Explanation: Indo-European – It includes Sanskrit, Assamese, Gujarati, Hindi, Kashmiri, and Sindhi.

Explanation: Four. Types of Vedas: Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Each Veda has four subdivisions – The Samhitas (mantras and benedictions), the Aranyakas (text on rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices and symbolic -sacrifices), the Brahmanas (commentaries on rituals, ceremonies and sacrifices), and the Upanishads (texts discussing meditation, philosophy and spiritual knowledge).

Explanation: Six Vedangas are – Shiksha (Phonetics), Kalpa (Ritual Canon), Vyakaran (Grammar), Nirukta (Explanation), Chhanda (Vedic meter) and Jyotisha (Astrology).

Explanation: Ten mandals (books). Rig Veda is the oldest of the four Vedas. It is a collection of 10,600 verses and 1,028 hymns. The Famous Gayatri mantra is in Rig Veda Mandala 3. Each mandala consists of Suktas which are basically eulogies.

Explanation: Sanskrit was the first language spoken in India. Ardhamagadhi Prakrit was a Middle Indo-Aryan language. Prakrit is a group of vernacular Middle Indo-Aryan languages spoken in India between the third and seventh century BCE.

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh. Excavations at Hastinapur were carried out in the early 1950s by B.B. Lal, Director General of the Archaeological Survey of India. Hastinapur is famous for many historical temples like Karna temple, Pandeshwar temple, Kailash Parvat. It was also known as the capital city of Pandavas and Kauravas at the time of Mahabharata.

Explanation: Sindhu. The seven rivers mentioned in the Rig-Veda – Sindhu (Indus), Vitasta (Vehit/Jhelum), Asikni (Chenab), Prusni/Eravati (Ravi) Vipasha (Beas), Sutudri (Sutlej) and Sarasvati (which dried up). Agni (fire-god of Hinduism), Usha (Goddess of Dawn), Arika (God of Beauty).

Explanation: Beas and Sutlej are two rivers that were worshipped as goddesses in the Rig Veda. Devprayag is the place where the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi confluence. The most prominent river in the Rig Veda is Saraswati.

Explanation: Gotra originally referred to the seven lineage segments of the Brahmans (priests), who trace their derivation from seven ancient seers: Atri, Bharadvaja, Bhrigu, Gotama, Kashyapa, Vasishtha, and Vishvamitra.

Explanation: Kshatriyas (warriors, kings, administrators), Brahmins (priests, teachers, intellectuals), Vaishyas (agriculturalists, traders, farmers) and Shudras (workers, labourers, artisans). Dharmasutras – It contains guidelines for individual and social behaviour, ethical norms, as well as personal, civil and criminal law

Explanation: Sama Veda (‘Book Of Chant’) – Vedic verses are provided with musical notation and are intended as an aid to the performance of sacred songs. Other Vedas – The Rig Veda (‘Book Of Mantras’), The Yajur Veda (‘Book Of Ritual’), The Atharva Veda (‘Book Of Spell’).

Explanation: A boar. Varaha (Boar), the third of the 10 incarnations (avatars) of the Hindu god Vishnu. According to Hindu iconography, the boar is a symbol of all aspects of sacrifice.

Explanation: Sidhi is not the goal which determines vedic approach of a person and its relationship with the society. The four goals determining a person’s approach are – Kama, Artha, Dharma and Moksha.

Explanation: Valmiki was born as Agni Sharma to a Brahmin named Pracheta (also known as Sumali) of Bhrigu gotra. According to legend he once met the great Sage Narada and had a discourse with him on his duties.

Explanation: Samhita. The Rigveda Samhita is the oldest known Vedic Sanskrit text. It is a collection of 1,028 Vedic Sanskrit hymns and 10,600 verses in all, organised into ten books (Sanskrit: mandalas). The hymns are dedicated to Rigvedic deities.

Explanation: Rigveda. The most commonly used portion of the Sukta contains 24 mantras or stanzas. Purusha Suktam is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is described as the great Purusha in the hymn. Purusha Suktam is one of the Pancha Suktam (5 Suktams) – Purusha Suktam, Vishnu Suktam, Sri Suktam, Bhu Suktam, and Nila Suktam.

Explanation: Rashtrakuta. Other temples made by Rashtrakutas – The Kailasanatha Temple in Ellora, the Navalinga Temples in Pattadakal. Chalukya dynasty – Ravana Phadi Cave (Aihole), Durga Temple (Aihole), Lad Khan temple (Aihole). Chola dynasty – Brihadeeswara temple (Thanjavur), Vijayala – Cholesvara (Narta Malai), Rajarajeshwar (Tanjore), Balasuramanya (Kannanur).

Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira: He lived in the 6th century BCE and is considered to be the founder of modern Jainism. He belonged to the Jnatrika Clan and was connected to the royal family of Magadha. He delivered his first sermon at Vipulachla hill, Rajgriha. Chandraprabha was the 8th tirthankara. Padmaprabha was the 6th tirthankara. Parsva Natha was the 23th tirthankara.

Explanation: 30 . Vardhaman Mahavira (540 – 468 B.C.) was considered the last Tirthankara of Jainism. He attained highest spiritual knowledge at Jimbhikagrama village under a sal tree aged 42, called as Kaivalya. He preached his teachings for 30 years and died at Pava (near Rajagriha) aged 72.

Explanation: Pawapuri. Pawapuri or Pawa is located in the Nalanda district in the Bihar state. It is also called Apapapuri, meaning ‘the Sinless town’.

Explanation: Ayodhya is recognized as the birthplace of the first (Rishabhdev) and fourth (Abhinandannath) Jain Tirthankaras.

Explanation: the conqueror. Jainism – There were 24 Tirthankaras (great teachers who had attained all knowledge (Moksha) while living and preached it to the people), First was Rishabnatha and last was Lord Vardhamana Mahavira. Five Doctrines – Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya.

Explanation: Sanchi. Stupa: A dome-shaped sacred burial mound of brick that was used to house Buddha’s relics. Anda: The central structure consists of a hemispherical dome. The Sanchi Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3 rd Century Bc. It is a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1989.

Explanation: Kesariya Stupa (Bihar): It was discovered in 1958 during an excavation led by K.K Muhammed. Shanti Stupa (Leh): It was built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. Sanchi Stupa (Raisen, Madhya Pradesh): Its construction was commissioned by Ashoka.

Explanation: Ashvaghosha. He was the court poet of king Kanishka. Other writers and books: Nagarjuna – Mulamadhyamakakarika. Vasumitra – Mahavibhasa. Charaka – Charaka Samhita.

Explanation: Sanchi Stupa was built by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC in Madhya Pradesh. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1989. Dhamek Stupa – A Buddhist stupa located at Sarnath in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). Mahabodhi Stupa/Temple – Built on the original site of the Buddha’s enlightenment (Bodh Gaya, Bihar).

Explanation: Buddhism. Shailendra (King of Indonesia) – He Built the Borobudur temple (Java) for the devotees of Mahayana Buddhism, It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.

Explanation: Mahapajapati Gotami. Sanghamitta was an Indian Buddhist nun and the eldest daughter of Ashoka. Sujata fed Gautama Buddha a bowl of kheera, a milk-rice pudding, ending his six years of asceticism. Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni is the first fully ordained Theravadin nun in Thailand.

Explanation: Kanishka (Kushan Dynasty). Fourth Buddhist Council (72 AD): Place – Kundalvana (Kashmir), Presided By – Vasumitra and Ashvaghosha. Buddhism divided into two sects Mahayana (the Greater Vehicle) and Hinayana (the Lesser Vehicle) in this fourth council. 1st Buddhist Council (483 BC): King – Ajatashatru (Haryanka dynasty), Presided – By Mahakashyapa, Place – Rajagriha. 2nd Buddhist Council (383 BC): KingKalashoka (Shishunaga dynasty), Presided – Sabakami, Place – Vaishali. 3rd Buddhist Council (250 BC): King – Ashoka (Maurya dynasty), Presided – By Mogaliputta Tissa, Place – Pataliputra.

Explanation: Prayer Hall. It is a rectangular hall with a semi-circular apse at one end, which contains a stupa or relic chamber. Other types of architecture : Stupa – It contained the Buddha’s ashes. Vihara – Residence hall for the monks.

Explanation: Stupa – It is a symbolic representation of the Buddha’s burial mound. Some famous Stupas: – Mahabodhi Stupa (Bodh Gaya), Sanchi Stupa (Madhya Pradesh), Shanti Stupa (Ladakh), Dhamekh Stupa (Sarnath).

Explanation: Vinaya Pitaka. Buddhist teachings were divided into Three Pitakas at the First Buddhist Council in 483 BC. Vinaya Pitaka: It consists of rules of conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic life of the monks and the nuns. It was compiled by Upali, and was written in Pali language.

Explanation: Viharas were dwelling places used by wandering monks during the rainy season. Important Buddhist viharas – Ajanta, Ellora. Nasik, Karle, Kanheri, Bagh.

