History of the Vedic Period: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Ancient History)
This page lists 7 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on History of the Vedic Period (Ancient History), asked between 1995 to 2017. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–7 of 7 questions
UPSC 2017Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q1. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of the Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them. 2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron. 3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The Indus Valley Civilization was highly materialistic, with advanced urban infrastructure, standardized weights, and extensive trade networks. In contrast, the Rig Vedic Civilization had a more pastoral economy, focusing on cattle wealth and ritualistic offerings rather than large-scale material production or urban development.
Statement 1 is correct: The Rigvedic Aryans are described in the Rigveda as using advanced weapons and armor, including coats of mail and helmets. In contrast, the Indus Valley Civilization shows no evidence of such organized military gear, suggesting a less militaristic society.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver, and copper, while the Indus Valley Civilization used copper and bronze, lacking iron. Iron technology emerged after the decline of the Indus Valley, during the later Vedic period.
Statement 3 is correct: The horse seems to have been unknown to the inhabitants of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. Horse remains found at Surkotada, dating to around 2000 BCE, suggest the possibility of horses in the Indus Valley. However, Sándor Bökönyi’s analysis of bone fragments is inconclusive and does not definitively prove that the Indus people knew horses.
Exam tip:
For S2, "Only copper and iron" red flag phrase. Common sense: gold and silver are naturally visible (e.g. riverbeds) --easier to discover than iron. So, saying a developed civilization knew iron but not gold/silver? logically fishy. Hence likely false. Eliminates option B and D.
UPSC 2012Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q2. The Religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of:
Explanation
Vedic Aryans used to worship manifestations of forces of nature as Gods in the form of Indra, Agni, Soma, Varuna. Mother Earth and Rivers, especially Saraswati, were worshiped as the goddess. The hymns in the Rigveda reflect reverence for natural forces like fire, wind, and the sun, with a strong emphasis on rituals and offerings. Yajna was a method of worship that involved offering sacrifices. It included Vedic chants singing and a sacrificial mantra. The Vedic mantra was chanted while sacrificing havan samagri in the fire during a yajna. Bhakti (devotion) and image worship became more prominent in later religious developments.
UPSC 2011Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q3. The "dharma" and "rita" depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization of India. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Dharma was a conception of obligations and of the discharge of one’s duties to oneself and to others. 2. Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe and all it contained. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The concepts of Dharma and Rita were central to the Vedic civilization of India, shaping its moral, social, and cosmic order. Dharma and rita are interconnected, with rita providing the cosmic framework within which dharma operates. Together, they create a moral universe where every action aligns with the natural order. These concepts guide both personal behavior and societal norms, ensuring that individuals act in accordance with the universal laws and maintain harmony in all aspects of life.
Statement 1 is correct: In the Vedic context, dharma refers to the concept of obligations and duties. It is about the righteous conduct and the moral responsibilities one has to oneself and to society.
Statement 2 is correct: Rita is the principle of natural order which regulates and coordinates the operation of the universe and everything within it. It is the cosmic order or the fundamental moral law governing the functioning of the universe.
UPSC 2004Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q4. Which one of the following four Vedas contains an account of magical charms and spells?
Explanation
The Atharvaveda, known as the "Veda of magical formulas" or the "Veda of charms and spells," includes numerous incantations aimed at warding off evil and curing diseases.
UPSC 1999Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q5. The term ‘Aryan’ denotes:
Explanation
"Aryan" primarily refers to a linguistic or speech group rather than an ethnic or racial group. It is associated with the Indo-Aryan languages, which are a branch of the larger Indo-European language family. The term was historically used to describe the speakers of these languages, who migrated to the Indian subcontinent and other parts of Asia. However, the details of the migration and the exact identity of these groups remain subjects of scholarly debate.
UPSC 1996Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q6. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is:
Explanation
Vedic literature consists of the Vedas, which are the oldest religious texts of India, comprising hymns, rituals, and philosophical teachings. It includes four Vedas--Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda--and their associated texts like the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. The river most mentioned in early Vedic literature is the Sindhu. It is mentioned over 150 times in the Rig Veda, the oldest known Hindu text. The Sindhu is identical to the Indus River and is considered to be a sacred river associated with fertility, abundance and prosperity. Other rivers that are mentioned in early Vedic literature include the Saraswati, Yamuna and Ganges. Saraswati is called naditama or the best of the rivers in the Rig Veda.
UPSC 1995Ancient History · History of the Vedic Period
Q7. Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?
Explanation
Brahmavadini refers to women who sought spiritual knowledge and philosophical understanding of Brahman, the ultimate reality. These women ascetics were known for their intellectual pursuits, poetic abilities, and compositions of Vedic hymns. Among the prominent women Vedic scholars, we find references to Maitreyi, Viswambhara, Apala, and Lopamudra, to name a few.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2017
(c) 1 and 3 only
2
2012
(c) Worship of nature and yajnas
3
2011
(c) Both 1 and 2
4
2004
(c) Atharvaveda
5
1999
(c) A speech group
6
1996
(a) Sindhu
7
1995
(a) Lopamudra
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on History of the Vedic Period?
This page covers 7 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on History of the Vedic Period (Ancient History), asked between 1995 to 2017. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for History of the Vedic Period?
Questions on History of the Vedic Period (Ancient History) are available for 7 years, from 1995 to 2017. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
