General Awareness · History

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 evs the pride of our nation opposition and cooperation with the rulers heritage of ancient india in the field of science and technology india's heritage of science and technology

Resource material for the book Vishvavallabha by Chakrapani Mishra is

  1. Harshacharitha

  2. Vrihatsanhita

  3. Gatasaptha sathi

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Chakrapani Mishra was a Darbari pandit in court of Maharana Pratap. He was deeply inspired by the works of Varahmihra. Resource material for the book Vishvavallabha by Chakrapani Mishra is Vrihatsanhita of Varahmihra. He also authored books like Muhurtmala, Vyavaharadarsha and Rajyabhisheka.

Multiple choice history heritage management conservation and preservation of heritage sources of modern history introduction to medieval india

Among the four works mentioned below which one is encyclopaedic in nature?

  1. Mamarakosa

  2. Siddhantasiromani

  3. Ashtangahridaya

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

Brihat Samhita, written by Varahamihira, is a classic encyclopedic work in Sanskrit covering diverse subjects like astronomy, architecture, weather, and plants. The other options are specialized texts: Mamarakosa is a lexicon, Siddhantasiromani is mathematical astronomy, and Ashtangahridaya is a medical treatise.

Multiple choice history jainism, buddhism and ajivika philosophy in tamil nadu growth of unorthodox religious movements religion in the sixth century bce rise of territorial kingdoms and heterodox religions

Which one of the four Vedas makes a clear reference to Rishabha and Arsishtanami, the Jaina tirthankaras?

  1. Rig Veda

  2. Sama Veda

  3. Yajur Veda

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

Rig Veda makes a clear reference to Rishabha and Arsishtanami , the Jaina tirthankaras. Rishabha , the first tirthankar of Jainism , is known to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is mentioned in the Bhagavat Purana and the Rig Veda and Arishtanemi also called Neminatha the 22nd of the 24 Tirthankaras of Jainism a traditional religion of India.While the last two Tirthanakaras may be considered historical personages. Arishtanemi is a legendary figure. Said to have lived 84,000 years before the coming of the next Tirthankara.

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

Which of the following is an authentic book in the field of surgery

  1. Khandkhadyakam

  2. Sushrut Sanhita

  3. Brahmasfut Sidhantha

  4. All of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

First surgeon in the world was Maharishi Sushrutha. His famous book was Sushruth Sanhita which is an authentic book in the field of surgery. Plastic surgery is known to be a big achievement in the field of medicinal science, as mentioned in his book.

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

Who wrote Charak Samhita, a sanskrit text on Ayurveda?

  1. Maharshi Dayanand

  2. Maharshi Charak

  3. Maharshi Shushrut

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

Charak Samhita is a foundational text on Ayurveda, traditionally attributed to the sage Charak. It covers various aspects of health, medicine, and disease management.

Multiple choice history the flowering of regional culture development of regional cultures regional cultures the making of regional cultures

The Brihaddharma Purana is a thirteenth-century __________ text.

  1. Sanskrit

  2. Telugu

  3. Bengali

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

Brahmanas were not allowed to eat non vegetarian food, but the popularity of fish in the local diet in Bengal made the Brahmanical authorities relax this prohibition for the Bengal Brahmanas. The Brihaddharma Purana, a thirteenth-century Sanskrit text from Bengal, permitted the local Brahmanas to eat certain varieties of fish.

Multiple choice

What are the Vedas?

  1. Gods

  2. Sacred Rituals

  3. Sacred Texts

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

The Vedas are a large body of religious texts originating in ancient India, forming the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the foundational scriptures of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

According to the Vedas, what are the varnas?

  1. the proper ways to read ancient Sanskrit texts

  2. the true lessons Hindus should gain from reading the Vedas

  3. four main social classes that lead to a functioning society

  4. the evil spirits that prevent Hindus from escaping reincarnation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The term 'varnas' refers to the four broad social categories or classes in ancient Indian society, which were believed to be essential for a stable and functioning society.

Multiple choice sociology culture study of culture the tribes of india tribes in madhya pradesh

Which is the oldest Veda?

  1. Samaveda

  2. Rigveda

  3. Yajurveda

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

The Vedas are the earliest surviving literature of Indian subcontinent. There are four Vedas: the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Yajur Veda and the Atharva Veda. Of these the Rig Veda is the oldest and was composed about 3500 years ago. All the other Vedas are based upon it and consist to a large degree of various hymns from it. It consists of a thousand such hymns of different seers, each hymn averaging around ten verses. The Rig Veda is also the oldest book in Sanskrit or any Indo-European language.

Multiple choice geography preservation of our heritage preserving indian heritage applied history spread and propagation of indian culture

Which is the world-famous treatise of the amorous arts?

  1. Kamasutra

  2. Vemana Satakam

  3. Both A & B

  4. Neither A & B
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Answer - (A) Kamasutra

Kamasutra is an ancient Indian text written by Vatsyayana. It is widely considered to be standard work on human sexual behavior. It is a practical advice on sexual intercourse. 

Multiple choice business studies ancient indian economy sangam age society and culture in ancient tamizhagam: the sangam age our golden past

Which of the following is the earliest works in Tamil?

  1. Sangam Literature

  2. Mahabharta

  3. Rama Sundaram

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

The Sangam literature connotes the ancient Tamil literature and is the earliest known literature of South India. The Tamil tradition and legends link it to three literary gatherings around Madurai (Pandyan capital): the first over 4,440 years, the second over 3,700 years, and the third over 1,850 years before the start of the common era. Hence, Option A is correct.