History2026
Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period: I. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains and strips on river margins into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface. II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells. Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?
- There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
- Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
- There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.
Select the answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The correct option is "1 and 3 only" because statement 1 aligns with the evidence of the use of the ashma chakra and ahava in the Rigveda, which indicates advanced water-lifting techniques that support irrigation practices during the Rigvedic period. Statement 3 corroborates the use of oxen for ploughing, suggesting the importance of draught-animal power in agricultural productivity. Statement 2, while related to agricultural implements, does not specifically support the context of irrigation and water management as outlined in statements I and II.