In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate ? (a) Rigveda (b) Atharvaveda (c) Ashtadhyayi (d) Arthashastra

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UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper 1 · Set DAncient HistoryQ 10 / 100

UPSC Prelims 2026 GS Paper — Question 10

Question

In which one among the following texts does the term kshetra-patni ('mistress of the field') originate ?

(a)Rigveda
(b)Atharvaveda
(c)Ashtadhyayi
(d)Arthashastra

Subject

Ancient History

Topic Reference

Ancient History — Ancient Indian texts

UnlockIAS assessed: (b) · Atharvaveda

UnlockIAS evidence-based analysis

Why it looks disputed: The masculine kshetrapati is Rigvedic, so the Rigveda (a) looks plausible.

The masculine kshetrapati ("lord of the field") is Rigvedic (RV 4.57). But the feminine kshetrasya patni ("mistress of the field"), which the question asks for, occurs in the Atharvaveda (Śaunaka 2.12.1) and the Vajasaneyi Samhita (16.18) — not in the Rigveda. So (b).

Macdonell & Keith, Vedic Index of Names and Subjects (under "Kshetra")

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UnlockIAS assessment from primary / official sources, prepared 24 May 2026 — pending the official UPSC provisional answer key.

Official answer awaiting UPSC provisional key

UPSC has announced (PIB Release 2262441, 18 May 2026) that the provisional answer key for CSE Prelims 2026 will be released “soon after Exam”. Until then, compare this question against multiple coaching institute keys on the UPSC Prelims 2026 Answer Key page and join the per-question discussion below to see what other aspirants think.

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Official Notification

PIB Release 2262441

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