Part of: Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 210

..... was the language of the .....

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the language traditionally associated with the Aryans.

Correct Answer: B) First blank: Sanskrit, Second blank: Aryans.

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

The question asks about the language associated with a particular group in ancient Indian history. To understand this, we need to delve into the historical context of the Aryans and the languages they used.

The Aryans were a group of people who migrated into the Indian subcontinent around 1500 BCE. They brought with them a distinct culture and language, which had a profound impact on the development of Indian civilization. The language spoken by the Aryans was Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that is considered the root of many modern Indian languages.

Sanskrit is not only the language of the Aryans but also the language in which the Vedas were composed. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism and are considered the foundation of Vedic culture. They contain hymns, prayers, and rituals that were central to the religious and cultural practices of the Aryans.

It is important to note that the language of the Harappan civilization, which was contemporaneous with the Aryans, remains undeciphered. The Harappan civilization, also known as the Indus Valley Civilization, was a highly developed urban culture that existed in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. The language used by the Harappans is not related to Sanskrit or the Aryans.

The term "Raja" is a title for a king in ancient Indian culture and is not a language. It is often used in the context of describing the rulers of various kingdoms and empires in Indian history. Therefore, it is not relevant to the question of the language associated with the Aryans.

In summary, the correct answer is that Sanskrit is the language of the Aryans. This association is significant because it highlights the cultural and linguistic contributions of the Aryans to the development of Indian civilization and the preservation of ancient texts such as the Vedas.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: This option is incorrect because the language of the Vedas is Sanskrit, not the language of the Harappan civilization, which remains undeciphered. The Harappan civilization and the Aryans were contemporaneous but distinct cultures.
  • Option B: This option is correct because Sanskrit is the language traditionally associated with the Aryans, who composed the Vedas in this language. Sanskrit is considered the classical language of the Aryans and is the basis for many modern Indian languages.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect because "Raja" is a title for a king in ancient Indian culture, not a language. The Vedas were composed in Sanskrit, not by a title.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because while the Aryans did speak Sanskrit, the correct association is that Sanskrit is the language of the Aryans, not the other way around. The Aryans are the people who spoke Sanskrit, not the language itself.

Mnemonic: Sanskrit and Aryans: S-A

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