Explanation: Bodh Gaya. Gautam Budha (Siddharta, Sakyamuni & Tathagata). Father: Suddhodana, Mother: Mayadevi. Birth Place (563 B.C.): Lumbini (Nepal), Capital of Sakya republic. Teachers: Alarakalama and UdrakaRamputra. Enlightenment : At age of 35 under the Peepal tree at Uruvela (Bodhgaya) on banks of river Niranjana (Falgu). Mahaparinirvana (483 B.C.): At Kushinagar at age of 80. Sign:- Lotus and Bull – Birth, Horse – Renunciation, Bodhi Tree – Enlightenment, Dhammachakra Pravartana (Sarnath) – First sermon.

Explanation: Medhi. Features of Stupa – Medhi (A circular terrace), Toranas (wall with decorated gateways), Anda (hemispherical mound), Chattra (A central pillar supporting a triple-umbrella form), and Harmika (A square railing).

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh. Important places related to Lord Buddha (Founder of Buddhism): Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya (He attained enlightenment); Dhamekh Stupa, Sarnath (He gave his first sermon to his five disciples post-enlightenment).

Explanation: Gopura (Gopuram) – The gateway of a temple in southern India often : the massive tower resembling a pyramid above the gateway. Harmika – The stone balustrade surrounding the upper portion of a stupa. Anda is the Hemispherical dome. The chhatra (umbrella) is an auspicious symbol in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

Explanation: First sermon. The National Emblem of India was adopted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath on 26 January 1950, the day India became a republic. The ‘capital’ has four Asiatic lions symbolizing power, courage, pride and confidence seated on a circular abacus. Dinanath Bhargava has designed our National Emblem.

Explanation: Madhya Pradesh (located in Satna District). It was built during the reign of the Shunga dynasty. The stupa tells the journey of Lord Buddha to enlightenment, the story of the Yakshas.

Explanation: Both I and II. Important places related to the life of Buddha are – Birth (Lumbini); Enlightenment (Bodh Gaya at Bihar); His first Sermon also known as Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana (Sarnath); His death or Mahaparinirvana in Kushinagara (Pali: Kusinārā), Uttar Pradesh.

Explanation: Buddhist. It is a festival celebrated to attract thousands of Buddhists monks and pilgrims to Sanchi to see the relics of Sai Puttha and Maha Moggallana, two of Buddha’s earliest disciples.

Explanation: Pali. Pali canon, also called Tipitaka (Pali: “Triple Basket”), is the complete canon, first recorded in Pali, of the Theravada (“Way of the Elders”) branch of Buddhism.

Explanation: Sarnath is one of the famous Buddhist sites located in Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is located near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers.

Explanation: At Sarnath, Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (There is sorrow in the world), Samudaya (There are causes of sorrow), Nirodha (There is a cure for suffering), Marga (There are eightfold paths for prevention).

Explanation: Greece. Gandhara School of Art : Features – Grey-sandstone is used, Mainly Buddhist images are found, Patron – Kushanas, Found in north-west India. Mathura and Amaravati School of art emerged in the same period.

Explanation: Vaishali (Bihar). Other Mahajanapadas and their capitals: Anga (Champa), Magadha (Rajagriha), Kasi (Varanasi), Vatsa (Kaushambi), Kosala (Shravasti), Shurasena (Mathura), Panchala (Ahichchhatra and Kampilya), Kuru (Indraprastha), Matsya (Viratanagara), Chedi (Sothivati), Avanti (Ujjaini or Mahishmati), Gandhara (Taxila), Kamboja (Poonch), Asmaka (Potali and Poddana), Malla (Kusinara).

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh. Modern day names of other Mahajanapadas: Munger and Bhagalpur (Anga), Gaya and Patna (Magadha), Banaras (Kashi), Prayagraj (Vatsa), Malwa and Madhya Pradesh (Avanti), Rawalpindi (Gandhara), North Bihar (Vajji), Jaipur (Matsya), Meerut and Haryana (Kuru), Western Uttar Pradesh (Shurasena and Panchala), Bundelkhand region (Chedi), Rajouri, Hajra and North -West Frontier Province (Kamboja), Banks of Godavari (Asmaka or Assaka), Deoria and Uttar Pradesh (Malla).

Explanation: Magadha. Kuru (Meerut and Haryana) – Ruled by an Indo-Aryan clan in the iron age Vedic India (1200 – 900 BC) who ruled the regions between Saraswati and the Ganga river.

Explanation: Ganga and Son. Magadha became the most powerful among the mahajanapadas in 6th Century AD due to these rivers and fertility of land. Now Magadha is a part of Bihar region.

Explanation: Magadha. The earliest reference to the Magadha people occurs in the Atharvaveda, where they are found listed along with the Angas, Gandharis and Mujavats. Magadha (Capitals – Rajgriha and Pataliputra), Kosala (Sravasti), Anga (Champa) and Matsya (Viratnagar) were among the 16 Mahajanapadas.