1. In Vedic times, the Pishachas were also known by which name?
   A) Devas
   B) Asuras
   C) Rakshas 1
   D) Gandharvas
   
   Answer: C) Rakshas
   
2. What characteristic dietary habit was attributed to the Pishachas?
   A) Strictly vegetarian
   B) Consumers of raw flesh 1
   C) Subsisting only on fruits
   D) Eating only cooked grains
   
   Answer: B) Consumers of raw flesh
   
3. The Yakshas were primarily known as what type of deities?
   A) River gods
   B) Mountain gods
   C) Tree gods 1
   D) Sky gods
   
   Answer: C) Tree gods
   
4. Which ancient Indian epic contains a reference to an encounter between Yudhisthira and a Yaksha?
   A) Ramayana
   B) Mahabharata 1
   C) Bhagavata Purana
   D) Skanda Purana
   
   Answer: B) Mahabharata
   
5. According to the provided text, which geographical area were the Pishachas believed to inhabit?
   A) The coastal regions of Southern India
   B) The deserts of Western India
   C) The North frontier and the adjoining Himalayan tract 1
   D) The Gangetic plains
   
   Answer: C) The North frontier and the adjoining Himalayan tract
   
6. What kind of powers were the Yakshas believed to be endowed with?
   A) The ability to control weather
   B) Mysterious superhuman powers 1
   C) The power of prophecy
   D) The ability to shapeshift into animals
   
   Answer: B) Mysterious superhuman powers
   
7. The Sanskrit classic ‘Amarkosa’ mentions Pishachas alongside which of these other groups?
   A) Only Devas
   B) Only Rishis
   C) Bhutas and Rakshasas 1
   D) Only Khasas
   
   Answer: C) Bhutas and Rakshasas
   
8. What does the text suggest about ascribing a particular region to the Yakshas?
   A) They were confined to the Kinnaur region only.
   B) They exclusively inhabited the Spiti valley.
   C) It is difficult, as every part of the Himalayan tract provided shelter to various tribes. 1
   D) They were only found near major river confluences.
   
   Answer: C) It is difficult, as every part of the Himalayan tract provided shelter to various tribes.
   
9. After the Khasas gained supremacy in the region, what became of the Yakshas according to the text?
   A) They migrated to the plains.
   B) They were assimilated into the Khasa tribe.
   C) They were lost to history. 1
   D) They became the principal deities of the Khasas.
   
   Answer: C) They were lost to history.
   

10. The term ‘Rakshas’, used for Pishachas in Vedic times, generally implies beings associated with:
A) Benevolence and protection
B) Wisdom and learning
C) Wild, fierce, or malevolent characteristics (inferred from “consumer of raw flesh”)
D) Agricultural prosperity

Answer: C) Wild, fierce, or malevolent characteristics (inferred from “consumer of raw flesh”)