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BSEB Inter Prakrit study materials
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BSEB Inter Prakrit practice questions

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Question 1Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In the standard description of Prakrit phonology, which class of consonants is systematically absent from the inherited Indo-Aryan consonant inventory?

  1. The retroflex series
  2. The sibilant series
  3. The aspirated voiced series Correct answer.
  4. The nasal series

Explanation

Prakrit grammarians describe a sound system in which the Old Indo-Aryan voiced aspirates are lost as a distinct class; they merge with the corresponding voiced unaspirated stops or yield h. Retroflexes, sibilants and nasals all survive in some form.

Question 2Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which Prakrit reflex most commonly corresponds to an Old Indo-Aryan intervocalic single voiceless stop such as -t- or -k-?

  1. An aspirated stop
  2. A voiced stop Correct answer.
  3. A sibilant
  4. A long vowel

Explanation

The regular Prakrit treatment of a single voiceless stop between vowels is voicing, often with further weakening: OIA -t- and -k- appear as -d- and -g-. This lenition is one of the defining phonological changes separating Prakrit from Sanskrit.

Question 3Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In Prakrit orthography, how is a geminate consonant normally represented in a manuscript written in a Brahmi-derived script?

  1. By doubling the consonant sign Correct answer.
  2. By adding a virama to the first sign
  3. By lengthening the preceding vowel
  4. By writing the anusvara above it

Explanation

Gemination is shown by writing the same consonant sign twice, the first carrying no inherent vowel. The virama is used to mark a consonant with no following vowel generally, not specifically to show doubling.

Question 4Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

The Prakrit change by which OIA r becomes a vowel, as in Skt kṛta > Pkt kaya, is best described as:

  1. Vocalisation of a liquid Correct answer.
  2. Palatalisation of a velar
  3. Deaspiration of a stop
  4. Nasalisation of a vowel

Explanation

When an original syllabic or consonantal r loses its consonantal articulation and surfaces as a vowel (often a or i), the process is called vocalisation of a liquid. It is a common source of new vowel patterns in Prakrit.

Question 5Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which statement about the Prakrit treatment of OIA consonant clusters is correct?

  1. Clusters are broken by an inserted a
  2. Clusters always become single aspirates
  3. Clusters are generally simplified, often with gemination Correct answer.
  4. All clusters are preserved unchanged

Explanation

Prakrit systematically simplifies inherited clusters, and the usual result is assimilation producing a geminate, as in Skt putra > Pkt putta. Total preservation or universal epenthesis would contradict the attested patterns.

Question 6Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

A student sees the Prakrit form metti alongside Sanskrit maitrī. Which phonological process best accounts for the vowel of the first syllable?

  1. Lengthening of a short a
  2. Loss of an initial vowel
  3. Contraction of the diphthong ai to e Correct answer.
  4. Umlaut caused by a following i

Explanation

Sanskrit ai and au regularly monophthongise in Prakrit to e and o respectively, so maitrī yields metti. The following i does not cause the change; the diphthong itself is reduced.

Question 7Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In Prakrit, the OIA aspirated voiced stops bh, dh, gh typically yield which outcome in initial position?

  1. Retroflex stops
  2. Sibilants
  3. The corresponding voiceless aspirates
  4. Simple voiced stops or h Correct answer.

Explanation

Deaspiration reduces bh, dh and gh to b, d and g, and in many environments an initial h also appears. The class of voiced aspirates is thus eliminated from the Prakrit system.

Question 8Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which of these Prakrit forms shows the regular treatment of an OIA final consonant?

  1. Skt rājan > Pkt rājnaḥ
  2. Skt rājan > Pkt rāyā Correct answer.
  3. Skt rājan > Pkt rājann
  4. Skt rājan > Pkt rājan

Explanation

Prakrit strongly restricts consonants in final position, so an original final -n is lost or replaced, giving forms such as rāyā. Retaining the final cluster or the Sanskrit inflection would violate Prakrit phonotactics.

Question 9Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

The Prakrit anusvara in forms such as saṃgha most commonly stands for:

  1. A glottal stop
  2. A homorganic nasal assimilated to the following stop Correct answer.
  3. A long vowel
  4. A fully independent velar nasal phoneme

Explanation

In Prakrit orthography the anusvara generally represents a nasal that assimilates in place of articulation to a following consonant, so saṃgha is pronounced with a velar nasal. It is not an independent segment of fixed place.

Question 10Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which vowel change is characteristic of the Prakrit treatment of OIA ṛ in many contexts?

