History · Science General

Indian Astronomy and Astrology

3,375 Questions

Ancient Indian astronomy and astrology encompass the historical study of celestial bodies, planetary movements, and traditional timekeeping instruments. Topics frequently include ancient astronomical texts, yantras, and the astrological significance of planets. These questions are highly useful for general studies sections in civil services and state exams.

Ancient astronomical instrumentsAstrological planetary aspectsTraditional Indian almanacsAstronomical textsTimekeeping innovations

Indian Astronomy and Astrology Questions

Multiple choice

Twelve constellations referred to as zodiac, are

  1. signs of Roman gods

  2. imaginary regions that encompass the path of the planets

  3. a group of stars

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The term "zodiac" refers to the region of the celestial sphere encompassing the paths of the planets corresponding to the band of about eight arc degrees above and below the ecliptic.

Multiple choice ancient world history world history general knowledge

Frequent allusions to the Romaka Siddhanta and Paulisa Siddhanta by the great Indian astronomer Varahmihira indicate _________.

  1. Roman influence on Indian astronomy

  2. knowledge of Roman geography

  3. adoption of Western astronomical terms by the Indian astronomers

  4. close interaction between Romans and Indian astronomers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The mention of Romaka (Roman) and Paulisa (Paul/Greek) Siddhantas in Indian astronomical texts suggests a significant exchange of knowledge and interaction between Indian and Western (Greco-Roman) astronomers.

Multiple choice social studies discovery of universe famous space scientists and astronauts space exploration space communications

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh -II invented the _________.

  1. Samrat Yantra

  2. Jai Prakash Yantra

  3. Ram Yantra

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur who was also an astronomer built the Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar has 19 instruments out of which Samrat Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra, Ram Yantra, Chakra Yantra, Dakshin Mural Yantra, Digamya Yantra, Disha Yantra, Kanali Yantra are prominent.

Multiple choice history india's heritage of science and technology language, writing and great books achievements in science and technology india's achievements in science and technology

Contribution of Brahma Gupt is mostly in the field of

  1. Astrology

  2. Physics

  3. Geometry

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Brahmaguptha who was born in 598 AD in Jalore of Rajasthan is an eminent mathematician and astronomer. His great works are ‘Brahmasfut Sidhanta’, ‘Khandkadyakam’ etc. His contributions were especially in the field of geometry.

Multiple choice history language, writing and great books achievements in science and technology india's achievements in science and technology science and technology

The name of the Indian Astronomer (who knew five astronomical systems), who lived in the 6th century was _________.

  1. Varahamihira

  2. Bhandarkar

  3. Pujyapada

  4. Prasastapada
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Varahamihira was a renowned 6th-century Indian astronomer and mathematician who authored the Panchasiddhantika, which summarizes five earlier astronomical systems.

Multiple choice history language, writing and great books achievements in science and technology india's achievements in science and technology science and technology

What did Aryabhata write in his Sanskrit book Aryabhatiyam?

  1. Day and night were caused by rotation of earth around its own axis

  2. Scientific explanation for eclipses

  3. Calculating the circumference of the circle

  4. All of above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Aryabhata, a mathematician and a astronomer, wrote a book in Sanskrit known as the Aryabhatiyam. He stated that day and night were caused by the rotation of earth around its own axis, even though it seems as if the sun is rising and setting everyday. He developed a scientific explanation for eclipses as well. He also found a way of calculating the circumference of a circle, which is nearly as accurate as the formula we use today.

Multiple choice social studies from gathering food to growing food - the earliest people tribal societies the earliest people tribes, nomad and settled societies

What is 'Tantra', 'Hora' and 'Samhinta'?

  1. Vastu shastra

  2. Mathematics

  3. Astrology

  4. Medicine and Surgery
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Tantra, Hora, and Samhita are subdivisions of astrology. 
Tantra - Deals with the mathematical aspects of astrology. 
Hora - Deals with Individual horoscopes and Muhurta or electoral Astrology.
Samhita - Deals with collectivity or multitudes. It encompasses varied areas such as weather forecasts, agricultural produce, natural disasters, floods, famines, wars, etc.
Multiple choice history government, society and culture under the delhi sultanate life under delhi sultanate arab invasions and delhi sultanate royal dynasties of rajasthan and mughals

Who was the author of Kitab-ul-Hind?

  1. Abu Said

  2. Abul Fazl

  3. Firadausi

  4. AI-Beruni
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Kitab al-Hind is is the result of long years of hard work and  perseverance of Al-Biruni’s who was an Iranian scholar. He had written about the religious, political and intellectual aspects of  india. The book is divided into 80 chapters each with a sub-heading indicating the topics which it relates. 

Multiple choice geography kerala, from eighth to eighteenth century kerala during medieval period in the land of kerala study of kerala

What is the subject matter of 'Sankarnarayaneeyam'?

  1. Astrology

  2. Mathematics

  3. Ayurveda

  4. Astronomy
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Medieval Kerala had gained much progress in the field of knowledge. Sankaranarayanan was a famous astronomer during the reign of the Perumals. He has authored Sankaranarayaneeyam, a book on Astronomy. 

Multiple choice

What is the Indian calendar based off of?

  1. The Sun

  2. The Moon

  3. Celestial Bodies

  4. Stars
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Indian National Calendar (Saka calendar) is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it is based on both the moon and the sun.