Ancient History MCQs – 1 (Pre-Historic Period)
February 12, 2021
Most important MCQs from the chapter – Pre-Historic Period MCQs
Ancient History MCQs – 4 (Rig Vedic/Later Vedic Period)
Rig Vedic/Later Vedic Period MCQs with answers and explanations for preparation of UPSC, BPSC, UPPSC and other State PSC Examinations
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1. The word ‘Aryan’ denotes:
A. Ethnic group
B. Nomadic people
C. Speech group
D. Superior race
Correct Answer – D(Superior race )
- The word ‘Aryan’ denotes a Superior race.
- However, Aryans were not a separate race but a linguistic group of semi-nomadic pastoral people who spoke a common Indo-Aryan language – ‘Vedic Sanskrit’.
2. Consider the following statements about the Rig Vedic society.
1. The Rig Vedic society was matriarchal.
2. Women were allowed to participate in literary activities.
3. The basic unit of society was the family whose head was called Gahapati.
Select the correct answer using the codes below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer – (b) 2 and 3 only
- Rig Vedic society was patriarchal in nature.
- The basic unit of society was family or graham. The head of the family was known as ‘Grahapathi’.
- Several families joined together on the basis of their kinship to form a village or grama. The leader of grama was known as gramani.
- A group of villages constituted a larger unit called visu. It was headed by Vishayapati.
- The highest political unit was called jana or tribe.The head of the kingdom was called rajan or king.
- Women could participate in literary activities.There were famous women poets like Apala, Viswavara, Ghosa and Lopmudra during the Rig Vedic period.
- Women could even attend the popular assemblies.
- There was no child marriage and the practice of sati was absent.
- Monogamy was generally practiced while polygamy was common among the royal and noble families.
- Women were given equal opportunities as men for their spiritual and intellectual development
3. Consider the following persons and their roles in Vedic society:
1. Adhvaryu → Priest’s assistant
2. Udgatri → Chanter of hymns
3. Senani → Commander of the army
Select the correctly matched codes below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All of the above
Correct Answer – (d) All of the above
- Adhvaryu was the priest’s assistant and was in charge of the physical details of the ritual like measuring the ground, building the altar as explained in the Yajurveda.
- The Udgatri was the chanter of hymns set to melodies and music drawn from the Samaveda.
- Senani was commander of the army.
4. Painted Greyware was found in ?
A. Vedic period
B. Guptas
C. Maurya
D. Indus valley civilization
Correct Answer – A (Vedic period)
- Potteries are of incredible archeological importance which contain distinguishes and unique features of a particular period or age.
- Painted Gray Ware was found in Iron Age Indian culture of the western Gangetic plains.
- It was contemporary to and a successor of the Black and red ware culture.
- These were high quality earthenware with geometric patterns in black color.
5. Dasarajana was :
A. Ten incarnations of Vishnu
B. A sacrifice to be performed by the king
C. Battle of ten kings
D. None of these
Correct Answer – C(Battle of ten kings)
- Dasarajana was the battle of ten kings.
- The Battle of the Ten Kings is mentioned in the 7th Mandala of the Rigveda.
- It took place between a king of the Bharatas named King Sudas versus a confederation of tribes.
- It resulted in a decisive victory for the Bharatas
- The number of confederate kings involved in this war was actually slightly over ten, but was referred to roughly as ‘Dasha in the Rigveda.
- They were Puru, Yadu, Tuivasa, Ann, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha, Bhalanas, Shiva, Vishanin, Simyu, Vaikrna and others.
6. The staple food of the Vedic Aryan was:
A. Rice
B. Pulses
C. Vegetables and fruits
D. Wheat, barley and milk products
Correct Answer – D (Wheat, barley and milk products ).
- The staple diet of Vedic people was wheat, barley, milk and its products like curd and ghee etc.
- On special occasions like a religious feast or the arrival of a guest, an elaborate meal was organized.
- Alcoholic as well as Non-alcoholic drinks were known and common.
- Soma and Sura(intoxicating) were the two popular liquors.
7. Below are rivers along with their Rig-Vedic names. Which among the following are correctly matched:
1) Indus – Sindhu
2) Jhelum – Vitasta
3) Chenab – Askini
Select the correctly matched codes below.
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer – D(1, 2 and 3 ).
- The Nadistuti sukta(75th hymn of 10th Mandala of the Rigveda) contains the hymns in praise of rivers.
- When the Aryans migrated towards the Indian subcontinent, they initially settled in the region called ‘Sapta-Saindhava’ which included Afghanistan, Swat Valley of Punjab and some parts of the Indo-Gangetic plain.