  1. ṛ becomes e
  2. ṛ becomes a, i or u depending on environment Correct answer.
  3. ṛ always becomes ā
  4. ṛ is always retained

Explanation

Syllabic ṛ is unstable in Prakrit and is resolved into a, i or u according to the surrounding consonants. The variation is conditioned, not free, and the original ṛ is never retained as such.

Question 11Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In Prakrit manuscripts, the sign for a consonant carries an inherent vowel. How is that vowel suppressed?

  1. By doubling the consonant
  2. By adding a candrabindu
  3. By writing the consonant larger
  4. By adding a virama mark Correct answer.

Explanation

The inherent a is cancelled by a virama, a small stroke attached to the consonant sign. Doubling shows gemination, and the candrabindu marks nasalisation.

Question 12Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

The change of OIA y to j in many Prakrit words, as in Skt yāti > Pkt jāi, is an example of:

  1. Deaspiration
  2. Affrication of a palatal approximant Correct answer.
  3. Retroflexion
  4. Anaptyxis

Explanation

The palatal approximant y develops a fricative/affricate articulation and merges with the palatal series as j. This is a regular Prakrit development seen in many common verbs.

Question 13Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which of the following best describes the Prakrit treatment of OIA s and ṣ?

  1. They both disappear
  2. They both become ś
  3. Both are retained as distinct sibilants everywhere
  4. They merge, typically as s Correct answer.

Explanation

Prakrit reduces the three OIA sibilants to a single sibilant, usually written s. The distinction between s and ṣ is therefore neutralised, though the dental realisation is general.

Question 14Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

A Prakrit form shows an epenthetic vowel inside an inherited cluster, as in Skt ratna > Pkt rayana. This process is called:

  1. Haplology
  2. Prothesis
  3. Anaptyxis Correct answer.
  4. Metathesis

Explanation

Anaptyxis is the insertion of a vowel between two consonants of a cluster to break it up. Prothesis adds a vowel at the beginning of a word, and metathesis reorders segments.

Question 15Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which statement about vowel quantity in Prakrit is accurate?

  1. Vowel length is phonologically distinctive and carefully marked Correct answer.
  2. All vowels are lengthened before consonants
  3. Vowel length is not written in any script
  4. Long and short vowels are in free variation

Explanation

Although Prakrit undergoes many vowel changes, length remains contrastive and is marked in the script, for example by a distinguishing stroke. Free variation or total absence of marking would make many contrasts impossible.

Question 16Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

The OIA cluster kṣ regularly yields which Prakrit outcome?

  1. ṣṭ
  2. cch Correct answer.
  3. jj
  4. kṣ

Explanation

Sanskrit kṣ is assimilated in Prakrit to cch, as in Skt rakṣati > Pkt rakkhai with the characteristic geminate aspirate affricate. The original cluster is never retained.

Question 17Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which of these is the normal Prakrit reflex of OIA au?

  1. u
  2. e
  3. o Correct answer.
  4. ā

Explanation

Both ai and au monophthongise in Prakrit, ai becoming e and au becoming o. This is a regular vowel change affecting inherited diphthongs.

Question 18Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In Prakrit, initial OIA v frequently appears as which consonant?

  1. p
  2. b Correct answer.
  3. m
  4. y

Explanation

The labial approximant v is strengthened to the stop b in many Prakrit words, for example Skt vajra > Pkt bajja. This parallels the strengthening of y to j.

Question 19Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

A candidate compares Skt dīpa and Pkt dīva. Which phonological process explains the Prakrit form?

  1. Fortition of p to v
  2. Deaspiration
  3. Lenition of intervocalic p to v Correct answer.
  4. Nasalisation

Explanation

An intervocalic single voiceless stop is voiced and further weakened to a continuant, so p becomes v. This is the same lenition pathway that produces d and g from t and k.

Question 20Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which statement correctly describes the status of the three OIA sibilants ś, ṣ and s in Prakrit?

  1. They become the affricates c and j
  2. They merge into a single sibilant Correct answer.
  3. They remain three distinct phonemes
  4. ś and ṣ merge while s is lost

Explanation

Prakrit neutralises the sibilant distinctions of Old Indo-Aryan, leaving one sibilant usually written s. The affricates c and j have separate origins and are not the reflex of the sibilants.

Question 21Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

The loss of an unstressed vowel in the middle of a Prakrit word, as when a short medial vowel disappears, is termed:

  1. Syncope Correct answer.
  2. Anusvara
  3. Gemination
  4. Prothesis

Explanation

Syncope is the deletion of a vowel from the interior of a word, a frequent source of new clusters in Prakrit. Prothesis adds an initial vowel, and gemination concerns consonant length.

