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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 name of the sacred text of Sikhism?

  1. Guru Granth Sahib

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Qur'an

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

The Guru Granth Sahib is the sacred text of Sikhism, and is considered to be the final authority on Sikh beliefs and practices.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a sacred text in Jainism?

  1. Agama

  2. Anga

  3. Upanga

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a sacred text in Hinduism, not Jainism.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of Buddhism?

  1. Tripitaka

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Qur'an

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

The Tripitaka is the sacred text of Buddhism, and consists of three parts: the Vinaya Pitaka, the Sutta Pitaka, and the Abhidhamma Pitaka.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of Islam?

  1. Qur'an

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Tripitaka

  4. Guru Granth Sahib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam, and is believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a sacred text in Judaism?

  1. Tanakh

  2. Talmud

  3. Qur'an

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

The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam, not Judaism.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of Zoroastrianism?

  1. Avesta

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Tripitaka

  4. Guru Granth Sahib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Avesta is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism, and is believed to contain the teachings of the prophet Zoroaster.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a sacred text in Taoism?

  1. Tao Te Ching

  2. Zhuangzi

  3. I Ching

  4. Qur'an
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam, not Taoism.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of Confucianism?

  1. Analects

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Tripitaka

  4. Guru Granth Sahib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Analects is the sacred text of Confucianism, and is a collection of sayings and teachings attributed to the philosopher Confucius.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a sacred text in Shintoism?

  1. Kojiki

  2. Nihon Shoki

  3. Qur'an

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

The Qur'an is the sacred text of Islam, not Shintoism.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the sacred text of Baha'i Faith?

  1. Kitab-i-Aqdas

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Tripitaka

  4. Guru Granth Sahib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Kitab-i-Aqdas is the sacred text of Baha'i Faith, and is believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to the prophet Baha'u'llah.

Multiple choice

Which Vedic text contains the earliest reference to the idea of a cosmic explosion?

  1. Rig Veda

  2. Yajur Veda

  3. Sama Veda

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

The Rig Veda contains the earliest reference to the idea of a cosmic explosion in the hymn known as the 'Nasadiya Sukta'.

Multiple choice

Which Buddhist text is considered to be the most important scripture?

  1. Tripitaka

  2. Dhammapada

  3. Lotus Sutra

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

The Tripitaka is the Buddhist text that is considered to be the most important scripture.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian epic poem that tells the story of the Pandavas and the Kauravas?

  1. The Mahabharata

  2. The Ramayana

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the epic poem from ancient India that tells the story of Rama, a legendary prince?

  1. The Ramayana

  2. The Mahabharata

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Mahabharata.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian epic is considered to be the longest epic poem ever written?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem traditionally attributed to the sage Vyasa. It is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, the other being the Ramayana.