Question Bank of IKS (The Indian Knowledge Systems)
Unit-1: Historical Introduction
MCQs, Definition, True/False, Fill in the blanks (1 Marks Each)
1) Which branch of Vedic knowledge focuses on the grammatical structure of the Vedic language?
A) Siksa B) Vyakarana C) Chandas D) Nirukta
2) What are the six parts of knowledge called, which are like branches of learning and are linked
to the Vedas?
A) Vedantas B) Veda-shastras C) Vedangas D) Vedic sciences
3) What are the Vedangas?
A) Six ancient astronomical texts
B) Six branches of learning linked to the Vedas
C) Six types of celestial bodies
D) Six mathematical methods used in astronomy
4) What was the primary purpose of the Vedangajyotisa?
A) Predicting solar eclipses B) Calculating the positions of planets
C) Determining the right times for rituals D) Exploring the lunar calendar
5) What was the primary purpose of the Gavamayana sacrificial ritual mentioned in the text?
A) Observing the Sun's and Moon's movements B) Predicting solar eclipses
C) Measuring the Earth's circumference D) Studying planetary motion
6) In the Yajurveda, how many solar months and seasons did they recognize in a year?
A) 10 solar months and 4 seasons B) 8 solar months and 5 seasons
C) 6 solar months and 3 seasons D) 12 solar months and 6 seasons
7) Which chapter of a typical Siddhantic text addresses the computation of lunar and solar
eclipses?
A) Madhyama Adhikara B) Triprasna Adhikara
C) Chandra and Surya-Grahan Adhikara D) Spasta Adhikara
8) Who is credited with proposing a heliocentric model of the solar system that predates
Copernicus?
A) Aryabhata I B) Bhaskara II C) Nilakantha Somayaji D) Varahamihira
9) Which Indian mathematician and astronomer is known for his book "Aryabhatiyam"?
A) Bhaskara I B) Brahmagupta C) Varahamihira D) Aryabhata I
10) In Aryabhatiyam, which part of the book discusses trigonometric tables for 'Sine'? A) Gitika
B) Ganita C) Kalakriya D) Gola
11) Which astronomical system did Varahamihira consider the best in his book
"Panchasiddhantika"?
A) Aryasiddhanta B) Vasisthasiddhanta
C) Suryasiddhanta D) Romakasiddhanta
12) What were the two other types of texts mentioned in the text besides the siddhantas?
A) Tantras and Karanas B) Vedas and Puranas
C) Upanishads and Sutras D) Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana
13) What is the term for the type of texts that provide practical methods for astronomy using recent
dates and smaller numbers?
A) Tantras B) Karanas C) Siddhantas D) Vedangas
14) Who is known for his book "Khandakhadyaka" and made practical astronomical calculations?
A) Aryabhata I B) Bhaskara II C) Brahmagupta D) Varahamihira
15) Who is the author of "Tantrasangraha," one of the Tantra texts mentioned in the text?
A) Aryabhata I B) Nilakantha Somayaji C) Bhaskara II D) Ganesa Daivajna
16) In the context of Indian astronomy, what does the term "Ahargana" refer to?
A) The number of solar months in a year
B) The number of lunar phases in a year
C) The number of constellations in the zodiac
D) The number of civil days from a specific epoch
17) What was the primary purpose of the "Triprasna Adhikara" chapter in Siddhantic texts?
A) Studying planetary motion
B) Determining latitude and longitude
C) Addressing three fundamental questions of direction, place and time
D) Calculating lunar phases
18) Which correction is applicable to the non-circular nature of planetary orbits in Siddhantic
astronomy?
A) Sighra correction B) Manda correction
C) Bija Samskara correction D) Parallax correction
19) Who authored "Mahabhaskariyam" and "Laghubhaskariyam"?
A) Bhaskara I B) Aryabhata I C) Bhaskara II D) Brahmagupta
20) Which of the following celestial bodies is NOT mentioned as one of the taragrahas in the text?
A) Mercury B) Venus C) Mars D) Neptune
21) In Indian astronomy, what is the significance of the concept of "Madhyama Adhikara"?
A) It deals with lunar eclipses.
B) It focuses on the equinoxes.
C) It calculates mean positions of celestial bodies.
D) It discusses the heliocentric model.
22) Write name of two versions of Vedangjyotisa.
Ans. Rgveda Jyotisa & Yajurveda Jyotisa.
23) The Nakshatra system consisting of 27 nakshatras.
24) Mention the name of Siddhanta included in Panchasiddhantika.
Ans. Surya, Paitamaha, Vasistha, Romaka and Paulisa.
25) Write the name of each parts of The Aryabhatiyam.
Ans. Gitika, Ganita, Kalakriya and Gola.
Descriptive questions: (5 Marks Each)
1) Briefly introduce Indian Astronomy and Ancient Indian Astronomy.
2) Discuss the significance of the Vedangajyotisa and its two versions (Rgveda Jyotisa and
Yajurveda Jyotisa). What were the key purposes of this ancient text?
3) What is the "yuga" concept in Indian astronomy, and how was it used to measure time and track
seasonal changes within the Indian calendar system? Explain the role of nakshatras and provide
an example from the Rgveda.
4) Explain the useful classification of Vedangjyotisa.
5) Write a short note on Siddhanta.
6) Who wrote the book “Aryabhatiyam”? Describe it’s all part in detail.
7) Analyze the significant contributions of Aryabhata I to mathematics and astronomy. How did
his work impact subsequent developments in Indian astronomy?
8) Name the text other than the siddhanta and explain each of them.
9) Write name of any 10 Indian Astronomers and their composition of work.
10) Explain in brief about the contents of the Siddhanta.
11) Write a short note on continuity in Astronomical tradition.
