π Chapter 03 Β· Previous Year Questions
Vedic Age β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers on the Vedic Age.
π‘ Tip: Vedic Age questions focus on comparisons β Early vs Later Vedic, Sabha vs Samiti, Vedic gods. Master these distinctions.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
With reference to the Vedic Age, consider the following statements:
1. The Rigveda mentions the Sapta Sindhu region as the homeland of the Aryans.
2. The varna system in the Early Vedic period was based on birth.
3. Women could attend Sabha and Samiti in the Early Vedic period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The Rigveda mentions the Sapta Sindhu region as the homeland of the Aryans.
2. The varna system in the Early Vedic period was based on birth.
3. Women could attend Sabha and Samiti in the Early Vedic period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 3
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1 only
β
Answer: A) 1 and 3 onlyStatements 1 and 3 are correct. The Rigveda mentions Sapta Sindhu (seven rivers) as the Aryan homeland. Women could attend Sabha and Samiti in Early Vedic period. Statement 2 is incorrect β in Early Vedic period, varna was based on occupation (not birth). It became hereditary only in the Later Vedic period.
The Purusha Sukta, which mentions the origin of the four varnas, is found in which Mandala of the Rigveda?
A) Mandala 1
B) Mandala 3
C) Mandala 7
D) Mandala 10
β
Answer: D) Mandala 10The Purusha Sukta is in Mandala 10 of the Rigveda. It describes the cosmic sacrifice of Purusha (cosmic man) from whose body the four varnas emerged β Brahmin from mouth, Kshatriya from arms, Vaishya from thighs, Shudra from feet. Mandala 10 is considered a later addition to the Rigveda.
The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna) mentioned in the Rigveda was fought on the banks of which river?
A) Sindhu (Indus)
B) Parushni (Ravi)
C) Vitasta (Jhelum)
D) Saraswati
β
Answer: B) Parushni (Ravi)The Battle of Ten Kings (Dasarajna) was fought on the banks of the Parushni river (modern Ravi). King Sudas of the Bharata tribe defeated a confederation of ten kings. This battle is described in Mandala 7 of the Rigveda. It is the most famous battle mentioned in the Rigveda.
Which of the following correctly describes the Ashrama system?
A) Four stages of the universe
B) Four stages of human life β Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sannyasa
C) Four types of knowledge
D) Four types of sacrifice
β
Answer: B) Four stages of human lifeThe Ashrama system divides human life into four stages: Brahmacharya (student, ~25 years), Grihastha (householder, ~25 years), Vanaprastha (forest dweller, ~25 years), and Sannyasa (renunciant, rest of life). This system was developed in the Later Vedic period to provide a structured framework for life.
The concept of “Rita” in Vedic religion refers to:
A) Sacred fire
B) Sacrificial ritual
C) Cosmic moral order maintained by Varuna
D) The cycle of rebirth
β
Answer: C) Cosmic moral orderRita is the concept of cosmic moral order in Vedic religion β the principle that governs the universe, nature, and human conduct. It is maintained by Varuna, the god of water and cosmic order. Varuna punishes those who violate Rita. Rita is the precursor to the concept of Dharma in later Hinduism.
The Shatapatha Brahmana is associated with which Veda?
A) Rigveda
B) Samaveda
C) Yajurveda
D) Atharvaveda
β
Answer: C) YajurvedaThe Shatapatha Brahmana is associated with the Yajurveda (Shukla/White Yajurveda). It is the most important and largest Brahmana text. It contains detailed descriptions of Vedic rituals, including the Ashvamedha and Rajasuya yajnas. The Aitareya Brahmana is associated with the Rigveda.
Which of the following statements about the Later Vedic period is INCORRECT?
A) Iron tools were used in the Later Vedic period
B) The Aryans expanded to the Gangetic plains
C) Women’s status improved in the Later Vedic period
D) The varna system became hereditary
β
Answer: C) Women’s status improvedThis is incorrect. Women’s status actually DECLINED in the Later Vedic period β they were excluded from Sabha and Samiti, Upanayana was denied, child marriage appeared, and women became dependent on men. All other statements are correct: iron tools appeared, Aryans expanded to Gangetic plains, and varna became hereditary.
The philosophical statement “Tat tvam asi” (That thou art) is from which Upanishad?
A) Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
B) Chandogya Upanishad
C) Katha Upanishad
D) Mundaka Upanishad
β
Answer: B) Chandogya Upanishad“Tat tvam asi” (That thou art) is from the Chandogya Upanishad. It expresses the identity of Atman (individual soul) with Brahman (universal soul). “Aham Brahmasmi” (I am Brahman) is from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. These are called the “Mahavakyas” (great sayings) of the Upanishads.
The Vedanga “Vyakarana” deals with:
A) Phonetics
B) Ritual procedures
C) Grammar (Panini’s Ashtadhyayi)
D) Astronomy
β
Answer: C) GrammarVyakarana (grammar) is one of the six Vedangas. The most important work on Vyakarana is Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (~500 BCE) β the world’s first systematic grammar of any language. Shiksha = phonetics; Kalpa = ritual procedures; Jyotisha = astronomy; Nirukta = etymology; Chandas = metre.
The Vidatha, the oldest Vedic assembly, is significant because:
A) It was exclusively for priests
B) It was a military assembly
C) Both men and women participated in it
D) It replaced the Sabha and Samiti
β
Answer: C) Both men and women participatedThe Vidatha is the oldest Vedic assembly, mentioned in the Rigveda. Its significance is that both men and women participated in it β evidence of women’s active role in Early Vedic society. It dealt with religious, military, and economic matters. It declined in the Later Vedic period as Sabha and Samiti became more prominent.