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 ? 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
Correct answer
D
3 only
Explanation
The Rigveda's references to drawing water from wells with a stone pulley wheel (ashma chakra) and strapped wooden pails support the claim that wells allowed farming to spread onto plains with fairly shallow groundwater, so 1 supports the statements. The long use of oxen for ploughing and pulling carts, going back to Harappan times, supports the use of draught animals to lift water, so 3 supports them. Mentions of axes and sickles (2) concern tools, not irrigation from wells.
Ancient Indian HistoryVedic economy: agriculture and irrigationRigvedic periodWellsAshma chakraDraught animalsIrrigation