Aryans MCQ Questions and Answers
Q1. The Aryans are believed to have originally lived in which region before coming to India?
A) Tibet
B) Central Asia
C) South India
D) Mesopotamia
Answer: B) Central Asia
Q2. The term “Arya” in the Rigveda refers to:
A) A particular race
B) A class of warriors
C) A noble person or civilized being
D) A foreign tribe
Answer: C) A noble person or civilized being
Q3. The Rigvedic Aryans primarily settled in which region of India?
A) Eastern India
B) Deccan Plateau
C) Punjab and North-West India
D) Gujarat
Answer: C) Punjab and North-West India
Q4. The main source of information about the early Aryans is:
A) Arthashastra
B) Puranas
C) Rigveda
D) Upanishads
Answer: C) Rigveda
Q5. The Rigveda consists of how many hymns (suktas)?
A) 500
B) 700
C) 800
D) 1028
Answer: D) 1028
Q6. The Rigveda is divided into how many Mandalas (books)?
A) 8
B) 12
C) 10
D) 11
Answer: C) 10
Q7. The Aryans worshipped primarily which natural force?
A) Earth
B) Fire (Agni)
C) Trees
D) Rivers
Answer: B) Fire (Agni)
Q8. The main occupation of the Rigvedic Aryans was:
A) Trade
B) Cattle rearing and agriculture
C) Mining
D) Pottery
Answer: B) Cattle rearing and agriculture
Q9. The term “Gavisthi” in Rigveda refers to:
A) A festival
B) A search for cows (battle)
C) A type of tax
D) A form of sacrifice
Answer: B) A search for cows (battle)
Q10. The political unit in the Rigvedic period was known as:
A) Pradesh
B) State
C) Jana
D) Janapada
Answer: C) Jana
Q11. The head of the Rigvedic tribal kingdom was called:
A) Chief Minister
B) Rajan
C) Samrat
D) Mahajan
Answer: B) Rajan
Q12. The Rigvedic assemblies “Sabha” and “Samiti” were:
A) Temples
B) Political and deliberative bodies
C) Military divisions
D) Agricultural guilds
Answer: B) Political and deliberative bodies
Q13. The term “Vis” in the Rigveda denotes:
A) Priest
B) Common people or clans
C) Warrior
D) Trader
Answer: B) Common people or clans
Q14. The Later Vedic people used which metal extensively?
A) Copper
B) Iron
C) Silver
D) Bronze
Answer: B) Iron
Q15. The use of iron during the Later Vedic period led to:
A) Decline of agriculture
B) Increase in nomadism
C) Expansion of agriculture and new settlements
D) Fall of tribal kingdoms
Answer: C) Expansion of agriculture and new settlements
Q16. The Later Vedic society was divided into how many varnas?
A) Three
B) Five
C) Four
D) Six
Answer: C) Four
Q17. The four varnas mentioned in the Purusha Sukta are:
A) Rajan, Sena, Brahman, Kshatriya
B) Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
C) Arya, Dasa, Kula, Pati
D) Purohit, Vish, Jana, Grama
Answer: B) Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra
Q18. The later Vedic king performed which ritual to prove his sovereignty?
A) Ashvamedha
B) Rajasuya
C) Vajapeya
D) Agnihotra
Answer: A) Ashvamedha
Q19. The most important female deity of the Rigvedic period was:
A) Durga
B) Aditi
C) Saraswati
D) Prithvi
Answer: B) Aditi
Q20. The most important male god in the Rigvedic pantheon was:
A) Agni
B) Indra
C) Varuna
D) Surya
Answer: B) Indra
Q21. The Rigvedic people mainly prayed for:
A) Wealth and children
B) Victory and good harvest
C) Cattle, sons, and rain
D) Long life and salvation
Answer: C) Cattle, sons, and rain
Q22. Which river is most frequently mentioned in the Rigveda?
A) Ganga
B) Saraswati
C) Yamuna
D) Sindhu
Answer: B) Saraswati
Q23. The “Battle of Ten Kings” (Dasarajna) was fought on the banks of which river?
A) Ganga
B) Yamuna
C) Parushni (Ravi)
D) Saraswati
Answer: C) Parushni (Ravi)
Q24. The Rigvedic language belongs to which family?
A) Dravidian
B) Semitic
C) Indo-European
D) Sino-Tibetan
Answer: C) Indo-European
Q25. The Later Vedic texts include which among the following?