Question 22Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which of the following best explains why Prakrit texts show many spellings with single and double consonants for the same word?

  1. Deliberate encoding of tone
  2. Influence of a second script only
  3. Scribal variation reflecting uncertain gemination Correct answer.
  4. Complete absence of phonological rules

Explanation

Because gemination is phonologically significant but scribal practice varies, manuscripts often show single and double consonants for the same lexeme. The variation is orthographic, not evidence that Prakrit lacks phonological regularity.

Question 23Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

In Prakrit, the OIA sequence -ṃ- before a consonant is normally realised as:

  1. A long vowel
  2. A sibilant
  3. A geminate stop
  4. A homorganic nasal Correct answer.

Explanation

Anusvara before a consonant is pronounced as a nasal assimilated to that consonant's place of articulation, which is why the same sign covers several nasal sounds. It does not lengthen the preceding vowel or become a stop.

Question 24Prakrit language: script, orthography and phonology

Which Prakrit development accounts for forms in which OIA jñ appears as nn?

  1. Deaspiration of j
  2. Metathesis of the two consonants
  3. Prothesis of a vowel
  4. Assimilation of the palatal cluster Correct answer.

Explanation

The cluster jñ is assimilated to a geminate nasal, giving nn in Prakrit, as in Skt jñāna > Pkt nāṇa with further change. Assimilation, not transposition or insertion, is the operative process.

Question 25Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

In Prakrit nominal declension, the nominative singular of a masculine a-stem noun such as gaja- ('elephant') is formed with which ending?

  1. -aṃ
  2. -e
  3. -ā
  4. -o Correct answer.

Explanation

Masculine and neuter a-stems in Prakrit take -o in the nominative singular, so gaja- becomes gajo. The ending -aṃ marks the nominative/accusative singular of neuter a-stems, while -e and -ā belong to other cases or stems.

Question 26Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

What is the instrumental singular form of the masculine a-stem noun putta- ('son') in standard Prakrit?

  1. puttaṃ
  2. puttassa
  3. putteṇa Correct answer.
  4. puttāo

Explanation

The instrumental singular of masculine a-stems is formed with -eṇa (or -eṃ), giving putteṇa. The ending -assa marks the genitive/dative singular, -āo the ablative, and -aṃ the accusative.

Question 27Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which form is the genitive singular of the masculine a-stem noun rāya- ('king') in Prakrit?

  1. rāyassa Correct answer.
  2. rāyeṇa
  3. rāyaṃ
  4. rāyā

Explanation

The genitive singular of masculine a-stems takes the ending -assa, so rāya- becomes rāyassa. This ending is shared with the dative singular in Prakrit. The other options represent instrumental, accusative, and nominative forms.

Question 28Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

In Prakrit, the nominative plural of a masculine a-stem noun like kaya- ('body') is formed with which ending?

  1. -e Correct answer.
  2. -aṃ
  3. -o
  4. -ā

Explanation

Masculine a-stems form the nominative plural with -e, so kaya- becomes kayāe in the plural nominative. The ending -ā appears in other declensions, -o is the singular nominative, and -aṃ is the neuter nominative/accusative singular.

Question 29Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which ending characterises the instrumental singular of feminine ā-stem nouns such as kathā- ('story') in Prakrit?

  1. -āo
  2. -āsu
  3. -āe Correct answer.
  4. -āṇaṃ

Explanation

Feminine ā-stems take -āe for the instrumental singular, so kathā- yields kathāe. The ending -āo is ablative/genitive singular, -āṇaṃ is genitive plural, and -āsu is locative plural.

Question 30Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

What is the locative singular of the feminine ā-stem noun sālā- ('hall') in Prakrit?

  1. sālāo
  2. sālāṇaṃ
  3. sālāe Correct answer.
  4. sālāsu

Explanation

For feminine ā-stems the locative singular shares the ending -āe with the instrumental, so sālāe means 'in the hall'. The endings -āo, -āṇaṃ, and -āsu belong to ablative/genitive singular, genitive plural, and locative plural respectively.

Question 31Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

The Prakrit noun aggi- ('fire'), an i-stem masculine, has which nominative singular form?

  1. aggie
  2. aggī
  3. aggiṃ
  4. aggi Correct answer.

Explanation

Masculine i-stems in Prakrit commonly take no ending in the nominative singular, so aggi- appears as aggi. The form aggiṃ is the accusative singular, aggī is the nominative plural, and aggie is a plural or locative form.

