Q21. Which deity rose to absolute supreme prominence as the creator of the universe in the Later Vedic pantheon?
Vedic Age: RAS Prelims MCQs
80 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Vedic Age cover the Early and Later Vedic periods. The homeland theories, the Boghazkoi inscription, the Vedic assemblies, economic terms, the spread of iron and Painted Grey Ware, the Vedas and the Upanishads are all tested, and the explanations separate what belongs to each period.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 80 questions
Q22. The following question consists of two statements, an Assertion (A) and a Reason (R). Read them carefully and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Assertion (A): The Later Vedic period saw a noticeable decline in the status of women.
Reason (R): Women were increasingly excluded from political assemblies and denied the right to the Upanayana ceremony.
Assertion (A): The Later Vedic period saw a noticeable decline in the status of women.
Reason (R): Women were increasingly excluded from political assemblies and denied the right to the Upanayana ceremony.
Explanation
The Later Vedic period witnessed a significant decline in the social status of women compared to the earlier era. They were increasingly excluded from political assemblies like the Sabha and Samiti. Furthermore, the denial of the Upanayana ceremony restricted their access to formal education. These changes were closely linked to the rise of patriarchal control within the newly settled agrarian society.
Q23. Which of the four Vedas is primarily a collection of melodies and musical chants used during sacrifices?
Explanation
The Samaveda is one of the four Vedas and is primarily composed of melodies and chants derived from the Rigveda. It serves as a musical manual for the Udgatri priests during the performance of sacrifices. By transforming verses into song, it highlights the importance of sound and rhythm in Vedic rituals, laying the foundation for the tradition of Indian classical music.
Q24. What is the central philosophical theme of the Upanishads?
Explanation
The Upanishads represent the philosophical culmination of the Vedic tradition. Their central theme is the realization of the ultimate reality, exploring the deep relationship between the individual soul, or Atman, and the universal principle, or Brahman. They emphasize that true liberation is achieved through inner knowledge and spiritual insight rather than through the performance of external rituals or sacrificial ceremonies.
Q25. Match List-I with List-II regarding the Vedas and their respective priests:
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Vedas | Respective Priests |
|---|---|
| A. Rigveda | i. Adhvaryu |
| B. Samaveda | ii. Hotri |
| C. Yajurveda | iii. Brahma |
| D. Atharvaveda | iv. Udgatri |
Explanation
Each of the four Vedas was associated with a specific type of priest during ritual performances. The Hotri was responsible for the Rigveda, while the Udgatri chanted the melodies of the Samaveda. The Adhvaryu performed the manual ritual acts of the Yajurveda. Finally, the Brahma priest supervised the entire ceremony and was linked to the Atharvaveda, ensuring all rituals were correct.
Q26. Which of the following is the odd one out in the context of Early Vedic female scholars and hymn composers?
Explanation
While several women are mentioned in Vedic literature, they belong to different periods. Lopamudra, Ghosha, and Apala were prominent female seers associated with the Early Vedic period and composed Rigvedic hymns. In contrast, Gargi Vachaknavi was a philosopher known for her intellectual debates in the court of King Janaka during the Later Vedic period, specifically appearing in the Upanishads.
Q27. Consider the following statements regarding the Later Vedic period:
I. Shudras were denied the right to recite the Vedas.
II. The Gotra system appeared, prohibiting marriage within the same Gotra.
III. Pushan, originally a protector of cattle, became associated with the Shudras.
IV. Iron was referred to as Shyam or Krishna Ayas.
V. The king was considered the absolute owner of all land, eliminating private property.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. Shudras were denied the right to recite the Vedas.
II. The Gotra system appeared, prohibiting marriage within the same Gotra.
III. Pushan, originally a protector of cattle, became associated with the Shudras.
IV. Iron was referred to as Shyam or Krishna Ayas.
V. The king was considered the absolute owner of all land, eliminating private property.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
During the Later Vedic period, significant social and economic shifts occurred. Shudras were excluded from Vedic recitation, and the Gotra system was established to regulate marriage. Deities like Pushan became associated with lower Varnas, and iron technology, known as Shyam Ayas, became widespread. However, the king was not the absolute owner of all land, as communal and private rights persisted.
