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Indian Literature and Texts

2,973 Questions

Indian literature features rich ancient texts, epics like the Mahabharata, and philosophical Upanishads. This topic covers seminal works of Indian mythology and Sanskrit tradition. It is a highly scoring area in UPSC, state PSC, and other competitive examinations.

Ancient Indian epicsSacred Hindu textsSanskrit traditionIndian mythologyJain literary texts

Indian Literature and Texts Questions

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Judaism?

  1. Quran

  2. Bible

  3. Torah

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

The Torah is the holy book of Judaism and is considered to be the direct word of God as revealed to Moses.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Zoroastrianism?

  1. Avesta

  2. Bible

  3. Torah

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

The Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrianism and is considered to be the direct word of God as revealed to the prophet Zoroaster.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Taoism?

  1. Tao Te Ching

  2. Bible

  3. Torah

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

The Tao Te Ching is the holy book of Taoism and is considered to be the direct word of God as revealed to the sage Laozi.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Shintoism?

  1. Kojiki

  2. Bible

  3. Torah

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

The Kojiki is the holy book of Shintoism and is considered to be the direct word of God as revealed to the Japanese people.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered the foundation of Indian economic thought?

  1. Arthashastra

  2. Rigveda

  3. Upanishads

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

The Arthashastra, written by Kautilya in the 4th century BCE, is an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian medical text that deals with surgery?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Susruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

  4. Bhavaprakasha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Susruta Samhita is an ancient Indian medical text that deals with surgery and is attributed to the surgeon Susruta.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian medical text that deals with pediatrics?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Susruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

The Kashyapa Samhita is an ancient Indian medical text that deals with pediatrics and is attributed to the physician Kashyapa.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian medical text that deals with ophthalmology?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Susruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

The Bhavaprakasha is an ancient Indian medical text that deals with ophthalmology and is attributed to the physician Bhavamishra.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Indian medical text that deals with toxicology?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Susruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

The Rasatarangini is an ancient Indian medical text that deals with toxicology and is attributed to the physician Vagbhata.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the holy book of Sikhism?

  1. The Guru Granth Sahib

  2. The Bhagavad Gita

  3. The Vedas

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

The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism and is considered the living Guru of the Sikhs.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major text of Nyaya philosophy?

  1. Nyaya Sutras

  2. Vaisesika Sutras

  3. Tarka Sangraha

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

Nyaya Sutras, Vaisesika Sutras, and Tarka Sangraha are all major texts of Nyaya philosophy.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of the Shiva School of Hindu Philosophy?

  1. The Shiva Sutras

  2. The Shiva Upanishads

  3. The Shiva Purana

  4. The Shiva Gita
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The sacred text of the Shiva School of Hindu Philosophy is the Shiva Sutras, which are a collection of aphorisms that outline the teachings of the school.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text that is studied in the Shiva School of Hindu Philosophy?

  1. The Shiva Sutras

  2. The Shiva Upanishads

  3. The Shiva Purana

  4. The Shiva Gita
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Shiva Sutras is the name of the sacred text that is studied in the Shiva School of Hindu Philosophy.

Multiple choice

Which religious text contains references to astronomical phenomena, such as the movement of celestial bodies and the creation of the universe?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Vedas

  4. The Bhagavad Gita
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Bible, particularly the Book of Genesis, contains references to astronomical phenomena, including the creation of the universe, the movement of the sun, moon, and stars, and the concept of a celestial sphere.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text contains references to sports and physical activities?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Ramayana

  3. Mahabharata

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

The Rigveda, one of the four Vedas, includes hymns that mention physical activities such as chariot racing, archery, and wrestling.