Question 32Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which of the following is the instrumental singular of the i-stem noun muni- ('sage') in Prakrit?

  1. muṇīṇaṃ
  2. muṇīhi
  3. muṇiṇā Correct answer.
  4. muṇīsu

Explanation

The instrumental singular of i-stems takes -ṇā (or -iṇā), giving muṇiṇā. The ending -īṇaṃ is genitive plural, -īsu is locative plural, and -īhi is instrumental/ablative plural.

Question 33Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

The Prakrit u-stem masculine noun bhikkhu- ('monk') has which genitive singular form?

  1. bhikkhūṇaṃ
  2. bhikkhuṇā
  3. bhikkhū
  4. bhikkhussa Correct answer.

Explanation

U-stems form the genitive singular with -ussa, so bhikkhu- becomes bhikkhussa. The ending -uṇā marks the instrumental singular, -ū the nominative plural, and -ūṇaṃ the genitive plural.

Question 34Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which form represents the accusative singular of the neuter a-stem noun ghara- ('house') in Prakrit?

  1. gharā
  2. gharassa
  3. gharaṃ Correct answer.
  4. ghare

Explanation

Neuter a-stems take -aṃ for both nominative and accusative singular, so ghara- yields gharaṃ. The form ghare is the nominative/accusative plural, gharā is not the standard neuter singular, and gharassa is the genitive/dative singular.

Question 35Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

In Prakrit, the genitive plural of the masculine a-stem noun purisa- ('man') is which form?

  1. puriseṇa
  2. purisāṇaṃ Correct answer.
  3. purisesu
  4. purisassa

Explanation

The genitive plural of a-stems takes the ending -āṇaṃ, giving purisāṇaṃ ('of the men'). The ending -assa is genitive singular, -eṇa instrumental singular, and -esu locative plural.

Question 36Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which is the locative plural of the feminine ā-stem noun kathā- ('story') in Prakrit?

  1. kathāe
  2. kathāsu Correct answer.
  3. kathāṇaṃ
  4. kathāo

Explanation

Feminine ā-stems take -āsu in the locative plural, so kathā- becomes kathāsu ('in the stories'). The ending -āe is instrumental/locative singular, -āṇaṃ is genitive plural, and -āo is ablative/genitive singular.

Question 37Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

The Prakrit i-stem feminine noun siddhi- ('attainment') forms its genitive singular as which of the following?

  1. siddhīṇaṃ
  2. siddhīsu
  3. siddhiṇā
  4. siddhīe Correct answer.

Explanation

Feminine i-stems take -īe for the genitive singular, so siddhi- yields siddhīe. The ending -iṇā is instrumental singular, -īṇaṃ genitive plural, and -īsu locative plural.

Question 38Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which ending marks the instrumental singular of a Prakrit u-stem noun such as bhikkhu- ('monk')?

  1. -ussa
  2. -ūsu
  3. -ūhi
  4. -uṇā Correct answer.

Explanation

U-stems form the instrumental singular with -uṇā, so bhikkhu- becomes bhikkhuṇā. The ending -ussa is genitive singular, -ūhi is instrumental/ablative plural, and -ūsu is locative plural.

Question 39Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

In Prakrit, the ablative singular of the masculine a-stem noun gāma- ('village') is which form?

  1. gāmeṇa
  2. gāmāo Correct answer.
  3. gāmesu
  4. gāmassa

Explanation

The ablative singular of a-stems is formed with -āo (also -ā), giving gāmāo ('from the village'). The ending -assa is genitive/dative, -eṇa instrumental, and -esu locative plural.

Question 40Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

A Prakrit sentence reads: 'so bhikkhū dhammaṃ sikkhati.' Which grammatical description of 'bhikkhū' fits this form?

  1. nominative plural of an u-stem, agreeing with a plural verb Correct answer.
  2. instrumental singular of an u-stem
  3. accusative singular of an u-stem
  4. genitive singular of an u-stem

Explanation

The form bhikkhū can serve as the nominative plural of the u-stem bhikkhu-, and it agrees with the third-person singular verb sikkhati used with a collective or plural subject. The accusative singular is bhikkhuṃ, the instrumental is bhikkhuṇā, and the genitive is bhikkhussa.

Question 41Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which pair correctly matches a Prakrit a-stem form with its case function?

  1. purise - accusative singular
  2. puriseṇa - locative plural
  3. purisaṃ - accusative singular Correct answer.
  4. purisāṇaṃ - genitive singular

Explanation

In masculine a-stems -aṃ marks the accusative singular, so purisaṃ is the direct-object form. The form purise is the nominative plural, purisāṇaṃ is the genitive plural, and puriseṇa is the instrumental singular.

