The compilation of the Vedas, the oldest sacred books of Hinduism, marks a pivotal period in ancient Indian history that is referred to as the Vedic Age or Vedic Period.
Vedic Age MCQs Practice Now
Here are some key points about the Vedic Age:
Chronology: The Early Vedic Period (about 1500–1000 BCE) and the Later Vedic Period (approximately 1000–600 BCE) are the two primary periods of the Vedic Age.
Vedas: The Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda are the four ancient Indian scriptures that make up the Vedas. They comprise hymns, rituals, and philosophical lessons and are written in Vedic Sanskrit.
Society and Economy: Agriculture and cattle husbandry were the main economic activity in Vedic society, which was predominantly agrarian and pastoral. The four main varnas in which society was divided were priests (Brahmins), warriors (Kshatriyas), traders and farmers (Vaishyas), and labourers (Shudras).
Religion and Rituals: The core of the Vedic religion was the worship of a number of gods, including the sun god Surya, the gods Agni and Indra, the gods of fire and water, and the gods of thunder and rain, Varuna. Yajnas, or sacrificial ceremonies, were essential to Vedic religious rituals.
Literature and Language: Apart from the Vedas, Vedic literature includes other texts such as Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads. Vedic Sanskrit was the language of this period and played a crucial role in the transmission of knowledge and culture.
Political Organisation: While janapadas, or kingdoms, emerged in the Later Vedic Period, tribal communities and chiefdoms typified the Early Vedic Period. Chieftains and monarchs presided over these kingdoms frequently.
Art and Architecture: Although there is little in the way of archaeological proof from the Vedic Age, various elements of early Indian art and architecture, including metallurgy, pottery, and the earliest types of temple constructions, can be linked to this era.
Legacy: The Vedic Era shaped religious, social, and cultural customs that persisted in changing across the ensuing ages, laying the groundwork for classical Hinduism. In contemporary Hinduism, numerous ideas and customs from the Vedic era are being upheld and followed.
Overall, the Vedic Age represents a crucial phase in Indian history, influencing the development of Indian civilization and religious traditions.
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Vedic Age MCQs
Q1. Which one of the following is oldest Veda :
(a) Yajurveda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Q2. In which Vedic text the term ‘Varna’ is found referred for the first time?
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Atharvaveda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Yajurveda
Q3. The Rig Veda is the
(a) Collection of hymns
(b) Collection of stories
(c) Collection of words
(d) Text of war
Q4. Which one of the following Brahmana texts belongs to the Rigveda?
(a) Aitareya Brahmana
(b) Gopatha Brahmana
(c) Satapatha Brahmana
(d) Taittiriya Brahmana
Q5. Which Mandala of Rig Veda is completely dedicated to ‘Soma’?
(a) Seventh Mandala
(b) Eighth Mandala
(c) Ninth Mandala
(d) Tenth Mandala
Q6. Rights and Rituals related to Yajnas are mentioned in
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Samaveda
(c) Brahmin Granthas
(d) Yajurveda
Q7. The compilation of which among the following is based upon the Rig Veda?
(a) Yajurveda
(b) Samaveda
(c) Atharvaveda
(d) None of the above
Q8. The earliest evidence of the use of iron in India has been discovered from
(a) Taxila
(b) Atranjikhera
(c) Kaushambi
(d) Hastinapur
Q9. Upanishads are books on
(a) Religion
(b) Yoga
(c) Law
(d) Philosophy
Q10. Which one of the following Vedic literature talks about salvation :
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Later Samhitas
(c) Brahmins
(d) Upanishads
Q11. ‘Gopatha Brahmana’ is associated with – (a) Yajurveda
(b) Samveda
(c) Atharvaveda
(d) Rig Veda
Q12. The ‘Purush Sukta’ related to Varna System is originally found in
(a) Atharvaveda
(b) Samaveda
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Manusmriti
Q13. The river mentioned most in early Vedic literature is :
(a) Sindhu
(b) Shutudri
(c) Sarasvati
(d) Ganga
Q14. Which of the following texts is not associated with the Vedic period?
A) Rigveda
B) Samaveda
C) Mahabharata
D) Atharvaveda
Q15. Vedic river Askini is identified with which one of the following rivers?
