General Awareness · History

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 the most important sacred text of Buddhism?

  1. Tipitaka

  2. Tripitaka

  3. Sutras

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

The Tipitaka is the Pali canon of Buddhist scriptures, and is considered to be the most important sacred text of Buddhism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most important sacred text of Judaism?

  1. Torah

  2. Nevi'im

  3. Ketuvim

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

The Torah is the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, and is considered to be the most important sacred text of Judaism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most important sacred text of Jainism?

  1. Agamas

  2. Upanishads

  3. Sutras

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

The Agamas are the holy scriptures of Jainism, and are considered to be the word of the Tirthankaras.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most important sacred text of Zoroastrianism?

  1. Avesta

  2. Gathas

  3. Yasna

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

The Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrianism, and is considered to be the word of Ahura Mazda.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most important sacred text of Shintoism?

  1. Kojiki

  2. Nihon Shoki

  3. Fudoki

  4. Man'yōshū
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Kojiki is the oldest extant book in Japanese literature, and is considered to be the most important sacred text of Shintoism.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is considered the first major work of medieval Indian literature?

  1. The Ramayana

  2. The Mahabharata

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Panchatantra is a collection of fables and stories that was compiled in the 3rd century BCE. It is considered to be the first major work of medieval Indian literature.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian poem?

  1. The Meghaduta

  2. The Raghuvamsha

  3. The Kumarasambhava

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

The Meghaduta is a famous medieval Indian poem written by Kalidasa. It is a love poem in which a yaksha sends a message to his wife through a cloud.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a famous medieval Indian epic?

  1. The Ramayana

  2. The Mahabharata

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Ramayana is a famous medieval Indian epic that tells the story of Rama, a prince who is exiled from his kingdom and must rescue his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Multiple choice

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

  1. The Bhagavad Gita

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Vedas

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

The Bhagavad Gita is a famous medieval Indian religious 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 a famous medieval Indian historical text?

  1. The Rajatarangini

  2. The Harshacharita

  3. The Vikramankadevacharita

  4. The Prithviraj Raso
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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 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

In the novel "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel, what is the name of the Indian dish that Pi's father prepares for him before he leaves on his journey?

  1. Aloo Gobi

  2. Chicken Tikka Masala

  3. Samosas

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

Dal Makhani is a North Indian dish made from black lentils, kidney beans, and a variety of spices.

Multiple choice

In the novel "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy, what is the name of the traditional Kerala dish that is served at the family's annual Onam feast?

  1. Payasam

  2. Appam

  3. Puttu

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

Avial is a traditional Kerala dish made from a variety of vegetables, coconut, and yogurt.