Prelims 2026 · Ancient History · Question 10
Consider the following statements about the Rigvedic period :<br/><br/>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.<br/>II. Draught-animal power was employed to draw up water out of the wells.<br/><br/>Which of the following information support/supports the above statements ?<br/><br/>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.<br/>2. Mention has been made in the Rigveda of the use of implements like parashu / kulisha (axe) and datra / sreni (sickle).<br/>3. There is a history of the use of ox, even before the Rigveda, for ploughing the land and pulling the carts.<br/><br/>Select the answer using the code given below :<br/>
Answer
1 and 3 only
Statement 1 directly supports both claims: if the Rigveda mentions pulley-and-pail water lifting, that backs well irrigation. Statement 3 supports the use of draught animals for such work because oxen were already established as pulling animals. Statement 2 only shows agricultural tools like axe and sickle; it does not specifically support well irrigation or animal-powered water lifting. Therefore, 1 and 3 only.