- ‘Sapta-Saindhava’ derives its name from seven rivers flowing through that region( Indus and its five tributaries + Saraswati ).
8. With reference to the Vedic civilization, Rajasuya, Asvamedha and Vajpeya were:
A. Rituals and sacrifices performed by the King to strengthen his position
B. Mercenary army contingents that were owned by the local landlords
C. Land tax imposed on areas inside the jurisdiction of the Empire
D.Land tax imposed on areas inside the jurisdiction of the Empire Body of officials who maintained a record of the extent of empire
Correct Answer – A ( Rituals and sacrifices performed by the King to strengthen his position)
- Larger kingdoms were formed during the later Vedic period as many jana or tribes were amalgamated to form janapadas or rashtras in the later Vedic period.
- Hence the royal power had increased along with the increase in the size of the kingdom.
- So, the king performed various rituals and sacrifices to strengthen his position.
- They include:
- Rajasuya (consecration ceremony)
- Asvamedha (horse sacrifice)
- Vajapeya (chariot race)
- The kings also assumed titles like Rajavisvajanan, Ahilabhuvanapathi, (lord of all earth), Ekrat and Samrat (sole ruler) to showcase his power.
9. Sabha and Samiti were two democratic institutions of
A. Hilly tribes of India
B. Indus Valley people
C. Rigvedic Aryans
D. Dravidians
Correct Answer – C ( Rigvedic Aryans).
- In the era of the Vedic age, there were many assemblies like Sabha, Samiti, Vidhata and Gana as mentioned in Rig Veda.
- Among these, Sabha and Samiti were the two most important assemblies.
- Even the King and the Chief showed eagerness to win the support of Sabha and Samiti.
10. In which ancient text do you find the earliest reference to the Varna System?
A. Atharva Veda
B. Satapatha Brahmana
C. Manu Samhita
D. Rigveda
Correct Answer – D( Rigveda ).
- Purusha Sukta, the 10th mandala of Rig Veda veda mentioned the four varnas by name – although the word ‘varṇa’ itself is not mentioned.
11. Which of the following Gods do not belong to the Rigvedic period ?
A. Shiva
B. Aditi
C. Indra
D. Marut
Correct Answer – A ( Shiva )
- The Rig Vedic Aryans worshiped the natural forces like earth, fire, wind, rain and thunder.
- They personified these natural forces into many gods and worshiped them.
- Gods mentioned in Rig Vedas are Indra, Agni, Varuna, Soma, Savitri, Aditi, Apsaras, Rudra, Usha and Prithvi and many more.
- However, there was no mention of God Shiva.
- Indra was known as Purandhara (i.e. Destroyer of Forts). 250 Rig Vedic hymns have been dedicated to Indra.
- He was the most important divinity and Agni was second important god after Indra.
12. Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic period.
1. The importance of the Samiti and the Sabha had diminished during the later Vedic period.
2. Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance.
3. Rituals became more elaborate.
Select the correct statements below:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer – D(1, 2 and 3 ).
- The importance of the Samiti and the Sabha had diminished during the later Vedic period.
- Gods of the Early Vedic period like Indra and Agni lost their importance.
- Prajapathi (the creator), Vishnu (the protector) and Rudra (the destroyer) became prominent gods during the Later Vedic period.
- Rituals became more elaborate.
- The importance of prayers declined and that of sacrifices increased.
- Priesthood became a profession and a hereditary one.
Also Read in Ancient History MCQs :
Ancient History MCQs – 2 (Indus Valley Civilization)
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Indus Valley Civilization MCQs
Ancient History MCQs – 3 (Vedic Literature)
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Vedic Literature MCQs
Ancient History MCQs – 5 (Mahajanpadas)
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Mahajanpadas
Ancient History MCQs – 6 ( Jainism )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Jainism
Ancient History MCQs – 7 ( Buddhism )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Buddhism
Ancient History MCQs – 8 ( Magadh Dynasty )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Magadh Dynasty
Ancient History MCQs – 9 ( Maurya Dynasty )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Maurya Dynasty
Ancient History MCQs – 10 ( Post Maurya Period )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Post Maurya Period
Ancient History MCQs – 11 ( Gupta Period )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Gupta Period
Ancient History MCQs – 12 ( Post Gupta Period )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – Post Gupta Period
Ancient History MCQs – 13 ( South Indian Kingdoms )
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Most important MCQs from the chapter – South Indian Kingdoms