A) Brahmanas and Aranyakas
B) Puranas and Tantras
C) Smritis
D) Epics
Answer: A) Brahmanas and Aranyakas
Q26. Which river was known as the “Mother of Rivers” in Rigvedic literature?
A) Yamuna
B) Ganga
C) Saraswati
D) Sindhu
Answer: C) Saraswati
Q27. The Aryans measured wealth mainly in terms of:
A) Gold
B) Cows
C) Land
D) Horses
Answer: B) Cows
Q28. In the Rigvedic society, women:
A) Had no rights
B) Were not educated
C) Participated in religious and social life
D) Were confined to households
Answer: C) Participated in religious and social life
Q29. The Aryan tribe was headed by the:
A) Sabha
B) Rajan
C) Purohit
D) Senapati
Answer: B) Rajan
Q30. The Rigvedic economy was mainly:
A) Industrial
B) Trade-based
C) Pastoral and agricultural
D) Urban
Answer: C) Pastoral and agricultural
Q31. Which of the following animals was most sacred to the Rigvedic Aryans?
A) Horse
B) Elephant
C) Cow
D) Dog
Answer: C) Cow
Q32. Who among the following was considered the “Lord of Waters” in Rigvedic religion?
A) Agni
B) Indra
C) Varuna
D) Soma
Answer: C) Varuna
Q33. Which goddess was associated with learning and wisdom in Vedic tradition?
A) Aditi
B) Saraswati
C) Usha
D) Prithvi
Answer: B) Saraswati
Q34. The Aryan migration into India is believed to have occurred around:
A) 3500 BCE
B) 2000 BCE
C) 1500 BCE
D) 1000 BCE
Answer: C) 1500 BCE
Q35. The Rigvedic term “Purohita” refers to:
A) Warrior
B) Farmer
C) Priest
D) Servant
Answer: C) Priest
Q36. The “Gotra” system among Aryans was introduced to:
A) Control land ownership
B) Regulate marriage relations
C) Divide labor
D) Maintain political control
Answer: B) Regulate marriage relations
Q37. The Aryans domesticated which of the following animals for battles?
A) Horse
B) Cow
C) Dog
D) Ox
Answer: A) Horse
Q38. The Rigvedic hymns were composed in:
A) Sanskrit
B) Prakrit
C) Magadhi
D) Apabhramsha
Answer: A) Sanskrit
Q39. Which deity was associated with rain and thunder in the Rigvedic period?
A) Agni
B) Surya
C) Indra
D) Varuna
Answer: C) Indra
Q40. The Rigvedic people buried their dead along with:
A) Weapons
B) Food, ornaments, and pottery
C) Texts
D) Ashes
Answer: B) Food, ornaments, and pottery
Q41. The Rigvedic term “Dasa” originally referred to:
A) Slaves
B) Foreign invaders
C) Non-Aryan tribes
D) Servants
Answer: C) Non-Aryan tribes
Q42. The “Soma” plant was used by Aryans as:
A) Food
B) A ritual drink
C) Medicine
D) Fertilizer
Answer: B) A ritual drink
Q43. The Later Vedic Aryans shifted their settlements towards:
A) West
B) South
C) East (towards Ganga-Yamuna plains)
D) North
Answer: C) East (towards Ganga-Yamuna plains)
Q44. The capital of the Kurus during the Later Vedic period was:
A) Mithila
B) Hastinapur
C) Kashi
D) Ayodhya
Answer: B) Hastinapur
Q45. The main tax collected by the king during the Later Vedic period was called:
A) Dhanam
B) Bali
C) Dana
D) Varsha
Answer: B) Bali
Q46. The “Rajasuya” sacrifice was performed to:
A) Establish royal authority
B) Increase fertility
C) Ensure good rains
D) Celebrate victory in war
Answer: A) Establish royal authority
Q47. The “Vajapeya” sacrifice symbolized:
A) Peace and prosperity
B) Royal success and chariot race victory
C) Alliance formation
D) Trade development
Answer: B) Royal success and chariot race victory
Q48. The Later Vedic period saw the emergence of which major kingdom?
A) Magadha
B) Kuru-Panchala
C) Kosala
D) Matsya
Answer: B) Kuru-Panchala
Q49. Which text marks the transition from the Vedic to the philosophical era?
A) Brahmana
B) Upanishad
C) Rigveda
D) Samaveda
Answer: B) Upanishad
Q50. The “Gayatri Mantra” is dedicated to which deity?
