Vedic Age MCQ: The Three Later Vedas & the Battle of Ten Kings

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.What does 'Yajurveda' mean in Sanskrit?

   • A.Wisdom of song
   • B.Wisdom of sacrificial formulas✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Knowledge of charms
   • D.Science of life

   Explanation: Yajurveda means ‘wisdom of sacrificial formulas’ and describes the procedures for rituals and Yajnas.

2. Q2.Which Veda is divided into 'Shukla' (White) and 'Krishna' (Black) parts?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Yajurveda✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Samaveda
   • D.Atharvaveda

   Explanation: The Samhitas of Yajurveda are divided into Shukla (White) Yajurveda and Krishna (Black) Yajurveda.

3. Q3.The 'Shatapatha Brahmana' is associated with which Veda?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Yajurveda✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Samaveda
   • D.Atharvaveda

   Explanation: The Shatapatha Brahmana is a prose text associated with the Shukla Yajurveda. It is one of the most important Brahmanas.

4. Q4.Which Veda is primarily concerned with musical hymns?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Samaveda✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yajurveda
   • D.Atharvaveda

   Explanation: The Samaveda is compiled for ritual application and consists of musical hymns meant to be chanted by the Udgatri priest.

5. Q5.Most of the verses in the Samaveda are compiled from which source?

   • A.Rigveda✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Yajurveda
   • C.Atharvaveda
   • D.Puranas

   Explanation: Except for about 75 to 99 verses, all verses in the Samaveda are derived directly from the Rigveda.

6. Q6.Which Veda contains an account of magical charms, spells, and medicine?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Yajurveda
   • C.Samaveda
   • D.Atharvaveda✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Atharvaveda deals with magical charms, spells to ward off evils and diseases, and knowledge of the physical world.

7. Q7.What is the only Brahmana associated with the Atharvaveda?

   • A.Aitareya
   • B.Shatapatha
   • C.Gopatha✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Panchvisha

   Explanation: The Gopatha Brahmana is the only Brahmana text associated with the Atharvaveda.

8. Q8.In which Veda does 'Ayurveda' (Science of Life) first appear?

   • A.Rigveda
   • B.Samaveda
   • C.Yajurveda
   • D.Atharvaveda✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: References to healing and 'Ayurveda' appeared first in the Atharvaveda, although it is considered an Upaveda of Rigveda or Atharvaveda depending on tradition.

9. Q9.What was the modern name of the Rigvedic river 'Asakini'?

   • A.Ravi
   • B.Chenab✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Jhelum
   • D.Beas

   Explanation: The Vedic river Asakini is identified with the modern-day Chenab river.

10. Q10.Which river was known as the most sacred ('Naditama') in the Rigvedic period?

    • A.Sindhu
    • B.Saraswati✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ganga
    • D.Yamuna

    Explanation: The Saraswati was the most sacred river, referred to as 'Naditama' (best of all rivers) in the Rigveda.

11. Q11.The mention of rivers like Kubha and Krumu indicates Aryans' connection to which region?

    • A.Afghanistan✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Central Asia
    • C.Kashmir
    • D.Iran

    Explanation: Rivers like Kubha (Kabul) and Krumu (Kurram) flowed through Afghanistan, indicating Aryan links to that region.

12. Q12.The modern name of the Rigvedic river 'Parushni' is:

    • A.Jhelum
    • B.Chenab
    • C.Ravi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Sutlej

    Explanation: The modern name of the Vedic river Parushni is Ravi.

13. Q13.Which river was known as 'Sadaneera' in the Vedic period?

    • A.Sutlej
    • B.Gandak✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Beas
    • D.Ghaggar

    Explanation: The river Sadaneera (meaning 'always having water') is identified as the modern-day Gandak river.

14. Q14.The term 'Aghanya' (not to be killed) in the Rigveda refers to which animal?

    • A.Horse
    • B.Goat
    • C.Cow✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Elephant

    Explanation: The cow was considered 'Aghanya,' meaning it was not worthy of being killed, highlighting its economic importance.

15. Q15.Which metal is NOT mentioned in the Rigveda but appears in Later-Vedic literature?

    • A.Copper
    • B.Gold
    • C.Iron✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Silver

    Explanation: Iron (Shyama Ayas) is not mentioned in the Rigveda; it appears only in later Vedic literature. Rigveda mentions 'Ayas' which likely meant Copper or Bronze.

16. Q16.The famous 'Battle of Ten Kings' was fought on the banks of which river?

    • A.Sindhu
    • B.Parushni✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Saraswati
    • D.Vitasta

    Explanation: The Dasharajnya or 'War of 10 Kings' was fought on the banks of the Parushni (Ravi) river.

17. Q17.Who was the victorious king in the 'Battle of Ten Kings'?

    • A.Puru
    • B.Sudas✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yadu
    • D.Anu

    Explanation: King Sudas (of the Bharata clan) achieved a major victory over a confederacy of ten tribes in this battle.

18. Q18.The region between the Himalaya and Vindhyachal ranges was called:

    • A.Brahmarshi Desh
    • B.Madhya Desh✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Aryavarta
    • D.Sapta Sindhu

    Explanation: The area between the Himalaya and Vindhyachal mountain ranges was named Madhya Desh (Central Country).

19. Q19.What was the 'Sutudri' river known as in modern times?

    • A.Ravi
    • B.Beas
    • C.Sutlej✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Chenab

    Explanation: The modern name of the Rigvedic river Shutudri is Sutlej.

20. Q20.How many times are the rivers Yamuna and Ganga mentioned in the Rigveda?

    • A.3 and 1✓ Correct Answer
    • B.1 and 3
    • C.10 and 5
    • D.5 and 1

    Explanation: In the Rigveda, the Yamuna is mentioned three times and the Ganga is mentioned only once, showing their lesser importance compared to the Indus.