(a) Beas
(b) Ravi
(c) Chenab
(d) Jhelum
Q16. The Vedic river Kubha was located in:
(a) Afghanistan
(b) Chinese Turkestan
(c) Kashmir
(d) Punjab
Q17. Who were the priests responsible for performing rituals and sacrifices in the Vedic society?
A) Brahmins
B) Kshatriyas
C) Vaishyas
D) Shudras
Q18.Who among the following Vedic deities was believed to be their priest ?
(a) Agni
(b) Brihaspati
(c) Dyaus
(d) Indra
Q19. During the Rig Vedic period Nishka was an ornament of
(a) Ear
(b) Neck
(c) Arm
(d) Wrist
Q20. Which river was most closely associated with the early Vedic civilization?
A) Ganges
B) Indus
C) Yamuna
D) Saraswati
Q21. Which of the following inscriptions tells about the Aryan’s movement of Aryan from Iran to India ?
(a) Man Sehra
(b) Shahbazgarhi
(c) Boghaz-Koi
(d) Junagarh
Q22. homeland of the Aryans?
(a) Sankaracharya
(b) Annie Besant
(c) Vivekanand
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Q23. The word Gotra occurs for the fi rst time in
(a) Atharvaveda
(b) Rig Veda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Yajurveda
Q24. The religion of early Vedic Aryans was primarily of
(a) Bhakti
(b) Image worship and yajnas
(c) Worship of nature and yajnas
(d) Worship of nature and bhakti
Q25. What was the main occupation of the people during the Vedic Age?
A) Agriculture
B) Trade and Commerce
C) Fishing
D) Hunting
Q26. In the Rigvedic period, people believed mainly in
(a) Idol worship
(b) One God belief
(c) Goddess worship
(d) Sacrifice and rituals
Q27. Famous Battle of ‘Ten Kings’ was fought on the bank of the river
(a) The Ganges
(b) Brahmaputra
(c) Kaveri
(d) Parushni
Q28. The word ‘Yava’ mentioned in Rig Veda is used for which agricultural product ?
(a) Barley
(b) Gram
(c) Rice
(d) Wheat
Q29. The word ‘Vrihi’ mentioned in Rig Veda is used for which agricultural product ?
a) Barley
(b) Gram
(c) Rice
(d) Wheat
Q30. The Rigvedic “Pani” belong to which class of citizens?
(a) Priests
(b) Ironsmiths
(c) Goldsmiths
(d) Traders
Q31. Who were the rulers in the early Vedic society?
A) Brahmins
B) Kshatriyas
C) Vaishyas
D) Shudras
Q32. The System of Governance prevalent in the Vedic era was
(a) Autocratic
(b) Democratic
(c) Republic
(d) Descended monarchy
Q33. The social hierarchy during the Vedic Age was known as:
A) Varnas
B) Jatis
C) Tribes
D) Castes
Q34. The Rigvedic tribal assembly associated with judicial function was (a) Sabha
(b) Samiti
(c) Vidhata
(d) All of these
Q35. Which deity was the most prominent in the Vedic religion?
A) Vishnu
B) Shiva
C) Indra
D) Brahma
Q36. In which of the Vedas, Sabha and Samiti are called as two daughters of Prajapati ?
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Samveda
(c) Yajurveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Q37. Rig-vedic religion was
(a) Polytheistic.in which a number of Gods were worshipped
(b) Monotheistic
(c) Monistic
(d) Libertarian
Q38. ‘Ayurveda’ that is ‘Science of Life’ appeared fi rst in
(a) Aranyaka
(b) Samveda
(c) Yajurveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Q39. The largest number of Rigvedic hymns are devoted to
(a) Agni
(b) Indra
(c) Rudra
(d) Vishnu
Q40. Who composed the hymns of the Rigveda?
A) Rishis
B) Brahmins
C) Kings
D) Sages
Q41. Who among the following is regarded as War-God in the Rig Veda ?
(a) Agni
(b) Indra
(c) Surya
(d) Varuna
Q42. Gayatri Mantra is found in which book?
(a) Upanishad
(b) Bhagwat Gita
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Yajurveda
Q43. The term “Varna” in the Vedic context refers to:
A) Social classes
B) Religious rituals
C) Warrior groups
D) Sacred texts
Q44. Who composed the Gayatri Mantra ?