Q28. According to Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the original homeland of the Aryans was:
Explanation
Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, proposed that the original homeland of the Aryans was Tibet. He based this conclusion on his interpretation of Vedic texts and geographical references found within them. His theory was one of several nineteenth-century attempts to identify the roots of the Indo- Aryan people, differing from theories suggesting Central Asia or the Arctic.
Q29. Consider the following statements regarding the Dasarajna (Battle of Ten Kings):
I. It was fought on the banks of the river Parushni.
II. It was a conflict between the Bharatas led by Sudas and a confederacy of ten kings.
III. The victory of the ten kings led to the immediate establishment of the Kuru kingdom.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
I. It was fought on the banks of the river Parushni.
II. It was a conflict between the Bharatas led by Sudas and a confederacy of ten kings.
III. The victory of the ten kings led to the immediate establishment of the Kuru kingdom.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Battle of the Ten Kings, or Dasarajna, was a pivotal conflict fought on the banks of the river Parushni. It involved the Bharata tribe, led by King Sudas, against a confederacy of ten other tribes. The victory of Sudas established the dominance of the Bharatas, though the subsequent Kuru kingdom resulted from the later amalgamation of the Bharatas and Purus.
Q30. Read the following statements regarding the Rigvedic Aryans and select the correct option:
Statement I: The Rigvedic Aryans had extensive knowledge of maritime trade and navigation across the Indian Ocean.
Statement II: The Rigvedic references to "Samudra" generally imply vast bodies of water or the confluence of rivers rather than the open ocean.
Statement I: The Rigvedic Aryans had extensive knowledge of maritime trade and navigation across the Indian Ocean.
Statement II: The Rigvedic references to "Samudra" generally imply vast bodies of water or the confluence of rivers rather than the open ocean.
Explanation
While the word Samudra appears in the Rigveda, it does not necessarily indicate that the early Aryans possessed extensive knowledge of maritime trade or the open ocean. Scholars argue that the term often referred to vast stretches of water, such as the Indus River at flood stage or the confluence of several rivers. Their primary economic activities remained terrestrial and pastoral.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (c) Prajapati |
| 22 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 23 | (d) Samaveda |
| 24 | (a) The realization of the identity of the Atman with the Brahman. |
| 25 | (c) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii |
| 26 | (a) Gargi Vachaknavi |
| 27 | (a) I, II, III and IV only |
| 28 | (b) Tibet |
| 29 | (a) I and II only |
| 30 | (d) Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct. |
Key facts from Vedic Age
- Max Muller proposed the Central Asian homeland theory; Dayananda Saraswati placed the original home of the Aryans in Tibet.
- The Boghazkoi inscription from Turkey mentions Vedic gods such as Indra, Varuna, Mitra and the Nasatyas.
- Vidatha was the oldest Vedic assembly.
- Nishka was a gold ornament or unit of value; Gavishti, meaning a search for cows, denoted tribal conflict.
- Painted Grey Ware is associated with the Later Vedic period, and iron (Krishnayas) helped clear forests for farming.
- In the Later Vedic period Bali became a compulsory tax, the varna system became hereditary and Prajapati rose to the position of creator.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Vedic Age?
This page has 80 practice MCQs on Vedic Age (Ancient Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Veda is a collection of melodies?
The Samaveda. It is a collection of melodies and chants sung during sacrifices, and many of its verses are taken from the Rigveda and set to music. The Upanishads, by contrast, teach the unity of Atman and Brahman.
What does the Boghazkoi inscription show?
The Boghazkoi inscription, found in Turkey, mentions the Vedic gods Indra, Varuna, Mitra and the Nasatyas. It is cited as evidence of early links between the Indo-Aryans and West Asia and of the antiquity of the Vedic gods.
Which archaeological culture is linked with the Later Vedic period?
Painted Grey Ware (PGW). It is found in the upper Ganga basin and Haryana, and it goes with the spread of iron tools, settled agriculture and the rise of territorial kingdoms in the Later Vedic period.