Ancient History · Chapter 3 of 15

Vedic Age: BPSC Prelims PYQs

10 previous-year questions on Vedic Age, asked 1994–2025. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

   Which one of the following is not related to the Rigvedic period?

   1. AGargi
   2. BGhosha
   3. CApala
   4. DVishvavara
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 69th BPSC Prelims 2023

   Which city served as the capital of the ancient kingdom of Magadha during the early Vedic period?

   1. APataliputra
   2. BRajagriha
   3. CChampa
   4. DVaishali
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

   Which Mandala of the Rig Veda is completely dedicated to ‘Soma’?

   1. ASeventh Mandala
   2. BEighth Mandala
   3. CNinth Mandala
   4. DTenth Mandala
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 40th BPSC Prelims 1995 Asked again

   To whom is the ninth Mandala of the Rigveda Samhita completely dedicated?

   1. AIndra and his elephant
   2. BUrvashi and heaven
   3. CDeities related to plants and herbs
   4. DSoma and the deity named after this drink
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   Gayatri Mantra is found in which book?

   1. AUpanishad
   2. BBhagavad Gita
   3. CRig Veda
   4. DYajurveda
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   In which phase was the concept of untouchability clearly put?

   1. ARigvedic phase
   2. BLater Vedic phase
   3. CLater Gupta phase
   4. DDharmashastra phase
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. 68th BPSC Prelims 2023

   When did the use of iron begin in the Indian subcontinent?

   1. AAround 9000 years ago
   2. BAround 12000 years ago
   3. CAround 6000 years ago
   4. DMore than one of the above
   5. ENone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   Boghaz-Koi is important because:

   1. AIt was an important trading centre between Central Asia and Tibet
   2. BInscriptions were found which mentioned the names of Vedic Gods and goddesses
   3. COriginal texts of the Vedas were composed here
   4. DNone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

   Famous Battle of ‘Ten Kings’ was fought on the bank of the river:

   1. AGanges
   2. BBrahmaputra
   3. CKaveri
   4. DParushni
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. BPSC TRE-3 (Jul 2024)

    Which ancient Indian text, composed during the Later Vedic period, contains philosophical hymns and discussions on cosmology and ethics?

    1. AYajurveda
    2. BUpanishads
    3. CRigveda
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →