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Indian Literature and Texts

3,277 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

Which of the following is considered as the oldest surviving literary work in India?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Ramayana

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

The Rigveda is a collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns and is considered to be the oldest surviving literary work in India, dating back to around 1500-1200 BCE.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a key text in Dvaita Vedanta?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Brahma Sutra

  3. Upanishads

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

Tattva Prakasika is a key text in Dvaita Vedanta. It is a commentary on the Brahma Sutra by Madhvacharya, the founder of Dvaita Vedanta. The text expounds on the fundamental principles and teachings of Dvaita Vedanta.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian epic is considered one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, along with the Mahabharata?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the life of Rama, a legendary prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita.

Multiple choice

In which Indian epic is the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas told?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, along with the Ramayana. It narrates the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two groups of cousins who fight a great war for the throne of Hastinapura.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu religious text contains philosophical teachings and discussions on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They contain teachings on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which Indian epic poem tells the story of the life of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Bhagavata Purana is a Hindu religious text that tells the story of the life of Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu. It is one of the most popular and widely read texts in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which Indian epic poem tells the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two groups of cousins who fight a great war for the throne of Hastinapura?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, along with the Ramayana. It narrates the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two groups of cousins who fight a great war for the throne of Hastinapura.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu religious text contains the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu religious text that contains the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is one of the most important and widely read texts in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which Indian epic poem tells the story of the life of Rama, a legendary prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the life of Rama, a legendary prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu religious text contains philosophical teachings and discussions on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They contain teachings on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which Indian epic poem tells the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two groups of cousins who fight a great war for the throne of Hastinapura?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India, along with the Ramayana. It narrates the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas, two groups of cousins who fight a great war for the throne of Hastinapura.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu religious text contains the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a Hindu religious text that contains the teachings of Krishna to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is one of the most important and widely read texts in Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which Indian epic poem tells the story of the life of Rama, a legendary prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic poem attributed to the sage Valmiki. It narrates the life of Rama, a legendary prince of Ayodhya, and his wife Sita.

Multiple choice

Which Hindu religious text contains philosophical teachings and discussions on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical texts that are part of the Vedas, the oldest scriptures of Hinduism. They contain teachings on the nature of reality, consciousness, and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian epic poem is considered one of the greatest works of literature in the world?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

  4. Upanishads
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. It is the longest epic poem ever written, consisting of over 100,000 verses or 200,000 lines, and is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and the Odyssey combined.