About the Topic: Later Vedic Period witnessed major political, social, economic and religious changes in Ancient India. Practice Later Vedic Period MCQ Questions covering kingdoms, varna system, agriculture, rituals and important UPSC concepts with answers and explanations.
Correct Answer:
(D)
II, III, V, VI
The Vedas - Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda and Atharvanaveda -- are the first four of the pramanas (authoritative texts) of our religion and also the most important. Of the remaining ten, six are Angas of the Vedas and four are Upangas.
Man possesses a number of angas or limbs. In the same way the Vedas personified -- the Vedapurusa -- has six limbs. (It must be noted that the Vedas are also spoken of as Vedamatha, Mother Veda.) The four Upangas, though not integral to the Vedas, are supporting limbs of the Vedapurusa. The Angas, as already stated, are six in number -- Shiksha, Vyakarana, Chandas, Nirukta, Jyotisha and Kalpa. The four Upangas are Mimamsa, Nyaya, Purana and Dharmasastra.
Ques: 2
The “Great Flood” is said to have occurred during the time of which Manu from whose son the two great Solar and Lunar dynasties took birth.
Correct Answer:
(A) 7th Manu
In the cosmological speculations of later Hinduism, a day in the life of Brahma is divided into 14 periods called manvantara, each of which lasts for 306,720,000 years. In every secondary cycle the world is re-created, and a new Manu appears to become the father of the next human race. The present age is considered the seventh Manu cycle.
Ques: 3
Which of the following mention the royal sacrifices of Rajasuya, Asvamedah and Vajapeya for the first time?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Brahmanas
Of the four divisions of the Vedas, the knowledge of the rituals is found mainly in the Samhitas and Brahmanas, and to some extent in the Aranyakas. A few ancient Upanishads, especially the ones derived from the Brahmanas, also contain information about them to denote their spiritual significance. Apart from the Vedas, our knowledge of rituals also comes to us from other sources such as the Tantras, Agama Shastras, and several Vaishnava texts.
Ques: 4
In the Age of 16 Mahajanapadas, there were four great kingdoms. One was Magadha. The other three were?
Correct Answer:
(A) Avanti, Kosala, Vatsa
The Budhist traditions these kingdoms came to be known as 'Mahajanapadas'.There were sixteen of such Mahajanapadas: Kasi, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Machcha, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.
The country of the Avanti was an important kingdom of western India and was one of the four great monarchies in India in the post era of Mahavira and Buddha, the other three being Kosala, Vatsa and Magadha. Avanti was divided into north and south by the river Narmada.
Ques: 5
Which God occupied the supreme position in the later Vedic pantheon?
Correct Answer:
(C) Prajapati
The two outstanding Rig Vedic gods, Indra and Agni, lost their former importance. On the other hand Prajapati, the creator, came to occupy the supreme position in later Vedic pantheon. Rudra, the god of animals, became important in later Vedic times and Vishnu came to be conceived as the preserver and protector of the people. In addition, some symbolic objects began to be worshipped, and we notice signs of idolatry.
Ques: 6
Which, type of pottery was most popular with the Later Vedic people?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Painted Grey Ware
The later Vedic people were acquainted with four types of pottery—black-and-red ware, black- slipped ware, Painted Grey Ware, and red-ware. The last type of pottery was the most popular, and is found almost all over western UP. However, the most distinctive pottery of the period is known as Painted Grey Ware.
Ques: 7
Match the following:
Correct Answer:
(B) [A-I], [B-II], [C-III]
Max Muellar, He acknowledged that religion had developed differently in different linguistic spheres and that his training limited him to a consideration of Aryan peoples—that is, speakers of Indo-European languages. Nevertheless, he was convinced that the Rigveda provided unparalleled access to the process by which religion arose.
Penka - He popularised the theory that the Aryan race had emerged in Scandinavia and could be identified by the Nordic characteristics of blue eyes and blond hair. In his Origines Ariacae ('Origins of the Aryans') of 1883, he proposed that the Indo-European homeland was in the far north, the Hyperborea of antiquity.
There is a consensus opinion among many historians that the Aryans were a heterogeneous group of people who lived in Brandenstein, Kirghiz steppe.
Ques: 8
It is the river par excellence and mother of rivers and is noted as flowing into ocean. In the nadistuti this river is mentioned between the Yamuna and the Sutudri. Identify it.
Correct Answer:
(B) Saraswati
The Nadistuti hymn in the Rigveda mentions the Saraswati river as flowing between the Yamuna in the east and the Sutlej in the west (two rivers still flowing in north-western India). The Brahamanas and the Mahabharata also mention the Saraswati river.
Ques: 9
On what ground does B.G. Tilak propounded the theory that the original home of the Aryans was the Arctic region?
Correct Answer:
(D)
The Vedic Aryans had the knowledge of the nights of six months’ duration which is a characteristic feature of the Arctic region.
