Indian knowledge systems & ancient science MCQ with Answers
20 questions·with explanations·for RAS, Patwari, VDO and other Rajasthan exams
Questions
Q1
Consider the following statements about Aryabhata:
1. He held that the Earth rotates on its axis.
2. He gave the value of π as about 3.1416.
3. He wrote the Aryabhatiya at the court of Harshavardhana.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only✓ Correct answer
(2)2 and 3 only
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3
Answer: (1) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Aryabhata (born 476 CE) wrote the Aryabhatiya in 499 CE, long before Harsha; he taught the Earth's rotation and gave π ≈ 62832/20000 = 3.1416.
Q2
Which Indian mathematician first laid down rules for arithmetic operations with zero and with negative numbers?
(1)Aryabhata
(2)Brahmagupta✓ Correct answer
(3)Bhaskara II
(4)Baudhayana
Answer: (2) Brahmagupta
Explanation
In the Brahmasphutasiddhanta (628 CE), Brahmagupta treated zero as a number and gave rules for adding, subtracting and multiplying with zero and negative numbers.
Q3
Brahmagupta composed his Brahmasphutasiddhanta at Bhillamala, which is identified with present-day:
(1)Bhinmal (Jalore)✓ Correct answer
(2)Ujjain
(3)Patna (Kusumapura)
(4)Mandore (Jodhpur)
Answer: (1) Bhinmal (Jalore)
Explanation
Brahmagupta, called 'Bhillamalacharya', worked at Bhillamala, modern Bhinmal in Jalore district of Rajasthan.
Q4
'Lilavati', a part of Bhaskara II's Siddhanta Shiromani, deals mainly with:
(1)Algebra
(2)Planetary motions
(3)Arithmetic and mensuration✓ Correct answer
(4)The celestial sphere
Answer: (3) Arithmetic and mensuration
Explanation
Lilavati covers arithmetic and mensuration; Bijaganita covers algebra, while Grahaganita and Goladhyaya deal with astronomy.
Q5
The Sulbasutras, such as that of Baudhayana, which contain an early statement of the theorem now called Pythagoras' theorem, were composed mainly for:
(1)Predicting eclipses
(2)Planning temple towns
(3)Measuring land for revenue
(4)Constructing Vedic fire altars✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Constructing Vedic fire altars
Explanation
The Sulbasutras (appendices of the Kalpasutras) give geometric rules for building fire altars of exact shapes and areas.
Q6
The Bakhshali manuscript, a birch-bark mathematical text that uses a dot as the symbol for zero, is preserved at:
(1)British Library, London
(2)Bodleian Library, Oxford✓ Correct answer
(3)National Museum, New Delhi
(4)Asiatic Society, Kolkata
Answer: (2) Bodleian Library, Oxford
Explanation
Found in 1881 at Bakhshali near Peshawar, the manuscript is kept at Oxford's Bodleian Library, which had it carbon-dated in 2017.
Q7
The 'Chhandahshastra', a work on Sanskrit prosody that describes a binary-like method of listing syllable metres, was written by:
(1)Pingala✓ Correct answer
(2)Panini
(3)Yaska
(4)Halayudha
Answer: (1) Pingala
Explanation
Pingala's Chhandahshastra lists metres as patterns of short and long syllables, anticipating binary numbers; Halayudha later wrote a commentary on it.
Q8
Who founded the Kerala school of astronomy and mathematics, known for infinite series for π and trigonometric functions?
(1)Nilakantha Somayaji
(2)Mahaviracharya
(3)Madhava of Sangamagrama✓ Correct answer
(4)Shridhara
Answer: (3) Madhava of Sangamagrama
Explanation
Madhava of Sangamagrama (14th century) founded the Kerala school; Nilakantha Somayaji was a later member of it.
Q9
An inscription of 876 CE in the Chaturbhuj temple, famous for writing zero as a small circle, is located at:
(1)Ujjain
(2)Mandsaur
(3)Vidisha
(4)Gwalior✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Gwalior
Explanation
The Chaturbhuj temple inscription in Gwalior fort writes the number 270 with a small circle for zero; it is among the earliest dated such uses in India.
Q10
The 'Pancha-siddhantika', which summarises five earlier astronomical systems including the Romaka and Paulisa siddhantas, was written by:
(1)Aryabhata
(2)Varahamihira✓ Correct answer
(3)Lalla
(4)Bhaskara I
Answer: (2) Varahamihira
Explanation
Varahamihira (6th century) wrote the Pancha-siddhantika and the encyclopaedic Brihat Samhita.
