General Awareness ยท 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

What is the primary text of the Vedanta School?

  1. The Upanishads

  2. The Bhagavad Gita

  3. The Brahma Sutras

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

The Upanishads, a collection of ancient Sanskrit texts, are considered to be the primary text of the Vedanta School.

Multiple choice

What is the setting of Abhijnanashakuntalam?

  1. A forest

  2. A palace

  3. A city

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

The majority of the play takes place in a forest.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a sacred text written in the Tibetan script?

  1. The Rigveda

  2. The Quran

  3. The Bible

  4. The Tibetan Book of the Dead
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a sacred text written in the Tibetan script.

Multiple choice

Which text is considered the primary scripture of the Dvaita Vedanta school?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Brahma Sutras

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

The Brahma Sutras, along with the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita, are considered the primary scriptures of the Dvaita Vedanta school.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the commentary on the Brahma Sutras written by Madhvacharya?

  1. Bhagavad Gita Bhashya

  2. Brahma Sutra Bhashya

  3. Vishnu Purana Bhashya

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

Madhvacharya's commentary on the Brahma Sutras is known as the Brahma Sutra Bhashya.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the oldest known Indian manuscript?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Atharvaveda

  3. Samaveda

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

The Rigveda is the oldest known Indian manuscript, dating back to around 1500 BCE.

Multiple choice

Which ancient Indian text is considered the earliest known astronomical treatise?

  1. Rigveda

  2. Yajurveda

  3. Atharvaveda

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

The Rigveda, one of the four Vedas, contains hymns and verses that mention astronomical observations and celestial bodies.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the renowned Indian epic poem that narrates the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas in their battle for the throne of Hastinapura?

  1. Ramayana

  2. Mahabharata

  3. Bhagavad Gita

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

The Mahabharata is an ancient Indian epic poem that narrates the story of the Pandavas and Kauravas in their battle for the throne of Hastinapura.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the holy book of Sikhism?

  1. The Guru Granth Sahib

  2. The Vedas

  3. The Upanishads

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

The holy book of Sikhism is the Guru Granth Sahib, which is considered to be the final and eternal Guru of the Sikhs.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian text that discusses Sanskrit grammar?

  1. Ashtadhyayi

  2. Rigveda

  3. Mahabharata

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

Ashtadhyayi is a Sanskrit treatise on grammar written by Panini in the 4th century BC.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian text that discusses the science of language?

  1. Ashtadhyayi

  2. Rigveda

  3. Mahabharata

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

Nirukta is an ancient Indian text attributed to Yaska, which explores the science of language and etymology.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian text that discusses phonetics and phonology?

  1. Ashtadhyayi

  2. Rigveda

  3. Mahabharata

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

Siksa is an ancient Indian text that deals with phonetics and phonology, providing insights into the pronunciation and structure of Sanskrit sounds.

Multiple choice

What is the name of the ancient Indian text that discusses prosody and poetic meters?

  1. Ashtadhyayi

  2. Rigveda

  3. Mahabharata

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

Chandas is an ancient Indian text that deals with prosody and poetic meters, providing insights into the structure and rhythm of Sanskrit poetry.

Multiple choice

The theory of Dharma is primarily associated with which ancient Indian text?

  1. Bhagavad Gita

  2. Upanishads

  3. Rig Veda

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

The theory of Dharma is primarily associated with the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text in Hinduism that expounds on the concept of Dharma and its significance in human life.

Multiple choice

What was the primary religious text of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Emperor Ashoka?

  1. The Vedas

  2. The Upanishads

  3. The Bhagavad Gita

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

The Tripitaka, a collection of Buddhist scriptures, served as the primary religious text during Emperor Ashoka's reign. It encompasses the Buddha's teachings, monastic rules, and philosophical discourses, providing a comprehensive guide for Buddhist practitioners.