Vedic Civilization MCQ: Vedic Rivers, the Boghaz-Koi Inscription & Aryan Homeland

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

1. Q1.King Asvapati of the Upanishadic period was the ruler of:

   • A.Kashi
   • B.Kekaya✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Panchala
   • D.Videha

   Explanation: King Asvapati was the ruler of Kekaya kingdom situated on the bank of river Beas.

2. Q2.Which of the following is the correct order of the Vedic literature?

   • A.Vedic Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, Upanishads✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Vedic Samhitas, Upnishads, Aranyakas, Brahmanas
   • C.Vedic Samhitas, Aranyakas, Brahmanas, Upnishads
   • D.Vedic Samhitas, Vedangas, Aranyakas, Smritis

   Explanation: The correct order is Samhitas, Brahmanas, Aranyakas, and Upanishads.

3. Q3.The river mentioned most in early Vedic literature is:

   • A.Sindhu✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Shutudri
   • C.Sarasvati
   • D.Ganga

   Explanation: Sindhu (Indus) river was mentioned the most number of times in the Rig Veda due to its economic importance.

4. Q4.Vedic river Askini is identified with which one of the following rivers?

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

   Explanation: Vedic river Askini is identified with the present-day river Chenab.

5. Q5.Which of the following rivers mentioned in the Rig Veda indicates the relations of Aryans with Afghanistan?

   • A.Askini
   • B.Parushni
   • C.Kubha, Kramu✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Vipasha, Shutudri

   Explanation: Rivers Kubha (Kabul) and Kramu (Kurram) mentioned in Rig Veda flowed through Afghanistan.

6. Q6.The Vedic river Kubha was located in:

   • A.Afghanistan✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Chinese Turkistan
   • C.Kashmir
   • D.Punjab

   Explanation: Kubha (Kabul river) is located in Afghanistan.

7. Q7.In the period of Mahabharata, the name of Mahanadi was:

   • A.Kaveri
   • B.Tapti
   • C.Mahananda
   • D.Ganga
   • E.None of these✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The name of Mahanadi during the period of Mahabharata was 'Chitrotpala'.

8. Q8.Which of the following custom emerged during the post-Vedic period?

   • A.Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha
   • B.Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
   • C.Brahmcharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Indra, Surya, Rudra, Maruta

   Explanation: The four Ashramas (Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, Sanyasa) and four Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) emerged during the post-Vedic period.

9. Q9.The ‘dharma’ and ‘rita’ depict a central idea of ancient Vedic civilization. Which statement is correct? (1) Dharma was a conception of obligations/duties. (2) Rita was the fundamental moral law governing the universe.

   • A.1 only
   • B.2 only
   • C.Both 1 and 2✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Neither 1 nor 2

   Explanation: Dharma signifies cosmic ordinance/duties, and Rita is the universal harmony/natural order.

10. Q10.Who among the following Vedic deities was believed to be their priest?

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

    Explanation: Brihaspati is known as Deva-guru (teacher or priest of Gods).

11. Q11.Who among the following was a Brahmavadini who composed some hymns of the Vedas?

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

    Explanation: Lopamudra, Vishwawara, Sikta, etc., were Brahmavadinis who composed hymns. Lopamudra was the wife of Agastya Rishi.

12. Q12.During the Rigvedic Period word ‘Nishka’ was used for Jewellery but in later period it was used for:

    • A.Arms
    • B.Farming equipment
    • C.Script
    • D.Coin✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Originally a gold necklace, 'Nishka' later transformed into a term for gold coins.

13. Q13.During the Rig Vedic period Nishka was an ornament of:

    • A.Ear
    • B.Neck✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Arm
    • D.Wrist

    Explanation: It was a gold necklace.

14. Q14.Boghaz-Koi is important because:

    • A.It was an important trading centre
    • B.Inscriptions found mention Vedic Gods and Goddesses✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Original Texts of the Vedas were composed here
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: The Boghaz-Koi inscription (Turkey) mentions four Vedic Gods: Indra, Varuna, Mitra, and Nasatyas.

15. Q15.Which of the following inscriptions tells about the Aryan’s movement from Iran to India?

    • A.Man Sehra
    • B.Shahbazgarhi
    • C.Boghaz-Koi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Junagarh

    Explanation: The Boghaz-Koi inscription indicates the movement and presence of Vedic gods in Asia Minor/Turkey.

16. Q16.Who among the following wrote on the original homeland of the Aryans?

    • A.Sankaracharya
    • B.Annie Besant
    • C.Vivekanand
    • D.Bal Gangadhar Tilak✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Bal Gangadhar Tilak propounded the theory that the North Pole (Arctic region) was the original home of Aryans in his book 'The Arctic Home in the Vedas'.

17. Q17.The name of scripture in which ‘Purusha Medha’ was mentioned is:

    • A.Krishna Yajurveda
    • B.Shukla Yajurveda
    • C.Shatpath Brahmana✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Panchvish Brahmana

    Explanation: ‘Purusha Medha’ has been mentioned in Shatpath Brahmana of Shukla Yajurveda.

18. Q18.The priest associated with King Videgha Madhava referred in Shatapatha Brahmana was:

    • A.Rishi Bharadwaj
    • B.Rishi Vashishta
    • C.Rishi Vishwamitra
    • D.Rishi Gautama Rahugana✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The Shatapatha Brahmana narrates the story of King Videgha Madhava accompanied by his priest Rishi Gautama Rahugana carrying the sacred fire to the east.

19. Q19.In the post-Vedic period which was considered as the axis of Aryan Culture?

    • A.Anga, Magadha
    • B.Kosal, Videha
    • C.Kuru, Panchala✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Matsya, Shurasena

    Explanation: The region of Kuru and Panchala was considered the axis of Aryan culture in the post-Vedic period due to achievements in science, mathematics, and philosophy.

20. Q20.The word Gotra occurs for the first time in:

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

    Explanation: As a Rigvedic term, gotra simply means 'cow shelter' or 'herd of cows'.