UPSC CSE 2026 · PYQ · Ancient India / Rigvedic Economy · hard
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.
A.1 and 2 only
B.1, 2 and 3
C.1 and 3 only✓ Correct
D.3 only
Explanation
The assertion is about well-irrigation and use of draught animals to draw water. Statement 1 directly supports both — the ashma chakra (stone pulley wheel) and ahava (strapped wooden pails) are mechanisms specifically for drawing water from wells, supporting both well-irrigation and the mechanism used. Statement 3 supports the use of draught animals (ox) which were employed for ploughing as well as drawing water and pulling carts — supporting animal power use. Statement 2 mentions axes and sickles, which relate to forest clearance and harvesting, but not to irrigation or drawing water from wells, so it does not support the given assertions. Hence 1 and 3 only.
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