The Arctic Home in the Vedas is a book on the origin of Aryanic People by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a mathematician turned astronomer, historian, journalist, philosopher and political leader of India.
It propounded the idea that the North Pole was the original home of Aryans during the pre-glacial period which they had to leave due to the ice deluge around 8000 B.C. and had to migrate to the Northern parts of Europe and Asia in search of lands for new settlements.
At the North Pole, one sees the heavenly dome above seems to revolve around one like a potter's wheel. The stars will not rise and set but move round and round in horizontal planes during the long night of six months.
The Sun, when it is above the horizon for six months; would also appear to revolve in the same way but with some difference. The Northern celestial hemisphere will alone be visible spinning round and round and the Southern half remain invisible. The Sun going into the Northern hemisphere in his annual course will appear as coming up from the South. Living in the temperate and tropical zones, however, one sees all heavenly objects rise in the East and set in the West, some passing over the head, others traveling obliquely.
Ques: 10
What are the grounds for the belief that the ancient Iranians and the Vedic Aryans belong to the same race?
Correct Answer:
(C) There is a close similarity between the language of the Vedas and that of Avesta.
The Rig Vedic and Avestan languages are essentially the same, with very minor differences in grammar. They share a common vocabulary in the fields of mythology, ritual, culture, and religious practices.
Ques: 11
Where is Boghazkoi situated and what is the importance of it?
Correct Answer:
(B) In Central Asia, some coins of Rig Vedic kings have been found there.
Harappan Civilization and Rigveda
A careful consideration of the evidence of the Rig Veda will lead to the conclusion that references it contains about people and their civilization may be taken to refer to the Harappan civilization.
The Discovery of Boghaz-Koi inscription (of 14th century B.C.) mentioned Rig Vedic deities that the Rig Veda existed earlier and the culture migrated from India to Asia Minor in that early age.
The time period of the Rig Veda in its final form should be placed not later than about 3,000 B.C.
Ques: 12
Which of the following was not one of the distinguished tribes of the later Vedic Period?
Correct Answer:
(A) Videhas
Rise of Big States:
With the progress of Aryan settlements in the eastern and southern part of India, the small tribal states of Rig Vedic period replaced by powerful states. Many famous tribes of Rig Vedic period like Bharatas, Parus, Tritsus and Turvasas passed into oblivion and new tribes like the Kurus and Panchalas rose into prominence. The land of the Yamuna and Ganga in the east which became the new home of the Aryans rose into prominence.
Ques: 13
Which of the following are known as Brahmanas?
Correct Answer:
(B) Explanatory prose manuals relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony.
lanatory prose manuals relating to prayer and sacrificial ceremony.
Commentaries appended to the Aranyakas dealing with philosophical questions.
Books dealing with worship and contemplation meant for wood-dwelling hermits
Ans (b)
Exp: The Brahmanas, it is well known, form our chief, if not our only, source of information regarding one of the most important periods in the social and mental development of India. They represent the intellectual activity of a sacerdotal caste which, by turning to account the religious instincts of a gifted and naturally devout race, had succeeded in transforming a primitive worship of the powers of nature into a highly artificial system of sacrificial ceremonies, and was ever intent on deepening and extending its hold on the minds of the people, by surrounding its own vocation with the halo of sanctity and divine inspiration.
Ques: 14
Which of the following Brahmanas belongs to the Yajurveda?
Correct Answer:
(A) Satpatha
The Satapatha Brahmana is a prose text describing Vedic rituals, history and mythology associated with the Shukla Yajurveda. The text describes in great detail the preparation of altars, ceremonial objects, ritual recitations, and the Soma libation, along with the symbolic attributes of every aspect of the rituals.
Brahmanas of Yajurveda include the following:
Kathaka Brahmana
Krishna: The Brahmanas are integrated into the samhitas
Maitrayani
Carakakatha
Kapisthalakatha
Taittiriya Brahmana
Shatapatha Brahmana
Ques: 15
‘Gopatha Brahmana’ is associated with –
Correct Answer:
(C) Atharvaveda
The Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana, a genre of the prose texts describing the Vedic rituals, associated with the Atharvaveda. The text is associated with both the Shaunaka and the Paippalada recensions of the Atharvaveda.
Ques: 16
Which of the following is a Samhita of Shukla Yajurveda?
Correct Answer:
(A) Vajasanami
There are two branches of Yajurveda-Shukla Yajurveda and Krishna Yajurveda. Vajasnami is the Samhita of Shukla Yajurveda. Shukla Yajurveda is available only in the poetic form whereas Krishna Yajurveda contains both poetic as well as prose form.
Ques: 17
Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?
Correct Answer:
(C) Atharvaveda
The earliest description of charms and spells can be found in Atharvaveda.