A) Agni
B) Savitr
C) Indra
D) Varuna
Answer: B) Savitr
Q51. The Later Vedic Aryans used which term to denote a settled territory?
A) Jana
B) Grama
C) Janapada
D) Vis
Answer: C) Janapada
Q52. The word “Gotra” literally means:
A) Race
B) Tribe
C) Cattle shed or lineage
D) Family priest
Answer: C) Cattle shed or lineage
Q53. The most important occupation in the Later Vedic age was:
A) Trade
B) Fishing
C) Agriculture
D) Handicrafts
Answer: C) Agriculture
Q54. The Later Vedic people primarily lived in:
A) North-Western India
B) Doab region of Ganga and Yamuna
C) Western Deccan
D) Coastal areas
Answer: B) Doab region of Ganga and Yamuna
Q55. Which Veda contains hymns sung by priests during sacrifices?
A) Samaveda
B) Yajurveda
C) Rigveda
D) Atharvaveda
Answer: A) Samaveda
Q56. The Yajurveda mainly deals with:
A) Hymns
B) Rituals and sacrifices
C) Magic charms
D) Music
Answer: B) Rituals and sacrifices
Q57. The Atharvaveda is different from other Vedas because it:
A) Contains battle hymns
B) Contains magical spells and charms
C) Deals only with music
D) Discusses astronomy
Answer: B) Contains magical spells and charms
Q58. The Rigvedic term “Nishka” referred to:
A) Grain measure
B) Land tax
C) Gold ornament or coin
D) Servant
Answer: C) Gold ornament or coin
Q59. In Later Vedic period, which official assisted the king in administration?
A) Purohit
B) Senani and Gramini
C) Vaishya
D) Vaidya
Answer: B) Senani and Gramini
Q60. Which animal was used for drawing chariots during wars?
A) Ox
B) Elephant
C) Horse
D) Camel
Answer: C) Horse
Q61. The Vedic people used which type of clothing?
A) Tailored garments
B) Unstitched garments
C) Cotton stitched clothes
D) Leather tunics
Answer: B) Unstitched garments
Q62. Which drink was considered sacred and offered to gods during sacrifices?
A) Milk
B) Soma
C) Honey
D) Water
Answer: B) Soma
Q63. The word “Arya” in Sanskrit literally means:
A) Farmer
B) Noble or respectable
C) Warrior
D) Foreigner
Answer: B) Noble or respectable
Q64. The Rigvedic people used which type of weapon most commonly?
A) Bronze
B) Copper
C) Iron
D) Steel
Answer: B) Copper
Q65. The Later Vedic period witnessed the beginning of which political feature?
A) Republics
B) Hereditary monarchy
C) Nomadic tribes
D) Oligarchies
Answer: B) Hereditary monarchy
Q66. The Rigvedic economy was based on barter, but what medium was often used for exchange?
A) Land
B) Iron tools
C) Cows
D) Gold coins
Answer: C) Cows
Q67. The Vedic people worshipped natural forces but personified them as:
A) Animals
B) Deities (gods and goddesses)
C) Plants
D) Ancestors
Answer: B) Deities (gods and goddesses)
Q68. The earliest Aryans did not know the use of:
A) Copper
B) Iron
C) Gold
D) Bronze
Answer: B) Iron
Q69. Which deity was regarded as the guardian of cosmic law (Rita)?
A) Indra
B) Varuna
C) Agni
D) Soma
Answer: B) Varuna
Q70. The social divisions of the Later Vedic period were based on:
A) Race
B) Occupation
C) Wealth
D) Birth only
Answer: B) Occupation
Q71. The most important domestic ritual in the Vedic age was:
A) Rajasuya
B) Agnihotra
C) Ashvamedha
D) Vajapeya
Answer: B) Agnihotra
Q72. Which Vedic text gives details about early Indian music?
A) Samaveda
B) Yajurveda
C) Atharvaveda
D) Rigveda
Answer: A) Samaveda
Q73. The Later Vedic period saw the emergence of which social custom?
A) Polyandry
B) Child marriage
C) Widow remarriage
D) Dowry abolition
Answer: B) Child marriage
Q74. The Vedic Aryans had trade relations with which region?
A) Egypt
B) Iran and Central Asia
C) China
D) Greece
Answer: B) Iran and Central Asia
Q75. The Upanishads mainly deal with:
A) Sacrificial rituals
B) Magic charms
C) Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
D) Songs and prayers
Answer: C) Philosophy and spiritual knowledge
Q76. The term “Vratya” in the Later Vedic texts refers to:
A) Warrior class
B) Non-conforming Aryans or wandering tribes
C) Foreign invaders
D) Merchants
Answer: B) Non-conforming Aryans or wandering tribes
Q77. Which among the following was a famous teacher of the Later Vedic period?
