UPSC IAS Prelims : Ancient History : MCQ

1.With reference to the Rig-Veda, consider the following statements:

   1. Rigveda is the oldest Veda composed about 3500 years ago.
   2. Rigveda has more than a thousand hymns, called Sukta.
   3. Hymns were in praise of various god and goddesses.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 and 2 only
  (b) 2 and 3 only
  (c) 1 and 3 only
  (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer .d

2. Choose the false statement among the following statements:

(a)The Rig-Veda was composed several centuries ago but printed less than 200 years ago.
(b)The three important gods of rigveda were: Agni, Indra and Surya
(c) Hymns were composed by sages (rishis), Priests taught students to recite and memorise.
(d) Rig-Veda was written down several centuries after it was first composed, and printed less than 200 years ago.

Answer .b

3. Consider the following statements:

   1 In Rig-vedic times horses were yoked to chariots that were used in battles.
  2. In Rig-Veda age battles were fought for land, water and to capture people.
  3 In yajnas offerings were made into the fire which was meant for gods and goddesses.

  Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 and 2 only
  (b) 2 and 3 only
  (c) 1, 2 and 3 
  (d) 3 only

Answer .c

4. In Rig-Veda age two words were used to describe the people or the community as a whole. They are

  (a) Jana & Vish
  (b) Raja & Jana
  (c)Priest & Raja
  (d) Sangh & Jana

Answer .a

5. people who composed the hymns described themselves as _____ and called their opponents _______.

(a) Dasas,Aryas
(b) Aryas,Dasas 
(c)Dasyus,Aryas
(d)Dasas,Dasyus

Answer .b

6. Consider the following statements with respect to megaliths:

1. The practice of erecting megaliths began about 3000 years ago, and was prevalent throughout the Deccan, south India, in the north-east and Kashmir.

2. Megaliths were carefully arranged by people, and were used to mark burial sites.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer .c

7. With reference to Charaka, consider the following statements:

    1. He was a famous physician 2000 years ago, wrote a book on medicine known as the Charaka Samhita.
    2. He stated that human body has 200 bones same as recognised by modern anatomy.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer .a

8. Which of the following stands valid with respect to Inamgaon:

  1. It was occupied between 3600 and 2700 years ago. Here, adults were generally buried in the ground, laid out straight, with the head towards the north.
  2. Sometimes burials were within the houses. Vessels that probably contained food and water were placed with the dead.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2
(c) 2 only
(d)None

Answer .b

9. Which of the following statements is related to Ashvamedha ritual?

    1. A horse was let loose to wander freely and it was guarded by the raja’s men.
    2. If the horse wandered into the kingdoms of other rajas and they stopped it, he had to fight battle.
    3. If they allowed the horse to pass, it meant that they accepted that the raja who wanted to perform the sacrifice was stronger than them.
    4. shudras were excluded from this ritual.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 and 2 only
  (b) 1, 2 and 3 only
  (c) 1, 3 and 4 only
  (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer .d

10. Consider the following statements:

  1. About 2500 years ago, some janapadas became more important than others, and were known as mahajanapadas.
  2.The rulers of the mahajanapadas were  building huge forts maintaining big armies for which they started collecting regular taxes
  3. Hastinapur and Atranjikhera janapadas are in the present state of Madhya Pradesh.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  (a) 1 and 2 only
  (b) 2 only
  (c) 1, 2 and 3
  (d) 2 and 3 only

Answer .a