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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

Which of the following is true about the Bhagavad Gita?

  1. It was written in English.

  2. Its teachings are limited to Indian society.

  3. It contains the ancient stories, and beliefs of Hinduism.

  4. Most Hindus no longer find it valuable.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Bhagavad Gita is a central sacred text of Hinduism that contains ancient stories, philosophical dialogues, and core religious beliefs.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian epic poem tells the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas?

  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, the other being the Ramayana.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of hymns and prayers?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Samaveda

  3. Yajurveda

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

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of philosophical and theological treatises?

  1. Upanishads

  2. Brahmanas

  3. Aranyakas

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

The Upanishads are a collection of philosophical and theological treatises that are part of the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of fables and parables?

  1. Panchatantra

  2. Hitopadesha

  3. Jatakas

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

The Panchatantra is a collection of fables and parables that is believed to have been written in India around the 3rd century BCE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of love poems?

  1. Gita Govinda

  2. Meghaduta

  3. Kumarasambhava

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

The Gita Govinda is a collection of love poems written by Jayadeva in the 12th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of plays?

  1. Abhijñānaśākuntalam

  2. Mṛcchakatika

  3. Uttararamacharita

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

Abhijñānaśākuntalam is a play written by Kalidasa in the 4th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of short stories?

  1. Kathasaritsagara

  2. Vetālapañcaviṃśati

  3. Śukasaptati

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

Kathasaritsagara is a collection of short stories written by Somadeva in the 11th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of medical treatises?

  1. Charaka Samhita

  2. Sushruta Samhita

  3. Ashtanga Hridaya

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

Charaka Samhita is a collection of medical treatises written by Charaka in the 1st century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of astronomical treatises?

  1. Surya Siddhanta

  2. Aryabhatiya

  3. Brahma Sphuta Siddhanta

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

Surya Siddhanta is a collection of astronomical treatises written by an unknown author in the 5th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of mathematical treatises?

  1. Lilavati

  2. Bijaganita

  3. Ganita Sara Sangraha

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

Lilavati is a collection of mathematical treatises written by Bhaskara II in the 12th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of architectural treatises?

  1. Vastu Shastra

  2. Mayamata

  3. Manasara

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

Vastu Shastra is a collection of architectural treatises written by an unknown author in the 1st century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of dance treatises?

  1. Natya Shastra

  2. Abhinaya Darpana

  3. Bharata Natyam

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

Natya Shastra is a collection of dance treatises written by Bharata Muni in the 2nd century BCE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of music treatises?

  1. Sangita Ratnakara

  2. Brihaddeshi

  3. Natyashastra

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

Sangita Ratnakara is a collection of music treatises written by Sharangadeva in the 13th century CE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is a collection of culinary treatises?

  1. Manasollasa

  2. Sukhasagara

  3. Bhoja Prabandha

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

Manasollasa is a collection of culinary treatises written by Someshvara III in the 12th century CE.