MCQ on Classical Languages : Prelims Booster

These Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)  derived from various sources. Questions will be conceptual as well as factual. 
These questions-answer will be useful for UPSC, UPPSC, and various examinations...


List of Six Classical Languages of India with Regions given in below pic.

UPSC PYQ on Classical Languages in India

 

Q. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? (UPSC 2015)

(a) Odia

(b) Konkani

(c) Bhojpuri

(d) Assamese

 

Answer (a)

 

Q. Consider the following languages: (UPSC 2014)

(i) Gujarati

(ii) Kannada

(iii) Telugu

Which of the above has/have been declared as ‘Classical Language/Languages’ by the Government?

(a) (i) and (ii) only

(b) (iii) only

(c) (ii) and (iii) only

(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)

 

Answer (c)



1. Six Classical Languages of India are -

a. Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia
b. Tamil, Sanskrit, Konkani, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia
c. Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Bangla, Odia
d. Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi

✓ a. Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia

2. Consider the following statement regarding Classical Languages 

I. These are mentioned in the Constitution of India
II. The criteria of Classical Languages provided by the Constitution of India
III. The Government of India declared second classical language is Sanskrit in 2005.

Select CORRECT code given below -

a. I Only
b. II and III Only
c. I and III Only
d. III Only

✓ c. I and III Only

3. Which is the first Classical Language of India ?

a. Tamil
b. Telugu
c. Kannada
d. Malayalam

✓ a. Tamil

4. How many regional languages out of six Classical Languages ?

a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. All

✓ c. 5


5. Which is not a regional language from the six Classical Languages ?

a. Kannada
b. Odia
c. Malayalam
d. Sanskrit

✓ d. Sanskrit


6. The six Classical Languages are listed in

a. 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India
b. 7th Schedule of the Constitution of India
c. 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India
d. 9th Schedule of the Constitution of India

✓ c. 8th Schedule of the Constitution of India


7. How many Dravidian Languages in six Classical Languages ?

a. 2
b. 3
c. 4
d. 5

✓ c. 4


8. Which is Indo-Aryan Languages in six Classical Languages ?

a. Sanskrit and Odia
b. Sanskrit and Telugu
c. Sanskrit and Malayalam
d. Sanskrit and Kannada

✓ a. Sanskrit and Odia

9. Which is an INCORRECT criteria of the Classical Languages ?

a. High antiquity of its early text/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years
b. A body of ancient literature/ texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers
c. The literary tradition be original and borrowed from another speech community
d. The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

✓ c. The literary tradition be original and borrowed from another speech community

10. The Ministry provides criteria for Classical Languages are -

a. Ministry of Education
b. Ministry of Culture
c. Ministry of External Affairs
d. Ministry of Home Affairs

✓ b. Ministry of Culture


11. What is writing scripts of all Classical Languages of India ?

a. Kharosthi
b. Brahmi
c. Santhali
d. Arabic

✓ b. Brahmi


12. Which one of the following was given Classical Language status recently ?

a. Marathi
b. Pali
c. Assamese
d. Odia

✓ d. Odia


13. Which Indian classical language is known for its association with ancient texts like the Vedas and classical literature?

a)       Bengali

b)      Marathi

c)       Kannada

d)      Sanskrit

Answer: (d) Sanskrit

Explanation: Sanskrit is the classical language of ancient India and is closely associated with texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, and classical literature. While Bengali, Marathi, and Kannada are important languages with their own rich literary traditions, Sanskrit holds a unique place as the classical language of India.

 

14. Which of the following is not a recognized Indian classical language?

a)       Sanskrit

b)      Tamil

c)       Hindi

d)      Telugu

Answer: (c) Hindi

Explanation: Sanskrit, Tamil, and Telugu are recognized as Indian classical languages due to their rich literary and cultural heritage. Hindi, while being a widely spoken and important language in India, is not classified as a classical language. The classification of a language as "classical" involves criteria like a long history of literary tradition and independent cultural development.

 

15. Which language is known as the "Mother of Indian Languages"?

a)       Tamil

b)      Sanskrit

c)       Telugu

d)      Kannada

Answer: (b) Sanskrit

Explanation: Sanskrit is often referred to as the "Mother of Indian Languages" due to its historical and linguistic significance in shaping many modern Indian languages.

 

16. Which Indian classical language has a significant influence on the cultural heritage of South India?

A) Sanskrit

B) Telugu

C) Marathi

D) Bengali

Answer: (b) Telugu

Explanation: Telugu is a classical language with a rich literary tradition that has greatly contributed to the cultural heritage of South India.

 

17. Which classical language of India is known for its association with ancient texts like the "Tirukkural"?

a)       Kannada

b)      Telugu

c)       Tamil

d)      Malayalam

Answer: (c) Tamil

Explanation: Tamil is renowned for its classical literature, including works like the "Tirukkural," a renowned ethical treatise.

 

18.  Which Indian classical language is primarily associated with the state of Kerala?

a)       Tamil

b)      Marathi

c)       Telugu

d)      Malayalam

Answer: (d) Malayalam

Explanation: Malayalam is the classical language of Kerala and has a rich literary tradition.

 

19. Which classical language was used as the medium for composing many of the ancient Hindu scriptures and philosophical texts?

a)       Kannada

b)      Telugu

c)       Sanskrit

d)      Punjabi

Answer: (c) Sanskrit

Explanation: Sanskrit was used to compose ancient Hindu scriptures like the Vedas and Upanishads, as well as various philosophical texts.

 

20. Which Indian classical language is known for its association with the poet-saints known as the Alvars and Nayanars?

a)       Kannada

b)      Telugu

c)       Tamil

d)      Marathi

Answer: (c) Tamil

Explanation: The Alvars and Nayanars were poet-saints from Tamil Nadu who composed devotional hymns in Tamil, contributing to the Bhakti movement.

 

21. Which classical language is known for its historical and literary association with the Ramayana and Mahabharata?

a)       Sanskrit

b)      Telugu

c)       Malayalam

d)      Tamil

Answer: (a) Sanskrit

Explanation: The ancient Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata, were composed in Sanskrit and have had a significant impact on Indian culture.

 

22. Which Indian classical language is associated with the works of Bhavabhuti, Kalidasa, and Bhasa?

a)       Tamil

b)      Kannada

c)       Sanskrit

d)      Telugu

Answer: (c) Sanskrit

Explanation: Bhavabhuti, Kalidasa, and Bhasa are renowned classical Sanskrit playwrights and poets known for their contributions to Sanskrit literature.





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