Consider the following statements regarding the preservation of the Rigveda: 1. It was recited and heard rather than read. 2. Great care was taken to memorize every syllable and word. 3. It was printed immediately after the invention of the script. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (a). Explanation The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, composed in Vedic Sanskrit. It is classified as Shruti ("that which is heard"), distinguishing it from Smriti ("that which is remembered"). The Vedic tradition relied heavily on oral transmission for preservation. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda was not originally written down; it was recited by teachers and heard by students. The transmission was strictly oral, passed down through generations of priestly families. - Statement 2 is Correct: To ensure the text remained unaltered over centuries, great care was taken to memorize every syllable, word, and intonation. Complex recitation techniques (such as Pada-patha and Krama-patha) were developed to prevent errors or corruption of the text. - Statement 3 is Incorrect: There was a significant time gap between the composition and the printing of the Rigveda. It was composed around 1500–1000 BCE but was written down several centuries later. The text was printed for the first time less than 200 years ago. Key Takeaway: The Rigveda is a Shruti text preserved through a rigorous oral tradition of memorization and recitation, with written manuscripts and printing appearing much later in history.

NCERT Class 6 History — Chapter 4: What books and burials tell us

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Consider the following statements regarding the preservation of the Rigveda:

It was recited and heard rather than read.
Great care was taken to memorize every syllable and word.
It was printed immediately after the invention of the script.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (a).

Explanation

The Rigveda is the oldest of the four Vedas, composed in Vedic Sanskrit. It is classified as Shruti ("that which is heard"), distinguishing it from Smriti ("that which is remembered"). The Vedic tradition relied heavily on oral transmission for preservation.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda was not originally written down; it was recited by teachers and heard by students. The transmission was strictly oral, passed down through generations of priestly families.
Statement 2 is Correct: To ensure the text remained unaltered over centuries, great care was taken to memorize every syllable, word, and intonation. Complex recitation techniques (such as Pada-patha and Krama-patha) were developed to prevent errors or corruption of the text.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: There was a significant time gap between the composition and the printing of the Rigveda. It was composed around 1500–1000 BCE but was written down several centuries later. The text was printed for the first time less than 200 years ago.

Key Takeaway:

The Rigveda is a Shruti text preserved through a rigorous oral tradition of memorization and recitation, with written manuscripts and printing appearing much later in history.

Your note

More from Chapter 4: What books and burials tell us

Consider the following statements comparing Harappan cities and Megalithic cultures: 1. Harappan cities show extensive use of iron weapons. 2. Megalithic burials contain iron axes and daggers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which of the following features is primarily used by archaeologists to identify the sex of a skeletal remain?

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Consider the following statements regarding the Rigveda: 1. It is the oldest Veda, composed approximately 3500 years ago. 2. It was written down and printed immediately after its composition. 3. The hymns, known as sukta, were composed by sages (rishis). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which group of deities is most frequently invoked and considered central in the Rigvedic hymns?

easy

Consider the following statements regarding the language of the Rigveda: 1. It is written in Old or Vedic Sanskrit. 2. Vedic Sanskrit is identical to the Sanskrit taught in schools today. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

easy

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The correct option is (a).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Correct: The Rigveda was not originally written down; it was recited by teachers and heard by students. The transmission was strictly oral, passed down through generations of priestly families.
Statement 2 is Correct: To ensure the text remained unaltered over centuries, great care was taken to memorize every syllable, word, and intonation. Complex recitation techniques (such as Pada-patha and Krama-patha) were developed to prevent errors or corruption of the text.
Statement 3 is Incorrect: There was a significant time gap between the composition and the printing of the Rigveda. It was composed around 1500–1000 BCE but was written down several centuries later. The text was printed for the first time less than 200 years ago.

Key Takeaway:

The Rigveda is a Shruti text preserved through a rigorous oral tradition of memorization and recitation, with written manuscripts and printing appearing much later in history.