Vedic Age MCQ: Indra, Varuna & the Pancha-Jana Tribes of the Rigveda

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

1. Q1.Who was the most powerful deity in the Rigveda, to whom 250 hymns are devoted?

   • A.Agni
   • B.Indra✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Varuna
   • D.Surya

   Explanation: Indra is the most powerful deity in the Rigveda, with 250 hymns dedicated to him. He is the god of thunder and rain.

2. Q2.By what title was Indra known because he was the 'Destroyer of Forts'?

   • A.Ritasyagopa
   • B.Purandara✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Hiranyani
   • D.Matetama

   Explanation: Indra is called 'Purandara', which literally means the destroyer of forts (Puras).

3. Q3.Who was the second most important deity in the Rigveda with 200 hymns?

   • A.Agni✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Varuna
   • C.Soma
   • D.Indra

   Explanation: Agni (Fire God) is the second most important deity, acting as an intermediary between gods and men, with 200 hymns devoted to him.

4. Q4.Which god was considered as the 'War-God' in Vedic literature?

   • A.Agni
   • B.Indra✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Varuna
   • D.Rudra

   Explanation: Indra was regarded as the War-God who led the Aryans to victory against the Dasas.

5. Q5.Who was believed to be the priest of the gods ('Deva-guru')?

   • A.Agni
   • B.Brihaspati✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Indra
   • D.Varuna

   Explanation: Brihaspati was believed to be the priest/guru of the gods.

6. Q6.Which period is specifically related to the 'Brahmana' era?

   • A.1500-1000 BCE
   • B.800-600 BCE✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1000-800 BCE
   • D.600-300 BCE

   Explanation: The period between 800 BCE and 600 BCE is related to the Brahmana era, marked by the dominance of priestly literature.

7. Q7.The 'Pancha-Jana' tribes included which of the following?

   • A.Yadu, Turvasa, Druhya, Anu, Puru✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Kashi, Magadha
   • C.Sakya, Malla, Licchavi, Koliya, Videha
   • D.None of the above

   Explanation: Pancha-Jana refers to five specific tribes: Yadu, Turvasa, Druhya, Anu, and Puru.

8. Q8.Which region was considered the 'Axis of Aryan Culture' in the post-Vedic period?

   • A.Anga and Magadha
   • B.Kuru and Panchala✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Matsya and Surasena
   • D.Kosala and Videha

   Explanation: The region of Kuru (Delhi-Meerut) and Panchala (Bareilly-Farrukhabad) was considered the axis of Aryan culture.

9. Q9.What was the title of a king ruling in the 'North' direction?

   • A.Samrat
   • B.Swarat
   • C.Virat✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Bhoj

   Explanation: A king in the North was called Virat.

10. Q10.A king ruling in the 'South' direction was titled:

    • A.Raja
    • B.Virat
    • C.Bhoj✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Samrat

    Explanation: The title for a king in the South was Bhoj.

11. Q11.What is the common term for the four goals of life (Purusharthas)?

    • A.Triratna
    • B.Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa
    • D.Veda, Vedanga, Upaveda, Samhita

    Explanation: The four Purusharthas (goals of human life) are Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Wealth), Kama (Desire), and Moksha (Salvation).

12. Q12.Which ancient scripture is similar to the Rigveda and belongs to the Iranian region?

    • A.Bible
    • B.Avesta✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Torah
    • D.Tripitaka

    Explanation: The Zend Avesta is an ancient Iranian (Zoroastrian) text that shows linguistic and cultural similarities to the Rigveda.

13. Q13.Which animal was used as a medium of exchange (currency) in the Vedic period?

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

    Explanation: The cow was a medium of exchange and considered the most valuable unit of wealth.

14. Q14.The term 'Sita' in later administrative contexts (though appearing in sources) refers to:

    • A.Barren land
    • B.Revenue from crown land✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Forest tax
    • D.Personal gift

    Explanation: In the Mauryan period (often linked to Vedic roots of agriculture), 'Sita' meant revenue from crown land.

15. Q15.Which Rigvedic river falls into the 'Peravat' (Arabian Sea)?

    • A.Saraswati
    • B.Indus (Sindhu)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Vitasta
    • D.Shutudri

    Explanation: The Indus (Sindhu) river falls into the 'Peravat', which refers to the Arabian Sea.

16. Q16.The 'Gavishti' (search for cows) refers to which activity?

    • A.Farming
    • B.War✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Hunting
    • D.Trade

    Explanation: In the Rigvedic period, wars were fought for cattle. The term for war was 'Gavishti', literally meaning 'search for cows'.

17. Q17.Who was the wife of Rishi Agastya, who also composed Vedic hymns?

    • A.Gargi
    • B.Lopamudra✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Savitri
    • D.Vishwawara

    Explanation: Lopamudra was the wife of Agastya Rishi and a prominent Brahmavadini who composed hymns.

18. Q18.Which assembly was associated with 'judicial functions' in the Rigvedic period?

    • A.Sabha✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Samiti
    • C.Vidhata
    • D.Gana

    Explanation: The Sabha was an assembly of elders and elites that exercised judicial functions.

19. Q19.In the period of the Mahabharata, the Mahanadi river was known as:

    • A.Ganga
    • B.Kaveri
    • C.Chitrotpala✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Tapti

    Explanation: During the Mahabharata era, the Mahanadi river was referred to as 'Chitrotpala'.

20. Q20.The first evidence of man in India was found in which region?

    • A.Nilgiri Hills
    • B.Shiwalik Hills
    • C.Narmada Valley✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Belan Valley

    Explanation: The first evidence of man (Narmada Man/Hathnora skull) in India was discovered in the Narmada Valley of Madhya Pradesh in 1982.