MCQ: What Books & Burials tell us - UPSC MCQ

The Rig Veda is primarily composed of hymns.

• These hymns are ancient and form a significant part of the Vedic texts.
• The compositions are in the form of poetry, often used in rituals.
• They address various deities and aspects of nature.

Battles in ancient times were fought to capture cattle. People fought to gain more cattle because it was considered a valuable form of wealth back then. Cattle provided milk, meat, and other resources that were important for survival.

Sanskrit belongs to the Indo-European family of languages. It is one of three ancient documented languages that arose from a common root language now referred to as Proto-Indo-European language: Vedic Sanskrit (c. 1500 – 500 BCE).

Megaliths are stone boulders used to mark burial sites. They were prevalent around 3000 years ago in the Deccan, South India, in the northeast and in Kashmir. Some megaliths are seen on surface and some are underground.

The four Vedas are Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda. Upanishads are spiritual texts that come later and are not part of the four Vedas. They contain profound spiritual knowledge and teachings.

• Megaliths were large stone structures used in ancient times for various purposes.
• While many megaliths were used for marking burial sites, they were not exclusively for burials.
• Some megaliths were also used for memorials, religious or ritualistic purposes, astronomical observations, and as territorial markers.
• Examples include dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles, which were sometimes associated with non-burial purposes as well.

Thus, the statement "Megaliths were only used for marking burial sites" is False.

This ancient text, composed around 3500 years ago, includes:

• Over a thousand hymns known as sukta, meaning "well-said".
• Prayers dedicated to various gods and goddesses, with key figures including:
  • Agni - the god of fire
  • Indra - a warrior god
  • Soma - a sacred plant used for a special drink

The hymns were primarily composed by sages, or rishis, and were taught to students for careful recitation and memorisation. While most hymns were created by men, a few were authored by women. Vedic Sanskrit differs from the modern Sanskrit taught in schools today.

Ancient burial sites often contained various artefacts. Here's a look at what was typically found:

• Gold beads: Precious and often used as status symbols.
• Stone beads: Common and easily crafted from natural materials.
• Copper bangles: Frequently found, as copper was widely used in ancient times.
• Cotton clothes: Rarely discovered due to their perishable nature.