Vedic Culture: Rig-Vedic PYQs — 10 UPSC CSE Previous Year Questions

Question 1

Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells. Which of the following information support/supports the above statements? There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu / kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle). There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda , for ploughing the land and pulling the carts. Select the answer using the code given below:

Accepted Answer

C. 1 and 3 only

Question 2

Which of the following pairs of ancient and modern names of rivers is/are correctly matched? Ancient Name Modern Name 1. Vitasta Chenab 2. Asikni Jhelum 3. Parushni Ravi 4. Yavyavati Beas Select the answer using the code given below :

Accepted Answer

C. 3 only

Question 3

In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate?

Accepted Answer

B. Atharvaveda

Question 4

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct ? Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

Accepted Answer

C. 1 and 3 only

Question 5

The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of

Accepted Answer

C. worship of nature and Yajnas

Question 6

The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements : Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one's duties to oneself and to others. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained.

Accepted Answer

C. Both 1 and 2

Question 7

Between which of the following was the ancient town of Takshasila located?

Accepted Answer

A. Indus and Jhelum

Question 8

The term ‘Aryan’ denotes:

Accepted Answer

C. a speech group

Question 9

In the context of ancient Indian society which one of the following terms does not belong to the category of the other three?

Accepted Answer

C. Kosa

Question 10

The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is:

Accepted Answer

A. Sindhu

Ancient Name	Modern Name
1. Vitasta	Chenab
2. Asikni	Jhelum
3. Parushni	Ravi
4. Yavyavati	Beas