(a) Vasishtha
(b) Vishwamitra
(c) Indra
(d) Parikshit
Q45. The number of Puranas is
(a) 16
(b) 18
(c) 19
(d) 21
Q46. In which language was the ‘Srimad Bhagavad Gita’ originally written ?
(a) Sanskrit
(b) Urdu
(c) Pali
(d) Hindi
Q47. Who is considered the author of the oldest surviving text of humanity, the Rigveda?
A) Vyasa
B) Valmiki
C) Vashishtha
D) Anonymous sages (Rishis)
Q48. Originally the Mahabharata was known as
(a) Brihatkatha
(b) Brahmins
(c) Brihatsamhita
(d) Jayasamhita
Q49. Which of the following rivers is not mentioned in the Rigveda?
A) Ganges
B) Yamuna
C) Saraswati
D) Indus
Q50. From where the word ‘Satyameva Jayate’ was taken ?
(a) Manusmriti
(b) Bhagawadgita
(c) Rig Veda
(d) Mundakopanishad
Q51. Fundamental or basic script of the ‘Rig Veda’ was
(a) Devanagari
(b) Kharoshthi
(c) Pali
(d) Brahmi
Q52. In the Vedic rituals HOTA is associated with the
(a) Rig Veda
(b) Yajurveda
(c) Samaveda
(d) Atharvaveda
Q53. What was the significance of the “Ashwamedha” ritual in the Vedic society?
A) A ceremony to honour the goddess of wealth
B) A horse sacrifice performed by kings to establish their supremacy
C) A ritual to commemorate the victory in a battle
D) A rite of passage for young boys into manhood
Q54.Aghanya in Rig Veda is mentioned for
(a) Goat
(b) Cow
(c) Elephant
(d) Horse
Q55. Which of the following metals was known to the people of the Vedic Age?
A) Iron
B) Steel
C) Aluminum
D) Titanium
Q56. In context on Indian culture ‘Rit’ means
(a) Natural law
(b) Artifi cial law
(c) Human law
(d) Social law
Q57. What is the total number of Sanskaras?
(a) 10
(b) 12
(c) 15
(d) 16
Q58. Who was the principal deity associated with fire and sacrifice in the Vedic religion?
A) Agni
B) Varuna
C) Surya
D) Yama
Q59. Which of the following is NOT a type of Vedic literature?
A) Brahmanas
B) Upanishads
C) Puranas
D) Aranyakas
Q60. The concept of “Dharma” in the Vedic context refers to:
A) Duty and righteousness
B) Religious texts
C) Social hierarchy
D) Sacred rituals
What is the significance of the Vedic Age in Indian history?
Since it represents the nascent stages of ancient Indian culture, the Vedic Age is of great historical significance. It witnessed the writing of the Vedas, the foundational texts of Hinduism and some of the world’s oldest sacred texts. Early social, political, and cultural structures that would influence Indian civilization for generations to come were also developed during the Vedic Period.
What were the main characteristics of Vedic society?
Since it represents the nascent stages of ancient Indian culture, the Vedic Age is of great historical significance. It witnessed the writing of the Vedas, the foundational texts of Hinduism and some of the world’s oldest sacred texts. Early social, political, and cultural structures that would influence Indian civilization for generations to come were also developed during the Vedic Period.
Who were the key figures or deities in Vedic religion?
Indra, the god of thunder and rain and a warrior; Agni, the god of fire and the centre of sacrificial rituals; Varuna, the goddess of water and cosmic order; Surya, the sun god; and Rudra, the god of storms and healing, were among the prominent gods of the Vedic religion.
What were the main literary and linguistic contributions of the Vedic Age?
The Vedas, the most significant literary works of the time, were created during the Vedic Age. These books, which are composed of hymns, prayers, rituals, and philosophical teachings, are written in Vedic Sanskrit. In addition to the Vedas, other significant books that developed during this time and added to India’s early philosophical and spiritual traditions included the Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.
How did political organization evolve during the Vedic Age?
Early Vedic society was essentially divided into chiefdoms and tribes, with important roles in government being played by tribal councils known as sabhas and samitis. The Later Vedic Period began with the emergence of bigger territorial kingdoms called janapadas, ruled by chieftains or kings, as the Vedic Age advanced. This was the time when ancient India started to form states and saw a movement in governmental institutions towards greater centralization.