Question 2. Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period:

  1. Irrigation from wells allowed agriculture to expand away from flood plains into the present Punjab and Haryana plains having underground water levels reasonably close to the surface.
  2. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.

Which of the following information support/supports the above statements?

  1. There is evidence in the Rigveda of the use of ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) to draw up water.
  2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle).
  3. 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:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 3 only

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Explanation:

Information 1: Correct. The reference to ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and water containers relates to methods of drawing water from wells. Such devices could support irrigation in areas away from riverbanks, where groundwater was accessible.

Information 2: Incorrect. The parashu/kulisha (axe) and datra/sreni (sickle) were agricultural or land-clearing implements. They do not directly establish the use of wells for irrigation or animal-powered water lifting.

Information 3: Correct. Oxen were used for ploughing and pulling carts before the Rigvedic period. This supports the inference that people were familiar with draught-animal power, although it does not independently prove that oxen were used to draw water from wells.

Conclusion: Information 1 supports well irrigation, and Information 3 supports the inference about the use of draught animals. Information 2 is not directly relevant. Therefore, the answer is (c) 1 and 3 only.

Subject: Ancient Indian History

Topic: Vedic Period

Source(s):

  • NCERT Text Book: Class XII, Themes in Indian History, Part I, Chapter 1: “Bricks, Beads and Bones: The Harappan Civilisation,” section “Agricultural technologies”. This section discusses ploughing, oxen and the possible use of well water for irrigation. It provides relevant background, but does not directly establish all the Rigvedic details in the question.
  • Related source: India Science Heritage — Water Technology in India, for the discussion of ancient water-lifting devices.