Q11
The 'Vedanga Jyotisha', the oldest known Indian text on astronomy and calendar-making, is attributed to:
(1)Lagadha✓ Correct answer
(2)Lalla
(3)Yajnavalkya
(4)Parashara
Answer: (1) Lagadha
Explanation
The Vedanga Jyotisha, attributed to Lagadha, gives rules for fixing the times of Vedic rituals using a five-year cycle (yuga).
Q12
According to tradition, Charaka, the author of the Charaka Samhita, was the court physician of:
(1)Ashoka
(2)Harshavardhana
(3)Kanishka✓ Correct answer
(4)Bimbisara
Answer: (3) Kanishka
Explanation
Buddhist tradition (preserved in Chinese sources) makes Charaka the physician of the Kushan king Kanishka.
Q13
Which ancient Indian text describes the surgical reconstruction of the nose (rhinoplasty)?
(1)Charaka Samhita
(2)Sushruta Samhita✓ Correct answer
(3)Kashyapa Samhita
(4)Bhela Samhita
Answer: (2) Sushruta Samhita
Explanation
The Sushruta Samhita describes many surgical procedures and instruments, including a forehead-flap method of rebuilding the nose.
Q14
Which of the following is NOT one of the 'Brihat-trayi' (the three great classics) of Ayurveda?
(1)Charaka Samhita
(2)Sushruta Samhita
(3)Ashtanga Hridaya
(4)Madhava Nidana✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Madhava Nidana
Explanation
The Brihat-trayi are the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhata's Ashtanga Hridaya; Madhava Nidana belongs to the Laghu-trayi.
Q15
In Ayurveda, the 'tridosha' (three doshas) of the body are:
(1)Vata, pitta and kapha✓ Correct answer
(2)Sattva, rajas and tamas
(3)Rasa, rakta and mamsa
(4)Agni, jala and vayu
Answer: (1) Vata, pitta and kapha
Explanation
Ayurveda explains health as a balance of vata, pitta and kapha; sattva, rajas and tamas are the three gunas of Sankhya.
Q16
Gandharvaveda, one of the Upavedas, deals with:
(1)Medicine and healing
(2)Archery and warfare
(3)Architecture and sculpture
(4)Music and dance✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) Music and dance
Explanation
Gandharvaveda, linked with the Samaveda, is the Upaveda of music and dance; Dhanurveda deals with archery and Ayurveda with medicine.
Q17
Which physician, trained at Takshashila, served at the court of Bimbisara of Magadha and also treated the Buddha?
(1)Atreya
(2)Sushruta
(3)Jivaka✓ Correct answer
(4)Vagbhata
Answer: (3) Jivaka
Explanation
Jivaka Komarabhacca, royal physician to Bimbisara, is described in Buddhist texts as the Buddha's physician.
Q18
Consider the following statements about the Iron Pillar at Delhi:
1. Its inscription refers to a king named Chandra, usually identified with Chandragupta II.
2. Its resistance to rusting is attributed mainly to the high phosphorus content of its iron.
3. It stands in the Qutb complex at Mehrauli.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(1)1 and 2 only
(2)2 and 3 only
(3)1 and 3 only
(4)1, 2 and 3✓ Correct answer
Answer: (4) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
The Gupta-period pillar in the Qutb complex names King Chandra; its high-phosphorus iron forms a thin protective film that resists rust.
Q19
'Wootz' steel, prized for making Damascus sword blades, was:
(1)A rust-free wrought iron made at Delhi
(2)A high-carbon crucible steel made in south India✓ Correct answer
(3)A copper-tin alloy used by the Harappans
(4)A zinc-copper alloy cast in Gujarat
Answer: (2) A high-carbon crucible steel made in south India
Explanation
Wootz was high-carbon steel made in sealed crucibles in south India and exported to West Asia, where it was forged into Damascus blades.
Q20
Which site in Udaipur district has yielded thousands of retorts that are the earliest known evidence of smelting zinc by distillation?
(1)Zawar✓ Correct answer
(2)Khetri
(3)Rampura Agucha
(4)Dariba
Answer: (1) Zawar
Explanation
Clay retorts for distilling zinc are found at Zawar (Udaipur), a technique Europe learnt much later; Dariba is in Rajsamand and Khetri is a copper site in Jhunjhunu.