After the Harappan civilisation, UPSC Ancient History moves to the Vedic age and the rise of Buddhism and Jainism. This set covers Vedic texts and society, the life of the Buddha, the Buddhist councils, and the key ideas and sects of Jainism.
How to practise: read each question and tap the option you think is correct. You will see right away whether you got it, along with a short explanation, and your score is tracked at the bottom of the screen. This set has 15 questions.
Topics covered in this set
- Rig Veda and the Upanishads
- Early Vedic polity and society
- Later Vedic period and Painted Grey Ware
- Life of the Buddha and the Buddhist councils
- Tirthankaras, Triratna and sects of Jainism
- Important doctrines and texts
UPSC MCQs with answers and explanations
Q1. Into how many books, or mandalas, is the Rig Veda divided?
a) Sixteen
b) Eight
c) Ten
d) Twelve
Q2. The Gayatri Mantra, addressed to the solar deity Savitri, is found in which text?
a) Rig Veda
b) Atharva Veda
c) Yajur Veda
d) Sama Veda
Q3. India's national motto 'Satyameva Jayate' is taken from which text?
a) Bhagavad Gita
b) Chandogya Upanishad
c) Katha Upanishad
d) Mundaka Upanishad
Q4. Which were the two popular assemblies that checked the power of the king in the early Vedic period?
a) Ratnins and Gramani
b) Sabha and Samiti
c) Gana and Sangha
d) Vidatha and Parishad
Q5. Which river is called 'naditama', the best of rivers, in the Rig Veda?
a) Sindhu
b) Saraswati
c) Ganga
d) Yamuna
Q6. Painted Grey Ware pottery is mainly associated with which period?
a) The Mauryan period
b) The Gupta period
c) The Harappan civilisation
d) The later Vedic period
Q7. The four varnas are first mentioned in which hymn of the Rig Veda?
a) Purusha Sukta
b) Gayatri Mantra
c) Hiranyagarbha Sukta
d) Nasadiya Sukta
Q8. Where did the Buddha deliver his first sermon, known as Dharmachakra Pravartana?
a) Lumbini
b) Bodh Gaya
c) Sarnath
d) Kushinagar
Q9. Where did the Buddha attain mahaparinirvana?
a) Vaishali
b) Shravasti
c) Rajagriha
d) Kushinagar
Q10. The First Buddhist Council was held at Rajagriha under the patronage of which king?
a) Ajatashatru
b) Ashoka
c) Kanishka
d) Bimbisara
Q11. The Fourth Buddhist Council, which saw Buddhism divide into Hinayana and Mahayana, was held under which ruler?
a) Ashoka at Pataliputra
b) Kalashoka at Vaishali
c) Kanishka in Kashmir
d) Harsha at Kannauj
Q12. Who is regarded as the first tirthankara of Jainism?
a) Mahavira
b) Rishabhanatha
c) Neminatha
d) Parshvanatha
Q13. The Triratna, or three jewels, of Jainism are:
a) Right faith, right knowledge and right conduct
b) Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha
c) Truth, non-violence and celibacy
d) Prayer, fasting and charity
Q14. The Digambara sect of Jainism traces its origin to the group that migrated south during a famine under the leadership of:
a) Mahavira
b) Gautama
c) Sthulabhadra
d) Bhadrabahu
Q15. The doctrine of syadvada, which holds that truth can be seen from many viewpoints, belongs to:
a) Charvaka
b) Buddhism
c) Jainism
d) Ajivika
Quick revision notes
- Rig Veda: ten mandalas; the Gayatri Mantra is in Mandala III; the Purusha Sukta (varnas) is in Mandala X.
- Satyameva Jayate comes from the Mundaka Upanishad.
- Sabha and Samiti were early Vedic assemblies; Painted Grey Ware marks the later Vedic period.
- Buddha: born at Lumbini, enlightened at Bodh Gaya, first sermon at Sarnath, died at Kushinagar.
- Buddhist councils: First at Rajagriha (Ajatashatru), Fourth in Kashmir (Kanishka), where Hinayana and Mahayana split.
- Jainism: Rishabhanatha first and Mahavira 24th tirthankara; Triratna; Digambara and Svetambara sects; syadvada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between early and later Vedic society?
Early Vedic society was pastoral and fairly egalitarian, with tribal assemblies like the Sabha and Samiti. In the later Vedic period agriculture and iron spread, kingdoms grew larger, rituals became complex and the varna system became more rigid.
How are the four Buddhist councils asked in UPSC?
Questions usually match each council with its place, patron king and presiding monk. Learn them as a table: Rajagriha, Vaishali, Pataliputra and Kashmir, with Ajatashatru, Kalashoka, Ashoka and Kanishka.
What is the main difference between Buddhism and Jainism?
Both rejected Vedic ritual and the authority of the Vedas. Jainism stresses strict non-violence and asceticism and believes everything has a soul, while Buddhism follows the Middle Path and does not accept a permanent soul.
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