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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 Islam?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Tripitaka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Quran is the holy book of Islam, and it is believed to be the direct word of God as revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Judaism?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Tripitaka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Torah is the holy book of Judaism, and it is believed to contain the laws and teachings of God as revealed to Moses.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Christianity?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Tripitaka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Bible is the holy book of Christianity, and it is believed to contain the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Buddhism?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Tripitaka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Tripitaka is the holy book of Buddhism, and it is believed to contain the teachings of the Buddha.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Hinduism?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Tripitaka
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Vedas are the holy books of Hinduism, and they are believed to contain the teachings of the ancient sages.

Multiple choice

What is the holy book of Sikhism?

  1. The Bible

  2. The Quran

  3. The Torah

  4. The Vedas

  5. The Guru Granth Sahib
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The Guru Granth Sahib is the holy book of Sikhism, and it is believed to contain the teachings of the Sikh gurus.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Ramayana

  2. Bhagavad Gita

  3. Upanishads

  4. Arthashastra
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 story of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and their brother Lakshmana, along with their struggles and eventual triumph over the demon king Ravana.

Multiple choice

Which Tamil epic poem is considered one of the five great epics of ancient Tamil literature?

  1. Silappatikaram

  2. Manimekalai

  3. Perunkathai

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

Silappatikaram is an ancient Tamil epic poem attributed to the poet Ilango Adigal. It tells the story of Kannaki, a devoted wife whose husband is wrongly executed, and her quest for justice.

Multiple choice

In the Hindu tradition, what is the name of the sacred text that is often chanted during religious ceremonies?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Samaveda

  3. Yajurveda

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

The Samaveda is a collection of hymns and melodies that are considered sacred in Hinduism. It is primarily used for chanting during religious rituals and ceremonies.

Multiple choice

What is the primary sacred text of Hinduism?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Vedas

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

The Vedas are considered the most ancient and authoritative scriptures in Hinduism, consisting of four collections of hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings.

Multiple choice

In ancient India, which sacred text served as the basis for education and moral guidance?

  1. Vedas

  2. Upanishads

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Vedas, a collection of ancient Hindu scriptures, provided the foundation for education in ancient India, emphasizing spiritual knowledge, ethics, and rituals.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on medicine?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Sushruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

The Charaka Samhita is an ancient Indian medical text that is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on medicine. It was written by Charaka, a physician who lived in the 2nd century BCE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on metallurgy?

  1. Arthashastra

  2. Manusmriti

  3. Rigveda

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

The Arthashastra is an ancient Indian text that is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on metallurgy. It was written by Kautilya, a minister in the court of Chandragupta Maurya, in the 4th century BCE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on architecture?

  1. Vastu Shastra

  2. Brihat Samhita

  3. Mayamata

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

The Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian text that is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on architecture. It was written by various authors over a period of time, and it covers a wide range of topics, including site selection, building design, and construction methods.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on shipbuilding?

  1. Yukti Kalpataru

  2. Samarangana Sutradhara

  3. Matsya Purana

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

The Yukti Kalpataru is an ancient Indian text that is considered to be the first comprehensive treatise on shipbuilding. It was written by Bhoja, a king of the Paramara dynasty, in the 11th century CE.