Vedic & Mahajanapadas — Set 6
Indian History · वैदिक और महाजनपद · Questions 51–60 of 60
The 'Gayatri Mantra' is addressed to which deity?
Correct Answer: B. Savitr
• **Gayatri Mantra** = addressed to **Savitr** (solar deity of inspiring power), NOT just Surya. • Found in **Rigveda 3.62.10**; composed by sage **Vishvamitra** of Bharata clan. • **Savitr** = the stimulating/energizing aspect of sun; distinct from **Surya** (sun as visible body). • 💡 Surya = sun god generally; Indra = rain/war god; Agni = fire god — the Gayatri Mantra specifically addresses Savitr, the inspiring solar energy.
In the Rigvedic period, 'Soma' was best known as:
Correct Answer: B. A fermented drink/plant
• **Soma** = sacred intoxicating plant/drink used in Vedic rituals; offered to gods, especially **Indra**. • **9th Mandala** of Rigveda entirely dedicated to Soma — called **'Soma Mandala'**. • Soma was both a plant (possibly Ephedra) and deified as a moon/ritual deity. • 💡 Musical instrument = Veena/Vina; Weapon = Vajra/bow; Currency = no Vedic currency — Soma was clearly a sacred drink/plant used in sacrifices.
Which city was the most famous center of education in ancient Gandhara?
Correct Answer: A. Taxila
• **Taxila (Takshashila)** = most famous ancient university; in **Gandhara** (modern Rawalpindi, Pakistan). • Famous alumni/teachers: **Chanakya**, **Panini** (grammar), **Jivaka** (medicine), **Charaka** (Ayurveda). • Taught **18 arts and sciences** including Vedas, archery, medicine, law, astronomy — no formal. • 💡 Nalanda = later Buddhist university (Gupta era); Ujjain = Avanti capital; Varanasi = known for Vedic learning but not the Gandhara center — Taxila was the Gandhara seat of learning.
Viratnagar was the capital of which Mahajanapada?
Correct Answer: C. Matsya
• **Viratnagar** = capital of **Matsya** Mahajanapada; located near modern **Jaipur, Rajasthan**. • Pandavas spent their **13th year of exile** (Agyatavas) here in disguise at King **Virata's** court. • Matsya was bordered by Kuru and Surasena; later absorbed into Magadha empire. • 💡 Avanti capitals = Ujjain (north) and Mahishmati (south); Assaka capital = Potana; Kamboja capital = Rajapura — Viratnagar is specifically Matsya's capital.
King Porus, who fought Alexander, ruled the territory between which two rivers?
Correct Answer: A. Jhelum and Chenab
• **King Porus (Puru)** = ruled between **Jhelum (Hydaspes)** and **Chenab (Acesines)** rivers in Punjab. • Fought **Battle of Hydaspes (326 BC)**; despite losing, his bravery impressed Alexander greatly. • When Alexander asked how to be treated, Porus said **'As one king treats another'** — famous response. • 💡 Ravi and Chenab = different territory (not Porus's); Indus and Jhelum = west of Porus's territory; Sutlej and Beas = east — Porus's kingdom was specifically between Jhelum and Chenab.
What was the term used for the 'King' in the Early Vedic period?
Correct Answer: C. Rajan
• **Rajan** = term for king in Early Vedic period; non-hereditary, chosen by tribe. • King's power was checked by two assemblies: **Sabha** (council of elders) and **Samiti** (general tribal assembly). • Two key royal officers: **Purohita** (priest/advisor) and **Senani** (army chief). • 💡 Gopa = epithet for king (lord of cattle), not the main term; Samrat = later Later Vedic title for great king; Maharaja = even later title — Rajan is the Early Vedic term.
From which Upanishad is the famous prayer 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya' taken?
Correct Answer: C. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
• **'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya'** = 'Lead me from darkness to light' — from **Brihadaranyaka Upanishad**. • Full prayer: 'Asato Ma Sadgamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya'. • **Brihadaranyaka Upanishad** = oldest and largest Upanishad; belongs to **Shukla Yajurveda**. • 💡 Chandogya = 'Tat Tvam Asi' (thou art that); Isha Upanishad = opens Shukla Yajurveda; Mandukya = about AUM/OM — 'Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya' is from Brihadaranyaka.
Who wrote the famous Sanskrit grammar text 'Ashtadhyayi'?
Correct Answer: C. Panini
• **Panini** = author of **Ashtadhyayi** ('eight chapters'); world's first systematic grammar text (~4th century BC). • Contains **3,996 sutras (rules)** for Sanskrit — called a **linguistic marvel** by modern scholars. • Panini was from **Shalatula** (modern Pakistan); his work was later commented on by **Patanjali** (Mahabhashya). • 💡 Patanjali = commentator on Panini (not author); Kalidasa = poet (Meghaduta, Shakuntala); Katyayana = also a grammarian after Panini — Ashtadhyayi is solely Panini's work.
The Rigvedic river 'Vipasha' corresponds to which modern river?
Correct Answer: C. Beas
• **Vipasha** = ancient Rigvedic name of **Beas** river; Greek name was **Hyphasis**. • Alexander's army **mutinied at Beas** (326 BC) and refused to march further east toward Magadha. • The Beas forms the eastern boundary of Alexander's Indian campaign — he turned back here. • 💡 Chenab = Asikni; Ravi = Parushni; Sutlej = Shutudri — Vipasha is specifically the Beas river.
Which was the most mentioned river in the Rigveda?
Correct Answer: C. Indus (Sindhu)
• **Indus (Sindhu)** = most frequently mentioned river in Rigveda; gives India its name (Sindhu → Hind). • **Saraswati** = holiest river ('Naditama' = best of rivers) but Sindhu is geographically most prominent. • The word **'India'** comes from Greek 'Indus' → 'Indoi' → India; Sindhu = foundation name. • 💡 Saraswati = most sacred but not most mentioned; Yamuna = mentioned but rarely; Ganga = surprisingly infrequent in Rigveda — Sindhu (Indus) is mentioned most times.