Question 42Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

A Prakrit text contains 'rāyāṇaṃ' and 'rāyassa'. Which statement correctly distinguishes these two forms?

  1. rāyāṇaṃ is instrumental singular and rāyassa is ablative singular
  2. both are genitive singular forms of different declensions
  3. rāyāṇaṃ is genitive plural and rāyassa is genitive singular Correct answer.
  4. rāyāṇaṃ is genitive singular and rāyassa is genitive plural

Explanation

For a-stems the genitive plural ends in -āṇaṃ while the genitive singular ends in -assa, so rāyāṇaṃ means 'of the kings' and rāyassa means 'of the king'. The two endings differ in number, not in declension class.

Question 43Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which set of Prakrit endings belongs exclusively to plural cases of masculine a-stems?

  1. -o, -aṃ, -eṇa, -assa
  2. -āe, -āo, -āṇaṃ, -āsu
  3. -e, -ehi, -āṇaṃ, -esu Correct answer.
  4. -uṇā, -ussa, -ūhi, -ūsu

Explanation

Masculine a-stems use -e for the nominative plural, -ehi for instrumental/ablative plural, -āṇaṃ for genitive plural, and -esu for locative plural. The other sets mix singular endings or belong to feminine ā-stems and u-stems.

Question 44Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

The Prakrit neuter noun jala- ('water') appears as 'jalāi' in a sentence. What case and number does this form represent?

  1. genitive plural
  2. instrumental singular
  3. nominative/accusative plural Correct answer.
  4. nominative singular

Explanation

Neuter a-stems form the nominative and accusative plural with -āi (also -āṇi), so jalāi means 'waters' as subject or object. The nominative/accusative singular is jalaṃ, the instrumental singular is jaleṇa, and the genitive plural is jalāṇaṃ.

Question 45Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which statement best describes how the Prakrit dative singular of a-stems relates to the genitive singular?

  1. The dative has no distinct form and uses the instrumental
  2. The dative uses -āya while the genitive uses -assa
  3. Both are expressed by the single ending -assa Correct answer.
  4. The dative uses -āo while the genitive uses -eṇa

Explanation

In Prakrit the dative singular of a-stems is not distinguished from the genitive and both are expressed by -assa, so puttassa can mean 'of the son' or 'to the son'. The ending -āya is not the standard a-stem dative, -āo is ablative, and -eṇa is instrumental.

Question 46Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

What is the vocative singular of the masculine a-stem noun deva- ('god') in Prakrit?

  1. deveṇa
  2. devo
  3. devaṃ
  4. deva Correct answer.

Explanation

The vocative singular of a-stems is formed by the bare stem, so deva means 'O god'. The form devo is the nominative singular, devaṃ the accusative, and deveṇa the instrumental.

Question 47Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

In Prakrit, which form is the instrumental plural of the masculine a-stem noun putta- ('son')?

  1. puttehi Correct answer.
  2. puttāṇaṃ
  3. putteṇa
  4. puttesu

Explanation

The instrumental and ablative plural of a-stems share the ending -ehi (also -ehiṃ), giving puttehi ('by/with the sons'). The ending -eṇa is instrumental singular, -āṇaṃ genitive plural, and -esu locative plural.

Question 48Prakrit grammar: declension and nominal morphology

Which form is the locative singular of the masculine a-stem noun gāma- ('village') in Prakrit?

  1. gāmāo
  2. gāmesu
  3. gāmaṃ
  4. gāme Correct answer.

Explanation

The locative singular of a-stems ends in -e, so gāme means 'in the village'. The ending -esu marks the locative plural, -aṃ the accusative singular, and -āo the ablative singular.

Question 49Prakrit grammar: verb conjugation and syntax

In Prakrit, the present tense (vartamāna) of the verb root √kar 'to do' in the third person singular takes which form?

  1. kariavva
  2. karanti
  3. karai Correct answer.
  4. karehi

Explanation

Prakrit present-tense endings attach to the modified root; the third person singular active ending is -ai, so √kar gives karai 'he/she does'. The other forms belong to different persons, moods or participles and cannot serve as third singular present.

Question 50Prakrit grammar: verb conjugation and syntax

Which ending marks the third person plural present active in standard Prakrit conjugation?

  1. -mo
  2. -si
  3. -mi
  4. -nti Correct answer.

Explanation

The third person plural present active ending in Prakrit is -nti (as in honti, karanti). The remaining endings belong to the first and second persons, so they cannot express 'they'.