 10
Explanation: The Rigveda’s 1,028 hymns are organized into ten Mandalas. Books II–VII are commonly known as family books because of their association with specific priestly families.
Q83. Which Veda contains numerous magical charms and spells?
[2023 – SSC CGL]
A. Rigveda
B. Atharvaveda
C. Samaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: B. Atharvaveda
Explanation: The Atharvaveda preserves charms for healing, protection, success, relationships and household concerns, giving historians valuable evidence concerning popular beliefs in Vedic society.
Q82. How many sacred fires were normally required for major Shrauta sacrifices?
[2023 – UPSC CAPF]
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Seven
Answer: C. Three
Explanation: Major Shrauta ritual centred on three sacred fires: Garhapatya, Ahavaniya and Dakshinagni. Each occupied a prescribed position and served specific functions in sacrificial performance.
Q81. The famous Battle of Ten Kings, or Dasarajna, is described in which Veda?
[2023 – SSC CGL]
A. Rigveda
B. Samaveda
C. Atharvaveda
D. Yajurveda
Answer: A. Rigveda
Explanation: Rigveda Mandala VII describes King Sudas of the Bharatas defeating a confederacy of opponents in the Battle of Ten Kings near the river Parushni.
