Vedic & Mahajanapadas — Set 1
Indian History · वैदिक और महाजनपद · Questions 1–10 of 60
Which of the following is the oldest Veda among the four Vedas?
Correct Answer: C. Rigveda
• **Rigveda** = oldest Veda and oldest known religious text in the world. • **10 Mandalas**, **1,028 hymns** — **Indra** (250 hymns) is most-sung deity. • Gayatri Mantra (3rd Mandala) + Purusha Sukta (10th Mandala) are from Rigveda. • 💡 Others: Samaveda = music/chants, Yajurveda = rituals, Atharvaveda = spells — all post-Rigveda.
The 'Samaveda' is primarily considered to be a collection of which of the following?
Correct Answer: B. Melodies and chants
• **Samaveda** = Veda of melodies; considered origin of Indian classical music. • **~75 original hymns** — rest borrowed from Rigveda and set to musical notation. • Samaveda is called **'Gandharva Veda'** (upaveda); linked to music theory. • 💡 Others: Rigveda = oldest hymns, Yajurveda = ritual prose, Atharvaveda = spells — not music.
Which Veda contains details about rituals and hymns that are recited during sacrifices?
Correct Answer: C. Yajurveda
• **Yajurveda** = Veda of rituals; provides mantras AND procedures for yajna (sacrifice). • **2 parts**: **Krishna Yajurveda** (prose+verse mixed) and **Shukla Yajurveda** (verse only). • Shatapatha Brahmana is the most important Brahmana attached to Shukla Yajurveda. • 💡 Others: Rigveda = hymns only, Samaveda = singing chants, Atharvaveda = magic spells — not ritual procedure.
Which Veda deals with magical formulas, spells, and charms to ward off evils and diseases?
Correct Answer: D. Atharvaveda
• **Atharvaveda** = Veda of spells/charms; deals with common people's everyday life and medicine. • **20 Kandas**, **731 hymns** — includes earliest references to Ayurveda and fever cures. • Atharvaveda is called **'Brahma Veda'**; its reciter was the Brahma priest in yajna. • 💡 Others: Rigveda = praise hymns, Samaveda = musical chants, Yajurveda = ritual guide — none deal with magic/medicine.
How many 'Mahajanapadas' (great kingdoms) are mentioned in ancient Indian texts?
Correct Answer: D. 16
• **16 Mahajanapadas** = great kingdoms of ancient India, emerged 6th century BC. • Listed in **Anguttara Nikaya** (Buddhist) and **Bhagavati Sutra** (Jain) texts. • Magadha, Kosala, Vajji, and Avanti were the 4 most powerful among the 16. • 💡 Options 12 and 18 are wrong counts; 10 too few — standard answer is always 16, firmly fixed in texts.
What was the earliest capital of the Magadha kingdom before it was shifted to Pataliputra?
Correct Answer: C. Rajgriha
• **Rajgriha** (modern Rajgir) = first capital of Magadha, fortified by five hills. • Capital shifted to **Pataliputra** by king **Udayin** for better river-trade access. • Rajgriha hosted the **1st Buddhist Council** (483 BC) after Buddha's death. • 💡 Vaishali = Vajji's capital; Champa = Anga's capital; Varanasi = Kashi's capital — none were Magadha's first capital.
The famous 'Battle of Ten Kings' (Dasrajan War) was fought on the banks of which river?
Correct Answer: D. Parushni (Ravi)
• **Dasharajna War** (Battle of Ten Kings) = fought on banks of **Parushni** (modern Ravi) river. • **King Sudas** of Bharata tribe defeated confederation of 10 tribes — recorded in Rigveda Book 7. • This battle established **Bharata** clan's supremacy; India (Bharat) may be named after this tribe. • 💡 Ganga and Saraswati are not the site; Vitasta (Jhelum) is where Porus fought Alexander — different battle entirely.
In the Rigvedic period, which deity was known as 'Purandara' or the destroyer of forts?
Correct Answer: A. Indra
• **Indra** = called **Purandara** (destroyer of forts); god of rain, thunder, and war in Rigveda. • **250 hymns** dedicated to Indra — highest for any deity; second is Agni with 200. • Indra's weapon is **Vajra** (thunderbolt); he defeated demon **Vritra** to release monsoon rains. • 💡 Soma = intoxicating plant, not a fort-destroyer; Varuna = cosmic order; Agni = fire/messenger — none called Purandara.
The Upanishads are primarily books focusing on which subject?
Correct Answer: A. Philosophy
• **Upanishads** = philosophical texts at end of Vedas; collectively called **Vedanta** ('end of Veda'). • **108 Upanishads** total; **12 principal** ones — oldest is **Brihadaranyaka**, shortest is **Mandukya** (12 verses). • Core concepts: **Brahman** (universal soul) = **Atman** (individual soul) — basis of Advaita Vedanta. • 💡 Medicine = Ayurveda texts; Warfare = Arthashastra/Dhanurveda; Social Laws = Dharmashastra — Upanishads deal with none of these.
The famous Gayatri Mantra is found in which Mandala of the Rigveda?
Correct Answer: A. 3rd Mandala
• **Gayatri Mantra** = found in **3rd Mandala** of Rigveda (verse 3.62.10); dedicated to deity **Savitr**. • Composed by sage **Vishvamitra**; it is a prayer for divine wisdom and illumination. • Purusha Sukta (origin of 4 varnas) is in **10th Mandala** — frequently confused with Gayatri location. • 💡 10th Mandala = Purusha Sukta; 1st Mandala = opening hymns to Agni; 7th Mandala = Sudas hymns — not Gayatri.