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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 a famous medieval Indian historical text?

  1. The Rajatarangini

  2. The Harshacharita

  3. The Vikramankadevacharita

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

The Rajatarangini is a famous medieval Indian historical text that tells the story of the kings of Kashmir. It was written by Kalhana in the 12th century.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian scientific text?

  1. The Sushruta Samhita

  2. The Charaka Samhita

  3. The Brihat Samhita

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

The Sushruta Samhita is a famous medieval Indian scientific text that is a treatise on surgery. It was written by Sushruta in the 6th century BCE.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian astronomical text?

  1. The Aryabhatiya

  2. The Brahmagupta Siddhanta

  3. The Surya Siddhanta

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

The Aryabhatiya is a famous medieval Indian astronomical text that was written by Aryabhata in the 5th century. It is a treatise on astronomy, mathematics, and physics.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian medical text?

  1. The Charaka Samhita

  2. The Sushruta Samhita

  3. The Ashtanga Hridaya

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

The Charaka Samhita is a famous medieval Indian medical text that was written by Charaka in the 1st century BCE. It is a treatise on medicine, surgery, and pharmacology.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian philosophical text?

  1. The Bhagavad Gita

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Brahma Sutra

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a famous medieval Indian philosophical text that is part of the Mahabharata. It is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, in which Krishna teaches Arjuna about the nature of reality and the path to liberation.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the earliest of the four Vedas?

  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 is the oldest of the four Vedas and is believed to have been composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered one of the earliest forms of Indian literature?

  1. Rig Veda

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Ramayana

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

The Rig Veda is considered one of the earliest forms of Indian literature and is a collection of hymns and prayers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered one of the most important philosophical texts of Hinduism?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Brahmanas

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

The Upanishads are considered one of the most important philosophical texts of Hinduism and explore the nature of reality and the relationship between the individual and the universe.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian literature?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Anand Math

  3. Godan

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Gitanjali, Anand Math, and Godan are all major works of modern Indian literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian drama?

  1. Mrichchakatika

  2. Sakuntala

  3. Abhijnanashakuntalam

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Abhijnanashakuntalam is a major work of modern Indian drama for its lyrical beauty and philosophical insights.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian poetry?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Na Hanyate

  3. Madhushala

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Gitanjali, Na Hanyate, and Madhushala are all major works of modern Indian poetry.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a major work of modern Indian literature?

  1. Gitanjali

  2. Anand Math

  3. Godan

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Gitanjali, Anand Math, and Godan are all major works of modern Indian literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the oldest Veda?

  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, and is a collection of hymns and prayers.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a major Upanishad?

  1. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

  2. Chandogya Upanishad

  3. Kena Upanishad

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

The Bhagavad Gita is not a major Upanishad, but rather a philosophical poem that is part of the Mahabharata.

Multiple choice

The Vrihat Samhita, an ancient Indian astronomical text, was written by:

  1. Aryabhata

  2. Bhaskara II

  3. Varahamihira

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

The Vrihat Samhita was written by Varahamihira, an ancient Indian astronomer and mathematician.