Ques: 18
The priest associated with King Videgha Madhava referred in Shatapatha Brahmana was –
Correct Answer:
(D)
Rishi Gautama Rahugana
It is believed that Saraswati was the scene of the activities of the famous Vedic tribes - the Bharatas, the Purus, and the Kurus. The Shatapatha Brahmana narrates the story of King Videgha Madhava (a king of Videha) accompanied by his priest Rishi Gautama Rahugana, carrying the sacred fire to east preserving thereby the tradition that the Kosalas and the Vide has received from their culture.
Ques: 19
In the period of Mahabharata, the name of Mahanadi was
Correct Answer:
(D)
None of these
The name of Mahanadi during the period of Mahabharat was 'Chitrotpala'. In the Bhishma festival of Mahabharata, the Chitrotpala river is praised as Punayadayini and Sin Vashinini. Indian people drank the water of Chitrotpala. The Mahanadi has been called Chitrotpala Ganga in the Mahoba copper plate of Someshwar Dev.
Ques: 20
Vedic river Askini is identified with which one of the following rivers?
Correct Answer:
(C) Chenab
Vedic river Askini is identified with a present-day river named as Chenab, also popularly known as Chandrabhaga. The river Chenab originates from Tandi in Lahul Spiti where two rivulets namely Chandra and Bhaga meet to form this river.
Ques: 21
During the Rigvedic Period word ‘Nishka’ was used for a Jewellery but in later period it was used for the meaning of :
Correct Answer:
(D)
Coin
During Vedic period, the gold necklace was called as ‘Nishka’ which later transformed the way for the gold coins.
Ques: 22
Boghaz-Koi is important because:
Correct Answer:
(B) Inscriptions were found which mentioned the names of Vedic Gods and Goddesses
Boghaz-Koi inscription (Asia Minor, Turkey) is important because there is mention of four Vedic Gods, namely Indra, Varuna, Mitra and Nasatyas.
Ques: 23
Boghaz-Koi inscription (Asia Minor, Turkey) is important because there is mention of four Vedic Gods, namely Indra, Varuna, Mitra and Nasatyas.
Correct Answer:
(B) Boghaz-Koi
Boghaz-Koi inscription which mentions four Vedic God namely Indra, Varuna, Mitra, and Nasatyas, is the 14th century B.C. inscription. It is important in Indian history because inscription of 14th century B.C. was discovered here.
Ques: 24
Sarga, Pratisarga, Vansa, Manvantara and Vanshanucha- rita are the indicators of:
Correct Answer:
(B) Puranas
Puranas have five characteristics like Sarga, Pratisarga, Vansa, Manvantara and Vanshanucharita. Among these, Sarga and Pratisarga are the natural creation and renovation (cosmogony). Vansa means the history of Sage and God. Manvantara is meant for the period of different Manus and Vanshanucharit means Genealogy of kings.
Ques: 25
Originally the Mahabharata was known as –
Correct Answer:
(D)
Jayasamhita
Mahabharata originally had only 8,800 slokas and its original name was ‘Jaya’ or Jayasamhita. Mahabharata today has 100,000 Shlokas and is believed to be written by Sage Veda Vyasa.
Ques: 26
In Mahabharat by what name were the Kuninda-kings known?
Correct Answer:
(C) Dwij Srestha
Kuninda-Kings in Mahabharat were known by the name of the Dwij Shrestha. They are mentioned in Sabha Parva of Mahabharata (Chapter 51, Part-1). In this, they had been addressed as 'Chief among Dwijs'.
Ques: 27
Study the following statements about the Vedic God Indra and select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Was the God of thunder.
Punished the sinners.
Was the guardian of the moral order.
Was the God of rain.
Codes :
Correct Answer:
(D)
1 and 4 are correct.
In Vedas, Indra is the King and the Dev of Svarga (Heaven). He is the God of heaven, lightning, thunder and rains. Guardian of the Moral order (Rit) was lord Varuna. Some hymns, are prayers to God Indra for punishing the sinners, but in the absence of option 1, 2 and 4 we choose 1 and 4.
Ques: 28
According to Hindu mythology, which serpent offered himself as a rope for churning the ocean ?
Correct Answer:
(B) Vasuki
The churning of the ocean of milk was an elaborate process. Mount Mandara or Mandar Parvat was used as the churning rod and Vasuki, the king of serpents who abides on Shiva’s neck, became the churning rope. Lord Vishnu, in the form of Kurma Avtar, came to their rescue and supported the mountain on his back.
Ques: 29
In which phase, the concept of untouchability was put clearly?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Dharmashastra phase
The concept of untouchability assumed definite shape in the early Christian era which was the period known as the era of Dharmashastra in ancient Indian history. During this period, the Brahmanical religion was on ascendences. Various scriptures were being written and the social customs of different types were practiced strictly and untouchability was one of them.