UGC NTA NET/JRF Exam, INDIAN CULTURE, JUNE-2025

The priest who recited the mantras of the Samaveda was called the Udgatri. In Vedic rituals, different priests had specific roles associated with different Vedas. The Udgatri chanted the melodies (saman) of the Samaveda during rituals. The Hotri was responsible for reciting hymns from the Rigveda. The Adhvaryu (often spelled Aahvaryu) handled the physical details of the sacrifice using mantras from the Yajurveda, and Shukrayu is not a recognized Vedic priest role.

The Rajatarangini, written by Kalhana, is a historical chronicle of the kings of Kashmir. It was indeed completed in 1148-49 CE, not 1050 CE, which makes option 1 incorrect. The other options are correct:
• It contains ten cantos, called Tarangas (meaning "waves").
• The title translates to "River of Kings".
• It provides a detailed account of Kashmir's monarchs.

The Atharvaveda differs from the other three Vedas and is more diverse in content. While the Rigveda, Yajurveda, and Samaveda focus on rituals, hymns, and chants, the Atharvaveda contains hymns related to healing, magic, and daily life. Its very heart is considered to be Itihasa-Purana, which includes historical and mythological narratives.

The Mahapuranas are a group of 18 major Hindu religious texts. Among the options listed:
• Varaha, Agni, and Kurma are recognized Mahapuranas.
• Varun is not a Mahapurana; it refers to a deity (Varuna) and not a Puranа.

The leaves of the pipal tree are indeed a continuation from pre-Harappan art into the Indus Valley Civilization, especially in motifs found on pottery and seals. The pipal tree held symbolic and possibly sacred importance even before the mature Harappan phase, making it a culturally continuous motif. In contrast:
• The trefoil symbol is primarily seen in mature Harappan art, such as on the priest-king's robe.
• The boat and swastika motifs, although prominent in Harappan iconography, are not distinctly traced back to pre-Harappan pottery.

Rajasthan played an important role in the external trade of the Indus Civilization primarily because of its rich copper resources. Sites like Khetri and Ganeshwar in Rajasthan had abundant copper, which was a vital metal for the Harappans. This copper was used for tools, ornaments, and trade. The other options-rivers, craft factories, and fire altars-while culturally significant, were not the key factor in external trade facilitation.

Mesolithic art in India, especially the rock paintings at Bhimbetka and similar sites, showcases a vast variety of animals such as frogs, lizards, and scorpions. However, snakes are not depicted anywhere in Indian Mesolithic rock art. This is a consistent absence noted by researchers, despite the inclusion of other small creatures.

The division of the Paleolithic Age into Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic was first suggested by Edouard Lartet, a French geologist and paleontologist. He played a significant role in establishing prehistoric chronology through stratigraphic excavation in France during the 19th century.

Among the listed deities, Agni is not a goddess. In fact, Agni is a male Vedic god of fire and an important deity in Rigvedic hymns. The others-Prithivi (Earth goddess), Usha (Dawn goddess), and Aditi (mother of gods)-are female deities mentioned in the Rigveda.

The Atharvaveda mentions Sabha and Samiti metaphorically as two daughters of a Vedic deity, often associated with societal and political gatherings. While these assemblies are mentioned in other Vedas, the personification as daughters appears specifically in the Atharvaveda.