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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

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the southern part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Vajasaneyi Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the southern part of India. It is also known as the White Yajurveda.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of Yajurveda commentary?

  1. Shatapatha Brahmana

  2. Taittiriya Brahmana

  3. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

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

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is not a type of Yajurveda commentary. The other three texts are all commentaries on the Yajurveda.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the northern part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Taittiriya Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the northern part of India. It is also known as the Black Yajurveda.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the eastern part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Kathaka Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the eastern part of India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the western part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Maitrayani Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the western part of India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the central part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Maitrayani Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the central part of India.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the northeastern part of India?

  1. Taittiriya Samhita

  2. Vajasaneyi Samhita

  3. Kathaka Samhita

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

The Maitrayani Samhita is the Yajurveda samhita that is primarily used in the northeastern part of India.

Multiple choice

What is the significance of art publications in the history of art education?

  1. They have played a crucial role in documenting and preserving art history.

  2. They have provided a platform for art educators to share their ideas and methodologies.

  3. They have helped to shape public opinion and taste in art.

  4. They have contributed to the development of art education as a discipline.

  5. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Art publications have played a multifaceted role in the history of art education by documenting art history, providing a platform for art educators, shaping public opinion, and contributing to the development of art education as a discipline.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is NOT a major form of ancient Indian literature?

  1. Vedas

  2. Epics

  3. Dramas

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

Novels are a relatively modern form of literature, and did not exist in ancient India.

Multiple choice

What is the oldest known collection of hymns in ancient Indian literature?

  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 known collection of hymns in ancient Indian literature, and is considered to be one of the four Vedas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following epics is considered to be the greatest epic of ancient Indian literature?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is considered to be the greatest epic of ancient Indian literature, and is one of the longest epic poems in the world.

Multiple choice

Which sacred text is considered the primary scripture of the Vishnu School?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Vishnu Purana

  3. Upanishads

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

The Vishnu Purana is the primary scripture of the Vishnu School. It contains stories, legends, and teachings related to Vishnu and his incarnations.

Multiple choice

What is the setting of the Kathasaritsagara?

  1. Ancient India

  2. Medieval India

  3. Modern India

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

The Kathasaritsagara is set in ancient India.

Multiple choice

The concept of (rasa) in Indian aesthetics is closely associated with which of the following?

  1. Natya Shastra

  2. Arthashastra

  3. Rig Veda

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

The concept of (rasa) is extensively discussed in the Natya Shastra, an ancient Indian treatise on performing arts.

Multiple choice

The Saraswati Samman, instituted in 1991, acknowledges the excellence of Indian poetry in which language?

  1. Hindi

  2. Sanskrit

  3. Tamil

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

The Saraswati Samman is exclusively dedicated to recognizing outstanding Hindi poetry, honoring poets for their significant contributions to the language.