Unit-I
The Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
1. What does IKS stand for?
a) Indian Knowledge Society
b) Indigenous Knowledge Systems
c) Indian Knowledge Systems
d) International Knowledge Systems
Answer: c) Indian Knowledge Systems
2. What is the primary focus of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)?
a) Scientific research in modern India
b) Integration of traditional Indian knowledge into contemporary society
c) Promotion of Western education in India
d) Technological advancements in ancient Greece
Answer: b) Integration of traditional Indian knowledge into contemporary society
3. What are the primary sources of IKS?
a) Only written texts
b) Only oral traditions
c) A combination of oral traditions and written texts
d) Foreign interpretations of Indian culture
Answer: c) A combination of oral traditions and written texts
4. Traditional Knowledge Systems emphasize the relationship between:
a) Humans and technology
b) Humans and nature
c) Science and industry
d) Urbanization and economy
Answer: b) Humans and nature
5. How does traditional knowledge differ from Western knowledge?
a) It is based on holistic and integrative approaches
b) It relies solely on empirical evidence
c) It is primarily theoretical
d) It excludes spiritual aspects
Answer: a) It is based on holistic and integrative approaches
6. Traditional knowledge is best described as:
a) Information found in academic journals
b) Local knowledge developed by indigenous communities
c) Western scientific principles
d) A modern development in Indian education
Answer: b) Local knowledge developed by indigenous communities
7. The difference between traditional and indigenous knowledge is that:
a) Traditional knowledge is static, while indigenous knowledge evolves
b) Indigenous knowledge is location-specific, while traditional knowledge is broader
c) Traditional knowledge belongs to a community, while indigenous knowledge is personal
d) There is no difference between them
Answer: b) Indigenous knowledge is location-specific, while traditional knowledge is broader
8. The Vedic literature is primarily written in which language?
a) Prakrit
b) Pali
c) Sanskrit
d) Tamil
Answer: c) Sanskrit
9. The term "Veda" translates to:
a) Wisdom
b) Law
c) Song
d) Ritual
Answer: a) Wisdom
10. The four main Vedas include:
a) Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
b) Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Upanishads
c) Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Vedanta
d) None of the above
Answer: a) Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda
11. Which Veda is known as the "Book of Chants"?
a) Rigveda
b) Samaveda
c) Yajurveda
d) Atharvaveda
Answer: b) Samaveda
12. Which Veda is considered the most recent and has distinct characteristics?
a) Rig Veda
b) Sama Veda
c) Yajur Veda
d) Atharva Veda
Answer: d) Atharva Veda
13. Which ancient Indian text is primarily focused on medicine?
a) Aryabhatiya
b) Charaka Samhita
c) Natyashastra
d) Manusmriti
Answer: b) Charaka Samhita
14. Which ancient Indian text is known for its extensive discourse on statecraft and military strategy?
a) Manusmriti
b) Arthashastra
c) Natyashastra
d) Upanishads
Answer: b) Arthashastra
15. The "Bhagavad Gita" is a part of which Indian epic?
a) Ramayana
b) Mahabharata
c) Upanishads
d) Puranas
Answer: b) Mahabharata
16. The concept of Karma is primarily discussed in which Indian scripture?
a) Vedas
b) Bhagavad Gita
c) Manusmriti
d) Charaka Samhita
Answer: b) Bhagavad Gita
17. The six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy are known as:
a) Vedangas
b) Darshanas
c) Smritis
d) Puranas
Answer: b) Darshanas
18. Which is NOT one of the six orthodox schools of Indian philosophy?
a) Nyaya
b) Vaisheshika
c) Charvaka
d) Samkhya
Answer: c) Charvaka
19. The Nyaya school of philosophy is primarily concerned with:
a) Ethics
b) Logic and reasoning
c) Meditation
d) Cosmology
Answer: b) Logic and reasoning
20. Which school of Indian philosophy introduced the concept of atomism?
a) Samkhya
b) Vaisheshika
c) Yoga d) Mimamsa
Answer: b) Vaisheshika
21. What is the main subject of analysis in Vaisheshika philosophy?
a) Mental peace
b) Reality and metaphysics
c) Ethical conduct
d) Social order
Answer: b) Reality and metaphysics
22. Who is the proponent of the Advaita Vedanta philosophy?
a) Ramanuja
b) Madhva
c) Shankaracharya
d) Patanjali
Answer: c) Shankaracharya
23. The concept of "Advaita" in Indian philosophy refers to:
a) Dualism
b) Non-dualism
c) Pluralism
d) Monotheism
Answer: b) Non-dualism
24. "Dvaita" philosophy, which emphasizes dualism, was founded by:
a) Shankaracharya
b) Ramanuja
c) Madhva
d) Kanada
Answer: c) Madhva
25. Which Purana is known as the fifth Veda?
a) Bhagavata Purana
b) Shiva Purana
c) Vishnu Purana
d) Markandeya Purana
Answer: a) Bhagavata Purana
26. Which philosophy is known for its inquiry into the nature of reality?
a) Yoga
b) Nyaya
c) Vaisheshika
d) Samkhya
Answer: d) Samkhya
27. Which ancient Indian text deals with architecture and town planning?
a) Arthashastra
b) Shilpa Shastra
c) Manusmriti
d) Natyashastra
Answer: b) Shilpa Shastra
28. Which of the following texts is part of the Vedic Corpus?
a) Mahabharata
b) Ramayana
c) Upanishads
d) Bhagavad Gita
Answer: c) Upanishads
29. The Upanishads primarily focus on:
a) Rituals
b) Philosophy
c) Hymns
d) Law codes
Answer: b) Philosophy
30. The "Aranyakas" in Vedic literature serve as:
a) Ritual guidelines
b) Forest treatises
c) War manuals
d) Social laws
Answer: b) Forest treatises
31. The term "Vedanta" literally means:
a) Beginning of the Vedas
b) Middle of the Vedas
c) End of the Vedas
d) Essence of the Vedas
Answer: c) End of the Vedas
32. The main focus of the Mimamsa school of philosophy is:
a) Meditation
b) Rituals and Dharma
c) Liberation
d) Ethics
Answer: b) Rituals and Dharma
33. The "Sushruta Samhita" is a classical text related to:
a) Astronomy
b) Surgery
c) Music
d) Law
Answer: b) Surgery
34. Which ancient Indian text is known for its significant contributions to mathematics?
a) Vedas
b) Puranas
c) Upanishads
d) Aryabhatiya
Answer: d) Aryabhatiya
35. Who wrote the Arthashastra?
a) Manu
b) Valmiki c) Kautilya
d) Vishnu Gupta
Answer: c) Kautilya
36. The concept of "Rasayana" in Ayurveda refers to:
a) Surgery
b) Rejuvenation therapy
c) Diet control
d) Astrology
Answer: b) Rejuvenation therapy
37. The primary subject of "Vaastu Shastra" is:
a) Astrology
b) Architecture and spatial planning
c) Medicine and healing
d) Music and dance
Answer: b) Architecture and spatial planning
38. Which of the following is considered a "Smriti" literature?
a) Vedas
b) Upanishads
c) Ramayana
d) Aranyakas
Answer: c) Ramayana
39. The concept of "Moksha" refers to:
a) Rebirth
b) Liberation
c) Karma
d) Dharma
Answer: b) Liberation
40. Which school of Indian philosophy is associated with the eightfold path?
a) Yoga
b) Samkhya
c) Nyaya
d) Vaisheshika
Answer: a) Yoga
41. Patanjali is primarily known for his contributions to which system of Indian thought?
a) Vedanta
b) Yoga
c) Mimamsa
d) Samkhya
Answer: b) Yoga
42. The "Yoga Sutras" primarily deal with:
a) Physical exercises
b) Mental and spiritual practices
c) Philosophical doctrines
d) Social codes Answer:
b) Mental and spiritual practices
43. Which of the following is NOT a Vedanga?
a) Shiksha (Phonetics)
b) Kalpa (Ritual Manuals)
c) Vyakarana (Grammar)
d) Ayurveda (Medicine)
Answer: d) Ayurveda (Medicine)
44. The "Natyashastra" is a treatise on:
a) Medicine
b) Drama and performing arts
c) Architecture
d) Astronomy
Answer: b) Drama and performing arts
45. Who is traditionally considered the author of the "Natyashastra"?
a) Bharata Muni
b) Kautilya
c) Patanjali
d) Kalidasa
Answer: a) Bharata Muni
46. Which ancient Indian mathematician is credited with the concept of zero?
a) Aryabhata
b) Brahmagupta
c) Bhaskara I
d) Mahavira
Answer: b) Brahmagupta
47. The decimal system was developed in:
a) Ancient Greece
b) Ancient Rome
c) Ancient India
d) Ancient China
Answer: c) Ancient India
48. "Ayurveda" literally means:
a) The science of life
b) The art of healing
c) The knowledge of medicine
d) The path to wellness
Answer: a) The science of life
49. Which of the following is a core principle of Ayurveda?
a) Focus on disease management only
b) Balance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
c) Reliance on synthetic medicines
d) Disregard for lifestyle and diet
Answer: b) Balance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
50. The concept of "Dharma" in Indian philosophy encompasses:
a) Religious rituals only
b) Duty, righteousness, and ethics
c) Material wealth
d) Physical strength
Answer: b) Duty, righteousness, and ethics