A) Kapila
B) Yajnavalkya
C) Chanakya
D) Susruta
Answer: B) Yajnavalkya
Q78. The Aryans divided the year into how many seasons?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Six
Answer: C) Four
Q79. The Rigvedic term “Karma” originally referred to:
A) Work and moral duty
B) Ritual action or sacrifice
C) Fate
D) Destiny
Answer: B) Ritual action or sacrifice
Q80. The Later Vedic people began to use which script for writing?
A) Pali
B) Tamil-Brahmi
C) Brahmi
D) Kharosthi
Answer: C) Brahmi
Q81. The Aryans used which musical instrument during rituals?
A) Sitar
B) Veena
C) Flute
D) Tabla
Answer: B) Veena
Q82. The Rigvedic education system was mainly based on:
A) Mathematics and astronomy
B) Oral transmission (Shruti and Smriti)
C) Written texts
D) Royal decrees
Answer: B) Oral transmission (Shruti and Smriti)
Q83. Which of the following was not a deity of the Rigvedic Aryans?
A) Agni
B) Indra
C) Varuna
D) Shiva
Answer: D) Shiva
Q84. The Aryans measured time mainly by observing:
A) Clocks
B) The movement of the Sun and Moon
C) Stars
D) Seasons
Answer: B) The movement of the Sun and Moon
Q85. The Rigvedic people called their settlements:
A) Pura
B) Grama
C) Janapada
D) Nagar
Answer: B) Grama
Q86. Which river was called “Sindhu” by the Rigvedic Aryans?
A) Ganga
B) Yamuna
C) Indus River
D) Saraswati
Answer: C) Indus River
Q87. The Aryans used the word “Asva” for:
A) Elephant
B) Cow
C) Horse
D) Chariot
Answer: C) Horse
Q88. The Later Vedic period saw the emergence of which social evil?
A) Slavery
B) Caste rigidity
C) Tribal warfare
D) Polygamy
Answer: B) Caste rigidity
Q89. The term “Dharma” during the Vedic period meant:
A) Religion
B) Law
C) Moral order or duty
D) Faith
Answer: C) Moral order or duty
Q90. The Later Vedic people used which unit to measure land?
A) Hasta
B) Nivartana
C) Kosha
D) Ratha
Answer: B) Nivartana
Q91. Which deity is known as the “God of Wind” in Rigvedic texts?
A) Agni
B) Indra
C) Vayu
D) Surya
Answer: C) Vayu
Q92. The Aryans initially entered India through:
A) North-West passes (Khyber Pass)
B) Himalayas
C) Gangetic plains
D) Deccan Plateau
Answer: A) North-West passes (Khyber Pass)
Q93. Which river was not known to the Rigvedic people?
A) Ganga
B) Yamuna
C) Saraswati
D) Sindhu
Answer: A) Ganga
Q94. The Rigvedic term “Nadi” refers to:
A) River
B) Mountain
C) Valley
D) Village
Answer: A) River
Q95. Which among the following was not a form of marriage in the Vedic age?
A) Gandharva
B) Rakshasa
C) Anuloma
D) Arsha
Answer: C) Anuloma
Q96. The Aryans worshipped “Ushas” as the goddess of:
A) Fertility
B) Dawn
C) Earth
D) Wealth
Answer: B) Dawn
Q97. The “Sapta Sindhu” region mentioned in the Rigveda refers to:
A) Deccan Plateau
B) Land of Seven Rivers
C) Himalayan region
D) Ganga delta
Answer: B) Land of Seven Rivers
Q98. The Later Vedic texts mention the term “Mahajanapada” which means:
A) City-state
B) Large kingdom or territorial state
C) Clan group
D) Temple complex
Answer: B) Large kingdom or territorial state
Q99. Which Vedic text is a collection of spells and incantations?
A) Yajurveda
B) Samaveda
C) Rigveda
D) Atharvaveda
Answer: D) Atharvaveda
Q100. The Rigvedic civilization can best be described as:
A) Urban and commercial
B) Industrial and agricultural
C) Rural, pastoral, and semi-nomadic
D) Maritime and urbanized
Answer: C) Rural, pastoral, and semi-nomadic